Turtle + Other Good Stuff

© Melissa Gaggiano

In the week that has been I have finished making a sweet, fabric sculpted turtle. The turtle is 34cm tall and has a wire armature frame (being a poser is no longer a dirty word). The turtle is available for AUD $250.

 

© Melissa Gaggiano

I participated in a #drawinyourownstyle activity, playing along with Illustrator, Mel Stringer's Challenge. Aptly hashtagged as #melstringerdrawchallenge.  I had a lot of fun recreating Mel's illustration in my own way.

© Melissa Gaggiano

To recap the week just gone, I have entered my 2018 Sloth Project in Frankie Good Stuff Awards. Simply entering into these awards is a pat on my own back. It's a reward to myself and therefore worth mentioning, again. To find out more about the sloths, go here.

For those interested in making a smaller version of these sloths, there is a tutorial available on Etsy. To buy it simply go here.

Turtle + Sloth

© Melissa Gaggiano

After a couple of weeks of enforced rest, I feel ready and charged to focus on 2019 work. I have begun with the sculpting of a spectacled turtle.

The turtle has not given them self a name... yet. I can tell you that the turtle is made of felt, is being sculpted one section at a time, and began with a basic wire structure. As you can see from the below images, the feet and arms are complete. My next challenge is the neck, head and face.

© Melissa Gaggiano

In other news I have entered my 2018 Sloth collection into the Frankie Good Stuff Awards.

Designing and creating these sloths was a ground breaking project for me. I was applying what I could already do, trying new ideas, and creating a set that told a visual story. I was so happy bringing my passion for doll making, illustration and photography together.

Read this, to learn more about the Sloth collection.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Slow Week

Image by Melissa Gaggiano

    Really it has been an off week for me. The first few days were spent in the land of head colds - both my own and one of my daughters. The rest of the week has been spent in recovery mode. So not a lot has been accomplished. To be honest I've only managed to crochet one whole granny square and taken a few photos.

    Today though I needed to get everyone out of the house for some over due fresh air. So we stepped out and visited the local newsagent. I picked up a copy of Frankie and two Freddo Frogs for Gwennie and I to snack on.
    On the walk back home there was the overwhelmingly delicious scent of a fish 'n' chip shop. And if a smell like that is so intoxicating it's a sign that I'm certainly over my head cold. Maybe we'll have some fish 'n' chips on the weekend.

Weekend Reading

    After a couple of wacky weeks it's good to reach the end of a week and sit down with some good reads. Tonight, and tomorrow I plan to tuck into Under the Duvet [by Marian Keyes - one of my favourite authors] and two magazines - Donna Hay and Frankie. While I am at it I might even tuck into eating potato gems - yum.
    Lately I have taken to using weird things to bookmark the books I am reading. I find that with a toddler running about my regular bookmarks tend to disappear into some void and I end up losing the page I was on. So right now I have Under the Duvet bookmarked with a small piece of yarn.
    The odd thing about reading a Marian Keyes book is it makes me yearn for the Emerald Isle, my inner voice takes on what it believes to be an Irish accent and I find myself saying 'feck' a lot.

Good Reads

    Today I picked up a copy of Frankie. I was pleased to see it so choc-a-block packed with inspiring and laugh out loud reads.
    I am also re-reading Sense and Sensibility, written by Jane Austen.
    You know, by saying this some people will probably want to throw books at me, but I think Marianne Dashwood is a bit of a twit. Her melodramatics are beyond ridiculous sometimes. In her warped sense of the world she will easily insult good people, and speak cruelly of her acquantances. But then shows an acute sensitivity to anyone making light of her romantic sensibilities. There are many times when she hurts Elinor's feelings by accusing her of no feeling simply because her sister prefers to take the cautious path in life. Elinor understands well enough that much damage can result in character iftoo exposed to the public. Marianne feels a life is half lived without absolute drama. Inevitably this sick pleasure for gratifying her absolute joy and heartache does lead to ill health, and near death, as she chose to not take good care of her own well being.
    And there you have it. That's what I think of young Marianne Dashwood. I cannot help but wonder. When Jane created this character, did she despise her? Was she based on someone she knew? A sister, perhaps?

Books or Door Stops

Listen, people, those rectangular slabs you're using as doorstops… they're books. Careful, the first time you open them, they'll crack a bit. Don't be alarmed.

Professor Edward Alcott [Greg Kinnear], film Loser

My brain is fried! It has been quite an active week for me, both physically and mentally.

I think I’ll just stop now, eat a biscuit, drink tea and read the latest issue of Frankie and some Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. No doubt husband will come home from work and find me passed out with book open. This happens on occasion, when I am extra tired.

Have a great weekend everyone, with whatever it is you do.

Rachel

Yesterday I visited a friend, to give her a little gift package, which included a copy of Frankie magazine, some chocolates and a homemade doll. The doll is named Rachel, after the intended recipient that she was designed and made for.

Rachel is preparing for final high school exams, so this package was put together as a treat for that very reason.

Good luck with those exams Rachel. I know you will do just fine. Don't forget to breathe.

My Creative Space...

Keeping it brief my plan for today is as follows:

• Exercise in the gym (already done)
• Cut out fabric pattern pieces to create another two Hoo Owl plush dolls, which I plan to sell upon completion.
• Hopefully begin sewing at least one Hoo Owl before the day is out.
• Go for a walk with baby and if perchance I should pass a news agent, might buy the latest issue of Frankie (Pip! You got me hooked.)
• Finish the day by reading Jane Austen's Mansfield Park (She is perhaps my most favourite author).
  
• Play with baby many times and read to her. Very likely she will be listening to Mansfield Park.