sketching & crocheting

The last few days I have been doing some gestural sketching exercises, partly for my drawing class and also just because I wanted to see how much I could still do seeing as most of my drawing in the last few years has been pretty cartoony and illustrative.  So here are some samples of 30 and 45 second sketches.

I have been crocheting again too, even though I swore I was going to put the hook away for awhile. I made the mistake of walking through the yarn section at the craft shops, and grrrr here I am with a basket full of cotton and bamboo once more. I really enjoy making granny squares, and I found a few really interesting variations to the traditional pattern.  But for now, I am just working one great big one...

 In cross stitch news, I started one of the abstract thread paintings yesterday, worked awhile on it this morning too and just did not like it. The colors were not pulling together right. So I scrapped that piece for now, and instead picked up one of the button designs I had played around with. I have ordered self covering buttons from Etsy, so hopefully I will have something to show next week!

Watch Me Draw! sessions start up this next week too, and I've three new teachers to train in and go to their schools with them for a few classes, so we'll see how much time I have left over to continue with the things I have been working on this weekend.  Lots going on, but it's all fun!

Of Mice & Snowmen

*Finally*

Finished & Released

Of Mice & Snowmen 

Stitched over two threads on 28ct. hand-dyed Jobelan, watercress, from Wichelt Imports using DMC floss and Kreinik braids.  The finished size is 91w x 87h. Available on the website and also soon through 

Hoffman Distributing Company.

Of Mice & Snowmen CM Designs copyright 2011

I started working with the wool last night too, and thought that I might try my hand at making some unique art journals as I have a lot of ephemera paper, handmade papers and other bits that I think bound together would really be appealing.  I am very fascinated with trees, and this is what I have started to felt. I will be adding some needlework to it as well.

The next needlework project/design is a spin on this same concept. I hope to finish up the chart today so I can start stitching tomorrow! It will use a lot of buttons and more embroidery stitches than cross stitch. It should be a quick stitch. 

For now though, I am off to spend some time with a group of talented young artists with Watch Me Draw. Polar bears with chalk pastels! Such messy and delightful fun!