Thursday 28 February 2013

Long-Legged Maurice

Maurice the Moorhen is finally complete - what a steep learning curve this has been!  It's the first time I have had to design a plush toy from scratch and I'm really happy it turned out as well as it did.  The feet were a nightmare!  I sewed the felt so carefully but then had to turn all those long thin toes inside out before stuffing them - incredibly fiddly and took about half an hour for each foot.  It was a matter of gently trying to turn each toe within itself before carefully inserting forceps and trying to nab that little point without destroying it!
But with perseverance, I got there in the end.  Moorhens are funny birds - look at the length of those legs! Now I have to do it all over again but with wire legs.
On the easel at the moment - Bonnie, a commission.  She's (sorry, was :0( ) a gorgeous looking dog with lots of lovely coloured long hair, so I am thoroughly enjoying this one. Once again, I am using Derwent Drawing Pencils on the reverse side of pastel paper.

On the needles, another ram scarf, Dr. Who, and something I wish I could show you because it is hilarious but I can't!

My tomato seeds have not sprouted yet - over at Soggibottom they are well on their way. I wish I knew her secret!


3 comments:

Soggibottom said...

It's the xxxxxx noise :-) they have woken up...
I love moorhens. They are such picky birds when they walk... think you have got this one just right.. ah, now would I butter you up ?
:-) I would however say, that yep :-) I have sprouting tomato seeds :-) Not going to get big headed yet.. because we are going to lack light around here next week, besides all mine died off at the first sewing last year..I had to re sow them, but your beautiful moorhen.. it's a little star.. I wonder just how much this would fox the wildlife rangers down at Dawlish Warren reserve :-) x x x

Soggibottom said...

I forgot to say, who ever commissioned the painting, they loved their beloved dog..... I'm sure Bonnie is in good hands and your painting will grace their wall with love. x x x

NickNapper said...

Yours is the only Moorhen I could find on the internet.
Would you be prepared to make another as a mascot for my son's primary school class (named 'Moorhens')
Happy to pay up front
Nick