Twenty Eighteen

These days I'm not much of a fan of New Year's Resolutions. Back in the day when I used to write those lists my resolve was bound to backfire. Looking back, I now understand my resolutions did not come with action plans or came with too high an expectation.

2018 is nearing completion, and no, I am not going to write a NYR. Instead I intend on using the next few weeks to rest, and take mental stock.

Doing the mental stock thing, I am following the recommendations of Marie Forleo. Marie is pure rocket fuel for my brain. Watching her videos really makes me think. And I do not mind revisiting her old videos, because, you know what? It's easy to forget, and travel off course. You are The Captain of your journey, but every good Captain refers to their Navigator. Yes, Marie is a Navigator of sorts.

With those brain farts out of my system, I want to share with you, my 2018 in review.

Let it begin:

Leonard Street (Australian indie fashion label) invited me to showcase my sloth doll designs in their Fitzroy store. The sloths are handmade armature (meaning, the limbs can move) felt dolls. Their clothes were made from the offcuts of Leonard Street fabric. Such an amazing project.

I am a regular contributor for the craft arm of My Poppet. My content has ranged from felt to paper projects. An exciting highlight was attending PAX as a media representative for My Poppet. Reporting my experience of this colossal event for My Poppet Living.

I have been a regular craft design contributor for the Australian magazine, Handmade.

I produced a downloadable ebook – a tutorial for making a simpler version of my Leonard St sloth designs.

I received a commission to make classroom finger puppets. The puppets were intended as a classroom tool, for students to express their feelings, in their transition to high school. These finger puppets have armature in the arms.

Although not craft design orientated, it is a worthwhile point to mention, I was hired as a photographer for a Fortieth Birthday celebration. It was both a highlight of my year and a creative job, therefore worth mentioning.

Worthy mention:

I handcrafted a felt furniture set. The bed and couch were designed to suit the dimensions of an LOL doll...

... and it was well received.

Finger Puppets + Other Things

Commissioned finger puppets,
made by Melissa Gaggiano.

I was recently commissioned to make finger puppets, to be used as classroom tools. The purpose of the puppets is to act as a prop, through which children can express their thoughts and feelings. Such a wonderful thing, and I couldn't have been more thrilled to create something that could be beautiful and useful.

I have also been making accessories to go with this sloth doll. I made a book and pencil out of felt and thread. I've made felt books before, but this was the first time I crafted an actual felt pencil. That was different. I can hardly wait to get this off to the intended birthday kid.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Busy, Not Forgotten

No! I am not neglecting my blog. I have just been super occupied by other things.

• I am still trying to finish making finger puppets. I only have two to go. I will show a group photo when completed.
• Today I decided to clean up the back court yard. It is starting to look like the forest that grows in Max's bedroom (Where the Wild Things Are). And while this is a good look for a picture book, not so in a real life courtyard that already has finite space. I plan to pretty it up in the coming weeks. If it goes well I'll take a photo. But if it doesn't work out I will probably just not mention it again, and pretend the back space doesn't exist. ;)

Three Lil Puppets Made

This Little Piggy

Finger puppet project in progress: This is the second finger puppet, just completed. And it is a... yep, you guessed it - a little piggy.

The First Puppet

Following yesterday's project entry... Meet the first finger puppet, which I had designed and sewn yesterday afternoon (as modeled in the above photo).

Finger Puppet Project

This week I am going to make some finger puppets to entertain my baby Gwen. And the above sketch is a loose concept board of the sort of finger puppets I plan to make.

I am planning to make the puppets out of felt material and buttons.