Now on my Worktable at Nestle And Soar

There are lots of bright colors and warm wools being played with this week in my fiber art studio. Three distinct handmade bird pillow designs are in the works! There is still some hand embroidery needed to finish the details on these soft, eco-chic designs. I would love to know what you think? Which of these birds are you most likely to see where you live?

Northern Cardinal, Copyright 2013, Georgianne Holland

Blackbird on Sunflower, Copyright 2013, Georgianne Holland

Orange Bird on Nest, Copyright 2013, Georgianne Holland

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Top Ten Tuesday -- May 15, 2012

There is an element of silly in the fantastic items I've found for this week's top ten! A silly owl, a cupcake extravaganza, and a water slide for adults -- and have you ever held a giraffe in the palm of your hand? Silly is a good thing. I believe I am far too serious for my own good, so unleashing a little silly attitude is a healthy thing to do! What is your favorite outlandish or goofy thing to do? 

Henri Owl from Wassup Brothers on Etsy

From Russia with love, this wide-eyed creation is sure to be a family favorite. Henri has movable wings that are attached with buttons, so this is a great friend for the older child. He is almost 16" tall, so that means he's old enough for grand adventures! No two Henri's are the same as they are all made with a variety of fabrics and textures...I love that part about this wise old owl. The Wassup Brothers have many fun items to enjoy on Etsy.

Embroidered Heart Brooch from Bella Celestina

I love an artist who gives her jewelry names...this felt heart is called Clara and she's ready to wear! Bella Celestina has used vintage fabric and a vibrant turquoise felt for this charming pin. It would be great on a simple scarf or used as a bow on your next fancy gift wrapping. Clara is about 2 1/2" wide, so she's a show-stopper. Love it!

Hand cut Customized Paper Art for the True Romantic

I love this paper cutting and I admire the patience of this papercrafter from England, Louise McLaren. When I study the intricacy of this piece, especially the tiny leaves with stems intact, I'm very impressed. This personalized heart and bird cutout would be ideal as a wedding gift or an anniversary present. It is striking in its simplicity in the black frame. Well done Louise!

Sunflower Lino-cut Bamboo Box from Acorn Artz on Etsy

I love a little decorative box to hide my trinkets and ticket stubs! This lovely bamboo box by Kathleen Kerr in California is a lovely option for all those who enjoy nestling their treasures inside of safe places. This sunflower design is Kathleen's original work and the box lid is a lift-off lid, which is my favorite kind. It is also a substantial size at 4" x 11" x 4"deep...perfect to fit my preserved Mother's Day corsage.

Natural History Art on Art Propelled

This photo of an eggshell collection is a scientific statement that moves me as a lover of birds. The varied colors and sizes of the eggs are interesting, and then the similarities are charming, too. I found this Art Propelled image from Tumbler by way of Pinterest and the originating source doesn't go any further than that. I thought you'd enjoy seeing the collection...I know that I have!

Cherry Blossom Tree Mosaic made entirely of Cupcakes!

When I bake cupcakes, I usually end up with about 15 decorated beauties to share. Of course, I bake two dozen, but after I drop one, eat one (or two), and watch a few more disappear before the big event, there are usually about 15 cupcakes to offer my guests. Well, there are over 10,000 cupcakes all decorated and arranged into a mosaic of a cherry blossom tree...and what do you want to bet...they are also delicious! The bakers from London's Crumbs and Doilies are responsible for this fun display for a Japanese TV show. Love it!

Inflatable Playground for Adults (or yeah, and kids), too!

Playful water sports are popular, even in land-locked Colorado. I can see an inflatable water playground like this one on a lake near my home. Wouldn't this be the best birthday party experience? I think I'd make it a requirement that you have to swim well enough to get yourself out to the inflatable playground in order to use it...if you look closely though...there is a baby swing in the lower-left hand corner of the playground! Cool!

Rustic Pine Wood Journal by Crearting on Etsy

The Tree of Life is burned and painted on this fantastic hand-bound journal from Inga Veilande in Latvia. She has used a natural pine and 160 journal pages from brown recycled paper for this unique and charming journal. It is 5 1/2" x 4" and she is happy to engrave names on the cover for you. This is a journal that is sure to become a family keepsake for generations to come! I love it!

Quote from e.e. cummings

As a nature lover and romantic, I've loved the poetry of e.e. cummings. His work was both lovely and controversial and always lead to far-reaching conversation. I found this handmade and simple verse which appears to be hand stamped into metal. The older I get, the more comfortable I am with being myself.

Funny Animal of the Week -- Petite Lap Giraffes!

I thought at first I was looking at a stuffed animal. In fact, I decided to include two photos of this amazing creature because the first one I found was so unbelievable! You are looking at a Petite Lap Giraffe that is bred at Russia's Sokoblovsky Farms. The adult PLG is 30" tall and weighs less than less than 10 pounds! They eat distilled water and bonsai tree leaves. The folks at Sokoblovsky Farms report that they love being indoors in air conditioning, as well as listening to classical music. Grooming is easy...one bubble bath per week! That wraps up my silly ideas for this week. It is silly, isn't it?

If you were to adopt a petite giraffe and bring it to a party on the inflatable playground, you could seal the deal by offering decorated cupcakes in the shape of a tree for refreshment...yeah. That would be epic!

Thanks for stopping by,

Georgianne

Nestle and Soar Studio -- Early Monday Morning Choices

If there are benefits to being a light sleeper, being awake and ready to work in the soft early morning light is a benefit I enjoy. I like to roam around my studio and daydream a bit with that first cup of hot coffee. After I've touched the soft wool and made my rounds, I begin to feel excitement about which project I might pick up first. Here are my choices for today...

Soft Sunflower Pillow-- needs to have seed beads sewn by hand...

Folk Art Flower pillows need to be hand embroidered...

Coexist Wall Felts need to have details added, like the bird's eyes...

Which project would you choose to work on first? It is lovely having three great options! It may take another cup of coffee to really get going...but then...watch out!

Thanks for stopping by, Georgianne

Sunflower Power - Brilliant!

It has been unseasonably warm here in Colorado. The leaves are falling under my favorite tree and my front yard needs to be vacuumed with the lawn mover later today (you are wonderful, Ted)! I suppose it is time, despite our warm week, to think about the impending season change. I guess that is why, when I saw this stunning sunflower by Cordavelera on etsy, I had to show it to you. Do you realize that the center of this flower is made of hundreds of beads? I love it! Click on the link and you will see all of of Cordavelera's wonderful creativity.
Sunflower Brooch

I have often wondered if sunflowers really do turn to follow the sun, like you sometimes hear about. I looked it up and found a reference called "Mr. Smarty Pants", which makes me smile! Mr. SP says this following the sun action is called Heliotropism. There is a collection of specialized cells at the base of the flower bud or leaf that allow the flower to track the sun. He claims it is easy to understand why heliotropism is advantageous for leaves. Turning the leaf perpendicular to the sun provides maximum sunlight to power photosynthesis. The sunflower (and other flowers) track the sun so that insects are attracted to the warmth from the sun and their presence is necessary for pollination to occur. He also says that mature sunflowers stop tracking the sun, which makes me wonder if this is a sunflower's menopause? Mr. Smarty Pants did not say as much, but perhaps I'm onto something here!

It is interesting to me how when you are a mature woman, you get these brilliant insights into the cycle of all life. Perhaps the world would be a far better place if it was governed by menopausal women having flashes of brilliance? Just a thought...

As I digress further, I will leave you now...thanks for stopping by!
Georgianne

Soft Sunflower Folk Art Pillow

It is sunflower time in Colorado, or so I am told by my handsome husband, who grew up in Kansas and knows his sunflowers. As we drove yesterday to Greeley, Colorado, we saw our highways lined with sunflowers ready to burst with yellow light! I'm also told that a patch of sunflowers is difficult to walk around and through. Their stalks are thick, prickly, and densely packed together. I'd love to have my picture taken surrounded by sunflowers though.

Did you watch any of the Tour de France? The Sunflower fields in France are sooo lovely. I'd like to say that someday I will see them in person...in the meantime...I've made this soft sunflower folk art pillow!

There are eleven shades of yellow and gold in this needle felt pillow. It is great fun blending, twisting, and playing with the wool roving that I use in my dry felting! I added some tiny seed beads for sparkle, because in my sunflower fantasy, sparkling happens! If you'd like to see more photos of this playful pillow, you can check it out at Soft Sunflower Pillow.

I hope that as you enjoy the last week of July, you come across some lovely sunflowers and perhaps even taking a stroll amonst them. Please let me know how it goes!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne