Busy Bee!

Here's a little Christmas commission, hot off the needles! It's a felt flower brooch with a little knitted bumble bee perched on top.

The bee is about an inch long, but although he is so tiny, he still has eyes, legs, antennae and gauzy wings.  There was some very unlady-like language going on as I struggled with those legs!

The flower is made from two shades of stiffened felt, cut and sewn on to a brooch back.

He'll be winging his way to Denmark tomorrow - by post though, not under his own steam!

...And We're Done!

This was finished yesterday afternoon - it took less time than anticipated!  It has been drawn using Derwent Drawing Pencils on Canson pastel paper.  I think I could just about manage another of these before Christmas if you get in quick and don't live too far away!

Climbing That Hill...

There was a moment a few days ago when panic was setting in as I wondered if I had bitten off more than I can chew as far as commissions are concerned.  However, it would seem that with nibbling away at the list whenever I can, it is slowly getting done well within the deadlines.

This is a portrait in Derwent Drawing pencils which should be finished by the end of this week, with plenty of time before Christmas.  The poor dog was sadly run over earlier this year, so hopefully the painting will be a reminder of a much-loved pet.

On the needles: ARGH! You'll have to keep an eye on Nudinits in the run up to Christmas to see what I have been knitting lately!  It has been challenging...

Fuzzy Friend!

I love this sort of commission - I get sent a photo of someone's pet dog and have to recreate it in yarn.  This one was particularly good, as I have a soft spot for shaggy lurchers!

I used long eyelash yarn combined with baby wool to get the fur effect - initially it was a lot fluffier, so last night I had to give it a haircut!  Then a brushing with a toothbrush, and it's ready to go.

If you'd like your dog to have a mini-me, get in touch - it's a bit too close to Christmas to guarantee anything will be ready in time - postage time has to be taken into account for anyone not in the UK - but do ask just in case.

How Do You Get To The Albert Hall?

Practice!  In actuality, it took us a tedious twice-as-long train journey with a long detour due to Sunday works, followed by two tube hops and a long walk.  But totally worth it - we went to see the Classic Spectacular at the Albert Hall yesterday, which included such favourite pieces as O Fortuna, Nessun Dorma, Nimrod, Jerusalem, Land of Hope & Glory and of course, the 1812 Overture.

It was my first time seeing a live orchestra play, and for it to be the Royal Philharmonic was something special.  We were up in 'the gods' right at the top of the Circle, but despite the difficult climb to get there (my daughter was struggling!) it was an amazing view of the whole auditorium.  We were directly below the guns though - that made us jump a bit!

We got home late due to another slow train journey, but having had the most amazing time - if you can't get to the Last Night of the Proms, this is not a bad substitute!

This Is Good...

http://www.funnywomen.com/magazine/article/1494/nudinits-knit-safe-for-work

Overloaded!

Here is a closer look at the little monster in his tv set that I made for the Woolly Vision logo, seen at the beginning of the Nudinits film.  I had to construct the television out of a cardboard box, covered with foam board, insulation board, fabric, copious amounts of glue and double sided tape - it was quite an undertaking!  The front is made up of two panels of mount board cut to shape, covered in fabric, attached in place and then gold piping stuck carefully around the edges.  The knobs etc. are various items of haberdashery.

The scenery inside is sewn from felt, while the grass and sky were two old jumpers put to better use.  Fantastic to see it all put together and animated!

Time is in short supply at the moment.  Not much time for painting other than this little watercolour sketch of some veg that I did to show one of my students how to use the paint.   It was fun to produce ten minute paintings - they could be better, but were a great exercise nonetheless.

I'm definitely not regretting giving up the day job - my decision has been met with mixed reactions, but on the whole everyone has been encouraging and supportive.  I could do with leaving now - with Christmas fast approaching, my workload has increased accordingly!

Currently on the needles: dogs,crackers,Xmas tree, fairies,turkeys, argh....
To be sewn:  a flower brooch, scenery for an upcoming animated short film
On the easel: a dog portrait, with a baby portrait coming soon

It's all so exciting!

Taking The Plunge...

Well, it took getting beaten up by a six year old to make me do it, but I have finally handed in my notice at the day job and am preparing to go solo.  It's terrifying and exciting at the same time, but in my heart I know it is the right decision.  I've been holding on to the day job like a security blanket for years, safe in the knowledge that whatever happens I would at least have a small regular income coming in.  However, when that security blanket suddenly turns into a millstone round your neck, it's time to leave it behind. (Mixed metaphore alert!)

For the time being I have enough commissioned work in the pipeline to keep me busy - fingers crossed that 2015 will bring in plenty more. 

On Getting Punched In The Face...

Some of you might know that my day job is as a special needs assistant in an infant school, although for the past few weeks I have not been working with special needs children but with children who have quite severe behavioural issues - much against my will I might add.  This is not really my remit - I confess that I don't know much about behaviour management when it does not come hand in hand with learning difficulties.  I find it relatively simple to distract and change the demeanour of a child with special needs, but am all at sea with a child who comes at me in full blown rage, fists, feet and teeth flying.

Last week I had a couple of incidents at work that have caused me to do some serious thinking - the more serious incident ended with me getting punched in the face, knocking my glasses off.  The other incident with a different child involved my glasses being torn off my face several times and thrown across the floor, getting damaged in the process. (Why do they aim for the eyes???)  So I have to consider, what is more important to me, my art and craft work plus my sanity or dealing with someone else's badly behaved child?  I think we know the answer to that one...

In the meantime, this week I have been mostly sewing trees....

Beau

Here is Beau, all finished with plenty of time before Christmas.  She has been drawn using Derwent Drawing Pencils on grey/blue pastel paper, with acrylic white highlights.  As I said before, sometimes a painting just flows and this was one of them. 

There is still time to commission a portrait before Christmas - I have one in the pipeline, but one such as the above does not take long.  Just make sure your photograph is of a decent quality!

I've held off for a long time, but finally joined Facebook as I figured it was a good business tool if nothing else.  It may take me a while to get a link on this page, but I am sure there are very few other people with my name on Facebook, so my page should be easy to find.

On The Home Straight...

 Despite having the week from hell so far (I seem to get a lot of those for some reason!), this picture is very nearly finished.  Just the one ear to go and that will be the task this afternoon. I have enjoyed this one so much - everything seems to have gone well, the materials have behaved themselves, and the dog itself is just so pretty!  After this, I have a portrait commission of a very sweet little boy, so yet mor enjoyable work in the pipeline.

Tickled Pink!

At last, here it is in all it's glory, the knitted animation Tickled Pink:

Hope you like it - careful, it's very cheeky!

What's Next?

Well, that's Halloween over for another year...what do I do now?  Little monsters are like Santa, they only get to work once a year!