A Crafter's Dream Festival!

It was that time of the year again . . .   The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival arrived in Hampton.  For me it’s a great source of inspiration and a venue of eye candy, textures and things to purchase. 

My purchases included luscious hand-dyed wools in beautiful jewel tones, lots of felting needles, and a bag full of laces, beads and trims. 

There were 100's of people and as quilt ladies are, they were all very friendly and happy.

The bug to make something was eating at me so I left a little early to get to my studio.  (It is a 4 day event.  I knew I was going back.)

So here is the sweet little cutie I finished. I made the head, hands and feet from paper clay then using acrylics I painted and antiqued her.  She just needed a body.

So digging through my new supplies I found wool, seed beads, hand dyed embroidery floss (I bought that last year!) and silk ribbon that would make the perfect outfit.

She is filled with wool fibers and pellets.  To hold her is devine!

So now it is back to work I can hear my supplies calling for me.

Enjoy your day!     ~Judy =^..^=
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A Crafter's Dream Festival!

Happy Birthday to You!

I’m not much on cooking and baking.  But I sure love to look at the beautiful creations that others make to eat.  (Most of the time, I wish I was surrounded by neighbors who would cook and bake for me.   Wouldn’t that be great?)

So to fulfill my obligation as a baker, I have created these delightfully delicious wool needle felted cupcakes.  For those watching their weight . . . . No calories, no fat trans or otherwise.  They also don’t have much taste.  But they will provide happiness!  I think they would be the perfect gift for you, someone special or as party favors.  How festive it would look! 

Because I wanted to share my needle-felt techniques with you, I have made BCD Celebration Cupcakes into a needle felt pattern.  You too can learn how to felt.  It is a basic recipe for beginners or for the seasoned crafter that just wants to have a little fun.

The pattern in a PDF is available through my Etsy shop, BCD2, for those that have felting supplies on hand.  But for those that don’t, I have made a supplies kit with the necessary materials (minus scissors, sewing needle and thread) to make two cupcake miniatures.

The best part is I am available to help if you have any questions!

Let the party begin!

~Judy =^..^=

PS.  Last but not least, Happy Birthday, Linda!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

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Happy Birthday to You!

Did you miss something today?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. 

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

I hope my friends that you will not miss something by getting caught up in the technological time warp that we live in.

Enjoy your day,

~Judy =^..^=

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Did you miss something today?

BCDWhimsicals . . . .

Paper Clay has taken over my life this week.  I love making sculptures!  I designed a new kitty, and recorded many ideas in my doodle journal.  I am hoping that the clay sculptures will be loved as much as my needle felt kitties. 

My new Etsy shop is getting a lot of attention thanks to you all.  I hope that you will continue to share my site with your virtual friends.            

This photo is from the Made-to-Order section of my shop.  I think these would make adorable party favors for a baby shower or how about decorating an Easter Tree.  

Here my latest needle felt creation that has escaped through my fingertips:

Charlie was a Special Order Pup Pincushion that I made for one of my customers.  I make dogs on a very limited basis.  But I do love making them.  They are miniatures just like the kitties.  If you would like to have a dog made.  Please contact me here.

I wish you all a happy day and hope to see you again soon.

Enjoy,

~Judy =^..^=

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BCDWhimsicals . . . .

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail!

One of my Whimsie Friends has given me words of encouragement to continue with my paper clay sculptures.  I have listened to her kindness and admired her work.  It's that vintage/ victorian style that she makes that gives me warm fuzzy feelings every time I see it.  

So here they are.  .  .   These little sweeties are about 2 1/2" tall.  I just love miniatures!

They can be found in my Etsy shop.  If you ever have any questions about any of my art.  Please let me know.  I love talking to you all.

Enjoy your day,      ~Judy =^..^=

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Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail!

BCD Penguin and Pal - New Needle Felting Tutorial

I have wanted to make this tutorial for quite some time and it is finally finished!  

My new BCD Penguin and Pal is detailed needle felt instructions for making this adorable Mama Penguin and a baby.  I have worked to make this an easy to read, step-by-step tutorial.  My goal is to provide a needle felt PDF that a beginner or seasoned crafter would enjoy.   It is easy to read and there are many many photos.  

It is currently listed as a PDF in my Etsy Shop. (BayColonyDesigns2)  

I am currently working to put together some Supplies Kits for the project that will include wool and additional materials in addition to a starter foam and felting needle.


UPDATE:  SUPPLY KITS NOW AVAILABLE

I hope that some of you will try needle felting.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have while working on your project.  Please contact me via Etsy to that I can return your emails quickly.

Enjoy your day,

~Judy =^..^=

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BCD Penguin and Pal - New Needle Felting Tutorial

The Grand Unveiling for the New Year!

As you may know, I have recently been knitting up a storm using wonderful patterns from other artists.  And in doing so, I have enjoyed knitting so much that I’ve decided to try to entice others to take up the craft.

Therefore, I spent my holidays knitting and writing and knitting and photographing.  It is now complete, a Cats Love ‘Em Mice pattern and knitting tutorial for beginners.  I believe it is a great introduction to knitting.  The mouse pattern has many illustrations along with written instructions. 

The Knitting Tutorial is loaded with step-by-step photographs and text to complete cast on, knit and purl stitches, cast off and seams. 

Sebastian now has an entire basket of mice and I can tell you that he loves them!  He would steal them from my desk at every opportunity.

So forget about a scarf or hat; make something special for your Cat!

((Hugs)) to all the kitties in your home.

~Judy =^..^=

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The Grand Unveiling for the New Year!