A great way to get somewhere new is to drop yourself into a process that’s hard to control. One of the techniques I use is creating a shape from the inside out. Begin with wire or cardboard for an armature and wind batting around it to form a shape.

Fabric gets stitched on top. It’s not an efficient way to make something but it’s an excellent way to get into an improvisational, open and playful place. The kind of place where ideas show up. One thing leads to another, if you let it….  You can learn more about the process in this post.

I spent some time playing and creating figures this way last week. The mosquito is my favorite, I like his silliness and chill attitude. He does not care if you’re mad at him. It’s an essential quality for mosquitos.

Mr. Socks came from this process. The mr. socks doll sewing pattern is a traditional doll pattern – he’s sewn, stuffed and stitched together. But the original mr. sock’s was made with the inside out improvisational method.

original mr. socks

When he showed up I knew exactly who he was: a mischievous cat, a wanderer, a vagabond and a bit of a rascal. Good natured but not entirely reliable. There is one thing about him that you can always count on – for his whole cat life, every autumn, he heads North to work on the Socks family Christmas tree farm in Woebegone Pines. The whole Socks family lives in a big black house at the end of a crooked road where they cultivate very special varieties of forlorn firs and pines.

I didn’t go looking for mr. socks but I’m so happy he turned up. And if I had not spent an afternoon messing around with some cotton batting and wire and fabric 10 years ago maybe he never would have.

the august special – the songbird sewing pattern is 25% off

tune up

I want to roll into the holidays like a superstar so I’m working on some ornaments etc. now and so appreciating my recently repaired and tuned up Morse sewing machine.  The tuneup made such a difference – it’s so smooth and there’s no intermittent tension problems or bobbin winder drama. I love the speed of this machine- it can go really slow – and it has a big button for reverse.  I’m going to show it even more love and make a patchwork cover for it- there is a tutorial here.

breaking garden news

It’s all pretty slow and soggy this year but the appearance of a tiny bean is huge, one tomato has been achieved and flowers keep coming.

What’s on your work table? What’s your breaking garden news? Are you a vintage machine person or are you rocking a modern/computerized model? Let us know in the comments.

I’m just back from France where we made stitched vessels and scrolls. Both would make excellent summer travel projects. We took our vessels a step further with embroidery and I love the line over the variegated background or as an edging detail.

We also created scrolls as mini travel journals. The scroll is perfect as a slow stitch project for summer. And it’s a great way to test drive daily practice – just do a few minutes each day. We are about to embark on the second annual summer scroll in stitch club.

If you’d like to make one it’s super simple to start – just cut (or tear) a strip of fabric (linen is great ) and stitch a little every day.  I used a strip about 2 and 1/2 inches wide and a yard long. I like to tear linen for the soft raw edge. You can add more length  as you go if you like. The size is perfect for summer, it fits in your pocket. You can add a stick for rolling it on or just hem the edge. Stitch every day –  june 1st – august 31st – to fill your scroll. Checkout my finished scroll from last summer here.

What should you stitch? Let it be improvisational. Look for inspiration in your day – what did you see? Was it sunny or rainy? What bloomed in your garden etc. etc.

France delivered lots of inspiration and ideas including goats. They seemed to be around every corner. I love their expressive faces and mysterious quality. They are turning up in my sketchbook and paintings and have me thinking about a goat doll pattern I abandoned ages ago.

Speaking of paintings- I have not had a daily painting sale in a very long time! I’m getting them ready for the shop now and planning on Thursday 6/4 – noonish eastern time. Stay tuned.

Happy Juvenile Raven season!

It’s a thing I love about late spring in Guilford. And it’s a robust year – there must be a nest very near by. The young ravens are pretty full sized but still being cared for and fed by their mother. They have not figured out their call (or anything else) yet and let out extremely loud humany sounding screams all the time. Beginning at about 6AM… If you’re curious you can learn more about it here.

well that’s depressing

You may have seen some weird and obviously AI generated videos advertising the crow and owl patterns on facebook and instagram. It’s not me. They are made by a Chinese company that steals patterns. There’s not much I can do about it. I sell my patterns on Etsy and here at ann wood handmade. That’s it. The theft has been going on for a long time and it’s always been difficult to fight. The AI part makes it nearly impossible. I’m trying anyway though.

It’s super disappointing and frustrating and I may go on and on about it in a future post.

surprise bouquet

On a cheerier note – I guess things self seeded last year and I came home to a patch of blue flax and other flowers I was not expecting. The first bouquet of the year is such a nice surprise.

PS – What I’m reading – I missed Larry McMurtry! I’ve just stared Streets of Laredo

PPS – I’m significantly behind on correspondence! And apologies if you’re waiting to hear back from me. My computer died suddenly right after I arrived in France ( logic board – I should have seen it coming). Anyway I’m finally back up and running with a new one. Major disruption though…

Will you try a stitched scroll? Have you heard a juvenile raven scream?! Are you ready for garden season? What’s your summer read? Let us know in the comments.

1. a dress for the elegant rag doll

She has needed one forever. I’m also getting a lot of joy from their palpable discomfort in this photo. He looks uncertain and she seems sort of less than impressed…  The dress is part of an ensemble including bloomers and a bag and shawl. It will be the next sewing pattern released to be followed by the other circus animals this summer.

2. refreshed work table and  lavender cleaner

The actual area available for work has been getting smaller and smaller. I’m so happy with my new expanse of space and it affects my thinking for sure. I also completely emptied the table and wiped it down with my signature lavender cleaner so it smells good too.

And the windows are finally open which is also pretty life changing. For the cleaner I use equal parts distilled water and cleaning strength vinegar and about 20 drops of lavender oil (my container is 16 oz). I use it for everything – so good.  Also – according to the internet- lavender oil repels ticks so I put a little on my gardening boots. No idea if this works but it can’t hurt.

3. stitch book homestretch

100 days goes by so fast. Page 16 began yesterday (4/1). I’m definitely a process person (I’d rather be in it than through it) but I do get excited about seeing the book finished. Especially if it’s your first time doing the challenge, assembling all your pages has a magic effect. The book feels substantial. I’m starting to think about assembly but  my page order is still a mystery to me.

I do plan on having raw edges again. If you want raw edged for your book follow the assembly instructions and at step 11 in the slot section place the wrong sides of the pages together. And again for the tab section in step 9 you place the wrong sides together.

4. birthday candle holders

It’s maximum joy. I’m thinking of quitting all my jobs and just making birthday candle holder animals for the rest of my life.

5. reader projects

I love seeing what you make! You can send me photos at ann @ ann wood handmade dot com or post on instagram and tag @annwood and use #annwoodpattern (the hashtag takes forever to show up so tagging me helps).

Find all the sewing patterns in the shop.

Bright mushrooms stitched by @inmyownimagination

Crow and blackbird stitched by @eroeboeroe2

Elegant rag doll by  @marilinalittlecraft_handicraft

Are you spring cleaning? What’s on your work table? Are you excited to assemble your book? Let us know in the comments and happy spring!

ann

Longer days, increased bird sounds, and a strong desire to get organized (my work table is a mess). March is my favorite. I’m currently engaged in my favorite seasonal activity –  recreational ironing and scrap fabric sorting. And I’ve got ideas for you! Lot’s of little spring projects to sew.

stitched vessel – Make it with the stitched vessel pdf. I love this little one by @zoezu_sew And you could even add a handle for an easter basket situation. Then you could fill it with…

chicks and eggs! – Little chicks and eggs to tuck them into.  Find the chick pattern here and the egg pattern here.

bunnies –  Just big enough to fit in your hand. This sweet pair was stitched by Lisa. Pro tip – f you choose to work with wool make sure it’s pretty thin – thrifted men’s suiting is a good source. And you can get the forest folk pattern on sale for the remainder of March.

french hens – Make french hens and nesting boxes with the merry wobbler sewing pattern and the modifications in this blog post.

dancing hares – I love this parade by Jennifer– the parasol! The pompom tails! Make it with the free dancing hare pattern.

stitched mushrooms – These are the most cheerful mushrooms ever. I love the fabrics and the pompom trim. These were made by @thimblewinber from the little mushroom sewing pattern.

And these pastel toadstools by @sharonpstanley  have an easter egg hunt vibe.

shop note- new note cards!

patchwork pouch and needle book – Get ready for summer road sewing with a mini needle book and a pouch just big enough for the essentials. Find the sewing pattern here.

And finally my favorite – tiny bunnies! Just add long ears to very nice mice.

What’s on your work table this march? Have you got spring fever? Let us know in the comments.

Greetings from the depths of winter. March and climatological spring (I’ll take it) start on Sunday. I’m so ready. Lets close out February with a look at what’s on my work table.

This blue guy was the first successful octopus attempt. He’s made from a super soft old drape I got in France a couple years ago. Half of it was dyed blue with woad. His legs have a light wire armature. I experimented with lots of different gauges of wire before I landed on what feels like the right amount of bendability. If it’s too stiff they lose that octopus melty quality.

I love their presence. They inhabited my living room as a native species. In short- they act like they own the joint.

I’m still in the woodshed with these guys – there is more to learn.

I made a few to celebrate Fortuny’s new collection Polpo.

ceramic owls and ornaments

Fresh from the kiln – the first little owl vessels. I’m so excited about these and there are lots more in the works. And I’ve got a bunch of rustic delft-ish ornaments too – houses, cats, fish, owls and fleur-de lis.

I’m putting together a shop update now for March – stay tuned.

stitch book

Today is day 43!  Of the 100 day stitch book challenge. And tomorrow – Saturday – finishes page 9. The halfway point is almost upon us. It’s going by too fast. I’ll go on and on about this in the next blog post. The page above is page 8.  I started with a folk arty shape that’s been appearing in my experiments for a while. She has turned  up in paintings, ceramics, and in the stitched scroll.

*This post contains an affiliate link – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link – marked with an asrerisk.

journal stickers

Perfect for your correspondence or journal or calendar. Punctuate your ideas with a reclining asparagus spear or strolling fish.  I’m in my third year of using an old school day planner – still the *Hobonichi Techno.  I love using these stickers to dress up my to do list and calendar and notes. The day planner  works super well for me as a functional thing but there is also an element of delight and the stickers add to that.  They’re made from imagery taken from 7 plus years of daily paintings. There are more sets in the works including a miss thistle collection.

Also from the painting department – I’m trying to find joy in the snow…

“If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow”

Are you ready for spring? How does 43-ish days of daily stitching feel? Do you find Joy in the snow?! Let us know in the comments.