A Plush A Day Challenge! Day 28 - Apple the Kitty & Hibernation

Day 28 - Ball o'Kitty

It has been a dreary day here, and for all dreary days, there is an appropriate response: curling into a ball and taking a nap. Apple is always on top of this idea, but at other times exists only as a surprised blur flitting about the house. There's just no between.

Here we are in one of the still moments. Shhhh.

Oh yes! Winter hibernation!
The Plush A Day Challenge is going on Winter Hibernation until January 1, 2010! This will give me time to work on, finish up, start some presents, do a lot of travelling, all kinds of stuff for the holidays!

I'll probably still post occasionally, but I know you all read this at work, and you'll be off gallivanting as much as I will. So, me and plushies will be back in two weeks - see you then!

A Plush A Day Challenge! Days 27 - Jenkins the Dragon!

Day 27 - Jenkins the Dragon

Originally, I was going for dinosaur, but then things just got out of hand (especially the tail!) Then what hatched was Jenkins here. As a dragon, he enjoys fighting adventurers, milkshakes, and hanging out in dungeons.

What is it with me and out-of-control tails on these plushies? The squirrel, the red panda, and now the dragon! My tail obsession must stop!

A Plush A Day Challenge! Days 26 - Ninja!

Day 26 - Ninja!

The photo is a little blurry, because it is difficult to catch a ninja even when they let you take their picture.

I can not give you any further information about this ninja on pain of tiny pointy death from above.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Days 25 - Fatbird!

Day 25 - Fatbird!
I'm not entirely sure this is a bird - it's wingless, and it eats all of the cashews I throw into the yard. Do birds even eat cashews?

It's pretty cute hopping around, though. Even if it scares the squirrels.

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Days 22 - 24: Barton the Red Panda, Tartan Terror, Sleep Pea

Combining all of the weekend plushies, plus today's, into one post - here they are!


Day 22: Barton, the Red Panda


Day 23: The Tartan Terror


Day 24: Sleep Pea

For more info on each of them, click on the picture!

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 21 - Mender of Broken Hearts (Gerald)

Day 21 - Mender of Broken Hearts

People are always wondering how to mend a broken heart, and that's where Gerald here steps in. With his patented "HeartWelld" welding technique, he fixes the various fissures, cracks, and general wear and tear that most hearts endure.

On the weekends, Gerald says he enjoys playing the violin.

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make/post some sort of plush creature every day.

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 20 - Zombear

Day 20 - Zombear

We all knew it was coming - nothing goes with cute brains better than a zombie! This guy is a zombie bear, hence his name Zombear. He would be sad that his ear is all bitten off, but he's just more interested in staring directly at your skull.

Where your delicious delicious brains are.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day 19 - Brains!

Day 19 - Brains!

This is a brain on my windowsill. It's pretty happy about it. The temptation to name her "Sarah Bellum" is pretty high. But we're just gonna stick with "Brains."

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make/post some sort of plush creature every day.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day 18 - CONbot!

Day 18 - ConBot

ConBot is made from some more of the Boston 2009 FUDCon tshirt that I had. This part includes the tag cloud, which I really like the visual imagery of.

Unfortunately, ConBot is a bit crazed - look at those eyes! Maybe there are too many words on his belly?

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 17 - FUDbot!

Day 17 - FUDbot!

This robot is made from the FUDcon Boston 2009 shirt that I got - in fact, I plan to make 2-3 robots from the material! I was reminded about this shirt since FUDCon is going on right now up in Toronto!

His full name is Leonidas Stentz, but he prefers "FUDbot" so I'm fine with that. FUDbot likes to wear my chopsticks in his back pocket because they "make it look like I'm a sweet ninja!"

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 16 - The Saddest Monster

Day 16 - The Saddest Monster
In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make/post some sort of plush creature every day.

Even with such cheerful colors, the saddest monster is still pretty sad. It's okay monster, let's go to the movies.

I'm Back! Back Back!

Here I am with my cat hat and Hey Pais badge - the Hey Pais badge is for when you want to be pretty AND brave!

Shew! I just had one of those weeks. It seemed like everything was just all over the place. But! Good news! Tomorrow we'll be back on our regular advertised Plush a Day Challenge! With new plushies every day! Starting tomorrow! TOMORROW! WOO!

In the meantime, a Friday Find that isn't on the internet: Chapel Hill Comics!

They're my favorite comic book store ever (not just because they carry my comics and plushies) - they always have friendly staff, and the best selection EVER! Plus, Pocky. Delicious Pocky! So, if you are:
- someone who is into comics or weird stuffed animals
- someone who's friends are into comics and weird stuffed animals
- local to North Carolina
Then check out Chapel Hill Comics!

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 15 - Mustache Robot (that looks like my father-in-law)

Day 15 - Mustache Robot

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

As you can see here, Mustache Robot looks like a tiny version of my father-in-law Gordon! That was completely unintentional, but the resemblance is sort of uncanny! Mustache Robot decided to stay up in Massachusetts, where his burly mustache will be thoroughly appreciated in the cold weather.

Unfortunately, all other attempts at creating plushies while on the road/on Thanksgiving vacation was a bust. I had my cool sewing box, but no time to actually do any sewing! I hope no one will hold it against me, and I will soldier on with even more plushies from here on out!

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 14 - Baby Oberon

Day 14 - Baby Oberon

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

One day, those cute nubs on Baby Oberon's head are going to sprout into giant branching antlers. For now, though, he's just so cute!

Sewing Supplies in my Travelling Sewing Box

Tomorrow, I'm taking this Plush A Day Challenge on the road! Here's my travel plush-creator box, packed and mostly ready to go!

I may not be able to post directly to the blog, but I'll catch up when I get back. If you want the daily plush updates (probably a few pictures of injured fingers as well), keep an eye on my flickr photostream!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 12 & 13 - Timpa the Squirrel and the Sleeping Acorn

Day 12 - Sleeping Acorn
Day 13 - Timpa the Squirrel

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

I couldn't help it, I thought these two made such a nice picture together that I waited until today to post them!

We've been waiting for that acorn to wake up for six days! I don't think Timpa can even think of eating it now - she thinks of it more like a pet.

If you want to see them by themselves, here's Timpa and here's the Sleeping Acorn.

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 11 - Chip the Cardinal

Day 11 - Chip, the Cardinal

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

While I was raking leaves today, Chip came by with a message:
"Chip-chip, chip-chip chip chip. Chip chip!"

A Plush a Day Challenge! Day 10 - Perren the Purple & Pink Penguin Plush

Day 10 - Perren the Purple & Pink Penguin Plush

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

John suggested a penguin, along with other alliterative suggestions! I tried to be as alliterative as I am able!

Also, Perren's a little embarrassed that he couldn't fit fetchingly on the windowsill like the other plushies, due to his roundness. I think he looks just fine hanging out in the curtains.

Friday Find! Blog - Sprite Stitch

Portal Cross Stitch Collection

We can all admit it - we're mostly nerds here. Of course, there are tons of sub-classifications of nerds. I definitely fall into the classic videogame nerd group, as well as the craft/DIY nerd group, which is why I love the blog Sprite Stitch.

Mario Bros. Mushroom Arm Warmers

They highlight videogame-inspired projects from around the internet - and lots of times include tutorials and patterns.

Sprite Stitch isn't just sewing, there's plenty of knitting, baking, perler beads (who knew that anyone would be still making stuff with those) - the list goes on.

100 Calorie Kirby Cupcakes!

So, if you or someone you know is a big videogame nerd, then you should keep an eye on Sprite Stitch for excellent gift ideas. Especially if you want to make something yourself!

Check out Sprite Stitch!
- Mario Mushroom Arm Warmers Entry - includes link to instructions
- 100 Calorie Kirby Cupcakes Entry - includes link to recipe

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Nine - The Deadliest Mushroom

Day 9 - The Deadliest Mushroom

In nature, bright colors tend to indicate poisonous-ness. Also, human tend to want to protect and cuddle anything that is cute.

You see the problem, right? Don't cuddle deadly mushrooms, no matter how cute they are. That bright purple and pink is there as a warning!

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Eight - Jensen, the Perpetually Surprised Wolf

Day Seven: Jensen the Wolf

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

I'm not sure what surprised him in the first place, but it's "thrown him all off-kilter" (he says). Now he keeps gasping and falling off the windowsill. Silly wolf.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Seven - Sally the Space Girl

Day Seven: Sally the Space Girl

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

Sally spends so much time in space it takes her awhile to get back her "Earth legs".

Favorite: Chocolate Astronaut Ice Cream
Least Favorite: Space SpagBol (Freeze dried Spaghetti Bolognese)

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Six - Pinky the Tiny Bird

A Plush a Day - Pinky

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

Despite his small size, Pinky is a very loud bird. VERY LOUD. Almost as loud as the pink color he is.

I obviously need to work on my bird sewing skills and make Pinky a friend.

Wake County BookSale!

Forgetting My Camera Means You Get Drawings!
On Saturday we lugged a suitcase to the annual Wake County Booksale. I'm honestly not sure what the scale was the two previous years that I went, but this year I knew there was going to be 300,000 books. I'm sorry, that seems like it needs an exclamation point:
300,000 BOOKS!

The prices were awesome, of course, with hardcovers $4 and paperbacks $1 (graphic novels count as paperbacks, though they didn't have as many as they did last year).

Suitcase O'Books
We brought a rolling suitcase (we learned from previous years that carrying around a box sucks) and filled it to the brim with books.

It's lasting five days, so I may end up going back. The prices drop throughout the sale, and sometimes new stock is introduced as they clear out room - it's insane! It's like Black Friday for bibliophiles! With a little more nerdy camraderie.

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes I can not resist buying books purely based on their covers - I mean look at these!

(Plus, the guy let us have them for $1 each, since they were kid's books).

You guys have any books you bought entirely based on the cover?

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Five - Goth Bunny

A Plush A Day: Goth Bunny

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

Obviously, this picture had to be taken at night, as Abigail (oh, sorry, she's changed her name to "Lille Skutt") doesn't really make an appearance until after the sun has gone down.

To get this picture, I had to catch her between her two favorite activities - gazing out the window and writing in her journal.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Four - Discworld Death

A Plush A Day: Discworld Death

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

Death is almost entirely tshirt material - the skull and "hand" (lowercase m) are all from the same shirt! With the tiny bright blue stars in his eyes, he waits. WOOO!

He likes holding his pencil/scythe at the ready - but honestly, I've seen him put the scythe part (which is detachable) on a purple gel pen, so don't let him fool you.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Three - Anxious Bear

A Plush A Day: Anxious Bear

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

This bear is almost entirely tshirt material - his body is made from an old Ween shirt of Will's. I don't know what he's so worried about. Maybe it's just the weather?

I know how you feel anxious bear - let's uncrinkle our foreheads and eyebrows together and drink some hot tea.

Friday Find! Etsy's MorningGloryDesigns

Blue Opal Poetry Earrings by Morning Glory Design
This week's Friday Find is the graceful and glittery Victorian-inspired jewelry of MorningGloryDesign's Willie Zuniga.

Each of these pieces just makes me drool - I don't know what it is about opal-type stones, or filigree, but I think they're just beautiful.


Victorian Lovebirds Necklace - an Angels fundraiser item

Not only does Willie make gorgeous designs, but several of her sales go to "Angels in the Parlour", a jewelry-making classes for cancer patients she runs. Sometimes featured items are made by the patients themselves.


Swarovski Topaz Brass Ring

Willie is a cancer survivor herself and discovered making jewelry "shifted the focus away from my seemingly hopeless health problems and onto the timeless beauty found in this avenue of design."

All of the pieces are so reasonably priced - everything here is less than $40! Such beautiful things, and a good cause to boot!

Check out Morning Glory Design's Etsy Shop here!

All images copyright Willie Kuniga
Friday Find! is a weekly post where I link to awesome things I've found on the internet.

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day Two - Baby Socktopus

A Plush A Day: Baby Socktopus

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

This one doesn't involve tshirt material, but it definitely took care of some other scraps I had in my scrap bag!

A Plush A Day Challenge! Day One - Stripy Kitty

A Plush A Day: Stripey Kitty

In order to make myself use up this embarrassment of tshirt material, I am instituting a Plush a Day Challenge to myself. Essentially, I have to make some sort of plush creature every day.

I wonder how long I can keep it up? Let's find out!

Catching Up - October's Vest

The Vest I made for Nick
I can't believe I forgot to post a picture of Nick's finished vest!

These are pretty dark pictures, I'll have to catch Nick out in the daylight sometime (more difficult than it sounds, actually). Overall, it turned out very well.

The only thing I screwed up was forgetting to trim the excess on one of the armholes before turning it right-side out, which means around one armhole is a little more difficult to get flat.

My next big sewing project is going to be either a vest for Will, or an elastic-backed lolita skirt. I need a project to force me to learn how to sew in elastic!

Skill Acquirement

Shooting at the Range

On Saturday, Will and I went to a shooting range and I shot a "real gun" for the first time (before then, I'd only shot my parent's BB gun). It was an interesting experience, and I'm not a bad shot. I'm more excited to know the anatomy of a gun and how to disarm one.

Being in a shooting range sounds and smells like being inside a fireworks display - even with the ear protection. Also, in preparation for the zombie apocalypse, they did have zombie shooting targets to practice on.

This upcoming weekend, on Saturday November 14th is the Wake County Library Booksale with 300,000 books! I can't wait to go! Is anyone else going? Should we coordinate?

Friday Find! Blog - Sweet Sweet Life

The Home of Sweet Sweet Life's Amy Hanson

If you enjoy my Friday Finds, then you will love Amy Hanson's Sweet Sweet Life blog.

Her blog is full of lovely pictures from her own home (like the one above) and tons and tons of links to etsy shops, projects, and artists online, all of them beautiful, whimsical, and adorable in turn.

Amy's Bookcase

Her style is very clean and playful with bright colors, she describes it as "sock monkeys and rainbows." I love it, and I love almost everything she links to! So do other people, since she's been featured on Apartment Therapy and Etsy Storque, to name a few.

So, if you have room on your blog roll (which is more like a biscuit than a cinnamon roll *I* think) for lots of bright, cheery and cute images, then by all means, go to A Sweet Sweet Life!

All images copyright Amy Hanson
Friday Find! is a weekly post where I link to awesome things I've found on the internet

Sing a Song of T-shirts!

The Piles of Tshirts in my Studio

I don't know why I keep wanting to sing songs at you, especially since you can't really hear me. But here's another one anyway:
(to the tune of What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor)
What do you do with a million tshirts?
What do you do with a million tshirts?
What do you do with a million tshirts -
Early in the morning?

I'll admit, that one wasn't so original, but I have it stuck in my head! And we all know the only way to get it out is to get it stuck in someone else's head, or exorcise it with the power of The Final Countdown.

So! As you can tell I have a great deal of discarded tshirts ready to be made into things. The reason: they usually have something cool on them we want to cut out and keep (such as The Pixies tour tshirt) - which gives me the rest of the shirt to "do something with".

My dilemma is that there really aren't that many interesting projects for tshirts, unless you want to make them into a different kind of tshirt. I think the other options are
- bag
- scarf
- quilt
- pillow
None of these really appeal to me.

Lenuta & Spot

So far, the only thing I've done is make stuffed animals. But I'm thinking of making some underpants, and maybe a scarf or two?

It's hard having this much raw material and only a few notions of what to do with it. Expect a lot of art/crafts made from tshirts in the coming weeks!

If there are any cool tshirt projects you can think of (that don't involve knitting/crocheting) then please post them! Pretty please!

Fabric Challenge: Garden of Eden

The Psychedelic Garden of Eden Fabric Detail
(Click here to see entire fabric print)

While visiting, my sister gave me an awesome present - some fabric that she had gotten for me from a lady that "just had it in storage." (It seem everyone has secret awesome stuff in storage!)

It's about four yards of neon psychedelic polyester fabric, one yard width. The image you see here is a repeating border image that takes up more than half of the fabric, the top half is primarily neon pink with white doves and sometimes, flowers.

So, what kind of project should I do with this? Anybody have ideas?

Friday Finds! Regretsy & Craftastrophe! (Prepare to be terrified)

Batman Fine Art Print on Craftastrophe

What better Friday Finds to showcase than the daringly dual disgusting websites of Craftastrophe and Regretsy? Those with weak stomachs set off by taxidermy or cross-stich penises should avoid.

Craftastrophe is a blog that combs the internet for terrifying craft projects. The blog can be a bit confusing, the best way to browse is to scroll halfway down the Craftastrophe homepage and click on one of the "Other Crafty Features" categories on the right.


A Fish Wearing a Squirrel Suit - Taxidermy via Regretsy
You have no idea how hard I wanted to put that in ALL CAPS.

Regretsy is very much arranged like etsy.com (etsy requested regretsy change their website so people could differentiate), so it's unfortunately easy to navigate and find terrible things.

Both sites give commentary about the various "finds" they've made. It may seem mean-spirited, but they've also brought sales to the crafters and artists they've found.

So, if you're ready to delve into something terrible, here are the links:
Craftastrophe: Because handmade isn't always pretty.
Regretsy: Handmade? It looks like you made it with your feet.

Thanks to Rebecca for bringing both of these sites to my attention!