some soft toys for a change!
I made these five elephants for a new children's store called Pajama Squid that will be opening in my home state of Maryland in March 2008.
I got some good news a few months ago from Penguin Putnam Australia, the publisher of the book Softies that came out this past fall. Apparently the book has been quite a success and they are going to be making another one this coming fall - Softies II. I'm really excited that they asked me to contribute again. I'm working on writing up the pattern for the elephant and the patchwork horse and making finished toys to be photographed for the book. This is the finished horse
and I'll be working on the finished elephant in the next few weeks.
It has been interesting to return to these patterns now, after many months of working on birds. What used to seem so time consuming to me now seems relatively painless to do and that is so pleasing.
This May I will have been sewing in earnest, which for me means sewing every day, for three full years and in that time I have learned so much. I still have a ways to go. Hey, I just got a zipper foot and a free motion foot for my machine and have barely used either one! But I have come a long way. And I still feel really absorbed by soft sculpture. I know this new year will bring new ideas and creative paths to follow.
Wishing you all a happy, and crafty, new year!
those elephants are cute cute cute!
Posted by: Rebekah | December 30, 2007 at 02:54 PM
I just adore your elephants. The horse is beautiful too, but the elephants just nudge it for me. I'll be looking out for that book!
Posted by: Vonnie | December 30, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Oh aren't those darling! Congrats on the new book. So happy to hear it and I love the first one you sent me.
Posted by: Miss Sassy | December 30, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Happy new year to you and yours, Abby!
Posted by: Maritza | December 30, 2007 at 04:07 PM
congratulations.... what a great acheivement. I luv these guys you have been workingon.
luv Abby
Posted by: Abby | December 30, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Congratulations on the future book and thank you for the inspiration. I have just taken up sewing again and can get pretty discouraged by the slow progress. I just bought a new machine with zipper foot and free-motion...so much to learn! Here's to the year ahead and the many skills to be acquired!
Posted by: Carrie | December 30, 2007 at 06:43 PM
It's been a delight to watch you work, Abby.
Happy New Year, etc etc.
Posted by: Shula | December 30, 2007 at 09:24 PM
wow, these are wonderful! -kb
Posted by: kelly | December 31, 2007 at 02:36 AM
Happy New Year Abby. I can't wait to see the creations you'll introduce on 2008.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | December 31, 2007 at 08:18 AM
Happy New Years to you too!
Posted by: Jen | December 31, 2007 at 12:24 PM
wow, i just discovered your photos on flickr. your work is absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: cindy k | December 31, 2007 at 03:29 PM
I am sure you will have loads of fun with your free motion foot!
Congratulations on the book -- it would be great if it could be sold outside of Australia!
Posted by: willownt | December 31, 2007 at 06:47 PM
beautiful. i always love checking in on your work. you're on a wonderful path. happy new year.
Posted by: tifanie | January 03, 2008 at 12:04 AM
I love the animals (tho' not nearly so much as the birds!) Make sure you put a disclaimer on anything with buttons: swallowing/choking hazard etc.
Posted by: Linda Dunn | January 03, 2008 at 03:37 PM
These new ones are lovely! The elephants look marvelous, so much personality. I particularly like the mustard bird.
Posted by: Eric Orchard | January 04, 2008 at 05:00 PM
How sweet and lovely! I love what you make!
Posted by: artycho | January 06, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Your work is wonderful. My granddaughters would love the horse!
Posted by: Cindra | January 07, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Happy new year!! What fantastic elephants, they are so cool!
Posted by: hannah | January 07, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Hi there. A friend just sent me a link to your blog because of your birds. I have been making little birds too. You can see them here: http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2008/01/fly-away-little-birds.html and here:http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2007/12/flock.html
Your birds are quite fabulous! And I am amazed at similarities between our birds, especially the floral tape wrapped legs, which I thought was such an original idea on my part! Yours came first, however. I guess there truly are no "new" ideas.
The owl, by the way, is spectacular. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Terry
Posted by: terry grant | January 13, 2008 at 02:04 PM