Sock Friends

Hi.  This is Stinky V (left) and his pal...what's his name.  Or her name.  I'm not sure yet.  Stinky V was so named because he was my first sock friend, and his blue button eye says "Valentino" (love those thrift store finds!).  So he became Stinky V and the second creature doesn't really have a name yet.

The faded green sock is a lizard.  A kind of funny one, because the arms, legs, and tail are all black because there was only one green sock to be found.  (Spunky says the orphan socks go through a hole and are shot into outer space.  Who am I to argue?!!)

I've been reading books on doll-making techniques and have seen a bunch of lessons on soft doll face sculpturing, where you use your needle and thread to "sculpt" the faces, then color them (or paint them or whatever).  Not that I am interested in doing that, but I used that kind of technique to "pull" the sock fabric up on the top of the head and down the tail for the spines/ridge/crest (or whatever you call it).  It was fun to figure that out.  Another tool in the ol' toolbox!

Sunshine got to take them on a walk (they were in the stroller - she walked).  The more I look at the lizard the more it looks to me like a girl.  Maybe I should dress them?  Overalls for blue Stinky V and a frilly dress for the lizard?  Oh, but we really need to name that one.  She'll probably end up as Lola. Or Lizzy.

Yep, Spunky likes them, too!  (See?  Not all soft toys are for girls...)

Have a happy weekend,
:) Caren

Fleecie Doll

I found this book and decided to make this lovely doll out of fleece.

Fleecie Dolls by Fiona Goble can be purchased at Amazon.com

The book has some really cute ides for dollies, but I am so short on time that I have to be really really picky about which projects I start.  Oh, and the down side to the book was that the patterns (included) had to be enlarged, which was really tricky since I had to go to the office supply store to use their machine (I had to do a bunch of taping because I couldn't figure out their machine - grrrr!)

The dress on this doll is way too big - on purpose.  I figure if my toddler is going to try to dress and undress her she might as well have a big dress on.  So far she hasn't tried to get the dress off.  I think that is because she's been too distracted with getting her socks on the doll (she's getting pretty good at that!).

I learned something from this book - did you know that if you cut fleece in skinny strips and pull it (in the direction it stretches) that it actually curls?  Oh yes!  

(And it's very much like real hair - it "uncurls" fairly quickly so some of it is curly, some of it is wavy, some is straight - just like my Sunshine's hair!)

One more thing - the fleece is stuffed just perfectly for Sprout to chew on while he's teething (sorry, I don't have any pictures of that).  Hope this little doll doesn't mind!

You all have a wonderful day!  :) Caren

Where Do You Find Inspiration?

I am a terrible artist.  Really.  In fact, I think my five year old draws better than I do.  So when I am going to make a new stuffed animal pattern I usually do my research on the animal/image I am thinking about (I like to see how others have interpreted them visually).  

So that leads me to my question.  Occasionally I use other people's artwork as my inspiration.  Is that ok?  I mean, I really like childrens books.  Like this one I stumbled upon at the library yesterday:

Bumbletum can be purchased here

Bumbletum.  Seriously, how cute is this little guy?  I'm totally in love.  And the story is about a soft toy that is really great at HUGGING.  So who wouldn't love a stuffie that is a great hugger?  (especially one as adorable as this!).  

So the question then becomes - is it ok to make someone else's illustration into a 3D soft toy?  

Can I tell you a secret?  I have been flirting with thoughts of opening a little shop on Etsy sometime in the future.  The distant future (as in - hey, can I get the kids in school first?!!!).  Its not like I'll be making a huge amount of toys, nor would I be making a huge amount of money.   Just thinking about how all of this stuff goes together, and wanting to give credit where it is due.  And if I can, I'd like to track the illustrator down and ask permission (I'd definitely list the source on my shop page even if I couldn't find the illustrator).

I've also been looking at soft toy books, to try to get more of an education on different methods of construction and layouts for the soft toys.  I know that in the end some of my creations will look similar to some of those, at least construction-wise.  That's to be expected, though, since there are only a limited amount of ways to make soft toys.  

I just want to walk in integrity in everyday life as well as in business practice (if the toy shop ever becomes reality), you know?  So if you have any thoughts, please let me know.  Thanks bunches!

:) Caren

We Have a Winner!!!

This morning we picked a winner for our Silly Mama Quilts giveaway!  I'm going to give you a run down of how we chose our winner, but if you just want to know the bottom line, go to the bottom line (of this post :)
Meet our judges:

 On the left we have my very own Sunshine, and on the right a special celebrity guest judge:

That's right, folks, it's the old lady who swallowed a fly!  (If you're wondering why Sunshine has bed-head and pj's on, or why the old lady is only wearing her leggings and shoes - we're a pretty casual bunch around here!)

The judges confer about how we'll be choosing the winner.  Our plan involves little slips of paper with numbers on them (1-48, but not including my comment or duplicates).

 Oh no!  She lost her head!

Sunshine fixed her - all better!

 Ballots were put inside the old lady (she does not seem to mind swallowing things, right?!).  Sunshine shook them up....

Then stirred them all around....

And picked our winner!

...drumroll, please.....

And the winner is #38, Hilachas, who said that her favorite item from Silly Mama Quilts (online shop) was the Little Apples Pillow (which, by the way, was the top favorite of all our comments)!  

Little Apples Pillow Cover from Silly Mama Quilts

So congratulations, Hilachas, I'll let Brooke know you're our winner and you can go over and shop (in your pj's if you want to)!

Now, if you are not a winner, please do not be too upset. Our little judge really was trying to be fair:

And how could anyone be mad at this little face?

So thanks, everyone, for entering the giveaway.  Hope you all enjoy my little blog.  Feel free to comment any time - I love to know I'm not talking to myself :)

[Here's something I learned today from Hilachas blog: Hilachas is the Spanish word for those little loose threads that fall all over the floor and sewing area as you finish sewing and snip the tail end of the thread off the sewn area.  - Fun, huh?]

So again, congratulations, Hilachas, for winning the $20 credit to Silly Mama Quilts shop!  

Until next time - be blessed, 
:) Caren

My Workshop

Just in case anyone is interested in where I work, here's a short tour of my workshop.  The tour is short because, well, it's a corner of my living room.  Not much there.  So - on with the tour!

My sewing machine is a Singer 99K (that black cast iron beauty) c.1953.  It's my friend's grandmother's.  The booklet that came with it says it is the first machine to have optional electric foot pedal!!!  The serger is a Bernina.  Both of these machines are being loaned to me.  You can see a bit of the table I use - it's a pedestal table - the side flaps fold down.  But mercy me, that Singer shakes the poor table like an earthquake!  (MY LUNCH is the back is actually a box from JimmyJohns that says "Jimmy Lunch", and it is full of Fall & Christmas fabrics sent to me by my friend Brooke!)

Speaking of fabrics, here are some of my fabric "mini-bolts".  I wrapped my fabrics around comic book backer boards and now I can actually see what I've got!  The bigger things, like the sheets and shirts and stuff (shown on the left) are just folded.
And to finish off our tour (see, I told you it would be a short one!):

Then there are my UFO's (UnFinished Objects) - like this old lady head.  She's going to be a kind of muppet-like doll with a humongous mouth that eats stuff (there was an old lady who swallowed a fly...).  I'm hoping to get her done before Christmas so I can give her to my son's kindergarten teacher.  And speaking of my son (not that it has anything to do with my workshop, but I thought I'd share):

Spunky lost his very first tooth!  My baby is growing up :)

Have a great day, all - I'll be announcing the winner of the Silly Mama Quilts giveaway on Friday.  If you missed the post, feel free to check it out here.
     :) Caren

This Cat Loves the Ohio State Buckeyes

[If you are looking for the Silly Mama Quilts giveaway, click HERE. ]

My inspiration comes from all kinds of places.  Like this kids book, which I randomly picked up at the library last week.  This is Meeow.  Isn't he cute?

My friend is having a baby boy.  And she LOVES our Ohio State Buckeyes.  So I made my own rendition of Meeow.  It didn't turn out as cute as I wanted it to be, but it's not bad.  I think my friend will like it.   It's the thought that counts, right?

Oh - did I mention his O cape?  OH-IO!!!

Mug Rug Review & Giveaway!

[Giveaway is now closed.  Winner announcement here. ]

I love fall weather.  Here in Ohio we get wonderful cooler temperatures and the tree leaves turn all kinds of beautiful colors.  Yesterday it was 90 degrees.  Today it is "sweater weather" (my favorite!).  And tomorrow it will be different, but that is ok.  I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where the weather rarely stays the same for more than 3 days in a row.

During the cooler temperatures, my favorite treat to myself is a pot of tea in the morning.  So when Brooke, from Silly Mama Quilts sent me a mug rug to review it was perfect timing!  I brewed up my first pot of the season, got myself a cookie and had a very pleasurable 13.5 minutes, which is about how long my two littlest kiddos actually slept.

Look at this mug rug - isn't it amazing?!!

Sunshine was eyeing the cookie.  And why not?  It is a Cheryl's cookie, sent to me by my sister for my birthday last week.

I love this mug rug.  It is just big enough to fit my tea cup and a treat.  AND - it's washable!  (If you don't know what a mug rug is, check out this post: http://www.twomoreseconds.com/2011/09/so-what-is-mug-rug-anyways.html )

Here's my Sunshine inspecting the mug rug.  She liked it.  She even determined that it makes a good hat (for a toddler, that is)!

Look at this amazing patchwork/quilting!  And Brooke has a sweet shop on Etsy (her button is on my sidebar to the right ==>) with mug rugs, table runners, quilts... all kinds of fun stuff!

So, on to the giveaway (which happens to be my very first!):  How would you like to have a mug rug of your very own?  Well, my friends, Brooke has generously offered a $20 credit to her shop, which would get you way more than that (think: Christmas gifts!)

To enter this giveaway, just hop over to Silly Mama Quilts (Etsy shop) then come back and leave a comment telling me your very favorite item from her shop.  Thats it!  You don't have to follow my blog (though I'd love it if you did - I could use more friends!),  just make sure to leave your email address in your comment so I can get back to you.  I'll pick a winner next Friday morning (Sept. 23).

Thanks all!
:) Caren

ps I did let Sunshine finally have some of the cookie - after she sneaked some for herself!

Link Parties, Contests, Community, and Family

Once in a while a girl just has to hear from her readers. This is one of them. Do any of you, sweet readers, participate in link parties or contests? I know it does increase traffic on your blogs, not that I'm really concerned about that with mine, but I think I have some fun crafty ideas and I like to share them with others. So I've linked up my Patchwork Horse (see my previous blog post) with a couple of link parties (and entered into the "Crafting with the Stars" - WHAT?!!! am I insane?!!!).

And what do you think about the online community of crafty people? I personally have "met" so many wonderful bloggers, full of encouragement and ideas. I could give you a list (if you're interested).  So...just curious about your experiences.

And just so this post has a little something fun to look at here's my little Sprout. Yep, standing. He's crawling now. Can't sit up by himself but he's really working hard on standing! (Just turned 8 months).

Doesn't he look proud?  And yes this IS my little Sprout - grown into 18 month clothing already!
Have a great day - oh, and look for my giveaway post (my FIRST giveaway!) later this week
:) Caren

Blessings and Button Joints (& a Patchwork Horse)

I received a great deal of gorgeous fabrics from my bloggy friend Brooke (Silly Mama Quilts) a few weeks ago and some of it was already pieced together.  I know Brooke makes some top knotch quilted items (mug rugs, table runners, quilts, etc.), but I decided to go altogether different with this material.  This Patchwork Horse seemed just the thing!

 

If you haven't been following my blog, I'll catch you up: I like making soft toys!  I ran across this Patchwork Horse pattern in a book entitled "More Softies Only a Mother Could Love", and knew it was time to try my hand at this thing called button jointing.

(Please excuse my off-kilter photography - my point and shoot skills are pretty basic.)  The buttons on this horse are not just for show.  I threaded my 3-inch doll needle with some extra strong thread and sewed them completely through the body, to the opposite leg.  When it's all said and done, the legs can move around!

See?!!

If you can't tell from the photos, the fabrics are all Christmas-y (Basic Grey's Fruitcake, Figgy Pudding, etc.).  The legs, mane and tail are all from a vintage pillowcase.

Look at that MANE!!!  It's spectacular.  I really like the raggedy, raw edges.  And the ears - I chose one red and one green.  Don't think anyone will notice, but since it's a Christmas horse I thought it fitting (maybe I should have made reindeer instead?!!!)

Patchwork Horse (pattern by Abby Glassenberg - http://www.whileshenaps.typepad.com)

I am really excited about button jointing now.  It won't happen with all of my soft toys, but I love having a new "tool" in my toolbox.  So thanks, Abby, for the instruction, and thanks, Brooke, for sending me such a wonderful assortment of fabrics, and for quilting with quality (I'd have been really bummed if the stitches didn't hold up to my stuffing - I really pack it in there!)