Nana Peanut

Hi friends!  I had a full and exhausting (in a good way) holiday weekend.  Finished moving MOST of my studio upstairs (still need my cutting table moved, but it's really heavy so I have to wait for help). Participated in my very first ever garage sale (it was 100 degrees out - it was not very pleasant).  And I did some sewing (I know, you're shocked, right?!)


Here's Nana Peanut - I made her over the weekend.  She's perfect for holding my studio supplies, but I'm pretty sure this little cutie pie would rather hold little kiddie toys instead!  I'm thinking she needs a hair bow or flower or something.  But my little "product testers" really like her.

How 'bout you?  How was your weekend?  Get anything productive done, or did you lay around and do nothing?  (Ooooh, doing nothing sounds like great fun!)

Cheers to a great week,
:) Caren

Planning for the Grand Opening

Things have been quiet on the blog for a little bit, so I thought I'd fill you in on what's been going on lately.  First of all, my oldest nephew got married last weekend in Cleveland (OH), so I've had lots of family around.  My mom stayed with me for a week or so and we traveled up north to meet with the family and celebrate.  It was good to see everyone.

Craft Center Mess (aka - a corner of my living room)

Now that the dust has settled on that adventure, I'm starting on a new one: moving my "sewing stuff" into my new studio!  I have been sewing in a blocked off corner of my living room for over a year now, and it was getting to be too much of a hassle to keep the toddlers out.  So...

 ...I moved the boys in together, moved Sunshine in to her own room, and now there is a room for my studio!  Yay!  (Oh, and the above picture is SO cool - and so NOT my boy's room.  There is NOTHING this fantastic in my home!!!)

And now for the most exciting news of the day:

After many months of prayer and discussion with my husband, I've decided to open up a soft toy "shop".  The details of when, where, and how are still being ironed out, but I will have an online presence as well as  consignments in at least one physical location.  I am so excited and at peace with this decision, and am looking forward to providing you all with unique, happy, high-quality soft toys that have been made by my hands, right here in the U.S.A.!!!

Blessings,

 :) Caren

Happy Monster Appreciation Day!

What do you mean it's not Monster Appreciation Day?  OK, OK: I confess, I made that one up.  But if there were such a thing as Monster Appreciation Day (M.A.D. - tee hee!), I think this little guy would make it a happy one!

I still have a bit of tweaking to do on the pattern, but I am really beginning to like him!  The main fabrics are from a line called "Power Pop" (thank you, Julie, for selling such great fabric!), and the stripey fabric was cut from an old stretchy t-shirt!  I decided to go with flappy arms instead of the button joints on this one.

I typically reserve my button joints for stuffed creatures that are not going to kids, like the Patchwork Horse.  On this one I am going to wait and see how Robo-Frills holds up to rough handling by my Spunky (who is ALL BOY - definitely NOT gentle with his toys), then I'll feel more comfortable with doing button joints on more toys.

Have a super happy Monster Appreciation Day, everyone!  If you'll excuse me, I have to go and appreciate the little monsters in my life!
:) Caren