Swinging moods of blogspot... For comforting - Fishcakes

Today my blog is trojan free.... fuffiness of blogspot amazes me, indeed. One day it's fine - another - it's not. But - who cares. I visit here once in a while (for this heck trojan thing that none of my computer scientists friends and family members understands and can stop).

To comfort myself in face of capricious blog space, I want to recall one of my favourites: Fishcakes by uber-tallented and endowed with a peculiar sense of humour Voz Perkins . I like her doodles since I saw them, quite some years ago, on flickr (yes, there was a time, when I was doing doodles myself....) Kid's Kitchen Set with an apron embroidered with her "I Cook" and "I Bake" monsters, and coordinated set of recipe cards is still the coolest cooking/ baking set ever.
(And I LOVE Mahar Drygoods for great taste for children's toys, accessories and costumes - I've taken the photo of Voz's kitchen set from their site - thank you)
The sketcheress produced a lot of goods for last two years - you can see them (and buy them) here and many other places, too.

"Stay for Lunch" series with her whimsical monsters looks delicious - I can't wait to see them in person.

Henio doggie softie and his collection

Henio doggie softie and his collection, originally uploaded by lalootka.

Finally I borrowed a camera to upload my photos. They've beem waiting for this for more than a month.
Henio is ready to play. He's my own pattern and made especially for Bartuchna, friend of ours as a custom order for his nephew. It was meant to be an Alsatian shepherd, hehe.
Now I think next time I should make similiar doggie larger - children like large toys. And those tiny, too, but medium size is rather for larger children (read: grownups)
P.S. I've realized that Henio is very much in style of my wolf finger puppet

design wish list

Reading How About Orange - one of my favourite design blogs, I followed link to PictoBrowser handy tool that lets you display a Flickr photo set in a blog post, like this one below. I like it! Cool. This time something that corresponds with my craving for arranging new flat. Of course, there is MUCH more objects, inspirations and fantastic rooms I'd love to put here. And maybe I will.

otter - pattern altered

otter, originally uploaded by lalootka.

In last July I've made a pattern for an otter - simple, but the result plush was cute and funny. Yesterday, I've altered a bit this pattern, added different ears and paws, different features and long pink tongue, and I've made an Alsatian shepherd. Grey one. It looked like dog ready to aport - ready to play with a child, of course. As still without camera I can only present this old one STUFF :) and wish to have my camera asap to show this cute little doggie.
Without possibility to pop any photo of my newest toys I feel handicaped.... But, even without it, lalootka brand is improving. Slowly but constantly.
And, last thing, I was wandering about registering trade mark and any copyrights to my toys. Both otter and doggie are rather unique, (at least I believe them to be unique) and as I've recently seen some bears that were OBVIOUSLY "inspired" by my bears, I'd like to know that my other toys won't be treated this way.

On the other hand - maybe I misjudge the situation - internet pushes us to multiple the forms, not to make any originals. But we just love the illusion of originality and uniqueness. And so do I.

And, ah - I've almost forgot - doggie was sold in an instant!

Noferin

Few days ago I was happy to acquaint (not in person, yet :) ) with Noferin and I've been enchanted by their toys and paintings since then. I can not help writing about them.

Under this misterious name of Noferin's been hidden tallented duo of Australian artists, Candy and Nico.

They make wood characters, called Pecanpals, from the name of the most important one: Pecan the Story-teller. Words other than "cute", "lovely", "sweet" don't make the justice to Pecanpals. These wood figurines are handmade and painted with high gloss enamell paint.
But I also like their paintings and graphics: paintings for the skillful use of plywood as a base, and graphics (glicee) for showing all the beauty of plywood.
Their website is all pleasure to watch and browse, so are their bios to read - check yourself here

Happy New Year! to everyone

It's been very long time since my last post and - in a way - I'm starting anew. Mostly about softies, but I wouldn't be me if I resign of writing few words about my family and family affairs. Today few things:

1. Last time I had a chance to post here I was planning to go to Poznań to large crafts and handmade goods fair. But I got cold and it was much much better just to leave all the items (Adam's earrings and my toys) to Maja, friend of ours, who is artist working in glass herself (she makes beautiful glass earrings!) and entrust her selling them. Few of my toys were sold. Maybe next year I'll be much more determine to participate in this event - I believe it's worth. But now I know that I need to be prepared much better and take part in it right from the beginning till the very end.

The worst thing about toys that were left in Poznań was - I haven't taken ANY photo of them! I'm affraid they are lost forever for my documentary - snif, snif...

2. Ada had her 2nd birthday! I can't believe how quickly these two years passed! Lucky girl could celebrate her anniversary for couple of days and had two parties: one for the family elders and the second - for parent's friends and her own friends. The most attractive thing for her was blowing the candles! She wanted me to light them up again and again - and she enjoyed herself blowing. Grandgrandmother'd made her raspberry cake and I - apple pie.
Here is my apple pie - unfortunately the photo can not give a justice to all the beautity of spice smelling apple pie with a wonderful crust (I'm not especially modest when it comes to my apple pie).
3. Unexpectadly - and I still burst with joy - I've received a letter from Kristen of Schmancy and PlushYou! that she'd seen my toys and liked them enought to mention about them in her blog! . I was (and I am still) so thrilled and flattered by this - she's a well known toys seller, toys shows organizer and blogger. Her kind opinion about my plushies encouraged me to send an application for PlushYou2008 exhibition. And now I keep my thumbs up for my application!

4. I added new cathegories to my shop : bears, bunnies and magpies. As usual all the toys are based on my sketches - so is magpie decoration. I chose magpies for the mix of my favourite colours: black and white. I prefer toys in these two colours. To make this cute bird, I've used 100% wool felt that I'd bought in Poznań, and I'm extremely happy for that purchase. I decided to make a limited edition of 18 of these cuties and tra-la! my dear trinlayk - my kitty swap partner (the reminder of my swap - here) had bought her! Hope it'll bring me luck :)
Zuleikha can be proud of her family - here is family picture before departure. Toys look funny together, I believe.
For Renate and her baby Michael I've made a custom order - baby blanket and bear - all in white with blue decorations. The eyes of a bear (I called him Ignatz) are hand embroidered for baby's safety.
This toy is quite satisfactory, had been bought already but recently I've designed another bear and I'm going to make it very soon. This next one will look more mature, and - what's more important - will be larger. I still want to buy growlers someday to add real beary touch to my plushies. But "someday" is a keyword for now.
And here is Iphigenia bunny - or I should rather call her - a hare (haress?). Iphigenia had been adopted, just before Christmas, and is on her way to USA for some time. I just worry that problems in postal service in Poland can cause her huge delay. Usually it takes about 10-14 business days for priority mail to get there, but now - they say that it can take twice more! But she's brave bunny, and has her softie with her so little S. girl will have her plushie in good condition., I believe.
5. Last but definately not least - I've been invited to the group the needle.org and blog under the title the needle.org the art of plush" by Claire from absolutely small ! Lucky me to be noticed by tallented flickrians. I love Claire's explanation for the reasons of founding the needle - read about it here , and join us. And now I just have to write something short but intelligent about my newest creations :) - I hope that this new collaborative circle will encourage me to be more systematical in posting!

new friends of ours - Zuleikha and Important-things Pouch

Zuleikha in her dress
Originally uploaded by lalootka.

Zuleikha - brand new bunny, in her brand new dress. Knitwear, actually, very modern.
She's a prototype of my new type of bunnies, and I think her flexible legs and arms can be even better that those short for chubby and small ones. She's large, about 30 cm tall (including ears).

All made of polarfleece in trendy grey :) but the insides of ears are made of soft and beautiful Japanese cotton bought in superbuzzy

(expencive shippment but fabrics are sooo worth it).
I made her eyes of 7mm safety eyes, smaller than usually my recent toys have, but I like this look. Or maybe I like HER look because her eyes sparkle with intelligence :)
She loves to chat - I don't mean "small talk", I mean nice conversation and friendly company - her arms suggest that she protects against something, or someone, but it's just a pose - maybe she was a bit shy of posing a photo... She also likes sports - yoga and hanging head down. And skipping - but that's quite ordinary with bunnies. Yesterday - when I finished her - they were jumping and skipping together with Ada and I hardly persuaded them for bath.
Well, Zuleikha sais that hanging body down stimulates the brain . But to what? I will have to observe her and her achievements and then I will find out. As a prototype she goes to Ada, but I must say, I'd love to kidnap this toy to Torun today - she looks so cute! (Maybe I should be constantly unsatisfied with my sewing abilities and skills of making softies, but I like my plushies! Very much!)

Soon I will have new sheep and new drawstring bags to present. The Day of Hadmade Fair in Poznan is coming closer and closer. I do not know if I'd be ready. Maybe if I don't sleep - at all!

I have to make some more photos of Zuleikha in her beautiful knitted dress in the snow - we have lovely snowy here. And to make a bag for her, too.

**************

AAAA, I've got a mail today: parcel with a "thank you" - in POLISH! How sweet and touching! From Xin and Enqi from Maki Squarepatch. Thank you, girls.
I bought their Important-things Pouch and I simple love it. It's even more sweet and lovely "in person" then at the photo. It's a good lesson of merchendising also, for they add some postcards made especially for Christmas, with their softies displayed (this time"xmas hoho brothers" series of seasonal Maki Squarepatch softies). Everything so nice and thoughful - they are both gifted artists.
My only worry is that this Important-things Pouch won't be mine - my Very Important Person is very interested in having this beautiful "doll" as she calls is.

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.