So Many Hatties...Who Knew?

I was perusing etsy looking at cute little felt creatures when I came across another felt "Hattie" hedgehog.  She looks somewhat similar to mine only not 3D (and not nearly as cute if I do say so myself)....

via Bloomingvintage on Etsy

This prompted me to do a quick google search to see what would come up.  My Hattie and my pattern for her were the first ones to appear but there appears to be other little "Hatties" out there!  Here are a  few more:

via Megasuper Studio

via print&pattern

via jstforewe on Etsy

via Holly Clifton-Brown

Even a real life Hattie 'the hard to please' Hedgehog!

via Flickr

Oh well.  I still love my Hattie and her sweet little name!  I won't be changing it any time soon!

From Sketch to Softie

A week or so ago I whipped up some sketches of little cuties that I wanted to turn into softies.  Here's what I've come up with so far:

Introducing Peanut the daschund...

...and Jasper the Gnome, a little finger puppet!

I can't wait to make some more:)

Softie Sketches

Last night on my facebook page I posed the question "What adorable creature should I craft next?"  The first suggestions I got included a weiner dog, a whale, and a walrus.  Do you see a theme there?  I joked that I could make my very own 'W' series of felt softies.  Here are the sketches I whipped up to hopefully eventually convert into patterns.

I think I can pull of the first two but the walrus may be a challenge.
 
I also sketched up some little gnomes that I might try to make as well. 
 

I am also planning on doing Russian stacking dolls and possibly a fox that was also suggested via Facebook. 
 
P.S.-Sorry about the photo quality the lighting was terrible and these were just lightly sketched in pencil so they don't show up super well. 

Hattie the Hedgehog ~My Original Pattern

I said a few days ago that I was looking for hedgehog inspiration and here is why:

Meet Hattie!

See she fits in my hand like the other hedgehog and is almost as cute!

Hattie is my first 100% original design.  Here is how I made her!

1.  I looked at some cute pictures of hedgehogs and some cute hedgehogs sent to me by Alana from Japan.  I sketched out a picture of a little hedgie.

2.  I cut the sketch into pieces.  I enlarged the face piece by about 1/8th of an inch.  I also made the legs slightly longer so they'd be easier to stitch onto the body.  I also created a belly panel so she could be 3 dimensional and stand up on her own.

3.  My pattern ended up looking like this.  I would like to add a link so it can be downloaded but I don't know how to do that.  Anyone able to help?  If you are interested I can send it to you or you could save this picture and print out using a full page (or 8X10) and that should work.

4.  Next I stiched the face onto the body, just along the back edge.  I then stitched on the quills and attached the legs.  Then I stitched on the eyes and the mouth (which ended up being a bit wobbly).  After all the embroidery type stuff was done I stitched one half of the body to the bell panel and then the other.  Once that was done I stitched up the face and prickly edge leaving about an inch to stuff her.  The I closed her up.  For the finishing touch I added cheeks, little ears, and a nose.  Voila!  Hattie the Hedgehog!



Stuff it!

I just wanted to take a minute to share some links to some softies that I want to make in the near future.  To my friends with babies or those who are expecting babies you may receive one of these as a gift.  Once I get them made I will post some pics of my versions!

I am praying for a snow day on Wednesday.  Maybe if I get one I'll start with this litte one from q.D.PaToOtieS get the pattern here.

I think this next little guy is my favorite.  He looks a little tricky but I am sure I can pull him off.  Check out retro fawn at Craftside.

This little pincushion turtle combo is adorable. 

Find the adorable duo at Craft Passion. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! So cute:)
Also with a retro feel there's this little dude, Tiny Pup.  I just love him.  He was featured on Woman's Day but can also be found in More Softies Only a Mother Could Love. Get Tiny Pup here.

So many crafts, so little time.  Let's see if I actually get around to making any of these.

Bibs and Stuff

In my last post I was preparing for my yard sale. I didn't have a tonne of stuff to sell but I somehow managed to make somewhere in the $70 range. I have a great location for yard sales so I think that attribute to my success. Since then I have been shopping, spending and crafting like crazy. I have a dozen things on the go but almost nothing finished. One thing I did finish (sans snaps) are some baby bibs for an expecting friend. They are as eco-friendly as I could do while maintaining their cuteness. I couldn't find any cute printed, organic fabric anywhere near where I live. So the back of one is organic, unbleached cotton and the other is ticking. Does anyone know of any online shops where I can find cute organic fabric? I am not a super skilled seamstress but I think they turned out pretty cute.

Here is my super old and awesome Singer sewing machine. My mom bought it second hand in the 70's and gave it to me a few years back. It is truly one of my most prized possessions:

The fabric:

Finished Products:

Thanks to Chickpea Sewing Studio for the adorable pattern!

I was at Winner's yesterday and I bought the most adorable cake stand. I love how the ribbon is threaded through. The selling point of this cake stand for me was when I realized I could change the ribbon to match the season/holiday. I have some orange with black polka dots and orange, green, purple, and black ribbon for fall/halloween that I bought and can't wait to use when I make my Halloween cupcakes and cookies.

I have many more things on the go but I think I will wait 'til I have some finished products so I can show you the before and after shots!