Speaking to the Guild!

Today I had the honor to be the guest speaker at the Essex County Needlecraft Guild.

I expected a little knitting group, maybe 20 tops. But there must have been about 100 crafters there--knitters, crocheters, quilters, embroiderers, and more. My people! What amazing handiwork! I talked about publishing patterns, and encouraged others to submit their designs. I also got to show off my portfolio of past designs and some of my new work.

Next month I'll be back. You know I've got to join this exciting group!

Diorama: "She's Just About to Close Up the Library"

Here is my diorama (a work in progress) inspired by the movie It's a Wonderful Life. It features my all-time favorite quote, and I'm disappointed it's not very legible in this photo (see below for the whole quote). This was the first time I attempted adding text to my work--I'm going to have to keep experimenting with it. This is part of a series of scenes from black and white movies.

George asks Clarence about Mary--she's depicted as a mouse here (approx. 4" tall). 

Clarence answers: 

"You're not going to like it, George. She became an old maid. She never married. And she's just about to close up the library."

Diorama: "Like Jell-O on Springs!"

Here is another one of my dioramas inspired by old movies. This one is from Some Like it Hot (see below to read the quote in the background. I'm still working on adding text to work, keeping it legible but not overpowering--a work in progress).

In the movie, the men (Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis) are disguised as women--here they are depicted as dogs discussing the differences and mysteries of a cat. I like to figure out what kind of anthropomorphic creature should depict each character. Marilyn Monroe's character is, of course, a sex kitten. The dolls are about 4 inches tall.

Jack Lemmon/ Daphne: "Will you look at that. Look how she moves. It's like Jell-O on springs. Must have some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it's a whole different sex."

This may look like a black and white photo, but I assure you I've used only black, white, and gray yarns. I'm working on a few more in this series, then I will move on to color movies.

Diorama: "I Coulda Been a Contender"

Here is another one of my dioramas--a work in progress--inspired by old black and white movies, using tiny (approx. 4" tall) stuffed animals and gray yarns. This is from On the Waterfront, that famous scene with Brando/ Terry (bulldog) lamenting about his life to his brother Steiger/ Charley (a pig). I'm still experimenting with adding text to the dioramas. See below for the full quote, though you probably have heard it a million times and know it by heart.

Terry/ Marlon Brando: "You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody. Instead of a bum...which is what I am..."

Diorama: "Welcome to Dogtown"

I'm working on a series of dioramas that tell a story. "Welcome to Dogtown" is a story of a cat who is afraid of dogs. She (the cat) has an exaggerated sense of how the dogs have taken over her town and ruined it. She ultimately learns to love dogs with the help of her new friend, Cody.

 

Crochet Gifts

When my dear nephew, Michael got engaged to a lovely girl, Nicky, I crocheted some sachets in thread for a shower gift. I placed little sponges inside them, and I included some essential oils to scent them. It's my own design, and I was aiming for a vintage look.

I also crocheted a blanket for the two of them. Nicky's favorite color is blue, so I went to my old-standby favorite for afghans, Lion Brand Tweed Stripes in the color Caribbean with its gorgeous hues of blues and purples. 

 

I crocheted it diagonally from corner to corner in a box stitch to show off the tweedy blend of colors. The wedding was last Saturday, and I know they will be living happily ever after!

Blog Tour!

Crochetville is sponsoring a blog tour in March, National Crochet Month. The theme is travel--hop aboard to check out crocheters, designers, and yarn! I'll be featured on the 9th. Stay tuned!