A rattling great gift idea

I was delighted to discover that Lorraine Pistorio at Rainebo Designs had rattles!

This means I can have three different kinds of gifts, for those who have different needs and budgets.

Look at this cute elephant ring rattle!

The flower barbell is just lovely...

And a bee! Those bright colours are sure to grab the attention of any baby!

The pattern suggested that the smily rainbow rattle could be velcroed at each end...

But stitching end to end makes it perfect for little hands to hold without fussing over velcro =)

I LOVE those bright colours!

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I sold the above pictured rattles to my sister for use in her business - feel free to pop over and check it out through the link below =)

Hearts

Just love this....

I don't always get photos of my toys in their forever homes, but this one is really cute, so just had to share =)

That is a large bunny and a month old bub - almost the same size! 💓

Ballerina Bunny

One of the more popular bunnies has been my variation on the small bunny. I adventurously made up a pattern for skirt, and are now having fun from time to time changing the colours used to create gorgeous friends for girls...

My first was this little girl, bought as a Christmas present for Lucy! I do hope Lucy loves her little bunny! =) 

Then I was asked to make another ballerina for a 3 year old girl who LOVES ballet...

Another perfect Christmas present I hope! =)

Next I needed to give a present myself to a young girl as a going away present...

She is loved to bits, and my little friend has no chance of forgetting me ;)

I am sure there will be more ballerinas... And maybe we can do different skirts =)

Ella the elephant

I have more than one pattern from the lovely Lorraine Pistorio at Rainbo Designs that I am itching to make =) 

And finally in October I got around to making Ella - she is a really cutie - just check out those ears!!!!

I hope to make more of those "as yet to be made by me" patterns soon 

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 keep your eye out, you may see one that fits someone you know!

2016 - what a year!

2016 has been a BIG year for Betsy's Boutique!!!! 

Take a look at just a few of the adventures I have had!

Thanks to all my customers! It has been a great year - lots of learning new techniques and refining older techniques ;)

Looking forward to 2017 - so many days to try new patterns!!!!

Please contact me with YOUR order! =)

Which on, by the way, is YOUR favourite???

A delightful duo!

Early next year a little boy will be born in America. As he grows up he will learn that his bedroom is the one which looks delightfully like a woodland. And I am hoping that his favourite little "friends" will be the above pictured bunny and his matching friend, seen below...

And yes, that hat comes off - I can't decide when he looks cuter!!!!

Putting them together, you can see just how well they match - that little boy will perhaps be thankful that his grandparents and auntie got together to decide on "welcome to the world" presents!

I am hoping it will be possible to do more combinations like this - it was a LOT of fun!

Bunnies, bunnies and more bunnies

It is pretty obvious that so far, bunnies are most popular request at Betsy's Boutique.

Here is the gallery of those done this year, though I am working on another order now which includes a bunny! =)

I love the way that the different yarns change the bunny to make it so individual, and even as the producer of these bunnies, I find that there are some of them that I really love more than others! So far, I have enjoyed the small bunnies most - they are not too big and not too small...

Which one is your favourite?

The process of producing a wonderful toy

Just in case you are wondering what goes into this great job I have - turning fairly boring looking balls of yarn into something amazing, I thought I would show you....

So we start:

with yarn and needles.

 I am a little different to most and  I always, always knit with circular needles - that is knitting needles that are connected - can't lose one, and they don't stick up my sleeves! 

I have a pattern - these patterns from Lorraine at Rainebo Designs are just BRILLIANT!

I bind the pages for each pattern together with yarn - makes it easy for me to take the pattern wherever I go =) 

I have LOTS of patterns - many of which I have not made yet, so customers have a good range to chose from. And they also need to decide which colour yarn they wish to be used, and what "extras". So far there have been hearts, a scarf and overalls in that category, but in time there may be more!!!

Then I knit up the pieces:

and then comes the REALLY fun part of putting them together 

 and LOOK!!!!!

These bunnies can be varied, so here is a few takes on what I have done so far ;)

This bunny is for a little boy - and to me he IS little boy! With movable limbs, he will definitely be a treasured and loved friend =)

Next I was asked to make a princess. And with a change in her stripes, and those eyes which have appealed to many, she is a real girl's girl =)

Did you see that tail? Amazing, huh? I love to work with my customers ideas, and often they are far better than mine - this bunny had a few differences from the "original" design, but they are a real winner =)

Another customer really wanted these gorgeous overalls - but didn't like the idea of the tail being hidden, so we have abandoned the idea of overalls for HER bunny, and they are available for someone else!

Here they are being modelled on that boy bunny (seen above). I think they are real cute, but I guess I could be a bit biased.

I am really hoping that others will see the overalls and get ideas, because once I got the hang of them, they were REAL easy, and could be done in other colours and look amazing!!!

Recent orders fulfilled

I continue to receive orders for the blankies - here a dog requested on a candy pink blankie. 

It is great to see all the variety in these blankies =)

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More hippos!!!!

I love these hippos - every time they are just so cute! 

The customer decided to get moveable limbs here - all the more fun for the little ones who will receive them! =)

And another hippo ordered for a little grand-daughter! 

This time I posed with the hippo, to give an idea of the size...

They are so cuddly!!!!

A BIG project just for me!

With lots of wool left over from previous projects, I thought a big blanket for myself would be great! And warm! I notice the cold more than I would like, and already the blanket has had much use!

It took about a month to knit... Drove me nearly crazy in some ways, but it was fun to change colours and to watch it grow...

I don't plan on offering these for sale, or even on order. 

Just thought you might like to see what I have been up to! =)

Look at those ears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2016 has been a big year for new products, and here we have another!

A friend contacted me looking for a toy/friend for a little one, and after showing her what was available, she ordered a little bunny...

"Oh, he's adorable!" - her reaction on seeing this picture says it all, doesn't it?

With moveable limbs, standing 32 cm tall (and this is the smallest of his family) and just gorgeous - this really is another great product from Rainebodesigns!

So, sorry, this one is sold - but please feel free to contact me with your order (contact form on the right) for your own. Options for colour, size, etc are available...

Rattie - the new kid on the block!

Like all rats in the wilds of Sydney, this Rattie is loving with some battle wounds.

As a young rat, he was strong and courageous, but sadly his left arm was hurt in a fierce fight.

Or wait, maybe Rattie is trying out a new dance move?

Why not give him a home? 15cm tall, measuring 18cm from toe tip to tail tip, make of 100% acrylic, he could be yours???