Mr. Moose is off to the Bitterman's

Marji Bitterman of Beads and Dangles asked me one day if I had ever created a moose. "Hmm", I said. "I have not, but coming from Maine, it seems like I should consider one."  So I thought about it and came up with a pattern and then wondered what he would be wearing. Well, wouldn't he be a lumberjack? Seemed logical to me. Flannel shirt, jeans, suspenders and black boots. So that's what I came up with.

The antlers were a challenge. They had to be firm enough to stand up, but flexible enough to be sewn inside the head and then turned right side out which is how I have to sew it. Felt seemed to be the best solution. I tried a thin foam core, but that tore when I turned it. My husband reminded me that bull moose have a beard as well as a tuft of fur on their head, so this guy does as well. He's a "real man" in the moose world.

When I was making this moose, I decided to make a second one - similar but, as always, never exact. When I sent a picture up to the Abracadabra folks, they made claim on him. So, Moose number 2 will be in Season 4 of the show.

I love seeing the faces of the people who adopt my critters. The smile is what makes it all worth while. So, if anyone has any ideas for critters, please pass them on. You never know who will be created.