Helen Philipps: Big Bunny

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Big Bunny

As usual there has been some sewing going on here.....and today i would like to show you a new BiG bunny....meet ruby! Lots of lovely readers have been in touch since my last book was published in 2010 to say how they have enjoyed making things from it, and many of you have made the bunny...i have seen lots of sweet and colourful versions.... everyone makes their own slightly differently which is fun to see.......

.....i recently had another look at the book and the bunny and decided to enlarge the pattern page by 150% on a photocopier......i adhered the pattern to thin card using spray mount, and then cut out the rather large shapes......and then i began sewing ruby........i love making toys and am collecting old books filled with patterns and information for crafting them which are proving very useful.......

....just to show how much bigger ruby is, here she is with her little brother from the book below.....

.... besides sewing and other crafting, i have been painting something white.....it doesn't feel right for me if too much time goes by without me painting something white.....and this time it was an old ikea cupboard which was rejuvenated with a pot of farrow and ball (shade: pointing) and is now in my studio, being filled up with bright crafty bits and bobs.......

....the studio hyacinths have finally opened their pretty blooms and are filling the air with a wonderful fragrance......

....i hope you have a happy week filled with the things you enjoy....thank you for popping in to see me here, i do enjoy your visits and your sweet comments make my day.......sending you sunny wishes...back soon xxxx

46 comments:

Thedarkerside73 said...: Hi Helen,

Wow what a sweet bunny. I know a little girl that would be quite giddy over that little beauty. Mind she has her fair share of soft long eared friends!

Love the revamped cupboard. It is surprising how a tired bit of furniture can be instantly uplifted by some paint. I have a Ikea sideboard in my dinningroom that I painted the year before last. Instant lift. Love it. Love all bright pretties in the cupboard too.

Hope you have a lovely and inspring rest of the week.

MBB x; 11 January 2012 at 12:40
Marigold Jam said...: Some little girl is going to adore that bunny!; 11 January 2012 at 12:46
greenrabbitdesigns said...: I love Ruby but I'm sure you knew I would Helen.
I love her stripy ears and her big feet! When I had my real bunnies I adored their big back feet, something very endearing about them.
She's such a sweetie. :)
Pretty little cupboard too!
V x; 11 January 2012 at 12:56
Unknown said...: a book published, wow!

Love the rabbit and the ikea cupboard looks very pro! I have a bedside cupboard to paint. Going for white too.

the bathtime team x
(we have linky parties); 11 January 2012 at 13:27
Scented Sweetpeas said...: Big Bunny is very cute indeed, love her dress :-) That cupboard looks fantastic too.; 11 January 2012 at 13:31
Teje Karjalainen said...: Nice to meet you Ruby! You look really sweet sitting on the top of all those wonderful quilts! With your smaller brother you make so charming pair! Enjoy your lovely white studio with amazing hyacinth!
x Teje; 11 January 2012 at 13:35
KC'sCourt! said...: I love your Bunnies.
Julie xxxxxxxxx; 11 January 2012 at 13:42
mynestofyarnandbuttons said...: Helen,
I'm in love with Ruby. Sitting on that stack of handmade quilts is just my cup of tea. The daisy sundress is so sweet. What a wonderful idea to enlarge the pattern and make Ruby come to life!
The cupboard is so pretty and just perfect for your lovely collections.

XoRobin❤; 11 January 2012 at 13:56
Cindy said...: I love your bunny. I made the one from your book for my new grandson for a Christmas present. It was fun to sew and give!; 11 January 2012 at 14:16
Natalia Glazacheva said...: Hi, Helen! What a sweet bunny Ruby you made! She looks like a big sister :o) And your hyacinth is so delicate and heartwarming :o) Love your white buffet
Have a nice day
Warm hugs from Russia
Natasha & Fam.; 11 January 2012 at 14:33
Ali said...: Beautiful!! Loving all your photo's the rabbit is on my to do list (hope he's easy to do lol!!); 11 January 2012 at 14:40
Mia said...: That bunny pair sitting there is just the cutest thing! You have designed some amazing things, Helen! And i agree, a lick of white paint always works :) That little cabinet is SO pretty!

Happy Wednesday!

Yours,
Mia; 11 January 2012 at 15:32
flowers on my table said...: I love Ruby, she is really cute! Your white cupboard looks great with all the tempting colourful things inside.
I love the sampler in your last post which missed somehow. Looks like you have started the new year off with a flurry of activity. Keep up the good work, much love, Linda x; 11 January 2012 at 15:39
Deborah said...: Ruby is just adorable! love all of your makes :) your studio is gorgeous and the flowers look great in here.

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!; 11 January 2012 at 15:45
koralee said...: Oh I love your sweet bunny....you are always up to something fun my friend! And no wonder your pretty studio would make me want to create all day long. oxoxo
Hugs for a great creative day. xoxxo; 11 January 2012 at 15:46
princess said...: I love the big bunny with the wonderfull colours, but your studio is in my heart!; 11 January 2012 at 16:20
Pipany said...: I love those bunnies Helen! I think they have such great character and always make me smile when they appear on your blog.

Battling the tea time slump as I type!! Ah well, I tried! xx; 11 January 2012 at 16:42
Country Rabbit said...: this rabbit is in love with your bunnies- big and littly's hehe ;0)x
such wonderful creations- no wonder your books such a success x; 11 January 2012 at 17:23
Mimi and Tilly said...: Hello Helen, sending love and hugs for a beautiful and bright 2012 for you and your family. Ruby is absolutely gorgeous. I love hand sewing toys too, especially rag dolls. I know it sounds a bit bonkers, but I feel like I'm making something magical, and every toy I make turns out completely different to the last one, even when I follow the pattern! Em xxx; 11 January 2012 at 17:34
Jane said...: Helen I so love your sweet bunnies! Great to see a new larger size...how about a miniature version to complete the set ;0) Thanks for showing some bright cheerful photos..great for a winter day. Have a great week,
Jane x; 11 January 2012 at 18:57
♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...: Ruby is adorable Helen...taking good care of her little brother too!... Your painted cupboard looks so pretty....I love to give my furniture a fresh coat of paint..it is so effective....like having new furniture...and lovely to see the hyacinths starting to come into flower on friends' blogs everywhere....Spring will soon be with us....loving those extra few minutes of lightness each day!
Susan x; 11 January 2012 at 19:10
Kentish Keg-Meg said...: Love the two bunnies together. Can smell those hyacinths and such a fabulous fragrance.; 11 January 2012 at 19:22
Rustic Vintage Country said...: Ruby is adorable, really adorable. You can't beat a bit of Farrow and Ball for a facelift! Suzy; 11 January 2012 at 19:41
harmony and rosie said...: Oh she's rather gorgeous, such a sweet and friendly face and immaculately dressed, of course!
Happy New Year Helen
x; 11 January 2012 at 22:42
My Little Home and Garden said...: I have a chest of drawers that needs a fresh coat of white paint and some new hardware. Today, the project was assembling a storage cabinet. Mission accomplished!; 11 January 2012 at 23:20
Annie said...: Ruby you are adorable, and colour coordinated with the hyacinths too!; 12 January 2012 at 01:40
Kelly Casanova said...: What beautiful things you are surrounded by and your new larger rabbit is a lovely addition.; 12 January 2012 at 02:14
Unknown said...: I didn't realise you had written a book well done you ;-) Love the rabbit she is gorgeous. dee xx; 12 January 2012 at 09:07
sew said...: Hello Ruby - I love your ears and your pretty dress! I'm glad to see you looking after your little brother(I've made one like him) and I spy a baby bunny next to the white cupboard too!Don't you just love hyacinths - mine are opening up very quickly - I might just have to go & buy more!; 12 January 2012 at 09:33
Susan Freeman said...: Your bunnies are adorable!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley; 12 January 2012 at 10:11
Poppy said...: Hello Helen, how could I not love those bunnies! Well done with the book..... I feel the need to paint everything at the moment.

Lou x x x; 12 January 2012 at 15:17
my4lilgirls said...: Ruby is so sweet, really love her. I've been painting lots of white recently also, doors, shelf unit, dresser, cabinet....my kids are freaked they hate all the white, but i'm so gone off the wood, it just looks like different shades of orange yuk!!!!!
Have a sweet weekend
Karen x; 12 January 2012 at 16:50
Simone said...: Big bunny is lovely, especially her stripy ears! I like little bunny too though! The cupboard looks so nice and fresh. x; 12 January 2012 at 17:05
...Nina Nixon... said...: She looks so lovely - and easy to make??? That's me going......maybe I could try - maybe....one day.

Happy New Year Helen and so sorry it's rather late in the saying.

I hope you had a smashing Christmas.

take care,

Nina xxx; 12 January 2012 at 20:22
flowers on my table said...: Hi Helen, thankyou so much for your visit and all your kind comments.I did enjoy furnishing my imaginary room, but when it comes to my own, it's a little more tricky with money constraints and things that I have already acquired.It's still fun though! Have a lovely weekend, I can't believe it's come round to the weekend again. Love Linda x; 12 January 2012 at 20:58
Lori ann said...: love your adorable bunnies helen, i really need to put down the needles and sit down at my sewing machine. i only hope my projects would turn out half as lovely as yours.
have a wonderful weekend!; 13 January 2012 at 06:00
Madelief said...: Dear Helen,

Thank you for your get well wishes. They are much appreciated. Ruby and her little brother look very sweet. You always manage to pick the most beautiful fabrics. Love the little embroidered details on the trousers of the little bunny.

Always a joy to visit here!

Happy weekend,

Madelief x; 13 January 2012 at 13:50
Little Nell said...: Both rabbits are absolutely lovely Helen. I was interested in your comment about old craft books. If you have a spare moment pop over here I think you’ll enjoy the old craft book/bunny connection in my latest blogpost. It must be the week for bunnies!; 13 January 2012 at 16:26
Silvia said...: Ciao Helen, ti scrivo dall'Italia, è stato un piacere scoprire il tuo blog, sei davvero molto brava, il tuo coniglio è stupendo.
Passerò ancora atrovarti. Ciao. Silvia
www.silvia-alberodeicuori.blogspot.com; 13 January 2012 at 18:02
Unknown said...: Hi Helen,
A very happy new year to you. Loving both bunnies, small and large. So cute.
Don't you have wonderful natural light in your workroom? My crafting is done in the evenings after work with a lamp and it is just not the same. Perhaps that's why your hyacinths are flowering. Mine are still small shoots, I wish they would hurry up!
Becky x; 13 January 2012 at 20:36
Teresa Kasner said...: I adore your bunny and all the light bright white in your studio. I want to brighten and tidy up my studio.. I have plans to do that tomorrow.. :-); 13 January 2012 at 21:10
purple-roses-country-cottage said...: Dear Helen, what cute bunnies!
The fabrics you used are gorgeous!
Have a nice weekend. Warmest regards Nicole; 13 January 2012 at 21:10
bellaboo said...: Love your bunnies Helen,you make everything so beautifully!
The cupboard looks great,You can't go wrong with F and B.I have used 'pointing' to cover a few of my pine pieces.
Hope you are having a nice relaxing weekend. :0); 14 January 2012 at 18:36
Sunny Simple Life said...: Your photos are always to bright and cheery and I am always so happy when I come to visit your blog.; 15 January 2012 at 05:46
Julia said...: Hello Helen

Your bunny is wonderful - Ive been after a pattern for something like this myself for a long time and I think you may have inspired me with this post! I bought the fabric before Christmas and it's still sitting in a bag...however now Small is away at school I think I'll perhaps have time to indulge in a bit of making.

Lots of love, have a great week
Julia x x x

ps - your hyacinth is a beautiful colour! :); 16 January 2012 at 10:00
Stella said...: Today I am SO excited because my copy of 'Simple Sewn Gifts' arrived.
It is the most FANTASTIC book - totally beautiful. I can't wait to get started. My first project is going to be a bunny.
If you haven't already got a copy you NEED one :-)
Stella; 16 January 2012 at 18:19