little gi: some stuffies...

don't know why it has taken me so long, but back in december i finally decided to create stuffies. i've been pining away at them for so long, wanting to make one myself, but lacking the...let's just be honest & call a spade a spade...confidence to do it. would i actually be able to sew it? would it turn out completely disastrous? do i know enough about sewing to even accomplish it?

don't know how i all of a sudden acquired "crafting bravado", but maybe it started with the fabulous free molly monkey pattern available on one of my favorite craft blogs: mmmcrafts

& i made a "peaches" monkey for kate (peaches doesn't yet have a skirt or shoes so she wasn't "decent" for photographing...lol) and a "molly" monkey for kelly. this was so rewarding on so many levels.

first: i used fabric & supplies i had on hand. didn't have to go out & buy a thing. it felt so GOOD to create something out of the "stuff" that i've got around. there wasn't any running to the store to spend MORE money on stuff that i just had to have at the moment to complete a project & then have life get in the way & have it sit unused & undone, there reminding me of another thing i just didn't get to.

second: i found out i could figure it out. i haven't really sewed anything (paper not included) since when i was a teen & my mom tried to teach me...& let me tell you, i barely paid attention (much to the chagrin of my mother :) i was pleasantly surprised that it all came back (maybe i paid more attention then i thought?)...just like riding a bike. & it was easier than i thought. it was SO thrilling to see something basically come together right in front of my eyes, it was just SOOOO fun.

third: my kids got involved too & this is what really made these toys so much more special than anything we could have bought from the store. i know it kinda sounds kooky, but it was really empowering for all of us. the girls picked out the fabrics they wanted, they stuffed the arms & legs & little bodies. they watched me sew along & asked questions. they anxiously awaited the completion of each step & cheered when i added little surprises (like the little bow on her head) as "molly" & "peaches" became more & more monkey-ish & adorable & JUST FOR THEM. they learned what was involved and in doing so, saw that they could do it too (which started those little minds a'turning into wonderful designing dreams & awesome ideas). how cool is that!!

bolstered by our monkey success, we also made these adorable scottie doggies next. (pattern available on allsorts) we made some for Christmas gifts too & they were so cute & people loved them.

seriously so fun!

so if you've always wanted to, but haven't...go ahead! give it a go...you never know. hmm...add this to the "life lessons learned from crafting pile" :)

happy thursday!

gigi

9 Comments

These are adorable! Do you plan to sell on etsy? ;-)

Posted by: Amber Zimmerman | January 28, 2010 at 11:28 AM

they are adorable Gigi!! you did a great job and made with love right?!:)

Posted by: vee | January 28, 2010 at 05:12 PM

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
i love that little scottie dog!
I know if i show sarah she'll give you an awwwwwww, too. she loves puppies)
that is 'sew' great (lol) that you were able to make these neat things! you are a crafty diva miss gi.
hugs, patty :-)

Posted by: Patty S | January 31, 2010 at 08:36 PM

Much to my own Mum's chagrin, I purchased a sewing machine (she was excited about that bit) but then told her it was purely intended for sewing on paper. (Not so) Secretly, I have come around. I blame it on the softies. Yours are lovely!

Posted by: Tania | February 01, 2010 at 06:39 PM