interview!

check out this interview the needle talks to greenstarstudio

butt uglee!

so, you know how picky i am right? i mean, when it comes to art and especially when it comes to art for kids and MOST especially when it comes to birds? well, i'd like to introduce you to my newest obsession... butt uglee!

a couple weeks ago i get an email from a woman i can only assume is my long lost twin... trust me, if you read the email you'd agree. and she tells me she's been stalking my work (oh, we use the term "stalking" to mean: "loving on from afar", totally cool, totally legal); i, naturally, go to her etsy shop and over the next few hours, there's a mutual stalk-fest and before any soft sculpture knows what hit it, off goes a box of knitimals to colorado and a box-o-uglee coming to baltimore. well... now the knitimals are a gracious bunch, so they are making their new friend right at home (they look comfy, no?)

just LOOK at it! how cute and wonderful is this bluebird?! little not-yet-here baby of mine is going to have the best birdified room ever. since you can't touch this bluebird yourself, i'll tell you it is SO well made, great detail, hilarious face and i love love love his little wire legs. how great are they!? you need one, right?


and the tag? its so wonderful. everything has this great vintage feel to it (but weird. good WEIRD vintage). there's such humor in jennifer's work... i love it. but it makes sense... there's great humor in HER.

you have to read her blog. it's a hoot! (i can't believe i wrote "hoot", but i like it; it's bird themed). butt uglee blog

so, thanks jennifer, for my new friend (can you even find him in this picture? yes... that IS my studio. yes, i DO get work done in there. NO, i don't know where the charger is for my external hard drive... can you find it? never mind that, it's not your problem)

****and if you want to see the Knitimals now living with jennifer, go here

What's the big secret up there?

Hello two-legged friends! Somethings-a-brewin' up there on couch, but I'm too short to catch a clear glimpse. Mommy's been hard at work all day and she said its for YOU! I'll keep you posted... Check back on Wednesday, friends! Xoxo, mason
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Happy Friday and some spring cleaning!

Hello friends! Just flopping in to say "happy Friday" AND that my mommy is going to announce something super cool next week. Maybe something FREE! Have a good weekend! Xoxo, mason
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mason the brave, in annapolis

what makes him so brave? well, there were a lot of ducks, for one, and he is significantly smaller than a duck. also, he was wearing an orange polo shirt, because his mom thinks animals small enough TO BE dressed, SHOULD BE dressed. mason fits in this smallness category.

mostly though, it was his prowess at navigating crowded streets and being touched, photographed and loved on by total strangers that makes him brave. and for his bravery, he was rewarded with an amazing new collar and leash set SO cute it couldn't have been cuter if i made it myself! if you find yourself needing a cute something or other for your pup, visit paws! xoxo, danamarie

knitimals in annapolis!

well folks, annapolis just got a little greener... or should i say greenSTARrier?
no, that doesn't work too well. let's just say there is now a place to fill your greenstar needs in the annapolis area.
i am pleased as punch (what does that even mean? punch is alright, i guess, but not THAT great. sometimes it's WAY too sugary and then you get that bright red stain on your upper lip and THAT'S weird and every knows you've been drinking punch and... anyway), to announce that the Knitimals have a new home at whimzikidz in annapolis, md. have you ever been? oh you MUST go! annapolis is SO sweet and the whole "right on the water" things reminds me of Portland, ME, which you all know i love. We took Mason with us to meet the lovely Lynne Davis, proprietor of Whimzikidz (and super friendly dog lover, i must say)

these are just a few of the dolls now living at whimzikdz, awaiting adoption, so if you're in the area, or looking for a wonderful little day trip, head on over! whimzikidz: 6 Fleet Street Annapolis, MD 21401

All vaccinated and micro chipped!

Little mason had has last rounds of vaccines today, and got himself a fancy, schmancy micro chip between his shoulder blades. Here's my poor, lethargic little bionic puppy. Just a reminder, now until April 18th, 10% of all my etsy sales will go to the MD SPCA! Xoxo, danamarie
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new in the shop!

i've been knitting and sewing my little fingers to the quick and i am happy (though calloused) to say: "haroo hooray, the etsy shop was updated today!" (no imagine me yelling from a rooftop and flailing, because the drama makes it much more significant). so yes, there are some new knitimals in the shop (and a few more that haven't been posted yet, but are on reserve for some lucky pre-orderererererers), and in addition to Knitimals, i've plopped in some soap, some pins, some new magnets, more books and then some. and it is here that i will not so subtly remind you that from now until April 18th ANY thing you purchase will have a little extra love about it, because 10% of each purchase will count as a donation to the Maryland SPCA. On April 20th, Mason and I will be marching our little hearts out to raise money for animals in need (he will be extra grateful because he has a very cute new sweater to wear and he knows there are many many dogs out there who, while cute, do not have mommies to make them sweaters), and we will be dropping off a check in the amount of whatever we can scrounge up, so PLEASE! DONATE! remember, donations are 100% tax deductible, so why not get a jump start on some holiday shopping or stock up on birthday gifts and buy now, while there's charity involved, eh? i thank you, and the homeless animals of the state thank you! shop now, help some animals xoxo, danamarie

hummingbird is done!

hello friends! today's a big day... my beautiful hummingbird is done. it's a little sad. she's officially not mine anymore, but i know she's about to fly off to a beautiful new home, with beautiful new friends, way out west. and THAT makes me happy. i think once i get over the loss, i'm going to have to make myself a hummingbird of my very own. in the meantime, i am updating my etsy shop like a mad woman! remember, from now until April 18th, ANY purchase you make will mean a 10% donation to the MD SPCA, so donate now! (see the "angel" post below for more info) xoxo, danamarie.

arrrr, sweater!

this just in! happy boston terrier in new england is loving his new skull & crossbones sweater! pretty cute, eh? this is finnegan. his mom sent me these fabulous pictures of him wearing the sweater i made him a couple weeks ago. i think he looks just dashing in it! now, dog sweater knitting isn't my typical arena, but the recent acquisition of a tiny, shivery, sweater needing dog has tapped into that knit fashion part of my brain and well... the original pirate dog sweater was made to fit little mason (10" chest). THIS sweater was a whopping 23"! Nevertheless... i think Finnegan is a handsome boy in a handsome sweater. I also think that if you want a sweater of any kind for your pup, you should drop me a line! xoxo, danamarie