The curious shape of the Dachshund and the Long Brown Dog Sock Animal

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This Dachshund shape from the Postcard Boutique on Etsy caught my eye, when I was looking for inspiration to design and make another Dog Sock Animal last week. With their long bendy body, their earnest head thrust forward and the legs trying hard to catch up, trying hard not to make a fool of their owner.  
I had a supply of lovely brown boiled wool, and a pure wool / cashmere sock that were crying out to be turned into something long and  Dachshund like. 

I had a ball making this chap, that I have called Rupert. I used toe pieces lined with a wool jumper cut on the cross grain to make his ears, and the combination resulted in the ears getting a nice quirky bend. He has taken up residence on the back of the sofa and shows no sign of going anytime soon. The hand painted gathered eyes and needle sculpted face worked well I think. I would love to know what you think. 

Reading List - Stuffed Animals

The new book by Abigail Patner Glassenberg ( creater of "whileshenaps") -  "Stuffed Animals from Concept to Construction" arrived this week. I was looking forward to getting this, and to see if I could find more construction tips. I put it to one side, and kept it as a treat after I had finished office work yesterday and started last night in earnest. Today, I  have read most of it, and I am not disappointed. I really like the way that she weaves new skills and techniques within projects. I also discovered why making my new painted eyes was so difficult ! You have to make them 5 x the size of the finished eye. So thanks for that. It is packed with information and clear photos. 

Local Felted Wool Shop - Ylle & Sparris

I came across a lovely independent wool, quilt and felting shop in the village of Gessiekyrkby, near Malmo. It is called Ylle & Sparris   which translates to "Wool and Asparagus". In a renovated farm house there is plenty of space to look around, and they also run courses in wool felting. Friendly and helpful people in the shop too. There is also a farm shop selling their own produce, and you can get your firewood there too. What more could you ask for !   . 

    

Happy 1st May ! and hoping for Summer !

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I turn the page on the Calendar and it says "May" and in all kinds of calendars that means Summer is just around the corner. Around these parts, May 1st is "VALBORG" and that means as far as I can see, collecting up all the old branches and trees that fall during the winter months, putting them in one big pile, and setting fire to them, while singing a happy song with your friends and neighbours. This is what we did last night, on the eve of Valborg... 

This was on the dunes about 100 meters from the sea, a small procession walked from the church to the beach with lit flares held by very small children.... it all went without a hitch.  Song sheets were given out and a little choir of locals sang out while most around chomped on hot dogs and drank Coke and gazed wistfully at the bonfire hoping for a good Summer! I forgot to mention that most were dressed in duvet type ski jackets, hats and gloves because it was so very cold. 

One of my favourite artists, Inge Look from Finland have just issued a May day card to celebrate the day, showing a May Day that I would like to be at. They've got frocks on rather than ski jackets for one thing. You can order her Calendars and cards even if you don't live in Scandinavia, just drop them a line.  

Mr Mole gets some new boots...
I finished Mr Mole a while ago, and something was missing, no feet or should I say paws. Well, this week I have finally put things right and given him a wonderful pair of wool boots and pipe cleaners inserted into his legs so that he can be a bit more mobile. 

I think he likes them... 

Springtime Picnics

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New "Grab-it" Button for my blog
You may have noticed that I have increased my focus on updating this blog, and putting a few gadgets to make it easy and fun to use. Well, I have long admired the "grab-it" buttons  on my favourite blogs like My Repurposed Life and today I learnt how to make one. I would not have a chance without good free online tutorials like the Code It Pretty blog - Thank you Karen ! 

Picnic, Bucket and Spades....

Blue skies at last, and a bright ( if not warm) sun bring everyone out of doors, clearing the garden, dusting off the garden furniture and even heading for the beach ( here are least). Which brings to mind this lovely print from a French Women's Magazine from 1949, that I found at a French Brocante last summer.  I just noticed that the magazine was for the month of July... oh well,  there's no harm in hoping is there...  

If this inspires you to get your picnic kit ready, I have founds  a few great free tutorials to make vinyl backed blankets at The Cottage Home and super stylish picnic baskets by Juneberry Lane  which are otherwise so expensive to buy. Happy Picnic-ing.  

Dogs on Wheels.... new and old

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New Banner for the Crazyhound

First of all, I hope that you like the new Crazyhound Store Banner. The image came courtesy of Karen at the Graphic Fairy. The place to go for copyright free graphics that you can use for the web, or for an amazing range of craft projects. So much choice and so little time...    

Dogs on Wheels ! 

I have to admit it, I have a thing about those toy dogs, usually fox terriers mounted on wheels with a metal handle at the back to push them along on. The texture of the fur was soft and glossy, and they helped you to whiz around when you weren't too speedy on your pins yourself. I had one when I was small, and I loved it to bits. I have no idea what happened to it more is the pity. I think it was a bit like this one.... 

1930s Vintage Fox Terrier Wheeled Dog

But I am more than happy to find that models are still being made by independent designers and makers like North Field Primitives in Yorkshire, England. Great isn't it ! I am sorely tempted... 

 Happy Rolling.....

Dog Photography and Dog Patterns for a Late Spring

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Dog Models and Photography

At a Brocante last month I cam across this great Pattern for a dog coat, I would guess from the 1960s or 1970s. 

Two things occurred to me, with some experience of trying to get a dog to pose for the camera, how did they manage to get the poses in those days. We find that it is so difficult to catch the moment even with digital cameras and editing, and a good supply of treats. If you want to leanr more,  Learn My Shot on You Tube and Antoine Khater's post here with 9 tips for success has helped me.  I must thank Mr Cs invaluable skills of course without whom I would be lost. Here are a few shots of a recent shoot...

Finally.. a good pose, but Frank looks a bit miserable...  

Frank courtesy of Narkibar at Flikr.com

Dog Coat Patterns

Also, the designs with the super chunky rib, still good after all these years. What about the names though? Maybe something got lost in translation....

With the late Spring meaning that our little furry friends could still do with  a warm coat to keep the East winds at bay I found some neat patterns and off the peg items that you may like to try... 

 
Short at sweet number from Mailo.   What a good pose, I wonder how they managed to capture the pose so well. 

Woolly Hats from PoshPooch Designs above

Or perhaps a 3d standup card of your favourite Pooch that sits still and looks beautiful,without the need for treats is more your line? This example is made by Just Like Pictures. 

Whatever your fancy, keep warm and keep crafting.  

Happy Easter from the New Guys and Crazyhoundstore

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Something in the Air

 Earlier this week I mentioned about some new designs I was working on... 

On the right, Black and White "Eric" was inspired by Harvey and the Rabbit advert that was on TV last year

And the Grey number, "Eardley" well I wanted to make a dog with BIG EARS and this is what came out. I am also really happy with the new body shape..

And this little guy, who is 50 Years old this year, with a repaired and re-stuffed neck, but minus his tail, probably has a lot to answer for as an inspiration for all my animal crafts.. Thank you Candy. 

Enjoy the holidays everyone.

New Designs for Spring

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Dogs, dogs, dogs, Oh I am obsessed from time to time with ways to improve my doggy socks, to stand better, to be more "huggable". I blame the annual Crufts show for this madness. Rarely does one get the chance to see so many weird and wonderful dog breeds in one place. I do realize that this is about a million miles away from Dogs Trust that I regularly support, but I was smitten by this years winner.. a "Petite Basset Griffon" . I think that our Mutt Frank must have some of those genes in him ! 
So... moving swiftly onto my new designs:
 These are the proto-types for you  to peruse and any feedback is welcome. These guys have longer more expressive ears, hand painted eyes, and a more fixed /stable body shape... Not sure about the new body.