animal dreaming

The children are dreaming of having a rabbit and pig living in their garden...

We saw these characters yesterday at a rural cafe. It's cool to have somewhere the children can run around and stroke animals, while I'm drinking coffee from a nearby table. I loved that angora bunny, but I spent some time considering what it would be like to be an animal in a cage at a cafe. This particular cafe is frequented by many a Mother's Group and yesterday was no exception. The poor thing was being jabbed with twigs by a tribe of toddlers hoping for a reaction. And the pig didn't turn around the whole time we were there.

My Mum gave me an un-birthday present- two wonderful new craft books. One was Bend the Rules Sewing, and I have to tell you that this is a wonderful book. I am so happy to have a copy, after reading such a lot about it online. The layout, design and photography are all gorgeous and conducive to pulling one's sewing machine out right away.

This wee jacket is the first project I made from it, for a baby girl I know. I used a super-soft cotton jersey and some bias trim sent to me from Portugal by Zelia. I love the contrast between the bias edge and the raw unfinished edges on the front and bottom of the piece. Plus, its clever construction made it very easy to make.

And then I made this little skirt to go with it. I used some very fine wool fabric I found in an op shop ages ago- I think it used to be a shawl/paschmina-type of thing. Because you're never too young to start wearing gypsy-style clothing.

Comments

[kelly]

love the picture of the pigs bum! i know i felt a little conflicted, mostly sad about the meerkats they used to display in a glass case in the cafe at the zoo...but kids really love it. i also adore the pillows you guys made the other day, what a wonderful project. your little people must love having a crafty mama!

[stephanie]

you're so right. i would not want to be a caged animal around toddlers with sticks...nowhere to run!
those pieces are lovely! that jacket looks so soft!

[Megan]

That bias tape is exquisite. Wouldn't mind a grown-up sized version of that jacket for myself.

[jen]

weve had pet rabbits and Id never do it again
we though we had 2 females WRONG
we ended up with lots of babies
and for some reason they either died or ran away

my 12 year old was talking about a horse this morning
Dont think so not enough room

I like the top and skirt

[Jessicah]

Have you thought about mice? Some people really hate them- I'm on the fence, but my brother and sister loved them- but they were old enough to do some of the work! I think you guys would love Bencarri Farm park in Takaka- next door to the catch your own salmon farm! Would make a great day out some time :)
Lovley sewing too- I like the raw edges vs. finshed bias binding too!

[Louise]

Poor piggy but what a great idea for a coffee stop with kids! Love the skirt and jacket and how nice your Mum to give you such a special present. I have it too and it is a fantastic read.

[Zelia]

Ah! love to see that you used that trim so nicely:)
I must get that book....

[Sarah]

What kind of *very hairy* pig is that?

We used to have a sweet bunny, but he died when Jack was too small to remember him. He was a lot of work and I don't think he and Jack would have got on very well either. I am rather surprised that rabbit at the cafe doesn't try to bite!

[kirsten]

you're so right - never too young for the gypsy look! :)

[Chara Michele]

That jacket and skirt are lovely, and it certainly is never to early for the gypsy look:)

Poor pig & bunny, being in a cage... That would not be much fun.

[Tash]

Love your new creations. Especially the trim on the top, those reds, creams and greys go really well together.

I spent my day at work the other day trying to catch two escapee chickens! Never a dull day :) I do feel for animals that are kept in highly public places, especially those where children can poke or annoy. In England there are new laws which give very defined rules about animal welfare and the way in which an animal can and can't be kept - about time too!

[Laney]

hurray for gypsy clothing. they are beautiful.

[Pauline]

The jacket and skirt look great - I love my Amy Karol book and it gets a lot of use at school, especially the cashless wallet. What was the other book you got?

[alice]

I have the Amy Karol book too but i haven't made anything yet. All my time seems to be disappearing on other, less fun, stuff..

I also agree about the animals. I went to a fayre thingy earlier this summer and there was a 'farm roadshow' thing. It wasn't like a real farm, obviously - but there were chickens, pigs, goats and donkeys, couple of sheep i think, and guinea pigs and rabbits. It was a really hot day, the animals were obviously stressed, and though there was some shade and they could get away from the poking little hands (but just barely in the case of the smaller animals), there was so much screeching noise that they all looked miserable.

[Amelia]

Isabella thanks you so much for her new outfit. She can't wait until Summer.

[amisha]

your bend the rules jacket looks wonderful! i really love that book though i have yet to make something from it... just keep flipping through it for a few minutes before bed. my poor sewing machine is feeling quite neglected, i think.
and i agree that it must be a bit dismal to be a bunny at a cafe... rather like being in a zoo but without the fancy habitat... though at the same time it's nice for the kids to have a chance to interact with them. hmmm.
xox