The Wild Wood

Ok, three posts in one week. Is it obvious that I’m no longer spending 9 to 5 in a cubicle?

People have been asking, “So are you crafting lots of things for your baby?”

“No, and then yes.”

I was hesitant at first; perhaps a bit out of superstition. But with the nesting impulse in high gear, I have managed to crank out a few items. The first was a little toy modeled after a childhood favorite of mine, a horse I had cleverly named Horsey. While visiting my family a few months back, I opened a book of knitting patterns to find the pattern that my Gramma must have used to make the original Horsey.

Here he is, long-legged and lean…

And here’s what I made:

Hmmm. Maybe it’s a glandular disorder… those legs are awfully stumpy… Ok it’s true I haven’t been knitting for quite some time, since discovering crochet and then needle-felting. That’s beauty of needle-felting: no pesky “gauge” to worry about and pffft! patterns, schmatterns!

Next, I crocheted this mandala (more for me than for The Babe) with layers of color to represent meditative verses from this book that I’ve found helpful for inspiring calmness in not-so-calm situations.

In preparation for the hospital stay, I whipped up these slippers from a pattern on Ravelry.

I’ve also made some mobiles; for the first one I used wooden discs, sticks, and high-contrast black-and-white image from the super cool Wee Gallery. The second one features hyperbolic models that I had made a few years ago (and never knew what to do with) after becoming obsessed with The Institute for Figuring’s Coral Reef Project.

Over the years, I’ve also amassed a quantity of unfinished heads. Not one to throw anything away (my vast collection of jars has garnered many jeers…) I saved them, and perhaps my wee one will enjoy exploring these woolly vessels.

Inspired by the crafty awesomeness of Sew Liberated, I dusted off my miniature plastic Canadian Tire sewing machine and may even *gasp* attempt sewing something… at some point…

My mom on the other hand has dusted off her Kenmore to create this stunning piece (her first quilting project!):

Now we wait for the new arrival to arrive…

“Ummm. Why does that Tupperware have a toupée?” inquired my husband. 

“Oh, that’s the foundation for the ark.”

“I see…”

And so from these inauspicious beginnings, the ark came into being. Apparently, it may have taken Noah something like 100 years to build his ark. This is comforting news; I thought I was taking an excessively long time having started mine in July, and am thrilled to report that construction is complete.

Now, to be fair, mine will likely not be required to transport as many species. But there should be ample room in the tower, on deck, and in the hull for at least six or seven pairs of animals.

On board for the ark’s maiden voyage will be Noah and the missus, two giraffes, and two monkeys. The objective is to build the menagerie gradually, adding a new pair as gifts for holidays, birthdays, and the like.

Here’s the gang on deck:

Here are the animals poking through the portholes:

And many more photos here!

Well, it would appear that I received a “Remarkable Mention” for the Alice in Wonderland diorama in the Living Felt contest. That is very nice indeed.