Happy Canada Day

My adoptive country, Canada is 149 years old today and it is time to celebrate and be grateful that we live in such a magnificent, socially conscious country.

In honour of this special day, I made a special Canada Day kitty using an 100% wool sweater from the "Bay Club" (Hudson's Bay special sweater).

I loved making this wee kitty and it fits the day entirely:

Until next year, this Canadian kitty will now root for the Italian soccer team, the Azzurri in tomorrow's match versus Germany.  Forza Azzurri!  After all, Italy is my birthplace and also holds a special place in my heart!

Critter Mania

I have been busy making my "Wooly Critters".  They are just so addictive that once I start making one, another idea comes into my mind and I have to make another, and another, and another...  I plan to sell them at a winter Christmas Craft show. 

I make them with thrift store sweaters that I wash in hot water and soap to felt them.  I then design my "Critter" and start sewing.  Here are a few of the wee ones I have made to date.

First is :  "Wild thing, you make my heart sing!":

Next wee one is called:  Steampunk Joe:

This kitty says, "It's not easy being Green":

This Little Doggie found a bone:

Who says I am Goofy? Well, maybe just a little:

Grumpy cat says, "Hot pink and ruffles, really...?"

I laugh at you Grumpy cat, you are so funny "Giggles" says:

The Chesire cat reminds us that we are all mad here!

Until next time when there will be raccoons and foxes, oh my!

Critter Alert II

OK so here is the second batch of Wooly Critters made this month.  I just had to make another Grumpy Cat using the remains of the original three sweaters I used previously and a very felted sweater with an interesting turquoise and gold border (so felted that I had to add the other bits to come up with one kitty cat:

"Oh goody, a fish buddy, seriously!"

Next, I had to make an elephant baby as I came across a soft gray cashmere sweater!  I was inspired by the elephant I saw on Facebook from "Sweet Poppy Cat".  She inspires me to continue on my own Wooly Critter journey:

Next I had a brain wave of an idea.  I love mermaids and I love cats so why not put the two together!  I made a "Purrmaid":

I used another sweater bit to give her a fun starfish toy.

Her neck ruffle can be removed and so can the tulle addition on her tail

I just love her so I gave her two wee hearts on her back to gol along with the heart on her front.  I will have to bring her to the Coast Collective to show her off as she is just so darn cute!!

Critter Alert

I have a new batch of wool sweaters as I took advantage of the end of winter sales at many of our local thrift stores.  This translates into more of my "wooly critters" as they are so much fun to make.

In honour of the Chinese Year of the Monkey, I designed some monkey sweater critters using a yellow and striped wool sweater:

 Monkeys like to stick together in a group so I made a baby monkey using a very soft cappuccino coloured sweater:

 I gave the baby monkey the traditional "red lips" to mimic the sock monkeys made with the red-toed work socks:

Finally, I made some wee puppies as I have none in stock and I had a perfect sweater that to me, suggested "puppies":

The puppies are very friendly and look forward to having friends join them.  Perhaps a grumpy cat or two will come out and play?

Grand Slam of Curling

For curling enthusiasts, elite curling is coming to Victoria: the Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling will be in town from March 17th to 20th.  To celebrate I have made three new Wooly Critters, two Grumpy Cats and a Puppy named, what else but "Pinty".

All three will be at the Coast Collective in time for the special curling event.  I failed to mention that I made curling rocks for the Critters as well.

The critters are made from old sweaters that are felted and then cut, stuffed and decorated to bring out the personalities:

The start of the Grumpy feline.

Grumpy cat says, Yes my heart is Blue, get over it!

This is before I decided to design and make him a curling rock.

Grumpy girl Cat says, Ruffles and hot pink, who thought that was a good idea?

The two Grumpy cats have found each other, but being their grumpy selves they do not acknowledge that they like being together.

Now here is "Pinty" the puppy who is quite happy with the upcoming curling event:

His curling rock is made of felt and has a plastic disc on the bottom so that is can slide!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my Wooly Critters.