(county)fairly inspired

In the week since we went to the county fair I have made a plush pig and a really outrageous chicken vest. I sized the vest for Franklin to model, and although he smiled and said "bok-bok" when I showed it to him, he cried and said "no no no" when I tried to put it on him.
So I'll just show you the source and not the outcome of the inspiration. Which reminds me that it is really important to go to source inspiration and not just see what other people are doing on design blogs or posting on etsy. I've got to refill my own unique well of creative juices or else everything feels played out and I wonder if I am stealing other people's ideas or if there are any original ideas left to steal. Also, It's just weird to eat corndogs in front of the computer.

Craig didn't even get any curly fry grease on his pastel moth and squirrel harlow cap.

oh, chickens.



milk!

Family portrait in plaid with straw.

animal of the week

photo by the amazing cynthia st.clair. throne fixed by her equally generous husband phil.

Animal of the week is one of the great traditions born of the farmer's market. I generally choose the newest critter as the recipient of the honor. It is my own rule that no animal can wear the banner two weeks.I have regular market goers who stop by every week just to see who is on the tiny throne, so I have a bit of pressure to make stuffed animals regularly. Interestingly, the animal of the week rarely sells the week that it holds the title. Maybe people think it is too special to possibly buy.

sheep pins are baaack.

find a small flock grazing at the farmers market this week.

I wanted to say something about Portlandia, and how this sketch forever altered the face of indie craft markets and my own tiny production line of bird pins in particular. But the babysitter will be back any minute with Franklin and you probably have your own opinions about this show by now anyway. And I know you still want to buy a bird pin for your grandma or a whale for your child's preschool teacher or a sheep for your co-worker who knits...so I'll just say, after a sketch inspired break, I'm crafting some felt cuteness again. enjoy.

headed to the lake (No market 7/16)

These blog posts only seem to go up when I'm not going to be at market.But this time I will at least show you some hats. We are going out to the peninsula for a quick visit with franklin's cousins who have never met him. Naturally, it's supposed to be rainy all weekend. My mom keeps saying, "you can always go for a walk in the rainforest in the rain." sigh.

franklin is still wearing this cotton johnny cap that fit him last year at toad lake. Although this year he doesn't keep it on his head long enough for photos to be taken. Since handcrafted hats can feel like a ridiculous luxury for rapidly growing heads,I am pleased to see if you buy a little big,you can get more than one season out of a moth and squirrel lid.

this may be more accurately how we will be dressed this weekend with layers or wool and hoods and my prototype cotton feather cloche. Look for these in the fall with reverse applique and two layers of cotton. I think it will be the perfect fall(Or northwest summer)lady hat.

I have been trying to recreate and update my all time favorite,scuzzy from so much wear,comfort hat. Favorite Hat is basically a long stocking cap that calms crazy hair,keeps off the rain and makes me feel invincible. It is one of the very first hats I made from a reclaimed sweater, before I was officially moth and squirrel.I have years of photos of me in this hat, all seasons, including just moments after franklin was born. No matter how many new hats I make, I keep digging out the old favorite one. It is surprisingly difficult to get just the right roominess and hug with perfect slouch.I think this feather cloche is pretty close to my ideal with the bonus of being machine washable. Favorite Hat is white wool, which needs to be hand washed, and therefore is always slightly grungy.But perhaps that grunge and mojo is part of it's charm...

Not at Market this Week.

I will be going on my first adventure to Lopez Island with Franklin to celebrate Emmett's high school graduation. I lived with Emmett when he was five. [cue wedding song from fiddler on the roof]I don't remember growing older, when did they?...