Fresh finds

Some works of those tallented Etsyians I've known before - like Mariska who designs and makes Fluffels. Or morninglori who makes hilarious-awfully sad critters called Chimians. They are not my only faves. You better look and check yourself, it's worth it.

taking advantages of driving by train

Last night, while travelling by train in the night, I completed two toys: tiny lamb with a coordinated mini tote bag (clove and ladybug pattern of Japanese fabric for decoration ears, and for a tote bag), decorated with elegant black, and a grey bunny with yellow pandas decorating her ears, and knitted turquoise a-shape dress. Completing these three (or even four things, including dress) took me about 4 hours - and it's not bad. Not bad at all! Do I become more and more skilled in hand sewing? No, I just could not sleep. Of course, I could not take any photo either - not for the blur, but for the no chance to upload my photos later, before I'd buy a new upload cable to my camera. Maybe tommorrow I will take some pictures with Kasia's camera.

To tell the truth, I wonder which one of the toys is better to go to very special and brave little girl - daughter of Adam's friends. The girl is 3 year old and is struggling with a tumor for a year. I hardly imagine her and her parents sufferings. I though about giving her this black lamb set, but maybe such a little girl would prefer real huggable bunny? I don't know - maybe it's not the most important issue of all, but I make my toys to bring some joy and smile to little ones.
Thinking about this particular little girl, and some other children I know that suffer from some terminall illnesses, made me realize how much I fear to lose my baby. Well, that's nothing new to any mother, but I used to think about myself as rather not fearing death person. But now I do.
I'better change the subject - I was planning to write just few words about travelling with a propable crazy guy, while sewing softies! And about my softies, that I can not post! Not about life and death...

So, returning to my lambs, I forgot, I have a new mobile cozy - made of black wool felt, lined with white subtle black floral printed cotton, with a white embroidered sheep and a shape of the Moon (waxing) on front. Pearl flat button closure with black ribbon. And black hanger stripe. I have it for a half of week, made with my own two hands. I'm planning to prepare some of such cozies for my shop soon.
And I should explain why I couldnt' sleep because of the company - amazing (and a bit weird) guy, sitting in the same compartment was trying to amuze me telling jokes and stories about quantum phisics, Sunday schools, transplantology, thanatopraxy, spiritual development, euthanasy, Roman-catholic Church, God, and jokes again... It was strange actually, but I decided to listen to him and talk to him because it's quite rare for me to discuss to real nuts (well maybe the word is not a nice one, but such people are beyond - normal). The thing I was occupied with a needle and fleece made me a better listener, I believe, and as I said, it was quite interesting to go for it: to listen to someone who has an opinion about EVERYTHING... Tiresome, but interesting.

As I see, The Needle.org is growing very fast into something very interesting. I can not wait to have a chance to post there again.

b-day and travelling with sheep

November 7 was my b-day. I turned 34! Amazing. And it was my b - like busy-day, as every Wednesday during the academic year. day of leaving home to travel Torun. Fortunately I had few minutes to upload new photos :) and to add new plushies to my shop : Hania and Hyacinth. Hyacinth is a girl who loves to dress up. She believes herself to be the best dressed sheep ever lived, well - you decide if she's right. And she tells everybody to clean their shoes before entering the house. She loves to keep all the house clean and tidy - perfect housewife, I suppose. But exept this little idiosyncrasy she's very nice and friendly creature. All she needs is ten compliments a day (at least!), some delicious hay and piece of salt once a week, and strong tea each morning and afternoon.
Her best friend is teddy bear named Lizette.
Hania was another sheep added this day. She's not completely newbie here for I posted photos of her in a witch dress . She is fine artist, her field is painting and graphics. As many artist she loves to wear black - this colour helps to concentrate and to focus on your goals. But her everyday suit is rather casual - like this white shawl - handmade by her. Hania's goal is to have a one-man show in MOMA and to have as large family as possible - she can adopt you too!
She's a master cook: you have to taste her leek soup, or tomato sause, or apple pie.... wonderful!
Together they look lovely, too. This time I took sheep with me for Kasia aka stasinina to chose one of them. Luckily, the tram was not crouded and they had a bench for themselves. Almost - our companion was travelling to Torun too, to join the army and sheep were listening his story with astonishment - they wouldn't join army for any reason!To make our long trip shorter, we chatted with co-traveller, and girls were posing me - instead of getting bored :) it gave us some occupation for a while. They were very sweet while travelling all night long: Hyacinth , Biba , Hermione , Fanny and Hania

I couldn't take them for lectures, unfortunately - I think my students would think that I'm crazy and it's not the communicate I'd like. So they were spending their time together in hotel at first, but in the evening we went out - to meet my friends. They liked the company very much, but didn't want me to photograph them in a venue decorated with a sheep head (sic!) and other animal heads... Friday afternoon, after two days of work, we had some time to chat and to have fun together (well, maybe it was not the greatest fun they had, but the only fun possible in university study :) ). Biba was quite interested how my students are working and she was checking one student's book. But she won't say a word about it - I'm confident about her discretion.
For having some spare time before leaving Torun, we decided to look how are our favourite bloggers and what's new at blogs. And we've found a touching, based on true incident, story about lost Little Cotton Rabbit . All sheep were moved to tears - they were sniffing and sobbing quietly actually - I haven't known they have so soft hearts! At first they cryed for scare that the same could happen to them, but at the end - for the happy ending!
In the end they declared they want to be heroines of a book and they want me to write it. Sooon! Hm... I have to think about it - I said, but they said - beeeeh, beeeh, do not think - act!

last kisses and hugs for goodbye
Originally uploaded by lalootka.

But soon we had to hug and kiss for goodbye. The girls knew why I took them to Torun - that one of them will go for adoption. And I shed a tear actually, thinking about separating with any one them. I though that Hyacinth would be the one. And she was! Knowing she has great fun with a new little girl who adopted her doesn't change a thing that I miss her. Good bye and take care, darling!



I had too many things in my tote bag - books, notebooks, and this small flock. But I knew there will be less sheep in my tote very soon...

My countrymen

After the Parliament voting I fell so much warmer feelings for my countrymen than before and proud of my countrymen again. And that reminds me that I haven't dedicate any room here for my flickr friends yet! And some Polish Etsyians too! So let's start - today few samples of talents from Poland . They are mostly involved in soft toys making, and other applied arts.
As for the voting - Maciek Blaźniak alias lowekrowe - have made a great banner advertising citizen's duty to vote. The motto is: "it's cool to have a voice"
Maciek's illustrations, inspired - according to his very own words - by Czech and Slovak old school pictures and old American children magazines, show very special sence of humour, like in this one - the clue is (information for foreigners only) that "Mr Kitty was sick" is an illustration to old fashioned Polish nursery rhyme...or this one - with a carrot monster. I hope more such illustrations would be edited in books for children currently! Ania Jedrzychowska aka mumka is on of my favourite soft pals makers. And this is Guillermo,
one of mumka's most recent creations. Ania is one of my countrymen (countrygirl?), very tallented, young teddy bear artist. I think her works stand any comparison with decided fames among teddy bears artists.
This cute teddy bear named Sprinkle in obviously Christmas outfit is her entry for 2007 Holiday Softie Awards and you can vote for it in Top 5 Animals Dressed for Holidays category More of her works you can find here .
Olga Kost and Krakart though she's not a toy maker she creates fairlytale paintings, like this fish and many others.
Asia Gromek aka tofu.girl is crochet toys artist from the Baltic coast. Her works are funny, witty,
little bit contrary, and ironic
but most of all - they are good craft toys. I can not decide which one of her critters I like the most - they all have very unique personalities.

Ania Polaczek aka Ida Borejko makes jewellery that is available at her here - I love turqoise! so I picked these earrings
Pasiasty Ludz - another flickr friend, is a girl who makes sweet and lovely ATC cards - some of them are still available ! My random selection are these:
and beautiful goodies like this notecard that she makes
Although we have a November, we can expect snow anytime - actually, snow in November is very common and does not mean it's gonna stay whole winter. For I LOVE White Christmas, I hope to put the spell on the weather to be like this on Janusz Leszczyński's photograph of winter What would advertise Poland better than nature, landscapes and Baltic gold! Amber is not just beautiful, it's very unique, healthy and has some magic inside (and I do not mean inclusions). Keram is an Etsy art gallery specialized in amber and tiffany stained glass. This necklase looks gorgeous - especially for those loving bold neck decoration . For those who love more traditionally looking jewellery this amber pendant would be even better.And to finish Polish post with international accent - I've found funny, simple and intriguing piece of paper art (one of my favourite subjects during my cooperation with World Crafts Council Polska) that shows Cracow Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) scuplted in 10 zloty -Polish bill - by nickolya . The author is not Polish unfortunately, but this item corresponds with my today post theme well. Does it look like beautiful adverstisement? For me it does.

Custom Order - Uma Meditating Toy Sheep

I decided to make some improvements in the drawstring bags - to add a "lalootka" label. As usual, even the label is handmade - drawn with a laundry marker.
But I also had to make Uma - Meditating Sheep Toy. It was a custom order from my old friend, Kasia, who was my classmate in secondary school and now, absolutely coincidently, lives and works in Torun (!), preparing her PhD dissertation. She wanted a special birthday gift for a special young lady, her children's friend. We discussed about New Age type of a sheep, then I've made Uma -
But Uma is nice and warm sheep - typical child of the Age of Aquarius. She wants everyone to be happy and to search inner self. For this she meditates (so far, the beginner) together with her bunny, Ferdinand. I've made a pillow for her, using my newest Japanese fabric with a sheepherder. Pillow is very useful for the beginners in meditating, to sit on, or to take a nap afterwords. She's a rentier - inherited lots of money - so she's not interested in job, so far.
For Uma is also interested in New Age religions, she's became an apprentice in Wicca . Pentagram and the shower of blessings above the embroidered sheep is for that reason.Kasia, who seems to like things hanmade (she's art historian) and connected with feminine power also, decided to buy my toy . And she did! Thank you, my second customer :)

my first etsy sell!

I am so happy recently - I've been voting, and for the party who won, and I have my first item at Etsy sold! It tastes great, I must say. Thank you Beeper Bebe who makes wonderful toys herself - look at this chicken in a toque.

I hope her lil boy will like Stas! And his companions also.
For Stas is the lucky one to be the first of my Etsy adopted toys.

new stock in the shop

Stas is a new addition to the Cuddly Flock ("new stock in cuddly flock sounds like rhyme, doesn't it?)
Stas is black, as well as his teddy bear Fritz (the pink background makes it a bit brownish). Made of fleece, wool shawl knitted by me. Toy's toys are made of felt, both app. 5 cm tall.

Stas is a young ram, who wants to study computer sciences, but so far works for a living as a baby-sitter: this time The Gingerbreads hired him to take care of their son. Wool shawl can be used as sling - very nice and compfortable way to carry little ones. Even for sheeps. Fritz, Stas' teddy bear helps him a lot in this task.

To pack my toys I've made cotton drawstring bags, nicely embroidered with a sheep. Two strings make a bag portable.
Stas is available in my shop together with other sheeps.