Spring In Wisconsin...

Spring has finally arrive at the farmhouse. All the trees and bushes have begun greening up, and the flowers are opening again. The most wonderful gift here is to see our old apple tree bloom and bless us with her fragrant, showy flowers each year. This year is no exception.

I was working on my spoolie last night, but am completely unhappy with the head shape for this animal, so I'm going to start over today. After two days of standing on my feet at work, all I want to do is give these old knees a rest. A little needle dancing (where I can just sit) is just what I need.

My plan is to rework and complete my spoolie today, and then I have this month's Artist Trading Cards to do. This month's theme is flowers, so I'm looking forward to creating something pretty and floral. 

I'll share whatever I complete today with you tomorrow. I'll also be able to do a little housekeeping around here tomorrow, too, after my "day of rest". As for today, I shall play.

Loads of Spools...

I've acquired a few little spools for my spool animal projects. These two jars are loaded with them!! I put Otis in front of them so you have a size comparison. I'll be able to populate Noah's Ark with all the little animals I'll be able to create!

So, here's my thinking...There are only so many spoolies that will fit on my shelf, and after I complete all my first attempts (thinking prototypes), I could make more available for sale through my blog. I wouldn't list these on Etsy, only here. I could do oh, say, ten at a time and list them once a month or something. What do you think of that idea?

Next are two questions...I know that I usually have two to three hours in creating each one. What would you suggest would be a good price point? I'll tell you I'm thinking $39 each, including packaging and postage. Heck. Do you think anyone would even want to purchase them?

I'm interested in your thoughts on these matters. Please leave a note with suggestions in the comments today. It's okay to be honest. I asked, after all.

Tonight is the monthly classmate dinner, but I'll be taking it easy until then. Yesterday was tiring, but I'm not going to overdo it today. I don't work again until Friday, so I'll get lots of downtime in until then.

Thanks for contemplating my questions and leaving comments for me! Classmate dinner group photo tomorrow.

My Spoolie Shelf...

L-R: Ursa Polar Bear w/seal, Bella Labrador, King Scarface, Valentine Rabbit, Taylor Mouse, Otis Opossum, Spot the Dog, Sebastian Squirrel, and Daisy Skunk

I'm just leaving a quick post today. I'm going back to work this morning, and I want to give myself plenty of time.

Only two I've made aren't on this shelf...Theodore Badger and Henrietta Chicken, which were both gifted to special people. I will be making another of each for my shelf, though, so they will be represented.

I did rework King Scarface, adding more dark fur and fine tuning his facial features. I'm much happier with his look now.

I have no idea which animal I'll do next, but I am thinking on it. I also want to get back to the bluebirds, so there's that, too. 

I'm not sure how I'll do with work today. Handsome and I went out for breakfast and ran one quick errand. When we got home, I curled up on the sofa and slept for two hours. My boss offered to come in early for me today if I think I need it, but I'm going to try not to do that, but I asked Handsome to have something figured out for dinner, just in case I didn't have meal prep in me by the time we get home. 

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. See you later!

Guess What's Next...

So, this is the fabric I've pulled for the next spoolie. I'm going to let you all guess what this one is going to be. I've chosen a name, too, but I'm not going to share it yet.

I'm going to be spending a little time in my recliner, so I'll have plenty of time to work on this and a few others while I'm lolly gagging about.

"Theodore Badger"...

 

Meet "Theodore Badger", my latest spool animal. I'm so in love with this guy. I know. I say that about all of them, but truly, this one just makes me smile. 

Theodore is a gift for someone celebrating a Birthday later this week, and will already in the mail on Monday, but I just had to take photographs before boxing him up so you could see him, too.

I made a wee vest for him, and even included buttons and a chain for his pocket watch. And what learned badger doesn't need his own pinz nez glasses perched on his nose? (I did sew those on so they wouldn't fall off.)

Handsome has already told me I'm going to have to make a second one for my spoolie shelf. I always show them to him first, and he declared there should be two. I'll probably work on this one's brother while I'm recuperating from my procedure this week. It's a great project when one is sitting in a semi-reclined position, I think. I'll be thinking about a good name for Theodore's brother, too. (I'm not inclined to go with Alvin or Simon. Those are the names of the three chipmunks, which I may save for when I might make a chipmunk!) I'd love ideas, though.

I'm working today, so I won't get to the bluebird's wings again until tomorrow. Have a great day, my friends. See you tomorrow.

 

Meet Ursa...

It snowed two days ago and was downright cold until late last night. The wind is still blowing, but the air is warmer. Perhaps we'll have a nice weekend (or not), but I wanted to share my latest spoolie with you. I've come to enjoy quietly sitting with my supplies after dinner, just so I can create something cute from Handsome's or my ideas.

Last night, I created a polar bear because Handsome loves bears. I figured a polar bear would be appropriate for this goofy weather. When I completed "Ursa", Handsome suggested I add a tiny bottle of coke or a seal (think Coca Cola ads), so I added a pet for Ursa...a little seal to keep him company.

I handed this pair to Handsome once completed and he allowed as how each new one brings out a smile on his face. I really like that, so I'll likely continue my evening pastime of creating little spool animals. Which animal do you think I should make next?

Look! A Squirrel!...

I completed my little squirrel spool animal yesterday. I'm calling him "Sebastian". He's sporting a green coat and a big, bushy tail. I dipped into my needle felting wools to add his tail. I actually needle felted it to his backside. I think I may add some green ribbon to the spool, and I'd like him to be holding an acorn. This is the smallest acorn I have "in inventory". I'm just trying to decide whether or not it's too big for him. 

I'll play around with it later today and decide. Otherwise, (now, don't be shocked) I have an extensive assortment of acorn charms and buttons. I'm sure I'll find something I can use.

Hard to believe it's Friday again already. Handsome will be home next week, so I'm completing the last of my tasks before he walks in the door. I'll be so happy to have him here with us again. This trip seemed to last forever. 

I'll be doing a little baking today, and then a few hours of work later, so I guess I'd better get started. Time to take care of all my girls and then I can get on with my day. Happy Weekend!!

Look What I Found...

When recently combing through boxes in a local antique shop, I came across  a treasure trove of these little beauties. They're thread spools, used (I think) in a factory setting. They have a fabulous patina and are in great shape, so I knew that I had to have them, but I also knew exactly how I would use them at home.

The first step when I got them back to the studio was to cover the beautiful wood with scraps of cotton batting. Wood can damage fabric over time, so this is a step I took in an effort to protect what I would store on the spools to keep them safe.

Then, I went into my stash of beautiful, printed twill ribbons and began rolling  the wide tapes that I have onto the spools. Each tape is 2" wide, so you can see how large these spools are to be able to hold three different ribbons on each one.

I think they're beautiful to look at even when I'm not using them, don't you? In fact, I may have to go back and purchase more spools. (Yup. I have more tapes.   I can't believe it's already Friday again. I guess it's true... "Time flies when you're having fun"! Speaking of time...It's time to finish my knitting project. Gotta run!