Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Stripy Cats

I haven't had a chance to post anything for a couple of days being busy with numerous chores around the house, baby, grocery shopping and different crafting projects. Preparations for a party that we hosted on the weekends added to our busy and stressful everyday routine.

The other days I came across some adorable soft toys here: http://www.redshoeshomegoods.com/photomod/polkadotdresser.jpg

I guess I am not the only one "shopping" for ideas and inspiration over the Internet.

Since I've never done knitted toys before and couldn't find any patterns handy I decided to improvise with a pair of needles and some cotton yarn. It happened to be fairly easy to make. I casted some stitches and knitted gradually decreasing their number; sew the top and side edges to make it look like a bag; and added ears on top. I've knitted two striped kitties in yellow and purple. To cheer them up I appliqued flowers as eyes and added additional flower to the crocheted tail on the back.









These are the finished cats.





Oh, yes! About the dresser from my previous post. It was definately a lot of work! Drawing the images on the dresser took me quite some time! I sanded it for a distressed look and put a coat of Shellac over it. With the exception of some imperfections that only I know about the dresser came out pretty good. At least for the first furniture painting project ever!

Monday, January 15, 2007

Dresser

Tonight I decided to cancel all the dinner cooking plans and finally start my new blog. Mostly I will write about my on-going craft projects. There are so many of them in my head! I just don't have time for all of them!



My latest project is painting the old dresser that for a while has been kept in my son's room closet. Having sentimental value to my husband it doesn't leave any hope for being donated. EVER... At the same time it's too dull and plain to be kept in open view. So, the work was started a few days ago from visiting Benjamin Moore's to pick up the main color. And the winner was .... classic burgundy.

For a theme I decided to go with the country images inspired by an old linen towel.





A few days later, after three gorgeous burgundy coats and one more trip to Ben, the dresser has got a "lift", not a complete makeover yet! Work on the country images has just been started.





The other days I received this adorable handmade dress from my new Australian friend. It was intended as a gift for my god daughter.