Thursday, September 10, 2009

"Love Your Experiments (as you would an ugly child)"

When I lived in Canada I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the work of graphic design guru Bruce Mau (although referring to him as a graphic design guru still seems somewhat inadequate as he is much much more than that). Anyway his studio came up with "An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth" which has to be the most inspiring set of rules for any creative person. One 'rule' that I am constantly trying to make friends with is #4 on the list - to love your experiments as you would an ugly child! It always makes me chuckle but I must admit that I do find it hard to love creations that I feel are inferior in any way.
Enter stage left sock bunny Exhibit A. I'd been contemplating revisiting a sock bunny project that my friend Cyd and I tacked in Grade 8 sewing class! After further inspiration from the fabulous sock creature creations discovered at Sydney's Stitches and Craft Show by Kristie from Rourke and Henry and Claire from Craft Schmaft, I tried to remember how we made them (it was 1985 after all!), and I whipped up this rather dodgy looking character. As is often the case when I "wing it" ...I cringe a little at the results. This poor bunny needs a prettier face, more stuffing in her limbs, and nicer eyes! But I am loving her anyway as an experiment - and a starting point to improve on. After all, the first wonky I ever did was very odd-looking as well. So here she is, and I am loving her, as I would an ugly child.



I do like her whiskers though:


and her fully lined apron dress!

3 comments:

Cathy said...

I think she is very very cute! I hope you don't talk about her in her hearing - you know how cruel that can be! I am loving her especially her apron and whiskers! What's her name?

Nikki said...

I love the wrong 'uns too.. they NEED a bit more love, somehow. Overtly cute and perfect is never as appealling.

Penny said...

She's cute!!! I agree with Cathy, you'll give her a complex :P