Spring Slippers

I made these cozy new slippers as an Ostara (Spring) gift for my Sis who is living up in the Arctic Circle.

This Rainy Morning in My Studio

Despite waking up to sunshine streaming in the window, and having a refreshing walk to the garden to pick some greens, by the time I'd finished with Sunday morning coffee and a giant Green breakfast smoothie, it had started to rain again. I shouldn't have been surprised. We've just wrapped up what seems to have been the wettest March ever recorded here in damp NW Oregon. 

So instead of spending the day puttering in the gardens with Sweetie, I'm back up here in Cutelandia, plugging away at making stuff. Here's a glimpse:

Sweetie's old Lees were worn beyond repair. After chopping them off into cutoffs, I was left with some scraps of gorgeous faded indigo denim. As my gaze fell upon the overflowing numbers of overflowing bags of tiny scraps on my studio floor, I remembered that I'd been wanting to sew myself a tuffet. Tuffets are an excellent way to use all those little bits of scrap you're saving from the landfill. The last tuffet I made was quickly claimed by the cats. This time I wanted to make a firmer, higher cushion to sit on while I work from the floor. This one came together in a flash and I crammed 2 1/2 large bags of scrap into it, making quite a firm perch. In fact, it's so firm that it's rather awkward to grasp. Next one I make will have a handle! I also have just enough of that stunning denim left to make a little zip-pouch.

I'm designing my first Duck Dollie!

This has been on the needles, hidden away for months. I finally finished the knitting part, and felted it up. Now for the fun part, which is stuffing and animating.

Here I'm working on lining this vintage suitcase to use it in my display. I use the sewing machine to laminate scraps of wool together, add some touches of embroidery and applique, cut to size, and glue it to the inside of the case. I'm trying to keep it neutralish, so as not to detract from my products, but it's such a fun technique I have a hard time restraining myself!

For some reason, ponchos are always a hit. I like to make them whenever I score large enough pieces of nice fabric. I'm in the process of composing oak leafs on this plaid wool poncho. With the cowl neck, it is super cozy and I have a hard time taking it off whenever I try it on!

A wool vest embellished with applique and hand-knit trim. As you can see, I've been getting into oak leaves lately.

Greenhouse action. Even when it's rainy outside, it can be warm and cozy, doing greenhouse work. I'll just have to save planting peas, mucking the duck house, mulching, harvesting nettles, and walking in the woods for a slightly less drippy day.

Louie has the right idea for a day like today!

Little Mr. Tuffet

Big Louie likes to visit me occasionally while I'm at work in the studio. I thought it would be nice to create a special spot for him.


I'd been inspired by the Hassock in Elizabeth Abernathy's winter Nuno Magazine (page 50). As much as I was craving to dip-dye an old wool blanket, add some embroidery to it, and create a stunningly lovely hassock, that project will have to wait for another day when I have more time. Instead, I opted for the instant gratification method. I dug out an old, semi-felted rainbow sweater (huge!). I cut two large circles for the top and bottom, and a wide band to sew around for the sides. I used two bags of tiny scraps left over from sewing projects for the stuffing (and a handful of dried catnip!).

Big Louie is such a sweetie; he nestled in as soon as I showed it to him. 

A new tuffet!

Some Hoodie Sewing

In an attempt to make a dent in my overwhelming fabric stash, I've been sewing up some clothing, lately. 

I love velour, and often pick up large pieces when I see them at the thrift store. I pulled out some colors I thought would look nice together. The dark gold is from a large men's shirt; the lighter gold and stripy piece are scores from the thrift store fabric bin. (I ended up not using the rose-pink top).

I used an old favorite pattern, which I re-traced and drew in the pieces for the color-blocking, then cut up to make patterns for the different-colored piecing. 

Cutting out the pieces.

Here are the pieces laid out. The cutting surface is a folding card-board cutting board, found at a local thrift store for $1.00! It's perfect for cutting on the floor. I just plop it down and instantly have a clean, firm surface for working on. It folds up for easy storage. The squares are handy for when I'm re-working a pattern or for measuring. 

I hand-stitched a little leaf motif on the front. 

Bright hoodie for spring!

Adding to the Flock

I decided to try a little realism while making a recent plush. Sweetie's birthday was coming up, and he has a little collection of duck decoys.

I'd found this folk-art duck pattern at a thrift shop and thought it would be fun to make a stuffed decoy. 

I wasn't satisfied with the pattern as it was, so I flipped through the bird field-guide and couldn't resist trying to make this loon.

I reduced and re-drew the folk-art pattern to make it look more loon-like.

I'm so pleased with the results! Sweetie likes it, too.

And speaking of ducks, I finally stitched up this pre-printed duck I picked up awhile ago at Knittn' Kitten.

I love these pre-printed patterns, especially the sort of realistic looking ones. I buy them whenever I find them at thrift stores. The nice ones are rare enough that it's a bit of excitement when I find one.

There's something about this duck that is neat and strange at the same time. I'm saving the second one to use flat as an applique element. ('though it is tempting to sew up another one of these goofy ducks!)

Prototype

New Laptop Sleeve

Last year I made this groovy laptop case for my computer, using one of my favorite patchwork techniques of mosaicing together small scraps of wool.  I loved how it turned out, but it was just a tad too small for my PowerBook. 

Thanks to generous & thoughtful friends, I was recently able to upgrade my computing to this  MacBook.

Sleeker in design and trimmer than the old PowerBook, it fits the sleeve perfectly, gliding in and out with ease.

Luv.

In Progress

A Tardy Arrival to the New Year

Welcome!

I'm finally sewing something special for myself. This is a soon-to-be appliqued sleeve for a hemp-hoodie-wrap-thingie. Mmmm...my favorite color: brown!

I've been exploring new directions with my plush-making.

...as well as continuing production with some tried-and-trues (the ever-lovin' Mitts for Musing).

Some things work better if they sit around for awhile, partially made, waiting for their true final forms to be revealed.

Louie sez "Mrrrrow". (He's my cuddle muse).

Green Grin Inventory

Lately I've had some requests from folks who've been interested in obtaining some Green Grin wares. I've been so busy crafting and selling at shows that I haven't been able to keep my Etsy shop stocked. This post is to show the Green Grin items I currently have in stock. For those of you who live locally and may be able to attend upcoming holiday shows, think of this as a sneak preview! As always, new items are constantly flowing out of the studio, so I will be updating this posting as I make stuff. This creature started out as a pile of fluffy wool. I spun the yarn, crocheted then felted the body, sewed it all together & stuffed it and added the features.El Torrero Man, the last of my Heads series. Soft sculpture.

Buddy Bear, made from a cashmere sweater.

Another spun, crocheted, felted critter. This one's about the size of a cat.

Fancy Bunny. The moveable legs and arms are attached with buttons.

Another Fancy Bunny. This one's from cashmere.

Hot Water Bottle Cozies.

The Queen who started it all!

Buddha Bunnies

Hot Pot Handle Holders

Pocket Buns (I swear they breed when I'm away from the studio!)

Mitts for Musing fingerless gloves.

Big Bear, spun, crocheted, felted.

Patchwork Hand Bag

Silly Rainbow Guy

Pert Rainbow Gal

GrinKins

Pincushions

Nestie Head

Eyeglass Case

Mr. Stripey

Wobbly Woman

Thanks for looking!