a fork....

It leans a little, but not nearly as much as it did.  I think once it is in place with the figure and cake it won't be noticeable. 

Senior thesis...

When I was visiting my dad this summer, he pulled out some work I had given him nearly twenty years ago.  I don't recall if this actual piece was in my senior thesis exhibition at RISD, or if I made it specifically for him.  But I remember the very first one I made.  It was in my apartment on College street that I shared with my roommate Marlene.  I don't recall where the idea came from, but I realized I could make a little dress with a sleeve as big as my pinky, and I really wondered what it would look like.  The first one was a painted block printing paper that I just tore into the sort of right sized shapes. It was pink and I used a dark red thread to put it together.  The little stitches were x shaped that followed the edges of the torn paper.  There was a shoulder seam, side seam, waist and set sleeve.  I had started in Apparel Design, but this was the first garment I had ever enjoyed making.  And so began my Senior Thesis without my even knowing it.  The dresses started to take on character with different added materials.  I used to fold them up around a needle and thread and stick them in my pocket with a little pair of scissors, so I could pull them out and work on them at my work study job, or in the Print building, whenever I had a minute.  I'm happy my dad gave her a good home all these years and that we have had a chance to get reacquainted.  I think she might be the next listing on my Etsy shop....watch for her!f

accessorized....

William the urban tree man is almost done!  His character was conceived by my friend Colleen, who helped me to write my Minnesota State Arts Board grant application.  I promised to make him in trade for her expertise.  I imagined him as a very skilled mouse, cutting down diseased trees and planting new life.  He has his tool belt for his shovel and ax (the ax is not pictured....still need to add the loop to his belt.)   He wields a chain saw when necessary.  He keeps his headgear close by.  Colleen said he also has a german shepard, but I think I have done enough accessorizing.  I am still futzing with a large shovel trying to get the proportion right.  And he still needs his tail attached.  The whiskers are from my cat Bug; everything else is paper clay covered in sewing pattern paper and painted with acrylic.  I hope she will love him.  Thank you so much Colleen for believing in me and insisting I apply for the grant!

look what I found....

I was poking around in some boxes for work I needed to get quick photographs of, when I rediscovered my "Flower Girl."  I had totally forgotten about her.  I pulled her out and put her on the post for a photograph and realized why she had been tucked away...she can't balance on the post as she is too top heavy.  I need to insert some sort of counterbalance in her pelvis, which means making a hole and filling it with something and then closing her up again.  I wish I knew how to think these things through before I made them, but apparently that is not my learning process.  Luckily, I have a very experienced colleague who is kind enough to offer advice.  Looks like she will be going to school tomorrow!

"Flower Girl" 

Got a wild hair....

and decided to finally make this dress I have had cut out for two summers now.  It is the Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic.  I can see all sorts of ways to customize it and create an easy summer uniform.  What do you think?