Friday 23 August 2013

A Tale of a Pink Unicorn


Once upon a time, a young girl and her mother were engaged in discussion when suddenly the child blurted out rather randomly, as was her way:

“Mummy, I want a real pink unicorn.”
“And where would I find that, darling?” replied the bemused but doting mother.
“At the unicorn shop,” Miss Cleverpants replied.

Well of course. But after barely considering the thought fervently searching the lands for a unicorn shop, none were to be found. Alas, alack, the young maiden was heartbroken. All she wanted was a real pink unicorn and how cruel of her mother to deny her. She repeated this sentiment in the form of whinging in many creative, though monotonous ways. So the mother, riddled with mother guilt (particularly after making an epic LEGO Star Wars quilt for the firstborn heir of the family), decided to do the next best thing.

Paper Pieced Pink Unicorn

She drew up a paper pieced unicorn pattern. Lo, she did not stop there. She immediately set forth to work with fabric, paper and sewing machine to create a pink unicorn. Silly mother had the idea of adding some beautiful purple fabrics to the design to enhance its beauty. Alas, the young maiden believed her design eye to be better than her mother’s and insisted only on pink. She believed this so strongly, she carefully watched over her mother’s fabric choices to ensure no purple snuck in amongst the pink. And also reiterated more times than the mother cared to count that the unicorn must be “all pink – pink pink pink”. Darling child is darling, but also bloody repetitive.

Paper Pieced Pink Unicorn Tail

Fortunately for the child, creating such a block was soothing sewing therapy for the mother and allowed the unicorn block to be made without banishing the pestering, demanding, darling child with a determined pink vision to the far ends of the earth.

The mother proudly presented her completed unicorn block (all pink) to the young miss. But no applause was forthcoming. Rather the child starkly announced “You didn’t do its eye. Where its eye?”.Muttering  Murmuring sweet nothings to the kid darling girl, the mother added features, including an eye to the unicorn (For what is a unicorn without sight?!) with a fabric marker magic writing implement.

Paper Pieced Pink Unicorn face

Finally declaring it to be finished, and the closest possible thing to a real pink unicorn, the mother tossed the block carefully laid the block on the table in front of the child and was rewarded with the highest of all praises in the 3 year old’s vocabulary. “Good.”

Good. The mother could certainly think of far more words than simply “good” but feeling she had granted the darling child’s wish – to an extent- the mother returned to sewing projects of her own and decided one pink unicorn would suffice. And they all lived happily ever after for five minutes at least.

Unicorn paper pieced pattern in pink and purple

Should you find yourself in a position similar to the mother in this tale and wish to make a unicorn block (pink or not depending on your own darling child’s whims), you can find the pattern in ye olde Craftsy shop for a modest sum. After all, this mother needs to indulge in some fabric therapy after such a sewing adventure. Or if your darling child is more inclined to the digger type of block… that is also now available care of the magic of the interwebs.

Paper Pieced Digger Pattern

Pray, friend, share your tales of despair and delight within the world of paper piecing. I promise to praise your efforts with words better than “good”.

PPPQP

Quick refresher on what the deal is with the Paper Piecing Party (full details here):
* It’s on every weekend here at Quiet Play, starting Friday.
* Link up something you’re working on that’s foundation paper pieced
* Link a blog post or flickr photo
* Visit at least two other links and leave a comment because that’s half the fun!
* I’ll pick one each week to win their choice of a free pattern from my Craftsy shop. Keep on paper piecing ;) Last week’s winner was Julie!

32 comments:

  1. Om My Gosh!! That was the funniest post ever! You crack me up...
    and i'm so making a pink unicorn cushion for my couch! This pattern is just so "good" ;)

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  2. Lol. Great post :D Especially "ye olde Craftsy shop"

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  3. Hahaha. That reminds me of our dinner conversation about my replacement wedding ring we are getting on Saturday (long story). Hubby to Princess: we need to get mummy's ring so some other daddy doesn't try to come along and steal her. Princess: oh no. Then we would have no mummy and we would need to go to the mummy shop to get a new one. I would be sad.
    Bless.
    Love the block!

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  4. Fabulous! Love the story and the block.

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  5. SOLD! I love that unicorn :D And the story.

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  6. Hahaha oh i love this post!! XD

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  7. Kristi, love love love the story, and the unicorn is fab too

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  8. Best story ever!! I think i need this fairy tale on my quilt and should probably read this story to my kids. But, alas, I have no time to stitch up a pink , pink unicorn at the moment so I shall wait till a later date to retell the story.

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  9. Gorgeous pink unicorn.......your magic is wonderful. Thank you for hosting the linky party. Have a fabulous weekend......Marie

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  10. Good unicorns are still a favourite......even when the girl is 26!

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  11. Hope the fair maiden doesn't embrace the green-eyed monster when the handsome heir's Lego quilt is produced. The seamstress in the attic might find herself chained to her trusty machine producing a blessing of unicorns for the flighty princess!

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  12. Hahaha it is a very good block, magical even! Funny story :)

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  13. It's gorgeous Kristy. The online quilting world respects your talents, don't worry!

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  14. Your unicorn is wonderful or rather should I say ~ your daughters unicorn is wonderful. Loved the story and the magic therein!

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  15. Adorable! Love the way you told the story.

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  16. HIlarious! Great pattern lovely! Ps. Dear child would love the fabulous handmade unicorn Chloe received last Christmas. I shall find the name of the business I bought it from!

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  17. Your daughter is a genius with that pink unicorn idea.

    She must get it from her mother ;)

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  18. I needed a good story this morning :). Love both of the new patterns! Hubby put me on a budget for the rest of the month (could have something to do with a very large box of fabric that should be arriving any day now) but they will be going on my Wishlist for next month.

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  19. I love the pink unicorn...my daughter would be jealous if I showed her that! :)

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  20. Great post! I am still chanelling Agnes, can't get the song out of my head now. I love him in either all pink or with purple highlights!

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  21. I may just have to make myself a purple and pink unicorn. Fantastic! Kids are SO demanding haha

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  22. I needed something fun to read this morning. This was fantastic!! Love the patterns :)

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  23. Get ready, in a few years you'll have to teach that darling little girl how to make her own pink unicorn (or whatever). You'd better keep an eye on your stash after that.

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  24. He he. Well done! My girl was very surprised I was actually sewing on paper today. She couldn't believe her eyes and ran quickly to daddy to tell him such news. Mum sews on paper! I'll hopefully share tomorrow. I need some daylight for the pics.

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  25. Haha - you are so clever!! I love your fabric choices for all the pinkness of the unicorn!

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  26. Alright, alright! I'm in! The magic of the unicorn has convinced me that it is time - to join in the fun. I'll be back next week to link up already! Great post, Kristy!

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  27. Post of the week...still chuckling!!

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  28. http://karylsquilts.blogspot.com/2013/04/holiday13-in-progress.html
    http://karylsquilts.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-star-in-making_6.html
    two large paper peiced projects ~~ enjoy ~~~

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  29. Aren't little kids fun once they realize that Mommy can make things for them? :-) The block looks great, and you got a wonderful story out of it.

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