Fear and Peanuts

I pushed myself to go outside of my comfort zone today.  Some people fear public speaking.  Some people fear heights.  I, on the other hand, get a bit (ok, a LOT) anxious meeting new people, especially in places where there are NO familiar faces.  So today I decided to meet that fear head-on and go to a quilt shop open house "sew-in".  It was an informal "meet, greet, sit and sew" event here in town.  I have to admit I had a semi-serious argument with myself on the way over as to whether or not I was going to actually go or not.  In the end I decided that it was important to bust through the fear, and so I did.  I took my most favorite project, my Pocket Peanuts, to sew while I was there.  And lest you think I had forgotten that this is a blog where I share my creative things, here they are!

These are my original Pocket Peanuts.  They are a smash hit with my kids.  They're all shaped like peanuts (similar to Russian stacking dolls), and though they are called peanuts, they are completely peanut free (no allergens here!).  They are approximately 3" tall (1.5" wide) and are stuffed with non-allergenic polyfil stuffing, so they are fun little pocket-sized dolls.  [And in my best announcer voice: "but wait...there's more!"]

These little Pocket Peanuts are finger puppets, too!  They are made with a strip of elastic securely sewn into the seams, so little fingers (and big fingers, too) can wear them.

I have oodles of other things to share with you, but I have to close out this post for now.  I'll be back later with details on my shop opening (!!!!!) and more fun stuff!

Have an amazingly blessed Monday!

:) Caren

New Blog Layout

Testing, 1, 2, 3...

Hey all - I just tried to customize my blog for the very first time.  If you could send me some feedback I'd appreciate it.  I'm no graphic designer, just trying a new look.  Did I do it right?  Can you see all of the header?  HUGE THANKS, friends!!!

:) Caren

Pirate Peanut

Ahoy, mateys!  Anyone out there a pirate lover?  I've been working on my Peanut People, and here is the third in the series, Pirate Peanut!

I was debating on this particular Pirate whether to give him green or blue eyes, but my resident creative consultant/product tester (5 year old Spunky) decided for me, so blue it is!

Pirate Peanuts are approximately 13" tall (8" wide).  They are made from quilting cotton, fleece hair, and a jersey pocket.  Each face is hand-embroidered, so they are all unique (and well done, because I believe in working with excellence!).  As I mentioned before, the pocket is perfectly stretchy, just right for stuffing with tiny friends.  And friends we have. Lots of friends.

...but more on those friends later....

Have a great day!
:) Caren

Brick & Mortar Here I Come!

Hi again!  Hope your day is going well.  I just got word that HomeTown Toys is having their Grand Opening this Friday and Saturday!  I totally appreciate this shop - they have unique and made-in-the-USA toys.  You know - the kind of toys you can't find in Walmart.

Why am I telling you about this?  Well, I'm glad you asked!  I'm getting ready to send them samples of my creations.  Seriously, in a few weeks some of my creations may be lining the shelves of a special "Made in America" section.  Maybe somewhere by these fabulous hand-made rocking horses!

It is exciting for me, because it will be my first foray into selling in an actual shop, and not just on-line or word of mouth.  Squeal-able, super-duper exciting!  

Anyway, here's the details on the Grand Opening, in case you are going to be in northern Ohio this weekend:

HomeTown Toys 202 W. Third St., Dover OH 44622 (330) 343-8699

Grand Opening Friday 11am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 2pm

Have a great week!

:) Caren

Kitty Peanut

In my last post I introduced you to Nana Peanut.  Well, here's her friend Kitty.

My philosophy in making toys is simple - I make what makes me happy, and pray that God uses it to make someone else happy, too.  That way I am, in effect, "creating smiles".

I do have design priorities, though.  Here is my short list:
#1. It's look must drive me to immediately say "oh, that is SO cute - I want one!"
#2. It must be so soft that I immediately say "oh, that is SO smooshable - I want one!"

How's that for priorities?

She is shaped somewhat like a Russian stacking doll (matryoshka), just like Nana.  And her pocket is just right for tiny friends, too!  (More about her tiny friends in a later post.)

I added my label inside her pocket.  Did I share my label with you yet?  I designed it from one of my sketches - it's ironed and sewed on - no rough edges!  (Some day I'll figure out how to customize my blog, and I'll incorporate this into my header.  But thinking about HTML gives me a headache.  I'd rather be sewing :)

And what kitty would be complete without a tail?  I have a couple more kitties in the works, and I'm thinking of adding an embroidered mouse to her pocket.  What do you think?

Sunshine & Nana Peanut 

I'll leave you with a funny (true) story to lighten your day:

My 2-yr-old Sunshine, upon seeing Kitty Peanut for the first time, exuberantly announced:

              "I love my Kitty!"

             "I love her panties!"

From my home to yours - have a very blessed week!

:) Caren

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