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 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.

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.    

"Cute" Wool Felt Coot Toy Mascot

Yes ! Coots can be cute! If you live near a canal or lake or pond you can't help noticing these little characters - Coots - the bad guys on the water who are so grumpy, with themselves, with each other, with their fluffy babes, with ducks that are much much bigger than them, you name it. But I have a soft spot for these little guys, who are so feisty even though they can't really fly (away from trouble) but make a pitter patter noise with their bright green flappy feet instead on the water. They have the most beautiful red / orange eyes and soft black feathers.
 I have wanted to make a mascott Coot for ages, and I used the cuddly Duck pattern from Sew Magazine in January 2010 and used black wool felt and luminous green felt instead of red stripey ticking. He has a weighted bottom so he sits right.

Ta Da ! Here he is....