ladybug love!

In case you can't tell by now, I have a thing for rag dolls/plushies/softies or whatever you want to call them. They're my favorite. But some things don't translate well into a doll....like bugs. How are you supposed to make a bug look cute?

The Bean has this bunny book with pictures of bunnies galore in it. But her favorite picture in it by far is one of a tiny ladybug on a tree trunk on the side of one of the pages. Whenever we read the book, it's the first thing she must find.

So I wanted to make a ladybug doll for her. I constructed the body out of soft fleece to make it huggable. It was my first time sewing with fleece, and I liked the cuddly results. I also liked that I could give it a quilted look (which I used on the tummy of the doll).

The arms and legs are made out of cotton fabric (that has a little design on it...hard to tell in the pictures). I used safety eyes on the face because I thought that would give the doll a more "buggy" look. This is one of the only times that my first rendition of a pattern has worked to my liking. However, I forgot to add the little tufts of hair in my original design to the finished doll. I got a little too ahead of myself in sewing it up last night. The tufts will be in the next doll, though.

The tufts of hair are inspired by the Bean, who has hairs sticking out around her face when she puts on hats

The Bean met her ladybug friend when she woke up this morning and exclaimed loudly: "Ladybug!" It was love at first sight.

Perfect for cuddling, and apparently kissing!

This little bug is cute in her own buggy way.

I'm sure at some point one of these dolls (and pattern hopefully) will make it to the etsy shop. But for now, this little doll is one of a kind.

I'm Surrounded!

....by ____________! Fill in the blank, and you're probably right.

Crackers that my toddler threw on the floor and I'm tired of sweeping up, so they're still there. 

Embroidery floss balls filled with different colors and floss bits of varying thicknesses of strands because instead of acting like a normal person and throwing pieces away, I think "but maybe I can use this somewhere!" 

Little cut pieces of thread and fabric. They have ended up everywhere. Here is where if you're a sewer you should comment below on tips that I obviously could use to prevent this from happening. 

Checker pieces that aforementioned toddler carries around like little treasures and refuses to clean up. But hey, she's learning her colors. "Red, and black!"

Papers from school from older kids on the kitchen island...books from older kids left in various places. 

Oh there's so much more. I had to stop typing about it, because I was starting to realize that I really need to clean, and I chose to go back into denial about it.  

But what I really mean is:

I'M SURROUNDED BY STUFFED TOYS!! It's a bit of a problem.

Circle of Friends

For those of you who want to psycho-analyze: maybe I didn't have enough stuffed animals while growing up. Mom, if you're reading this: BREATHE. I actually had plenty of stuffed animals growing up (my mother can attest to that).

Maybe it's because Mom would sneak into our rooms while we were gone and pick some of our toys that hadn't been played with in awhile and get rid of them. She learned this from a family friend who was a psychologist. He told her we (my siblings and I), would never notice. Well let me tell you: I noticed!! It also created a sense of panic because she told us about her plan, so you never knew when your favorite stuffed Christmas dog in a Christmas sweater from Target would go missing. Wow, I'm getting off topic. I had a wonderful childhood, and I can't say that I haven't ever "accidentally" gotten rid of a junky toy from my own children when they're not around. I get it, Mom. I get it. 

Maybe it's because stuffed toys love you unconditionally. Ok, now this is getting a little too personal. Whose idea was it anyway to invite you to start psychoanalyzing? Whoa there...slow down, Son.

Smily face. We're all good. 

Nah, I'm surrounded by stuffed toys because I've been sewing up a storm and developing some new sewing patterns. In addition to the giraffe that first started my animal rag dolls, I have added the fox, a raccoon, and an owl. It has been so fun to pick out fabrics to go with each animal. I have been working on an elephant too, but that is giving me some trouble. Argh!

Each new final pattern for a doll means that I've made at least 4 or 5 different dolls along the way as I tweak the pattern. That means that I end up having a LOT of stuffed dolls lying around. It's great for the girls; they love it. The Bean loves all of them because she's 2. The "Go" has her own obsession with stuffed animals, so I'm somewhat of an enabler there. But she gives me valuable feedback on the dolls. Even the Bud has received a couple of the more masculine toys...but I think I may have to do some minecraft plushies in the future for him.

So yes, that's why I'm surrounded by toys. It's not so bad. Makes me feel young again...for a minute. And then my hip pops loudly as I attempt to chase a naked toddler who has recently discovered the joy of running in the nude. She has an expression of sheer glee on her face as I shriek (because the diaper is OFF, folks!) and chase her down. And I remember: I'm too old for this.

The Owl and Giraffe were not getting along, so they had to sit apart. Trying to get them to behave was like trying to calm a bunch of wild animals! ;)

When the elephant is finished, I'll post that. I'm sure he'll make a great mediator between the giraffe and owl (see caption on picture above).

You can find those animals and more here.