New Hounds on the block

All New Hawkes Hounds 

Finally, my latest designs are finished, and I am very pleased with them.  

For those of you offended by craft  completed in a non pet-free environment, look away please... 

The chap on the left is finished in soft chenile and the other in boiled wool and tweed, and they are so snuggly that while my back was turned Maggie snuck up and nestled in amongst them. You can see where I get the inspiration from these days. 

I had great fun making these chaps, the ears and the eyes are the most fun part and I am glad that I switched to hand making the felt eyes, they are more expressive. By mixing different materials you can get all kinds of effects for the ears, and then they can be bent as you wish. No names for these guys yet, but I have a waiting list for them already. Thanks Mr C for the super cool photos. 

New Hawkes Hounds tags and doing battle with the Cameo Silhouette and winning...

To go with the new designs I have worked on new label tags and packaging this week. Learning new skills is time consuming and I often resent the time spent, but yes I do know it is good to persevere. 

This week I was especially bold and decided to take on Photoshop and the cameo silhouette cutting programme to produce more professional tags. 

I started with this image from you guessed it - the graphic fairy: 

    

They kindly remove any text so that you can do your own thing with it. Opening it in photoshop always make a duplicate background layer by clicking on layers and then follow these instructions  You play around with the size of font and font until you have something you like. I ended up with something like this... 

 I saved it as a jpeg and then took it into the Cameo Silhouette programme. I should say that I have a love hate relationship with this programme. It reminds me of early PC days, when you spend ages looking at the screen while the cursor decides what to do before a message pops up to say "programme not responding - shut down PC" . I have learnt my lesson and save the file after every click. 

Strong coffee in hand, and after watching too many you tube tutorials  I finally managed to trace and mark the image for cutting, and after a mini break down when the printer chose to rescale the image and so the cutter cut a perfect shape about 2cm away from the printed one. Pause for a day for recovery, more reading and a supportive chat with Jo at Briar Patch Designs who is a whizz with the cameo and success! So now I just have to do a back to compliment the front, and I will be done.  

   

  

Canine Brief Encounter a Woolly Cocker and Door Signs for Christmas

Have been travelling quite a bit of late, and so alas the blog has suffered. But no I have a few moments to catch up with bits and pieces...

Poor Frank is Broken Hearted...

A couple of weeks ago now, walking through a meadow near the house early one morning I spied a black dog in the distance. Dog owners don't often stop to chat in these parts and this time was no different. The owner was intent on walking away from us, and tugged hard on the lead, but the black dog kept on turning back to look at Frank the dog. No matter how hard they tugged, that dog was not going to move, and my pair were all wags and barks, so there was nothing for it. Breaking all rules of Swedish reserve and dog walking ettiquette we approached on another, like an old western movie. Frank and the black dog who looked like his dopple ganger, but all in black, whooped and played like old friends. Maggie looked on baffled. It turned out that the black dog was a rescue dog from Romania, just like Frank. We wondered if they recognised it in each other, they were really smitten. 

Time ticked by, and we had to move on, and so we each pulled our dogs away and went on our way, without an exchange of address or mail. And here's the thing, every morning since Frank drags me to the meadow, sniffs at every corner, and looks in forlornly at every nearby driveway, looking for her, the one... I am minded on the Madness track "I never knew your name" and wonder if Frank hums it to himself as he plays sentinel looking out of our kitchen window..

Woolly Friends for Christmas

Standing around a fire at Guy Fawkes Night in November I met someone who was really missing her old dog, a black Cocker Spaniel and I mentioned that have been known to make the odd dog, and I tried to make her a likeness. So, that is where it began.... 

I really enjoyed making this one, "mini-Maggie" I have called her and she is on her way to Malmo to her new home. She was modelled on my Maggie, and I think that you will be able to see the Cocker likeness.  

I don't know if you have tried it, but doing curly haired dogs is always a challenge, and yet the curls are the thing that makes the animal look just right. I tried needle felting wool onto the boiled wool body but no joy... 

So.... to get the ears and lovely Cocker chest right I used lamb's fur from an old hat, and the new hand made hand felted eyes. The weight of the ears and the hang is just what I wanted. 

Her sitting pose is a new one, and I designed the pattern using inspiration from Abby Glassenberg and her ideas on how to make sitting, (or in this case slouching) animals.   

Good luck Mini Maggie, and I look forward to doing this combination again. 

Stenciled Door Sign

Finally, here is the latest effort from me using the Cameo Silhouette. I ummed and arred for ages about how to do the hand, before opting simply to cut and stick it onto the matt black background and stencil the letters. As ever the vintage hand image came from the graphic fairy and I used standard Cameo fonts for the letters.     

Making Felted Eyes for Stuffed Animals

The Eyes have it...

A while ago I started experimenting with eyes for my Crazyhoundstore stuffed animals, I wanted something more expressive than plain simple buttons, even vintage ones!  I mused with hand-painted eyeballs sitting neatly on cotton, side by side. I have to admit that I was not convinced by the overall effect. See? 

Tom the Terrier started out as such a friendly chap, but the eyes just seemed to ooze meanness. If he were in a Dog Shelter he would struggle to find a home.... My own dogs even eyed him up warily, so it was no good, the eyes just had to go. These were prototypes that just didn't work. After reading Abbey Gassenberg's post about persistence I took Tom off the shelf - I was not going to be beaten!  

I decided to try needle felted eyeballs instead. Felting the brown Merino wool was relatively easy (barring stabbing my fingers instead of the wool, which was very painful) . Use two foam blocks underneath the wool - The upper one with a neat circle cut out that the model eye can sit in an not move while you needle felt it. Once you are happy that the eyeball is firm enough take a small piece of black wool and form it into a flat circle that you can't see through. Needle felt it for a short time, and then position it over the brown eyeball and needle felt in position. Do the same with a smaller piece of white wool to give the eyes a catch light.   

These are Tom's new eyes ...

I think it is better, and I got a bit carried away and needle felted his paws too, and replaced the eyes on the other fellow..... 

That leaves just one left to do, as you can see in the background, but he looks OK don't you think ? 

  

The curious shape of the Dachshund and the Long Brown Dog Sock Animal

This Dachshund shape from the Postcard Boutique on Etsy caught my eye, when I was looking for inspiration to design and make another Dog Sock Animal last week. With their long bendy body, their earnest head thrust forward and the legs trying hard to catch up, trying hard not to make a fool of their owner.  
I had a supply of lovely brown boiled wool, and a pure wool / cashmere sock that were crying out to be turned into something long and  Dachshund like. 

I had a ball making this chap, that I have called Dashing Rupert. I used toe pieces lined with a wool jumper cut on the cross grain to make his ears, and the combination resulted in the ears getting a nice quirky bend. He has taken up residence on the back of the sofa and shows no sign of going anytime soon. The hand painted gathered eyes and needle sculpted face worked well I think. I would love to know what you think. 

The natural felting of the wool has added some real character I think. 

I had in mind, that he would be a good companion on your shoulder when you are reading a good book... Or maybe just to keep your seat warm...

I know that all the advice on photos ( see Etsy seller handbook for all the rules!) for handmade items is to avoid Dark backgounds, but I love the brown leather combination with my Wool animals. Also, it is handy that Mr C has a sausage dog shaped soft box for the shot isn't it !

Reading List - Stuffed Animals

The new book by Abigail Patner Glassenberg ( creater of "whileshenaps") -  "Stuffed Animals from Concept to Construction" arrived this week. I was looking forward to getting this, and to see if I could find more construction tips. I put it to one side, and kept it as a treat after I had finished office work yesterday and started last night in earnest. Today, I  have read most of it, and I am not disappointed. I really like the way that she weaves new skills and techniques within projects. I also discovered why making my new painted eyes was so difficult ! You have to make them 5 x the size of the finished eye. So thanks for that. It is packed with information and clear photos. 

Local Felted Wool Shop - Ylle & Sparris

I came across a lovely independent wool, quilt and felting shop in the village of Gessiekyrkby, near Malmo. It is called Ylle & Sparris   which translates to "Wool and Asparagus". In a renovated farm house there is plenty of space to look around, and they also run courses in wool felting. Friendly and helpful people in the shop too. There is also a farm shop selling their own produce, and you can get your firewood there too. What more could you ask for !   . 

    

Happy 1st May ! and hoping for Summer !

I turn the page on the Calendar and it says "May" and in all kinds of calendars that means Summer is just around the corner. Around these parts, May 1st is "VALBORG" and that means as far as I can see, collecting up all the old branches and trees that fall during the winter months, putting them in one big pile, and setting fire to them, while singing a happy song with your friends and neighbours. This is what we did last night, on the eve of Valborg... 

This was on the dunes about 100 meters from the sea, a small procession walked from the church to the beach with lit flares held by very small children.... it all went without a hitch.  Song sheets were given out and a little choir of locals sang out while most around chomped on hot dogs and drank Coke and gazed wistfully at the bonfire hoping for a good Summer! I forgot to mention that most were dressed in duvet type ski jackets, hats and gloves because it was so very cold. 

One of my favourite artists, Inge Look from Finland have just issued a May day card to celebrate the day, showing a May Day that I would like to be at. They've got frocks on rather than ski jackets for one thing. You can order her Calendars and cards even if you don't live in Scandinavia, just drop them a line.  

Mr Mole gets some new boots...
I finished Mr Mole a while ago, and something was missing, no feet or should I say paws. Well, this week I have finally put things right and given him a wonderful pair of wool boots and pipe cleaners inserted into his legs so that he can be a bit more mobile. 

I think he likes them... 

Happy Easter from the New Guys and Crazyhoundstore

Something in the Air

 Earlier this week I mentioned about some new designs I was working on... 

On the right, Black and White "Eric" was inspired by Harvey and the Rabbit advert that was on TV last year

And the Grey number, "Eardley" well I wanted to make a dog with BIG EARS and this is what came out. I am also really happy with the new body shape..

And this little guy, who is 50 Years old this year, with a repaired and re-stuffed neck, but minus his tail, probably has a lot to answer for as an inspiration for all my animal crafts.. Thank you Candy. 

Enjoy the holidays everyone.

New Designs for Spring

Dogs, dogs, dogs, Oh I am obsessed from time to time with ways to improve my doggy socks, to stand better, to be more "huggable". I blame the annual Crufts show for this madness. Rarely does one get the chance to see so many weird and wonderful dog breeds in one place. I do realize that this is about a million miles away from Dogs Trust that I regularly support, but I was smitten by this years winner.. a "Petite Basset Griffon" . I think that our Mutt Frank must have some of those genes in him ! 
So... moving swiftly onto my new designs:
 These are the proto-types for you  to peruse and any feedback is welcome. These guys have longer more expressive ears, hand painted eyes, and a more fixed /stable body shape... Not sure about the new body. 

Market Frenzy

Much, much, much longer than I wanted since my last blog. Mental fog seems to have got in the way. We got the news last month that we will have to move house again this summer, and looking for a new place to live has put a spanner in the creative works for a bit. There was no alternative but to seek a little retail therapy in the many and fine Loppis and markets around these parts. "But what are you doing ! you will have to pack all this extra stuff won't you? Are you mad?" ......... Yes, well they were very nice pieces.

Finds from the local Loppis......

And... I actually managed to turn one of the items into something useful...... 

This my friends is going to be turned into a lamp stand... honestly! Inspired by the "My Repurposed Life" blog. 

And I hoped this one too........... 

A splendid time capsule, just sitting by the cash desk and a bargain at 10 DK 

Check out this link for Danish Flea Markets, they are wonderful therapy and so much to choose from. 

But I did at least manage to make this guy in February before my little world caved in.. Things are looking up, we have a couple of places that could be OK, so hopefully I will back on form. 

Crazy Cats and getting the bug

I took a detour this week.. and despite my best efforts ended up making a dog sock that looked more like "Smokey" the cat...  a resident of Battersea Dogs Home (Cat Department). 

I am having great fun making these critters using wool of different textures and weight, so when you sew it together it twists and turns in all kinds of unexpected ways. This is really good for ears and tails.  Shrinked  cashmere sock with loose grey walking sock seems to be fun at the moment. I learnt a lot of these techniques from Sue Haven's book. You can also find her on you tube.  

                                                               

Glad to say that Smokey has now found a home, despite being 10 years of age. I can't look at the cats at the Battersea pages without thinking of a stray cat who wondered into a public meeting on a housing estate in Stockwell back in 1997. Amid the hubub of the meeting a gentle and then not so gentle "MEOW" could be heard. I looked over the landing to the lobby below, and saw a beautiful black long haired cat who just eyeballed me ! I put her in my office overnight and bought food in for the next day before taking her to Battersea Dogs home. She turned out to be a previous resident who had been re-homed and her new owners had abandoned her. How sad is that. Her name was Lucinda and I was so pleased when a friend offered a home for her.  

Finally, just to say, the upholstery supplies have not yet arrived so the Pappa armchair is sitting in the hall lobby, looking at me, just waiting for its new clothes.... so to fill the time I have been grazing the web discovered great ways to transfer images onto wood, fabric or anything else that stops long enough. My Re-purposed life has proved to be a great jumping off point to loads of free tutorials about furniture/junk re-purposing. So inspired was I that I managed to collect 5 pallets from a factory for free, hoping to turn them into something a bit useful , and I am off to the BlaaHal in Copenhagen tomorrow, yiphee! Let's hope the old Volvo suspension is up to it.    

Guide to the Best Sock Monster material, Loppis calamity and the Pappa Bear chair

The Best kind of socks for my kind of creatures...... piling up here for this weeks work. I love the texture and feel of them. Now where shall I start... and who shall I start on?

ALAS.. Poor  fragile tea cups!

I took a trip to the local Loppis or flea market this Sunday and came across 4 beautiful Chinese tea cups. A friend told me she was looking for some, so I snapped them up as soon as I saw them. I took them to the desk to buy and looked for Mrs Loppis. Alas, Mrs Loppis  was sick and her husband was standing in for the day so she could rest...  

 It was bitterly cold in the stable block converted into a shop, so cold you could see your breath in front of your face, and our noses were red..  Mr Loppis gazed at the cups for a moment before grabbing some stout, brown paper and a bag to put the paper think cups and saucers into.  It was just a second later when we heard a gentle "tck" sound as one of the cups broke in two.. then silence. Poor Mr Loppis, all he could say was "one of them has broken".... and.. "do you want the rest?" . Big hands touched the surviving china as if it too was going to break, and the rest made it into the paper and bag.  So... now we have three cups and four saucers. oh well.     

And now my labour for the next couple of weeks, a Pappa Armchair, or at least it seems like a Swedish copy of the same classic. So far I have unleashed mountains of dusty foam and lots and lots of ginger coir stuffing as it gets stripped down. Keep you posted on the new chair as it emerges.    

In honour of "sticky dogs" at Dogs Trust

You may, or may not believe this, but my dog sock animals are inspired by a combination of 
a)the kind of material I have to work with(pure wool, slightly felted is always the best)and how I can manipulate it.
and
b) A real life dog that I know or one from the "sticky" dogs gallery at Dogs Trust . These looking for a sponsor because they really can't be re-homed easily, I guess because many don't look that cute. But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!


This little critter ... was inspired by...

Theodore Fredbare

Copper, a brindle Staffie cross living in Darlington. Not exactly cute, but spirited I like to think. I love her legs too...       

New Year Views

A Happy New Year to one and All,crafters, creators and all those who give inspiration and not forgetting family and friends.

 Clear blue skies, crisp air, and anything is possible. These photos taken this morning, in our lane, sum up my hopes for the year ahead...





The wee softy animals upstairs tell me they hope I will be a bit more productive than last, and let's hope.

("Graham Gnasher" here said, "for heavens sake let me have my legs attached, they look so cool, and then I can get around a bit..")

And so I am pleased to show you my take on a Marmalade Sock Cat, who lazed around here at Christmas... 

He got so excited about the boxes and gifts...

He even closed his eyes while we opened the box.. 

He peered into the box to see what was inside... 

Marmaduke (???) enjoyed the cat treats inside, and then posed for the camera.

Yesterday, I was trying to track down prints, by Kay Nielsen. Maybe I should explain, when I was about 11 or 12,  I collected small prints by pre-raphelites, anyone who painted fairies and illustrated fairy stories, like Arthur Rackham.  I only have a few of the cards left now, and this one still catches my eye when I see it... 

And now I have found a great web site and blog made by someone who seems to share my taste - Artsy Crafty. As well as small prints they offer calenders too. Can't wait to start recollecting.. or is that re-collecting? .

Happy making out there...