Mungo : meaning "most dear" in gaelic
I have been watching the BBC series Planet Earth while working on the crocheted stones and merfish. I can't tell you how it has inspired me at so many levels. Makes me want to get myself a video camera. I really wanted to make a new softie to start of the new blog year. The instant I saw the botos or Amazon river dolphins I knew I had to design and make one of these fascinating animals. If you saw the footage you will completely understand my infatuation because these delightful animals were carrying something in their mouths for all to see. Stones, river stones to be exact and some of them of considerable size it what they were playfully swimming with. Trying to impress the girls is what the behavioural scientists have concluded but I like to think they were saying " Hey Margie, how's this one."
For the prototype I decided to work with hand dyed wool felt in two shades of grey and a pink for the inside of the mouth. This is entirely hand sewn which is my preferred method of making softies although I do know it isn't the quickest. I named him Mungo , because he is to me like all of you who celebrated my blog birthday yesterday, most dear. He is carrying in his mouth a small crochet covered river stone as a gift for his love. I hope you like him because I really enjoyed making him. I also enjoyed a break from crocheting stones. On Saturday evening I thought my fingers on my right hand had decided to pack up and go on vacation but after a little handsewing they were back working just right.
I think Mungo has fallen for one of the litte merfish. I forgot to mention Mungo has some handstitched details on his chest in a heart pattern.
Don't forget you have until friday to leave a message under the birthday post for a chance to win a merfish or covered stone of your very own. I am also updating the etsy shop on friday at 4pm EST. Have a wonderful start to your week.
I absolutely *LOVE* your work!!!! Mungo is fabulous!!!!!!
Posted by: kelly | January 12, 2009 at 12:16 AM
He's so cute!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 12, 2009 at 01:14 AM
oh i love mungo! i sew most things by hand,too, even my childrens clothing. my daughter is terrified of my sewing machine, aparently it is too noisy.
Posted by: Miri | January 12, 2009 at 05:34 AM
Nice to meet you Mungo, looks like you found a great place to play...that is why I come here!
Posted by: Karen Mowrey | January 12, 2009 at 06:03 AM
mungo is perfect. i love his beautiful streamlined shape.
and now i must find out more about the stone-carrying dolphins! :)
Posted by: tinyhappy | January 12, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Really beautiful! Love the pictures as well, especially the one of Mungo on the mirror.
Posted by: Yanik | January 12, 2009 at 08:05 AM
He's a very handsome fellow!
Posted by: ellen kelley | January 12, 2009 at 09:58 AM
I've never heard of a river dolphin before - very nice (but thought I should mention that dolphins are mammals, not fish...)
I love the embroidered detail on Mungo's chest!
Posted by: planetjune | January 12, 2009 at 10:28 AM
He is indeed most dear. I love his story and his playful form. He's definitely found the right home!
Posted by: Patricia | January 12, 2009 at 10:30 AM
your softie is wonderul. oh to see the stones they carry in their mouths.
Posted by: molly | January 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I love Mungo, he's gorgeous! And I love the image of the river dolphins bringing stones for you to work with :-)
Posted by: Sam | January 12, 2009 at 06:54 PM
Oh, I love the Planet Earth series, as does my 9 year-old son. (Aka our resident wildlife expert!) Mungo is so sweet - what wonderful work!
Posted by: Paige | January 12, 2009 at 07:14 PM
I love Mungo too! So sweetly animated and delicate. Really wonderful!and the tiny stone...oh, perfect!
Posted by: nicole/astulabee | January 12, 2009 at 09:33 PM
So, SO amazing! Every time I come here I'm just blown away by what you've created.
I've been watching that series this week too!
Posted by: Rachel | January 12, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Mungo has won the popular vote for being the cutest dolphin! You are so creative and generous in sharing your creativity with us. Thanks.
Posted by: Jeannie | January 12, 2009 at 09:59 PM
I love Mungo SOOO much! Each hand stitch looks so delicate and full of love! That tiny covered stone is wonderful. What an amazing first softie of the '09. You're off to a brilliant start!
Posted by: mayaluna | January 13, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Oh Margie!!!!
Mungo is amazing!!! and it is sooo perfectly made, I really love it. And the photos that you took are so beautiful, I love the colors and composition.
Love!
Elsita :)
Posted by: Elsita | January 13, 2009 at 11:11 AM
mungo seems wonderful, i can't wait to meet him :)
Posted by: rebekah | January 13, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Mungo is so adorable! I used to want to be a dolphin trainer so I have a soft spot for anything dolphin :)
Posted by: Whitney | January 16, 2009 at 03:45 PM