art and nature

Towards the end of last year I had an idea for a project to do. It took some time because it's the first time I have sewn anything with a lot of detail and well, life gets busy too. I finally finished about a few month ago and barely uploaded the pictures today to share. This is my constellation tree. Well, not mine, but hers. She loves this little tree so much. Often times, in the middle of the night, she will crawl into our bed with the tree clutched in her hands.

I forgot to take a picture of the back of the tree but you can see the edges peeking out. The fabric was a piece of a soft white/floral top of Natalie's that didn't fit her anymore. I like the idea of using a fabric with a bit of history (for us, at least) and recycling in a different way as well.

The little 'stars' are round pieces of blue floral fabric connected by little embroidered dots. This was a lot of fun to make and I will probably make another one since I have the felt cut out already.

So, with spring officially being here, I start to get the urge to rearrange things a bit. I love art and I love nature (no surprise, right?) so here, a union of the two. I bought the frame at Marshall's for two bucks. I tend to tear out and keep things from magazines, calenders and such. I remember when I first put this print in the frame and thought, perfect! The tiny curio cabinet was purchased from Little Byrd Vintage (she always finds the most amazing things). It holds my collected art buttons so well. Of course, there is a jar filled with natural tokens and to surround it all, little owls.

mathyldette leaves soon...

It's been a long time coming, but at last! I finally finished little Mathyldette for the sweet miss Mathyld! I started her so long ago and some how time stopped for her and rushed for everything else. Well, I am happy to have started the year finishing things that I have begun and so she is ready to begin her travel across the ocean to be with Mathyld forever.

She will be taking a few other little things to give to Mathyld as well, but I don't want to spoil the surprise (yet). I'll just have to wait until she arrives safely in France first. She did want to wish everyone a happy new year and also to send sweet wishes from Serena, the darling little wizarding owl that came over from France too. Kisses to all!!

new things coming...

I have a few new ideas of things I would like to create. Yesterday, I finally completed the first one I have had on my list for quite some time. I made lavender moon pillows. I sewed everything by hand, including the moon's face, and filled them in with sweet smelling lavender.



For the 'dark side of the moon' or simply, the back side, I put a pretty floral fabric. Who knows what the true back looks like, why not make it a little pretty, right? :)

I am hoping to make more and maybe some others would like them enough for me to put them in the shop. I also have another little moon idea (it's a little secret right now).

I am also quite excited for something new I've done for the wonderful and inspiring Nicole of Garden Mama...look at her blog for it and wait for a post on her blog coming soon!

p.s. my last post I included a photo of a few herbal things on a windowsill. One day I hope to have a windowsill and view like Rebecca of The Herbwife's Kitchen (just look at her header. she has her winter view up right now but I love the green view all the more).

the shop the shop!

It's monday mid morning, a few things done with more to do as always. I just put a couple of things into the littlebighead shop (and still awaiting the holiday postcards to come)!

Little Hare Asleep, original illustration is up for sale, as well as the five postcard set too..

and my recent illustration, inspired by the short story "The Cannon" found in "Magic for Beginners" by Kelly Link...

"In winter, ghosts are easy to spot. There are stories about winter ghosts found tangled like lice in their lover's hair..."

Done with my new india inks which I am so in love with.

I also have a few originals on sale: When Summer comes, so do they, Grandfather Bear and Little Pumpkinhead.

Now, to attempt to make a papier mache craft, along with maybe a couple of other holiday themed crafts and then maybe, just maybe, a nap!

luna lapin

My first twig and yarn doll in the littlebighead shop is Luna Lapin. She is a sweet off white colored rabbit in a black chenille yarn dress. I think she is graceful and a bit whimsical standing on one foot as she poses. The first of dolls to enter my shop, she is extra special. Especially when Natalie wants to keep her ;)

black radishes, drawings and dolls..

Autumn is my season. I love everything about it and so, I've been trying to create things again. My first doll Violet (Natalie named her, even though she is all yellows and orange!) was so exciting for me that I've decided to try making more and to get better with each one.

The second doll I made was inspired by my sweet french friend, Mathyld. She has gained quite the popularity and it's no wonder why. She really is the sweetest and her creations are absolutely adorable! Mathyld likes to wear all black and so I made a little doll in a black dress. I didn't follow the code true to the real Mathyld because i choose little shoes to match the color of the doll's hair and finished her off with a bright yellow ribbon around her neck. Natalie snatched Mathyld right away so I will have to make a Mathyld 2 to send to my friend :)

I've pulled out the sketchbook again to doodle and draw. The upcoming holiday is definitely inspiring though I haven't yet drawn anything of the true spooky nature just yet.







hmmm, who is that atop my sketchbook? why it's my little black radish doll I finished this weekend. Though I am not skilled at sewing (I'm learning more with every little project) I still love my little black radish. Inspire by a couple of black radishes I once bought to make into shrunken heads (I eventually had to throw the out. Apparently they are not like apple shrunken heads that do not stink, if you get my drift). I've held on to the idea of little root sprites and such and have even inserted them into different drawings of mine. I thought it would be real cute to make one into a doll and so I did. This time I decided to the head, arms and legs the right way by sewing them inside out so the stitching is unseen like it's suppose to be. However, I still the dress the same way of stitching on the outside. It's a bit rough but she is my little favorite at the moment.

The 'story goes' that black radishes are quite playful and mischievous. They often like to hide outside and inside the home just waiting for you to catch them!

I found her among my tea. She loves drink it piping hot and I think I will follow suit and put the kettle on to warm the chills upon our bones :)

a doll and mandrake

yes, it's safe to say that i do heart mandrakes. a lot. so for my very first herbal pillow/doll i decided to make it a mandrake. i had so much fun fashioning this little guy and stitching the 'drawing' into the felt. the thread is a bit to small and light to actually see all the detail (and the photo is from my camera too) but when i make another (or more perhaps?) i will use thicker thread so the details can really stand out. also, this mandrake is filled with wonderful herbs like lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, rosemary with a few drops of essential oils. mmmmm...

i've wanted to make dolls for a long time and have made little creatures before in the past. today i finished my very first handmade doll and i am so happy! i wanted her to have a autumn feel and i choose colors that are very close to my heart at the moment. her scarf is braided yarn and i love how it contrasts with her dress and brings a bit more texture to her. i have still not named her, it has to be perfect! hopefully at some point today she will be named :)