June 15th: Strawberry Kitty

The other day the Toy Shoppe called looking for something new. During the phone call the idea for kitty with strawberries developed. So here we have a photo blog of Strawberry Kitty. I really like the fact that my phone has a camera.

Here is Strawberry, sewn and turned, ready to stuff.

The stuffed headless body...

The stuffed bodiless head.

They found each other!

United at last.

"Mmmphm, mphm!"

What's that you say kitty? You can't see?

First things first, I must clean up your face! There!

Now I can see where to place you eyes, nose, and mouth. 

"MMphmm, MMPHMMMM!"

Just a moment and I will have everything in place!

"MEOW, MEOW!"

Is that better now?

"Meow."

Good.

Ok, Strawberry not so close to the phone!

I've only got one and it is not a toy!

Looks like you have something you want to show everyone.

"Meow"

Look at you! Is that a fancy bow I see?

Hold still I want to get a better look.

Hey, that is pretty sweet! A strawberry necklace and a strawberry in your bow.

Do you like Strawberry Kitty?

He is limited to 2!

Visit our friends at The Toy Shoppe!

Hoppy Hare and Bear Hugs,Jared

June 12th: Results?

Well I have to say that so far making a blog entry everyday is interesting. It is forcing me to think of topics to write about. I have set a minimum of 150 words per entry; on some days that is a stretch, yet on others I can quickly write 250 words. Most of my entries have been on the 150-word side of things. Yes, I have missed a few days but being conscious of the commitment that I have made to myself, I am pressing on. With just a few more words, this entry will be complete and I can move on to another task.

Since I have been writing about inspiration and creative energy, I have developed a couple of ideas. I am hoping that within the next few weeks I will be able to complete them. For example, I have a new pattern in mind that I want to create out of grey and white mohair. This will be a different little guy he won't have joints in his arms or legs. However, engineering this little guy will take some time. Not 6 months or a year, but something more than just 20 minutes. It will take a few days to get the pattern just right.

Hoppy Hare & Bear Hugs,

Jared

June 9th: Outside Sources

There are sites and blogs that I visit on a semi-regular basis (read; when I get a chance about every 6 months). One of those blogs is Desire to Inspire; in fact, it was the first blog that I followed. I even went as far as subscribing so that every entry would show up in my RSS feed in my inbox. The authors, Kim & Jo, have never met in real life, but they share an interest in interior design. What's more, they met on the internet through another web site, Flickr, on which they shared photos of interior designs. Soon after meeting through Flickr, Desire to Inspire was born.

I love to view their posts. This site stimulates my creative energy. They show just about any type of interior design one can imagine. I happen to love primitive and modern all at once. I don't even mind a dash of fussy Victorian thrown in for a nice touch. Glancing through the archives one can find this type of design. Many of the designers they feature have a mid-century vibe that is nice, not my favorite, but still nicely done. It is a joy to view the new designs the show daily. Today's post featured a mountain home that could astound you.

To visit Desire to Inspire click the link below:

http://www.desiretoinspire.net/

Hoppy Hare & Bear Hugs,

Jared

June 8th: Oops!

I guess these things happen. Sometimes we get busy and forget to do the things that need to be done. I have spent the last 2 evenings completing cats that need to go out ASAP! I have neglected my blog posts.

Creative energy and Inspiration are two different creatures. Inspiration is derived from the word inspire which means, among other things, to be the cause or the source of; bring about.¹ Inspiration is the idea, object, color, or some item that gives you an idea to create another item. Whereas, creative energy comes by viewing items that help give one inspiration. Creative energy is that which motives one to create but does not necessarily inspire. I get creative energy by view other's art works or crafts, it is also brought about by viewing creative magazines, web sites, blogs, books, going to craft stores, and other such venues. Many times, I have creative energy but no inspiration to focus it. I might just dig out an old pattern and remake it just to expend the creative energy. Otherwise, I might be up all night trying to create. As I travel the creative energy path, usually at some point, most of the time at two in the morning, inspiration strikes and a new rabbit or bear is born.

Hoppy Hare & Bear Hugs,

Jared

¹Dictionary.com, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Inspire (accessed June 8, 2010).

June 5th: Family Inspiration?

Before I started writing today's entry, I was looking at facebook and I noticed that I had a message from a friend. I opened it and she suggested looking at my family tree for inspiration. Creativity runs back a few generations, this is not a bad idea. My mother, as many of you know, is Jane Monroe of C. Riffenberg Bear Co. My grandmother has sewn for nearly all of her life and not just practical items. I remember geese made from cutter quilts, the Swoozie Sisters, this was a one of a kind duo, and any number of other projects. Next time I visit her I will make a point to take a picture of the sisters to share.

My grandfather constructed beautiful items from wood and metal. Then my great-grandma Russell was always writing stories. After doing some research on my family tree, I discovered that my great-great-grandfather was a watchmaker and jeweler. He was the one in the family that was a stickler for perfection. One would have to be when creating jewelry and watches. Striving for perfection and making a well finished product come not only from my grandfather's side, but my grandmother taught my mother that the inside of a garment or the back side of a piece of needle work should look just as nice as the right side.

Hoppy Hare & Bear Hugs,

Jared