is it a duck? is it fox? is it a bear? is it just like that dog?

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During the week I bought some old blankets from a thrift store, soft and wooly and warm, and am enjoying cutting them up and turning them into softies. I don't really know what these dudes are, but they turned out cute. Something about the thickness of them, like fur but not quite, that I find lovely. I also picked up a vintage fabric cushion cover and old pillowcases with yellow roses. I've made some other monsters too, with antlers, but today is overcast and they will have to wait for the sun to come out for photos.

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Only after I'd finished did I see that they turned out quite like some plushies made by awesome plushie maker, ninon (If you haven't seen her plushies, do go have a look, they're tremendous). I find a lot of inspiration from looking at other people's work, new faces, embroidery ideas, new ways of arranging colours and pattern making; new things to try and experiment with. I didn't mean this one to be quite.so.similar, but they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

(ninon appearing in the WhipUp calendar)

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Do you gather ideas and techniques form other people? have you made something after seeing someone else make it? Have you ever seen something that you've inspired, and did you feel ripped off or flattered?