Stephen was built to work at the nature preserve and help study the pelicans. All his friends call him steve-o. (he doesn’t always like that)

They heard about the nyc marathon and felt like they should get some fluids into their bodies before headed of to Ohio for Plush Rush. They are a little nervous because they haven’t traveled outside the city, so the tea is also calming them down.

Also if you need any fabric to make stuff, or decorative pillowcases check out some stuff on flickr and I will send you your choices. It is free!

This weekend was quite productive, considering I had planned to sit on the couch and drink hot chocolate.
I met the amazing and wonderful Aurora, also known as the countess. (I love her name) I don’t think I have known an Aurora. But we just started talking and it felt so easy, it helped that we come from a place where we love Lisa (as everyone should). I hope to hang out with her more often. Have a bit of her royalty rub off on me.
If you ever get a change to see her work in person – Do It.
They are these labyrinths of swirls and shapes building in and out of themselves. It is quite breathtaking. Being in her space started me thinking about art and where it fit in my life and where I fit in art’s life. She was participating in an open house so there is all this energy buzzing around. People excited about the space – being surrounded by each other’s creativity. They are already talking about doing floor crits, which I am totally jealous of. I know crits are hard on your ego, but I have been thinking it might be good for me. Force my hand to move differently – grow.
When I left Aurora’s studio I had to find my way to the train and I felt like I did when I first moved to the city. Trying to find my way to something I recognized. I used to purposefully get myself lost, to learn how to find my way again. I loved it. Exploring the city. On Saturday it was beautiful out and drizzly rainy.

Then I went home and created the first of the bird bots. I love them, so does the Boy, he got sad when he realized that they were off to another show. Plush Rush in Ohio.

Here is Gilbert, he works in the research department of the library. He is a friend with Stuart. Which helps because Gilbert is a bit on the small side

Stuart was built to do research on the penguins. He blends in with the other penguins to collect data in the Antarctic Artic wing.

And the lovely Lavinia made her way to Martha’s home, but I had no idea about her side career as a thief! Interesting…

I finished the second robot for This Is Not Art show in Australia. I loved doing these. Having a theme to work within. I don’t know it gives me extra freedom or something. Maybe I just like to know where I am headed. I think that is it. I like to know where I am headed.
Again I don’t have a name or story for this little guy, but he is really cute. Well you can see for yourself:

Here is a detail of the teacup of his apron.

Checking out the city. Looking over his shoulder. I love this tower across the street. I always imagine someone up there. Silly, but true.

And I met the wonderful wonderful Lisa. She is so beautiful and amazing. I hope that the rest of her time in the city is wonderful. Seeing all the art and friends she can.

Now I can concentrate on Two Trees amazing Quilt for Katrina. I almost finished my painting for friday. I didn’t show Lisa because I thought it might scare her (Johanna was scared!). You’ll see tomorrow and let me know what you think!!

I realized that I need to get going on my robots for the This Is Not Art show down in Australia at the end of the month. So I sewed all weekend and finished the first robot. A white one that is going to be in a quarantined room with all white creations, until they pass and go to live in the outside world.
I don’t have a story for him yet, not even a name. I just needed to finish. So without delay:

The Plush You event at Schmancy is around the corner. There are so many amazing people participating, it’s wild. And this list is only the people who have websites. Kristen has a blog and here are a couple of the people without websites and here is another.

Kristen is amazing. She is putting on this great show with people all over the world participating. (Although I am proud to say I’m the only one from New York!!) Just getting everyone organized is crazy. I can’t imagine what stress she must have been under. Glad it wasn’t me! I only wish that I would be able to make it out to Seattle and see all of the amazing things that are going to be there.

I don’t even know what inspired me to join up. I had never made any sort of plush thing before. And the great thing (for me) was that Kristen didn’t ask what we would be making. When I signed up I had no idea what I would be making. And then I thought of robots. I thought robots aren’t soft and I did a tiny little sketch and voila Felix came to life. Good thing I planned on making him kind of patchworky, because I was working from nothing. No pattern, no sewing machine. Just my two little hands. And I loved it. I loved the way he turned out and I love what is happening with new guys.

Although I am going to have to put them on hold for awhile, because Beck Wheeler is helping with another show down in Australia called “life’s a stitch…” and asked the Plush You people to join up. They are having a Festival in Newcastle. They are building little sets for the plush creations. One of the set is a teashop and the other is a lab with all white creatures. I started my sketches and I am excited about working with a theme!!

Check out all of the really amazing and talented creations:

• Amy Proff Lyons / Texas
• Amy Rue / Georgia
• Ariana Marinelli / California
• Beck Wheeler / Australia
• Camilla Engman / Sweden
• Claire Robertson / Australia
• Clarity Miller /
  Washington
• Corinne Dean / Kentucky
• David Huyck / Wisconsin
• Eireann Lorsung / Minnesota
• Emerald / London
• Erin Shafkind /
  Washington
• Faythe Levine /
  Wisconsin
• Heidi Estey / Washington
• Heidi Kenney / Pennsylvania
• Jenny Harada / Ohio
• Jeremy Read / Washington
• Jess Hutchinson / California
• Kate Sutton / U.K.
• Krissy Harris / California
• Lisa Congdon /
  California
• Lizette Greco / California
• Lori-Lyn Hurley / Texas
• Maria Samuelson /
  Indiana
• Mark Hundley /
  Arizona
• Melissa Lound / Washington
• Mai Le / California
• Mia Hansen / Canada
• Minoji / Japan / Two
• Monique Duke/Moki /
  New Mexico
• Mr. Eyeball / Taiwan
• Rebecca Kaufman / Illinois
• Renetta Sitoy / Washington
• Rhya Tamasauskas / Canada
• Rita Volpi / Ohio
• Robert Hardgrave /
  Washington
• Sara Lanzillotta / Washington
• Susan Kelly/Luminant Studio
  / California

I worked on these faces this weekend. And I painted them at work today. I will do an entry about what my work is (were I go everyday to pay the bills) and what we really do. I have been drawing my girls lately with really wide faces and sad eyes. I would love to get some feedback on these guys. Especially the green girl.

(Oh and I am really glad to know that my new family is reading this blog. I got an email today from the Boy’s middle brother. He is loving the dirt on his big brother! Thanks for reading A-! You can write comments anytime! We have to come and visit this fall, hopefully.)

Here are the three softies that are now in Seattle with Kristen at Schmancy. I am really excited to be in the Plush You event. I have so many ideas for the next robots. I was inspired by the last one I made - Maude. I am going to go with a nature robot. I have some sketches for a great robot covered with embroidered vines. Plus I have a big bag of beautiful felt that is begging to be made into robots.

Here is the last robot that is heading to the Plush You event at Schmancy. Her name is Maude and she is from a wealthy french family. She went to a boarding school in Switzerland. She speaks four languages and always wears flowers.

Trixie trying to see if she is competition or if she is a new play toy.

If you want to see some great dolls with a amazing stories check out Yarnstorm that I found from the amazing Naive Knitting. She is turning out these ladies very quickly. I love them.