#102: Peek-A-Boo!

I saw this ad in a magazine and ripped it out. I've been staring at it for days...

Sorry it came out so yellowish -- my camera has been acting up. I can't get it to white-balance properly. (Grrr.) I really felt this needed to be made into a puppet...I have liked some of the past "baby inspired puppets" -- especially that creepy baby one!

This one is simpler. Just a rod that flips.

Enjoy!!

Day #93: Eggin' You On...

My children are often in inspiration to me.

OK, it's true that they often make doing art difficult, they make messes all over the place, they draw on the carpet, they "cause confusion and delay." (If you don't know the reference of that last phrase you are likely not a parent.) But, yes, it is ultimately all worth it.

We had some leftover Easter Eggs that morphed into puppets. Here is the basic evolutionary journey:

Eggs in a helmet. Shiny!

But then the eggs became more...

And then they became very, very scary.  (Beware: Graphic violence towards tiny plastic bear in a play-do sleeping bag may be too much for some people's sensitivities!)

P.S. I am painfully aware that I SHOULD be on Day 120. Bear with me...I hope to catch up.

Day #85: Dinner and a Show (Farmer's Market inspired!)

A few days ago, my family headed out to the Byrd House Farmer's Market. It's one of two markets we frequent and always fun! We have a number of friends who farm and grow veggies (and are even trying our hands at it ourselves this year), but most of our stuff comes from Charlie and Gina Collins at Victory Farms.

My daughters love, love, love, love "Charlie's carrots," as they call them. We visited the farm last year and the girls were picking them out of the ground, rinsing them, and devouring them on the spot. (They are not so enthusiastic with other carrots, I must say.)

My sister-in-law spotted a lovely carrot at the market that is the inspiration for today's post: a "two-legged" carrot! I carved up part of a zucchini for the head.

Perhaps I should've taken a "before" picture?

Well, this is what we really did! (Thank you to my older daughter for being the videographer on this one!)

Day #79: The Tardis does a fly-by at our studio!

If you don't know who Dr. Who is, you can probably skip this one.

A few weeks ago, I did a tribute to The Doctor with a TARDIS puppet. Tonight is the Dr. Who premiere for Season Six, and I am taking the night off and watching TV. But I really do need a night off!

For today's post, I had to revisit the TARDIS and make some improvements. In doing so, I created a new piece.

First I had to cut a door...

Then I cut out some arms from a magazine and rigged them up on a spring. One arm for Amy, one for the Doctor. This is the rear view from what will be the interior of the TARDIS.

I took a plastic tube (salvaged from the innards of a dead pen), and ran some fishing line....

And...tah-dah! Go make a puppet (or at least watch Dr. Who...).

Day #74: Even Creepier than the Spider...

...or so I've been told!

This was created from some magazine cut-outs, a glue stick, and some cardstock!

Day #62: Charmed, I'm Sure...

I saw this today and became inspired...

...to make this!

Pretty campy, I know, but sometimes desperation is the mother of inspiration. Special film credit to my ten-year old!

Day #57: Doctors and Scientists Shocked as Woman Gives Birth to Puppet Child in this Exclusive Report!

A Richmond hospital became the  buzz of the scientific and medical community today when a local woman gave birth to a living, breathing puppet.

Exclusive photo of Mary Annette!

"It was the strangest thing," reports a nurse who spoke under condition of anonymity. "There was no umbilical cord, just a mass of strings. Then this wooden structure came out -- one of the orderlies got a splinter!"

 Doctors are baffled and unable to explain this strange event. "We're not sure how to fill out the paperwork on this one. Filing the insurance paperwork is going to be a nightmare!"

The mother reports that she had strange, unexplained cravings throughout her pregnancy. "We brought the crib home, and I kept sneaking downstairs to gnaw on the railings. My gums were in terrible shape, but I couldn't help it."

The baby, Mary Annette, weighed in at six pounds, five ounces. "We're not sure how to properly measure her length," reported the attending physician. "The strings are rather long."

The parents are thrilled with their new daughter. "She has great movement. We already figured out which string to pull to make her close her eyes and sleep! Most children grow up pushing their parent's buttons, but we will definitely be pulling her strings."

Happy April Fools' Day from Puppet-A-Day!!

Day #49: Ode to the Doctor!

I should preface today's post this with a confession: I really enjoy BBC shows, and Dr. Who is one of my faves. I just found out --

"WHAT? Have you been living in a hole??"

Err...yes. Well, no. Just my studio.

Going back. I just found out that there is finally a scheduled time for the new Dr. Who. It is one month from now on April 23rd. In honor of the Doctor, I have created the campiest puppet EVER.

Enjoy! And thank you, Melanie, for stopping by the studio and doing the video!

The TARDIS.

Credits:
TARDIS Puppet by Heidi Rugg
Lighting by Heidi Rugg
Light Direction by Melanie Johnson
Videorecording by Melanie Johnson
Sound by Heidi Rugg
Backdrop by Heidi Rugg and Melanie Johnson