Frolic Crafts
. . . hand-crafted pleasures for light-hearted folk
What I'm Working On Now
Happy Birthday, Mom!
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Happy Birthday, Mom!
June 20 is my mom's birthday! This year it falls the day before Father's Day, and I am full of pride, gratitude, and love for everything that my parents are. This wood-quilted serving tray depicts the kind of summer night that I grew up with, and that I love seeing occur with my own children as well.
Some call them fireflies, some call them lightning bugs - whatever you call them you can not help but be enchanted by them! My mom taught me the beauty of everything on this earth, especially all the living things, big and tiny.
It is entirely because of her joy in and respect for nature that I could not resist the call of a life in the country, where I am fortunate to have a close relationship with so many wild creatures. Thank you, Mom, for being who you are, and for instilling so much of who you are in me! Happy Birthday!
(PS - I held this post back a few days because I didn't want her to see it, but of course you know what my Mom got from me for her birthday - a Summer Nights Serving Tray like the one pictured here).
Thanks, Dad!
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It's Father's Day!
One of my favorite parts of my work started when I was 4 years old, in the basoement of the home I started growing up in, with my dad.
Every wood-quilted piece I do starts out as a piece of lumber that I cut to size, sand, and sometimes fit with additional pieces of wood.
The minute I press the button on my circular saw and hear the whir of the blade I am brought right back to West Main Street in 1972.
I'd say sanding is the most important element in the success of my wood-quilted items. That attention to the wood, from the start, gives me the mood I want from the shaped corners and edges. It gives me a smooth surface for successful pyrography, and it makes for a flat pallet for fusing colorful fabric pieces.
I love the smell of wood, the sound of a saw, the focus required when working with power tools. And it all begain when I'd keep my Dad company in his workshop as he built my toy box, our giant New Year's Eve cheeseboard, a toy paddle boat, and, my favorite, the lady-bug on wheels that we made together, and which I still treasure.
So much of who I am today I can attribute directly to my mom and dad.
So thank you, Dad!
Happy Father's Day!
The Great Outdoors!
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Frolic Goes OUTSIDE!!! YAY - Now this is a fun way to spend a beautiful Sunday!
The Downtown Somerville Arts & Crafts Fest was fabulous! What a fun and wonderful crowd! Great music, beautifully organized show, and fabulous talent all around! This was my very first outdoor show, and it went without a hitch! I learned a lot about the benefits of tent walls, too - even the slightest breeze can make my super lightweight Fiber Bling take flight! Luckily, I was prepared with a great tent and lots of helpful tips from neighboring seasoned craft fair folk!
My second outdoor show - Chester NJ Spring Craft Fest - taught me even more!
What a fabulously run show - Burnet Enterprises was awesome, and I made some wonderful friendships, not to mention gaining great experience on weighting a tent, keeping work safe and dry, and managing the details of summer storms at a fine arts and crafts show!
Resurrection, Renewal & Immortality
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Resurrection, Renewal & Immortality are all concepts portrayed, in art and culture, by peacocks!
As I was making this wood-quilted peacock piece I was thinking about the power of the peacock, and the excitement of renewal.
I tried to convey the peacock's strength through the intricate wood-burning, and its vitality through the vibrant color of the fabric I used.
On the cutting side of the board I burned a feather...
The fabric side, varnished with 12 coats of food-safe varnish, is perfect for serving dips, crackers, nuts, etc.
Scooby Found A Home!
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Remember my post about Scooby?
He is now happy and safe with his new family!
Thank you so much to all of those who helped!
Summer Seahorses
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It's Summertime!!!! Time to hit the beach, and Frolic is in the spirit!
I have been working on a new line of seahorse items!
Here I am sketching out a Seahorse Tattooed Spoon - every prouct I make is 100% original.
The best part, of course, is the pyrography (wood-burning). I use the finest tip I can get for all theintricate, henna - inspired details.
Here he is - ready to stir up a batch of pancakes to eat on the deck!
I'm going seahorse crazy! Here is the beginning of a wood-quilted seahorse piece. I just love the way that the sehorse details lend themselves to henna - inspired design elements! Once the fabric pieces are added and the 12 coats of varnish are applied I will add a chain so it can be hung on a wall or door - perfect for the beach house!
Looking for Someone to Love
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These days I am looking for a home for a sweet Parson Terrier named "Scooby".
Scooby's mom died in a car accident, leaving this super - affectionate dog alone and homeless.
He is an energetic, playful lap dog, 11 years old.
He would do best as an "only dog," as he is guarded around his food and posessive of the people he loves. This sweet boy needs a home where he will get the attention he so craves.
Can you help?
Please spread the word or email me for more information.
Finishing up the Songbird Board
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These days I have been finishing up the Songbird board for Spring!
I added a swirly wood-burned tree to the back... it looks just like the trees outside my studio window - just getting ready for spring leaves! I can hardly wait to see the buds popping!
Next, I stained the front with 2 coats of wood stain...
Once the stain was set I chose some vivid fabrics, cut them to size, and fused them to the wood...
Almost finished...
The varnishing step is a long one... to protect the piece from wear and tear and to give it the finish it deserves, I will add 12 or more coats of varnish before the project is complete. The first two coats require a 24-hour set period before the following coats can be applied. Those last 10 + coats can be applied in 4 - hour intervals.
When the final coat of varnish has been applied I will treat the flip side with 4 coats of mineral oil, to prepare it for use.
Monday is Tray Day!
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I am one of the few people who love Mondays!
I start every week with one of my favorite Frolic projects - Wood-Quilting!
Today's Wood-Quilting project is my new design - the "Songbird" 3-Way Tray.
I have a long way to go before it is market-ready, but it is a joy every step of the way!
Bunnies, Bunnies, Everywhere!
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So my past few posts have been about bunnies of one kind or another - I thought I'd continue the theme! Here is my latest craft indulgence - a Tissue Bunny!
Perfect for Easter Baskets and Runny Bunny noses!
I'm hoping to send a basket full of these over the The Holiday Craft Boutique at Moyer Farmhouse in Chalfont, PA this week!
