Stanley Rabbit in Real Life!

Just a little note to let you know that for the first time ever, I put a couple of Stanley Rabbits (crocheted by me) into my etsy shop today.  One has already hopped away to a new home but one is  still waiting for you. I'm hoping to make a couple more over the next little while. I only make a few each year so each one is a limited edition and comes with a birth certificate which also acts as proof of authenticity.
Love Kate xxx

Stanley's Christmas Count Down....

This was Stanley's first Christmas. He was just a little lad, firmly swaddled and braving the snow. I do feel sorry for his mother as she looks exhausted in the photo. On the other hand, Stanley's father looks so content. He travels for work so was very relieved to be home Christmas Eve. His job? Stanley's father works alongside a travelling magician, he is the rabbit that jumps out of the hat. Not the most regular of hours but as he constantly reminds himself, somebody has to do it.

This is one of the photos from the inner leaf of 'Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon'. Stanley's mother stuck some family snaps into the book with washi tape which was very kind of her. 

Now.... the count down is on for Christmas. If you would like to order a copy for some lucky person's present and they (or you) happen to live in Europe, America or the UK (or anywhere else), be sure to order by the Friday 5th December to make sure that it arrives before the big day. If you are in Australia, you have a few more days with the last being Wednesday 10th December.

BUT the best news is that I have ordered some postcards of Stanley's first Christmas and I will send one out with each book ordered over the next few weeks. Yay. Usually I pop in a little card to say thank you - this one I will leave blank so you can send it (or keep it) or do whatever you like with it.

As for the book, sales are going really well and I am starting to receive some lovely reviews (which are always nice). Kat Goldin from Slugs on the Refrigerator, my crochet hero and author of 'Crochet at Play' and 'Hook, Stitch & Give', had this to say....

"There are few things I love more than watching people do what they love and so, when Kate Bruning from Greedy with Colour published her children's book Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon, I immediately clicked over to etsy to ensure one would be arriving on our doorstep.

From the moment it was opened, it became our new favourite, with Georgia declaring Stanley her best friend and insisting I read it every time I sat down.I have long loved Kate's sense of colour and whimsy in her work - from her awesome bicycle bunting to her crazy awesome hot air balloons - Kate brings fun to whatever she is making.

Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon pulls all of that together in one beautiful package. The idea is so simple- the first half of the book is the adventures of Stanley the bunny. The second half of the book includes patterns for making many of the elements seen in the story. Its a truly amazing work of art - the story is sweet and relatable, the photos are lush and full of detail and the patterns are sweet and simple. I can not recommend it highly enough.  We love sitting and looking at the pictures and just taking in all of the details".

Sooooo, only if you feel like it, hop on over here and make sure Stanley (just like his dad), arrives in time for Christmas!

Lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.

A Crocheted Stanley Rabbit Giveaway!!!!!

 This is a bit exciting - the first Stanley Rabbit giveaway ever. He is such a friendly little rabbit, I think you will be good friends. We took him on our adventures this year and he was so well behaved, taking in the sights and making friends. Stanley is also very humble, you wouldn't believe that he is the star of his own book. We love him. 

Read on for the giveaway details at the bottom of this post but in the meantime, see what Stanley got up to on our journey!

 This photo is of Stanley posing at the Tower of London. So exciting although I did end up with a few round, brown little pellets in my hand.

 In the Swiss Alps visiting Heidi's cottage. Archie wanted to carry him about on this day.

 He really is the baby brother in our family.

 Exploring a mini castle in Lichtenstein.

 Enjoying the view in Lichtenstein (odd place I must say...)

 At Loop in London.

 Stanley really loved Loop....

 At Glastonbury Abbey.

And once again, at Wool in Bath - a place that all people who love knitting, crochet, wool or even sheep should visit. Now, here is the trick. To enter into the giveaway, you have to locate Stanley who has been hidden somewhere in this photo by Laura's mum. Look carefully.

I don't sell crocheted Stanley Rabbits. One of the many reasons is that postage is astronomical as he isn't very flat. But, I also understand that not everybody crochets so it's nice to think that there is another way to end up with a Stanley in your life. A little bonus is that when I make a Stanley, he comes with a little signed birth certificate. This means that he is really yours.... forever..... and ever... not matter what, it's legally binding.

So, as mentioned previously, all you have to do is find Stanley in the 2nd last photo (at Wool in Bath) and comment in the section below. I will draw out a winner next Friday. Good luck.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.

How Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon was Made.

This is a long story so feel free to make yourself a cup of tea before relaxing into the tale! 

Stanley came into being about five years ago. I was visiting my sister in Melbourne and started making this funny little rabbit who was wearing a red and white striped jumper with blue pants. His legs were stumpy and his arms a little short (see the first rabbit on the left) but I liked him straight away and thought to myself, "Now there's a rabbit with dash.  And so, I immediately set to work on the next one (as you do). This chap (2nd from left) was a bit further down the evolutionary line but still wasn't quite there. For one thing, his paws were plunged slightly too far down his pants, giving him a 'Harry high pants' air. His legs were a too straight and with those colours, looked as though he could work in fast food outlet.

The middle rabbit was where it all began to come together - the colours were right, the posture pretty good and the proportions almost there. Just some tweaking with the stuffing and lengthening of legs meant the Stanley we know and love peered out!

  Hugo was four at the time of all of this rabbitty crochet and going through a very similar stage to Stanley (you will have to read the book to discover just what that is...). Ideas began to form for a story, but it wasn't until Hugo began school the following year that I had the time to sit down and write it out. Then it flowed. Wherever I was, I would have to run to the kitchen table whenever a line, thought or word popped into my head. I think the boys probably thought I was a completely mad as I was constantly muttering the verses under my breath. And just like Stanley himself, the story slowly evolved over time, at least two years were spent polishing it until a friend forced me to put it aside lest it become thread bare. I have to say, that was an extremely difficult thing to do... important though as it allowed me concentrate on building sets.

Another day I will show you how the sets came to be but that is an even longer story - very crafty too, so shouldn't be rushed. For the time being, I will just give you a couple of behind the scene photos to look at.

Awwww - sleeping Stanley and his little teddy rabbit.... sadly the ric-rac didn't stay as it interfered with a couple of the scenes.

The photography stage was my favourite part - I've always had such joy from taking photos and capturing Stanley and his adventures was so much fun - he is so photogenic but once again, I will save this for another day as there is so much to write about with it.

Then came the pattern writing part. Thankfully, I already had lots of practise from writing up various tutorials for the blog and the added bonus of writing patterns for magazines. That part of it was probably the most fast and I was very lucky to have wonderful pattern testers with Rachel, Dominique and another lovely friend. Their contribution cannot be underestimated as it is sooooooo important that the patterns not only work, but make sense.

Next came a whole new skill set. Learning how to use Photoshop. This was a great challenge and saw me reading through huge manuals as though they were thrillers and spending hours watching youtube clips. The boys were fascinated by this stage and often peered over my shoulder as I explained the ins and outs of what was going on. I have to admit that they were only allowed to watch if they weren't eating... do you find it a little off-putting - working on the computer with somebody crunching an apple in your ear????? 

Learning photoshop was a lengthy process but also one of the most valuable skills I have learnt. I use it most days now and usually for good rather than evil.

So this is just the beginning. As I mentioned earlier in the post, over the next few weeks I am going to share with you all sorts of stories from the Stanley book including how I published it AND tutorials that were not featured in the book (starting with the stool above). 

I hope you enjoy it and I can't wait to start getting more tutorials up for you!!!!!

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon - On Sale Now!

I don't know how this day came about so suddenly... but, 'Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon' is now waiting to be bought from my shop here. I post all over the world and at this stage, postage is FREE!!! Can you believe it.

If you haven't visited my blog before, let me tell you about Stanley. He is a little rabbit that I made a few years ago. You can imagine how startled I was when he began to talk. Not only that, but when he began to tell me his life story. This book is only the first instalment of his life set on a day when he was supposed to be having a nap but instead, went adventuring in a hot air balloon - you know how it can be with bunnies.

At the back of the book is a special crafting section where you can learn to make all sorts of things from the story like a hot air balloon, or tiny mice, or even.... your very own Stanley!!!

Here are some photos from the book.

Anyway, please feel free to go over and have a look. I will be doing all sorts of exciting things with it this month so please stay tuned.
Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon; The Book Giveaway!

 I can't believe that I finally have a copy of the book in my hands. It's not due for release until July, however.... I have one copy ready for one lucky reader!

This book has been such a labour of love. I started writing it about 4 years ago and now, well now it's sitting on my kitchen table!!!!!

 It is a children's book but there are patterns included too. I love the thought of children reading (or being read to) while cuddling their very only Stanley. I will show you photos of the projects another day.

 So I hope you like this sneak preview. 

To enter, leave a comment in the section below and I will pick a number (randomly through random.org) on Monday, 5th May. Good luck!

Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.
p.s. This giveaway is available worldwide. The book will be ready for purchase in July and will also be available worldwide via airmail (postage will be a pittance).

When Stanley was a Baby....

 Here is a photo of Stanley when he came home from hospital. 

This is Stanley in the second cot from the right in the middle row. I may be biased but I do think he is the cutest little kit there.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Stanley is off to the Printers.

  I am so sorry for radio silence over the past week (2 weeks?). I have been flat out getting the Stanley book to the printers... it all begins tomorrow!

I thought you might like to see some photos of the sets that I used for the story. Over the next week or two, I will show you lots of behind the scenes work. For the moment, here is the sitting room. It wasn't until I took this photo that I realised Archie had been playing with his  lego hobbit and elves in the house.... 

Like all good women, Stanley's mother likes to sew. Here is her little nook.

I will let you know when the book is finished and ready to purchase (initially through etsy).

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

The Stanley Book Cover.

I thought you might like to have a sneak preview of the cover of my book which I am currently working on. At the moment it's looking like being 6 weeks out from printing so that is very exciting! So much to be done on it still though....

Thank you so much for all of your comments on Archie's cactus. He was thrilled!
Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.