Sunday, May 13, 2012

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 tailHe 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.













Wednesday, May 2, 2012

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