hop skip jump

doll bender

I am on a doll bender, it's official. Maudie and Lilly are the first of five of these girls I've been working on. Plus one for Audrey because she asked so nicely when she was under the weather. This bender began because I found my long-lost pattern making mojo and needed to test out a few changes. So the pattern for these girls will be available as soon as I decide whether to print or PDF it. Does anyone have any particularly strong views about this? I'm thinking PDF. Until then, I'll be finishing up the rest of these girls to go over to bigcartel. But first we have the last few days of school holidays to see through - there is a zoo to visit (weather and lurgies permitting) and a first birthday to attend. 

Happy weekend, all!

shop talk

Well, the ear infections cleared up (knock on wood) and giraffes are now in the shop. If you're interested there are some pictures of them close up over on Flickr: Frank, Hermoine and Abe. I've had to increase the price very slightly to cover costs because I'm making these guys about 10cm taller (and a whole lot plumper) than they used to be. Also, I've hopefully fixed the mailing list problems by moving the whole shebang to this new provider. These new peeps are cheap and, so far, good. The last provider I used had a few problems (including, ultimately, not delivering any emails I sent - kind of a cornerstone function of an email list service!) If you had problems joining the last one and would like to receive a note when I list new toys, the box to join is in the top right hand column of this blog. Seriously, thankyou if you have made it this far. :)

Anyway, enough of this talk. Today is Sunday and among other things, I'm hoping to cut out some new toys, catch up on emails, sew up a cushion and test some white paint. Happy weekend, all!

Oh, just about to save this post and I've noticed that two all giraffes have already gone, but Abe remains. Thankyou so much! xo

new and blue (and green)

Thanks for your nice words about the Marmalade cat doll. I got quite enthusiastic about the lilac/blue cat after that last one, and so now - three more. All made from wool flannel, two boys (one with a favorite Liberty print as a tie) and a wee girl with a lined wool cape. They've all gone straight into the shop this afternoon.

With them, a couple of rabbit dolls. Moira, in green and Bernadette above. Bernadette started out life as Bernard, but he just wasn't doing it for me. Turns out he was supposed to be a she all along (I'll pack the tie and short trousers in with her just in case there's a change of heart).

It's taken me weeks to get these together. It's been so cold here I'm having trouble dragging myself to the sewing machine at night. Henry is having an extra long sleep this afternoon, though, and my hands are almost thawed out so I'm off to cut out giraffes while the going is good.

Edited to add: Sorry to my mailing list if you didn't receive the message I sent about this shop update earlier today. Problems with list management site. Think I'm going to have to try another way...

dolls for the bushfire appeal

 

 

Good morning! Just a quick post to say that I've finished a couple of dolls, and have put them up in my shop. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross for the Victorian bushfire appeal, as part of Handmade Help. There are two dolls, Polly and Lucy. They are much bigger than my usual doll (almost 50cm tall!) and they both come with a couple of costume changes - two smocks and two sets of trousers each. There are more pictures and details at the individual listings. Edited to add - both sold now, many thanks!

Yay to everyone over at Handmade Help for doing such an amazing job. 

shop swap

Hello! Just a quick post to say that I'm adding these little creatures to my shop today at 10.30am (that's Australian Central Daylight Savings time). Also, I've made the switch from etsy to bigcartel, so the new shop is here. Button also in the right column of the blog. I figured now was a good time to make the change. This way, I can list in Australian dollars so I can set a consistent value on each toy, and local folks don't have to lose a bundle in currency conversion. Another bonus - if you're purchasing in another currency (bigcartel still does paypal if you're wondering) you get to benefit from the woeful Australian dollar. Right-o, no more shop talk for now, I promise. :) 

meryl

Another giraffe, this time to add to my shop update, along with the mice next week. But first, I'm off to Melbourne. To spend some time with my Dad and see my dear grandmother who hasn't been very well of late. Really looking forward to it. If time and the routine of small children allow, I'm hoping to get to pop into Mathilda's Market on Sunday morning. Fingers crossed.

little red riding mouse

Sorry for the blog absence again. It's been school holidays here and there's been precious little making, but lots of fun playdates, running about in the freezing cold, and big pots of soup bubbling away all day while we try to avoid both rain and cabin fever. In the evenings I've been plodding away, making a few toys for a shop update in a couple of weeks.

This is little red. She's made from wool flannel, with a cotton dress and a wool cap. She'll be there with Isadora, another mouse and a couple of giraffes.

Have a good weekend!

corps or tower

Three more giraffes. I'd been referring to them as a flock, but a quick nose around the internet tells me that the correct collective noun is either a corps or tower of giraffes. Who'd've thought it? Anyway, Lucille, Albert and Mimi, (plus Nigel) all found new homes this morning - thanks to everyone who placed an order. With about a week and a half until my due date, these will be the last I'll be making to sell for a little while. If time allows, I'm all excited about finally writing up my cat pattern, or getting a start on Audrey's quilt, or even starting a quilt for the baby. All no doubt fairly delusional on my part (especially given my pace at the moment), but Audrey did arrive 10 days past due. So, time will tell.

Nigel

Since I first started making giraffes, a few people have suggested that they look quite similar to kangaroos. So the other day I bit the bullet. With a few alterations to my giraffe pattern (shorter neck, the addition of a pouch and tail), a kangaroo called Nigel is born. Nigel will go in my next shop update, but I'm not sure how many cousins of Nigel I will make - a ton of handsewing went into this dude. Please, no one tell me he looks like a giraffe! ;)

Bernice

This is Bernice, a giraffe in a tutu. It was only a matter of time before a girl entered the giraffe-making frenzy here at the moment. She's made from wool that isn't exactly giraffe coloured, but I'm hoping the long neck is a giveaway to her intended species. She'll be over at etsy tomorrow night with a few friends - finally! I had another appointment with my doctor today. The little guy is still measuring large and is still breech. There's plenty of time for him to wriggle around, but - and goodness only knows I could be wrong - I've a feeling he's found a comfy spot and will be reluctant to budge. Time will only tell!