Month: May 2014

a better wobbler

May 31, 2014

by annwood

I’m working on a re- design of my merry wobblers. It’s one of the patterns I’ll be publishing for the making something project. In their original incarnation they were tricky to make – unnecessarily tricky I think.

wobbler work

So I’m simplifying and perfecting and adjusting – again and again and again. I’ve made wobblers that don’t wobble, misshapen potato like wobblers, tiny headed wobblers, wobblers that burst and wobblers that didn’t look merry at all.

wobblers

The most successful one so far has been the little guy on the lower left above. I’m adjusting a little more this morning and testing a few more times to make sure the result is consistent and hopefully tonight wobbler will be achieved.

wobbler

Regarding the patterns I’m working on- I have a question for those of you who sew:

Do you prefer to have the seam allowance added for you on a pattern or to add your own?

the louisa may

May 21, 2014

by annwood

The Louisa May – she’s made mostly from edwardian gowns and petticoats – sheer, thin, whispery things sewn over millinery wire.

louisa_may

louisa_may_2

ship work and a dark bird

May 19, 2014

by annwood

Spring really fires me up and I’m having a super busy and super productive month. Besides all the air and freshness the extra daylight in the evening makes such a difference.

lilacs

I find I work best early in the morning to mid afternoon and then I usually get a significant creative second wind between 5 and 8 PM – how about you? Other people’s creative practices are always interesting to me.
A couple progress photos for you:

dark bird
sails

A dark, crow-ish sort of bird and and sails for several new ships. I’ve been saving that antique embroidered cuff on the lower right for 6 years- waiting for just the right ship. I’m finishing the first full sized, multi sailed extravaganza sort of ship that I’ve made in a long time tonight and I’m excited to photograph it tomorrow – excited enough to get up extra early.

the forest and squam art retreat

May 14, 2014

by annwood

I sure do like to make something and then wonder around the forest looking for a perfect spot to photograph it. It’s an intersection I’ve always been attracted to. I finished this indigo fellow in the Adirondack Park over the weekend with a particular mossy stump in mind for his photo.

indigo owl

mushrooms

I also worked on my toadstool pattern and technique – that is one of the shapes I’ll be teaching at Squam in the fall ( there are just a couple spaces left in the class – you can register here). There are so many things I want to share in that class – so many possibilities. I’m also excited that there is a free afternoon built into the schedule – the forest at Squam is spectacular and it would be such fun to photograph what we create.

seed pod

I’m building lessons around shapes and techniques that can be used as jumping off points – like the toadstool shape, a seed pod shape, a very particular way to create stems, root systems, textures etc.

botanical_and_spider

I’d love to see you there – if you have questions I’m happy to answer – just send me an email.

P.S. – if you can’t attend the retreat but you’re near by or don’t mind traveling to New Hampshire – come say hello at the art fair ! I am already deep in preparations for that – It’s going to be an adventure.

on my work table

May 6, 2014

by annwood

It’s nice to have a mix of paper and sewing projects, as glue or paint or paper mache is drying I sew – it makes me feel like an overachiever. I’m also spending time everyday working on my class for Squam in September and patterns for my make something project – I’ll have an update on both of those a little later this week. Below is a peek at what I’m working on: