Major - the Basset Hound pup

Basset hounds were originally bred for the purpose of hunting rabbits. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the Bloodhound. The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning "low", with the attenuating suffix -et, together meaning "rather low". Basset Hounds are usually bi or tricoloured .

 

Major is a tri-coloured pup fashioned from caramel, red-brown and white vintage longpile velvet.  Like all of his breed he is short and solid, holding his curved sabre tail high over his long back.

 Everett Millais, founder of the modern Basset Hound, is quoted as saying "Oh, he's about 4 feet long and 12 inches high." in reference to his French basset.   Our little Major stands only 5,5 cms high!

He fits very snugly into the palm of my hand

Major has many cute poses to entice you to play with him.
 

His eyes are German glass  and his nose and mouth are hand embroidered .

The Basset is known for its saggy-baggy loose skin, and big dewlaps - which cause it to have a sad look. Needle and scissor sculpting helped me achieve this effect.

He has very long ears in two shades of caramel .

 Major wears a brown ultrasuede collar a with a brass bell.

Major has been 5 ways cotter-pin and wobble jointed allowing him plenty of movement and poses. He has been firmly stuffed with polyfibre

He is not very obedient but has mastered the 'sit' command.....

A big stretch from this tired little pup who bids you good night

English Bulldog

Spike

Spike is an English bulldog.  True to the breed standards he is robust, sturdy and full of wrinkes.  

  

  

The pattern for Spike is not an Eddybare original.  I adapted a pattern I found on a Russian website.  I'm not sure who the originator of the pattern is.......but I thank her (or him) for inspiring me to attempt this.  My thanks to two ladies who helped me - Natalia Valentina for helping me translate all the Russian bits I couldn't figure out; and to Natalya Ignatyeva, who helped me with the layout of the head pieces.  Your help was greatly appreciated.

Spike is fashioned from tan cashmere and white Sassy Longpile velvet.  His eyepatches are a matching tan Ultrasuede.

 

Just under 3 inches high and 4,5 inches from nose to tail.  He stands well on his solid limbs. 

 

A lot of needlesculpting was necessary to create his squashed- in face and  wrinkly muzzle.

 

 

 

He has German glass black eyes and a hand embroidered nose, mouth and paw pads.

 

  

 

Spike wears a brown leather collar embroidered and studded.  He has been firmly stuffed with polyfibre and is unjointed.

Grizz and Guppy

I would love to introduce you to  Grizz and Guppy - my latest little bears.

Standing 9cms tall Grizz is a daddy bear. He has a sturdy body and stands well on two or four legs. Guppy is a cub and is 7cms tall when upright.

Seated they are 6.5 cms and 5.5 cms tall respectively. 

You can be sure that if there's tea and cake being served the bears will not be far away. In fact they will be right under your nose  hiding in a teacup!

Both bears have been made from Sassy Longpile velvet in two colours.  A rich brown and a creamy light tan.
  

 
Their eyes are German glass .  Grizz has a shiny black resin nose whilst Guppy's nose has been hand embroidered. Their faces have been extensively needle sculpted to enhance their features.

Grizz has different paw pads.  I have given him trapunto embroidered foot detail using tan ultrasuede.  Guppy has pulled toes that have been hand embroidered. Both bears have hand shading on their paws.

Sometimes Guppy will sleep in my pocket when she's tired

 

Both bears have wobble-jointed heads which I prefer, as they can be posed in various positions.  They have been firmly stuffed with polyfibre.

Little Guppy loves her dad and often gives him big bear hugs

More of Alfie - the pocket pal pooch

Could not resist uploading these last two photos of little Alfie.

where ever you go.....I'm coming with!

Mom won't let me go!

Alfie

Alfie is nothing but a hound dog!  His coat is a mix  Sassy longpile velvet  and rough suede in honey and rufus tones. 

He is 3 inches tall standing on his hind paws but a mere 4cms high when standing on all fours.  His tiny size enables him to fit easily in the palm of a hand, or be popped into one's pocket.  He likes to accompany his owner everywhere and is well behaved.

His muzzle is square from extensive needle and scissor sculpting with a hand shaded and embroidered lower lip.

Suede and velvet eye-sockets were created to house his German glass black eyes.  His nose is black resin.

HIs hind paw pads have been realistically needle-sculpted ,then  embroidered with DMC cotton thread.

Alfie has a wobble-jointed head allowing him to adopt multiple head positions. His limbs are string jointed. His forelimbs have wire armature to assist in movement and posing. 

Nobody knows who his father was.... but we suspect it was a terrier of sorts, judging by the shape of his adorable ears.

He wears a furry collar embroided with antique metallic thread and sporting two tinkly brass bells.

Alfie is stuffed very firmly with polyfibre filling...and a whole lot of love too!
Due to the small parts he contains he is not intended for children or pets.

Easter Bunnies

 Busy Easter Bunnies

Easter Bunnies all over the world are very busy tonight.  So many eggs to hide for so many children.  They better hurry! 

Rosie, Posie and Wally hopping around madly

  

Rosie and Posie are made from two different patterns I have been experimenting with.  Both are made from longpile velvet in a pastel lilac shade, and white faux fur.

Posie is only 5,5 cms high. Her head is cotterpin jointed and her forelimbs are sting jointed.  She has long whiskers and furry fuzzy cheeks.

It seems like Wally is quite taken with her and not too keen on working!

Rosie is taller at 7 cms  and is 5 ways jointed.  She sits, runs and hops, and can turn her head in all directions. Her cheeks have been scissor sculpted.  Like Posie she has a seriously fluffy white tail.

Time for a group photo

 The bunnies and I would like to wish all our friends a very Happy Easter