Mr Furly: Back In Public

Apparently this blog isn't that popular if Furl felt comfortable as a convicted felon on a public beach in Hawaii! He says he received a few looks askance, but nothing any other beaten-up, 18'' sunbathing beaver wouldn't endure. Furl's back on the mainland now. I can't say if I've seen him, but I can tell you he's coming up with some pretty creative future ways to hide...

Penny Pig: Rock Steady

This is Penny Pig. She's really enthusiastic, a bit chubby, and often criticized for interrupting friends when they're telling stories. Her passions include old Aretha Franklin songs, dress-up, and dancing, especially in the dreams of other pigs.

I didn't knit this dress...

I sewed it! I love this fabric, made to look like it was knitted (click on the picture below to examine).


The dress is Simplicity 2925. When sewn in this print, it both blinds and baffles onlookers. Reason enough to sew your own clothing!

Mr. Furly's Hawaiian Holiday

That's right, friends...Furl has made it to Hawaii! He didn't swim I'm sure, since he's been a stowaway on many of my flights without paying his fare. I got these photos in the mail, though he assured that he would already be gone by the time I'd received them. Judging from the photos, the tropical climate (not to mention the local fashion) has done him wonders.

Happy Wedding Gift!

For our friends Jim and Emily, who are getting married in England as I write this (congratulations, friends!), OJ and I made some custom embroidered pillowcases. The illustrations are from a 1950s coloring book I picked up at a thrift shop. OJ did the transfer, and I did the stitchery. Of the highest thread count, of course!

Don't Press Your Luck

I've been wanting to make my own fortune cookies for a long time. When you have a lot to say to your coworkers but you want to keep it lottery-style, these are a great idea. Overall, they were well received, except for the girl who got "your golddigging will soon pay off" and took it personally. Ah, well. I used this recipe, payed close attention to the assembly instructions, and made the cookies 3 at a time, taking me 4.5 hours. Still, worth it.

Mr. Furly: Escaped!

They say no one has successfully escaped from Alcatraz. They don't know that beavers, able to swim the cold waters of the bay, seem to have a fighting chance! Furl contacted me to say the burrowing he's been doing through his cell wall (by teeth, perhaps?) was successful and that he is out, and on the lam! If you see him, please don't report him to the authorities. We're trying to solve this mystery ourselves...in time.

High Tea: Stuffed Donut

My favorite, to date, of the "High Tea" series is this fabric donut, topped with rasberry icing and sprinkles.

Sewing Idea: Sewn-in Brooch

I love a good wrap skirt. They're so simple to make that when I'm done with one and it's taken me no time at all, I'm suspicious. So I like to embellish them. For these, I did some embroidery on a hoop in a similar weight fabric as the skirts, then sewed them into the skirts using bias tape, binding, or edging as a "frame". Once you're finished with a skirt (or have a store-bought one you want to jazz up), cut a hole in it 1/4 inch smaller all around than the inset you're planning to sew in. Turn raw edge to the wrong side, baste your "brooch" in place, sew it in, and add your edging by hand or with the machine! I love to make those tiny cross-stitch kits you get at the dollar store, so I'm planning to make a gorgeous holiday shirt, with sewn-in brooches gallore! Snazzy!

Where in the world are Maggie and Mildred? Part 2

My film "Maggie and Mildred" has been accepted by some festivals that sound fun and exciting! I thought you might be able to go to one if you live nearby. Here's the recent list of where in the world "Maggie and Mildred" will appear in upcoming months. And if you'd like your own DVD of the film, please don't hesitate to ask. Upcoming appearances include:

Golden Wagon Film Festival, July 18-20, Fire Island, NY - USA
Chinh Film Festival, August 3-9, New Delhi - India
Nevada City Film Festival, August 14-17, Nevada City, CA - USA
Moondance International Film Festival, August 29-Sept. 1, Boulder, CO - USA
London International Animation Festival, Sept 2-7, London - UK
ACE Film Festival, Sept 4-7, New York City - USA
Sapporo Short Fest, Sept 10-15, Sapporo - Japan
KROK International Animated Film Festival, Sept 21-30, 5 cities - Russia

Mr. Furly's Spirits Are Low

I'm sorry I haven't posted. I went to visit Furl at Alcatraz (on a limited basis, of course). I assured him I was seeking legal counsel, but he seemed to sense that I'm not making as much progress as we both would like. I'm sad to report that his spirits seem a bit low. Who could be behind these crimes, we wondered, and why is Furl to blame? The only good news is that he's been upgraded to a nicer cell, given a guitar (which he doesn't play) and a few books to read. I returned to Oregon more determined to find answers, while Furl was escorted back behind bars.