Thursday, August 12, 2010

Creature Feature

The menagerie is growing.


Yes, it's time to stand up and admit it. I'm Astrid, and I'm addicted to making small furry creatures out of my clothes.

They always start off as intended gifts for someone. I cut, I pin, and everything's fine. But then I add the face, and it all goes out of the window, because once they have faces, I can't bear to part with them. It's the eyes. The big round stitched eyes. Begging to stay.

Anyway, today I'm about to break my hoarding tendency. I'm going to give one of you-- yes, YOU-- the latest fluffy little beastie, who was just finished up yesterday. Meet Potato:


"Potato?" you say. "That's a bloomin' rabbit."

Correct. But Potato is named after the style of skirt he was cut from.

"A Potato skirt?" you say. "I've never heard of it!"

Let me explain. While I was sewing last night, Justin was interested to see what I was making, and I told him it was a rabbit, out of an old skirt of mine.

"Which skirt was that?" he asked.
"The one that looked like a potato sack," I said.
"Oh, I liked that one!" he said.

Now, perhaps it's just me, but if you can describe a piece of your clothing as "the thing that looks like a potato sack" and people know what you're talking about, then you should not be wearing it. And perhaps, if your piece of clothing has an elasticated top and bottom, and you can wear it at five months pregnant, and it's made of wool, and you live in sweltering Texas, then maybe it's time that garment became a stuffed rabbit.


Yes, he has a big round felted red tail. You know you want him.

So, all I'm asking is that you just take a second to leave me a quick comment, a "hello" or a link to your own page, or whatever you'd like. I've been inspired by this post on connections, and would love to know who out there is connecting with me through these posts, and to connect with you back. Because I love that you're here reading. I love that my dailyness and silliness and stuffed rabbits matter to you.

I'll give it until next Thursday afternoon, a week from now... let's say 2pm... and pick a random number for who'll be getting Potato. Sound fair?

19 comments:

Digital Misfit said...

He is adorable! It is probably best that the skirt be reborn as a sweet bunny. Stretchy wool does not sound like the most sound fashion concept in TX ;)

hugs from up north!

Heidi
heidig@gmail.com

Stacy Kraus McDonald said...

Aww, Potato is so cute! I hope he can leave his friends behind... they are so cute, it might be hard.

Loreal said...

Ahhh... this post cracked me up! I just love hearing about these conversations with Justin... I can just hear them and see them in my imagination! And it brings back memories to see your tray that you painted blue!

ambergoulet said...

If only I could see Potato's Mum Potato Sack Skirt! I was amused by the description. :) It makes me want to draw people in awkward clothing holding stuffed animals that match. ;) Potato is the perfect name for that little guy. :)

Since you suggested a link I'll share my blog:

http://ambergoulet-art.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

hello

Justin said...

hello-non-anonymously.

I really want that rabbit

Gem said...

What I like most about this story is that Justin knew which skirt you meant by the description - and he liked it. That's love, you know you've got a good one when they like you in anything. x

Ingrid said...

What a wonderful wabbit to appear from woolly wemnants.
Coyote would love potato to come join him in China. Hope you have loads of connections through this fun post.

Cindy said...

Ah Astrid you are so clever... Such a cute rabbit... The story about Justin still has me chuckling.... Can't wait to see little Tilly soon.

Nanny said...

I LOVE Potato and your cute story! I look at your posts and Kristin's posts at least twice a week. If Potato comes to Kansas, he would have to live with Aaron so that he and Tilly would have an animal connection:-)

Jadyn said...

This post made me laugh. And Potato is adorable!! Not bad to go from a potato sack skirt into pure cuteness.
Maybe your addiction could turn into a business? You could create cute animals to your heart's content and make the world a happier place turning pieces of old/bad clothing into cute animals one by one. Only saying goodbye to them all the time might be hard...

Amapanther said...

Hi, I am Amaranta, I live in Mexico; I spent many months with my boyfriend in Florida (a lovely period that ended this June, because of visa related issues), and now I suffer from Florida/boyfriend withdrawal ...
My blog keeps me sane http://hello-my-little-world.blogspot.com/
For my blog I search giveaways, and this is how I happened to stumble upon your blog.
Anyway, have a nice day.

Unknown said...

Sounds fair. Always connecting with you through blog and flickr, love watching "our"Tilly grow. Now how can the baby and the parents of a family I have never met seem like friends, Flickr and your lovely blog. Well done.

Anonymous said...

I love potatoes. I love bunnies. I love skirts. I love stuffed animals. I love crafting. :)

Kristin said...

Too cute! I love reading about your creations and daily life. I wished we lived closer so we can hang out!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure you want to part with such a bundle of cuteness??? Astrid, you are so inspiring in your creativity!

Anonymous said...

So adorable! And I love the name Potato-- I've long said that my next cat will be named Potato (for no particular reason other than cuteness). But I think the name suits this little rabbit even better :)

Mami Made It said...

Your creatures are so lovely and cute! And I understand why you don't want to give them away.

M'Lynn said...

I have been in Seattle and the little 5 year old girl I am staying with saw "potato" and said: "that girl must be an artist, I want everything she makes" SO CUTE!