Mobile 2 .. Mission Accomplished
2/13/2011 04:41:00 PM Posted In Fabric , Mobile 2 Edit This 21 Comments »
Well, I did it! I finished the mobile for my soon-to-be-born grandbaby. Every knot is double-tied and glued, and it's ready to be shipped. I had a hard time knowing when to stop adding things to it. I have several other things to choose from, and each has its own charm: very tiny (1/4") shells, a gold-colored locket in the shape of a clam shell, a dolphin (which I haven't made yet, but it wouldn't be that hard), and a tiny, golden seahorse, which I thought I might put in with the fish. This was a wonderful project - full of fun and interest, educational, and very entertaining.
I've already talked about some of the challenges making the various creatures for it. While making them, I was also thinking about how I wanted to actually construct it. I considered using wooden dowels and doing the balancing thing with an animal on each end of them. I like how that type of construction is so, well, mobile! They seem to be in constant motion, and I thought it would be very captivating for a baby. Ultimately I decided to go with a similar method that I used for his brother's mobile - a ribbon-covered embroidery hoop, so I could add a few more things than just the critters. I didn't want it to be exactly like the other one, so I decided to use 2 hoops, 1 above the other.
That proved to be way more difficult than I anticipated. After covering the hoops and putting the beading around them, I had to decide how I wanted to connect them, as well as what to use as the hanger thingy. I'm not a math whiz (a total understatement), and I found that lining up the 2 circles and then getting the connection ribbons just the right length so that they both hung evenly is difficult to do just by looking at them. I had no idea how to figure it out using math, so I just went for it. It was crooked, but the more I fiddled with it, the worse it got, so I decided to just leave it and view it as "that's how you know it's hand made". I got it all finished - everything glued in place, and it was driving me crazy that it hung unevenly. One connecting ribbon was about 1/4" too long.
Being a very stubborn bear, I decided to risk undoing one end of the offending ribbon to see what I could do. Of course, the knot was glued and it was rather tricky undoing it, but I finally got it undone. Then, after much fiddling and muttering, voila! It's not perfectly even, but it's oh so much better than it was! All in all, I'm pleased with it. The little metal fish at the top make a very pleasant sound when they gently tap against each other as the mobile moves.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to wrap it and pack well enough for it to make its journey safely to Nashville! We're flying there next month, but my sweetie thinks (correctly, I'm sure) that with all the TSA rules & regs, it would really be a hassle to take with us. So, USPS or UPS it is .... sorry Fed Ex - my heart belongs to the other two.
I've already talked about some of the challenges making the various creatures for it. While making them, I was also thinking about how I wanted to actually construct it. I considered using wooden dowels and doing the balancing thing with an animal on each end of them. I like how that type of construction is so, well, mobile! They seem to be in constant motion, and I thought it would be very captivating for a baby. Ultimately I decided to go with a similar method that I used for his brother's mobile - a ribbon-covered embroidery hoop, so I could add a few more things than just the critters. I didn't want it to be exactly like the other one, so I decided to use 2 hoops, 1 above the other.
That proved to be way more difficult than I anticipated. After covering the hoops and putting the beading around them, I had to decide how I wanted to connect them, as well as what to use as the hanger thingy. I'm not a math whiz (a total understatement), and I found that lining up the 2 circles and then getting the connection ribbons just the right length so that they both hung evenly is difficult to do just by looking at them. I had no idea how to figure it out using math, so I just went for it. It was crooked, but the more I fiddled with it, the worse it got, so I decided to just leave it and view it as "that's how you know it's hand made". I got it all finished - everything glued in place, and it was driving me crazy that it hung unevenly. One connecting ribbon was about 1/4" too long.
Being a very stubborn bear, I decided to risk undoing one end of the offending ribbon to see what I could do. Of course, the knot was glued and it was rather tricky undoing it, but I finally got it undone. Then, after much fiddling and muttering, voila! It's not perfectly even, but it's oh so much better than it was! All in all, I'm pleased with it. The little metal fish at the top make a very pleasant sound when they gently tap against each other as the mobile moves.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to wrap it and pack well enough for it to make its journey safely to Nashville! We're flying there next month, but my sweetie thinks (correctly, I'm sure) that with all the TSA rules & regs, it would really be a hassle to take with us. So, USPS or UPS it is .... sorry Fed Ex - my heart belongs to the other two.
Looking at these pictures again, I'm thinking it might need a few more shells hanging from the main ring. What do you think?
21 comments:
Ta Da! Congratulations, Nancy. It looks wonderful and it's one of a kind. The baby will love it, as will anyone else who wanders by for a visit.
A true labor of love! What a fabulous project. Your animals are fantastic!
Wow, it's amazing! Really, this is absolutely fabulous! I think some more shells (on strings of various lengths) would look lovely!
What a beauty! i love mobiles, and this is so shiny!! Congrats for the great work!
Fantastic! They are going to just LOVE it!!!!
What a beautiful mobile. Congratulations on a new grandbaby. This is such a special time for you and all of your family. I know the baby will spend many many hours enjoying your special gift.
Lovely, just lovely Nancy... I love all the different colours and textures, this will look amazing if the sun light hits it (it will sparkle)... What a lucky baby.
Very beautiful work Nancy!
It is gorgeous! Congratulations on your new grand-baby and thank you so much for sharing the process through this crafty sea adventure :)
It looks fantastic Nancy - well done!
Beautifully done - a lovely, lovely gift! Have a great time!
It turned out beautifully, something for your grandchild to treasure. I like the shells you put on too, they would make a lovely noise if you put a few more on. Hope it arrives without getting tangled.
A gift like this will be part of your grandchild's life forever. So lovely. The bead encrusted sea star is still my favorite. I am with E*phi - a few more happy dangling shells would enhance it even more.
It looks awesome Nancy! Very well done!! That'd be my favorite thing to look at before I go to bed if I was a baby.
I am glad you enjoyed my last drawing and Happy V-day!
It's just beautiful as it is. What a gift of creativity and love for your grandbaby.
This is beautiful, a true labor of love that will be treasured!! I think it is cute as is, but a few more shells for added sound couldn't hurt- more to stimulate and entertain baby. (Please do remember with the shells to keep it high enough to be out of reach as he grows and develops). PS- I just loved your phrase 'being a stubborn bear', I know the feeling!!
Oh that is very nice. What fun.
Adorable, Nancy. And thanks for your kind comment on my quilts, on my blog Artelicious.
Hugs,
Tina in San Diego
great job, love it just the way it is.
It looks fantastic Nancy, looking forward to hearing news of the arrival. Very impressed by your patience and creativity!
Wow! It really looks fantastic!
This is so cute! and so creative!
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