Soft Toy Techniques

Abby Glassenberg is posting some really helpful technical information about sewing plush and soft toys. Check out the ongoing series, Elements of Soft Toy Design, at her blog.

Sharktopus is a hit

Apparently my cute little sharktopus is a hit!

Not only did I get an email from the Editor-in-Chief of Rue Morgue Magazine telling me that Declan O'Brien, the director of Sharktopus wanted to know how he could get a sharktopus plush, but SyFy tweeted about my plush too!

I could just explode!
*twirls*

Sharktopus Plush

UPDATE:  SyFy tweeted about my plush!  Tweet Tweet.

So I've had to keep quiet about a recent commission for a while now. Its been killing me because its so cute and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Luckily its finally been delivered to the person it was made for so I can finally now share.  Share what, you say? ...

SHARKTOPUS!!! Half shark, half octopus!



He's actually not that bad of a guy. He just wants to take a tiny nibble of your leg is all....




Here he is watching tv with my boyfriend. See, friendly as can be!





This is his skin suit, and what he looked like before being stuffed and sewn shut.


A friend of mine asked me if I could make a plush for his girlfriend.  He's a fan of "bad" science fiction movies, and apparently had made her watch the SyFy's masterpiece Sharktopus. He wanted to reward her for being a good sport by having a cute plush version of the creature made.

I had never attempted anything like this before, and it involved drafting a pattern and trying to fit 8 legs nicely around the base of the shark. I had to come up with some new techniques for things, like using a stabilizer inside the dorsal fin to help make it rigid. Also, the tentacles aren't stuffed. Instead I used a cotton batting to plump them up a bit, but to keep them flat and flexible. Perfect for grabbing prey, or hugging unsuspecting girlfriends....

I'm really happy with how he turned out. I'm absolutely in love with his little tentacles and now need to think of even more things to add tentacles too.  I hear he is also a big hit with the unsuspecting girlfriend which makes me super happy.  :D

Marshmallows

One of my favorite things to make in the winter is homemade marshmallows. They actually aren't that difficult to make, and are SUPER delicious.  So much better than store bought versions.  I use a basic recipe (below) but I may make some adaptations to it for my specific needs. As I experiment I'll let you know the outcomes.

Ninja Santa ornament

Its pretty obvious that the story of Santa with a sleigh and reindeer is a lie. I mean flying reindeer? Come on!  The truth of the matter is that Santa is a Ninja. That's right, a Ninja.  He uses his Ninja training to sneak into all the houses of good little girls and boys and leave them presents. That's why he doesn't need a chimney to come down. Ninjas can find a way into anywhere!

This is my last ornament design for the season.  I got started late and look!, Xmas is almost here. I'm hoping to start a lot earlier next year and come out with a few more new designs. He's for sale in the shop now.

Keyka Lou clutch attempt

When people ask me what types of things I make, I find it hard to give a straight answer.  See, I have something I call Craft ADD.  I get really interested in some craft and will be completely absorbed by it. Then something clicks in my head, or I see something, and all of a sudden I'm like "oh I want to do that now!" and I go off and do that.

I've been knee deep in ornament and plush making. I was trying to think what I was going to get for my boss for our Secret Santa at the office, when out of nowhere (that I'm conscious of anyway) I decided I wanted to make her a cute little purse/clutch. So that's exactly what I did.

I bought the Curvy Clutch pattern from Keyka Lou. This is my first attempt at any kind of purse making, so it took me a while to complete since I was learning while doing and working with new materials like stiff stabilizer.  I'm pretty happy with it, and only have a few things I'd change for next time. Since I used a much heavier stabilizer than is called for, it was a lot harder to turn, but I eventually managed.  I may try a drop-in lining next time to see how that works, because I really like the heavier stabilizer. It gives it a nice professional feel/weight.




I can't believe its 10 days until Christmas.  I'll be finishing the last ornaments for the season I think, and listing them in the shop tomorrow. The rest have all sold out online. Then I'll be wrapping up gifts for friends and family. I'll be one busy bee until Xmas day, I'm sure.

More ornaments on the way.

So it seems a lot of people like my little owl ornaments. I'm super flattered by this.  I have a few more color variations of them that I wanted to photograph and put into the shop today. Unfortunately its raining here pretty steadily. I could take pictures inside, but I think they look so much better setup with the trees and natural light.

I also have another cute little ornament I've made that is waiting to be photographed.  I usually like a nice cold rainy today, but this time I'm hoping it lets up for a little bit tomorrow.  *fingers crossed*


I'll be wrapping up my Xmas crafts this week both for my gift giving as well as for the shop. Starting Dec 21 I'll be on vacation until after the new year. I have a lot of neat things planned for 2011, and will be starting off the year working on some art for the Soundry Members Show. 

Well I guess I'll work on some other things now while I wait out the rain.