Steampunk Crows

As I promised a while ago, I have finished two more steampunk crows.  This time I made them a touch larger as they stand about 12" when finished on their stands.

I used a lovely black Italian wool (given to me by a lovely lady) for their bodies and some gray with a black lace overlay for their wings.  I think they turned out great.  As always, I used the Frowning Francis pattern as a template (a great resource that you can find on Dealmakers Journey site).  I also added some embroidery on his body and tail using the feather stitch and the fly stitch in grass and dark blue.

The first crow, I named "A Balanced Life" after the song "Bird on a Wire" as sung by L. Cohen:


                   Like a bird on a wire,... I have tried, in my way, to be free"

The next crow I used the same fabric but I found a great old hole puncher that I used for his stand.  The arms of the hole punch look like bird legs.
Here is "Luck be a Lady":

The two crows bid you farewell and may luck be on your side in a balanced, happy life!

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.

The Bunnies are Coming for Easter

Last year at this time, I made four bunnies that were so much fun to make that I doubled the bunnies this year!

I redesigned my pattern to create an 8" bunny that has button jointed arms and legs.  I had so much fun adding embroidery and beading to their coats.  I just had to give the wee bunnies, bunny slippers too!

They are all made of premium wool felt with wool felt wool coats.  They all carry their fresh carrot. Now some of them have wee purses and one even sports a jaunty yellow sun hat!

I hope you enjoy my brood:

Here is Lady Bunny in a moss green coat with what else but ladybugs embroidered on!

 Of course I wanted her to be lovely from all sides, so the back of her coat is also decorated:

 Next comes Heather the bunny, named from the soft colour of her coat:

 This little gal is made from a vintage wool blanket!  Her name is Delphi.  I love her and thought she needed a wee purse to carry her carrot.

 This bunny is called Crocus as I tried to embroider crocus on her jacket.  I love the effect and found a wee Easter basket for her to carry her carrot and cabbages!

 Now this spry bunny is called Rosie and her coat is made from wool felt and a piece of checked felted wool.

She seems to be in a hurry.  She is going to find more carrots for her supper!

 This lovely lady in pale yellow coat is named Wisteria.  I love her soft look:

 Next is shy Blossom with her velour bunny slippers.  As you can see, she is sitting.  All the bunnies can either stand or sit due to the tight button joints that I added:

 I am very found of this next bunny as I got carried away with the embroidery.  She looks like she wears a coat of a wild English garden full of Cosmos, Forget-me-Nots and Snowdrops:

 Since her coat was over the top, I gave her a sun hat with a hand-dyed silk bow at the back.  If course she wanted a stylish purse to complete her look so I obliged:

I hope you enjoyed my bunny brood.  They are all for sale (ranging in price from $45. to $52 Canadian dollars) and will be at the Coast Collective Art Centre in Victoria in time for Easter.

Bunnies, Bears and Ducks, Oh My

The weather here on the West Coast is amazing.  Spring is in the air and with that in mind, I made a bunch of mohair/faux fur animals to celebrate the season.   They are all fully jointed and are about 10" tall.  They have glass eyes and hand-embroidered noses, what fun! Enjoy:

This Wannabe bunny has a removable hood and bunny slippers!

Based on a pattern by the Canadian bear designer Jean Pacagnan

This second Wannabee bunny is based on a pattern by Canadian designer Cathy Milliard

This wannabe ducky is from a pattern by the Australian designer Ilze.

Have a great month and I hope the weather is kind to all of you.