Hat...

A few weeks ago I was given a big sack of leather off cuts by someone who trims vintage cars.  The leather is beautiful, rich colours and soft, but the largest piece is probably only 12 x 18 inches.  So I have been wracking my brains as to what to make from them.  The black pieces will be reserved for bear feet (just perfect!) but there are an awful lot of browns!  I gave some away and still the sack seems as full as ever.

Then on Saturday I had a thought - what about a hat?  I have always wanted a leather hat but the prices have been prohibitive.  I looked up a tutorial which mentioned using a Tilley hat as a template...I have a Tilley hat!  So I worked out a pattern on brown paper and yesterday cut out the pieces and started sewing them togther.  I discovered the new leather needles I bought for my sewing machine work like a dream.  The main problem was holding the pieces together when sewing as of course you can't use pins and the fabric clamps I have still slid about.

There was a slight error in the measuring I had done for the crown - the bottom edge was too long for the edge of the brim, but by making a pleat, I managed to sort it out - and it looks like it was supposed to be there.

All in all, for a first attempt it has come out really well.  I soaked it upon completion in order to shape it a bit better and to make the crown stiffer.  I plaited a hat band and sewed it in place.  Now all it needs is a couple of eyelet airholes in the crown and perhaps a string to stop it blowing off in a wind.

What shall I make next?

Jumping Jack Fox...

Completed this yesterday - it only took about 6 hours in total, probably because it was such fun to do.  I was debating on whether or not to add more background to it but in the end decided less is more.  This is watercolour on paper, using a brush with a ridiculously sharp point which was great for the detail.  Makes such a difference being able to see what I am painting clearly!

This will be in my Etsy shop for sale shortly.

 My stuffed bears now have a little surprise hidden under their tail...

Somebody suggested I get some sort of labelling for them with my name on it - found these on Etsy and they are perfect!

Now I just need to sell this lot before they take over...

Foxy...

Yesterday I tried out my new paints - they are exactly the same as my old paints (White Knights watercolours, set of 36) but in a much improved plastic box with a hinged palette rather than a detachable one.  The fact that the paints are new seemed to make a difference too, they are moist and easier to get started with a wet brush.

So this is a small section of the current painting - very plkeased with how it is going already.  Hoping to keep that looser style for this one.

Now It's Finished...

I left this one for a couple of days, added a bit more shading under the chin and round the neck then decided there was no more I could do to it.  Watercolour on paper, private commission.

No other commissioned work at the moment - I guess I cleared the decks well and truly before my eye surgery!  So I am working on something of my own in the meantime - if you would like to commission me, I'm free!

Just Couldn't Resist...

Here's what I bought...

,,,and here's what I did with it...

Now I just need to find him a home!

Slurping Salmon...

I've been working on this since my eye surgery - so good to be able to paint sitting properly and without getting a headache at the end of it.  This is a private commission of a cute bear cub using nearly all his paws to hold the salmon he is eating.  It may or may not be finished - I need to leave it for a day or so and think about that.  Watercolour on paper.

Primrose Yellow Lace...

This delicate little shawl has taken me months to knit, mainly because I have been making other things in between, but also because the yarn is so thin that it took a very long time to grow!  Knitted in the palest of yellow laceweight yarn, this is currently for sale in my Etsy shop.