Sunday, April 17, 2011

Which came first: the manatee or the egg?

In this case, I can tell you it was definitely the egg. Simply because that's the tutorial I went with first. I don't know how I got there, but one day I ended up over at the bright and cheery Retro Mama blog. She has a super easy and adorable tutorial for these patchwork fabric eggs. I couldn't wait to sort through some scraps and get sewing. I made fourteen, but it took no time. I was shooting for an even dozen (y'know...like a dozen eggs?) but I didn't realize I had seven combos until I was almost done. So fourteen it is. I think they came out pretty cute:

I got the cute little basket from Target. The table runner matches it, but you can't tell from the photo.

Here's the obligatory close-up :)

 All snuggled up together. The red ones aren't exactly Eastery but I needed to throw some of that polka dot in for good measure.

So if you have a nest of eggs you'd have to assume they came from somewhere, right? Baskets of eggs don't just appear... And fabric eggs would naturally be laid by fabric birds. Brenda shared her cute little flock here, and when I was thinking "fabric birds" I remembered her post and had to go off in search of the tutorial she used from Spool. Fun fact: Spool is right here in Philadelphia. I knew in my mind which fabrics were going to be used. I only made two because there were only 2 combos that matched well (I know! All that fabric and not much of it matches!) Plus I have a terrible habit of cutting up piles and piles only to find myself getting tired of sewing the same thing over and over again. So I started small, and I'm glad I did. They're a little bit....er...they have a sea creature quality....

 You look at it this way and they're not bad looking. And my fabric placement worked out well.

This one isn't awful, but it's still bad. I probably should have left the tail unstuffed. It looks like the back end of a beluga whale. And the beak should be much pointier.

This one is much worse. I decided to help it along by drawing an eye on. This not only did NOT help but enhanced the manatee-ish-ness...

I'm proud of myself--I didn't pursue a week-long quest for perfection and end up with a flock of birds in assorted fabrics...I took my two (because two was all I really wanted--a boy and a girl) and they are taped to the side of the basket, watching over their eggs. They may have been  better if I had hand-sewn the beaks...or not drawn on eyes...or stuffed the tails. Maybe it's best they look more like manatees...I wouldn't want my brother to freak out. He's wicked scared of birds.

Happy Monday! It's a short work week--I am unspeakably excited!
I'm going to link up here: click on over for some fun crafty ideas!

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Mondays @ All Things Fee!The Girl Creative
Sumo Sweet Stuff
Running with Glitter
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Anything RelatedToday's Creative Blog
Pink Hippo Party
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21 comments:

  1. Ok, now I know how to make a stuffed manatee. I wonder what you will do with all the eggs once the novelty wears off?

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  2. Hahaha you're silly! They definitely look like birds to me! These look really fun. :)

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  3. I spluttered diet coke when I saw your manatee :)
    The pink one is spot on and the eggs are just... well... eggcellent (sorry)!
    Enjoy the short week, with all our UK Bank Holidays and a Royal Wedding I have taken 3 days off work next week which gets me 11 days off work in total, kerrrching!
    Kandi x

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  4. What pretty little eggs! I've tried sewing stuffed birds before with about the same result. I did manage to get one looking half way decent -- at least from a distance!

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  5. I loved Retro Mama's eggs when I saw them, but for some reason my eggs never looked egg shaped. But yours are gorgeous!

    Would love for you to share at my link party!
    http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/04/calling-all-crafters-3rd-edition.html

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  6. Your eggs cameout so great!!! I love them!! I've tried the tutorial from Retro Mama, myself, but with no great result:( here take a look http://sewhappiness.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-egg-time.html
    Can you explain what I might have done wrong and they don't look so eggy?

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  7. Love those eggs! Need to go check out her tute!!

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  8. It's me again:)I just wanted to let you know, that after your lovely comments, I have now proudly placed your cute button on my blog!!! I'm getting buzzzeeeddd:)
    You made my day:)
    Eleni

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  9. OMG! Too funny! Cute eggs and the birds are cute too. I don't see a manitee, it looks like a bird to me. I think you did a great job!

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  10. Your eggs are adorable! I literally laughed out loud at the manatee-esque birds. I see birds if it makes you feel any better. :)

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  11. Those eggs are awesome! I've wanted to make some stuffed eggs... was going to try to figure out the math myself, but now I'm going to go check out the tute! : )

    Stopped by from TCB.

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  12. What a cute idea! I love that they are stuffed!

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  13. The eggs are fantastic! The birds do look bird like, and at least you gave it a try!

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  14. These are soo stinkin cute! And I just love the little birdies! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/04/pink-hippo-party-25.html

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  15. Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday - I featured you today! - Mandy, www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

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  16. Hi Bethany,

    I really like those patchwork eggs. I'll have to check out that tutorial. I'm visiting for Whatever You Want Wednesday. Drop by if you have a moment!

    Pink Sparkles for your day,
    Stephanie ♥

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  17. I would love for you to come by and link up to Inspire Me Monday. It's up all week!
    http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2011/04/inspire-me-monday_17.html

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  18. I think they turned out really cute!! Thanks for lining up to Make Something Mondays! Can't wait to see what you've made this week!

    ~ Sarah

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  19. aw i think the birds are cute! and a matching table runner? score. i love matching :) Thanks for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday!! Hope to see ya again this week :)

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  20. these are so cute! the fabric eggs are cute and your birds are cute, too! thanks for sharing this fun post!

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