Pokey Me

So I have been anything but "active" lately. I can't help it I get distracted, my mind wanders and I get swept up into other things, or my computer gets hijacked by my husband. Anyway, I did make another cake which turned out FANTASTIC! Well I will upload that fast before this first snowstorm takes out my Internet. Satellite internet doesn't do well with any precipitation, degrading cloud, solar flares ...

So this was a "Princess" cake done in November for a 6 year old. Apparently it was a big success. All edible except the tiara at the top. (Marshmallow fondant, marzipam, and homemade hard candy, with silver dregees).

Thanksgiving cake

Poundcake with buttercream and marshmallow fondant.
Leaves, acorns, and twigs made with gumpaste.

Fun Buggies

Two new Buggies.

I tried something different this time and made the spots/patches from wool. It has a really nice feel to it to have that change in texture from the soft micro-plush!

Happy Birthday!

Tomorrow is Emily's birthday.

I made her a Tinkerbelle cake - okay well

I made a cake and put a Tinkerbelle doll on the top.

Not bad for my first try with fondant.

Learned a few things to try differently next time.

Painting

So I have been focusing on some paintings lately. Just finished one last night - a poppy one that I have wanted to do for awhile now. I finished another a few weeks ago that I had been procrastinating on as well. Pop on over to www.amandacanton.blogspot.com to check them out.

I am still doing the odd wrap - but it seems silly to keep taking pictures of those now doesn't it. I ? Speaking of which I am in need of wrap material and need to find a better supply! I am also planning an art "project" right now as well. Though not exactly for this blog, I'll be sure to share when I start working on it ... until then it is a surprise.

Murals

Finished up a mural for Anna'a room. Something to brighten it up a bit in there.

Where does time go?

I have been a little busy but keep forgetting to come here and post - I blame it on summer. I have been working on a mural in A's bedroom - can't wait to show the finished product. I have also been poking around a bit with a painting that I really should get down to business and finish!

I still have material for two more organic bamboo/organic cotton blend wraps (pictured above). I am unsure if I will order more in when it is gone or if I will just wait for some interest - it is a beautiful product though. I actually need to find a good place to buy regular material for wraps since living in the middle of nowhere really limits things.

I have had two different people express interest in bags for adults so I really want to play around and see what I can come up with, appliques and painting I think.

Still having lots of fun making Sweatersaurs, lots of fun sweaters that I haven't even had time to do yet - be ready to see a big one coming up soon. I now have products in 4 Provinces, Seattle, and somewhere in Germany!

It's been awhile ...

This is a tree I painted for our playroom.

I am still debating on what else I want to put up, there are a lot of walls there!

So I have been somewhat absent this past month, busy with birthdays and such. I have done a few wraps, and am working on some things for my new nephew-to-be, I'll wait and post them once I have sent them off.

Material Arrived

The material I ordered is in, actually was yesterday but of course I got dinged at customs so I had to go to town to get some money (only in the middle of nowhere does a post office only accept cash). Later this morning the kids and I will go pick it up :) I can't wait to feel it! I'll take a picture, but really that didn't take too long at all I think.

Mural is Finished

The mural at Creative Learners is now finished, take a look.

Wraps

Last night I placed an order for some Certified Organic Bamboo/Cotton Blend interlock for baby wraps. I will be making four of them, and one is already sold. Not sure what the end price will be, but now is as good a time as any to find out what the costs will be after conversion/shipping/customs/labor. I am also really interested in seeing how long the material will take to get here. I am so excited to work with this material.

Pictured on the right is Anna in a wrap, regular jersey knit. I still put her in it, even Emily wants in sometimes and she weighs more than 30lbs.

The Mural in Progress

So here is just a sneak peek at the mual progress. I am doing a whole day later today, so there should be quite a change from what you see here.

Scrounging

I went shopping yesterday. The good thing with this time of the year is that you can find sweaters on clearance racks for like $4.00. I also went through used clothing stores, those big bins of sweaters :) In the end - I found 5 items, three are traditional "sweaters" but 2 are actually turtlenecks, that I couldn't walk away from - they will make great Sweatersaurs!

Work on the mural is going great, got some main pieces done and started - but still lots to do.

Stompin Stripes

Thought I would try a sweatersaur in stripes!

Here is another Sweatersaur that was ordered. As you can see, it is another green one, but the last. This one has pink added to it. The thing with it being made out of a sweater is that there will never be more than one or sometimes two of the same color/pattern sweatersaurs. With variety in the ribbons and the fact that each is handcut without a template, they truely are each uniquie. Will that be long and skinny or short and fat?

Updates!

Just some updates to share.

• I now have the option of a pearl snap fastener on bib sets, they are a cute alternative to Velcro. I bought some new fabric this week as well that is pretty fun, I'll try to make some up next week to show off.
• Exciting news! I will be working for the next little bit on a mural at a pre-school, it will be eating up some of my "free time", but keep posted in the next week or two for pictures!
• We have temporarily put our finger puppets on hold :( Unfortunately once you take the huge amount of time it takes to design and build a set by hand (about 5 evenings) and materials, it is just not cost efficient.

Something New

This is the new little guy that I'm working on. It's a buggie! So far this is just the prototype, tomorrow it will undergo serious kid-test time. The body, laid in my hand, measures from the end of my fingertips to the base of my wrist - perfect for little hands! Made with a pale green ridiculously soft polyester micro-plush, it is bright, colorful, and has lots of playful ribbons for little fingers :) Fleece spots and eyes are stitched for extra color and dimension.

Another sweatersaur, ordered and moved on!

More Vehicles

Dumptruck!

Paul has recently decided to take a try at making cards
too and he's really got a knack for it. This fighter jet he was
working on last night is 3D.

Stomp stomp stomp stomp

Roarrrrrr

Time to welcome the sweatersaurs!

Frills

I have been playing around this week amd making different bows. So far I have only made bows for us, but am planning on making a few sets to sell. Having two little girls we really like bows in this house!

Blast Off

This one is not quite finished, but enough for you to see the idea.

Meet Stella and Ramone

Thought maybe my snails should have names, so if you look back, the others will be named a well. Meet Stella and Ramone, the two newest snails to need homes!

Ramone

Stella

Owly

I was in the library with the girls one day and we never even thought to bring a bag with us. Needless to say carrying an arm load of books, along with a toddler and a 6 month old in the snow on our way back to the car, was an unpleasant experience. It made me think that I need to start making some fun little bags for kids, especially since everyone is going the re-usable bag route. Shouldn't kids get their own?

So, my little owl has found its' home. I am not sure these will be the bags I will continue with, but good for a start, a decent size it can easily carry a few books and more! It measures about 13 x 13" and is about 3" wide, with two handles. It is pretty thick and durable. I was thinking of actually decorating other inexpensive re-useable bags, but I think they would wear out faster with how pointy the corners of books can be.

Snail Shopping

Petulla Belle

Custom ordered snail pillow.

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I've bought some fun new fabrics for snail pillows. Watch in the coming weeks to see some of them! My initial plan was for the snails to only be made of re-used/recycled material, but I found it a bit too limiting. I am willing to make one using any special fabrics you may have, like a memorable kids blanket, loved one's shirt, etc. I do still plan on having each one a little bit different ...

Terry Cloth

I decided to try something a bit more absorbant to back the bibs up. The terry cloth has a different look than the fleece, but can soak up a lot more! I can still back in fleece though if preferred which is soft and cozy.

Elephants on green flannel, backed in terry cloth.

Apples & Apple Slices on yellow flannel, backed in terry cloth.

Green & white polka dots, backed in terry cloth.

I have also done another set of the pink dragonfly pattern and the fun animals with the terry cloth as well.

Bee There?

Thought I should share something else for a change, to get away from some of the fabric things I have been working on. This is a set of 6 invitations, could be used for a shower, a child's birhday, a tea party ...

Yesterday the kids and I were making paper owls and I thought I would make one to sew onto something. He turned out really cute. At first my plan was to put him onto a bag, to use as a kid's library bag, but now I am not sure what I want to put him on.

More Bib Sets

Fun animals, on white teddy fleece.

Sparkly Flutter, on pink fleece.

Bibs and Blankies

Take a look at the new bib and blankie set. It is backed with a soft cozy fleece, with a velcro closure. This is a "Work Zone" fabric, but I have others ready to sew as well. The mathching little blanket makes a good burb cloth or to help with the feeding cleanup (or to put on the feeder's lap if baby is having a meal on the go).

A custom ordered snail pillow!
Henry