Year: 2009

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Chrysanthemums

I just got my slugs and toads up on Etsy. I think I am up-to-date now on my available soft dolls and toys, for the moment. I am so tired! We’ve been taking advantage of the nice weather here to do some yard work, and a little home repair, using lots of muscles we aren’t used to using.

We had some cold weather just before this string of really lovely days, and so we aren’t taking them for granted. I thought I’d better take some photos of our chrysanthemums before the chill comes back. I had wanted to photograph our Pixie Kittens with them, but I’ve been so swamped, I haven’t finished their tutus yet.

I still have to draw a toad for my “Hug Me! Toad” hang tags. I’m going to try to do that this weekend, but I’d also like to take some time to just hang out and read. I’ve been very slowly journeying through The World According to Garp by John Irving, not for lack of interest at all, only for lack of time.

This toad looks much wiser than mine, but then, mine are probably just pretending to be innocent and naive so I won’t catch them getting into trouble.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy your weekends!

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Slug gossip

My “Hug Me! Slugs” are all whispering amongst themselves today. Two of them have been invited to visit a host and executive producer of a show on HGTV and the DYI network. This should be great fun for them, but I don’t want them to get too excited before they get there. They will still have to sit quietly in their box for the trip.

I’m going to try to update my Etsy shop tomorrow. I’ve still got a couple of “Hug Me! Toads” and a couple of “Hug Me! Slugs” to post for adoption. Above are, from left to right, Gilda, Glen, Jake, Rosemary, and Paulie. Gilda and Jake are on their way to their new homes right now. They will both be celebrating birthdays when they arrive at their destinations.

I know this sounds very sentimental, but I have to admit, after seeing the way Gilda and Glen have been staring at each other on my desk, it was hard to send Gilda out without Glen. I get attached to some of my toys, but this time, I felt like they’d gotten attached to each other! I’m sure they will make new friends and be loved.

I decided to pre-wash the socks I use for my sock dolls, and my mom has been patiently helping me turn and sort them all. I didn’t want them to pill, and so we’ve been air drying them. This full rack is just a drop in the bucket. My mom had been saying to me, “Don’t you have enough socks?” I didn’t realize quite how many I had, until I filled the entire washer with them. Oh my.

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Next stop, Toadville

Introducing…”Hug Me! Toads”. “Hug Me! Toads” are one-of-a-kind, original, hand-sewn, and hand-embroidered sock dolls.

It was love at first sight between the toads and my “Hug Me! Slugs”. They’ve been bouncing off of one another for the past few days, while I’ve been waiting for the sun to come out so I could take some photos of them.

They don’t mind rainy days at all.

This is Marmalade. She wanted a pink heart to go with her orange self. She heard the combination was very Jackie O.

This is Bernie. He likes flowers. He says they’re not just for girls anymore.

And this is Elvis. He was the first-born “Hug Me! Toad” and as a result, he likes to tell the others what to do. He thinks he’s a big deal.

Marmalade and Bernie have been trying to show him he’s not the biggest toad on the block.

He doesn’t pay any attention.

“Hug Me Toads” really like to be picked up and hugged. If you ignore them, they will bounce in their chairs, wave their arms up and down, and look pleadingly at you until you do.

They don’t come with chairs though. If you want to adopt a toad, and he tells you he needs a chair, craft stores like A C Moore have them, or you might find some on eBay.

“Hug Me! Toads” are pretty excitable. They want lots of things. You don’t have to give them everything they want.

As you can probably tell, they enjoy a good snack. Fortunately, a curvy, ample physique is considered wildly attractive in Toadville.

The toads have fleece features, which have been hand embroidered on with a blanket stitch. They have no loose or removable parts.

They are nice and squishy, and lots of fun to hug.

And they’re really cute.

I have more slugs and toads on the way, along with some more Pixie Kittens, by myself and Max Bailey. We’re busy busy around here.

Enjoy your day!