Squirrel Silhouette

Let me introduce you to "Squirrel." Everybody, this is Squirrel... Squirrel, this is everybody.

This is the first artwork I've ever painted on canvas. In case you didn't know, I cannot draw. But, I definitely can trace, cut out posterboard to use as a stencil and paint large open spaces with a paintbrush.

I created Mr. Squirrel for a specific purpose, which I will be bringing to you shortly...
I also painted this mystery shape. It's a nice chocolate brown color. This, too, will be part of the project I will be showing you soon.

That's what I've been up to lately.

What's Black And White And Yellow All Over?

Answer: My kitchen.

My black and white spoon art is finally done! Aside from a few temporary wall hangings, this part of my butter yellow kitchen has been bare since we moved in 3 1/2 years ago. My mind could never settle on a "final" idea for this wall. (I don't know why I have trouble giving myself permission to change my mind.) Then the vision for multiple spoon silhouettes appeared. Of course! It's not really a surprise since I love black and white... and silhouettes. And thanks to dear H, they went up right away.

Traveling clockwise, starting at top left, they are: embroidered white spoon on black linen fabric, graphic paper spoon on white linen fabric, written recipe spoon on black and white polka dot fabric and tiny floral print fabric spoon on "vertigo" fabric.

To me, my kitchen finally feels finished. I guess when you're happy, you don't want to change your mind.

PBK Spies

These little bun-buns hang in Charlotte's room.

When I was trying to decide how to decorate the nursery, the toss up was between birds or bunnies. Bunnies won out, for now. But since we call Charlotte many pet names, including Little Birdie, they may show up in her room some day.

We created her soft green room, with pink and white accents, almost two years ago now. The wall art was easy-peasy. Scrapbook paper and a bunny silhouette. I found three 8x10 frames on clearance at Target for $1.10 each. Cut, paste, voila! Shortly thereafter, Pottery Barn Kids came out with these:

And Charlotte also has pink and white toile crib bedding. Was someone reading my brain waves??

Later, I did her 4 month silhouette. I thought about doing it in pink, to match her room, but I stuck with traditional black and white. Now, PBK came out with this:
Last year, I started Little Birdie (my crafting biz). I made felt ponies, including my pink bird.

Now, PBK has the Penelope bedding collection:

I love it. But, it's just eery. Right? Is it possible that Pottery Barn Kids has some sort of satellite link up to my nursery cam? There are spies, I tell you, spies.

If they come out with a vintage collection of "Charlotte" pillowcase dresses featuring birds, or even little black scotty dogs on them... well, I'm disconnecting that cam!

There's An Elephant In The Room

It takes a long time to make an elephant... 22 months if you want the real thing. 2 1/2 days if you'd like a silhouetted cross-stitched version. (I think they're both worth the wait.) Recently, I watched the Unforgettable Elephants documentary. They really are amazing animals. Intelligent. Caring. Strong. Tender. I mean, a person knows they have witnessed something remarkable when they see a baby elephant running, trumpeting or nuzzling mum.

It got me thinking to one of my favorite childhood stories. The Saggy Baggy Elephant. I grew up in the days of records. Real vinyl records. Most of my records came in read-along books. In my room, the record player would give a dramatic voice to the storybook in my little hands. As I followed along, a chime would sound when it was time to turn the page. It was magical. And while, as I would say it, "The Saaag-gy Baaag-gy El-fa-nunt" is no longer available in the 45 rpm form, it is the classic story of a dancing elephant. In high school, anytime I wore nylons (ugh) and they bunched up at my ankles (double ugh), I immediately mumbled to myself through pursed lips, "...saggy baggy elephant, Diane."

As a child, that elephant story kept me company many afternoons. Now, I have a sweet curly- trunked, stitch-y version. For you, I wish that there will always be an elephant in your room.

Darling, Danke Schoen

Since being bitten by the cross stitching bug, I knew I had to do this. (Trace Germany, pin to fabric, divide into thirds, stitch!) It's for my husband (H). Since he loves all things german, and he has recently returned to relearning german, (I think I frequently do that repetetive similar sound thing, only it's not on purpose - consciously) I thought that he might like this. (He does.) Memories were awakened about living in Germany as a child, earning metals on volksmarches and enjoying schnitzel.
* sigh* Gift complete.

In my mind, this silhouette of Germany could not remain all black... well, it would just look like a psychotherapist's ink blot. No good. So, what better way to identify Deutschland than with it's flag? More country silhouettes must be on the way because I can't keep my hands off atlases. Oh the colors, shapes and travel destinations!

Can anyone tell me what that rhyming repetitive language sound thing-y is called? (So eloquent.) Hopefully, because it's unconsciously done, it won't require deciphering from a therapist.

(Edit: rhyming, repetetive language thing-y is alliteration. Thanks everyone!)

Silhouettes

I have always thought of myself as someone who loves colors. And I guess I do, they just happen to be black and white. February was "flu month" at our house and so crafting took a back seat to getting everyone well. But, I did manage to turn out a little cross stitch pear silhouette. (Pears are yummy.) It was then that I realized there is a silhouette trend in my home. First, there was the sketch I made a few years ago of my scottish terrier named Silhouette. (It is inspired by Picasso's "The Dog".) Secondly, last year I cut a silhouette of my 4 month old daughter, Charlotte. A great deal of help was received from this book by Kathryn Flocken. Lastly, I have returned to cross stitching. Only, I didn't want any of those kits. It had to be original... and apparently black and white. (I have more in the works.) Now that I know I have a collection, I'm going to have to add to it. And sometimes things really are just black and white.