Fish From the Great Barrier Reef

Angel Fish, Clown Fish, Tang Fish and Seahorses
(c) copyright original designs

I have been busy working on my fish collection.
I am really happy at how they have turned out, although they took a bit of time to test and perfect. The colours of tropical fish are amazing and I figured these were just the thing to go crazy with colour on.

The tang fish look pretty snazzy as they scoot about the ocean. The clown fish also have a bit of attitude.

My favourites are still the seahorses. They are such interesting little animals. It took me most of the day to photograph these. Sounds silly but I had to get the sand and the light just right. I guess if I was a professional photographer this would be a piece of cake!

I had a bit of fun fiddling arround with the towels. I like the lacy look of the angel fish on the terry towelling.

Each pattern is quite different, hence they took a bit of writing up.

They are special though, and as I finished something else came to mind........... more about what's next another day.

I have just listed the patterns for Fish from the Great Barrier Reef: Angel Fish, Clown Fish, Tang Fish and Seahorses at my Etsy store.

Australian Reptiles of the Water: Northern Territory Crocodile, Short Neck Turtle and Hatchlings.

crikey! It's a crocodile!

Well here is my latest- Australian Reptiles of the Water: The Northern Territory Crocodile, the Australian Short Neck Turtle and Turtle Hatchlings. These little guys have taken me a bit of effort to write up. I am finding that the design bit is the easy part, but it is the writing up, testing and photographing that takes the time. I do like them though. These are native reptiles to the Australian waterways, rivers, swamps and billabongs.

I saw the Northern Territory crocodile when I was in Kakadu a few years back. Kakadu is a most amazing part of Australia and a Natural Heritage Park. The crocs are nasty little buggers and as ugly as sin. I brought back a crocodile foot key ring and tooth necklaces for my sons. They have a few registered crocodile farms in the Northern Territory which sell odd bits of the animal at the markets! I reckon I have made them look good in crochet.

Crocodiles and Turtles don't get a long real well, so are found in different areas. Mainly because the crocodiles eat the turtle hatchlings.

When I was a kid we had a creek and a dam down the bottom of our farm. I remember the short neck freshwater turtles, or "tortoises". They had dark shells and short stumpy necks and limbs. This little guy often shows up in indigenous paintings. Penny Tortoise used to sell in pet shops, but that is now illegal here because of their native protection. They are cute little critters.

I have had fun with these and along with the book mark designs, got a bit excited by their potential and stitched a few on the towels. I think they are great little embellishments for the bathroom and I plan to put some on washers and hand towels for Christmas gifts. From here I then created a soap or sachet holder.

I am enjoying exploring my talents, but it is a labour of love as the write up takes me forever.

Any how, the patterns for my Australian Reptiles of the Water are now listed on my Etsy Store.

I would love to receive your comments!

Australian Reptiles of the land: Gecko, Taipan Snake and Blue Tongue Lizard

There have always been reptiles in my life. Not that I like them, but because they are a part of the Australian great outdoors.

I always remember the fear as a kid of the rustle of a snake in the grass.

The Austrailain inland Taipan is the most deadliest in the world, being some 50 times more deadly than a cobra.

He looks pretty tame in crochet as a book mark!

When we were kids there was always a Gecko or two that would scurry over the ceiling at night. The camoflage was fantastic!

The blue Tongue Lizard is a real ugly bugger. They often lurk in my garden catching insects. How it ever got a blue tongue is any ones guess, but it sure as heck gives it a distinctive look.

The choo choo bar grin ;o)

I had a lot of fun designing these. They are my own fair dinkum original designs which have taken me a while to write out and test. These images are protected by copyright as are my ideas.

I do think they are pretty crazy though! The idea of a gecko squished in a book is one that will appeal to many. This all started because most bookmark and motif patterns are very feminine. Not much out there in the crochet line for kids, and in particular boys. Not much out there in reptiles eithor!

I have just listed the patterns for these three on my etsy store.

Check it out!

Book Marks and Motifs from the Great Barrier Reef.

These are my latest designs. Because they came out of my noggin I own the copyright, so please don't nick my pictures or ideas! I know the yellow print is annoying, but I was reminded recently about the risks of internet theft so while I am happy to share, I need to take some precautions.

The Great Barrier Reef is North of where I live in Queensland. I remember a few years back visiting Townsville and the aquarium there which has to be one of the most remarkable tourist places I have ever visited. So I share with you my latest, which in amongst the geckos, teacosies, afghans, and holding down a full time job, are in the list of patterns I am currently writing up. I would value your comments, as while the ideas and creativity flows clearly, the pattern writing is the excruciating part!

My thoughts are that these would be great book marks, or motifs for kids cloths, jeans and accessories. If people like them, I will make the effort to finalise the instructions.
I just love the colour and the natural "weirdness" of tropical fish.

The Angel fish is quite a beauty and is a graceful swimmer

The little Clown fish was made popular in recent years by a particularly cute kids movie. I have designed these little guys to be hanging of a string as tho they have been caught by a tourist on one of those tourist fishing trips, or alternatively swimming free in the Pacific Ocean.

The Tang fish is a funny looking flat fish with what I call "kissy lips" I had fun with these, they don't use much thread, and the more colourful the better! I think a school of these on a little ones bib on overalls would look fabulous

My last, and probably favourite little fellows are the Sea horses. I have seen these in a tank, and they are the most fascinating creatures. So very tiny, but so very graceful.

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