Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Inspiration

Well my week isn't exactly going to plan!   It was my intention to have posted this instalment earlier in the week and  be showing you some of my own creations tonight.   But no such luck!!!   I didn't realise it would be so difficult to sort out all the web side of things; it is driving me round the bend!!   It seems like at the moment I am spending the vast majority of my life in front of a computer screen.   Enough of the venting of my frustration and onto the real reason for this post - designs that have inspired me.

Over the past few months I have been honing my knitting and sewing skills; compiling a collection of books and drawing inspiration and knowledge from them.   

Here are some examples of the knitted creations I have been experimenting with including reference to the books they are from:

Chucky the Chicken

This was the very first knitted toy that I made.   Chucky is from Rowan's "the organic cotton kids collection" pattern book.   I just love her dangly knotted-kneed legs!

Ellie 
Cedric
Ellie and Cedric are from "Knitted Toy Tales" by Laura Long.   They were very easy to knit and the texturing and appliqué adornments are lovely touches which bring these gorgeous toys to life.   They just love brightening up my desk and keeping me company at work!

Tiny Mushrooms

Teeny Tiny Snail

These two are from a fantastic book and website that I recently discovered – "Mochimochi".
This designer, Anna Hrachovec, takes inspiration from Japanese Kawaii illustration and her little figures are just adorable.   There is a lot to be learnt from these patterns and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knitted toys and learning to develop their own designs.

Sunday, 16 January 2011

Busy Wekend.

Just a quick update:   I was hoping to have some pictures ready to post this evening but it hasn't quite worked out!   They have been taken but need a bit of tidying up before posting.   But i have been busy doing other stuff too.   Thanks to my lovely boyfriend having quite a hangover yesterday i managed to get most of the weekend for crafting.   A little sock bunny and rat are almost finished and a knitted chicken is starting to take shape.   Also this evening i have created a new facebook site dedicated to my little creatures, i think they deserve it!   Seems like i am going to spend most of my time on the computer rather than actually making!   On which note my knitting needles are calling - the chicken needs more work............

Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Here we go - Hopefully the first of many!!!

My mantra for the year - This is the year that things are going to change.  

For the past couple of years I have been crafting (mainly sewing and knitting) in my spare time, I even dabbled with a craft fair last Christmas which was quite successful but has not yet been repeated, so I have now decided that the time has come to really commit to my projects.   This blog is that first step.   Hopefully, over the coming weeks and months you will get a glimpse of the kind of stuff I am into and a few little lovable creatures will materialise along the way!

Here is a first little glimpse:  Some of my little friends that made it to that craft fair, lots of whom are in hopefully very loving homes now.