puppets part III

Week three of the puppetry course and our puppets are starting to take shape. Although things are looking very, very naked. Next for some skin and other bits. I think I'm going to like this stage the most.

Also in my first week pictures I was holding my test eyes incorrectly on my hand — they were too far back, past the nuckle. I thought I'd take updated pictures showing the correct way in case anyone was interested. The two images above on the left show the correct way. The idea is that you keep the top part of your hand as still as possible and move your thumb up and down for lip synching. This creates a more accurate looking jaw movement.

Happy Friday! I'm happy to say this week has been a big improvement on the last couple. No new injuries and the like. YAY! I hope yours has been a super one too.

who could it be now?

New beardos listed in the shop! More to come.

Who is your favourite real life bearded bloke? Or are you anti beards?

puppets part II

Thanks for all of your wonderful and supportive comments on my first puppet course post. Here are some snippets of week two.

Sadly I was out of town and unable to attend the actual class night however our teacher Gary was kind enough to hold a second class on a different night for those missing out. We are still working on the puppet building which is quite a lengthy process. There is a bit of waiting while the glue dries but I now have arms and bendable fingers for my puppet. YAY!

I hope you all have a wonderful start to the week. My ankle is improving fast which is great and I am so ready for a fresh week after the events of last. A funeral, sunburn, sprained ankle, flat car battery and no water from a burst water main - it can only get better, right?!

Happy 75th birthday Jim Henson!

How could I not, in the midst of doing a puppet course myself, wish this masterful puppeteer a happy birthday today?! Henson is and will continue to be a creative inspiration to so many including myself. The video above looks at the inspiration and making of the Google Doodle that is up today and tomorrow to honour Henson. Check it out. Head over to Google and play!

There is also an endearing letter from his son Brian on the Google blog describing him as, 'one of those rare parents who was always ready to play again'.  

And while I am feeling a little sorry for myself after wondrously tripping in a ditch yesterday and badly spraining my ankle I hope you are all having a fun weekend filled with lots and lots of play. I would love to hear what mischief you are getting up to.

colette

Do you have a soft spot for vintage clothing and enjoy sewing your own clothes? If so, then I reckon there may be a good chance you own a Colette pattern or two. I do, however if I am being totally honest I am yet to sew them. It's on the To-Do-List! My lack of clothes sewing aside, Sarai the talented lady behind said patterns is launching her first sewing book, The Colette Sewing Handbook. It is currently available to pre-order and will be released in November. From the sneak peaks so for it looks adorable, with easy to follow instructions and large, clear photos as well as five fabulous sewing patterns. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

puppets part I

As mentioned last week I started a puppet course on Wednesday night which runs for eight weeks. The first night was a lot of fun. Being a little nervous not knowing what to expect, I was also very excited to be learning something new. The course is called, Puppetry for TV and Web and is run by Gary Friedman who has been a puppeteer all his life! Gary has even been fortunate enough to participate in a Jim Henson workshop, with Henson himself, back in 1987. I found some footage here if you'd like to take a look. Gary is the one with the orange muppet!

In our first lesson we practiced lip syncing into a slanted mirror (all we could see where our puppet hands) with the ping pong eyes you see above. Not too unlike this. We watch short puppet clips and some behind-the-scenes footage which was really interesting. We also started creating our own muppet style puppets. I am so excited  by this. They are made from a special reticulated foam, like that in air conditioners so they are more porous and breathable. Nobody wants a stinking puppet. Right?! I can not wait for mine to come alive!

 

Flowers purchase at the market yesterday to help brighten the end of a sad week. Rest peacefully Pop.

thank you

Little Cheerful by KLTworks

True Love by Franciesca

Thank you for the wonderful Etsy treasury love! It is always such and surprise and a thrill to see my work amongst other Etsy seller items picked by the treasury creators.

PS. Tonight I start and eight week puppetry course and I can not wait. I look forward to showing and telling you more!

etsy seven

 

As a cat lover it is no surprise that there are quite a few, large and small kitty items amongst my Etsy favourites. Here are seven for this weeks cat themed Etsy 7 list. Are you a cat or dog person? Or neither?

1. King Cat Poster, by Ginette

2. How Does She Always Look so Pulled Together, by Ashley G

3. Vintage Folk Art Kitten, by Souvenir Souvenir

4. Personalized Kitty Cat Bowl, by Sunshine Ceramics

5. Fleta the Cheeta Plush Doll, by Nonesuch Garden

6. Bad Ass Alley Cat Brooch, by Royal Mint

7. Mr Lion Heart 09, by Jipi Jipi

creative places

Jealous much? Tin & Ed's fabulous Melbourne views.

 Or perhaps the view of the Tate Modern at the Wallpaper office will do?

Smart use of vertical space by Opening Ceremony. Must remember this if we live in a little(r) place.

A visit to Confetti System would be a dream come true.

 Don't wake me just yet. I'm still dreaming at Sneaker Freaker.

Baas & Den Herder's farm is sweet. Those beams are calling from a giant indoor swing. 

 

Julie Verhoeven has won more of my heart with her floor creating ways.

Ok so perhaps my last post was a little idealised. After all where would a crafty girl keep her crafty stash? As one wise commenter also made note of the whereabouts of a beloved book collection. Which got me thinking about mine and if I could part with it. Maybe not. And then last night someone who knows me far too well surprised me with the above book. And I never even mentioned out loud how much I would like to take a peek at this book. Surprised much?! 

Yep. 

This was said husband whom I mentioned below that I needed to convince. He kindly reminded me how I find our two bedroom apartment too small at times and perhaps it wasn't him that needed convincing.

True.

little places

I would love to live like this. Simply. Small. Any chance I could convince my husband...?

reconnecting

It's been ages since I crocheted, I'm warming up again with some left-over wool. How about you. Do you know how to crochet? What was the last thing you crocheted?