New Work: Commissions

These "Secret Keepers" just shipped off to South Australia! These little babies helped the push to get my metal working space carved out here at home. Granted it is in the garage which can be hot at times but, not as many spiders as one would think! I am loving metal work right now. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder even when it comes to making art. More to come....I am planning on making some new work for the Murray State Alumni Show coming up in October.

New Secret Keepers

Just a quick note to let you know I have updated my metal working shop on etsy with some new work.......check it out here!!!

A Day in Holland

This is my newest Discovery Tote design! A Day in Holland was a special order for a customer that is from Holland and in now living in the US. She has a little girl that she wants to pass her heritage on to and what a perfect place to start. This tote takes a peek into the wonderful landscape of Holland. Fields of flowers growing around a towering windmill. A canal that brings in the water through the green pastures. Imagine riding your bike through this amazing countryside or maybe you live in the tiny house where you get to tend to all the flowers. The tote allows plenty of room to throw in some little animals and people to make this wonderland complete. After playtime simply pull the ribbon and slide down the covered button. Discovery Tote A Day in Holland opens up to approx. 17inches and holds the windmill and tiny house. Made from a wool felt blend, cotton and silk fabric. For the field of flowers I used a vintage fabric that was passed on to me by a friend just for this special order.

New Campfires!!

After a weekend of non-stop rain. I got a break early this morning so I could photograph all my new totes. So, finally, I am starting to post all the Campfire totes! I usually post them all at the same time although, I hear from other people or should I say other blogs that there is a certain time in which you should post. I wish I could keep up with all that but, for me it's all about when I have time to get it posted. So, keep a check on my store for campfires!

Oh, I almost for got to mention. I got new tags....they are wooden with my logo and name laser etched in them. I really like them, they are different and I wanted something unique. What do you think?

A Gift for a Sweetie

These are heart necklaces that hold little clothes pin dolls. They are made of wool felt and fabric, the ribbon is approx. 20 inches so it is easy to slide over the head. I have already given each of my kids one and they played with the dolls on the playground all afternoon. If you are wondering, I made a boy doll for my son, with little pants. I guess I need to add some of those to my shop too! I don't know about the other moms out there but, my kids love to have "take alongs" when ever we are running arrands or going to play. They always want to bring a little something like a doll, car, stufftie etc... So, this is perfect when they get tired of holding the doll it can be tucked away inside the little heart. Each of the dolls are dressed in outfits that match the heart that carries them. Check them out in my store this week!

Wizard of Oz Discovery Tote

This is a tote I made for my daughters 4th birthday. She loves the movies Wizard of Oz so we had a Oz party for her. I ordered the fabric from an online fabric store and stitched the rest. I really had too many ideas for this tote but in the end wanted it to be simple and playable. I included Munchkin land where Dorothy's house landed on the witch, her feet sticking out from underneath of the "house". From there you walk down the yellow brick road to find the grumpy old apples trees where Dorothy and the Scarecrow find the Tin Man. The off to the poppy fields where they fall asleep before getting to Oz.

I searched hi and lo for the McDonald's Happy Meal Wizard of Oz Dolls, which are Madame Alexander. We had a few but I wanted to include the whole set, 12 all together. Finally, found them through Amazon.com from an independent seller, YAY!!! I had found other sets on eBay but, they wanted 100 bucks for the set of twelve Happy Meal toys! The seller I bought them from had the set listed for 34.00, I thought that was great. We got all the toys without having to eat the terrible food! So, of course she loved it and I think it is pretty special too.

Beach and Island Discovery Tote

This is a new tote I posted in my store yesterday, it is a special order for a customer that now owns three of my Discovery Totes. That alone is exciting for me! I re-listed it just so other people could check it out. I think it turned out adorable! She wanted a beach scene with an island and a bridge. The bridge and house are movable on the play surface. She also, requested the sea shells that are felt and stitched to the beach area. This little beach is just waiting for some little inhabitants! The great thing about Discovery Totes is the fabulous clean-up ability, moms love that!

New in my Shop

I posted some new "Nest" Discovery Totes just before Christmas but, have been too busy to blog about them. Showing here is a yellow cotton and grey wool fabric tote that opens up to a mommy bird on her nest of eggs. The eggs are hand felted and can be removed or tucked into the nest. This tote is most loved by girls between the ages of 6-9, that is my personal observation from being at art shows with my totes.

New In My Shop.......Campfire!!

I wanted to post this new Discovery Tote I just added to my shop! This one is a Campfire, all made from fabric, new polyfil and copper wire. I had been thinking about this one for a while, after several attempts.......TA DA!!! Here it is! My son has already asked for this one for Christmas. I am planning on making more before Christmas if anyone is wondering.

This Discovery Tote comes with 3 logs, 4 marshmallows, 2 sticks, 3 flames and 3 brown and 1 black felt tops for the marshmallows. You know after they are toasted (or burnt), then you can add the felt topper. All the Marshmallows have a opening in the bottom for the stick to insert. So adorable I must say!!

Discovery Tote Nest

I just added some new Nest Discovery Totes in my shop and I wanted to post one on my blog. Here it is....

New in my Shop-----------Discovery Tote Cars

Discovery Tote - Mini

This is a new Discovery Tote mini! My daughter was the inspiration for this one. She loves little bags and purses. She also really gravitates towards small hand held dolls, something she can just clutch in her little hand. So, voila the mini tote was made.

Feelbie and friends

Hi, we are Feelbies, my friends and I have sweet faces that show how we are feeling. Can you guess how I feel today?Measures approx. 6.5 inches high, has a flat bottom so feelbie's are perfect for sitting on a shelf or bed. Made of cotton, with a woolfelt bottom. Stuffed with polyfil and beans in the bottom for weight.

I made these little guys so I could have some variety for "Art in the Arboretum" that I am going to do next weekend. I thought they would be a great addition to my etsy shop too. My original idea was for them to have removable faces so the child could talk about how they feel. Then I decided that was to much, so why not just make several that have different faces evoking different emotions. There you go, the story behind "Feelbie". The kids love them, they talk about what feelings the feelbies have....."this one is shy, that one is sleepy, and this one is angry".

A Day for a Hike

This is a new Discovery Tote I recently finished, and I have to say my personal favorite. Making scale models is most evident here. I have so much fun coming up with the ideas for these totes. This one has a beautiful vintage fabric on the exterior.

A Day in the City

I have been wanting to upcycle some old sweaters in my work and finally found a way to do just that. I made the skyscrapers on this Discovery Tote out of a 100% merino wool sweater, I added some stitching and some embroidery to embellish them. The roads are cut out of wool felt and the tote is trimmed with red bias tape. I had to change the design in order to accommodate the tall buildings. The buildings lay on their sides and the tote has a snap that holds the tote closed. The strap pulls the rest of it together.

Playland Pillow

Before I went to graduate school, I worked for two years at an architecture firm where I built scale models. We did huge models for large timeshare properties and hotels like Hilton and Ritz Carlton. I loved the work I did there and have found that it creeps into the work I do now. I thought I would do some topography pillows for children to play on. They are multifunctional to be used as an accessory and a playland--- I came up with the title----Playland Pillow.

Discovery Tote - My First Jewelry

This is a new Discovery Tote I just designed...My First Jewelry. So sweet, it really is a little work of art, something to treasure for years to come. The tote opens for the child to discover a little cone form with handmade felt "flowers" on it. The cone is completely magnetic along with the "flowers" so they can be moved around on the cone. The cone is stuffed with polyfil and will hold the "flowers" when the tote is in route. The child can choose a "flower" from the four and wear it for the day! It comes with a magnetic back that will allow the "flower" to attach to a shirt or dress.