One of my favourite books of all time ( of which they are many) is the Velveteen Rabbit.It probably doesn't surprise you at all. The whole thing about the rabbit being so worn and loved, precious to the boy, and the rabbit coming to life.
Without wanting to sound nuts or something, I do believe in the "life" in toys, the soul and personality that each one brings and has. it's something I so love about my old boys, that they are not just beautifully made, loved old bears but each have a little soul and personality peeping out. It's one of the big things that made me want to make toys was that I looked around at the toys and bears on offer and so many of them were dead or soul less. As a child and an adult I had/have wonderful toys full of life and personality. I wanted to the world to have what I have and set about trying to do so.
Parsnip is inspired by a combination of that book and the early steiff painted rabbits.
And while I had done some of these felt rabbits on all fours , I have long been wanting to do one on hindlegs.
Parsnip is also for Softies for Mirabel, as wonderful thing Pip does each year, that I always look forward to enormously.
And as usual with the last lot of felt rabbits I made while I do know it's name, I'm not sure of Parsnip's sex. ANd am wondering again if I've managed to make a multisex rabbit.
I'd love your thoughts.
11 comments:
I think Parsnip could be timid boy rabbit although I'm not really an expert with rabbits.. He matches in really well with your lounge. Cherrie
Absolutely gorgeous !
Yep - i think unisex too!
You get them just right every time Jess - love the spots!xx
Parsnip is just divine Jess! I'm sure he'll be very loved :) Kx
Just right, again!
I've been thinking of you lots lately. Funny thing, I've been making bunnies. I was under a bit of a deadline and went through two hopeless attempts, I was about to give up...I mean, I don't really do softies, I just haven't the knack. Then I thought of you, which made me think of some beloved soft toys I had when I was little, made for me by a family friend. They were wonky and simple, but full of personality and I loved them madly.
I decided to start over, to make them from that place of memory and love. They are nothing like your amazing creations, still I am smitten with them.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Sweetie, he's all boy. And all gorgeous. Velveteen Rabbit is on my Hit Parade, too...the first book that took my breath away with its sheer wondrousness. (Kind of like your softies.)
xx
w
Jess, i love Parsnip! I think you should make more buns just like him!
:-} You don't sound nuts to me WINK!
I am known to have conversations with my clay creations, hey if you talk to them they tell their story! plus there is not such thing as no life, even a rock is moving and has life. Our human perceptions are very limited.
Parsnip is all about love.
HUGS Lorraine
parsnip is wonderful! im thinking a little girl - miss p! : ) her sweet little hands and face seem so delicate to me. what a wonderful treasure for mirabel. either sex parsnip will undoubtedly be loved!
Love this post Jess. Maybe the little one who Parsnip goes to live with will decide on her/his gender? Anyway, Parsnip is divine and I'm sure he/she will be treasured xo
I've been admiring Parsnip for few days already. She (I think Parsnip is a she) is absolutely lovely and will make someone very happy. And I do also believe that handcrafted (and some of the mass made too) have personalities. They definitely do. Sometimes very cheeky ones like the turtle Charlie who lives with us and is a serial womaniser and has a basketful of offspring at the Melbourne Aquarium shop.
OMG!!! Parsnip is *SO* cute. I love him, I love him, I love him.
... and I love the velveteen rabbit too!
YAY!
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