veg-head ...

no, not me silly - this image drawn by matty ... it has three cocktail stick legs, just like the real ones we made ...

Thoughtful Mary ....

Good at playing Pairs, Singing Choir songs and hugging people who look sad ...

special husky rat ....

big, naked rabbit dolls ....

how about some tails, please?



oh, and could we have some clothes?

a new barn owl .... my children call her 'blondie' ...

here she is, in my dining room ...



another guardian of buttons ...

Another little Edward Tulane Doll ....

a lovely letter ...

"Please accept my apology for not replying yesterday. FIRTS LET ME SAY...HE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

"There have been a series of problems in getting Edward, and in responding to you...[snip]... I then drove to the Post office which closes at 5:00, and I dashed into the building at 4:53...



"I opened the package Tuesday morning and saw how perfect he is, with his precious whiskers, beautiful blue eyes, and darling shoes.

[snip] ....

"Forgive me for my tardiness, but it has no reflection on the quality of your work. Thank you for doing a superb craftsmanship with Edward. I want to give him to M this Thanksgiving holiday, and not wait until Christmas.

"You have been wonderful and patient with this project. If you need any referrals for your work, please contact me or use any of my messages.

"You are a jewel and you have made me very happy by your kindness and patience. You are a big part of this memory my granddaughter and I will always share. Thank you, again.
Sincerely,
R T"

barn owls again ....

a new barn owl has been born in my house ...



this one seems younger somehow than the others ...



i changed the way I did the eyes and I am very pleased with the effect. But who is it this time?

Catherine L Owen, professional photographer ... !

yesterdays photoshoot with my friend's daughters turned out very successful!



and it was enjoyable, too! grown ups relaxing, drinking coffee ... girls being themselves ...



hilarious at times ...



sometimes, true character shines through ...



oh yes ....

Cute rat, looking for a new home ....

This is a full colour pencil drawing of one of my pet rats, its mounted and wrapped in film to keep it nice. I was once writing and illustrating a book about life keeping pet rats, but it didn't happen, although this painting is still rather sweet ... I am very open to offers on this one, my address is under 'art for the hands'.

old raggy rat ....

Sweetie is about two and a half years old, but being a rescue rat, we cannot be sure. she is also 11 months post-tumour-surgery ... the girls love her ....

hadn't uploaded from my mobile phone in a while ....

I like to take pics to make daddy gasp, when the children climb up hight and I am not standing right next to them to catch them ... because I would probably fall over if i tried!



I love the bit where the children run off, esp shy Mary!



and the one's where they look pleased!



You wouldn't catch me up there!

Umphy....WIP

daisy and three umphys - or should i say Umphy the Umgums...?



she has done the mouths and noses very well ... but as she has chosen red on orange, its a little difficult for the camera to pick up ...



matty has also dram three Umphy the Umgums...



in three very different ways ...



and I added eyes and stuffed my two heads ... cute?



those noses are only pinned on!

perfect pictures ....

for a long while i have had these pretty frames which were a gift ...



an embroidery of my 4 year olds' work in pink, makes a lovely simple picture to go in each one ...



a rat by matty, above, and one by daisy, below ...

new barn owl in progress ....

my barn owl was admired way back when my artwey exhibition was on ... and i have agreed to make another for a Christmas present ...



i love doing the embroidery and using glittery thread for a bit of sparkle ...



but who is this new barn owl, that is appearing ?

More Umphy the Umgum ....

mink brown hair?



or a blue-grey, fluffy top-knot?



Umphy the Umgum needs some hair for set of his lovely green eyes...

Something cute!

when matty presented me with a drawing of a rat made in yellow felt pen on the back of some stickers paper, I just had to find a way to preserve it, with its fresh simple lines and very ratty nose ...



so I traced the image using the trusty window as a light box, onto some lovely vintage linen ... and carefully followed the design in back-stitch ...



I know I am not the first person to work with their children's drawings like this, but I had to have a go, as hubby was watching one of those Jimmy Stewart Movies!

tiger tiger ....WIP - furring the head ....

this photo shows tiger's upper head fur is in one piece, almost ready ... eye liner is needed here ...



I have made the best possible use of fur, without constructing a 'white' tiger head and doing air brushing ... which I have never actually done! Mary is playing with 'snakes' made from fur salvage edges...



and here the eye sockets have been lined, I carefully hand-sewed black fur around the sockets, leaving the tear ducts free. These are covered with chiffon, now.

3D modelling .... in real 3D!

I have been given the challenge of bringing Umphy the Umgum to life ... I made these sketches from some of the illustrations in the book.



now working on my third costume head, i devised a method of translating the shape to fur, using old curtains, pins pens and some colourful language ... so here, appearing in my hand, is Umphy!



the back of his head, Mohawk (red pencil line), and the size of his ear ...



shaping a tiny muzzle and seeing how his eye looks for size ...



and no one is going to put their head inside this little fellow!