New Colorful Knit Dragon Joins the Menagerie at CreativeCritters

This colorful knit dragon is the latest addition to the menagerie of critters available from CreativeCritters.

I challenged myself to create a knitting pattern from scratch for a cute and brightly colored dragon.  I made it up as I went along, writing down what worked, and trying again when something didn't turn out quite as I wanted.  I learned how to follow a sewing pattern many years ago, and using that knowledge (and a lot of trial and error) I figured out how to make my own original patterns.  That's essentially how I made this guy.  I thought of the shapes I would need if I were to create a sewing pattern for a creature like this, then I figured out how to knit those shapes and sew them together.  It wasn't easy- that's for sure!  But I do enjoy a challenge, and I like testing and improving my artistic skills, so although it took a lot of time, I really had fun bringing this fantasy dragon to life,  I used bright purple (my favorite color) for his body, which I knit in a garter stitch.  I used a stockinette stitch and bright yellow yarn for the dragon's belly and the underside of his tail.

I gave him triangular spikes that were knit in bright red yarn.  I sewed all the various parts onto the dragon very securely and stuffed him with polyester fiberfill.  The wings were a bit of a challenge.  I considered creating knit wings, but really wanted them to be more lightweight.  I didn't want to have to use wires to help them hold their shape, as I've done with plush dragons in the past.  I wanted this to be a toy that kids could hugs and cuddle, without any sharp or hard parts.  So I decided to use red and purple felt (I just happened to have exactly the right colors in my fabric stash).  I drew out a wing pattern on paper and used that as my guide.  Then I sewed veins into the wings to give them more stability.

This cute stuffed animal measures about 15 inches long and 15 inches tall.  This guy's pretty special, and I hope when he sells he goes to a loving home.  Until then he can hang out here and make me smile =)  If you want to purchase this dragon, or read more details about him, just click on any of the pictures to be taken to the listing in my shop.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Another fun Alice in Wonderland inspired creation

My latest addition to CreativeCritters is this whimsical plush Doormouse in a teapot, measuring 7 inches tall and 8 inches wide. The hand sewn teapot was sewn from bright red felt and is decorated with yellow and orange felt flowers. The flowers, which have contrasting centers, are glued and sewn to the teapot. The whimsical Doormouse was sewn by hand from gray felt and has the lid of the teapot perched on his head as a hat. The mouse is securely sewn to the top of the teapot and both are firmly stuffed with polyester fiberfill. The base of the teapot is firm, so it sits level. This would be a great addition to any Alice in Wonderland collection!






Thanks for stopping by to check out my newest creation!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

My tributes to my Ozzy cat

Some of you may have already read my post In Memory of Ozzy Cat.  For those of you who haven't heard, my cat died December 21st.  As a way to cope with his death, and honor his life, I made a special grave marker and a stuffed Ozzy cat.  Keeping my hands and my mind occupied was pretty important.  I still miss him very much, but I think he'd approve of his stuffed likeness.  I used soft black yarn to knit the cat, and lined it with dark brown fleece.  Ozzy had a nearly invisible dark brown undercoat.  I filled his body and front paws with rice to add weight and make him feel more realistic.  Of course I realize this is not a replacement for my Ozzy- it's just to comfort me and allow me to remember the many hours he would sit on my lap and keep me company.  The stuffed cat is just about life size and weighs about 6 or 7 pounds.

For his grave marker I knew I had to make something special.  Ozzy was a very cool cat, and he liked cool things.  I used a stepping stone kit and alphabet stamps to create the message.  I made a little polymer clay sculpture of Ozzy and pressed that into the mix, along with glow in the dark stars and little red hearts.  I made an impression of a paw print to one side as well.  Once the stone was dry I painted the paw print black and filled the letters with glow in the dark paint, then sealed the stone with a high gloss glaze.  I feel like the glow in the dark elements represents Ozzy's glowing spirit.  I'll probably wait until spring to put it on his grave- I don't want to risk having it freeze and crack.

I still plan on making an Ozzy Angel sculpture.  I haven't done any sculpting since he died.  I want to thank everyone who has offered their kindness and sympathy since I lost my kitty.  It truly has helped to ease the pain.  And a special thanks to ButtonWilloe, who made me a very sweet little Ozzy sculpture, and has really been there for me.  By the way, the picture above is from when Ozzy was a little kitten.  He was always such a feisty little man (but never mean).  He was as playful as a kitten until the last few months of his life.  Now he's free to jump and play again.

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Handmade Plush World of Warcraft Murlocs with SOUND!

I've been making plush World of Warcraft Murlocs for some time now, and have several listed in my shop.  They're really funny mosters, and I have a blast making them.  In a recent conversation with Mother (she and my brother play WoW) she was musing if it would be possible to make Murlocs with sound.  If you play the game, I'm sure you know what they sound like.  I recalled seeing recordable buttons in the craft store on my last visit.  I told Mother that if she could find a good Murloc sound wave file and email it to me, I should be able to record it on the button, then sew that into some part of the Murloc.  Mother's been playing the game for years, so she knows a good Murloc sound from a corny reproduction.  She sent me the file, I got the button and recorded the sound, then I tried to figure out where to put the button in the Murloc.  I thought about the mouth, but it wouldn't have fit right, so I settled on placing it in his left thigh.  I kept accidentally pressing the button while sewing the Murloc, scaring myself and the cats- LOL!  Not only is this creation soft and cuddly (yeah, I know, Murlocs aren't usually considered "cuddly"), but he makes those hysterical sounds.  This would be the ultimate Christmas present for any WoW fan.  Once I can get more supplies I'll be buying more of those buttons and making more "talking" Murlocs.  Be sure to make your purchases in time for Christmas- it's creeping up faster than I want to realize!  Check out my entire Plush World of Warcraft category to see all I have to offer for WoW fans.  Thanks for looking!

OOAK Plush World of Warcraft Murloc with Sound

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Animals in my life and art

A quick browse through my studio will be enough to tell you that I love animals.  My cats, Ozzy and Cedric, are in my avatar, and a sculpture of my ferret Ziggy is featured on my banner.  The picture above is Cedric, after a bit of catnip. I've had pets ever since I was a young child, and simply can't imagine life without animals.  It wasn't until I got Katherine Dewey's "Creating Lifelike Animals in Polymer Clay" that I felt a could sculpt a truly realistic animal.  You'll find many animal sculptures in my studio that were created with guidance from that book.  I also enjoy creating whimsical and fantasy animals- I have several dragon sculptures available.  And then there are stuffed animals, which I never really grew out of.  Once I learned how to sew and follow a pattern I made all sorts of stuffed animals, some to keep for myself and some to give as gifts.  When I (finally) figured out how to knit, and consequently found some books on knitting stuffed toys, I found a new avenue for my creativity.  Below are some of the animals available in my studio.  Just click on the picture to go directly to the listing.

And I'm always adding more, so be sure to check back often!  Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Wendy the Witch doll and her Black Cat Spook

This is Wendy. She's all ready for Halloween, dressed in her Black and dark blue witch costume. Wendy is a 17" tall hand sewn cloth doll. She's made from muslin and stuffed with polyester fiberfill. She's wearing a black dress (also sewn by hand), with a sheer blue overskirt. The star on the front of the bodice was painted with glow in the dark dimensional fabric paint, making for a really fun effect in the dark. The dress fastens in the back with velcro. Her legs and boots are all one piece. I used striped fabric for the legs to resemble striped tights. Her boots were sewn from black fabric and I then painted the uppers with Halo Blue Gold Metallic Acrylic paint. This creates an incredible shimmer (and adds a little magic to those boots)! Wendy's bright blue eyes were painted by hand with fabric paint. Her arms have plastic safety joints and her hair is soft Homespun yarn. Her cape was sewn using black fabric, on which I painted more glow in the dark stars, with the sheer blue fabric on the outside. Her hat, made from stuff black felt, also has glow in the dark stars painted on it. Her little black cat is named Spook and was sewn from soft black fleece and stuffed with polyester fiberfill and plastic poly pellets. His eyes were painted with glow in the dark paint and his nose is pink felt. Spook has some very good "Cat Magic" and is quite comforting to hold. Wendy and Spook are one of a kind original creations, handcrafted with love. This pair would make a great gift for any child, doll collector, or anyone who enjoys Halloween.

With Halloween right around the corner, creating a doll in a witch costume just seemed natural. I didn't plan too far ahead with Wendy- I let her guide me to the right fabrics, paints, and patterns. Spook turned out wonderful as well, and he really is quite soothing to hold (seriously, it must be the Cat Magic). The glow in the dark paint creates a really cool effect in the dark as well- it has to be seen in person to really appreciate it! I've also signed and dated Wendy's bottom, so you know she's an original creation.

 

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

 

New from CreativeCritters- plush WoW Murloc!

So I've finally started to expand my line of plush World of Warcraft characters.  So far I've only made Taurens, but I decided to add Murlocs to my repetoire.  I create the patterns for all these characters myself, so it does take some time to settle on a final design.  I put a lot of time and effort into these creations, trying to get them as close to the actual characters as possible.  Since I don't play the game myself (no WAY I'd have time for that!), I spend many hours online researching the characters, colors, styles, weapons, etc.  I also spend a good bit of time picking my mother and brother's brains.  Mother introduced the idea of making plush WoW characters to me a while back.  She and my youngest brother both play regularly.  So this is my newest creation, with more to come.  You can stop by CreativeCritters on ArtFire to see all I have to offer, or click on the pictures to go directly to the listing.

This plush World of Warcraft Murloc was handsewn using my own pattern and measures about 13" tall, standing, and 8" tall seated. He's made from blue and green felt and gray sweatshirt material. His spines, teeth, and tongue were made from stiff felt. I used fabric paint to paint the markings on his body. All four limbs have plastic safety joints, making the Murloc fully poseable. His eyes are also safety eyes and his hands and fingers have pipe cleaners inside to make them poseable as well. He's stuffed with polyester fiberfill. If you enjoy the World of Warcraft, you have to get this unique handcrafted Murloc!

Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

The newest plush World of Warcraft Tauren from CreativeCritters

I just listed the latest addition to my plush World of Warcraft family of characters.  Each of these Taurens stands between 14" and 17" tall and they all come with a staff or weapon.  I created the patterns myself (a very time consuming process of trial and error!), and each character is one of a kind.  They are all sewn carefully by hand and wear real leather outfits.  Their weapons are usually sculpted from polymer clay.  These characters are just perfect for anyone who plays The World of Warcraft, and I'm working on expanding my line of characters.

Here's the description for my newest Tauren.

This plush handsewn Tauren would be perfect for anyone who enjoys the fantasy of The World of Warcraft. She stands 14" tall and her body and head were made with CowSpot Velboa fabric, which has a short soft nap. Her brown horns and black hooves were made from felt. Her hair and tail tuft are faux fur fabric. Her eyes were handpainted with fabric paint and then sealed with triple thick gloss glaze. She's stuffed with polyester fiberfill and her arms and legs have plastic safety joints, making her poseable. Her dress is genuine deerskin which has been decorated with green fabric paint. I used my own pattern to create this character. Her ax measures 16" tall, with the head being made of polymer clay and the shaft is a wooden dowel. I've glued velcro to the shaft of the ax and sewed velcro to her hand, so she can hold the ax.

Below are pictures of my new lady.  Stop by CreativeCritters to see my entire line of WoW characters!

Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters