Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Wrangling with a travelling rabbit

Last week I made a bunny from some vintage chenille pieces for a grand daughter's 6th birthday and it turned out to be a bit of a saga. I used a commercial pattern for a twenty inch bear (that's big) and made up the ears myself. There was fluff spread from one end of the sewing room to the other.
During the stuffing part, there was a bit of an injury to the chest area due to a weak spot in that piece of chenille.
I managed to save the limbs and made a new body and carried on. Oh dear, the ears are way too long for this poor rabbit as you can see.
After sleeping on it, I decided to unstuff the head and try and extract the ears and do them again.
So here is the final result which turned out as good as it was going to get. It's very cute for a stuffed toy bigger than a newborn baby but it is light in weight.
And of course bunny has to have a tail. I wasn't sure how to do that so turned a seam allowance on a circle, gathered it, stuffed it and sewed it in place.
It's all squishy in the middle, I tested it with cuddles.
I just didn't get to the Post Office in time to send it across the ocean so it got packed in a suitcase and flew interstate to Queensland for photographing and posting the next day. It'll be well travelled by the time it gets to it's destination.
 
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We had a wonderful four days away to see the V and A quilt exhibition and have a relaxing break and also catch up with my son. We got to celebrate his birthday and also David's while we were up there.
 What an absolutely wonderful thing it is to see these incredible works up close.  
The embroidery on the quilts was so incredibly fine, the stitching was superb and I was surprised to see the above coverlet had been done by the English paper piecing method. That whole center was stuffed like a pillow. Not sure if that was for display. No photos were allowed so these are off the net. I also loved seeing a very old needlework casket stitched with Stump work, some sewing paraphernalia and other items of interest. It was well worth seeing.
The weather in Queensland was perfect, warm and sunny during the days cooling at night. This is their winter!. 
 
The locals were very friendly where we stayed in Surfer's Paradise.
These ladies dressed in gold sequined bikinis put coins in the meters along the beach front as a courtesy to the public. Not a job I would qualify for ;-)
Even the police were dressed for the weather.
Until next time, Janet

32 comments:

Susan said...

Your rabbit is one of a kind, and looks as soft and cuddly as you say. Queensland really knows how to do winter, I could do with some sun and surf right now. Glad you enjoyed the exhibition.

Terry said...

What a sweet little bunny! I loved his longer ears!! :0)

ruthsplace said...

The rabbit looks wonderful. Your photos made me homesick for my home state :)

Cissa K said...

What a wonderful bunny. I am sure it will be loved dearly. I stayed at Mermaid Beach a few years ago and loved that area. Happy belated b-day to yours.

Oops-Lah said...

Oh I love the bunny! It's too cute. And you did very well with "clipping" its ears. I wish I could see that V and A quilt exhibition. Good to know you had a nice break.
PS: I wanted to ask you before, but I always forget: what are the blocks on your blog header?

gracie said...

That is a really sweet bunny.

Lurline said...

So much patience! So worthwhile - bunny is gorgeous. Glad you enjoyed Queensland - always will be my 'home Stat'.
Hugs - - Lurline.

Janet said...

What an adorable bunny!! It must be so very soft.
I like the ears both lengths I think :0) I especially love that one dark chenille on the tummy - so pretty! I imagine it will get lots of loving.
I'm not sure my summer is as nice as that for winter! What a great getaway! I would LOVE to see that coverlet!

Nat Palaskas said...

Did you bring any sun back with you Janet? I forgot all about the exhibition. I was so keen to go before our trip to NZ, but now I have no more leave left! Glad you got to see it - Hugs Nat

Every Stitch said...

Beautiful bunny - well done - I've never seen such pretty chenille. Lucky you going to the V and A exhibition! Amazing to hear that huge coverlet was done in EPP - but I guess it is English!
Hilda

Rachaeldaisy said...

That little bunny is so cute!! I can just imagine how lovely and soft and cuddly she is. Love your Brisbane photos. I'm going with a group of quilting friends next weekend to see the V&A exhibition, I don't think we'll be wearing gold sequin bikinis either.

Shirley said...

Very cute bunny. I may have given him the chop mind if he was too much trouble. Sounds like you had a great time away.x

Julia said...

Love the bunny, my what patience Janet, but well worth it.
How lovely it must have been to see the quilts up close.
Sure could use some of that sunshine over on the west.
Julia ♥

Jill said...

Love all your posts. I desire a trip to your country for quiting, tea and scenery. Golden-clad bikini meter donators may help in persuading my DH to come for a visit!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Doe Bunny need a passport? She's snuggily and adorable. How wonderful to see those amazing quilt in person. I've seen some of the Shelburne Museum quilts during a traveling quilt show.

Karen said...

There's something about bunnies......:). The chenille is a great choice. Not sure where Queensland is but the beach is beautiful.

Jane in Cumbria said...

I love your rabbit! When our son was one, I made him a bear that was bigger than him. He is now 35 and has still got it, very much more bare.... It was always his favourite. Lovely photos!

Ruth said...

The bunny is absolutely adorable!!! The weirdest thing happened. None of your pictures loaded when I opened the blog, but when I clicked on one of the blank picture areas, they all loaded so I could look at them. I'm glad I got to see the bunny, the quilts and the beautiful scenery!

Pat said...

That adorable bunny would be welcomed in any garden! What a wonderful exhibit that V and A collection must be!
My husband is long overdue for a return visit to Australia where he was born....thinking those gold bikini-clad ladies might just be the deciding factor!!:o)

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love the rabbit!! so cute. love the quilts and other photos as well. thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

Adorable bunny! Love the chenille. It makes him look so snuggly.
Sounds like you had a lovely holiday.

Nedra said...

Seeing your bunny out of chenille was like a step back in time. And so many other wonderful things going on in your life this summer. How amazing to be able to go to the V & A

Thimbleanna said...

Awww, I think your little bunny is just perfect - how adorable!

And the quilts! I've tried (to no avail) to find out if the V & A quilts are coming to the US - I'd LOVE to see the exhibition!

Doris said...

Your bunny is wonderful, and what a great looking journey!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I'm not surprised the bunny passed your cuddle test - what a sweet Grandma! Amazing photos of your travels and quilt viewing!

FlourishingPalms said...

It's fun to see the variety of your doin's these days. Going places, spending time with family, wishing you could wear a gold lamé bikini... don't we all?! Cuddle-bunny is the best, and turned out adorably in your skilled hands. What a wonderful grandmother you are!

Teresa Rawson said...

ADORABLE RABBIT! It looks so cute and really, really cuddly! Thanks for sharing the old quilts. Gold-sequinned bikini, indeed...

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

~ Pen to Paper ~ said...

I like your Bunny Rabbit and I'm sure the receiver will as well :)

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Cute post!! love your bunny.

Carolyn :)

libbyquilter said...

omg~!!~that is one adoreable stuffed bunny~!

:-)
libbyQ

Home Soul said...

Keep a careful touch on your quilt when machine quilting. Use light pressure and move it gently, letting the machine and your walking foot do the pulling. If you are too heavy-handed, the quilt will drag and cause the stitches to become uneven.

Vintage Patchwork Quilt

Cheryl said...

HI , I just love your Rabbits ,it is similar to the ones i make but your's are more chubby and I love the chenile fabric you used,on mine I would use a different color cotton .
I love the extra long floppy ears too ,I also saw the knitted ones they ar cute as well.