Laura's Creations

While "organizing" I realized still had another cat to paint...which was my original plan. Since the snow has finally hit, need to work inside, so decided it was time paint. Did the designs in bright colors, then used a watered down wash for the rest of the body. This was my original plan, but as often happens, after doing the black & whites, I wandered off.  I am so organized!!!LOL

This was another fun project. After making the Dia de los Muertos cats, I decided a more "regular" cat might be good.  I had made little neck bags with painted cats on them, so my idea was to enlarge as a "doll".  When I got into it the plan was to paint in bright colors, but instead went with black & white.  For color just made in a printed fabric.  Started out as just a "flat" cat to hang on the wall, then decided to stuff, so cat sits. It's the same pattern, but using different fabrics, and stuffing get entirely different looks. The Black & white on left is stuffed. For other 2 I used batting.  Right now they are in box waiting to make their debut at Crane Festival.

I used to wear a "necklace"  made of leftover doll body parts when I did art shows. It was always a big hit. Since I had to start over anyway, when I came across a really cool straw hat marked down to a $ I decided that would be my new show off piece.  I made mini pieces depicting my current projects:  Owls, Dia de los Muertos cats & faces, little weed fairies, Kokopelli, and a bunch of little geckos running all around.  I'll ad more as time goes by, but this will be fun to wear at the Crane Festival.

OF COURSE! I could not resist! since these are made to hang on wall, they are somewhat flat, which made it a little challenge designing hte top hats for the guys. I tried to make some with aviator caps, but that didn't work, however some of the guys have propellers, which do spin.  I used muslin for the bodies then sponged on brown acrylic to give them some texture. Feet are wire. Finally in this day & age simply had to have female representation, so made some girlies, who I named Owlivia. Pattern in the works for these guys too..probably after Crane Festival, as I'm thinking of trying to make a couple of my "real" dolls.

 Still not making my normal art dolls, but getting ready for Crane Festival here next month, and since real owls are part of the display, figure my cloth owls should be popular.  Saw a picture of one in flight with wings spread, and decided that would make a great impact. Once again working with  stuff donated, along with some that somehow managed to survive the fire. I didn't have any real "owlie" fabric so went with what I had...and of course I sorta like being different. However, after had done all (I thought), my wonderful friend Jane came over with some brown fabric I had given her years ago. So wound up making a more generic guy.  Considering purchasing some fabric "hardening" stuff, that envelopes fabric pieces so they can be out doors. It's a bit pricey, so may wait a while...still would be fun to see one of these guys hanging outside.  Also am writing pattern since there seems to be interest.

So many people have been so kind in helping us since the fire. I wanted to do a little something to pay back. Owls are very popular now, so I decided some cute little owls which could be worn as a pin or hung somewhere would be appropriate.  Started checking on line for owl pictures. Happily found a lot of images were not only "true to life", but lots were done in wild colors.   Right up my alley!  Much to my delight, I was not the only one who loved the idea, so made a bunch, gave a bunch & sold a bunch. Whooo knew? These were made several months ago, but am just now posting, as getting settled in new little house has taken time. Also retrieving info on computer..still can't figure out how to get to old blog, so had to start over again here. Happy to say now have a few more owls  I'll be adding. Also writing patterns as Facebook friends are interested.  Oh yeah...I'm coming back...slowly but surely.