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The Knitted Odd-bod Bunch

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Anna

I’m very excited about this new book of knitted toy patterns!

The Knitted Odd-bod Bunch contains 35 patterns by Donna Wilson, a UK designer whom I hadn’t previously heard of. I love her funny and artistic versions of animals! I especially like the design of her book and its photography, most of which places the knitted creatures in scenes with hand-illustrated cardboard cutouts as props and scenery elements.

Looking at her website, it seems that Donna mainly concentrates on selling her finished toys and other goods instead of knitting patterns. It’s neat that she uses her designs in such a broad way, something I’ve been thinking about for myself lately.

50% Off at Dollar Jewelry

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Anna

This sight in Tulsa yesterday kind of made my day.

dollarjewelry

…until I got closer, and saw that the 50% off sale was for handbags only. I refuse to pay full price for my dollar jewelry.

Bonus! A Google search led me to this story about two burglars who broke into this very same jewelry store last year!

Pink and Marigold

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Anna

pinkandyellow

Everything should be one of these two colors.

A Rare (non-)Bird

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Anna

How would you like to find this funny fellow in your Easter basket this Sunday?

This ingenious platypus modification to the Which Came First pattern was dreamed up by Beforesunrise. She named her project “too abstruse,” after an Andrew Bird lyric, so this is one cool monotreme!

Check out Beforesunrise’s Ravelry project page for notes on her mods.

Happy Easter!

Only Somewhat Disappointing Botan Rice Candy Stickers

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Anna

You might remember that the last few stickers I got with purchase of Botan Rice Candy were extremely disappointing. In spite of that negative experience, I was feeling lucky during a recent trip to Pearl River Mart, so I picked up a few more boxes.

botanricestickers2

The doggie chasing a soccer ball is certainly an improvement over the illustrated comic book sound effects that I got last time, but a DUPLICATE poolside penguin? Such a repeat is a Botan first for me. Also, although his eyewear is obviously meant to be swimming goggles, it reminds me too much of sunglasses, and sunglasses on animals is never cute. (Now I will get letters, I know.)

Overall, a mediocre sticker experience this time. But the candy was soft and delicious.

Easter Dust Bunnies

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Anna

I whipped up these guys in just about three hours! This may sound strange, but I think these are the first toys that I’ve made as a gift for kids that I know. (I guess I don’t know so many kids in person.) I hope they like them!

Cut Paper Works by Gisela Goppel

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Anna

Gisela Goppel is a Berlin-based illustrator whom we started representing last year at CWC-i (my day job). I love her vibrant and sensitive illustrations. I’m especially taken with her recent project of a series of cut paper works.

Such inspiration! See more of Gisela’s work at her website and also at Bilderklub.

Puppet Love!

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Anna

There’s nothing like a friendly puppet to brighten someone’s day! The latest pattern in the Mochimochi Shop introduces three new characters who can’t wait to get on your needles…

Puppet Love includes a pattern for a basic puppet shape for adult-size hands, plus variations for Mack the Monkey, Buddy the Bug, and Gertie the Bird!

Techniques for this playful knit include knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, I-cord, and mattress stitch.

You can buy the pattern as a PDF download for $5 here.

And watch out for more Puppet Love variations in the future!