Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pixie's In Angora


I loved that my last name was of Irish origins when I was school aged. I also loved on the first day of school the opportunity to tell the teacher at first roll call my name Keily was not pronounced K(eye)ly but K(eee)ly just like the famous alpine racer Jean Claude Killy. It never occurred to me I was only confusing the teacher even more by giving a French name spelled yet another way.


My husband and I have had an ongoing argument all of our married years as to who is the most Irish. "My first relative came over during the Potato Famine." is my opening defense. "I love Notre Dame!" is my husband's rebuttal.  Try as I might I can not convince him that his Checzlovocian last name is not Irish.


Such a fun craft to make with very few supplies. I always think these pipe cleaner dolls look like they are wearing angora sweaters. Head beads are pre-painted and can be found at most craft stores. Body of sweater is slipped over legs. Arm pipe cleaner is slipped between coils, sweater "sleeves" slipped over arms.


A beading needle is woven through cut strips of felt. A knot is not needed in the thread as you will reinsert needle back through layers several times to secure. The thin needle is a must as it makes this step go very quickly. Wider strips will cover head with less effort. Hot glue in place.


Of course every woodland Pixie has their very own rabbit as a reminder Easter is soon to arrive. If ever you see one of my characters with white hair, you know it is on it's way to the only white-haired crafter we all know and adore. Vivian of Viv's Whimsy, of course!


Rabbit is formed by making bend at end of stem to create tail, 1/2 length for body, bend; backwards "4" for head,


stem is then wrapped around "4" to create flattened head shape, trim excess. Seed bead eyes and paper punched nose are Tacky Glued in place.


Body is created by coiling stem around a pencil six times and slipped over tail end of rabbit. Legs and ears are created by inserting lengths of stem between coils and trimming. Ears are bent for fullness.



Green flowers purchased at Michael's are slipped over legs to create skirt. Oh my goodness this St. Patrick's Day celebration in my craft room is coming along nicely. A Pixie missing?


She's on her way to someone special in the only way Pixie's travel!


40 comments:

Rosemary P. said...

Three lovely Irish girls in this house..a Brenna, Maura, and Bridget. Lovely girls you make! I do believe we'll have to make these together!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a great craft to make with children, Elizabeth! I feel a tug of a memory of having made similar as a child myself growing up in Brooklyn. I have 1/4 Irish in me, although out of the other {Italian, Cuban and Lithuanian} I probably look more Irish. Oh, and I'm a "Kathleen" although I go by Kathy. I love how your St. Patrick's Day display is coming along with your pixies, pompom bird and rabbits.

Becca said...

So cute! We are trying to decide who will host this family of Sweds on St. Pats Day this year. I am not Irish but my four children and four grandchildren are. So this Swed will be wearin' the green and watching The Quiet Man as I do every year.

Valarie said...

Elizabeth...you are so creative...you do amaze me. No Irish in our house. Have a lovely day. xxoo Valarie

Ronda Liebert said...

How adorable. I would love to win one - I'm told I have a tad of Irish in me also.

NanE said...

You never cease to amaze and inspire me! I'm thinking this little lass would look perfectly perfect in my kitchen window St. Patty's display, :) LOL!

Sewn With Grace said...

That is about the cutest thing ever. I have been enjoying your patterns but have not tried making one yet. I guess I'm alittle scared of messing it up. Yours are soo cute!

annemarie said...

You really outdid yourself on these little Irish lassies. Lots of Irish in my family and my ancestors also came to America during the Potato Famine. I even have the red hair and freckles to prove it - way too many freckles!! I hope this little lass will come live at my house!!

BucksCountyFolkArt said...

As an Irish lassie myself, I would LOVE one of these little cuties! My maiden name is Kildea (prounounced Kill-Day) and I grew up constantly having to correct people on the pronunciation (Kilder, KildeeA, Kildare, etc). The other side of my family are Donnelly. So yes, we've got a wee bit o' Irish in us!

Of course, then you got the "good" Irish and the "bad" Irish, depending on which side you're on - Catholic or Protestant. I grew up Catholic, but converted to Protestant, so I guess that just makes me a Dirty Mc!

BucksCountyFolkArt said...

By the way, E, I'm having a Mystery Bag Give-Away in celebration of my One Year Blogging Anniversary! Stop on over!

Cindy said...

I will never look Irish..nor my children..lol I grew up with a grandmother who's name was Ona Mae Clarie..she was straight off the boat from Ireland.All my growing up years I was taught the Irish ways..and folk lore.She married a 100% German man and he really never appreciated her heritage.I was adopted into this family..and growing up always pretened in my heart I was the little irish girl she spoke about..(I always wanted red hair and freckls) I treasure the memories I had with my Irish Grandma..and even can do some of the Irish jig still..lol
Your little collection is adorable!!I will be wearing me green on St.Patricks Day proudly..even tho I have not a drop of green in me blood!!lol( Said with an irish accent...this always throws people off with my coloring..lol)

Hugs Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

Mrs. Cozy Home said...

Hiya!! Would love to win your dear little creation for my 1/4 Irish daughter!

I'm half Irish with a very Irish name and recently had to stifle my giggles when my daughter, upon seeing the St. Patty's Day decs up at the craft store, said to me:

"I'm IRISH too! Look what i can do!" ...and proceeded to do her version of Riverdance in the middle of the aisle.

Little legs moved as if independent from her wee body :)

Michle said...

Again more creative beauty from those amazing hands of your. No Irish in my background that I know of. I really should try reseaching my ancestry. Hope I am the right number.

Michle

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

Oh how cute!!!! I love the idea oF packing it in a Krispy Kreme box!!!


E--I couldn't find your email here at home--
Here's some rughooking info to get you started---

http://www.rughooking101.com
This site has all kinds of information and links.

Purely Primitive by Pat Cross
This book is a wonderful how-to for a beginner!!

I'd only suggest start out making a pillow or mat to get the hang of it.

Anonymous said...

I have a little red headed grand girl.....4 1/2 who would love to create a little Irish Pixie! She's turning into quite a little crafter!

We have lots of Irishness in our families....we'd love to win one of your sweet Pixies!

dana

Cindy said...

I am catching up with your perfectly cute St.Paddy and Spring crafts. Even if I don't win the pixie in the KK box, my daughter and I will love making one together! Thanks for sharing...
Cindy Whaley
www.whaleyccjt.blogspot.com
Sorry, no Irish in our household, but we love to celebrate that lovely day of green!

JoAnne M said...

These are just too cute. What a
darling idea. I love the flower dress. You are so creative and always make me smile..
I am about a quarter Irish.

Denise said...

I thought you were poking french fries,really.Such cute little Irish sweeties.

Denise said...

Oh yes,by the way I'm 1/4 or so Irish maybe more.My great grandma Winn was full.Please put my name in the running, my little Granddaughter would love it.

The Star Gal said...

Elizabeth, My last name is McAllister! AND, I just found the cutest little chicken wire covered cupboard at Goodwill last week that I'm keeping my kitchen treasures in. She would look awfully sweet in there with my other keepsakes.

Unknown said...

E,
Well, My Great grandmother was married to a Dibble ( English) but she was born a Dinsmore ( Irish) and my husband is a McClay, (Irish).....I am pretty sure having lived with him for 32 years now that some of his Irish is now my Irish! LOL Just love the girl on the little box kiddo!!!!! You are so much fun to watch! I can see the joy again! :):) Love, Sandy

Hope said...

If I cn find those little heads, I will have to make some for myself (no kiddos here to help me). I am a real mix of heritages, but Irish is certainly in the mix! AND...I live close to Ireland these days...does that count?

My Vintage Mending said...

Ha, I have always loved that I inherited my Nana Hazel's green Irish eyes. Such a splendid holiday. Thanks for tut, I could never figure out how you did that hair...Smiles...Renee

Nan said...

Oh my goodness she is so darn cute and you're so darn creative I can't believe it!!
I could try and make one of these for my m-i-l who is 93. She loves the crafts I make and send her. Checking calendar for St. Pat's day !!

Unknown said...

I am Irish Shean Patrice here, my mom named me after Sean Connery who she adored. They thought I was going to be a boy so I would have been named Sean Patrick, but I came out a girl so my oldest brother said “Why not put an H in there.” So that is how I became Shean (pronounced Sean). My son William goes by Liam but I am married to a Scot. I love the craft you made she is truly a lovely Irish lass.

Mary said...

Elizabeth, your Irish girl is adorable. I dream of having a room full of precious little people and animals like yours. McClanahan was my grandmother's maiden name. But that is Scottish right? Well, we can just all pretend to be Irish. Does that count? The bunnies are adorable. I need white chenille stems.

Anonymous said...

Hi E - What adorable wee lasses you've made for us today! Of course I have Irish roots - Scotch/Irish to be exact. My mother is even a redhead! We grew up believing in leprechauns and fairies, because my grandfather loved to tell stories. It comes naturally for me and my sis (who is also a teacher) and my dear brother - we just have to tell a tall tale or two to the wee ones! I think it comes from the Irish in us! You make my life FUN, Elizabeth! Again, thank you for sharing!

Lynn Catnes said...

What an adorable set of irish girls....and the bunny!TOO CUTE! Can you show us how you make the pipe cleaner birds from previous posts!Your talents are incredible! Bravo to you!

nanapeggy said...

Cute as can be, that is what everything you make is!
Thank you for sharing all your talent with those of us who can not get enough E. My dad always said we were Scotch/Irish. I think McTaggart sounds Scottish/my greatgrandmother. Cute as can be!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi E,
I'm trying to make the bunny and having a hard time...i'll keep trying.
My kids are 1/4 Irish...
warmly,
deb

Carolyn said...

Just a 1/4 Irish here. I love all your projects. You really inspire me. I would love to win one of your dolls.

Carolyn

Lisa Martin said...

such wonderful work! Thank you for sharing your work.

Donna said...

I don't think I have any Irish in me, but that doesn't stop me from loving these wee lasses! So cute, as usual. I want to try to make one. Thank you for the instructions!
~Donna

Jennie said...

I love your use of pipe cleaners! Sooooo cute. And the fact that they are all Irish makes it even better.

Best wishes!
Jennie and the Irish Pekes

full of bliss said...

These are so darling! I just know I am going to have to give them a try with my kids. They had so much fun making the poodles. They have since become quite the pipe cleaner aficionados, especially my son. We have a wee bit-o-the Irish on both sides of our family. My Great-Grandmother on my mom's side was Irish and my husband Grandmother on his mom's side was full Irish. So my kiddos have quite a little bit of Irish blood pumping through their veins. But I am afraid there is not nearly as much Irish as there is German. We are flat out loaded in the German descent department.

XO~Bekah

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this little pixie in our home! I'd love to put my name in the pool. If I win, I promise to always be very appreciative of her.

Again, thank you. You are always so generous...

Heather

By the Bluegrass said...

Thanks you for the tutorial. I wanna give these a try!
xo,
Sena

Jennifer Bontrager said...

Love your little Irish girls. They are just too cute. I also love your little Irish pom pom. He is just too sweet.

Laura said...

Your little irish girls are adorable! I love how you do their hair :) I also have Irish in me from my mothers side.... my Grandpop Orde......when he passed... my mom found out his last name was John Henry on an old record? It is a mystery....I always wondered why he changed his name so many years ago...But he was definately Irish! Maybe being Irish was a bad thing back then?

Unknown said...

Your work surprised me a lot because it's been a long time since I found this wonderful sharing.

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