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email: info@annwood.net

spiders

blackspider

I’ve added some spiders to the shop ( and a couple little birds too). I think the little black spider above looks curious and sort of cautious.  I’ll be adding new things all week.

ruffleybumI do like a ruffley bum.

spiderwall_3

shop update and auction for haiti

ribbondress2

I’ve added some new sweetheart sets to the shop that are ready to ship, a couple notes on this shop update:
* Many of the new sets will be available to order ( delivery in 6-8 weeks) shortly after the original set is sold.
* I’ll be adding new things – little birds, sweethearts, and maybe something new everyday next week – so please check back.

A sweetheart set is being auctioned here to benefit Haiti.

dark bird- progress

Slow progress, stitched and stitched.

darkbird2

botanical experiments

botanical1

And progress on a paper mache ship.

confoundNews:

* I’m way behind on email ( that’s not exactly news..) Getting a couple projects out the door and then I can devote some serious time to responding.

* I’m working towards a shop update  sometime next week ( the  week beginning 2/1) as well as a couple ebay auctions to benefit Haiti. You can get updates here or through my mailing list or twitter.

work on a new bird species

bluebirdprog

1910 party dress

This cupcake of a girl’s party dress is from 1910 -  it’s falling apart  but the  lining of almost transparent and tissue thin silk chiffon  is in excellent condition, most of the lace is usable too.  I tried it on. That was something.

1910dress

And disturbing looking progress on something new made from this antique bodice:

darkbird

paper mache boat pattern

And instructions. Epic instructions.  They just go on and on.  I hope to add more concise printer friendly instructions later but my Christmas brain just isn’t capable of it. We are making  Mediterranean inspired little sail boats with lateen rigging – a single triangular sail on a relatively short mast.

boatsgroup

What you will need:
download pattern here
large cereal box
scissors
scotch tape
ruler
exacto knife
newspaper- 2 colors
wall paper paste
paint brushes
paint
skewers. dowels or twigs
string
heavy duty thread
needles – various sizes
fabric
buttons
glue

1 2 3
(click thumbnails for larger images)

Download the pattern here and cut it out on the dotted line – the solid lines are for scoring -  there are little triangles on one end  – you can fold those back to trace the line onto your cardboard and poke your pencil through the tip of the V on the pattern to mark your cardboard.

4 5 6

Use a ruler to draw the lines as shown on the pattern. I’ve highlighted the lines to score in red. Use the BACK of your exacto knife to score the lines in red and then gently bend the boat into shape…… Continue reading “paper mache boat pattern” »

new birds and diy gift tags

You’re getting 2 presents this week. The first is DIY gift tags (download tags here).
awtag (I added some glitter to his acorn cap after I cut them out).

birdgroup
And I’ve just added new birds to the shop.

new boats and castle press

fishingboats

The fleet here  is growing rapidly. I’m working on all sorts of new boats and ships and the little lateen rigged sailboats inspired by van gogh’s fishing boats are for you to make, I’m going to share the pattern and instructions next week. It takes me forever to work out the “how to” stuff but I think it’s pretty much there and I just need to test it on a couple people and photograph the steps. They are simple and relatively quick, I think you’re going to have fun making them.

Cardboard castle news:

Cardbaord Castle #2 is in the current issue of Elle Decor  – Japanese edition.  I get excited about any celebration of cardboard castle making and the entire magazine is lovely  so I’m pleased and flattered to be included.

cardboardcastle5

paper mache boats

vgboats

(vvg)

little shadow film

I get wonderful shadows here, they change day to day. Yesterday and today they were especially lovely. I don’t have a video camera so I made the little animation above this morning and the picture below is from yesterday.
shadow112009

scraps

The incredibly generous Stephen Szczepanek of Sri sent over another package of  marvelous bits of kimono and other  amazing and inspiring  Japanese textiles.

sriscraps

Check out the  ” trans generational “  boro futon cover on his blog.

eternally curious willet

curiouswillet

I took a new photo of the willet ( made from an edwardian lawn gown) for a project I’ll tell you about later. She’s examining a painted detail on a beautiful little table I got at the flea market a couple weeks ago.

an owl and a tree

A merry wobbler tucked into a little wool nest.
wobblernest

Part of tree costume for someone little.

treehat

And  an owl costume made of old sweaters for another little fellow.

owlhat

They were such fun to make.

paper

papermache1_2

I’m working on lots of new paper mache  and thinking about little  bits of paper I’ve found and  saved.

paperbits

I’m also working on a small gray owl.  My plan was to make him entirely gray but he won’t have it.

smgrayowl

new things in the shop

I’ve added lots of new things to the shop including paper mache sailboat #7.

sailboat7

iago

iago

Motiveless malignity.

iago3

And something else: Over the summer I took Susan Sato’s “One Patch Scrap Quilt”  class at Fiber Notion here in Park Slope. The class was great, I had zero experience with traditional quilting techniques and I learned a ton, stuff that I use in my other hand sewing too. The class  is being offered again beginning November 4th. You can contact Kat at Fiber Notion for more info.

quilt(indigo one patch cushion cover – in progress)