Where do babies come from?

When the kids start asking, you can knit a womb and tell it like it is...

A Makeover Story

 

Like the old classic goes "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't." This applies to kitty cats as well. Sometimes a cat just wants to be a bunny -- icognito that is. You know, you've scratched up all the furniture and pooped in your enemies' shoes. The only way to dash out the door is in this get up. 100% hot pink recycled wool.

Rosette & cherry pin

One of the things I love about thrifting is revisiting the old. I cannot recall the many times I've run into a cotton doilly, or an almost finished granny-square afghan. Someone set out to tackle yarn and needles to create this object before me -- now shelved in hopes of making a second life somewheres. Albeit old, forgotton, often ugly and sometimes (lord forbid) smelly, I still appreciate the thoughtful work put into these personal items. I especially love Irish crochet items or bas-relief florals. When the craft is well done, I fall in love with textiles all over again.

With my head in some romantic, ruffled fervor, I set out to make one of those crocheted flowers with a small bit of hot pink, fuzzy yarn. There wasn't much of the stuff to begin with, so I was glad to find some purpose for it. I think it turned out fairly nice, for my first flower project. I added some ultra suede leaves, a cherry button detail, pin backing and I was hitting the streets! I've worn this pin almost every week for the past three years and it always lifts my spirits. I recently added the baby pink satin ribbon, as I'm currently into a "dripping visual" aesthetic. Go figure.... 100% wool, ultra suede, cherry button, satin ribbon. Made from recycled materials.

Tri-color wave applique

I've been toying around w/this great bonding material called "Wonder Under." Peter & I discovered it on a trip to Britex one weekend. We bought the super-strength bond under the hawk-like eyes of the "charming" sales staff ready to make that daily commission. This means you dear shopper....

This bonding wonder has helped me make various iron-on patches from just about any iron-safe material. I literally had a dream of an art-nouveau meets japanese wave art meets "yellow submarine" graphic pattern, and came up w/this ditty. It's an ironed & stitched applique customizing this recently acquired navy hoody. Three materials realize this pattern: royal blue cotton velvet, red & white printed chintz and neon-pink cotton. Machine washable, line-dry preferred please (thank you). model: Roy, hoody: Goody, location: the Mission, SF

[Event] Plushtastrophe Toronto @ Magic Pony

>>>>> flyer info

The ever-expanding Plushtastrophe show takes on the Magic Pony gallery in Toronto. Crossing the border from the SF show, Plushtastrophe Toronto will feature local Toronto artists, as well as its current roster. If you are in the vicinity, please check out the show and sneak a plush snuggle.

Here's a pic of the uni-loo I submitted for the show. It doubles as a pillow or soft sculpture for display. Made mostly from recycled fabric and yarn. Unfortunately you can't see the purple pompon on the side -- it's my favorite part of the piece. Kind of like a fluffy eyeball keeping tabs on you. Kristin, from Magic Pony, told me uni-loo just sold to a Toronto artist. Yay! This makes me happy....



Plushtastrophe Toronto
12.2004 - 1.2.2005 (Opens Dec.2nd)
Magic Pony Gallery
785 Queen St West
Second Floor
Toronto, ON
M6J 1G1
tel: 416.861.1684
contact@magic-pony.com
www.magic-pony.com

Some fave DIY, crafts, fashion and zakka-type things

blissen, Get Crafty, Supernaturale, Zakka magazine, CUT X PASTE, Virgin Threads.

gangsta Knitter

WTF? I am amazed yet appalled at the same time gangsta Knitter.

crocheted leaf & ribbon brooch

I am trying new crochet projects and decided to take on this leaf pattern. It looked so good in the example, but I felt my yarn was a bit too fuzzy and flimsy to compare. I have loads of fabric culled from thrifties, yard sales, gifts, etc... This velvet cotton is the deepest, dimensional azure tone it makes me swoon. I swear it's talking to me. I paired some this & thats and came up w/a buddy system for the crocheted leaf. Yay friends!

Decorative brooch made of ribbon, cotton velvet & lilac crocheted leaf. Wool, cotton & mixed fibers made of recycled materials.

ribbed wool glovelette

The air has turned and I'm not feeling the gloves in my dresser. I had these two yarns that were unexciting alone, but when combined became Wonder Twin Powers activated! Well, more like a nice color combo that reminded me of French pastries. They're warm, which matters most and look nice peeking from neath my sleeve.

Aqua & cocoa knitted wide rib glovelette. I made this yarn by combining a med-wt fuzzy yarn w/thinner sport-wt yarn. 100% wool, recycled yarn.

ribbed multicolored scarf

In '98 I picked up this beautiful yarn at a fairly large yarn boutique in Atlanta, GA. I was visiting my sister for turkey holidays and getting a foothold on life before leaving to San Francisco. I had a great day discovering this woolly jewel and eating hot Cuban sandwiches w/my sis.

Extra long multicolored wide rib wool scarf with braided fringe. 100% wool, jewel toned yarn from Japan. I originally made this into a crochet project, felted the wool then took it apart to make this scarf. Much, much better now.

Loop crochet wool collar

I am a pompon freak! I love them. Why, I don't know. What do they do exactly except dangle there looking all fluffy & cuddly. They're like the penguins of the craft world. Anywhos, I was inspired to try out this loopy crochet stitch while incorporating tassled pompons. This will make your neck all snuggly and it doubles as an earmuff-like hat. Frosty, bring it on! 100% wool from recycled yarn. model: Mikas, hoody: Upper Playground, location: Lower Haight, SF

Bobble crochet wool beanie

I've been underground lately. Not plotting revenge on postal workers nor slipping on reality tv (well maybe a 'lil). I've been furiously taking needle to yarn. This was a project I started a while back and finished recently: bobble crochet cream beanie. 100% wool from thrifted yarn. I wish I could make more, but alas this ball has reached its end. model: Mikas, art: Damon Soule, location: lower Haight, SF