The good, the bad and the deeply unfortunate

Welcome April

Detail from 'The Goose Girl' by Jessie Willcox Smith

Let's start in reverse order.

Several years ago I decided I was going to make a toy. This was at a time when I had not yet properly rediscovered my crafty mojo but it was there - behind the scenes - urging me to have a go.
I've always been one to look at things closely and tell myself 'I think I could do that - no really I could - I must try it', so when the fashion for 'ugly' dolls popped up I spied my chance.
What could go wrong? Surely any mistakes could be made to look intentional.
I ferreted out some old material and set to. 

I didn't need a pattern - that would add to the fun.
Then I had a brilliant idea. I could give it to Little Sis for Christmas. Oh yes a handmade toy that would be the envy of all her friends. Hand crafted by her gloriously talented mum it would be handed down through future generations as a thing of awe, alongside tales of Great Great Grandma cutting up old dresses and stitching by the fire on cold, dark December evenings. He would be called Festive.

I feel I should introduce him gradually.

Cheery material - tick

Attempt at cheeky face - oh

The disproportionate result of not using a pattern - good grief

He certainly made an impact.

Christmas morning saw Little Sis gleefully unwrapping her special present. Big Sis had just received the phone that she had been asking for and was suitably thrilled. Then a  foot popped out and the mood was set. The unwrapping slowed and, in spite of trying to remain chipper, Little Sis's face fell. By the time all the paper had gone she could hold back no more. 

She wept.

It was deeply unfortunate.

On the plus side we all remember that special day and it is something we can now look back on and have a good laugh. In years to come tales may still be told about the arrival of Festive but not quite with the same twist as I was expecting.

Now for the bad.

Those of you familiar with blogland will have seen the glorious abundance of Easter trees popping up everywhere. Wonderful Spring twigs festooned with hand crafted decorations and chocolate eggs.

With my usual gung ho attitude I had a thought. One that by now I should be wary of.

'I could do that'.

Can you guess what I did?

Can you guess what I did now?

Did you expect this?

No - neither did I. 

As I patiently sat and blew two eggs clean before placing them in food colouring to dye them pastel shades of pink and blue to lovingly hang from a twig of Pussy Willow, I had no idea of how they could go so sadly awry.

Hmm.

Time for some good!

For Mother's Day Big Sis bought me this

Maybe it was a hint.

If I was going to continue with my crafty nonsense perhaps it would be a good idea to follow a pattern.

So this Easter two special friends arrived.

One for each Sis.

Happy faces

Made with love

The response was good. There were no tears.

No tears is good!

At last 'I did a good!'

Maybe I should stop there?

No chance - too many thoughts going on over here.

What next?

 Hope you are doing some good things this Easter.

Jane x