Grabbag Winner & Babies in Pockets

And the winner is.... Kari from ArtsyMama! Congratulations, Kari! I hope you like your collage pack! Kari's favorite word was "bliss". It was really fun reading everyone's favorite words- so many interesting choices! I realized that I never told you what my favorite word is-it's "cloister". I love the sound of it and the meaning- "a secluded, quiet place; a sanctuary". (On a side note, my sister lives on Sanctuary Way- isn't that a wonderful address?)

For those that didn't win, I do still have several collage packs left if you were waiting to hear whether you won or not. I haven't had time to get them up on Etsy yet, but I can sell them to you directly if you don't want to wait. Just email me at appendageassemblage at hotmail dot com.

So, in artsy business, I've been working on a couple different things-some stuffed owls for birthday presents and a page in my "Me" journal. We've got three birthdays in our family within a couple weeks- a niece who will be four, a nephew who will be two, and Riley who will be two (my husband's birthday is also in there, but he doesn't count!), so I decided to make some stuffed animals for the kids. I also made one for Noah, so that he isn't left out! I came up with a design by looking at several different stuffed owls on the internet, taking a bit from this one, a bit from that one, etc. to make my pattern.

Knowing that a simple stuffed animal probably won't be enough to hold their interest for long, I wanted to think of a way to make them at least a little more interactive. So I came up with the idea of making babies that would go into pockets on the mothers' bellies. I think they came out pretty cute. We'll see if they pass the toddler test for interestingness though!

So I also did a page in my "Me" journal. I didn't have a lot in mind when I started the page, but I found these two cardboard little boys I bought a few weeks ago that I wanted to use. One is blond and one is dark-haired, just like my boys. I decided to use an image of myself looking down at the boys, and went from there. While working, I never actually attached the figures because I still wasn't sure where I was going to use them- in the birdcages? in my arms?

Finally, I got the idea of making little pockets for them so that they could go either place! Obviously, I must have been influenced by the owls I made! But I'm pleased with the results, and while I was working, I came up with the idea of making an entire book for these little guys, with pockets on every page so that they can go on different adventures! Wouldn't that be cute? I've got to think a little more about it, and see if I want to take another project on...

Okay, guys, have a great weekend! Let me know if anyone wants some collage packs!