Thursday, January 14, 2010

Letting the Animal out of the Bag

I'd love to entitle this 'Letting the Cat out of the Bag', but I'm not so sure it is a cat... You'll have to let me know what you think...
j
To begin at the beginning, we have to go back to the 19080s, when some thrifting member of my family bought this plastic bag. Inside were a number of partially completed hexagonal patchwork pieces.
I wasn't over enthused by the fabrics used, but of course, I kept the bag!
Since rediscovering it last year, I have become quite fond of some of the patterns and fabrics - tastes change, after all.
This one is certainly rather 'me'.Don't know what the original crafter was doing here...Also inside were plenty more pieces of prepared fabric, plus lots of strong waxed paper which I've been using for my own patchwork. I've used the large piece of blue flowered fabric which matches those hexagons on the bottom left, too.A useful little hexagon shape and an ephemeral clue to when the shapes were cut out!And finally, inside a second plastic bag which I'd never opened before, yesterday I found two useful reels of thread and this little animal. She is easy to date - did you see Sarah Jane Down the Lane and her lovely '70s sepia tones yesterday? But what kind of animal is she? She has whiskers and her ears are most unlike those of a mouse... What do you think she is, dear readers?

24 comments:

Rubyred said...

Definitely a sweet little mouse I'd say!
I do love a bit of hexagonal patchwork!
Rachel x

French Nanny said...

Is it an alien from Star Trek?

Serenata said...

Hmmm, the face looks familiar, but I can't say what it is! I would have said almost a sheep type face - but not with whiskers.

Lululiz said...

Lolol, I am not even going to hazard a guess. I doubt if even Mr. Attenborough would be able to classify this charming little character. Who cares, its so sweet.

Hexagonal patchwork is very labour intentive. I don't think I have the patience for it, but I admire the quilts.

Jen Walshaw said...

Oh, could be a little mouse, what wonderful bits of patchwork.

Marigold Jam said...

Mmmm. Not sure what it might be but the pointed face makes me think of a mouse or maybe it isn't actually pointed but snouty and therefore a pink pig? You could have a competition to see how many votes you get for each possible animal here!! Good luck with the patchwork mixed in with lots of other fabrics I am sure it will all look great.

Jane

Hen said...

Oh, what a cute little creature! Quite a find.
Hen x

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Oooh!

Country Cottage Chic said...

A mouse with an identity problem perhaps?

Jayne

Sarah said...

Oh, I think a mouse for sure...??!

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

I'd say a mouse too. Perhaps a child made it which explains the flappy ears. I would love to find a bag with bits of patchwork in it. How wonderful to continue someone elses project years later.

Joy said...

Maybe she's a little lamb.
What a treasure you've had. I took a quilting class many years ago and remember doing those hexagon pieces. Boy are those hard to make.

So they cut the hexagon out of an album cover it looks like. So interesting.

Thanks for sharing your find.
♥ Joy

Elyse said...

hmmm? she is quite adorable whatever she is. perhaps a mousecatbunnylamb?

happy 2010!

xo
elyse

Me and Ma said...

Definately a mouse, I remember my Nana making similar ones x

Unknown said...

Could be a cat! could be a mouse! Sounds like is it a bird, is it a plane no it's super mouse! Cute anyway, whatever she is! suzie xxx

sarah-jane down the lane said...

OMG FLoss she looks like a prototype Finger-Mouse puppet or one of the squeaking " we will fix it, we will mend it..." crew from Bagpuss.

I LOVE HER! I love her dress fabric! no surprise there then!

Thanks for linking to me that was so nice of you, thanks a load. Have a brilliant weekend.

Sarah x

( Are you going to make something with your hexagonal treasures?)

Elizabethd said...

It's a very special mouse that only lives in quilting packs.

VintageVicki said...

Looks quite mouse like to me?? Can't wait to see what you create from all those hexagons :)

BadPenny said...

I think she's a cat - is there anything of her under those clothes that would give you a clue ?
Wonderful treasures

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Hello Floss, thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. You have a gorgeous little space here and I will enjoy coming back for more inspiring makes and buys!
We have spent many a wonderful holiday down in your part of southern France - I love it!

Have a wonderful weekend. Jeanne

...Nina Nixon... said...

She reminds me of a mouse from Bagpuss 'yep' definitely a mouse.

Have a lovely weekend,

Nina x

Anonymous said...

She looks quite mousey to me. Whatever she is she's a Sweetie x

The hexagons are Beautiful!

Nina said...

Oh, I think it must Hemulen from Moominland.

BadPenny said...

Floss - I meant look under her clothes to see what kind of a tail she has ...mouse / cat / lamb / Alien ?! xx