A ball, a square and a triangle

First of all I wanted to say a big thankyou for all your comments. They are very much appreciated. Last week I was so uncertain about what I should be doing with my little cat design. My instinct told me it was best as I had originally planned it but I started getting huge doubts about my judgement and convinced myself it needed some features. Your replies and comments were so helpful and it made such a difference to be able to have some feedback and a sounding board....John is great but his judgement on aesthetic things can be a bit dubious. If you ever saw him and his wardrobe, especially from a few years ago, you'd know what I was talking about! Not that mine is much better but I blame that on a lack of funds and time rather than taste - very important difference I think!



Today I decided to have a go at working up a baby toy I've had in my mind for a while (sorry mum your, ever so late, birthday present will definitely be done next). A very lovely friend of mine had her second baby recently. He's a teeny tiny little boy so this is destined for him.

First - a green fabric ball with a bell inside::



Second - a blue fabric square with a crinkly noise::



Third - a red triangle with fabric/ribbon tabs (once I have made it!)::



The ball and square are completed and I know what I plan to do for the triangle. Each has 'different' kind of fabric to add some additional interest for the baby - flannel in the ball, wool suiting (I think that's what it is, I bought 3m for £3 from a charity shop!) in the square and corduroy in the triangle.

I haven't got the scale quite right as the square dwarfs the ball a bit - I think I'll try and make the triangle somewhere in between. And there'll be a little drawstring bag to keep them in.

I'm intending to make these for folksy but will probably make the ball a bit bigger for any future versions. I'll also need to investigate a way to stiffen up the fabric for the square and, I expect, the triangle. Its a bit bulgy but I'm sure there's something I can iron on the reverse side, or something along those lines, to help it hold shape.

I'm not sure about copyright with the ball - I wasn't sure how to go about making it so had a little look around the internet to get an idea from other versions. The construction and template and details I came up with myself as I just looked at other completed ones. Is this okay? I really wouldn't want to do anything wrong. The square and triangle I already had clear in my head how to go about....but even they, I suppose, could look like others - there's only so many ways you can go about making these simple shapes. What do you think?



I also finished off a set of Spring Tulip place mats and a pot stand for a commission. I'm pleased how they came together but found them really hard to photograph (I couldn't keep my toes out of the picture above!).



I do hope everyone has a fantastic time over Easter weekend. We are looking forward to a couple of days staying with my parents. And it looks like the weather has picked up for everyone too. Yippee.