Keet Makes Dolls, Again and Again and Again

Most of the work I do, including artwork, is done on the computer. I love it but I find myself wanting the computer to be off on the weekends. I usually get up before anybody else does and riffle through art and craft books and magazines until everyone else wakes and there's parenting to do. This weekend, one highlight was the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living. I am not likely to use more than one or two of those ideas* but I do come away inspired and then I will beg/borrow/steal whatever time I can get with my sewing machine or box of paints.
(* The ghost-shaped mashed potato figurines are clever and all, but if there are delicious, buttery mashed potatoes anywhere near me I will Hoover them down like it's my job; no time for fancy sculpture)

The other highlight -- though not a typical art or craft book -- was Lauren Child and Polly Borland's rendition of The Princess and the Pea which leaves me completely awestruck every time I read it, and would be a bargain at ten times the listed price. It's like a trip to a fairy tale museum. So I finished this project (60 painted wooden dolls! 60!) with the ideas for the next project percolating away: I want dioramas, inspired by Child and Borland's book, with my-husband-the-photographer involved. (He did not take these shots, by the way. I did. That is why they are pleasantly mediocre.)

Of course, if Bend the Rules Sewing should happen to squeeze its way onto my bookshelf soon, that diorama project thought will almost certainly go on hold!

What is your favorite art/craft book or magazine?

Comments

[stacy]

Fabulous photos of the little critters.
Can you believe I don't own a single craft book? That's amazing really.. now that I think about it!

[jenni s-g]

I have the Lotta Jonsdatter Simple Sewing, but not for her patterns. I love the way things are photographed and her fabrics. I need to get the Bend the Rules Sewing and the Amy Sedaris book I spot on your shelf. And probably a few design books that aren't sewing related.

I, too, will dip into Martha Stewart Living for the style and the organization ideas. And cleaning tips--her online stain remover list is pretty handy to have bookmarked.

[Dees]

Hi!!I was so in aw about your dolls that I started searching and found the link to your blog.And I love it!!And another cute coincidence I just ordered the princes and the pea and pippi longstocking by Lauren Child and I also bought alot of her book this week because I love her work soooooo much!Small world eh?
Many many dutch greetings
Dees