A few months ago I picked up one of Phoenix’s beautiful pieces from the many, many we have lying about, and sent an email to an embroidery artist I liked (I can’t quite remember how I first stumbled on his Etsy shop). To my utter delight he took up the commission and we traded emails, then upon completion some cash. About nine days before Christmas I opened one of the happier packages I’ve received in a while. Today the piece was featured on a blog I follow, Mr. X. Stitch:
The blog post was the kick in the pants I needed; I figured I’d better throw up the scan and commit to getting this sucker framed. My mom and I tried our own framing for Christmas but it wasn’t quite right. The framed piece is leaning on the kids’ desk right now but I’m going to take it in tomorrow and get a quote.
Here’s the original work:
Here’s the treasure hunt “clues” my daughter found on Christmas morning that led her to this present. (P.S. I totally whipped these little clues up fast, no criticizing!):
A gift for Phoenie
A present for you
is hidden away.
First look to where we
your fine art display! [clips]
Patience is needed
if you know what I mean –
go to the locale
where you splash to get clean. [bathtub]
Your brother likes something
with nori wrapped ‘round.
Where is the place
the other ingredient is found? [rice cooker]
Your mom owns no diamonds
their beauty untapped.*
But if she had jewels
where would they be kept? [dish on my dresser]
You’ve been searching and searching –
you must need some rest!
Try a soft, high place
that Harris likes best [bunk bed]
When my daughter found the piece in her room I heard her say, “I can’t believe my eyes! I drew that!” Ha. She was quite impressed and quite pleased.
I feel stunned by the amount of artwork Phoenix produces and how very much she enjoys it. She has been working with a bit of Sculpey clay I bought and shows the same expressiveness, joy, desire, and innate talent. Now she wants more clay. Claywork is more expensive than pencils and pens but I’m going to make it happen, no matter what.
So I might as well put a call out to readers – any drawing (paper, pens, pencils) or clay supplies you can recommend (or those you don’t), let me know! I feel a bit lost in these worlds.
* Not passive-aggressive, I swear!
I love creating treasure hunt clues! It’s the best way to give and receive a gift.
I prefer fimo to sculptey – s. is softer but you have less control, the fimo mixes well and you can do more detail work and have a better finished product, but it takes longer to get it soft (you have to roll it between your hands for a while, or warm it in your armpit (I generally do this wrapped) or something for quite a while, but once it’s soft, it’s great. A wonderful workable consistency. You can do beads and stuff, but also bigger stuff, and really elaborate work. I used it a lot when I was younger, and then again when I was doing animation film work in college and after. That is my suggestion for a cool art thing to get. And a little goes a long way, and if you buy online you can find reasonable prices.
@shelley
Thank you for that! We preferred Fimo back in the day (high school); Sculpey is literally the only thing you can find here in HQX/Aberdeen. Will definitely look up some online sources!
I was thinking about getting “real” (as in need-to-fire-in-kiln) clay. Would love to find a local artisan to help Phoenix with that. I can go about both endeavors of course!
for Alma we bought the Creall supersoft clay. It’s clay that you can use over and over again, doesn’t dry out and you can mix the colors. She made the fake chocolates with it (picture on the blog). If you cant get it in the states i can send it? It’s definitely worth the money. We also bought some markers with a fine tip and a medium tip on both sides, so she can make clear line drawings and color them in, she takes them everywhere.
and a beautiful drawing that made a beautiful embrodery, i forgot to say
What a wonderful gift! This year my brother Ian made my older boys t-shirts for Christmas with logos for their future businesses on them. Linus’s was for his restaurant, and Jarvis’s was for his production company. It was such a thoughtful, creative thing. I love your idea, I might have to filch it for next year! What a wonderful way to preserve our children’s art!
@Josh
I saw the fake chocolates and I definitely thought they were real! I will go searching for those supplies. Thank you!
@Katecake
Tell Ian that is a fantabulous idea!