Liquid Paper

wip::a day late, a nose short

I've made a little progress on the wip from a couple of weeks ago. It's stuffed and looking a bit better (they always look wonky before they get their faces) but I find that I can't finish it. I want to change how I do the face so that this design is more than just a fabric change. I have an idea for the nose that is something other than the usual button, but I have to figure out how to execute it. If it all works out these puppies will be a part of this year's Christmas gift-making line-up -- so I'd better figure it out soon. Did you notice the pile of fabric that this little guy is sitting on? It's not just there to look pretty. They're going to be my mother's Christmas gift: a bedcover + curtains + framed fabric pieces for her bedroom. It's an ambitious project and one that is long overdue.

As a weekend treat I thought I'd tell you about a few of my favorite things:

1) The holiday ornament swap. You can still take part if you sign up by November 1st. I'm totally obsessed with trying to think of what to make for my ornament.

2) I adore Ruby.

3) Ann Wood's ships + birds + everything else she makes.

4) studio CRAFT: I even looked at plane tickets to see if there was some fantasy airline that would take me to Portland next weekend for a ridiculously low fare. It would be worth it just to meet the contributors. I hope it is a huge success -- but that they still have a few things leftover for me!

5) My dear friend Sarah Hazel is having a solo exhibit! I so wish that I could be there to celebrate with her.

6) These containers + this cup + the fabric that you see in those photos.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

the results are in

Every vote has been counted and the winner is... the original version of the hungry hippo photo (version 2).

And yes, my friends, that was my pick too.

Mark has registered a few objections and just minutes ago declaired that, "There will be a rematch!" Here's what he has to say:
This is a classic example of Laurie setting me up for a fall. I suggested that she cut out the picture so that it could be used for something else -- add some text, make it into a funny icon or whatever -- but before I could get to Step 2 of my recommendation, the two versions were posted online and there was a 'throwdown' in progress. Well, I concede defeat . . . but Liquid Paper hasn't heard the last of me!

help please

Wow! Thanks for voting everyone. I've closed the comments for the hippo challenge and am working on posting the results this afternoon.

I'd like your opinion on something because Mark and I seem to be in a sort of disagreement about a photo I took. One of us likes the shot with the white background (version 1), and the other prefers the shot with the original background (version 2). Honestly, I keep going back and forth but I think I've chosen the one I like best. So how about settling our debate, which one do you prefer?

update: i'll post the results on Friday, including which one Mark liked and which one I liked. (thanks for the question sarah!)

version 1

version 2

weekend at play

Time spent this weekend was 100% play time. A quick trip to Minneapolis meant an appointment with nieces and nephews to eat fresh hot spiced apple cider and delicious apple cake donuts from the orchard.

What visit would be complete without pictures? Here are a couple of Isaiah who is always busy...

hello?

upside down

wip::giraffe at my table

I found an entire seletion of papier mache animal ornaments at World Market and couldn't resist getting a few. I'll be taking them with me everywhere I go this weekend so that I can photograph them -- I'm imagining a whole series with these guys.

At Cafe 334 yesterday I got a head start on the series when I caught the little giraffe checking out the vase on our table. Stay tuned for unpcoming photo shoots with the hippo, elephant, kangaroo and more of the curious giraffe. Have a great weekend everyone!

wip :: well, it's not a bag

If only making things were as easy as buying the fabric. When I first bought these fabrics I fully intended to use them to make some cute tote bags. Why is it that I'm always looking for fabic to use for tote bag making but I never seem to make any? I honestly think that I've built up these perfect totes in my head so that nothing I make could ever measure up. I do that a lot. I look at the work of these amazing crafters and artisits and I get inspired. I want to make things too! Then, a little time goes by and I start getting anxious about my ideas. Are they original enough? Are they interesting? Can I really make them? What if it doesn't work, then what will I do?

Blah, blah, blah. I worry and worry and do you know what? I usually like the end result of my projects. Heck, sometimes I even love them. So... why all the worrying? Hey, if I knew the answer to that question I'd have a wall full of tote bags!

the weather

Today Mark captured a picture of our first snow. The flakes are still swirling and falling but they never seem to reach the ground -- or if they do they don't last very long. I like it that the weather is turning colder... but I'm glad that it's supposed to warm up again this weekend. Winter can wait.

I remember that at this time last week we were at Falls Park taking pictures of all the changing colors. Here are my two favorite shots:

it's a good thing

Boo! The Mod Dots Shop is finally re-opening at Noon CST today. I've made some changes and decided to scale down the inventory a bit. It's just too much to try and keep up with so many different products. I'm hoping that this will allow me the opportunity to feature a different item or theme each month -- which is way more fun. I get bored making the same things you know? This month I've made the limited edition Teensy Trick-or-Treat set + everyone who orders this month will get a free Halloween Ninja iron-on transfer.

p.s. Watch out for the spider.

trick-or-treat

I think I'll blame the Halloween Mailorder Club (thank you Amy) for inspiring me to make this Teensy set of trick-or-treaters! Imagine these guys showing up on your doorstep -- spooky!

What do you think of them? I think they may be the perfect product for my shop's grand re-opening. I'm working on ideas for this special limited edition set + pin cushion so check back soon for an update.

p.s. It's really bugging me that I put Frankenstein's scar on his cheek instead of his forehead. Man, I don't want to make these guys angry!

Today I put up my Mailorder Club Happy Halloween banner.

wip::autumn

I can't concentrate on anything else this time of year but watching the change of the seasons. It's a WIP that I missed out on for over a decade while we lived in Texas so this year I'm putting my camera to good use -- as well as my favorite pair of Camper shoes.

p.s. If you're wondering about the Mod Dots Shop... I'm having too much fun right now to give it the kind of attention it deserves -- but I promise to open it really soon. (As in this month some time!)