Bowling Over for Elves

An Elf bowling set for Sophie

Mark was helping me tape off the paint lines and decided our grandbaby needed more than just boring horizontal stripes. His creativity left "open" areas at the neck line so I added some homespun scarves and I love how this set turned out. Hope she loves it too!

Help Handmade Toy Makers

A new law from the CPSIA was proposed to protect our children from the toxic toys our countries large toy manufacturers have produced in China and other developing countries. Unfortunately, they have excluded the small companies that have already earned the peoples trust by producing healthy, non-toxic toys for our children. Homemade or handcrafted toys are NOT excluded from the law and it will force those of use who can't afford the independent and expensive testing to either break the law or to close our doors. We already know our toys are safe and the choice for parents, we know our toys don't contain or produce toxins. Our customers have given us their approval. Please help us! The Handmade Toy Alliance offers information and a sample letter you can send to your representatives. You can also click the Icon on my sidebar for a site that provides resources to help. I, personally, began my business because our country was NOT regulating the safety of the toys sold in our country and I applaud the effort to force large toy companies to manufacture safe toys. However, those of us who provide safe handcrafted products (not because its the law, but because its the right thing to do) need to be excluded from the regulations targeting the large manufacturers!

Just a quick entry to post Ayla's Finger puppet set. I made a lined zippered pouch to hold them all. I hate putting zippers in, to the point that if a zipper needs to be replaced, the piece goes in the trash. However, I found a number of tutorials that made it look fairly easy and I couldn't resist trying one of their methods. Wow, it was easy and quick!


Baby Callie and this litle girl monkey named Jingles were delivered this morning. Two grand daughters to receive them tomorrow. Bye bye babies!

I love these!

OK, yesterday I vented, today I'm giving cheers. By the way, I got a package mailed express to the grand babies, so I feel better. Anyway... we stopped at a Joann's on the way home from FL since we didn't get to make it to the superstore in Tampa and I had a 50% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket. I picked up some fabric for doll clothes (finding a small enough pattern in fabric is not always easy) but the cheers for the day go to my new gadget. I have picked the box up and looked at it a dozen times in the past, always the tightwad, I hated spending the money to encourage my own laziness. Well, 50% off and stressed about time, how could I resist! I bought the sidewinder bobbin winder! While the cost is about 10 less at Walmart, the 50% coupon made it a better deal at Joann's. This handy dandy little gadget winds bobbins OFF of the sewing machine. Now, now, it is not all about being too lazy to take the empty bobbin out, wind it, re thread it, yadda yadda, but I have to tell you, I hate it! I sew alot of assembly line style and running out of bobbin thread and having to rewind and then re thread the machine really cuts into my productivity. This puppy rocks!
Another cheers... today I was sewing a drawstring bag to hold Ayla's puppets and since I was using some left over cotton fabric, I wanted it lined. Not a big thing, I make lined bags all the time, but I had run across a tutorial online and thought the easy peasy way was worth a try. Now granted, I had to tweak it to work the size bag I wanted and how to do that wasn't really clear, but I must have been close because the method rocks!You have to try the tutorial from Happythings. I'm certainly going to make more!

Catching Up

Pocket Monsters

After two months of working many extra shifts, planning and attending an out of state wedding, keeping up with our store and custom orders, and a craft fair, I was somehow under the impression that Christmas would be delayed for my benefit. It didn't work out that way! Mark, thankfully, shopped, stuffed stockings, and prepared packages for mailing. The girls and their men are getting VISA gift cards but I was determined to handcraft the grand babies presents. What is done will go, the rest will be late! Maybe the 12 days of Christmas AFTER Christmas should be a new tradition. Every time I thought I mailed "the last order", more came in. While I'm not complaining about having a profitable Christmas season, I'm venting because as usual, my time management skills suck. I don't think I realized how well we'd do selling our toys and didn't take into account my own grand babies needed the same non-toxic toys! LOL. Anyway, I finished a few, others are in progress, and some only visions in my mind! BUT, on a positive note...every one of my custom orders went out in a timely fashion and the feedback is good! Monsters were a big hit and I've had requests to restock so some may purchase "the entire set". Chuckling to myself because they were totally "winged" and now I'll have to try to replicate them so people have "complete sets". I finished Sophie's pocket monster set, tiny little guys that will fit in her chubby little hands, complete with a drawstring bag, embroidered with monsters, of course. Ayla will start with a set of finger puppets, also in their own bag. Maybe my grand babies will be more organized than I. I have a few more of the finger puppets to make, they're rather time consuming but so darn cute. Mark delivered two babies for me yesterday and I have one more to deliver, but it's done! I made Ayla a super hero cape and mask and Sophie has a set of Elf Skittles (bowling set). Just for the record, NERF balls are made in the USA! We decided a soft NERF ball was a better choice than a wooden ball, thinking it will do less damage when thrown instead of rolled.

Bye Bye Baby Lucas

Bye Bye Babies
Noel and Holly

Jacquelines Big Day

Well, we survived Jacqueline and Jeff's wedding this past weekend and it was a beautiful day. She was a gorgeous bride and he the handsome groom. Jacq and her dad rode in on horseback and then the bride and groom rode off on the horses. The ceremoney was chilly but things certainly heated up at the reception hall. Lots of food, drink, love and laughter. The DJ was awesome and everyone appeared to have a great time.

Wedding Time

We are off the Florida this morning for Jacqs wedding on Saturday and the last few days have been packed with activity. I struggled to get orders out in the mail before we left but made my deadline. I made Mark stay up until 11:30 last night while I cut, sewed, and stuffed two special order babies to take with me to work on. I can sculpt and assemble them on the way. I haven't finished the wedding favors, but the pieces are also ready to assemble en route. I worked 5 shifts last week so spare time was at a minimum and I sure don't want to do that again anytime soon. Mark also had a kitchen combo order to fill this past week, and he also got it done on time. The lady requested no door under the sink so she could hang a curtain and she wanted to put her own handle on the frig. He was disappointed about the latter since he loves the oak handles he designed! Oh well! When we get home, I will concentrate on the grand daughters Christmas presents, finger puppets and a few pocket monsters are the only things completed thus far! I'll be busy for certain! These are the donuts that were included in the baked goods order that went out this week. she also ordered a cake, cookies and cupcakes!

Bye Bye Baby Faith

Baby Faith heads to San Antonio tomorrow and I'm sure her new mommy will take good care of her!

Reggie Reindeer

Poor Reggie has been in pieces for several weeks and when I got tired of sewing baked goods today, assembling him was a treat. His arms and legs are jointed so he sits or stands, and the tops of his boots even have a fur trim, too cute!
I'm working on an order for enough desserts to fill a small bakery; perhaps that's what Santa intends the tots who receive them to do! Hopefully, I'll get the last of the sweets finished tomorrow and in the mail by the end of the week. I'll get the next order ready for the hand sewing and hopefully my nights at work will allow me the opportunity to work on them. I swear, juggling a paying job with my dream job of making toys is a struggle, LOL!

Pheobe is going to Alaska

Pheobe is headed for Alaska and Nana was afraid she would be cold in just her little dress. I decided to make her a little fleece jacket to help keep her warm! I know she will love her new mommy.

Alexis

Alexis is jointed, a large baby. She sits about 10 inches high and is about 18 inches when laying down. Her wonderful pinkalicious hair makes her perfect! I'm going to crochet a diaper cover to match the hat and booties I crocheted and will have an incredibly hard time adopting her out. Mark told me I could keep her but she really needs a little girl to love her forever....

A Busy Week

Admittedly, I wasn't thrilled to lose two days of precraft show production, however, I couldn't be prouder of the love of my life. The ceremonies (one at Coast Guard Headquarters and one at Constitutional Hall) were nice and Mark was pleased to meet the Secretary of Homeland Security. He was also given a coin by the Vice Commandant/Chief of Staff of the USCG;a big thing in military circles.


Nana's Nursery filled with babies waiting for adoption. I had to laugh when people commented on how it was "just like a hospital nursery" and Mark admitted that he hadn't realized that's what I intended. He figured I described a simple display for him to build.


Kayla, certainly one of my favorite babies and I will miss her when she goes to her new home next week. She needs a bunny suit and hopefully, I'll get that made along with the other special order babies I have to do. Someday I'm going to watch what I say and not blurt out "absolutely"when asked if I do custom orders, LOL!

A Week of Ups and Downs

I got hurt, by a doctor having a temper tantrum, last week and have been battling severe back pain and the pain of having to deal with administrators. Sitting or standing for any length of time increases the pain but I was still able to be semi-productive. We stocked the store on time, I have this weeks store stocking ready, and have worked building my craft show inventory.

We also found out Mark was awarded the Homeland Security Volunteer Service Award(The Coast Guard is now a part of Homeland Security) and we have to make a 2 day trip to Washington DC for the ceremony. His dedication to his community and his extensive volunteer work was a sure bet to me! The bad news is that the trip is also the week of our craft show so we're adjusting productivity around the trip! I'll have a HUGE take along bag and at least be able to hand sew on the way.

Chicken Nuggets?


Bunny Suit for Emma


Eco Friendly "Paper Dolls" all machine embroidered and made to withstand years of play. We have an Asian girl, a Caucasian girl and an African American girl. The pink envelope is a prototype of a carry case. I'm not sure if it's what I want yet.

Yummy!

I've been working on building the inventory for the next store stocking and just love these two latest additioins!

Artichokes!


Pig in the Blanket, add some chips and you have a great lunch!

Monster Mash

I was on a monster mission this week and love these puppets! There is one more to the set and I hope the kids love them!


This beautiful lady isn't finished but aint she sweet?


I am making Ayla a set of finger puppets for Christmas and decided Sophie would love these little pocket monsters. I have giggled more while making them than while doing anything else!

A good Tuesday

Callie, in gown, diaper and blanket. I love her pinkalicious hair!




Salad anyone?

A banana for Kong

Actually, the banana was for a special wool felt food order but I couldn't resist letting Kong try it out. I think he needs one to keep for himself! Tabetha updated the store, new stock uploaded too! Lots more goodies coming in the following weeks so keep an eye out! A giveaway this week and next so be sure to sign up.

Terrific Tuesday, and productive too!

I really do enjoy Tuesdays, it's my only day to just play with fabric, tackle new projects, and to build my inventory. I even squeeze in a nap occasionally. I decided my craft booth was going to need some color and what better way than to include these red headed cuties sitting on the tables!

I have a store stocking this week, Here come the monsters. I do have to make some for the craft fair, but I love working on them so it's a pleasure instead of a chore. Admittedly, I crack myself up as they come to life.

I've also been working on these Sidewalk Game bags for the craft show and decided to stock a few in the store. They are drawstring bags, include 3 sidewalk chalks, 4 beanbags, and laminated cards with instructions for 4 sidewalk games. Sure reminds me of when kids were kids and playing outdoors was what we did!

Ok, so a dumplin Fish wasn't on my to do list today

I planned a long and productive work day today and as per my norm, I got sidetracked! I planned on spending time just cutting fabric, to put in the Work In Progress box. Well, long story short, I needed to clean the orange velour off my cutting board and decided that it was THE perfect color for a dumplin fish. By the time I perfected the mouth, the fins, the tail...most of the day was over! But, come on, is this little 4"velour fishie the cutest thing? I have two more orange balls and while they were intended for dumplin pumpkins, I think at least one will be another fish. I did, actually, get several projects cut out and hopefully will get some more done tomorrow before I start my work week.

Puppet has Clothes

The puppet has clothes and will be heading to Ayla tomorrow.

Velour Dumplin'Pumpkin

I've had these cut for several days but haven't sewn them up until today. Only one totally done, the others are lacking faces and stems, but wanted to share this little 4"pumpkin!

Naked Puppet

I guess it's pretty evident that I don't particularly like making doll clothes because babies stay naked a long time. Actually, I just ran out of time today, or this puppet would be dressed! I decided to try my hand at puppets today, and am pleased with how this little girl turned out. She is child size so she looks pretty funky perched on Mark's big hand! The opening for this stuffed puppet is in the back and she will look adorable perched on a puppet theater. Hmmm, maybe one of those is in the planning stage. My plan is to send this little girl to Ayla to try out and perhaps her mama will take some pictures so I can post future ones in our Hyena Cart store!

We're Moving!

We got our next duty assignment yesterday and I'm thrilled to be heading west; Vallejo, CA will be our new home. 32 miles northeast of San Fransisco, Vallejo has much to offer. Ok, so I'm looking forward to touring the Jelly Belly Factory and am excited about the 12 Joann Fabric stores within a 30 mile radius! Two local hospitals that offer me job opportunities, but close enough to several other large cities to open the career door wider. When we went to San Fransisco in June, I was awed by the beautiful rolling hills in the country side and I can envision Mark setting up a woodshop in an outbuilding on a piece of God's country. Out move will be sometime at the end of Mayor beginning of June depending on the rotation schedule and while I'm not looking forward to a cross country move, I know we will enjoy the tour across America!

I woke early enough to cut out a batch of velour pumpkins, using my dumpling frog pattern and I look forward to sewing them up tomorrow and getting some faces on them! For now, I'm off to my last night of work, settling contented in the happy place in my brain, dreaming of the west coast and the doors it will open for my love and I.

Preemie Carrier

I made a small baby carrier for the teeny preemie. I hope to get some larger ones done to put out for sale at the craft fair and for Christmas. I think Allison looks incredibly cute in her carrier!