September Studio Update

When I originally sat down to look back on the month, I didn’t think I had actually accomplished all that much. Then I started making my list and realized I’d been more productive than I remembered.

The month brought four new Wandas to the series — a pirate, a camper, a drummer, and the start of a parachuter.

I also finally nailed down a new logo for The Oodlearium after weeks of hand-tracing letterforms in Affinity Designer. It feels like the studio finally has a face that matches its voice.

I finished my Dad Project and made major progress on my Chatterbox Creatives Altered Book Project.

The Oodle Bus Comes Home When I lost my job at the homeless shelter, the Oodle Bus came home with me — but not the front, and not the frame. Tom promised that if I wanted to resurrect it, he’d help build a much easier-to-assemble frame. We tried hard to get it ready for our neighborhood National Night Out event at the start of August, but it just didn’t happen. It’s ready now, though, and will be out for Halloween.

Last January, Tom and I were roaming around Menards when we found an Oodle-colored Christmas tree for $25. I couldn’t resist — it would replace the one I’d donated to someone moving out of the shelter. The only catch I gave myself: everything on the tree had to be handmade. I started with a Wanda-colored farmhouse-style tree skirt, then moved on to clay ornaments. I’ve got a stack of other ideas waiting for a trip to the craft resale shop, Greener Good.

I also have a great Halloween doodle book from Karen Campbell, and I wanted to borrow some of her inspiration for a custom Halloween doodle of my own for this year’s cards. I guess that technically makes it five new Wandas — the doodle features Wanda dressed as a mummy, with Lil’ Starfish as a vampire riding in his sidecar.

After I finished Tom’s monster, I wanted one of my own, so I’ve got a giant ball of ombré Oodle-colored yarn ready to become my very own monster. I also want to use the leftover Wanda-colored chunky yarn to make a few Duke-styled keychains — whatever kids call those giant puff toys that hang off backpacks these days.

I am grateful for the time I get to spend here in The Oodlearium making art. I am looking forward to more interaction with other artists and creatives in the coming months. Stay tuned to see where my Oodlearium adventures take me next month.