Figure 1: The entire Sparrow family, replete with button eyes and calico smock fronts.
In case you're not into softies - handmade stuffed animals - you might not know that resident rising star and green artist Holly Keller's handmade Mama Sparrow and Her Chicks design was featured on Softies Central, a blog dedicated showcasing the best of the best in the handmade toy world.
Figure 2: The Sparrow Chicks, wearing their bibs and relaxing on their quilt.
The Mama Sparrow and her family are made from a secondhand tweed suitcoat and some calico fabric that Keller found at a thrift shop. Like any sensible mother, Mama Sparrow comes with a lavender cap to keep her warm on those brisk fall days, and a matching purse, where she stores tissues and snacks for her brood. The family also comes with its own nest and each sparrow has its own accessories (because, really, what sparrow doesn't?)
Figure 3: Kickin' it in the sweater-scrap nest.
Check out my interview with the lovely Madame Keller here and see more of her recycled beautiful goodness at her Etsy shop.
Figure 4: This is Beatrice the Kitten, another Beeper Bebe creation, which you'd probably recognize, except she's wearing her mask.
Very cute - I've been having a great time making softies out of my little girl's outgrown clothes!
Posted by: erinberry | 16 September 2007 at 09:06 PM
That's a cool idea. Kinda like making a quilt, but more fun! Do you have pics on your blog?
I just spent some time with Ms. Keller this weekend and looked through her collection of softie-pattern books. Whoa. A whole new world I didn't realize existed!
Posted by: Secondhand Nation | 17 September 2007 at 09:53 AM