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?