Sunday, May 27, 2012

Falling out of love.

I started a project a very long time ago – at least a year or more, and I fiddled and farted with it until I fell completely out of love with it. I had samples half made, instructions half written but it just wasn’t going anywhere. Do you do that? Do you hide them and forget about them, or leave them out to taunt you? This was a taunter….

squiggle fabric

But last week when Emma gave me a gift of some Ed Emberly fabrics ,  I felt that little spark and it was time to start over. I tossed all but one of the previous 11 attempts and started again.

I saw this fabric at the quilt market last November and fell in love with it. I may have suggested strongly that Emma get it in to her shop so I could make toys with it. It was just perfect.squiggle cats

These two aren’t quite finished in the photo, they now have little collars and tags. I thought I’d name them after the Ricrac cats. I explained to Eloise and Jude, that whilst they don’t look exactly like them, the do represent them in a hobby-filled  kind of way.catsreally

I don’t think Jude took it as a compliment.

68 comments:

  1. EEEEEEP! I love them. I know a girl who'll love them.

    I don't care what Jude thinks. 9Sorry Jude)

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  2. the kid JUST DIED when I showed her these. As I almost did! Divine. What a good pose, Jude, you almost convince me you're not impressed.

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  3. I think Jude is trying to figure out how to make a Jodie doll given he doesn't have opposable thumbs.

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  4. Ha ha the look on Jude's face, he does not look amused...but they are very cute and the fabric, fabulous!, excellent "suggestion" on your part and well done Emma on taking "advice"...

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  5. Love the fabrics , love the new cats (fantastic as always) but by God I love Jude .

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  6. That's perfect fabric for furry felines. Jude rather looks like a kindly but distinguished Englishman who keeps his nose above all the riff-raff below him. Cherrie

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  7. I think Jude is secretly impressed, he just doesn't want to let on!

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  11. That cats face! She has that "a-hum, this is important because I´m a very famous person"-look! Hope to get pattern soon...

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  12. Sorry, iPad went berserk!

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  13. They are gorgeous, and Jude needs a little talking to!

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  14. Love, love, love them and I don't even like cats!

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  15. Very cute Jodie, well done.

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  16. Love them...and love that fabric!

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  17. I'm so glad I am not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to out-of-love projects. My husband had the liberating idea that I should just THROW THEM OUT but I am very glad your pussy cats didn't suffer that fate!

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  18. Hey Jude, it aint that bad
    She took two sad cats and made them better
    Remember to let them into your heart
    Then you can start to make it better

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  19. Finding the perfect fabric makes the world go 'round. Will there be a Finn in the future?

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  20. What adorable cats! I'm sure Jude will get over the shock and learn to love them.

    I'm glad your inspiration returned - it looks like it was worth it. My taunting projects take turns getting buried in other projects then resurfacing when I least expect it.

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  21. I need it now!
    Way too cute. What is wrong with that cat??
    The cats look fabulous in those fabrics - Purrfect really.
    Meow.

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  22. That look on Jude's face is priceless! Love Cam's poem too. I totally understand what you mean by falling out of love with a project. Happens all the time here. You have just re-inforced why we need to hoard.....

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  23. TOTALLY gorgeous & just love the fabrics, must have!!!

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  24. Just adorable! I'm glad you re-started them. Love that fabric!

    I either hide the half-started project or I bundle it all up and give it to the thrift shop to sell for the homeless animals. Out of sight, out of mind, less guilt. More likely though, I lose interest in the project once I've accumulated all the "ingredients". LOL

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  25. How could you not love these guys?
    I love feeling the reignition spark, when you've felt you've lost it on something.
    and I wouldn't take it personally with Jude, cats have no sense. I mean they are the ones who will choose to drink out of the toilet when you have a nice clean bowl of fresh water from them.
    xo

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  26. obviously waiting for just the right fabric as inspiration. they are FAB.

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  27. Always loved this one Jodie, so glad they are coming alive.

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  28. These are super cute. My daughter would love them.

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  29. My cat obsessed four year old would love this cat (the stuffed or the real one!) awesome

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  30. Oh I do adore those kitties. I think Jude looks a lot like our Meg and would probably have the same attitude if she were to pose with them. Our Meggie is 13 yrs old so she is allowed to be a bit of a boss at times. I think the fabric worked wonderfully well for the kitties.

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  31. So glad you didn't give up! These are two very cool cats!

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  32. great fabrics for cool cats!

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  33. Oh, so cute! I want to rub the gray one's tummy and feel the black ear on the orange kitty. Adorable!

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  34. Oh very cute! We also have a gray cat and an orange cat (Willow and Strider) and I could see Willow giving me the same unimpressed look. LOL.

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  35. The cats are gorgeous - all three of them!

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  36. I'm so glad inspiration struck again, because these two are just adorable!!!!

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  37. Oh wow, you know what I am thinking? That orange one- Eloise, I assume, reminds me of 80's cartoon (well it was the 80s when I was watching it)- Top Cat, it looks like TC. Fun

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  38. Sorry Jodie. As much as I love your creations - Jude is still cuter. Forgive me please and give Jude a cuddle for me.

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  39. totally adorable - and you're right - the fabric is perfect!

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  40. Success...just as well you left that taunter around. Amazing fabric but even more amazing crafter..YOU!

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  41. They are all purrfect. Great fabric!

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  42. Holy Cow CatMan!!! Those are just too stinking cute. You're a genius -- as always. That fabric is PURRRRRFect!!!!

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  43. But they are ever so cute!

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  44. Awesome cats! I have seen that fabric around the blogs, but LOVE what you have done with it :)

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  45. These are just adorable! I don't care what Jude thinks! hehehe

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  46. Gotta, gotta have that pattern! Jude looks so much like our Civi, without the kilos!
    Great fabric, gotta get down to Emma before she's run out so when the pattern arrives, we can 'have a go'.
    Great work, Jodie! :)

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  47. FANTASTIC! I will shout that from the roof tops! your work continues to inspire and make me smile!

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  48. What great fabric! Just the right amount of interest, without being too overwhelming, for this sort of project. Loving those cats. Does the grey one's tummy open and a baby cat come out? Just asking...

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  49. Fabulous - when will the pattern be available? I am a cat person and my hubby is most definitely not, but I think he could cope with a couple of these around, and perhaps even like them they're that good.

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  50. They are lovely!
    It really is the perfect fabric.

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  51. So cute!! The grey cat looks just like me!

    Poppy Q

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  52. Nah nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah, hey Jude!
    OOOoooh I'm thinking little cat in tiny union jack fabric could work for me - especially with a top hat! Lovely xx

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  53. They are adorable, but you only showed us the fronts. I can't wait to see their backs. Is there a cute little tail hiding back there? I hope so!!!

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  54. Fabulous!
    Jude you are sooooo good looking.

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  55. toptastic cats Jod..... the Evester and I give them top marks..... Dx

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  56. It's amazing how some fabric pattern just works and some don't and you do get to have a very good eye for it.
    They look great.

    Ta for the comment on my site. It's nice to hear from you. We haven't had a natter for such a long time. And yes, Klout, it's a strange beast.

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  57. I love them! I reckon some of your best!

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  58. Fabulous Felines, Purrfectly lovely Jodie.

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  59. They are simply adorable! I would love to make them. They look just as naughty as our little cat called Findus.

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  60. DOnt' let my daughter see these!! I am not at toy talented as you are!

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  61. They are just so darn cute Jodie, purrrfect (sorry)

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  62. wowww i love them! the fabric is perfect for pussy cats.....really cool cats! x

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  63. I so love your work and so glad to find your wonderful blog!
    We have just moved here from the UK 6 months ago.
    I saw your dolls displayed in an amazing fabric shop (GJ fabrics) in Brunswick, I fell in love with the donkey and bought the pattern!

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  64. love love love!
    Big hugs to the Ric Rac cats too - so handsome! ♥

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Hellloooooo !!!!