I have been working on something secretly… but now you can peek!

I seem to be on a moose theme lately and after a few options, I returned to it for my Xmas card exchange. Ann had been talking about her original plans for her piece and I had liked the option of a removable pin on the landscape, so it could be viewed as either a landscape on its own or the broach integrated with the picture.

I started with the same moose image that had been used on the guild anniversary bag.  I scaled it down to 3 smaller sizes to give me options, then printed out the images. I decided on the largest version of the options and cut out the silhouette. I traced the shape onto a piece of white craft “Felt”, ok it is a non-woven fabric but the amount of wool in it is somewhat suspect. It still works as a backing to build the moose on so I continued with it.

  1.1 1.2) Moose Silhouette

I again used the Maori short fibre batt in the sand and reddish brown with a T38-333 needle. I put on the audiobook I was listening to and got to work.  ….I was sure I had taken a few shots as I started, but could not find them. So I unfortunately seem to have a shot of the moose part way done. I have the basic structure built, the armature wire has been added down through the head and curled into the neck. (Which was the same way, I had treated the moose antlers on the bag.)

 2) Working on a half 3-D image of moose with armature in near side antler

I had used a thicker marker than I wanted to use (I am sure I put the fine one somewhere……safe) so I need to both, solidify the space between the legs and get rid of the residue of the outlines. To do that, I added white wool. I pulled it into little pieces, about .5” long and made sure the fibre direction was very disorganized.  Once the in-between leg spaces were firmly felted I started looking for my good scissors. I had seen videos of the beautiful cat heads being cut from their felt backing before mounting them on another fabric for framing, so I was sure it was possible. I carefully trimmed around the outside of the moose. I used the good embroidery scissors to bevel the edges so the white would not be seen, then added a bit of wool where needed along the edge.

3) I used the same white I was using for the snow in the background picture.

Next was sewing on the broach pin, I should have searched more for the white buttonhole thread, but I did find the black which should be strong enough to keep the pin attached. You can find these pins in various configurations at craft stores and online at Aliexpress. I have a bag of various sizes, … which has again wandered off somewhere. (Pre-new Year’s resolution – clean up my studio!!! or stop putting things in “Safe” places.)

4) Broach pins, in two styles and many sizes and colours.

5.1, 5.2, 5.3 Attaching the pin to the moose (not the same as Pin the Tail on the Quadrupedal Large Animal.)

I also added extra white behind the body to make a level surface for the broch pin.

6) Close-up of antlers.

Here is an overhead angle showing the back antler is flat while the front antler has an armature wire and is curved. (This is why he got a little travel box and not a bubble mailer). The odd pink thing is my T38-333 needle with a pink elastic which is helping him stand to show off his impressive rack! (of antlers)

Since you can see the foam pad I am using for this project, I should probably talk about it. This is a gift from Ann. Her husband picked it up at his work. Its original purpose was for packing of, I think,  air filtration equipment. It has a plastic-y top layer and a softer foam underneath, so it would both support and cushion the delicate bits it was packed with. The top layer worked well to felt on.

 7) Foam from shipping equipment

It sits comfortably on my lap as I worked.

Next, I put on a new audiobook (Which again derailed my memory to take regular photos as I worked) and moved on to the background the moose could inhabit if it was not out adventuring with his recipient. As I considered what elements to include, I settled on snow, leafless trees/branches, a small pond with cattails, and a dark night sky with moonlight.

For size, Ann said from about 3×5 to postcard size. I started with a piece of good wool felt (from the Black Lamb) and marked out the design on a 3×5 scale but realized the poor Moose would feel squishy in such a small landscape. So I went searching the desk for postcards, I know I had one from Monika at the Olive Sparrow and one from Heidi Feathers. I found Monika’s first so started expanding the landscape to fit it.

8.1, 8.2) checking image size against the postcard.

To check size, I compared the landscape, with the Olive sparrow postcard. It needs to be a bit wider and taller. I tried a bit of Tugging then added more fiber extending the sides. A good thing felt is forgiving if you want to expand your image.

You have probably read before or heard me in person strongly suggest you try to work to a size that can be economically framed. That means choosing a finished size that will fit a standard matt size. In my earlier days, I spent 13 years as a custom picture framer, mostly archival framing and hand mounting  (I also worked with parchment but I discovered that not everyone is as excited by it as I am. With the help of a friend, I even made some deerskin parchment!)  When I found my postcard from Heidi Feathers I realized that yes, there are different standards of sizes from North America to the rest of the world!!

My solution was to expand the snow and sky so it could be cropped to fit into a standard size frame on either side of the water. The other solution would be to float the felt background in a shadow box which could allow the edges to be visible.

In the 1990’s there was a framing trend called a memory box, it had a front or back hinge on a shadow box frame so that you could change what was on display. It was advertised to show off holiday trip photos and mementoes. I have found a few of them turning up second-hand and have grabbed the ones still in good condition.  You may want to keep an eye out for them too.

9) First, I extended the top adding height to the sky, trees and moonlight.

10) Then I added more to the bottom snow and under the pond. There is a bit more to the right of the largest tree.

Moose now has more space to stand and admire the reflection in the pond.

11) Checking if the moose fits in his landscape, yes much better!

Now what have I forgotten? Oh! He can’t see the pond or the reflection since he doesn’t have an eye, I can fix that!

 12) Added an eye to Moose and repositioned him in the landscape.

Now that moose is happy in his landscape it’s time to tuck him into a bubble pack and then into a cardboard box, which is covered in tape and brown paper. Then send him on his exciting journey to his new home.

13.1,  13.2) Moose entering his bubble wrap bag for his big trip!

He went off to the local postal station to start his exciting travel adventure.  I am now waiting to hear he has arrived safely.

AH HA!! He has arrived and I can now show you! I hope Marie will let us know if Moose is behaving or if has he run off to World of Wool. (He is closer to Wool Meca than he was in Canada!)

I hope you had fun seeing the mini-Moose and his landscape come together. Next time I promise to take pictures before enjoying an audiobook! I am looking forward to seeing all the cards once they have all arrived.

PS Marie’s Card of Festive Trees has arrived!! Thank you!!