Cutting Frenzy

I finally reached the point where I had finished making everything I owed to customers or to folks I was trading with, and I had gone through all of the precut critters I had stowed away, and my fingers were itching to wrap around those scissors and dive into my hoard of fur.  So, for the past few days I have been busy cutting - stockpiling monsters and animals and even fleece sugar cookies that will accompany them as snacks - all ready to be sewn and assembled when the time comes.

I have 4 big craft shows coming up in the next few months (more on that another day) and this is the first step in preparing.  As each month goes by, abbydid seems to creep closer and closer towards a full time job, and my aspirations for what I can produce before these shows creep up may be a bit too high.  But, worst case scenario, I'll have these "critter kits" ready to go after the shows to restock the shop as needed.

Fleece and faux fur are my primary materials.  Fleece is easy and forgiving.  Faux fur - especially the shaggy, long pile variety - prevents it's own set of challenges.  I vacuum constantly.  I vacuum each cut piece of a pattern before I bag it, and then vacuum the entire cutting area in between each variety of fur I use to avoid "cross contamination."  And inevitably I am covered in the stuff.  I laugh at lint rollers.  I have to vacuum myself before heading out the door.  The UPS man will attest to the fact that whenever I open the door for a package I'm covered in some new color of hair.  He must think I have some strange-looking pets (speaking of, that's my dog Kismet).

Once critters are cut, with all their contrasting or accenting pieces accompanying them, I bag them up and get them out of the way.  It's fun to go back to these bags and pull out a creature to begin working on it, only to be surprised by what color combinations I was dreaming up the day he was cut out.  Admittedly, there have been a couple of instances of "what was I thinking," in which case I may switch out some claws or limbs.  

Meanwhile, while I am sequestered in my dining room (aka The Work Space), Roomba is next door tidying up the living room.  I found this guy on clearance for half off.  While he is just a glorified dustbuster on wheels, Roomba is better than nothing, and I love that he merrily rolls along while I make fuschia monkeys and stripey Wibbly Woos a reality.  This is my view through the windows of the dining room.  See Roomba?  Way to go, Roomba!  Keep up the good work.

Schmancy Olympic Challenge

Towards the end of January Plush You!, the annual plush exhibition put on by Schmancy, put out a challenge to the plush world: make a plush in one of 4 categories reflecting the Winter Olympic Games.  Well, I do love a good challenge!  I signed up immediately.  My assigned category was Opening Ceremonies.  

What resulted was a torch with mischievous little flames, each light up, and they even have their own Olympic torch in which to do their impish dance.  

I would have gotten more outdoor shots but my reluctant model needed to pee.

The battery-operated "tea lights" are surrounded in sheer fabrics and "stuffed" with bubble wrap.  The little smirking faces are embroidered on using red, metallic thread and iridecent beads for eyes.

The completely hand-stitched torch is made of stiff interfacing and fleece, with a felt Olympic rings emblem adhered to it with fabric glue. 


 With the Olympics just coming to a close and the Paralympics about to begin, I know we all feel the warmth of the pride and emotion of the games.  I will be submitting this piece to Plush You! for judging, so wish me luck!  The torch and it's 6 merry flames are available in my shop.

The never-ending holidays...

My beloved etsy street team - PlushTeam - has been having it's annual Secret Santa Plush Swap, and I received my nifty neato gift yesterday. Hooray!

Since us plush makers are uber busy during the holiday season, we chose to host our swap after Christmas to give us a chance to breathe a little. Plus who doesn't look forward to getting a gift after all the festivities are over? Exactly. As it turns out, Christmas is traditionally celebrated on January 7th (today!), and so I say to you 'S Rozhdestvom! I don't know what it means, but I'm told that what they say to each other over there today. I'm sure it's something delightful.

Silly me, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce our darling newcomers, sent by the fantastic LittleCritters00, to the latest batch of knucklebiters. I could not have been more wrong! Thinking they would play nicely, I turned my back for just a second, and when I returned orange nubby knucklebiter was SNACKING on little red fuzzy dude! Oh, the HORROR.

Well, I reprimanded nubby orange knucklebiter, explaining we do NOT eat our new friends, and he has since been sent to live with a new family in Pennsylvania. I wish them luck!

Meanwhile, my gift to my Secret Santa Recipient is en route, I think she'll probably receive it today. I am soooo excited! Here's a sneak peak:

I have the very best customers.

One of the many joys I've discovered running abbydid are the darling customers I meet. Sometimes a friend becomes a customer, sometimes a customer becomes a friend, but regardless, I have never have a negative transaction. I am extremely thankful for that, and am aware that not everyone is so lucky.

One of the glories of this little job of mine is the custom order. It is so much fun to make something with someone specific in mind. I piece the fabric together imagining the smile it will bring to that certain someone's face. It's totally hokey, I know, but this is my way of bringing a little more joy to the planet.

I have one custom order in particular I'd like to share with you. My dear friend Nancy has the most creative son Jack. He has created a super hero, complete with his own blog. She asked me to turn a drawing Jack had done of this super hero, Zebra Talker, into a plush to give him as a Christmas gift.

I finished him last night. What do you think?

The work I do is so much fun - I really enjoy it. But this piece was extra special. I can't wait to hear how Jack reacts!

If you have a drawing you'd like to see soft and squeezable, give me a shout. I LOVE a challenge!

I've been busy busy busy with the plushmaking, and clearly I have not been blogging. Bad Abby. Anyway, I have a plethora of ideas rolling around in my head, and one of them was absolutely bursting to get out. So here it is:

Why, Abby, what is that? I'm so glad you asked! It is a MONSTER MUFF! I KNOW! So fun. Our gorgeous model (whom I also made, thank you very much) is sporting the latest style for the winter season. It is a large knucklebiter, fully lined in fur, filled with extra batting for warmth. You place one hand in its mouth, and the other hand, well, let's just say monster muff really doesn't mind.

The important thing here is you will be WARM and you will be having FUN and you will be the ENVY OF ALL YOUR FRIENDS! These come in adult (with the tail forming a wrist strap) and child (with a silky cord to wear around the neck to prevent muff loss). Look for them in my etsy shop after Christmas has passed or place a custom order for one now!

PS - I fully realize muff is a loaded term for some of you (you dirty, dirty birds) so here's the deal - come up with a better name for this sucker and I will gladly rename it and give you all the credit. Until then, snicker quietly to yourself. Sheesh.

Know where all the cool kids are going to be this Saturday? At the 5th annual Craftin' Outlaws alternative craft fair! And you know who's going to be selling their alternative crafts at this fancy shindig? ME! That's right! The hubs and I are packing up the van with all our furry, little friends and heading to Columbus, Ohio and we fully expect to see you there.

This ridiculously fun event will take place at a new location this year - the Lodge Bar located at 165 Vine Street in the Arena District. Admission is free, and it is open to all ages. There will be ridiculously fun activities throughout the day. A craft corner deathmatch? Seriously, who's going to miss that?

I've donated a Wibbly Woo to Craftin' Outlaws fundraiser for Rwanda Knits, an extremely deserving organization that provides American-made knitting machines, technical and business training to Rwandan women to enable them to increase their incomes through economically sustainable knitting cooperatives. Learn more at http://www.rwandaknits.org

PlushTeam wants to save the boobs!

These fleece-covered bouncy balls really do bounce, yes indeedy.

"She has a silk dress and healthy breasts that bounce on his Italian leather sofa."

- Italian Leather Sofa by Cake

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to raise funds and awareness about this insidious disease, the members of PlushTeam have created mammary-themed plush. They can be purchased at the PlushTeam shop, and 80% of every purchase goes to the Susan G. Komen Institute. Check out PlushTeam's blog to read more about all the fabulous creations.

Okay, now, kiddies, I know you're all going to be disappointed, but the bouncy boobies have already sold and are on their way to California. But! If you sweet talk me I may just make another pair:) It is for a good cause after all. Perhaps a different skin tone this time? Hmmm...