bunny family ~ prototypes for Creative Thursday softies ~ eeeee!! i love them.

I’ve been creating softies!! You know it was just a matter of time before I started exploring soft versions of Creative Thursday characters. I, myself have become a bit of a hand made softies collector this past year and couldn’t resist exploring this whole new world of sewing and embroidery. Once again, things I used to do when I was little....it all comes in handy one day.

Since this is still a relatively new form of creation for me, I enlisted the help of another one of my favorite people and artists, the most wonderful Mavis! I met Mavis about 3 years ago when we were both members of the co-op gallery in Venice, Ten Women (of which she is still a member). Let me just say I spent the NICEST creative Friday with her yesterday, at her gorgeous home and studio. And even the Lulu girl was invited to come along and visit with Mavis' three great danes. Yes, she has 3!!! Once you’re a dane owner you instantly bond to anyone else in the company of these amazing dogs.

Mavis has one of those homes that envelopes you with inspiration, kindness and peace the minute you walk in the door. And you can spend endless time absorbing all the decorative details that are so beautifully, and thoughtfully displayed throughout every room. Her incredible art and creations are an extension of her sensibilities. It was all too inspiring not to share a few photos with you.

one of the girls, Angie, the "grandma" as Mavis calls her, sitting in the living room (umm...I mean half on the couch) and behind her, that little bit of "red" art hanging among Mavis' work, is one of my early, early prints "conehead dreams of a great love". Mavis was one of my first collectors and it was so fun to see that print hanging in her home as soon as I walked through the door.

Mavis sewing at her antique Singer sewing machine, in her studio with the Lulu girl taking part in the creative endeavors. Mavis' studio is filled with so many tactile, vintage and antique treasures, you hardly know where to look to absorb it all. You feel like you have endless possibilities for any and all of your creations. And you do!

Here’s one of her gorgeous creations in progress. She has recently started creating these 3-D pieces combining all of her treasures in the most enchanting displays. And in this one, take note of the tiny "mural" of people in the back. This is a piece of an antique hand painted fan.

I didn’t even know such a thing existed. Really! That someone once took the time to hand paint tiny ~ I mean tiny portraits of people on these delicate fans. And the shiny silver details are little sequins stitched to the paper. Incredible.

Another one of the girls, Betty, and the Lu.

Mavis, thank you so much for sharing your afternoon with me and for all the guidance on the sewing!! And if you, the readers want to find out more about Mavis, here you go ~ her blog, website and of course you can see her work 7 days a week at Ten Women Gallery on Abbot Kinney.

hope you’re having a super nice saturday ~