Meet Matilda the Mouse. She's very sweet and lovable.
She was fun to knit and is very soft and cuddly. Though I really shouldn't say, I do think she is cute as a button. Love that shawl she's wearing. You know, I have one rather like it down in San Clemente. What a coincidence! We'll have to wear them together sometime.
The dress and shawl are, of course, custom knit for her but the purse and hat are store bought accessories, as is the cape she is wearing below.
Mr Puffy and I took her along on our walk the other day so she could enjoy the afternoon sunshine and flowers. Here she is in a bed of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina) one of my favorite Spring plants.
As are daisies flowers.
Here she is sunning herself on a gate as I chat with my neighbor and friend, Chris, a fellow knitter who is camera shy. You may recall that she and I knit Haven together last Fall.
Particulars: Mel's Mouse Family (Ravelry pattern link) from Knit 2 Together; US 6 double pointed needles; 1 skein Classic Elite Yarn Lush (50% angora/50% wool); odd scraps of Fiesta Yarns La Boheme (shawl) and Brown Sheep Company Top of the Lamb Sport (dress); embroidery floss for facial features. Dimensions: 12" tall x 4" across (including the arms in width). The fill is 100% polyester available in most craft stores. I purchased mine at F & S Fabrics on Pico in West LA (which also has a fantastic selection of buttons, incidentally). I have a few tips on finishing that I'll put on my Ravelry page for those interested.
Out and About in Santa Monica
I took Matilda along when I met our dear friend Sara at Le Pain Quotidien Bakery in Santa Monica. This is a great french bakery with wonderful coffee and is a favorite place of mine to stop on Wednesday mornings, before I head over to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market (the best farmer's market around).
I arrived a little early and an older woman came over and picked up Matilda and as she caressed her she reminisced about stuffed toys her children had loved during their childhood. She then wondered aloud why they were all boxed up when they could be out and enjoyed. I couldn't agree more. I do hope she goes home and finds that box of memories, and old friends.
The friend I mentioned, Sara, is lots of fun, loves to laugh, and is a lovely person. She's also learning to knit (guess who's teaching her) and in my book that makes her a person of discerning taste. I have assured her with a little practice she will be knitting a mouse of her own in no time at all.
No matter our age, we all need friends to brighten our day!
Egg Salad and Watercress Sandwiches for Tea
Just a quick idea for something to make with all those hard boiled eggs we have at this time of year. Open-Faced Egg Salad and Watercress Sandwiches (recipe courtesy of Saveur Magazine). I make mine sans mayonnaise and vinegar.
Mr Puffy and I would like to wish everyone a meaningful and joyous Easter and Passover celebration and, until next time, be well and love well.
She was fun to knit and is very soft and cuddly. Though I really shouldn't say, I do think she is cute as a button. Love that shawl she's wearing. You know, I have one rather like it down in San Clemente. What a coincidence! We'll have to wear them together sometime.
The dress and shawl are, of course, custom knit for her but the purse and hat are store bought accessories, as is the cape she is wearing below.
Mr Puffy and I took her along on our walk the other day so she could enjoy the afternoon sunshine and flowers. Here she is in a bed of Lambs Ear (Stachys byzantina) one of my favorite Spring plants.
As are daisies flowers.
Here she is sunning herself on a gate as I chat with my neighbor and friend, Chris, a fellow knitter who is camera shy. You may recall that she and I knit Haven together last Fall.
Particulars: Mel's Mouse Family (Ravelry pattern link) from Knit 2 Together; US 6 double pointed needles; 1 skein Classic Elite Yarn Lush (50% angora/50% wool); odd scraps of Fiesta Yarns La Boheme (shawl) and Brown Sheep Company Top of the Lamb Sport (dress); embroidery floss for facial features. Dimensions: 12" tall x 4" across (including the arms in width). The fill is 100% polyester available in most craft stores. I purchased mine at F & S Fabrics on Pico in West LA (which also has a fantastic selection of buttons, incidentally). I have a few tips on finishing that I'll put on my Ravelry page for those interested.
Out and About in Santa Monica
I took Matilda along when I met our dear friend Sara at Le Pain Quotidien Bakery in Santa Monica. This is a great french bakery with wonderful coffee and is a favorite place of mine to stop on Wednesday mornings, before I head over to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market (the best farmer's market around).
I arrived a little early and an older woman came over and picked up Matilda and as she caressed her she reminisced about stuffed toys her children had loved during their childhood. She then wondered aloud why they were all boxed up when they could be out and enjoyed. I couldn't agree more. I do hope she goes home and finds that box of memories, and old friends.
The friend I mentioned, Sara, is lots of fun, loves to laugh, and is a lovely person. She's also learning to knit (guess who's teaching her) and in my book that makes her a person of discerning taste. I have assured her with a little practice she will be knitting a mouse of her own in no time at all.
No matter our age, we all need friends to brighten our day!Egg Salad and Watercress Sandwiches for Tea
Just a quick idea for something to make with all those hard boiled eggs we have at this time of year. Open-Faced Egg Salad and Watercress Sandwiches (recipe courtesy of Saveur Magazine). I make mine sans mayonnaise and vinegar.
Mr Puffy and I would like to wish everyone a meaningful and joyous Easter and Passover celebration and, until next time, be well and love well.
30 comments:
What a lovely post! Matilda is just adorable!! I'm sure she enjoyed her trip to the bakery (I certainly would have) and that tea sandwich has me thinking thoughts of afternoon tea......what a wonderful way to kick off the weekend after work today.
Oh my goodness! This is the most adorable mouse I've ever seen! So gorgeous, so delicate, so lovely! And the hat! And the cape! And the shawl! OMG- such a cute Matilda (project)! Thanks, Claudia, that made me smile, and I'll be thinking of her all day, I'm sure. :o)
awww if that isn't the perfect hat for matilda and the bag. She looks like quite the little lady! SOooooo cute!
Oh she is just adorable. Reminds me a wee bit of Angelina the mouse that Isabelle loves to read about in her books. She looks lovely sunning herself among the daisies.
Matilda is adorable. I have that book too, and I've contemplated making them for my girls- you may push me over the top. Looks like you had lots of fun with her!
oh,Matilda is delightful-well done!!! and the egg sandwich,too...hmm...time for breakfast.:]
Simply adorable! I love that she got to enjoy some sunshine (what's that like? I hear we'll have some tomorrow...) with you.
Matilda is the sweetest little thing! Love the extra purchased accessories, too, that fit her perfectly.
Oh, Matilda is just so sweet! And such a stylish mouse, too. :) I loved this whole post -- I hope you have a wonderful Easter/Passover season as well!
Also -- F&S Fabrics -- how did I miss this when I was in LA?! I lived at Federal and Santa Monica for a year...so close!!
Matilda is so cute! If I show my little girl then I know for sure there will be a request so I guess I should go get the pattern :).
Matilda is very cute and her whole being just shouts out 'spring'. Love the look of that egg sandwich. I have a recipe from Tosca Reno where you combing cottage cheese and a tiny bit of milk instead of mayo. It is good as well, except that I am lactose so I can't have it very often. Happy Easter to you too. Everytime I see colored hardboiled eggs I am immediately transported back to my childhood.
Matlida is adorable! Love her wardrobe. She looks very elegant.
That's so nice of you to teach your friend to knit ~ it's a wonderful gift and I think a skill that never stops giving back.
Thank you for the good wishes. A be well and love well Easter and Passover holiday to you, Steve and Mr. Puffy too!
Thank you, Claudia, for such a beautiful and serene Easter post. Matilda is a very fashionable harbinger of spring and that egg sandwich looks just scrumptious! My husband is a big fan of the chocolate chip pancakes at that Santa Monica Market. We go whenever we are in L.A.
Ursula
Hi Ursula! Chuckle. If I ever find out where they are selling chocolate chip pancakes I'm in trouble! So pleased that you enjoy this market as much as I do :)
She is just too adorable!
Oh wow, Matilda is so sweet! She looks all set for spring and the related holidays.
And the egg salad sandwiches have made me hungry (hungrier?) ...
Happy Passover and Happy Easter to everyone at your house!
I'm sure that Matilda and Eleanor Elizabeth would be great friends. EE went to London with us last summer and loves daisies on the lawn at Westminster Abbey.
The mouse is so cute, very stylish also. Totally accessorized correctly.
The lunch looks good, I haven't had any watercress for way too long.
Vicki
Hello, Matilda! Oh, but she's a cutie-pie, Claudia! :o) Sooooo sweet! You have really breathed life into her! And that cape...Will you be making any in grown-up sizes? I would love one ;o) And she looks so happy out & happy. I've never knitted toys like that before. Must give it a try sometime. I suppose all those body parts seems so small, therefore kind of intimidating to work and put together. Your tea time outing is such fun. I miss tea things like tea rooms--don't have them here! That sandwich looks so good. Such a fun post, Claudia...well, that all are! :o) Happy weekend ((HUGS)) Oh, thank you for the great cheer at my place...I'm excited about the new things happening!
I love Matilda and all of her accessories! Very sweet!
Matilda's discerning personality comes through in every picture. She looks so stylish in her shawl and hat. I love her! She seems like the kind of mouse who would inspire songs like "Miss Otis Regrets She's Unable To Lunch Today".
What a stylish mouse, I must say!
She is absolutely adorable! She is a perfect mouse to have to tea. :)
I can so tell she's your mouse! She poses just like you and is so elegant! :)
Matilda is adorable! I really enjoy your blog :)
Wow, Matilda is totally adorable. it would seem Mr Puffy might just have competition for the cutest animal on the blog.
Matilda is adorable! She looks like she's ready to enjoy a high tea in England. I just love her hat and shawl.
That is just the cutest little thing I've ever seen!!! I used to have a stuffed doll very much like that when I was a child, and I loved her because she was cuddly and soft. I bet Matilda is even softer!! What a great idea.
Thanks for the smile!
Murielle
Matilda is a little cutie, and isn't it nice when we can pass on the skills we've learned in knitting?
Matilda is adorable! what a cute and classy addition to the world wide family of mice! Loved also your travels in Santa Monica: Pain Quotidien, Farmer's Market, (sigh) which I miss very much now that I am living in New Zealand.
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