Cloud Coat

Somehow, I got obsessed with cloud computing coating.  Wrapping myself in an armor of soft blue sky, I would defy the gray clouds of winter.

It's got some construction problems, I know, and it looks like a glorified bathrobe, but it's still the most complicated thing I've sewn. I learned a lot.  It's got pockets!  Next thing you know, I'll be sewing linings.

My BFF Heidi Klum let me borrow her head, so as to not distract you with my own sour mug.  Poor Heidi hasn't quite bounced back from the most recent Seal pup.

Hooded Monster Cloak

Nice and warm for Autumn.

He laboriously picked out four buttons: Triangle, Wooden, Silver Crest, Brass Celtic Knot.

Fairy House

A third story has since been added.

Ceramic mushrooms by Melissa.  Fairy house structure and table, ladder: Brad and Melissa from wood in our yard.  Fairy firepit and clothesline by Max, fairy mailbox decoration and twig bed by Katie.  An ongoing, neverending project!

Give me real paint

Her hands were actually twitching.  She asked again, as she had already a few times during the week: "Can I paint with acrylic on canvas?  Pleeeease?"  She was stuck at home, sick, and I finally took the time to get the materials together.

She was listening to "Peter Pan in Scarlet" on audio.  She carefully drew, then painted the mountains, a little village of huts, the sea.  An hour or two passed in careful pleasure, as her soul was satisfied, for the moment.

by Katie, Acrylic on canvas,  20"x 20"

Shark and Ray

Max asked for a shark, Katie asked for a ray.  Max picked sharkish grey, Katie picked fleecy pink, red spots, candy striper belly.  Her pink ray is named George, after her Grandpa.  The pink fleece is leftover from making her diaper covers 6 years ago.  Even though the eyes normally wouldn't be on top, that's where she liked them.

 I enjoy this work because it is custom, and because I know my clients so well, I can tell when they are genuinely pleased.  Even though my workmanship is shoddy and it's always a rush job, they don't mind at all.

Plushy Monsters

Max's Design:

We changed the 4 necks to 1, because he wanted the neck not to be floppy.  The hole is a recessed compartment, so his guy can shoot missiles out of his tummy.

Katie's Design:

The thing on it's tummy was a shamrock, I was told.  It shoots shamrocks out of his tummy.  Both monsters are born good and learn how to be evil over time.

They picked out the fabrics for each part of the monsters.

Sculptures by Max and Katie

Monster by Max (Blue)
Mososaur by Katie (Red)
Wood, Nails, Hot Glue, Acrylic

Clay Castles

Ceramic castles by the kids, a.k.a. "fun with extrusions".

First day on a unicycle!

She waited a long time for this.

Robots by Max, Katie, and Melissa

Garbage cans, Stainless steel bowls, nuts and bolts, casters, aluminum ducting, wooden juicers, duct tape, electrical tape

They still need eyes and buttons and stuff.
Good for putting stuff in.