November 4, 2008

I'm still here...!

Can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted, school holidays are now over until christmas, and our break was jam packed full of playdates, visiting family, shopping for new furniture, building new furniture all intermingled with a lot of coughing and colds all round.

I have been playing with my sewing machine though, and given the freehand embroidery a whirl...

am working on transforming the cotton reel idea into pin cushions for Etsy.

But look what happens when you visit your mum for a few days and leave your sketchbook unattended, her new puppy tries to eat it!

Now that the first issue of 'Sew Hip' has arrived in the shops, if you do make a kitten from my pattern, please do join the Flickr group to show and tell.

I am at that point with design work where I need to do some brainstorming and expand my pattern portfolio, so will be spending some time working on new ideas for a range of small softies.  While I am doing this, I am going to document the process and feature it here, in a series of blog posts.  The first will cover ideas, inspiration and development, the second will talk about selecting materials and making a prototype from your initial pattern, and the third will cover the finer details, embellishing and finishing off your softie.  Hopefully this series will inspire the designer within you to emerge!

But first things first, in order to kick start the whole process, how about a few ideas from YOU!

What shall I make?, animal, insect, plant, doll or inanimate object?

25 comments:

Sarah C said...

I would love to see some sea creatures!!!

Locket Pocket said...

I'm looking forward to your new series of posts because the thought of designing something myself always scares me silly - but perhaps it is something I could do?!

Lucy x

Mrs Moog said...

Because I love to see all the different interpretations of an old favourite I'd like to see a doll....please...thank you :-)

xxx

French Knots said...

How about some little houses? Oh yes, a village with shops and a country pub!

Kitty said...

I'm really looking forward to seeing how your design process works - I'm sure it'll be fascinating.

What to make? Hmmmm .... all your stuff is so lovely. I know you like to work small, so a little person would be good? A pixie? A fairy? A character from a Fairy Tale?

x

Lina said...

Great that you're including us on your design journey, I'm really interested to see how your process works. I'd love to see more inanimate objects or plants please!

Rachel said...

I think some kind of inanimate objects would be interesting. I like French Knot's idea of houses, or how about some kitcheny-type things, maybe an aga perhaps?

Tom de Minas said...

I post before but i'm so patetic" and my english is so bad that i' dont know where I wrote! :)

I hope that you see my testimonial whem I said how I admire your amazing job!
Congratulations!

I do the bird, dont do as good as you but, I try!

xxx

Anonymous said...

amy,
yet another cute creation to fly off your needle. i love the pins and needles embroidered onto the top.
x

Becky J. said...

love the idea of following along with the design process. thanks for inviting us!

Anonymous said...

what you are going to make next. how about some alien animals? fantasy, funny, fluffy, friends?

Things Hand Made said...

Thats ounsd like some interesting posts coming up, inanimate object for me please!

ittybittyandpretty said...

as an absolute beginner it would be great to understand the process. i have a sketch book and i have used it but i am too scared with the next step of putting it all together. i would love to see something for easter so that i can get making now in the hopes it will be ready !*_*! rosey

Fancy Elastic said...

insects, insects, insects... I am mad about bees, dragonflys and moths. Ooh, lovely.

soph said...

Sounds like some interesting posts are coming up! It might be cool to see your take on a doll or something different like a penguin or a shark?

Julie said...

That pincushion is really sweet. Can't wait to see your creative process series. I love to see the
"behind the scenes".

Jennifer Katherine said...

You have such a lovely blog! :)

Annie B said...

the milkwood household votes INSECTS!!!

jamjar said...

Just bought my copy of Sew Hip today, it looks fantastic and I will have a go at your little cat. As for ideas for other softies, guinea pig, mouse, or little dog.
Joy : )

Anonymous said...

Your blog is very nice ! thank you for tutorial .I put a link for you on my blog , for ideas...

Anonymous said...

Your blog is very nice ! thank you for tutorial .I put a link for you on my blog , for ideas...

Susan said...

How about a plant? Cant wait to see what it's going to be.

Anonymous said...

I love your work. You obviously have more patience than I do!

Carla

Cee said...

I love your work Amy. A few things I'd like to see from you include a seastar, an octupus and just to be different - a doll. A beautiful girly little doll.

Can't wait to see what you decide and to read your new ideas.

Cheers
Cee

Unknown said...

Amy - I can't believe how accurate your freehand embroidery is - I find it so hard ... any tips?