Darrin and Lucinda

Darrin collects toys. As a child he was never allowed to play with violent toys, video games or watch violent tv shows. This rule was highly stressed and Darrin was not one for rule-breaking. Even at slumber parties when the rest of the boys were in their jammies watching highly intense, action-adventure shows with grenades and other explosive things, Darrin would excuse himself to another room to work on a crossword puzzle. Now that Darrin is an adult, he can't get enough of violent toys! Because adults aren't supposed to play with toys, he keeps them in their packages. They line all of his shelves and adorn every inch of dresser-top and coffee table space. He admires them all while drinking his Dr. Pepper, which he couldn't have as a child either.



Lucinda has a passion for fall fashion. In the summer-time while her friends are splashing around in the pool, Lucinda is in her basement, where it is nice and cool. Down there she knits hats and draws sketches of herself in pea-coats and listens to sophisticated news programs. When the weather finally cools down she'll be able to head outdoors in her fashionable hats and discuss politics over coffee in outdoor cafes.

Darrin and I don't have much in common except that I too wasn't allowed very much soda as a child. I remember fantasizing about being a grownup and thinking that all I would do was drive around in a car and drink cokes. "That would show 'em," I thought.
I know I am not the first to have this happen to me, but I have been a little heart-broken lately. I have had this idea dancing around in my head. It's one of those really great ideas that require lists, and sketches, and months of dreaming, and serendipity, and tea with honey and milk, and the purchasing of some special equipment. It's the kind of idea that forms in tiny bits when your driving around or taking quiet, morning walks with your son. And then, at 2 in the morning when you are clicking around the internet in an effort to wind down after tending to your baby that woke out of the blue, you realize that it is the kind of idea that someone else already had, ages ago. Also, this person already executed this idea, only they executed it better than you thought up in your own head. It's not exactly the same exact idea, of course, but it is so beautiful and really quite similar. Oh sigh. I have to share it with you and let you see too. See? Isn't it awesome? The funny thing is, I don't even remember how I clicked around to the site, it was such a blur. But, I am happy it exists because it looks so whimsical and whimsy is important for the world. But, at the same time, "darn-it!".

Norm, a Buttonhole, and a Functional Hat!

In Norm's early twenties he led a life of crime and landed himself in the clinker. He blamed his bad choices on the thrill of being chased. He liked the loud noises of the police car sirens, also the flashing of their light-bars made running from "the man" feel like a night at the disco. Prison was not for Norm, however. Everything was gray and lifeless, even the food. Now freed, Norm works for a traveling carnival. Everything is very colorful and shiny there and he is making up for his years of mush-food by maintaining a diet consisting solely of elephant ears and deep-fried twinkies. When Norm feels the urge for a thrill, he rides "The Zipper" until he gets sick.



I learned how to sew a buttonhole! I just dusted off my sewing manual and did it. Manuals in general make me want to hide under a table with a soft blankie and a glass of warm milk, but I decided to conquer a fear. It was ridiculously easy, so much so that I feel embarrassed that it took me so long to work up the courage to learn how. My machine even has some strange "button sensor" electrical part which I didn't use, but is really intriguing. I love how much it adds to a softie to have a functioning bit of clothing on them. Zippers---watch yourselves, you're next!

I was so excited about learning a new skill that I decided to do something else on my list and make Walter-beans a winter hat. I used a pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's book Simple Sewing for Baby:




I love it! Also, Walter loves it too, or rather he hasn't taken it off his head and he keeps holding the ribbon and staring at it. His ears will be so warm now.

Two New Dolls and Butter

Nat spends Sunday mornings on a park bench with a bagful of granola. The granola is made for him by his neighbor, Lucille, who carefully measures out her ingredients never forgetting a teaspoon of love. Nat only eats pancakes for breakfast and has done so ever since his first pancake (shaped like an 'N' courtesy of his mother). He firmly believes that starting the day off with something warm and sugary will add sweetness to the rest of his day. He can't break Lucille's heart by turning down her granola, so he gives it to the birds. They appreciate that extra teaspoon of love.



Milly is independent. When she was very young she refused to let a grownups tie her shoes. It took her quite sometime to learn the appropriate knot, but before that she was resourceful and would use already-been-chewed gum to keep the laces together. She is so independent that she has never, not once, asked for a hug even though sometimes she desperately needs one. When she has a terrible, no-good day she will put on her softest, most cuddly bear-hoodie in hopes of exploiting it's softness in order to get a cuddle.


Man I love Walter, but sometimes it's very exciting when he's asleep and I can have some popcorn and red wine. Is there a wine that goes well with popcorn? Maybe it's not very sophisticated to have them together, but for me it is a special treat. Popcorn is great, but really I use it as a way of delivering butter to my mouth! Mmmmm. On the night of this photo, I asked Joseph to sketch up a lady-doll for me because I keep only sewing them in animal outfits. He thought about it and spent a long time sketching and when he showed the drawing to me it was of this ridiculous lady with pigtails and a severed doll head in her hand (he's always encouraged giving my dolls "accessories"---a category that would probably include severed doll heads). It made me laugh so hard, and though I don't think I'll be sewing any severed doll heads any time soon, it made me realize that it's okay to get my "weird" back on.

I am currently re-watching the Freaks and Geeks series and just wanted to mention it here in case there are a few of you that haven't seen it. I love that show. It is such a gem.

Leo

Leo is on a mission to become the Jane Goodall of meerkats. He knows they are not native to America, but he is sure there are some really clever ones out there capable of air travel and ready for a non-desert climate. Also, his mom told him once that most things in life are possible, so he's pretty sure he'll find some. Leo wears his furry animal suit to blend in to the meerkat culture, but he never forgets to also wear his tie so that if he runs into any people on his expedition, they will know that he is doing serious business and not just playing around. Leo earned his animal tracking badge at camp last summer and so far he has tracked several squirrels and a few domesticated dogs. He is sure meerkats will be next, but gorillas would be pretty awesome too.

Leo was a special request for a friend's sister-in-law's baby. The friend I met at my most favorite place on earth. Since I have my own baby (currently sucking on toes [his not mine]) I have a little bit of a glimpse into their likes and dislikes. Leo has no buttons on him for obvious reasons, but I also tried to use lots of different textures with lots of tuggable parts. He also has 2 functioning denim pockets that can store teeny, tiny treasures. I hope he is well-loved!

Lydia with Stripey Shoes

Lydia is a people watcher. She likes to sit on city benches on high-traffic sidewalks for drinking her dark cocoa. She enjoys playing cupid and imagining different romances sparking between the busy, fancy people who wear high-heels and shiny, cuff-links. Every once in awhile she spots two people who she believes may be soul-mates then she'll firmly close her eyes and send them lovey-romance-vibes so that they'll make eye contact and then one will ask the other out for a cupcake.

Lydia's shoes are removable and carefully hand-stitched. I actually made her ages ago, but never blogged about her. I made a different fellow this week who is plump and wide-eyed, but he's not ready to be photographed yet.

I am a fan of people wearing animal attire. Not fur or leather, but actually dressing partly as an animal on non-Halloween days. I don't know why this is so attractive----maybe because I loved the idea of Never, Never Land and I know the Lost Boys looked like a bunch of animals. It's especially cute when little monkeys wear animal hats (see my little monkey below for proof!).
Pretty soon he will be wearing this and wherever we go we will hear a collective "Awwww!".

Gramps

It took me a long time to finish Gramps here. He was just such a regular guy, which is wonderful in the real world, but in the softie world it seems strange to spend all sorts of time sewing ordinary people. I couldn't seem to take him from drab to fab. I know he really isn't fab, but he's not drab--which is an improvement. The flower on his hat certainly helps. I also am having an identity crisis with him. At first he seemed like the instructor for the Mathletes, but now with the hunting-plaid suspenders he has become more of a farmer's man. Now that he has a flower on his hat I don't even know, but I do know he is chivalrous, because you can't have a flower on your hat and be rude. That is against the laws of nature.

I decided to try photographing gramps on my bright yellow table. Bright yellow as of 2 days ago. Being home all the time has me being a little adventurous with our furniture. There is the bright yellow end table, and now Walter's high-chair is neon green. There is no telling what is next, but I am feeling a sad lack of pink in my life.

In non-softie relate news, today I take my first tai chi class! I am very excited about it---I am hoping it helps with my neck pain I still have from being a crazy, addict sewer. I think I will like it because:

A. I like the idea of being a zen master, and
B. If you switch the sounds around it becomes Chai Tea which is probably my most favorite hot beverage.

Gavin

There is nothing Gavin likes more than a hard-boiled egg and a bit of cheese. He'll eat this breakfast every morning, outside under the shade of his umbrella. He makes toast too, but only to give to the birds because he is a gentleman who knows the importance of sharing. After the birds eat their toast, they are full of gratitude and in return groom Gavin's mustache for him.

So far stay at home motherhood has been a dream. I am not deluded to think it will always be this way, but for now it is basically awesome. I hang out with Walt and sew when there is time. Usually during this time, Walter is in his jumperoo screaming. He is not in distress or anything, the boy just loves to scream.