Blossom, A Lancashire Witch for Spring

 

Blossom has arrived with thoughts of spring and bursting buds. My first daffodils are out, they are in sheltered positions but still there in flower and I can see crocus and snowdrop tips coming.

Blossom is a gentle soul with a wistful smile and bonny nature. She is dressed in a lovely spring fabric by Liberty called Fairytale. A white ground with blossom and spring flowers running across the fabric.

To her heart she has rose quartz with rose petals to her stuffing. As ever finished with tiny buttons, silver acorns and leather shoes she is a gentle witch with soft lavender hair and a hand painted, hand embroidered face.

Blossom has a little sampler pillow with a coordinating soft cotton strap, silver acorn and tiny buttons. The stitches include a variety of cross stitches, with herringbone and beaded flowers.

The fabric is truly lovely, with wandering wild spring flowers and apple blossom abounding. Again another favourite fabric which is teamed with pale lilac shot cotton and a pink wool felt hat.

Blossom is a confection of pinks, purples and lavenders all brought together with tiny buttons in lavender and organza ribbon in old rose.

I love the pastels of this little witch, a stark contrast to my little witch of last week but still with a fairy tale fabric. The apple blossom to her dress bodice and running across her sleeves is very pleasing.

I love her hair, the soft lavender and just wish I was brave enough to go lavender or pink. I love seeing ladies particularly older ladies who have embraced these wonderful pastel colours now available.

I am quietly working on commissions this week and on a project of my own for International Women's' Day on March 8th. But I feel a frog moment is upon me and will be making grumpy frogs next week. Enjoy your weekend and my warmest wishes to you all xx

Esmeray, A Lancashire Witch

 

Esmeray is a sassy little witch dressed in a fabulous Liberty tana lawn called Curious Land. A fabric inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland. Rich florals with mushroom highlights play over a black ground.

Esmeray is a midnight witch with black tulle underskirts and black detailing. I think she has stolen Dorothy's ruby slippers and is quite pleased with herself for getting away with it.

I like her attitude, my daughter says she is the kind of witch to bring tequila!

I love the intensity of the fabric and all the myriad of colours within it. The fabric, Liberty tana lawn Curious Land, is a riot of flowers and shrooms. Teamed with a strong red it makes for a bold statement, Esmeray is no shrinking violet but a bold rose witch with a wonderful attitude. She will be a fierce friend and a good companion.

Esmeray was an interesting first witch of 2024. I was using a new calico and new brushes for painting her face. All a little nerve racking.

My brushes, as with my needles become old favourites that work so well for me when they become redundant or are stolen by a small grey cat it is a bit of shock to have to try new ones.

Asher is a thief, he is a lovely boy but will insist on stealing favourite tools, stuffing sticks, doll arms and now brushes. I had a real panic when I realised this particular brush had gone but three dolls later I am getting used to the new brushes.

I do not believe you can tell that the dolls' faces look any different but the brushes feel strange yet in my hands.

He is banned from being alone in the workshops at the moment because he is on a mission to steal several stuffing sticks that I am coming to enjoy using.

Little swine cat but I do love him xx

Cumin, A Spice Mouse

 

Cumin is a little mohair spice mouse dressed in rich orange shot cotton with a heavily appliqued and embroidered skirt. Her dress is lined with a pretty Liberty print and she has Liberty with cream tulle petticoats.

Cumin has carnelian to her heart with chamomile in her stuffing for a gentle scent.

Finished with tiny leather shoes, a sampler pillow and organza ribbon she is a pretty furry mouse in rich spice colours.

Her embroidered and applique detail are delineated in wool felt. Cumin flowers with simple leaves make her richly coloured pattern. Detailed with tiny buttons and seed beads. Her underskirts are cream tulle with her drawers being cream broderie Anglaise.

I particularly like her fur which is truly fuzzy and gives her an old teddy bear feel.

I have company in my workshop at the moment, which is lovely. It is so cold that we decided not to heat two workshops, so Reuba and I are together in mine. When she is working with porcelain she has to be in her workshop but she is modelling with wax to make moulds for casting porcelain so not making any dust.

Reuba's workshop is a big space and we shared it for a while but textiles and ceramics didn't mix hence my move back into the bungalow. It is really lovely to have company.

Have a great weekend and my warmest wishes xx

Cassis, A Midnight Mohair Mouse

 

Cassis is a black fur mohair mouse from my midnight series. Helmbold sparse mohair was used to make this darkest of mice teamed with a deep purple for blackcurrant tones. She has a purple eye and ear with a black tail. Her facial details are hand embroidered and she smells sweetly of lavender with an amethyst to her heart.

Again using the folk art style of embroidery, these are details of Cassis dress and sampler sachet. Pale pink and grey delineate the blackcurrant flowers on Cassis's dress with runs of fly stitch and chain stitch. The sampler and Cassis's dress are detailed with tiny beads and 6mm buttons in tonal colours. The deep purple of the mouse's dress is highlighted with underskirts of Mitzi Valeria with black tulle lace.

I am loving making these little embroidered mohair mice. I love texture and the fur with the embroidered dress really please me and are a joy to make.

Busy start to the New Year, next week I will be working on commissions and then back to the mohair mice for a while and maybe a mohair bunny or two. I just have to work out how to turn those tiny ears! xx