hello pineapples

Ring ring ring ring, bananaphone

Something I've been working on recently:



Bananaphone! It's how sock monkeys make phone calls.



(It's crappy photo quality because I used my camera phone)

That's the first one. There are some things I plan on changing to the design, but I'm happy with it. The yellow part is from a sheet of cheap craft felt. The buttons were needle felted on. Then I did some embroidery as I am not skilled enough with the felting to put the numbers on that way. The speaker bit at the bottom started out as felting, but that didn't work so I switched to french knots.

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, September 21, 2009 1 comments  

filed under: embroidery, felt, plush

Eye eye: safety eye roundup

Yesterday was my first my first attempt at using safety eyes. The monkeys are always button or embroidered eyes, but there was something about the sweater bear that called for safety eyes and nose. Since I had to look online for sources of eyes/noses and how to use them, I thought I'd share what I found.

My original plan was to buy them in town, but eyes weren't easy to find - at least not around here. I did find some at Michael's craft store, but they had a very limited selection (that's why I used 18mm eyes on him). I'm a bit picky about the eyes I will use. I only like it when they are black or dark brown. I've seen others use coloured eyes well in their work, but I'm not able to envision my project with these eyes because they sort of creep me out (the eyes, not other crafter's work). My future eye purchases will most likely be online, seeing as I can find more sizes in the colours I want.

Noses were even harder to find. I definitely had to go online for those. Since I had no idea what the sizes would be or what size I needed, I went with a sampler pack I found in an etsy shop. Another place I've found online, which has a bigger selection, is Suncatcher Eyes (you've probably seen their ad if you read the Needle). Suncatcher Eyes is also on etsy, if you prefer to shop there.



Since I was not really sure how they work, I hit the google and my bookmarks in search of info on the safety eyes. I found good explanations on eHow, as well as on the Suncatcher Eyes site. It's pretty self-explanatory, but I wanted to make sure I had it right.

Mochimochi Blog also offers a good tutorial on all kids of eyes for your plush work, not just safety eyes. A good tip on using safety eyes from Mochimochi: there's a chance that kids can pull them out of knitted toys, which sort of defeats the point of the safety feature.

One thing I did learn is that you have to cut a small hole in fabric like felt, something you can probably avoid in most knitted or crochet toys. I need to work on getting them even. Once the hole is cut, you're kind of stuck. (although, some of my "consultants" tell me that the crooked eyes work).

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Thursday, October 30, 2008 0 comments  

filed under: how to, plush, roundup

New Plush WIP: Creepy or Cute?

I finally got around to working on a plush toy I've been planning.

Inspired by the monsters sewn by Blythe (a local artist I admire), I felted an old Gap cardigan (that I bought second hand, years ago) with the intention of turning into a toy. The sweater sat around for ages as I collected my thoughts and safety eyes and noses. I started thinking that it would make an interesting bear. Why a bear? I have no idea. Teddy bears have never really been my thing. Despite that, I took the plunge this morning and here my results:

1. pattern made from tracing Ikea PS Brum bear on newspaper:



2. He was a bit too bit too big, so I had to cut down the pattern:



3. Attempted sewing lots of rounded edges, which is still a bit of a challenge for me, and ended up with this guy:



Compared to the pattern's "muse":



And his head shot:



His eyes are crooked and a bit bigger than I'd like (I only have 18mm eyes on hand) and I haven't decided if I should embroider on a mouth or not. What I haven't taken a picture of is that you can see the thread at his seams. Overall, he's either cute or he's a weird craft mishap. I think I need to get back to the drawing board before I can introduce this dude to the world of craft fairs.

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 2 comments  

filed under: craft mishaps, felt, plush, sewing, wip

Surprise! I'm a semi-finalist!

I had wanted to enter the Mochimochi photo contest and had grand plans to do so. Alas, for various reasons, my grand plans had to be put aside, the time wasn't there to stage an awesome photo. But I had taken this photo of my stackable cat at the vet:



I added it to the Mochimochi flickr pool and went about my business. I've been a bit behind in reading blogs lately, so when I clicked on Mochimochi in google reader, I was stunned! to see that I was a semi-finalist. In fact, I'm so surprised that I've been overusing exclamation marks left and right.

I really hadn't thought my little guy would even rank, but, hooray me! I'm a semi-finalist! (my reaction was, and is still,: "what the eff? I'm a semi-finalist? seriously? awesome!"). (my original plan was to ask the vet to post, but I quickly saw that he was too busy with real cats to hang out with knitted cats).

I knit this stackable cat while my cat Alistair was in quarantine at the vet. It was knit to look sort of like Alistair. Here's a shot of Al for comparison:



If Alistair were square and made of yarn, I think he'd sort of look like the stackable cat. But unlike Alistair, knitted cat was much easier to take to the vet. Check out Alistair in his carrier (going home, away from the vet...you'd think that would make him happy):



not so happy kitty.

Anyway, if you've got a minute, you should go vote for my stackable cat. Because votes would be awesome (even if I'm not the best one there).

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Thursday, August 07, 2008 2 comments  

filed under: cats, contests, knit, mochimochi, plush

Retail Therapy: Pineapples at Love, Me

I've been hanging out at Love, Me Boutique lately, picking up some working hours here and there. I really love the store. It's the sort of place where I'd work for free if I won the lottery. My last bunch of monkeys sold out (hooray!) and I've been trying to keep on top of the monkey supply and demand chain.

About two weeks ago, I was excited to see that some had sold, but then realized that sadly I forgot to take a picture. It was made out of some fantastic bright coloured socks (pinks and oranges) that I really loved. I am horrible at taking pictures of my work. I finish something, declare it done and walk away.

The same thing almost happened for a few other monkeys that are/were available, but I've been snapping pics as I shut down the store (hooray for camera phone):





I fell in love with the socks that made the monkey on the left. I found them while visiting my parents and knew that those socks would make a pretty spiffy monkey. The monkey on the right is made of what I like to call "pre-loved socks". That means I (or someone I know) used to wear the socks and they've been washed within an inch of their life (and any holes are conveniently covered).

Anyway, here are some other shots (apologies for any poor quality photos - low light + camera phone = kind of crappy photo):



Along with the two monkeys is Clem, the Sock Experiment. He's been "adopted" and is off to make new friends in his new home. Also in this photo: fable quilt (hanging up), dujoo onesies, uptown tub soap, cabin and cub wooden kids' bank, bobs and lolo DVD.

Here's a monkey I had a lot of fun making:



He is embellished with some fun times bedazzling studs. He also has pearly button eyes. I feel this gives him a bit of White Stripes-ishness. I think his studded cuffs and earring make him a bit of a bad-ass.



And finally, a pink monkey that was a pain in the ass to make. It's the sock that I melted:



The monkey did recover from the melted legs, but the result was substantially shorter legs than planned. But then, I like to think that their imperfections is what gives them character.

So that's it for now. If you're in Halifax, be sure to stop by the store. It really is lovely and full of awesome things that are all handmade by awesome artists and artisans.

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Thursday, July 24, 2008 0 comments  

filed under: arts and crafts, love me, loveme, plush, sock monkeys

Free Pattern Friday: Lobster time

My latest plush creation, which took frigging forever (well, just over a week really), was a felt lobster. He's off in the mail to his owner from a plush swap.



(please ignore my messy fridge)

I enjoy lobsters. That is not to say that I enjoy eating lobsters, but that I enjoy lobsters as a concept. You could say that they are my favourite crustacean. I've never actually eaten a lobster, which is sort of odd seeing as I live in a place where lobster is king. It is actually one of the few places on earth where you can buy a McLobster in the summer.




Seriously, I can only imagine that it's as gross as it looks/sounds. I'll try lobster one of these days, but it'll be fresh and not from McDonalds. And I probably won't be able to cook it myself.

My amusement with the lobster has even led to travels with a bobblehead lobster:



(Sadly, this is not one of the best photos I've taken of the lobster. Many of those were lost in the Toshiba Crash of '06).

Anyway, my lobster is not today's free pattern...but that's because no pattern exists. If I ever manage to make a pattern, I'll share it. Today's is for this guy:




A knitted lobster!

Words fail me. It is one of the cutest. The creator of this charming plush crustacean also has a pattern for a knitted buoy. I really enjoy the Maritime theme to her knitting. It speaks to the faux-Maritimer in me (I am technically what they would call a "come-from-away" or a "CFA").

Happy weekend!

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Saturday, March 08, 2008 0 comments  

filed under: free pattern friday, knit, patterns, plush, show and tell

Blogging 'bout a big Bag o' Buttons (I really like alliteration)

I turned thirty last month and my aunt/godmother sent me this:



A huge bag of buttons! Happy Birthday to me!

Here's the story of how these buttons came to be mine:

My aunt is a recently retired elementary school teacher (grade three I believe) in a small town on the east coast of Newfoundland. While talking to my mom one day, the subject of me and buttons came up and my aunt remembered this bag of buttons that had been at the school for as long as she could remember. Not sure if the buttons would still be there, she stopped by the school and lucky for me, they were there.

The buttons had been used over the years as a teaching tool for whatever the teacher could think of that needed buttons. Learning to count is the first thing that comes to mind. Since the buttons had been there so long, no one minded that they went home with my aunt. (at least, I assume no one minded or noticed). Now this big ziploc bag of buttons is all mine! No idea what I'll do with them. Some are fantastic, some have matches, others are just buttons that will come in handy for something someday.

Who knew a bag of old buttons could make a girl so happy?

So far, the buttons have been used to make the eyes of Clem, the sock thing:



I'm sure I'll find other uses for them.

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Friday, February 29, 2008 0 comments  

filed under: button stash, plush, show and tell

Free Pattern Friday: Little Hearts

I should probably change the subject to "Wee Hours of Saturday Morning Free Patterns", but it really doesn't have the same ring to it.

Anyhow, with V-Day around the corner, the crafty valentines are coming out fast and furious. One of my favourites are the Natalie Dee Valentines at Subversive Cross Stitch. I think Natalie Dee is my hero.

And ScotiaMade of Nova Scotia has some darling, yet feisty Valentines - perfect for those who are not into the saccharine sentiments.

But, as the subject indicated, this is about free patterns and this one from Mochimochi (creator of the ridiculously adorable Tubby) is pretty damn adorable:



Plush and knitting! together! Sensationelle! I've never been a huge fan of V-day, but I think I might whip up a few of those little guys and hand them out to friends.

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Saturday, February 09, 2008 1 comments  

filed under: free pattern friday, knit, plush

Plush You (and me)

I am an expert at procrastination. This means I rarely, if ever, enter my stuff into exhibits, get my work online, sell at craft fairs. I'm my own worst enemy. When it comes to my crafts, my put-it-off-ness is partly because I'm new at this sort of thing and partly because I'm still trying to write a thesis (also subject to procrastination). I could be submitting stuff into faculty/alumni/student/staff shows at my current school and my alma mater, but haven't. I mean to, but something always comes up and I miss the deadline. But this time! Well, it might have been last minute, but I did manage to submit an entry into Plush You 2008. Because it is last minute, my photos aren't the best and there's a good chance I won't make it this year - but you never know. Stranger things have happened. This is what I submitted:

Luck Cat:

crochet octopus:


Sock Monkeys:




and my most recent work, the peacekeeper potato:


Who knows what will become of my entry...but my fingers are crossed.

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, January 21, 2008 0 comments  

filed under: plush, plush you, sock monkeys

Somewhat Political Pineapples: Stuffed (Peacekeeping) Potatoes

Recently, I heard that the UN declared 2008 to be the International Year of the Potato. It struck me to be a little ridiculous, considering all that is going on in the world - wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, crises in Darfur and Kenya, to name only a few.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy potatoes. I enjoy them mashed, fried, roasted, boiled, stuffed, and au gratin. I even understand the importance of the potato to people and cultures - I know all about the Irish and the potato blight. I've been to PEI and I know how important it is to that Island. Stompin' Tom taught me as much with his classic song, "Bud the Spud".

Looking at the website Potato2008.org, I fear that this "year of the potato" has been created more for the financial gain of countries that grow potatoes and companies that sell them. I also fear that this declaration lessens the importance of other "international years" just a little bit - such as the years of women, the child and the girl child.

Now to bring this rant back to crafts: when I heard about the year of the potato, it gave me an idea for a plush toy. And so I present to you, the Peacekeeper Potato:



He's made out of that wretched flannelette I had used for my gingerbread men and his beret is felt. I employed the services of the lovely Mrs. Downstairs and she sewed him up on her sewing machine. My thesis proposal was due to go to my second reader on Friday and there just wasn't the time to hand stitch the little bugger.


here he is next to a Yukon Gold from PEI:



and for a back view of his little beret:



Portrait:



To be truthful, his moustache was inspired by LGen Roméo Dallaire - but out of my admiration for him. While a plush potato may seem ridiculous, my thinking behind it was that as silly as it looks, it is no more ridiculous than dedicating this year to the potato. I'm not saying that people shouldn't celebrate and promote the humble potato, I just think that the UN has better things to do with its time and money.

I only hope that other tubers get their own years. Otherwise, the yam and the cassava might get jealous. (rice, being the number one food crop, got its own year in 2004).

Posted byHello Pineapples! on Sunday, January 20, 2008 1 comments  

filed under: plush