Three Little Birds & a Sleeping Fox

Three Little Birds & a Sleeping Fox Find a Home

A nursery story

This blog is a continuation of previous post covering the introduction to the commission for this nursery. 

These lovely photos were procured through Ursula Young who is my client and friend, and also an amazing painter,and illustrator.

She was fond of these pillows and other works I have done in the past and commissioned these pieces for a dear friends baby shower. 

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I am in love with the play of chartreuse and blush, topped with

rusty orange, adding warmth. Chevron print pairs perfectly with the grey rug texture. 

This sweet sleeping fox pillow was inspired by my friends style requests of modern, woodland, and whimsical. It was helpful to have photos of the bedding her friend chose from Dwell Studio to use for a color pallet reference.

To make this sweet room even sweeter this little owl mobile was born. This piece is complete with a matching fabric color story, handmade tassel, and fuzzy white pom pom balls. Three little owls watching over the crib amongst the flittering chartreuse fabric leaves above and below. Butterflies dance among the clouds painted along the nursery wall.
It is a sweet sweet honor to have my creations in this warm and wonderful place.
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An owl Ursula commissioned for her daughter last christmas.

Other custom work like this is available through my Facebook page just send me a private message, contact me through this site, or www.idletimecreations.com
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Enchanted: a collaboration of art

Cult of Gemini Presents

Enchanted

Part Gallery, part oddities boutique, shapeshifter Cult of Gemini is a spellbindingly brilliant addition to the downtown Grass Valley Shops. The sorceresses behind this sacred shopping experience have just unveiled their third phase since being open. Ginger and Kathy are a dynamic duo that completely transform their shop seasonally in a meaningful way.

Cult of Gemini
 157 Mill Street, Grass Valley, CA

Collaborating with local artists, collecting seductive antiques, and carrying a wide range of unique gifts, these ladies work their magic to create a cohesive space that centers around an evolving theme. This boutique is more than a retail shop it is a workshop center for self improvement and self expansion. Cult of Gemini offers a variety of workshops each month focusing on themes of self transformation. 

Wednesday night November 18th local artisans and curious citizens gathered in the dusk of the cold downtown streets, eagerly waiting to tear the paper from the windows of this cocoon like space. You wouldn't blame them if you have had the pleasure of experiencing this magical place in person since opening last spring. 

Warm light spills out of this glittering space into the darkness of the night. Beautiful white feathers, rose gold stars and a whimsical swing drip in the portal like windows, revealing a space that leaves a feeling much like Christmas morning. Enter into the deep turquoise cave to find hand crafted dolls, handmade soaps, hand sewn clothing, large paintings, hand crafted jewelry, antique furniture, books, and even manzanita trees that seem to grow right out of the floor. 

 My latest submission for this space is the Ouroboros Mandala vest (women's size 8-10 $160). Featuring removable oversized sherpa lined hood that can be worn as an a la carte winter accessory. In addition to featuring a wide array of festive juicy fabrics, a corseted side opening ads custom fit and a sexy flair to layer your wardrobe. 

Red velvet lines this cozy piece making for a warm shelter from cooling 

temperatures. Gold and copper accents ad sparkle to this enchanted quilted soulmate of a garment.  Trimmed with silvery velvet lace, red upholstery embellishments, and warm fuzzy pockets.

In addition to the usual sewn garment this manzanita chandelier ($60) was part of the menagerie of goods Idle Time Creations added to this space. Other goods include the "Earl Grey Hooter" a stuffed owl toy for children and those with a present inner child, the "Winter Hooter" a festive owl for the holiday gift giver, and the "Napping Raccoon" a throw pillow with hand drawn appliqué.
It goes without saying that photographs can not serve justice to the beauty of this space and the goods inside, so go see for yourself. All artists featured here, including myself, are eager to share their creations with you and many offer custom work for those with an interest in something more specific. 

Halloween: Welcome to the Dark Side

Brothers in Common: a Halloween story

two brothers joining the dark side for Halloween

Hand sewn Darth Vader Costume 

 During halloween I can get pretty busy, but it was such a treat to work with this client who hired me to make her two sons costumes. The oldest of the two requested a Darth Vader costume, and he wanted his little fifteen month old brother to be a storm trooper. How cute is that!? The best part about this project was working with new materials and challenging myself to create something similar to the actual Star Wars character while still being comfortable and play worthy.

I had a lot of fun learning about new materials and interfacings that added to the sculptural element of some of the pieces of armor. Using vinyl was a new challenge and allowed my ingenuity to surface when the fabric wouldn't quite slide through my machine. It was especially fun to work with measurements and custom tailoring, my client was gracious and allowed me two sessions for measurement and sizing. 

It is hard to say which costume I enjoyed making more, Darth Vader or this cute little storm trooper. I used a toddler PJ pattern to make the base layer. I used snuggly flannel and a stretch knit to make this costume warm and comfy. Felt paired with thick interfacing made the armor come together nicely. The outer details had a slightly rigid quality that hinted at armor while still remaining practical for play and comfort.

Flannel base layer with felt accents 

Because the littlest of the two boys wasn't big into having a mask on his face I fashioned this felt storm trooper helmet out of felt and made a small stretchy beanie to sew it to. 

Felt mask sewn to a stretchy beanie hat

All in all I was super pleased with how these came out, if I did it again I would sacrifice the warmth of the flannel in the Darth Vader costume for a stretchy knit fabric after hearing back from my client.