Owl iPhone Sleeve. Hoot Hoot!

Combining two of my recent knitting obsessions, owls and iPhone sleeves, I created this little fellow for my dear friend Matthew. Matthew is a gifted artist whose work can be seen here. Check it out. It's inspiring!

It's nice to make things for friends, especially things that you know they will use and carry with them. Spreading the knitted love is a good feeling!

Have a wonderful week y'all!

Love Bríd x

Lovely iPhone Sleeve!

Hoot Hoot! The Owls Have Arrived.

I woke up one morning to find a little posse of owls residing in the small forest in my home. I was not quite sure where they came from or why they chose me but as they are quite adorable, I didn't dare question it...

However, after a little while of living with me and bringing me happiness, the little Owlets, Frederick, Esme and Eliza told me that they would soon have to spread their little wings and fly off to other lands. They needed my help to do this.

So I parceled them up in lots of cuddly tissue paper and brought them to the local post office and sent them off to the special people in my life who would appreciate their fluffy company!

Esme is now in Dublin, Ireland. Frederick is now in Nuremburg, Germany. Eliza is now in Swansea, Wales. I think they are all very happy in their new homes.

If you would like to create your own owl posse, you can find the pattern on The Knitting Pony. Melina creates such wonderful things. Be sure to check out her blog for inspiration and ideas!

Gary Sundt took the photos for me. Such a wonderful friend and photographer!

Happy 2012 everyone. May it bring you all love and light.

Love Bríd x

The Clangers have arrived...

I have always been a fan of 1970s children's television shows. I like them more than your average individual does. In a serious way. There's is something so lovely and special about them. My flame for these saggy characters and tinny music has been reignited of late with the reintroduction of exams into my life. I would much rather watch Bagpuss and the mice clean some newfound item than stare for hours at a dull book about some form of abstract and incomprehensible law. Likewise I would prefer to hear Sweep squeaking away than learn aeons of case names off by heart.

However, my absolute favourite of these television shows is without a shred of doubt, The Clangers. I just love them. They are just such awesome little creatures. I just dig the idea of little mice stop-motioning around a planet making some kind of strange hooting noise while that quintessential vintage BBC voice narrates their actions.

What I love most about The Clangers though is the little mouse-like creatures themselves and the story behind them. The Clangers were hand knitted and dressed. by the wife of Pete Firmin (model-maker, illustrator and animator for The Clangers). I find it so lovely that her hand-knitted creatures became such iconic television characters who have lasted through generations and retained their charm and appeal.

Bagpuss

Sooty, Sweep & Co.

I have my own Ambitions to knit a little Clanger friend for myself. Unfortunately with these exams I won't be able to accept the challenge until the Christmas break. However, once Christmas arrives, my time will be devoted to Clangers. I am planning on fabricating an entire family of Clangers and making a little Papier-maché planet for them to live on.

Below is the original BBC pattern for my pink mousey friends. Isn't it amazing? I'm literally so excited to try my hand at knitting one.

If you are looking for something nice to watch, I actually recommend having a little perusal on youtube and tracking down some vintage children's television shows. They are adorable and a real pleasure to watch. The stop motion animation is also remarkably impressive.

The simplicity of the Clangers is so appealing. The storylines are so endearing and uncomplicated. I think in part I find tv programmes these days a little dull, it tends to be the same tired old sitcom over and over again. I prefer crazy pink mice running all over planets. Yes I do.

Enjoy!

Bríd x x