Built to CRAFT !! (Flourohat with BALL)

I don't know what else I'd be able to do ALL day ...and keep on GOING!!

Crafting give ENERGY!  Crafting gives LIFE!

*Plus I am BLASTING James Brown on Pandora**

Here's a new idea- while I'm on a role with hats...I'm going to use this AWESOME Polyester knit vest-CUT IT UP so i can wear some of this color around...-I've had it for a few years-sometimes things just fall into line and you realise what needs to be done.

This hat took just a few hours or so. 

Hats!

You know you're feelin' inspired when it's your days off and you have been crafting all morning and it's 3pm and you haven't had lunch!

I've wanted a hat for a while...and I have had these awesome thrift store orange plaid pants for years and years (I'd wear them but they never fit!)-I have been in love with the heft and colors in the fabric for many years so today was the day to sacrifice and go for it! I'd been obsessed with making hats in the mid to late 80's-funny how going back to making them I didn't forget a thing-I can pick up where I left off.

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There's always the thrill of the initial idea coming into sight-then there are the ups and downs-even the thoughts of giving up--I STILL sew the wrong sides facing each other from time to time.

But this little hat is kind of nice, it's lined with fleece, brings the plaid to my face so now I can have it with me rather than hidden away at home...maybe I'll add earflaps? First I had the top piece as a sort of visor-but then flipped it up and started thinking about it in a sculptural sense, started moving the piece around in front of a mirror, so I am liking this current version. For the moment!

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I've made a total MESS !

 There's nothin organised 

about my way of making things--

Craftin' is DowN and DirtY 
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4PM I've finally had lunch and have some more realizations about my festive orange plaid hat.


Here's my hat with an added band, It's subtle but adds a finish and heft to my hat.

 Including the visor shape behind the new band will add a sculptural element...for now I am liking this...

 I think....hmmm...maybe no brim...





.......It needs.......

.......a ball!!

Piggy says books make great presents

Show your friends how to make toys!!

Pick up a copy of 

Make Your Own Toys 

and start making 

customized toys 

for all your pals!! 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Toys-Bunnies/dp/0307586448

missing pattern piece in book--correction !

As I say in the book, mistakes can happen.

Fortunately, I met a nice lady named Alice Gruber who pointed out a missing pattern piece in my book. I have the pattern here, so I am not sure why it was not printed--here I'll  post the correction.

I also got a chance to talk with her a little about making things and her inspiring Auntie, also an artist, who used to make her all kinds of dolls and toys.

So, with apologies, here is the "beany bear" correction for the back of head missing pattern piece- (page #84) and instruction for how to attach it. (applies also to squirrel, floppy bunny variations )

**Random House will also be posting on their site asap.

SO:

(beany bear, page #44,45).

Step 4 should read:

“.....from nose to neck as shown. Sew the back of head piece (K) to the top of head top (D). Begin sewing at the (top) center, and continue down each side of the head, leaving a neck opening. Trim the seam allowance....”

*Alternate solution: Use the back of the head pattern on the lazy kitty (pg. 80 back of head A),  and enlarge it 220%-It's basically the same shape. The instructions for the lazy kitty show an illustration of how to attach the back of head to the head top (page #36, step 3).

This pattern when printed should measure 5" high.

Florida fun !

 I made some great discoveries this past Christmas in Florida-I found a whole new array of possibilities in thrift stores, and was happy to find a huge range of hawaian shirt patterns to choose from. Since I didn't have a machine, I hand stitched these Florida Bunnies for my Mom and my Aunt just in time.

Here's 

Aunt Gale

thriftin' 

on Xmas eve !

Renate Mueller great Toys Exhibit

http://r20thcentury.com/exhibition_detail.cfm?exToGet=current

watch my first webinar with The Fiskars Fiskateers !

I had a great time chatting with the Fiskars Fiskateers

...watch and l e a r n 

wait just a few seconds for the commercial, sorry!

CLICK ON LINK * below *

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9940049

Thanks, Sister Diane of CRATFYPOD !

http://www.craftypod.com/2010/09/29/review-make-your-own-toys/

craftacular at Spacecraft !

Adam and "Adam"

a proud crafter

Crafting was focused and high energy
at my first book signing at Spacecraft.
ideas were exchanged, inspiration, flowin'.

makin' toys at Pratt

I teach a toy-making class at Pratt in Manhattan.
Here's a great group shot of some soft toys that my students came up with. Some were based on patterns from my book, and some were free-range-craftin' masterpieces. All in all a lot of discovery happens along the way-with lots of suprises! It was a very fun and productive semester.

The CAT is OUT of the BAG!

It's official!

 My brand new book, Make Your Own Toys, has officially been released into the world, and I found proof on Fancy Tiger Crafts' blog--they're a great D-I-Y boutique all the was over in Denver Colorado. Amber and Jamie wrote about my book and the best part was that they posted AWESOME images of the toys they made from the patterns and instructions found in my book. They made a gorgeous Lazy Kitty (Love it!), and an adorable Fox. PROOF that you can MAKE YOUR OWN TOYS.

Lazy Kitty!

Fox