toy design

Working on Ida monkeys

February 16, 2017 Sonja

Hi peeps, it seemed appropriate to give you an update about what I’m up to. I am doing something I normally would not do. I am making two Ida monkeys as assignments. When I started Adi’s pattern, I planned on making an extra monkey for my friend and illustrator Esther van Hulsen. But I didn’t plan on making another one. When Esther showed Adi to the professor that bought the Ida fossil, he was so delighted with the result he wanted to have one too. Well, I could not reject that, it felt fair to make him one too.

So, now I am working on the monkeys. I have to change their appearance a bit to make these look exactly like Esther’s version, but that makes it more fun.

You probably wonder why I never take assignments to make animals. Well, the main reason is that I get attached to them. When working on them I start to love them and have trouble giving them away. Also, if I would take more assignments like these, it would mean I would be constantly making the same animals and have less time designing new patterns, and that is what I love doing most. Every time it’s a challenge to create a new and fabulous looking doll and it keeps me fresh!

Now about a new design. I haven’t decided yet what animal I am going to make after I have these monkeys finished and I am open to suggestions. If you come up with something I really like, it might be the animal I am making next. So don’t be shy and let me know what you would like to see!

Stories

Happy rainy holidays

July 14, 2016 Sonja

This is what mice do best, hanging around in my little garden. And look at the picture, it was even sunny! I was looking forward to making another summer Popkes picture, with new dolls and a lovely setting, but because of this years summer weather, my only choice would have been a picture of Popkes with umbrellas or in rain suits and that is not very appealing.

Actually, I don’t really mind this cool summer weather with a downpour every day. I am not in my element when it is too warm because I love doing active things and when it gets hot, I become slow and tired too soon and it spoils all the fun.

Our summer holiday has just started and I am looking forward to doing all sorts of things. I will probably work less, but I can’t stop completely. I just ordered a gorgeous shade of green (light highland green) to design a crochet crocodile. I felt like something completely different and a crocodile and armadillo pattern seemed just perfect. I have no idea how that will go, so I can’t make any promises there will be patterns soon. Let’s just see how it all works out.

In the mean time, do enjoy summer dear crafters! Even on those rainy or way too hot days, there are plenty of fun things to do, or crochet ;).