Releasing My Inner Nerd

Well, the secret is out. It appears I have taken the final step into Official Nerdism. I'm not only a symbolist painter, but at times I am also a nerdist. Nerdism generally afflicts males, but I know there are many females out there who are proud to embrace their inner geek.

What started out as a child's Poppet, quickly evolved into a retro-look-manga-esque-SuperSpaceGuyCute doll. My mind must have been wandering as I was listening to the LocoRoco theme song, and wondering when my Crisis Core order was going to arrive. This little fellow is hand sewn and painted, and is awaiting both a space ship and a robot companion. Who knows? Maybe I'll add some aliens and cyborgs into the mix.

My personal theme song (on so many levels, I have to admit) is this song by Weird Al Yankovic.
(Play it loudly for maximum effect :) )

Finger Puppet - Crochet

Oh my! It's been awhile since I've posted. The studio has kept me hopping and I've been traveling around the beautiful Beara Peninsula enjoying the sights close to home. I've got a few new Poppets to show you as soon as I get them photographed. Thanks for your patience.

Today's Poppet is actually a finger puppet. When traveling with little ones Finger Puppets can be a real blessing. They are easily packed, carried, and tucked into pockets; imaginative children can occupy themselves for ages through role playing and story telling. They are also so easy to make. I've included one here to show you how a simple design can still turn into something with personality. (I especially like her little cupcake hat. :) )
She was made in a jiffy out of some yarn scraps I had left over from some bigger dolls. Her face was painted using non-toxic acrylic paint. (An embroidered face would be quite lovely as well, wouldn't it?) I made up the pattern as I went along, but I had so much fun making her I will try to crochet some more finger puppets to give her company. When I do I will be sure to write down the pattern and share it with you here.

Irish Stone Spirits

Remember when you were little and you found the perfect stone? You would run its roundness up and down, through your fingers, and carry it in your pocket like a talisman. Your worry stone. Your lucky stone.

Sometimes you would put it in your mouth to tumble its smoothness over your tongue. Of course your mother was appalled! How dangerous! Hidden in your hand it could make you feel invincible.

Back then a stone was a little piece of forever.

Pippin the Lamb

An Easter weekend walk inspired the creation of little Pippin the Lamb. It's lambing season here on the Beara peninsula and the fields are full of wee bouncing beauties. (Just take a look at the blissful face of mama sheep soaking up the sun!)

Pippin turned out to be a real girlie-girl, didn't she?

She will be the perfect companion poppet for a baby as she has no loose bits, she is justs the right size, and her bouncy hair ribbon makes a great handle for carrying.

(a special nod to twilightgecko for posting a fun art club challenge!)

She Loves to Dance

There lives in my home the most beautiful of fairy princesses. Like the girls in the story "The Twelve Dancing Princesses", my little one also wears out her shoes by dancing, dancing, and dancing.

I was fortunate to have discovered a very simple crochet pattern entitled "Children's Easy Slippers for Beginners" by the creative and generous Sue Norrad. ( after checking out the link you should sign up for her newsletter :) )

The results were wonderful and resulted in cozy slippers with great wear due to the doubling up of the yarn. The slippers I made here were embellished with a little bit of fuzzy pink specialty yarn at the ankle. I'm in the process of making another pair with embroidered flowers and little golden bells. Perfect for the feet of a little princess, don't you think?