Eric the Cat

I have just come across a photo of a embroidered work that I sold a while back and have realised that this was the perfect scale to make my stitched images. I now need to try and figure out what size it was and get back on track.

Moon Wardrobe Dilema

 The moon has his painted face, I just need to decide whether to dress him in a night gown or day wear.

And here are the rest of the characters almost ready to enact the next Proverb.

Large Embroidery Finished - Nip from a Cat

After an epic battle with my sewing machine (most of the problems could have been solved by oiling and cleaning) I have finally finished another large picture. I still need to stretch it as this one is far to big to become a cushion but I am so thankful to be able to move on. I am trying to be very disciplined and not start a new work until I have finished the one I'm working on, I have to do this because I would never finish anything!

 It has sparked ideas and ways to move forward with many technical problems solved. I stopped the unstitched areas of the picture from distorting by bonding white fabric onto the back of the work, this kept the fabric weight and stitch tension fairly even throughout the embroidered images. So where on each figure there isn't coloured applique on the front there is white applique on the back. I am still trying to work out the perfect scale to make the image so I can retain the detail of the stitched drawing, this scale is a bit large as a lot of the stitched line detail blends away as you move back to view it but I am getting there.

Wooden Moon

I am making a moon with fake nose, glasses and moving moustache. He is really part of a larger composition but I really like him and think I will have to make a few more, giving them the mechanism from the Jumping Jack pull string toy and just have the tash and eyebrows move.

I have a very precious (only to me) small collection of joke glasses with nose and moustache.

Another Mr Punch Automaton Finished

I started with a proverb but I made the stage too small and had to take out the policeman. He was there to symbolise the Law so it no longer makes any sense but I do love the final result. Maybe now more of a nod to Pandora's Box... Mr Punch's Cupboard.

Biting Cat Automaton

Another cat prototype complete, although this is a variation of the one that spurred me on to make some cats. When you pull his tail he shuts his jaws and will bite anything that is foolishly put in his mouth.

A Pokey Tongue Cat Automaton

I have finished a cat, when you turn the little crank his tongue pokes out and pulls back in.

 I have a few prototypes on the go so more cats will follow.

Dressed Automaton Characters

Slow progress but at least they are up and dressed.

Automaton Characters are Taking Shape

I'm waiting for the paint to dry!

Working out the Mechanism

After spending the afternoon with cardboard, string, masking tape and fishing wire, I have worked out the movement and got most it moving. Now: the devil dances in the cupboard and opens the door, Mr Punch closes the door and hits himself in the eye, the crocodile chews, the policeman puts his whistle to his mouth and points away from the door and the flower lifts the child to look out of the window. Can't wait to start painting!