And now for something completely different. . .

Here's my fave this week-

Funny little conjoined cuteness.

Making this was little different for me,

what with having splinter possibilities

instead of just the usual pin pokes.

I had to make their little arms move, of course.

Gotta be able to play with it.

I liked the image so much

I made a linoleum block print with it too.

Can't show you that yet though,

I'm still experimenting. (Mwah ha ha!)

Bunnies Bunnies Bunnies!

Easter is sneaking up

on quiet little bunny paws.

It's so early this year! But the daffodils

are peeking their cute yellow heads out of the ground,

so I suppose it's reasonable timing.

I've got bunnies on the brain this week, trying to fit in some Eastery ones before the day is upon us.

I love bunnies and will make them all year,

fertile little softies that they are. They bring out my girly-ness.

...

Here are some that we made this past week:

Easter always makes me think of white patent leather shoes, and that horrible plastic Easter basket grass, and those plastic eggs that break in half to reveal half-melted jelly beans, and the smell of vinegar in mugs full of Paas egg dye.

Even though my kids are getting big now (12 & 15) they still insist upon the yearly Easter egg hunt. And of course, I put Easter baskets together every year; although I must admit the baskets have gotten smaller and smaller over the years. (How many black jelly beans must I find tucked in odd corners and half-eaten chocolate bunnies toss out before I get the hint?)

...

How 'bout you? What are your traditions?

Cheater Quilt Step-by-Step

So I got this idea that I wanted to do a painting, but more dimensional, and kinda quiltish. And I'm a sucker for texture. And I really love the look of applique quilting, but I don't have that kind of patience. Anyway, I came up with this idea of painting like I do on my dollies, only more flat. I've made a few of them now, and they are very fun. I call them Cheater Quilts. Here's the latest, in a step-by-step scenario:

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They start with a doodle. This particular cheater started with that funny tree down there in the right corner. I saw it (or something like it) on an old apron. Then I doodled a little stand of trees and Grandma's house, and figured I'd need a little place for Red and Wolfie to hang out when they're not wandering through the woods.

So then I made a drawing the size I wanted the quilt to be,

and cut out little templates for Red and the wolf.

Then I made a fabric sandwich with cotton batting innards and drew out all the lines I wanted stitched. Then I handed it over to Dylan and he sewed all the lines. He also stitched and stuffed up the Red and wolf dollies.
Next I painted everything with its base color.

It looks so bright in this stage, but not for long. . .
After painting I lightly sand everything and stain with a dark umber. After that dries, I sand again, giving this nice textural quality to everything. After painting in some details and shading, I add all the stitching and buttons and whatnot to liven up the piece.
Wolfie and Red go through the same sanding, staining, and sanding process. Then I paint their wee little features on.

Of course, Red gets more clothes than her canine counterpart.

Then I tuck the pair in their cozy little pocket. . .

. . .and voila!

Now you make one!

(And show it to me, cuz I'm nosey like that.)