Things have been quite mad since I got back from B&B, I thought my mind would rest easier once I got all the special orders done...there's still one that's waiting on inspiration (it's nearly there, Yvonne!).
Once again on an insane schedule, trying to create a sample, design a kit and write directions for the felted frog class application, which has to be postmarked by Saturday. I promised Wayne a couple of finished critters when we meet again at the San Diego Bead Society show the first weekend in August...The 'Big' special temporarily secret project is calling my name (that's what I really want to play with), and oh yeah, I'm supposed to be a beadmaker, right? DUH!!!!

So anyway, I've been felting on these frogs like there's no tomorrow. The first sample was pretty difficult, since it was a deep red, which I love, but I had no fleece in the right color--ah! I found a few locks of it in the giant bag of yearling mohair locks, could I use that for the body? These are like what you would get if Shirley Temple didn't wash her hair for a few weeks, and if Shirley was a goat. They are gorgeous curls, but not really what you're looking for to felt a body with. But they were all I had, and they worked in the end...I finally ended up with what looked to me like a pretty so-so frog...I just couldn't figure out what kind of topper to give him...when I realized that my chances of being accepted would be a lot better if there was a bit more beadwork in the project. After staring at this thing and rifling through my stash (the dining room may never be normal again--and trust me, my standards for 'normal' are low), I decided I didn't like any of my ideas and I was going to have to make another frog in different colors.
CRAP!
I optimistically started the second one, feeling happier because I knew right away how she was going to look, and that always helps. I had thought that this could be a 3-hour class at B&B, that most people could at least have a finished if unembellished body to show, but now I don't think that will work at all. I'm going to bite the bullet and apply for a 6-hour slot. I think the students will enjoy it more if we can relax a little (just a little) and still end up with something to show for it.
What? You want to see these things? Oh okay:




I'm still not thrilled with the red guy's crown. If I have time I want to redo it with one of Penny's crowns. That was my first thought, but I didn't think I'd ever find one in the mess on my worktable...The white one has a couple of lead weights in her bottom to try and balance her out better in posing, but that makes her pretty heavy to use as a pin...I think these would look so cute on a hat or purse!

-that cloud they are reclining on is combed shetland wool..it's so gorgeous and reminds me of Grendel's tail!