A Message for My Yahoo Groups Friends

Just wanted to say here that I am open to private swaps of my work for Hitty carving.  I have had a few already and they have been very successful.  I have received painted Hittys (and unpainted, at my request) and the swaps have worked out for both parties.
Just email me privately at myheadsundercover@yahoo.com.  Thanks!

Tons to catch up on---and look at whittling post below this one...

 

I got a dollhouse off Craigslist.  I think it was supposed to be a Barbie house, so the ceilings are a bit high for Hitty.  Yet Hitty is 6.5" tall, which makes her a giant in the 1/12 scale houses.  (Do I have that right??)

Here are a few pics of the doll rooms.  Also, I have returned to needlepoint for rugs for the Chateau.  Mind you, it is PLASTIC CANVAS (gasp) but is 10 mesh.  I can design patterns (similar to cross stitch, a passion of mine in the 80s) and use up all sorts of types of yarns.  Can anyone say HAPPY????

 

Great to pull out Julia's dollhouse stuff. 

 

 

Hitty Gran enjoys some solitude in the writing room.

 

 

Several Hitty friends gather in the parlor to catch up on the local news.

 

 

Ten mesh (per inch) plastic canvas rug.

 

 

No, I didn't cross stitch this----it's paper!

 

 

My rendition of Hitty's whale.  Send to a doll-friend as a pif (pay it forward).

 

 

This is my Rakes and Leaves rug, with my hand showing a size reference.  Pretty daunting----approx. 6,500 stitches.

 

 

Rakes and Fences rug finished and in place...

 

 

Fence and Fowl was done for a doll-friend...

 

 

I decided to do some pieces as "greeting cards" and call them "needlepoint greetings."  This piece was sent to a dear friend.

(NOT my pattern.)

 

 

Another needlepoint greeting.

(NOT my pattern.)

 

 

My daughter made this for her English teacher who loves unicorns.  It is 4" tall.  She has become quite the easy hand at amigurumi.  

 



Early April---lots to catch up

WoooWhooooo!  Finally I can write words under my pics!

I began whittling the last week of January.  Here are some blanks one of the carvers in the local club kindly cut out for me.

 

First, I carved several Christmas Pickles to get a feel for the knife.

Pickle, anyone?  They are 3 inches long.  I have a mason jar filled with them and must say it looks hysterical...

 

 

This is somehow turned sideways-----notice I whacked off the cardinal's crest....the bird didn't feel a thing.  It is now a Comfort Bird.  (Look it up.)

 

 

Again, my pickles....

 

 

These 4" birds were all done in basswood.  Basswood is one of the easiest woods to handcarve.

Try telling that to my left index finger, which remains numb at the joint at the tip!

 

 

Bowl of my birds.  I am making several for different needs---grief, illness, birthday, and general "you-are-not-forgotten" gifts.

 

 

The darker birds are made of catalpa.  Frankly, I don't like carving them as I feel they are too grainy.  I'm game to try any soft wood!  The one on the left is white pine and was VERY nice to carve, but is a bit too soft....you can leave nail marks in it.  I love its grain, though.

MidJanuary, 2015

I can't seem to write under each picture.....here are some things I've been up to. The 2" doll belongs to a friend and needed some clothes!
The scarves are done in Lion Brand Homespun weft, or horizontal threads; Hobby Lobby Baby Bee Sweet Delight (sort of a sport weight) is the warp, or vertical threads.
The ivory "tight weave" scarf is done in merino sock wool....very very soft but a stinker to work with, due to the closeness of the weave. Each warp thread needs the same tension on it, which is nigh unto impossible for me to do. Hence, it wasn't very fun to do, though it turned out wonderfully. (FUN is the operative word here.)
The ivory fingerless gloves are for the wonderful friend who bought the ASIL for me to weave on for my birthday...the pink ones are for me.
The hat on the head is a knitted/felted hat, perfect for this c-c-c-cold climate.

Christmas props and Hickory cap

The computer I'm on is not cooperating; these are props for Tinies' dresses....and the crocheted cap Yetti wanted for her Thanksgiving attire. Notice how proudly she wears it!

Week before Thanksgiving, 2014

My humble abode, i.e. craft closet, where I do most of my creating.

Schemes are dreamed up at this table....

My very own Ashford Sample It Loom (aka ASIL)....I had to sand, seal,and assemble it. I didn't ruin it! Amazing!!
This loom is an early Bday/Christmas gift from Laurie in OK and Brook in CA. Thank you, thank you!

I love the dynamics of the heddle block. Everything glides so nicely!

Warp (veritcal threads) is sport weight----weft (horizontal weaving) is Lion Brand Homespun. Very beefy and warm scarf.

Warp and weft Deborah Norville's sock weight Pink Sugars yarn. Drapey but a bit scratchy.

A teenage friend from church made me this tote for knitting. Imagine my delight when I found the ASIL fits in it. Have loom will travel!

Nat Cooper carved both the Granny (left) and Miss Hickory (right). I wanted to paint Hickory's face (a long-time dream of mine, to have a wood Miss Hickory and be able to do the face).....Miss Hickory was a book done in 1930-50s. The older I grow the more I like the book. She wasn't particularly pleasant---sort of cranky. If you knew her circumstances it would make sense. :)

Face on

Autumn attire until I get time to do her signature gingham blue dress, white apron, and white bonnet. I am smitten with her.