Thursday, June 3, 2010

my creative space - book inspired making


We have a lot of books in our house - often stacked 2 books thick in our bookshelves, and in little "overflow" piles on tables or cupboards. Somehow, though, we spend much of our time reading the same ones - and this is one of our favourites.

A persuasive, expressive, occasionally bad tempered pigeon who really wants to drive a bus - what's not to like? Yes there have been times when I hear pigeon-inspired complaints ("I never get to do anything!"), but isn't quoting from literature a good thing??

I decided to try and make a little pigeon for our house. I'd originally planned a softie, but was home sick, did not feel like leaving the house under any circumstances, and discovered that I had some bits of (cheap and nasty) felt in the necessary colours - a finger puppet seemed a good idea.

After designing a modified pigeon that could fit on a child's finger, and cutting out the pieces, I realised that I had no idea how to make skinny little pigeon legs - I knew this felt would not be up to the task.

I decided to try crochet, in spite of my very limited crochet knowledge - and it kind of worked...

but was a bit lumpy and gappy (poor technique? wrong size hook? crocheting stranded cotton because I couldn't find wool?) so I cheated (sssh!) and "sewed" through the legs to pull everything together.

Finally my pigeon was finished - a little plumper than the original (perhaps a few too many hot dog parties!) - but still pretty cute, and still quite talkative!

For more creative space inspiration, visit Kirsty, and for more on this book visit the author's website here.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Love your pigeon!!! He is a cutie

Tracey@bountifully said...

adorable, how much fun to read the book with this little friend

Cat said...

Your pigeon is very cute. What a clever idea to have when you are reading the book.:)

angelina said...

haha cute!

Snooze said...

your pigeon is so cool ... he'd look great as a softie and the colour is just perfect.

PS my secret word was squety, which feels like a perfect name for your new friend.

My Creative Space

teddybearswednesday said...

Your pigeon is divine Catherine!!! Love him and you've captured the spirit of him perfectly xo

74 Lime Lane said...

he's very cute! how great to read the book with a little finger puppet {sounds like a great book too}

Anna Bartlett said...

Great idea. Now they're guaranteed never to forget that book!

Brenda said...

Cute pigeon puppet.....is he going to live on your bulging bookcase and keep an eye on all your favourite books?

Steph said...

Catherine that is gold!! And those pigeon books are brilliant aren't they?!! The facial expressions are fantastic. Your pigeon is great and I'm sure he will be much loved. Wishing you a wonderfully happy Friday :)

midge said...

what a great job. i think he looks fantastic. i love taking inspiration from favourite books. great work

Unknown said...

He's cute , let him drive the bus !

sharingjam said...

what will happen when pigeon wants a hot dog?? WIll you make a mini hot dog?? :) Love those books and you will have so much fun with your finger puppet!!