Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Owl Tea Cozy


tea_cozy
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.



tea_cozy_detail
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I'm not sure what the definition of patchwork is. I figure, that in a basic sense, it means: sewing together small pieces of fabric to make a bigger piece of fabric. This owl tea cozy might not technically be a patchwork project, which might be a reason it didn't cut the mustard with the editors. Or, maybe, they didn't like it because it kind of looks like Beau Bridges. ;) Truthfully, it was my least favorite of the three projects I submitted.

I do think, however, that this little owl guy has value as inspiration for patchwork technique. I like the way the wings are made with a variety of unhemmed loosely woven fabrics. They are a sewn stack, much like a shingled roof. It's a no-measure, no-fuss, no-straight-lines-necessary kind of patchwork. It was so fun to do, that I think I'll do more — maybe make a stuffed animal or two out of fringe — perhaps with some inspiration from Abby. Her nest series is so damn good.

Does anyone even say stuffed animal anymore?

Labels: , ,

26 Comments:

Blogger Karen in Wichita said...

Apparently "stuffed animal" has taxidermical connotations or something. I'm always at a loss... "plushie"? My stuff's not always made from a plush fabric. "Softie"? Sometimes they have joints. I just say "critter" half the time, and let my readers cope.

Thu Jun 07, 02:07:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous Nancy said...

i love your owl! the wings are a lovely use of exactly that variety of fabric's particular characteristics.

i wonder about the terminology too- i did not play with dolls as a child, only stuffed animals (not the taxidermy kind)and that is what i always called them. i guess I'd call them "softies" or something now, but in my head they're still stuffed animals.

Thu Jun 07, 02:21:00 PM PDT  
Blogger capello said...

if i buy it at a store, it's a stuffed animal.

and i love your owl. so stinkin' cute!

Thu Jun 07, 02:32:00 PM PDT  
Blogger PamKittyMorning said...

Beau won't stop looking at me. HE'S LOOKING AT ME.

And he's darling.

Thu Jun 07, 03:38:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Tess said...

I say stuffed animal or plush, but I'm not exactly an expert. Thi sis really, really wonderful.

Thu Jun 07, 03:49:00 PM PDT  
Blogger futuregirl said...

I like "stuffie" because of my first Japanese Craft book, Palm Sized Stuffies. Also, what if your stuffie isn't an animal? "Stuffed Animal" makes me think of a 14-year-old Midwestern cheerleader. "Stuffie" makes me think of a 35-year-old woman wishing she was a 12-year-old Japanese girl. I'm not sure which is better.

I'm incredulous #2 that they didn't pick this project. I can't imagine what super-duper patchwork projects beat yours. For crying out loud.

I'm a sucker for owls ... and this one is cute cute cute. :)

Thu Jun 07, 04:13:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous dorie said...

lol, futuregirl.

"Stuffed Amimal" has too many syllables.

Love owl's wings.

Thu Jun 07, 05:15:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous Alex said...

Love the shingle wings. What a cool cozy!

Thu Jun 07, 05:31:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Sharon said...

Even though he's not your favorite, he's adorable!

Thu Jun 07, 06:07:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Blaize said...

I don't know the definition of patchwork the editors were working with, but I really like the tea cozy, no matter what the technique is called, and probably BECAUSE it looks like Beau Bridges.

I ONLY say stuffed animal or stuffed toy. Or, potentially, stuffed creature. The word "stuffie" bothers me, for one because it is a brand of nappies (diapers). And "plushie" has bad connotations. Don't ask; just Google it. To me, "softie" is a bit too Charmin-esque. Or it reminds me of the demonic Snuggle bear. Maybe I just don't like "ie" on the end of things. Hmmm.

I'm a big fan of "stuffed toys." And as for taxidermy connotations of "stuffed animal," surely that can be determined from context?

Thu Jun 07, 06:09:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Sonya said...

I love the owl fabric on the owl - echoic self(owl)representation. And those editors - bah!

Thu Jun 07, 07:40:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous oldround said...

Try, try as I might, I can't see Beau Bridges in that owl.

They are 'stuffed animals'. Except for a brief period in my daughters when everything was a Beanie Baby, because, god help us, they were.

I guess it could be a problem if you grew up in a family where stuffed animals were a part of the decor.

You've been busy!

Fri Jun 08, 08:18:00 AM PDT  
Blogger Natasha said...

That might be the greatest cozy I have ever seen-Iam sad too that it won't be in a book with how too's.

I don't know what qualifies as patchwork...I always thought it was anything pieced. Anyway, the pillow you made is perfect. I think that it is a great original idea that would be great in a book.

I have half a mind to give those editors a what for!!!

Fri Jun 08, 05:56:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Debby said...

I'm old, they will always be known as stuffed animals to me....

Fri Jun 08, 06:45:00 PM PDT  
Blogger chez shoes said...

Blaize's and futuregirl's comments cracked me up - I'm personally not partial to things ending in -ie either, even though I am the poster child for the 35+-year-old woman whose alter-ego is a 12-year-old Japanese girl.

And I love your owl.

Fri Jun 08, 07:29:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous mandy said...

Now there's a tea cozy I could get used to. It's adorable, even if it didn't make the cut.

Sat Jun 09, 06:58:00 AM PDT  
Blogger Angelina said...

I've been thinking about tea cozies lately. Do I need one? Do lots of people need them? I've had requests for them in my store.

If I do need one, I think yours is wonderful because it is cute without being expected. I see the Beau in him. It's in the brows.

Like Futuregirl, I can't see how this too got passed over.

Sat Jun 09, 11:52:00 AM PDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this owl tea cosy is absolutely awesome,i so want it,the editors are talking through their arse,this is patchwork so what is different good on ya.

Sat Jun 09, 04:32:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous margie said...

what is the matter with that editor... that owl is great and speaking on behalf of owl lovers ... i would love to make thta little bloke... or bird.... what ever.. happy day margie

Mon Jun 11, 05:23:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Frizz said...

Love it.
I still say stuffed animals.

Tue Jun 12, 07:34:00 AM PDT  
Blogger Jennifer said...

Love your tea cozy. I love how your fabric on the wings mimics the owls feathers in real life.

Wed Jun 13, 05:07:00 AM PDT  
Anonymous Virginia said...

I like your owl :)

Wed Jun 13, 10:36:00 PM PDT  
Anonymous Claudie-fr said...

I love patchwork, and I love your owl, too. Very kind !

Thu Jun 14, 12:11:00 PM PDT  
Blogger Molly said...

I LOVE this!

Wed Jun 20, 06:30:00 PM PDT  
Blogger 'L' said...

I love your owl. Any chance of a pattern for it?

Fri Jun 22, 01:19:00 AM PDT  
Blogger Lisa said...

This is darling!

-Lisa :)

Thu May 21, 08:04:00 PM PDT  

Post a Comment

Links to this post:

Create a Link

<< Home