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”
I love the octopus.
Thanks!
I love your creativity! Can I move in with you? Just kidding. But if we lived close by I’d love to hang out with you. Your newsletters always spark joy and new ideas. Thanks you for all that you share with the creative community. The octopus is just precious. The blue one is my fav!
Thank you! I love the blue one too.
Hi Ann, thank you for your great newsletters, they provide me with inspiration and practical guidance for making the various projects ! I am wondering if you will be providing patterns for your circus animals. I made the elephant, he turned out so cute, and I would like to make the rest of the animals! Is this in your future works? Thank you so much
Hi Earline – thanks so much and I will- I have lots of patterns in the works including those. The soldier doll pattern is next and then the circus folk.
My fried and I each made the Elephant for our late fall/Early winter crafter-noons. They are so marvelous! I’m so glad to hear more circus folk patterns are coming. Here’s my vote for the Lion! Also the ocotopus is just insane! I’ll have to build up to being that 3-D 😉
OMG! Can’t wait for the octopus pattern to be available!!!!
Thanks! Hopefully later this year.
That octopus! So majestic! Love it!
Thank you!
Loving my stitch book pages. Never knew it could be such fun to stitch mindlessly. I have one page to go. Mine will be a kind of scrapbook of that reflects my life.
Fortuny’s Polpo collection is gorgeous and how beautiful with your Octopus! Will you be releasing a pattern for them by chance? I have your crow and owl pattern and have been collecting fabrics to use in them. I need to pull those out and make one!
Thanks Brandi! I will. I have to make a bunch more to really understand it enough to make a pattern.
OMG…YES!….Can not wait for the Octopus pattern to be available! I read the book, Remarkable Bright Creatures, and the movie is due out very soon as well!
Thanks Mary – I have not read that! Putting it on my list.
Ah, winter. So long…and by that I mean IT’S SO LONG! A few years ago I read something about “giving things a try.” Meaning, those things you don’t like. So I gave winter a try. I went out even when I didn’t want to. Went to our local winter festivities with ice carving and snow carving and drinking warm beverages at ice bars. It was….fine. Ha! Winter is just not my thing. But what I did take from it is that I won’t yuck anyone else’s yum about winter anymore. If they love it, I listen to why. If they did a fun thing, I ask them to tell me about it. And that helps me get by. That and projects I’m only “allowed” to work on during winter.
SOOOOOO long… Good for you for giving it a shot. I understand it’s charms – I just want less of them.
Oh my goodness! I love, love, love the octopus!
I too cannot wait for the octopus/kraken pattern to be available!!!
Octopus! Beautiful…and those ceramic OWLS need to come live at my place. Thank you for sharing your creativity and enthusiasm with us!!
As always, thank you soooo much. Love reading your posts
Angela
Your octopus creation are wonderful in every way.
Ann,
Your Octopuses are so TOTALLY AWESOME!! I especially love the blue one with the pointed head. Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us crafter’s.
‘Nette
I just love your octopus! Awesome
Oh finally the octopus! I made a giant felt squid for my daughter once, it could have used some wire in the legs though. And those Fortuny fabrics are so dreamy.
The Delft ornaments! So charming.
Sending this to a potter friend-she will love them!
Ann Your Newsletter is always filled with FUN Stuff. Thank You.
Hi Ann – your newsletters are the best. I love the octopus (!) and only like winter for an afternoon here and there up in the mountains. 🙂
I have been really enjoying the 100 Day stitching project. I’m moving more slowly through the pages but I appreciate you starting this project, it’s been such a joy to come to each day. I am very excited for Mrs. Thistle stickers! Cannot wait!
Votre pieuvre baroque est magnifique !
Here in a very very very wet, mild (rain for 44 consecutive days now) Cornwall, South West UK, we’ve had octopus’ in the sea water closer to the shore than ever, moving into unusually warmer waters. They are such majestic creatures….. I’d love a pattern for one too Ann. 100 days has transformed my life and as Amanda says above this is my ‘try thing’ this winter, it will not be the last. To everyone, it’s worth trying, soon becoming addictive, encourages lots of trying, new ways of working and re-visting forgotten joys.
Hi Deborah- I’m so glad to hear it!
” lots of trying, new ways of working and re-visting forgotten joys”
is what it’s all about!!
Thanks for that quote re: snow. I love the snow and had an excellent time.
Oooo I love the octopus …. So very creative & with bendy movements even cooler!
I wouldn’t mind snow …. mesa, phoenix az threatens to be 92 this weekend. That may sound lovely but in the Sun that burns & it is too hot! One must make the decision do you turn on the AC to cool down the house some for bedtime.. it will be stifling. Oh well, it is too early but I can’t complain, what good will it do. I will stay inside next to a fan & stitch!!
Thank you Ann for the lovely post & stickers!
All the very best! Cheers over coffee & stitching!
Cheers Joan! Thanks so much.
The octopus is absolutely delightful. Love it. Trying to decide if I’ll make the owl or the crow this year. I’m getting a new studio built and my husband an office. Was thinking the owl for his room’s guardian and the crow for mine. The ideal me has very elaborate plans for these creatures but we’ll see what reality dictates. Love the ceramics and stickers. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Denyse! Good luck with your owl and crow!
My eyes got bigger when I saw that wonderful Octopus; definitely cannot wait for the pattern. You are so creative, keep it up, you amaze me
I suddenly saw Mr Octofeller in a top hat and cuffs ( all eight arms , yes! ) wearing a monocle- I am so ready to make him! You are such an inspiration.
I live in south Texas – I am going to try to remember the “find joy in the snow” bit this summer so I can find “joy in the heat”! Thank You
Your sketches are wonderful; so are your paintings. Mad talent….
Thank you Lisa!
Love the octopus! Can’t wait for the pattern.