Allow me to introduce Pandior - my back-tack III creation. Pandior is a panda-teddy bear hybrid made from white flannel and black acrylic fleece. As far as I am aware the back-tack rules have been obeyed - she's made from black and white materials with only one extra colour, she has five buttons (one on each or her arms and legs and one on her necklace). She stands 16cms tall and the initial B is embroidered on her pretty white dress as B is for Berber, the name of my back-tack swap recipient.
Pandior had so much personality from the very beginning that I never had to wonder what to do next, but rather where to stop! I considered knitting her a scarf made from silk ribbon, instead I crocheted her a handbag from embroidery cotton. I wanted to make her a string of pearls but I thought the hot pink ribbon and button necklace was probably enough. Should I have made her a companion poodle instead of a sleeping handbag bunny? A pair of frilly undies? A spare dress to keep in her handbag? Oh the choices! The dilemmas! You have no idea! And then there was the drama of photographing her. I now have hundreds of photographs of her that are all ever so slightly different and I'm the only one who can tell (or who cares about) the difference. A conversation that took place earlier in the day went something like this.
Me: So which picture do you think I should use?
Richard: How about that one.
Me: Are you kidding? The bunny's little ear is all curled up in that shot!
Richard: Oh okay, how about that?
Me: No, she looks a bit snobby in that one.
Mum: Why don't you take some pictures of her cooking in the little toy kitchen?
Me: [Throws arms in the air] But she's clearly dressed for best - not for cooking!
Needless to say I had terrific fun making her and loved the challenge that the back-tack rules added to the project. My next task is to put together a little package for her foster family and send her on her way to her new home in the Netherlands. Now that I think of it I should have used orange as my extra colour! Oh and I could have made her some little panda clogs? or a tiny panda spliff - after all, settling in to a new country can be a very stressful affair! Cultural stereotypes aside, I'm sure that Berber and her family will make Pandior feel very welcome. Well, I'd better go. I have some teeny weeny panda bags to pack!
She is absolutely, postively adorable! Love the dress, love the bag, love the little bunny friend, and love her gorgeous big eyes! Great work!
Posted by: jhoanna | May 22, 2006 at 03:13 PM
I just couldn't resist a peek... Pandior is LOVELY, Amber!
We will welcome her in our house as if she's one of our own and I'm sure she will easily adjust to Dutch life (even without the clogs & spliff)!
Have a safe journey, Pandior!
Posted by: Mirre | May 22, 2006 at 07:35 PM
very cute! I love the story of the photos - clearly she is not dressed for cooking :)
Posted by: mandy | May 23, 2006 at 08:39 AM
Very cute!! Great job on your softie. Hope mine comes out ok!
Posted by: Liane | May 23, 2006 at 09:04 AM
Awww! She's adorable!
You're making such amazing things, Amber!
I also wanted to let you know that bluebird is getting SO MUCH LOVE from myself and my friends. He is just so beautiful and portable and he comes a lot of places with me!
Posted by: Miss Helen | June 02, 2006 at 08:52 PM
She is very sweet. I love her little face.
: )
Posted by: lyn | June 22, 2006 at 07:06 PM
Oh my God you really have a gift. I am so envious! i truly wished i could do work like that! i would love it get any pointers you may have to give a girl who wants to destress with crafts. Your work in amazing, i am a panda lover and looking at your pics and work put a big smile of face when i needed it the most. THANKS!
Posted by: Sindy | January 26, 2007 at 04:52 AM