Bonsai, Toys and Tae Kwon Do

I delivered the Bonsai yesterday, and it will be revealed to it's new owner today. I am anxiously awaiting word on the recipients response to the gift.

When I was in Cambria, CA with my BFF's, I was introduced to the Toy Society. While we were there, my friend Wendy dropped a puppy at Moonstone beach, and actually got to see who took it home. So now, I've decided that this is something I can do while sitting with Hubby watching TV or waiting at ballgames and such. This first puppy was made from some of the felted wool we made in California. Right now, I am only making Scottie dogs with left over scraps of upholstery that have been on my quilt guild's "free table". So far, I've made one drop in a church parking lot, but I have two more almost ready to go. Check out the blog and see if you want to join in the fun!


One of the joys of being a grandparent is getting to see the young ones mature and gain confidence. The youngest of our grand girls, 10 year old Kaitlyn, has found something that really inspires her - Tae Kwon Do. She's been attending Ko's Black Belt Academy for a just short while now. She has asked to go at least 6 days a week because she enjoys it so much. Last week, she earned her Yellow Belt! They focus on self discipline, coordination, and focus. We're so proud of her!

Showing her form

Breaking the board

Receiving her yellow belt

And voila! Leaves!

I've been fiddling dee dee with the leaves for the Bonsai since Thursday last. The lady who commissioned this piece for her husband cried when she saw it. Good tears, thank heavens. So now, I have his birthday of April 30 as a completion date, which is a good thing.

It's another good thing that I photograph the work in progress since now I see the pot is somewhat askew. I have to tidy that up, and the works are ready to appliqued tomorrow. And in the meantime, I have to think how I am going to make sure the leaves that are hanging over the green border edges don't get lost. Something will come to mind, I'm sure.

I must go bead shopping tomorrow too for just the right beads. Not to glitzy, but perhaps pearlized - silk white and taupe? I will quilt and bead at the same time, following the subtle branches in the kimono silks.

Bonsai!

Here is what I am working on this month. I've had this commission now for over a year - I MUST finish! I truly wish I would have been given a deadline! As usual, I've spent the last year collecting just the right fabrics and the fibers, and I've completed the darned thing in my mind at least three different ways. Today I am working on the leaf structures.

Here's what I start with when making my own fiber structures. Just a wad of of bunch of different fibers all whacked up. If you need to relive tension, then this is a good exercise for you! Then I put them all between a fold of Sulky Solvable, and stitch the heck out of it - another good stress reliever. When that's done, just soak it and the Solvable washes away. Let it dry, then cut into the shapes you want.


Here's Hubby with my new leaf fiber mat!

I've tried several different ways with the backgrounds. But I think I like the simpler vertical panel only one the best. The other choice I had was to put a green border on the top, but that just takes away from the tree. The light color panel on the left is a vintage kimono silk with plum blossoms woven in it - the next one to it (beige) is another kimono silk with tree limbs woven in it. The batik has subtle oriental bits in it, along with trees on the hillside.


I still have the pot to do, and of course, those leaves!

These clumps of leaves aren't doing it for me yet, but I'll work with them, and the next time you see them, they'll be swaying in the breeze!