I once had an exhilarating experience with a ray...When I was very young, my parents took us to the Maldives, before it really became a popular tourist destination. At that time, the hotel on the island we visited was just a couple of huts on the beach. It was a glimpse of paradise that has stayed with me always. I can still see the plethora of beautiful colours, bright yellows, greens and reds. The classic combination of the azure blue ocean and the white sand has been immortalised many times, but it truly is a sight to behold.
It was a trip of many mishaps. I lost the specially purchased underwater camera (then spent the rest of day crying and swimming around randomly trying to look for it), my dad was bitten by a Grouper (Then my Mum claimed that Groupers don't bite, and went to investigate herself- where she promptly got bitten too). I managed to get a rather large amount of sand in my ears that took years to grow out. But it was fun!
One day I was snorkeling along looking at brightly coloured fish, when slowly the sea bed turned dark. At first I looked up because I thought it was a shadow, but soon I saw it was moving - a massive ray. I have never felt quite so dwarfed and certainly never so humble. I watched it swim of into the distance, knowing that I would probably never get to see anything so amazing again.
So this little chap was inspired by that ray. He started of like most of my work does, as a little doodle, and soon grew into a (badly) crocheted first draft. Although, as soon as he was finished, I realised I had made yet another mistake. Giraffes have blue tongues and rays have different mouths! Now I will have to rework it. Oh well. As my Great Oma said if you don't use your head you use your legs!
I had a pivotal taste reawakening at lunchtime today. I had forgotten how heavenly this nectar of the gods was. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup...
Takes you right back to being eight. And only 200 calories a bowl! Why did I ever stop eating it!
Wow, that's an amazing story about your encounter with a ray when you were a child!
Posted by: bethany actually | January 07, 2008 at 02:49 AM
Okay, I gotta come out of lurkdom for the Ray. I love your patterns but I gotta say... I <3 the Ray. In Vegas we go to the BassProShop to watch the rays in the tank. I LOVED the rays at Sea World in SD who would eat (suck) the squid right from your hand and felt like wet velvet and had the cutest bulldog-ish faces. And then I went to Belize Dec. 06 ... and swam with rays... it was magic. And I want to go back and do it again. and again.
So I gotta ask: are you going to by any chance post this pattern after you fix the mouth? :)
Thanks!
Posted by: robin | January 07, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Oooh, I like your new header! And the sting ray is cute!
Posted by: Colleen | January 07, 2008 at 06:13 PM
What a great post Brie! Your story of the Maldives is so compelling. What an amazing place to visit as a child. I so appreciate your experience of being humbled and reminded of your place in the world, with such an amazing creature. It's all such a great backdrop for your new crocheted creation! Thanks for sharing it with us. I also love that you used your frog for your header.
Posted by: Bri | January 08, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Happy New Year ! (yep, I am still on time).
Oh, yes, the creamy salty goodness of the tinned heinz tomato soup...with 2 slices of untoasted white plastic buttered bread...
Your ray is truly fab, like the rest of your patterns...and who cares the mouth is non-accurate...
You should definitely make your way to the Brighton aquarium to see the ray tank...the little cuties swim vertically out of the water so you can scratch their tummy. Now I KNOW you are not supposed to touch them...but they LOVE IT!!
Adeline
Posted by: Adeline | January 08, 2008 at 10:55 AM
The ray is gobsmackingly great. I hate to ask for a pattern as I'm sure it's a pain, but I would love to make this little bloke.
He looks so friendly - and I am extremely curious to know how you got the wings to curl.
Posted by: MoominMama | January 08, 2008 at 09:21 PM
The ray is gobsmackingly great. I hate to ask for a pattern as I'm sure it's a pain, but I would love to make this little bloke.
He looks so friendly - and I am extremely curious to know how you got the wings to curl.
Posted by: MoominMama | January 08, 2008 at 09:23 PM
oh pattern please please please. you are so amazing with the things you make, i would also love a giraffe pattern, i too know the pain of making patterns but i would love one if you have one!!! thanks so much!
Posted by: phoebe | January 09, 2008 at 01:25 AM
I love the ray! It reminds me of the teacher in Finding Nemo, Murry I think. You did a wonderful job, you gave a great eye and wonderful imagination!!
Posted by: Brooke | January 09, 2008 at 09:52 PM
I've been following your blog for a few months now. Your work always wows me! The ray is wonderful. The extra funny bit is... I have a crush for ancient Rome too. This year I'm taking a course with the Open University you would love, "Culture, Identity and Power in the Roman Empire". This one and World Archaeology are the cherries on my BA (Hons) Humanities with Classical Studies pie. I'll keep following you! (just on the net though, no need to phone the police ;o)
Posted by: Helena | January 10, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Oooh, thankies sooo much for sharing this awesome pattern!! I showed it to my huband who immediately told him that I HAD to make one for him. LOL. Already queued it in my ravelry account. :)
Posted by: Cathy | January 14, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Your mantaray is genius! What a brilliant design!
Posted by: Maritza | January 14, 2008 at 01:50 AM
Hey, your manta ray is the featured project over at crochetpatterncentral!!! Congrats!
nathalie
Posted by: Nathalie | January 20, 2008 at 02:42 PM
The Manta Ray is just adorable and the soup looks really yummy too! I've never heard of Heinz Tomato Soup. Maybe they just don't carry it in my area. Looks delicious though!
Posted by: Lisa | January 20, 2008 at 09:15 PM