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!
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!
Oh aren’t those darling! Congrats on the new book. So happy to hear it and I love the first one you sent me.
Happy new year to you and yours, Abby!
congratulations…. what a great acheivement. I luv these guys you have been workingon.
luv Abby
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!
It’s been a delight to watch you work, Abby.
Happy New Year, etc etc.
wow, these are wonderful! -kb
Happy New Year Abby. I can’t wait to see the creations you’ll introduce on 2008.
Happy New Years to you too!
wow, i just discovered your photos on flickr. your work is absolutely beautiful!
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!
beautiful. i always love checking in on your work. you’re on a wonderful path. happy new year.
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.
These new ones are lovely! The elephants look marvelous, so much personality. I particularly like the mustard bird.
How sweet and lovely! I love what you make!
Your work is wonderful. My granddaughters would love the horse!
Happy new year!! What fantastic elephants, they are so cool!
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