nanandbags

Wordless Wednesday

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Work in progress- Winnie the Pooh

I love it when people ask me to make some of their favorite characters. It is such a fun challenge. I was asked to make a Winnie the Pooh for my friend who is hosting a baby shower in a very cool Hundred Acre Wood baby shower & let me tell ya- it is really hard to match the color of the original Pooh so that it doesn't look like the Disney Pooh! See:

Classic Pooh



Disney Pooh



So after doing a mini pooh to see how the felting looked - I decided to go with a more " Teddy" color. I didn't want him to have a bit of yellow- hence the more traditional Teddy colors



I really like how I did the mouth and eyes if I must say so myself!


Still have a lot more to do but it is so exciting! Xoxo Nan and zzzing Aine


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Weekend goodness

This from STICHES Midwest


+ a classic Winnie the Pooh



+ good books just received


(this is filled with illustrations!)


+ nummy brownies


= one hopefully productive crafty weekend.

Stay safe all folks on the East coast! Especially my niece who just moved to NYC!
Hugs all -Nan and Aine

Craft: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

I read Craft all the time. What is your Craft 5,4,3,2,1? Mine is below!

One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of:

1. My needle felted royal wedding pin cushion ring.

Who knew two obessions -anglophile(lover of all things English or British -btw there is NO SUCH THING as a Britophile!) and needle felting - could collade into a wonderful mashup of goodness? This was probably the quickest needle felted project I have ever done. I needed a pin cushion, I needed it now and oh wait - Prince William just got engaged to Kate and she has Princess Diana's ring?! SWEET! ta daaaaa!

Yep, there is a reason why there is a little CNN in the left corner. It made it to CNN.*squee* And than the interviews came in for USA Today and BBC and BBC again. Who knew a fascination with craft and royalty could bring this much fun? I still have to pinch myself, I sincerely never thought I would get this much attention. Definately the highlight of my summer. 

Two Mistakes You've Made In the Past

1. Stay true to what you like to do. Don't cave to the popularity of another craft. This is the hardest thing to figure out when you are Crafter - what the heck do you like to do?  It is especially hard when you like a lot of different crafts. It took me a bit, but realizing that I could focus on one piece of the collective pie -could actually free your mind a bit. And it did... which shocked me. lol.

2. Remember *why* you went to this craft. Yes -I would love it if my wee little shoppe could be the next big thing - but you know? The organic growth of my shoppe is okay. I am a super Type A person, so to not be all Type A about my craft was like *whoa*.  But than I remembered WHY I went to sewing, multi-media, card making, crocheting and finally needle felting - the process of creating kept me sane. It was the balance in my work and my life.  Any success from this was a bonus and even more appreciated when it happened!

Three Things That Make Your Work Unique

1. Did I mention I am a Anglophile? LOL I create British Inspired goodies with an American Accent; as I say in my Shoppe.  Even though I do adore and will claim that I am Anglophile to the day I die, I love my country too. And I love especially the differences between the UK and the US. It is the nuances not only in the language but between our two cultures that I find facinating. It is those little bitty details that inspire me to create pincushions in the shape of Tardis's or Georgie,the Tea Party Baby Elephant. 

2.Geek. *points to the above tardis pin cushion reference*  - Need I say more? Who else would want a Doctor Who inspired pincushion except a geek like me.

3.Humor. I made a cat with a fez once. This is before the 11th Doctor Who and his infamous Fez.  Yep. My humor is kinda quirky. And if you know about the Doctor Who Fez reference? You my friend, are a geeky fun person like me! YEA! Go us!

Four Tools You Love To Use

1. Needle Felting Thimble. Never felt without it. I have worn it out and I need a new one. It has saved me from buying stock in band aides. For reals.  

2. Franny my dressform. Franny is named after my Grandma, Fran -an amazing seamstress. My Grandma is no longer with us but Franny helps me out anytime I need sewing help ;)

3. My artbox/sewing box. It basically keeps my needle felting tools organized. If not - ugh. 

4. My iPad. Besides being the BEST INVENTION EVER, you never know when inspiration strikes - hence having my iPad ready - always helps me sketch things out before I forget the idea. 

Five Inspirations

1.PUGS. Especially my little Aine. I mean, will you look at her cuteness? How could one not be inspired?!  

2. Illustrators Gemma Correll and Nikki Schulmann. You have seen me go on and on about Gemma's work. I mean - her tea towel was part of the 2am welcoming committee at my Royal Wedding Party.

Nikki - I dont think my blog readers have heard me mention her. My husband and I received her calendars and we fell in love with her illustrations. For my birthday one year, Joe(my late hubby) got me all of Nikki Schulmann illustrations he could find. Than all of a sudden it seemed like she disappeared off the net. I am so happy to hear that she is back on the net - this time doing quilts!  Her mastery of detail and colors is amazing. Her prints hang in my studio and inspire me all.the.time. 

3. Antiques and Antiques Roadshow.  I would love to be one of the Keno's assistants. Just saying. But no - it is the crafting around a particular antique that I adore. Like my latest obsession with Automata. When you see something like this, anything is possiable. 

  

4. History(ALL countries history I am interested in -from their clothing to why they became amazing at xyz) and architecture. Or in this case,

an architecture of a hat. LOL

5. My family and friends. Who else lets me needle felt their dogs decked out in Cub gear?  

Btw everyone - this is S&P named after my sister and brother-in-law that just turned a big bday and oh btw part2 - they are both CPAs. Get it? S&P - S&P 500? Oh and did I mention they are die hard Cub fans?

So there you have it! Welcome to the world of Me. Please tell me what your Craft 5,4,3,2,1 is!  xoxo Nan and Aine

Balls!

 

My pug friend Amanda wants to make felted ball garlands so I volunteered to figure out what needle to use. :)

*squee* I love felting

Oh by the way please forgive me if the video sounds like SNL's "sweaty balls" skit. Definately was not meant to....

xoxo Nan and Aine

 EDIT!!!  Here is the work in progress....

Whatchya think?

 

Fun Friday - Geneva,Il revisited

I was able to go to Scrap Expo in St. Charles, IL and look at these great stamps!


These tiny cuties are from Stamps by Judith


The Rubber Cafe is owned by Angus the pug and I finally got my Pug stamps!

Than I got hungers so I made my way to Geneva, IL


I found Mels Diner home of some of the best burgers ever. Seriously go!


Than I decided to walk around town. This is the first time I saw cannons in front of a court house.


Or so many spiral staircases.


And so


Many


Fun


Places and things


Including what I found in the shops...


Like a very cute and expensive felted ball rug


That yes- I will be attempting ;)


And folded books like I did in grade school...


And yea FASCINATORS! Yahoo!
Than a very cute little shop called the Little Traveler and is all about the Nordic region.


They had clogs


And fun Nordic ribbons


And wee little flags


And yea! The Swedish Royal Wedding memorabilia from a few years ago.

Than I found windycity dolls! I so didn't know they were there.


Nor did Tanner make Dr Who or Mad Men Dolls.


At Le Doggie Devine, the owners own 5 pugs!


That party looked so cute.


Than I went to The Geneva Historical Society and look who I found! Col. Fabyn!


With all that walking - I needed some lovely ice cream. Num.


But the best store I found was Designers Desk. When their business card says 'complete needlework shop' omg is it! I have never seen so my floss in my life! Like this-wool floss-


And I found my ribbon floss!!! Yea!!!!!!


Also got some fun needles too- off to play with felting balls!

Xoxoxo Nan
PS. Aine says check out all the social media links at the bottom of the post and please link to us on those feeds or better yet- sign up to our RSS feeds! It is to the right.....


If not Aine, will be so bored.


And we just don't want that! So please sign up and/or forward!!!hugs!

Automaton amazement

In anticipation of Hugo


I have been ever so slightly obsessed with Automata

I have found these around the net- some great sites are:
http://automatomania.co.
The Franklin Institute

I believe the majority of these are from automania.co-

This one is so cool- it is a drinking bear!


He really pours water!


I don't know what this one does but I love the Black Forest German Costume


This is fascinating. They even have the details of the bound feet.


Fascinating. To think these folks were actually clock makers...


This doll is just gorgeous


I wish I could see what they do!


Doesn't this one remind you of the movie BIG? Or Doctor Who?


I have no clue how they got this doll to smoke. But it is really amazing.


And lastly... How can you not love a guitar playing hare?




Xoxo Nan and Aine thinking this obsessions is weirddddd.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wordless Wednesday, a day late

Is this not THE CUTE?! Okay- back to fiscal year end madness.


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Looking for shoes in Elle magazine

Will only get you into trouble.
Because you want EVERYTHING.

I was seriously looking for shoes/clothes for a conference I am going to in Florida and let's just say...I am shocked how much I am out of the loop on fashion....


For instance... Didn't Ferragamo disappear? I could be thinking of Papagano shoes which were adorable. I still refuse to throw away my Papagano shoes and they look exactly like the above. How cute! However they were like 10% of the price back in 198.... Oh let's just leave that date alone...


Okay these are so impractical but gorge. It is like Liberty of London on your feet!


I want the black purse and all the shoes here from tods ...



And this just rocks. However... Still have not gotten my stiletto walking skilz down pat. Must work on that. Yea right!


Okay. I can't stand things were I pay a vendor to advertise their product but omg look at those Japanese Chins! Aine watch out. Soooo cute.


And he is a cute too. ;)


Than we just get into the purses. I think the Longchamp bag would look PERFECT with me at the conference. Unfortunately....can't really afford this



Or this... And who know Tiffany&Co did purses!


Than I saw Mulberry. *flail* ....


Because now I am bound and determined to get a href="www.anntaylor.com">cape for winter. However - I am not sure ..


..if Capes really look good while carrying computer backpacks. Unless.. I wanted to look like a hunchback....Best to not look like Quasimodo whilst getting to work. Yep, best not. I would also be one step away from a deerstalker cap. Sherlock Holmes I am not.


Than I saw the the dresses....got to love href="www.katespade.com">Kate Spade


And peter pan collars are back? Eeek. But really I am just jealous because I can't wear them.


And this suit is gorgeous. If only they made it in my size. So stunning!



So yea. I have such champagne tastes on a beer budget. And I still didn't find my shoes for the conference. Lol.

What is your must buy for the fall or what is your favorite shoe brands? Let me know!

Hugs xoxo Nan and zzzzing Aine
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Go Cubs!

Temp pictures until I can get the real ones up! Go Cubs!
Xoxo Nan





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