Memory Bears, Memory Mouse

Here are three lovely big bears, who were gifted yesterday…

One pair of skinny size 8 jeans made one bear. As you can see, I also made 2 bears which are the reverse of each other. 

My mothers house-coat became three tiny mice. One can be found nestled in among my youngest child’s plush. I don’t know if they have a name yet, but one of my twins called her mouse Jenny, almost immediately! I was reminded of my 50 for 50 last year. I hadn’t made a mouse since then … well not one like these! 

Memory Bears

A bear made from T-shirts lined with white fleece, gifted on a wedding day this summer. 

This year, rather sadly, I’ve slipped into making a few memory bears. It’s not completely sad, because it’s also about remembering, and being able to keep clothing of a loved one in a special way. Many years ago I wore my Dad’s jumper for as long as I was able, and then made a set of Christmas stockings for the family which are brought out every year and filled with bits and bobs. And earlier this year, my sister made a bear for my Mother’s widow and gave it to him for his birthday. 

These two bears will be gifted to little girls this Christmas, and are made from shirts worn by a beloved Gramps. If you look you will see that I’ve carefully set the fabrics to mirror each other in the teddies. 

Finally, and just in time for Christmas, I am creating a small number of bears from jeans, inspired by the families love of Charlie bears. 

All the bears shared here are about size of Charlie bears, lovely, big and cuddly. Quite a task to stuff too. But all very important and it’s a great honour to work on them. And my sister has given me a little of my Mother’s house coat, so watch this space. I’m going to make something very, very small. 

Snuggle Time Easter Stories, and plush rabbits

 It’s always good to have a special friend. And so for my friend Glenys Nellist’s brand new book I felt I ought to suggest she had both of the bunnies that feature on every page of the book. 

I made the little patched rabbit first and hand coloured the markings. 

When they were both completed I told them they were off to meet Glenys, in Michigan and as you can see they were very excited. They have big ears, to listen to the author sharing her stories. 

The book is available in all the usual places and of course it’s perfect for sharing now, during lent. 

Both rabbits popped up in Instagram recently, keep an eye out for them. I love making rabbits and these two are really rather special. Hey, I wonder if they met little Mole? 

Want plush for your book events? Just drop me a line … 

I still make Edward Tulane dolls

This is the half size doll, it’s like holding a baby! I really like the eyes on these little dolls. 

A Happy Birthday 12+12

Two not-so-little-but-will-always-be-my-babies girls are twelve today. They wanted really big badges ....

So this years handmade cards feature some felt flowers and a couple of strong safety pins, with stitching and a dot of wadding in the middle. 

I think they like them. Our next mission is to give some fabulous Lalaloopsy dolls a makeover or two. Twelve may be awesomely grown up, but it’s still great to play and craft with mummy. Bring it on. I’ve got my own Lalaloopsy doll too ....

Stay tuned for new frocks and costumes. And pets. Apparently. 

Black Phillip from The Witch ....

It's not easy both sewing of photographing black objects! But I was asked to make a black version of my goat doll, and then I tired to make him look natural by taking him into the tree house!

Actially Black Phillip shows off our tree house quite nicely while himself still playing hard to get with my camera's exposure settings ...

His eyes, being hand tinted rimmed buttons, change in different lights which I think is nicely spooky! Eventually I got a good picture of him indoors against the white walls!

Edward Tulane One Day Later ...

Once jointed together, Edward is stuffed and then has eight seems closed with strong thread. 

After that his ears and tail are added by hand with ladder stitch. You can see he has his whiskers too!

I love it when an Edward Comes Together...

This is the part when all the stitched pieces of Edward get joined together with discs. 

Also he will need whiskers first, I can now stuff him which is a really enjoyable part as he takes shape!

Four Memory Pups ....

I was asked to make some very special pups in the style of my flat cats! I love to be asked to try new things so I set about designing some dogs with fold-over ears ...

After sketching and sharing progress wth my friend, I create the patters I will use to cut the fabric pieces with ....

Apart from the white fleece and wool I used for the eyes, each pup is made from pieces of a Daddy's jumper and one of his shirts. This project is so special because the Dad died last year. 

With the ears sewn in this pup looks rather silly! I need a few small stitches to fold over the ears just right! The nose is also needle felted and the mouth will be hand embroidered :-)

Pin the ears before sewing down so you can get the angle right!

Here are all four dogs ready to leave me. Have fun guys and thank you for standing in the gap and helping to celebrate a special person. 

Have you worked with clothing to help preserve memories? 

Edward Tulane rabbit doll still having adventures ...

Two Edward Tulane Dolls just Left my hands ...

One of them took a moment to send a picture of himself in his new home, via my Etsy shop! He does look rather handsome if I say so myself ...

And here is a little Edward, the smaller version of the doll I make, making a new friend with a very young fan!

It looks like they are going to get on well. If you have one of my dolls I would love to see him ... And you!

Bee-cause I wanted to!

I had a real urge to make some bees. I wanted them to be at least based on the

Anatomy of real honey-bees but based around a pair of cool black and yellow socks... 

Using the filled-width of the socks, I made a full sized drawing to help make the patterns. Those lovely knee socks bee-came the abdomen!

I chose a dense-quality fur from my stash. I can get 8 bee abdomens from a single pair of long socks. Amazingly I had exactly enough black fur to complete all of them! Some thing's are just meant to bee. 

A completed torso, with pipe cleaner legs, looks like a tic!

The 21mm solid black eyes are the right size, but needed the yellow border to keep the bee looking friendly!

Now the wings sent me digging in my bag of lace and mesh fabric. This mesh gave a good effect, but the wings were floppy. So I sewed all the mesh to pieces of acetate, and i had just enough sheets of acetate to complete all 8 insects!

but the acetate and mesh creation still bends, so i added three folds - problem solved! And the folds look like veins too!

Finally the wings are attached with buttons, so they can be moved a little too. The first bee admires my prize flowers ... 

Cats of many colour ...

Hello everyone, one day I went to messy church with six cats to finish up while my girls had fun. Six cats were sewn up and given faces, but only four came home again with me!

Once home, I dressed them in ribbons ready to meet this years artwey visitors, but of course if you live too far away you can also have a kitty shipped!

Each has his own personality and could do with a name!

One is sweet, one thoughtful - but which one is the naughtiest? 

The flower filled face makes this one my favourite, and I've been calling her gypsy! Thanks for popping by. Enjoy this fine, spring day!

Free-Rat!

Here is a rat on the dining table. And seriously, pets on the table is now allowed! 

So, I have decided to give him away, and I'm going to do that via The Raggy Rat on Facebook so pop over and stand buy for more information, by liking the page!

First rat of the year ...

Another sock sweetie in between other projects and life ...

Made from a single, gents sock and button jointed for flexibility ....

Rats will never lose their charm, for me ...

Last rat of the year ....

I love to work with woollens and had been making cats and hamsters, when I decided in a quiet moment on Christmas Day to make a raggyrat doll ...

This button jointed fellow has already been adopted but I would like to make

More like him. 

A few years back I used to slip out into the cul-de-sac and lie on my belly with my camera and a fresh soft toy .... 

It works doesn't it? The grey road provides a contrast to the colourful stripes of my rat!