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!