A squirrel for Sullivan: the making of a Koo & Poppet pillow

I made this pillow for 5 month old Sullivan. It's the latest addition to his Koo & Poppet collection - he was also the recipient of this mobile.....remember my lesson in physics? Live and learn people, live and learn.

Oh woodland critters - I can't get enough of you!

p.s. if anyone is wondering what the cheap n' easy trick is to appliquéing with stretchy fabrics, it's freezer paper.

Place appliqué against shiny side of freezer paper, flip the whole thing over and iron on the non-sticky side of paper to hold the two pieces together temporarily. Sew to fabric as you would any appliqué (as in the first photo). You can remove the freezer paper by spritzing water along the line of stitching and then carefully cutting a whole in the back of the fabric underneath the appliqué. Then you can easily pull out the freezer paper, voila!

Exhibito "A"

I'm not exactly sure if "exhibito" is the Italian word for "exhibit" but it's close enough and that's where these sextuplets are off to - Italy!

I present to you "Claudio".

Likes: bike rides

Dislikes: flat tires

And yes. Those are linen carrots. On a bunny's tummy. How long do you think it took me to decide I needed THAT fabric? Umm, like negative 2 seconds.

ITALIA! Another Koo & Poppet European Adventure.

"BOLOGNESE and MUSEUMS and GELATO and FASHION, HERE WE COME!" they squeal from within their luxurious bubble mailer. As soon as their voyage is complete, these bunnies will be available online at Ecohandmade.it! I will post more about this fantastic site in the coming weeks.

Catania, Italy

So here you have it, the newest resident of the Forest of Misfits. Claudio has moved into a burrow right next door to Tuesday, and Milly is showing him around. The welcoming committee consists of Elliot, Baffin and Weasel McBeasel. And those of you reading this who are unfamiliar with Koo & Poppet - permission granted to consider the author of this blog insane.

The Koo & Poppet spring collection is well underway, and I will be posting more designs over the next few weeks. I'm so excited to unveil the 2010 fabrics!!

Opinions please, my friends

Welcome back everyone!

I feel as if there is so much to write about this month. Resolution, inspiration, renovation, tales of travel, tales of excessive holiday chocolate consumption.....

I mean to get to all of it, but for tonight I will simply put it to a vote:

I am working on the 2010 Koo & Poppet kollection, and I would like to know: of the five japanese fabrics featured below (all from karaku's etsy shop) which THREE would you like to see adorning the tummies of three friendly misfit creatures?

Polka dots

Strawberries

Trees

Vines

Paris

I'm very grateful for your input, thanks!

Of the ape variety

What do you think?

This monkey was a custom order but I'm considering adding him to the 2010 collection.

He's a little bit silly and a little bit charming. And all bits bananas.

New product - bunny nursery pillows!

These pillows will be listed in the shop soon, along with a bunch of other misfits who are in need of good homes.

p.s. If you would like to read more about Koo & Poppet, check out this article published in a local newspaper.

koo & poppet scarves!

I think these would make great stocking stuffers! 

I'll have more designs up soon :) 

Peeking Sneaky, Sneaking Peeky

Here is a glimpse.

These creatures, as well as several others, are on the shelves at FINN & IZZY now.

They will be available in the shop very soon.

"Baffin"

likes: ice cream

dislikes: brain freeze

"Flit"

likes: gardening

dislikes: pests

"Paloma"

likes: lunchtime

dislikes: soap

"Baxter"

likes: racing

dislikes: spies

Missing Mignon

It's definitely been an exciting week in the world of Koo & Poppet.

FINN & IZZY, a very lovely children's store in Victoria now has some animals in stock!

Bunnies, Bears, Pigs and Kollector Koos.

FINN & IZZY is located on Oak Bay Avenue and I believe they are also having a big Open House this weekend, so if you live in Victoria stop in and take a peek if you're so inclined.

This may sound very strange, but it's always difficult for me to let go of such a large bunch. Not only do they take on personalities that I get a little attached to, but let's face it - I put my blood, sweat and tears into these creatures!

Most times, this feeling passes and I'm on to the next project.

However, in this case, I have but one regret. C'est Mignon:

She is my favourite. Ever.

It was hard to part with her.

She is from Paris. She is Mignon (as in "cute", not as in "filet").

She likes revolution and dislikes tourists.

She carries croissants in her pockets and frequents Montmartre.

I hope she finds her way into the arms of a little girl who likes knee-highs and the colour red.

Science Project: A Koo & Poppet Mobile

My very sweet friend Ainsley is less than one month away from giving birth to her first baby. She and her husband put in a special request for a Koo & Poppet mobile, and here is the result:

photo: Ainsley Roberts

A mobile, no problem, I thought. Well, remember learning about fulcrum points in eleventh grade physics? Apparently I don't either. I'm very much the type of person who goes "Yes, a mobile, no problem. Two birds, two bunnies, and bear hanging from strings on a wooden dowel. Easy." 

Enter the laws of balance.

Recall that bears, bunnies and birds all have different weights. Ohhhhhhh.......

Recall that husband is kind of adept at solving these types of issues........

Recall that a short while ago I scoffed at his offer to help......

Swallow pride and politely ask if, perhaps, I could have his assistance afterall?

Efficiency quotient suddenly skyrocketing......(not without a few sharply-toned words exchanged, however: "NO, THIS IS THE HEAVIER BUNNY!")

But really, I am so very lucky to have a husband whose problem-solving skills and general mental processings are drastically different from my own. I'd jump into a pile of leaves without hesitation, and deal with the dog poop I've landed in once I'm in there. Scott, on the other hand would draw up a site plan, mow the lawn, rake a tidy pile of clean leaves to a clear patch of grass, build a fence around it, put on rubber boots, and then and only then, would he consider traipsing through them. You should see the guy carve a pumpkin - it's like a laser cutter! Or just last week, when our dog chewed the corners of Sadie's favourite book, I Am a Bunny, Scott cleanly cut the corners off at 45 degree angles and, wouldn't you know, good as new. I'm fascinated with his effortless fix jobs. I would have been out buying a new copy. But that's just me.

Anyway, I hope Ainsley's little one enjoys looking up at this mobile while subtly learning about scientific principles, not to mention the value of a team effort.

Happy Halloween to all the little ghosties and goblins out there!

New Nursery Pillows

I'm pretty happy with the way the little car turned out!

Pleased to make your acquaintance...

Meet Liam, Lou Lou, Milly, Avril and Daria.

Daria, Milly and Avril are already available in the shop, and the others will be joining them shortly.

What a week it's been. I've been sick with the flu and being sick with the flu is quite an inconvenience when you have an eleven-month-old. Luckily I received a lot of help from my husband and my parents! Also, we're moving in a week so attempting to pack up the bits and pieces of our lives is also proving to be a little chaotic. And somehow, these little rabbits keep multiplying....

I would be so delighted if you would take a moment to tell me which of the above creatures is your favourite! 

Have a great weekend everyone.

Designer Koos

Oh wow! Have you ever seen anything cuter than an Ivancito napping with a Nilly? Have no idea what I'm talking about? To find out more, visit Meade Design Group's blog here.

This was a very special Koo & Poppet project for some very special people.

Koo & Poppet Headquarters

Here are some new Kollector Koos waiting their turn on the stuffage assembly line. I finished them up last night.

And today, these beasties hopped a plane to Vancouver! Soon they will be strutting their stuff in some amazing baby boutiques :)

One day, maybe Koo & Poppet HQ will be a little more impressive....but for now my living room will have to suffice as the Design & Production floor.

Flit

This little butterfly found her way to Flit's forehead from the garden patch that grows on Flit's back (after getting caught up in a seam, that is).

I love the fabrics used for this Kollector Koo. The blue tiny-dot corduroy used to be a men's shirt I found at a thrift store. And the Minky dot pants are the softest around.

This little piggy had none

Meet Piquette. She likes mud baths and dislikes soap. She's really too pretty to be a pig and hopes that in her next life, she returns as a pony. 

Ooo! Noo Koos!

I'll be updating the shop today with these little buggers.....

(Bluebell, Weasel McBeasel, and Benedict)

New Mailing Labels

This is a draft of a mailing label I've been working on for those orders that come from far off places. I like the sketchy quality and the little banner design, but I'm wondering if it's a bit confusing to switch up the graphics and stray away from the original K & P logo (as in the masthead). Maybe I should just keep things consistent? I welcome any advice!

New in town

Why, Hello! 

If you're so inclined, please hop over to my shop over the next few days as I will be listing several new creatures this week.

 

Thanks for visiting.

A bee for Baker

Here is the latest XL Creature! He is on his way to 8-month-old Baker very soon. This guy was inspired by the first XL Creature that was made for Bailey on her first birthday, and also featured a bumble bee bottom.

I've only been referring to these as XL Creatures because I haven't thought of a better name. They're bigger than the Odd Bunnies and Black Bears, so XL makes sense, but really, I think they should have a more interesting name. Perhaps they are a species all their own. Any suggestions?

Grand opening

Yay! The Koo & Poppet shop is officially up and running! I am pleased to announce that the first five creatures bursting on to the scene are Riley, Sylvie, Izzy, Mia and Lewis. 

There are several more in the queue waiting to be posted and these little guys are multiplying like, well, rabbits!

for more information, please contact me at sarah.macneill@yahoo.com