Thursday, July 8, 2010

Rafi and his new family's - Creative Space.



The small boy's birthday is just around the corner and for him I have repaired his beloved Rafi, I have also made a family of Giraffe's for 'Rafi' to hang out with down on the plains....

Rafi looked like this after 2 1/2 yrs of 'love' from a small boy.
I wondered if I should even attempt to stick a needle into the felty thread bare coat of Rafi let alone try to attach something to it. I wondered if it would all be too much for him causing Rafi haemorrhage is fluffy innards at a significantly faster rate than he already was.

I considered making Rafi a 'new suit' to wear, I had even planned on ensuring the small boy was part of the process of 'dressing' Rafi in the new suit so as not to cause him any undue anxiety for his 'old Rafi'.

Using the off cuts from the new 'Rafi family' I made some patches for Rafi and blanket stitched them on to him - starting with the great gaping hole in his neck.


And now he looks like this

(Legs to be patched soon)

And these are his herd members, his new family.

These new Giraffe's may soon have some needle felted patches - I'm well over blanket stitching for now.

Should you be requiring some felt of glorious thickness - safe in the knowledge that it wont pull apart when worked with, is hand dyed and made from 100% pure wool then I urge you to go visit Trudi's shop 'Me and Ewe' - You will be so pleased you did.

For more lovely words and lovely things to look at, go see who else is playing Kirsty's game of show and tell today.

Have a great day.
Cheers.

30 comments:

yardage girl said...

Really lovely - they will be loved!

Liesl said...

What a brilliant repair - he looks fantastic! (I am wondering if I can get away with a similar repair on an elephant? Would a three year old object to an ele-raffe?)

The family of giraffes are gorgeous too. Trudi's felt is lovely isn't it?

Jennie said...

What a lovely family -
and great repair work!!

Michelle said...

I think the repair work makes Rafi look very handsome!! What a great idea.

Screamstress said...

I remember when you posted about receiving the felt - and now look at you! A whole herd, and doesn't Rafi the Second look fantastic.

angelina said...

the giraffes are so cute...my 2year old ripped all the wallpaper from our bathroom this week. destructive they are..like puppies.

flickettysplits said...

That is a very innovative repair - and now he looks even MORE like a giraffe. Brilliant!

Unknown said...

What an incredible job you've done with Rafi...and I love his new family! I'm wondering whether those giraffe 'patches' are common with older felt giraffes?

Unknown said...

Oh how gorgeous. I love the new spots and the family would be very popular around our place!

Kim W. said...

oh my goodness!!! Giraffe's!!! how adorable! your pictures look like you were on a African safari at night time.. hehe these are amazing

Beck said...

The new family look gorgeous together! Rafi looks very smart with his new patches, nice one! Hope you enjoy the last few days of the holidays, see you on Monday night! xo

Bianca said...

oh! He's ACE! is it your pattern?
I'd love to get my hands on it! Stitching with felt always gives a soft charm to anything!
xB

Catherine said...

I love that repair work! just meant to be! and so nice that as well as a repair, Rafi gets a whole new family!

dillpickle said...

Your repairs a fantastic, but making a new family for Rafi as well is extra-fantastic! They're really cute, and I'm sure will also be very well loved :-)

Danielle McDonald said...

Wow, good as new and a brand new family to match! Clever stuff! Thanks also for the tip on where to buy the wool felt. I'm finding it hard to get good colours.

Kellie Christie said...

WOW Rafi looks fantastic with his new makeover and new giraffe family. How cute! Your little boy will be over the moon!!

nerines said...

They do look like the lovliest family:)

Anonymous said...

Rafi looks oh so spify now! But, a little wear and tear is a sign of a well loved toy, so your sister should be pleased :) His friends look great too!

Cindy said...

Aww, he's gorgeous. Repairing a very loved toy is a must!

midge said...

the rafi makeover is a treat and so are his new long necked buddies. thanks for the link to trudi. will be hanging on to that one

nadine paduart said...

hi peta. pleasure to make your acquaintance! i like how you describe yourself in the 'about me' section. :)
rafi is the best name for these little wonders, you seem to have loads of patience to make... ha! this looks so much more complicated than simple crochet. :)))
bye, nadine

Gina said...

So great to see your space again Peta. I love the creative makeover Rafi had - superb. Animal heads in this house have so far remained dislocated! Good that he's got some good company now too.

Sally said...

Fantastic make-over. Rafi looks wonderful ... very glamorous for a giraffe indeedy. His felty friends look might fab too.

Copper Patch said...

I love the 'new' and improved Rafi. Can't wait to meet the small man so I have an excuse to play with all of his animal friends when I next come to play!
Ab x

Anonymous said...

Rafi looks FABULOUS Peta you have done an amazing job and his family is gorgeous

Sandrine said...

Love the spotty rafi too, and he looks much happier with his friends now :)Fabulous job Peta!

Kate said...

Wowwee! The Rafi family are amazingly gorgeous! Perfect. I just adore the hairy bits down their backs. I may be able to crochet but there's no way in the whole wide world I am clever enough to make such divine creatures, or fix them so beautifully. Hope you lot are feeling better. X

snowflakes4sam said...

I am sure ths small boy is just loving the new family members. x

Treacle Beak said...

Lucky small boy, that his mummy is so inventive. Rafi looks terrific with his makeover and his "friends" have found a loving home.

Zane Wooder said...

I love how you made a little giraffe family.

-Zane of ontario honey