Monday, March 12, 2007

The elephant in the room

In December I got talked into taking a class to learn to make felt elephants. I'm glad I went, because it was a fun project and very easy, even for the sewing-challenged such as myself. I liked it so much that I made a second one for a new baby I know.


The photo is purposely fuzzy, in an attempt to hide the poor stitching on the first (orange) elephant. Her newer, blue friend is a bit better crafted, and I learned not to over-stuff the animal. I just learned that the woman who designed the elephant pattern is going to make a pig pattern, and I can't wait. In the mean time, I am working on using my new-found blanket stitch skills to edge a bib made from a scrap of oil cloth. I am a complete oil cloth addict, and own several items from Love Shine. Now that I live on the west coast and it is less convenient to pop over to New York for the weekend, I'm reduced to making my own bags, etc. To wit:


This is a work in progress; I need to finish the stitch around the outside, and add some velcro to the top.

Oil cloth is fantastic. It doesn't unravel, it repels water (and food), it comes in amazing colors and patterns. If it was a little less stiff, I would make a whole oil cloth wardrobe for myself.

And because I think it is so cool, I wanted to show you the felt board that my mother-in-law made for Ada:


Why didn't I think of this? Why didn't you think of this and tell me about it?

13 comments:

  1. it's nigh on impossible to get oil cloth in anything other than gingham designs over here - am coveting your sunflowers . . t

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  2. don't know why there's a 't' on the end there!

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  3. i love all the crafty stuff you are doing these days. we've got to get together and craft some time....

    i love the elephant, so fun.

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  4. Those elephants are great, nice work!

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  5. We are in a Babar love-phase after she got this for Christmas from a friend.

    How much are your elephants?

    ps.. p-man is in awe there is an elephant making class.

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  6. All the stuff is great - I love love love the bib!

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  7. I, too, am an avowed lover of zee oil cloth. I want to design a diaper bag out of the stuff. (wanna get on board with me on that? we could craft at playgroups! haha, that's a good one.)

    and that felt board is fab.

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  8. I'm impressed, really. I'm not remotely crafty.

    Loooove the elephants!

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  9. Cool elephants. Felt boards are also great - must dig out dudelet's. he inherited an ancient set of Thomas The Tank engine flat felt figures for boards that look like utter antiques.

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  10. I have a fondness for elephants. Especially those that you have created. Buttercup said the word Ella-fent yesterday. I beamed.

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  11. I had a stuffed elephant when I was little. I haven't been reading your blog for awhile and just want to let you know how much I enjoy reading it when I do. Having a bunch of posts to read all at onces makes me realize it all the more.

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  12. Love this elephant! Do you mind sharing your pattern source, or is this your own pattern?

    Dixie

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  13. Dixie - it is not my pattern, but if you shoot me an email I can give you the info for the woman who made the pattern.

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