Louie Girl Fiberarts

Origami "Ningyo" Doll cards

2012-01-19T10:51:00.001-05:00

Hand made origami "Ningyo" dolls made with Yuzen, Washi, and/or Chiyogami papers. Notecards (3.5"x 4.78") for that special someone, or start a collection for yourself.

"Ruffled Feathers" are flying

2012-01-11T06:12:00.002-05:00

Not to be confused with the other birds, these are needle felt scultures that look fabulous hanging in the window...

"Folly"

2012-01-05T07:39:00.002-05:00

"Folly" was created as a "pay it forward" gift for my 8 year old neighbor Sofia. I had an opportunity to watch her during one of her lessons and was very impressed with how students learn to ride and take on the responsibilities of caring for the horses before during and after their ride.

Larry

2011-12-23T07:41:00.000-05:00

Larry - custom needle-felt pillow ~12" tall, based on the photo... Hope the recipient likes it as much as I enjoyed creating Larry (the pillow)!

New Birds in town...

2011-12-07T06:12:00.002-05:00

King Piggie

2011-11-11T17:51:00.000-05:00

Time to get ready for the Holidays!

2011-11-09T06:28:00.000-05:00

The Angry Birds look forward to seeing you there!

Blue Pod

2011-10-16T05:38:00.000-04:00

Just podding along...

Pods

2011-10-14T07:02:00.000-04:00

Outdoor gardening season is over... Time to create indoor pods!

Mouse in the house

2011-10-13T10:41:00.000-04:00

It's getting cool outside, so the mice want in.... I don't mind this variety

My First Droit

2011-10-06T07:21:00.000-04:00

Finished another workshop and created my first "Droit" just in time for pumpkin picking. Loved learning how to apply joints so that the arms, legs and head can move more naturally and with his huge feet, can stand on his own - no wire armature needed!

Fall is in the air

2011-09-22T06:48:00.000-04:00

...and the pumpkin harvest has begun

Orange Octopus

2011-06-23T09:01:00.000-04:00

I was inspired to create the orange octopus using some of the pod workshop techniques combined with felting over wire armature for the legs... love his eyes!

More worms are popping up

2011-06-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Having fun creating these little creatures -need an ample supply to start online sales.

Anglin for a bookworm...

2011-06-06T15:22:00.000-04:00

Wanted to create a whimsical worm for both anglers and book readers...

and these fun creatures emerged. Both wet and needle-felted over a wire armature.

Feels like a Van Gogh'ish day

2011-05-18T08:56:00.000-04:00

We're now on day 5 and counting of cloudy skies, rainy days and nights. I wanted to felt something sunny and bright and thought of sunflowers. I "googled" sunflower images and was immediately drawn to Van Gogh - however, I already created a Van Gogh'ish sunflower wall hanging in 2008...

...so back to the drawing board - perhaps it's a good day to start "Starry Night" - stay tuned!

Not Fiberart - hopefully inspirational!

2011-05-13T15:52:00.000-04:00

Haven't spent any time in the studio to felt lately, however my cherry tree is in full bloom and will hopefully inspire me to get some felting started...

PODS Workshop

2011-04-09T09:49:00.000-04:00

Just finished a 2-day felting workshop with the talented Andrea Graham at New England Felting Supply in Easthampton, MA.

I've been waiting over a year for this workshop to be offered and it was well worth the wait.

My first pod (based on a lotus flower pod) taught me the basic structural techniques along with learning that I need to concentrate more on color contrasts. It was pretty good for my first pod (the seeds "look like froggy eggs")

I tried to incorporate many of the techniques and decided to create a "sampler". This pod is ~14" long

The workshop was just what I needed to get back into the studio and create some fun sculptures.

One Heart, Many Interpretations

2011-02-11T06:43:00.000-05:00


Bolton Artisans Guild currently on display through March 6, 2011 at Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, MA This year the Guild's heart themed display features jewelry, photography, paintings, needle felting, polymer clay collage, monoprints, and paper collage.

New "Blue" in town..

2010-11-06T09:43:00.002-04:00

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America...

New bird in town

2010-09-30T14:15:00.000-04:00

I'm back in the studio working on my new "Bird" collection. Flamingoes are flocking together and the old pelican needed some friends, so in flew a new neighbor!

"Sitting Pretty"

2010-09-20T15:27:00.002-04:00

The "Sitting Pretty" flamingoes are multiplying and enjoying each other's company. These needle-felted beauties ~6" tall are semi posable and will help brighten your day.

The story behind the flamingoes....

Several members of the Bolton Artisans Guild chose to participate in a “color “ challenge in which we randomly chose a “not so popular” paint chip color. We were challenged to take the color and create something based on the sample chip. Luckily, I chose what I’d call “flamingo pink”. Being a felt artist, I decided to create a flock of flamingoes as part of my new “Bird” sculpture collection. Louie Girl’s other bird sculptures include - Pelicans (inspired by the poor gulf oil soaked pelicans), Humming birds (as seen in my gardens), the new Flamingo collection and more birds will be flying in!

The color chip is below the flamingoes in this picture..

Flamingo and Pelicans @the Winery

2010-09-14T17:12:00.001-04:00

I had so much fun making this flamingo and pelican - they are for sale at the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton.

"Ningyo" Japanese Doll Notecards

2010-09-09T08:06:00.000-04:00

Another of my "fiber" loves is working with origami paper. Here are a couple of my "Ningyo" note cards...

Pelican

2010-08-25T08:26:00.000-04:00

Needle felted Pelican ~6" tall

Peace Felt 2010

2010-08-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in the Peace Felt 2010 Initiative where felt artists "Create a work of art using handmade felt which symbolizes peace or unconditional love to give to & receive from your peace partners somewhere else in the world!"

Here's a peek at my first project...

Sea Turtles - "Will we survive?"

2010-06-29T13:48:00.005-04:00

Wet felted background, needle felt dimensional sea turtle and plants
~10"x12" wall hanging

The Pelican

2010-06-25T08:18:00.003-04:00

The images of the oil drenched pelicans from the BP disaster lead me to creating wall hangings of how these precious animals should look. This pelican is the first in my series.

(~11"x 12")

Nubble Light on Display at Nashoba Valley Winery

2010-06-08T17:30:00.007-04:00

The Bolton Artisans Guild "Summer Dreams" exhibit showcases varied works inspired by the theme. I finished "Nubble Light" just in time for this months display at the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, MA

Nubble Light - York Beach, ME

2010-04-12T16:44:00.006-04:00

Needlefelted Nubble detail and beginning of rock formation

Nubble background - wet felted

I took advantage of the perfect weather outdoors and wet felted the background for another dimensional landscape. I had some pictures from our visit last summer and am pretty happy with the felted background. This took a bit of work due to its larger size (~24" x 22"). I want to get as many backgrounds done while the weather is nice since I really don't have an area where I can wet felt indoors.

Back to the fruits and vegies (I think I'll take my husband's advice and add bread, cheese and wine!)

Fruit & Vegies - Finished

2010-04-12T08:16:00.009-04:00

Day 3...

~13" x 12"

While waiting for the pod to dry and wondering what to fill it with, I worked on my fruit stand which has now turned into fruits & vegies and who knows what else (David just suggested loaves of bread a wheel of cheese, and of course a bottle of wine.. great idea!!)

Stay tuned for progress reports...

My first "pod"

2010-04-11T16:10:00.004-04:00

I've been wanting to take a course in felting "pods" and didn't want to wait until the Fall, so I decided to experiment using a resist to create what I thought would be a pod form... Not bad for my first attempt - now I have to figure out what to put into the pod.. maybe a felted critter?

Dimensional Landscapes

2010-04-10T11:04:00.012-04:00

River Rocks (not quite finished)

Back from a 2 day workshop by Andrea Graham, Felt Artist extraordinaire held at New England Felting Supply in Easthampton, MA - tons of fabulous felting supplies and only 1.5 hours away from Bolton.

I learned so many new tips and techniques. Here are a few photos from the session...

Laying out the wool

After wet felting

Adding the dimension

Almost finished

This will take a long time to add the fruits and vegies.. - soooo much fun!

Laura & Andrea in front of some yummy fibers..

Andrea(s) "rocks"!!!

Signs of Spring at the Bolton Library, Bolton, MA

2010-04-01T11:17:00.004-04:00

I've neglected this blogsite for much too long, my apologies...

I'm happy to write that I've completed a needle felt wool rendering of our library in Bolton, MA. This library now has a massive addition which isn't part of this felted work since I started this piece 3 years ago.

More pieces to finish and will post them as they are completed...

Happy New Year

2010-01-09T06:59:00.004-05:00

Wow - I can't believe that it's been so long since I've blogged. Holiday shows and sales along with the typical Christmas crazies kept me very busy. No new year resolutions for me - just want to wind down 2009 and ramp up 2010 in a more relaxed fashion.

Here are some pix of my end of 2009 works...

Here's "Maggie" one of my favoite Gossip Girls

A couple of roosters hanging around

...and Honey Boy - a special custom order

Japanese Paper Doll "Ningyo" cards

2009-11-30T09:07:00.003-05:00

I love colorful origami paper and found a fabulous way to use some of my collection. These Japanese paper dolls make great note cards to both collect and gift to others. Ningyo "human figure" dolls seal friendships, protect or purify those who use them, and help children explore their roles in society. Their history also reflects the development of religious and political ideas.

Happy & Healthy Germs - flu antidote

2009-10-28T15:07:00.006-04:00

These alien-like healthy germs will protect you from the H1N1 flu or at least will help make you smile.

I was inspired by a felter in Finland to create sculptures of what healthy and happy germs might look like to help ward off the H1N1 germs.

Cookie Cutter Divas

2009-10-20T16:18:00.003-04:00

New ornaments to add to the holiday collection...

New Gossip Girl in the Neighborhood

2009-10-20T12:48:00.003-04:00

Turkeys, Trees and Gingerbread Ornaments

2009-10-19T16:49:00.005-04:00

Been busy working on new holiday ornaments for the upcoming Bolton Artisans Guild Holiday Show & Sale. Here are a few in progress...

Need some inspiration!

2009-08-12T14:53:00.005-04:00

A visit to the Cape might be just what's needed to get some artistic rejuvenation! The sun, the sea, the surf, oh my!

I'm bringing my paints, sketchbooks, and camera to capture some of the fabulous sights on the Lower Cape....

Stay tuned for some great creations when I return, or at least another blog entry.

...and if you're planning a trip to the Peabody/Salem Massachusetts, consider visiting the Peabody Historic Society

Artist Interpretation Project Complete!

2009-07-27T06:17:00.014-04:00

My interpretation of the Proctor Tavern Sign is now at the Peabody Historic Society Museum and will be on display at the exhibit "Historic Interpretation: Contemporary Artists Interpret the Historic Collection" Part II

Opening weekend, August 15, 12 - 7 pm & August 16, 12 - 3 pm
Also on view 1st and 3rd Sundays: September 6 & 20,
October 4 & 18, 12 - 3 pm.

An elephant's trunk pointed up symbolizes good luck - hopefully there will be oodles of people visiting the show.

An explanation of needle-felting and a sampling of the fibers used will also be displayed for those not familiar with the process. Dyed and natural wool fibers are blended to create the desired color palette.

This was both fun and challenging and I'm glad that I"m part of the show. Due to the overwhelming number of artists, the show has been scheduled as two distinct presentations. The first presentation continues now through Aug 2nd, an then the second presentation (where my sculpture will be on display) will start Aug 15 - Oct 18 - the Salem News had a great write-up of the current exhibit.

Peabody interpretation - In progress...

2009-07-20T09:30:00.004-04:00

Trunk is UP - better luck will follow!

The historic interpretation is coming along. The elephants rear legs, tail and tusks need to be finished, along with the rider. I hopefully will be able to get it finished before the August 2nd delivery to the historic society/museum...

Historic Interpretation

2009-07-09T08:01:00.008-04:00

I'm participating in a "Historic Interpretation" of an artifact at the Peabody Historical Society, Peabody, MA. Area artists were asked to choose an artifact from the Historical Society and create their interpretation using their medium of choice. I decided to create a 3-dimensional “sculpture” of the elephant and rider made of wool sheep fibers over a wire armature based on the Johnson Proctor Tavern Sign.

Here's my work in progress - I have to work on getting the rest done as I need to deliver the elephant to the museum on August 2nd...

Belinda

2009-06-22T15:52:00.012-04:00

I'm currently working on a commissioned "mini-me" doll named Belinda. I've never met the real Belinda and am working from photos. Along with the photos, I received a fabulous written description so that I could try and create a close likeness. I'll be posting photos of my work in progress.

I started with basic white fleece, created the head and have added the features... Belinda "has a bit of a crooked smile" which I accentuated to help capture her personality.

She now has a partial body..

Almost finished - Belinda has to sit and let the wool relax and then I will primp and apply the finishing touches....

The Gossip Girls

2009-05-09T07:16:00.003-04:00

I finally had some time to spend in the studio. My first doll creation from the Art Doll Workshop was really lonely and needed a friend so I created someone to keep her company. They are so happy that they have each other to "gossip" 'er talk together.

Doll Workshop

2009-03-25T06:52:00.009-04:00

I posted status of the doll workshop backwards so that you could see my final product first!

... what should I do with my hands?

Stage 2: now the doll has hands, a head, a face and large locks of colorful hair...

Next step - clothes!

I'm finally back in my studio starting a Doll Workshop, offered by Marie Spaulding. I'll be posting pix as I progress along. This photo shows the base (cholla) with needlefelt wool torso and wool wrapped wire armature arms. It's great fun learning new techniques.

Collage of some Louie Girl creations

2009-03-10T06:55:00.005-04:00

From Collages

I found a fun "collage" tool within Picasa3 - here's the result of compiling ~50 photos.

Stone Walls

2009-02-25T06:58:00.014-05:00

Building stone walls is extremely time consuming. Each individual stone is felted, then they are layered one by one onto the felted background. The herbs, plantings and tree details are next. This rendering of J's Restaurant at the Nashoba Valley Winery is before the new outdoor patio was constructed.

Finished wool rendering

Orig photo

Polymer Noses

2009-02-24T02:26:00.008-05:00

I'm trying something new on my felted animals, polymer noses and beaded eyes. I like testing new techniques to see if they enhance or distract from my overall intent. The puppies and some of the other animals periodically want makeovers, so this may be what they've been looking for - stay tuned!

Scarf in progress

2009-02-23T07:19:00.007-05:00

I started this scarf in early February and try to add a few rows every evening. This has been a fun and challenging project. Pattern is from "scarfSTYLE" by Pam Allen.

Knit with 100% worsted weight Nature Spun yarn.

Mini pups

2009-02-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

Some of my mini dog creations - a Maltese (3"X4")
and Dachshund (2"X4") both with designer collars

and let's not forget "Chelsea" the Brittany Spaniel (4"x6")

I Give You My Heart

2009-02-06T06:19:00.000-05:00

"...A Gransmother's Love for her Grandchild"

The overall size of the mini heart and hands ~2" x6". The heart is ~1" long.

2009-02-04T08:57:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of my most recent felt creations.
Maggie's brindle coloring and wrinkles added depth
and personality.

Needle felt on wool fabric pillow - size ~9"x12"

Monet's paintings are very inspirational and to
recreate with wool fibers was a satisfying challenge.

Wet & Needlefelt -based on Monet's ~15" x ~17"