Happy Wednesday! First off I’d like to share my finished W.I.P.s :
On the left is the very cute Easter Rabbit pattern I tested for the very talented Tacha. He is adorable, a fun sewing project and a wonderful gift idea for all the little bunnies in your life. She’ll have the pattern for sale in her Etsy shop soon, and while you’re there, check out her “Animal Friends” fabric book patterns. They are really cute and fun to make! What you don’t see in the picture (uh, because I forgot to snap it!) is that he has a zippered-back and you can stow sweets and surprises in his tummy! Guppy was a little frustrated that it was going in a package and traveling far away…little does she know that if I’d managed to keep it a secret it was going to be for her!
In the middle is the finished my most recent Black Apple doll. I made the legs and arms extra long because they are easier to grasp with baby-hands. I like this pattern, but I keep changing it each time I use it. I just need to draft my own pattern I guess!
On the right is the first stuffed animal/doll I ever had – a “Three Little Pigs” cloth storybook is under his vest. I’ve had that on my shelf since Guppy was born, and it’s got me thinking recently : how fun would that be? To make a cloth doll and have a quilted two or three page story built into her body or clothes? I need to give this more thought…it’s like an “Idea In Progress”.
Have you gotten started on this month’s Stitch-Along? I’ve traced the pattern onto some fabric, but haven’t gotten much further than that. I chose a cream-coloured cotton twill for the embroidered part, but I’m not sure what I want to use for the backing fabric. Time to raid the stash. I’d like to give these to Guppy so I’m having to work on the sly…not always easy in a tiny apartment!
Since I’ve got you’re attention I’d like to share this Craftivism opportunity with you! I know many of you are masters of the knitting and crochet world. I hope to someday join you, but for now, I’m just watching from the sidelines…
Anyway, I read about The Mother Bear Project on WhipUp, and it sounds like such an amazing project I just had to give them a mention here. This non-profit based in the U.S. provides crocheted and knitted bears to children in emerging countries who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. To some it might not seem like much, but I think that giving some handmade love to a child, showing them you care and that they do matter even if they are strangers, well, it’s the bee’s knees.
You can also read a very touching story (your eyes will get misty at the end) about a kick-ass woman named Phyllis Schmidt who has knit 100 bears for the project, and has started her second batch of 100. Oh, did I mention Ms. Schmidt is 93 years-old? I hope I am that cool when I hit my 90s.
There’s also a handful of Mother Bear Project knitting groups in the U.S. to check out, but even if you don’t knit, there are other ways you can help (donating materials, money, etc.), so get to it people!
Do you have any other links or stories about Craftivism opportunities? Let me know, I’d be happy to post them here. Have a creative week, and be sure to check in with the other Wipsters and our W.I.P. Wednesday Flickr Group for more inspiration!
Musings From The Fishbowl 
I have never replied to your blog before, but do read it, especially when you haven’t e-mailed in a while, so I know you’re ok. I can’t knit well enough to do the bears, but I’ve been making mittens…about 10 pr since Jan for the little ones who don’t have any. They go to the kids at Tammy’s school.
what a wondeful idea on making the dolls arms ‘n legs extra long for tiny hands! i never would have thought of that, Shelly! you’re too awesome! i think the idea of a fun doll + a storybook sewn in would be most rock’n! superw00t!
while i do knit, but i’m not that awesome at it – sticking just with scarves at the moment. but i’m totally going to check out the Mother Bear Project & maybe i can learn some new techiques so i can help out, too! thanks for sharing this, Shelly! wahooooo!
your dollies are so adorable! and i’ve just learned to knit in the round so i might actually be able to knit a bear for a child. that’d be so awesome… it might take me a year or something though, because i am awfully slow. great wip post, shelly!
Once again you inspire. I am in love with the little pig!
I melted into a big puddle of goo when I saw the cuteness that are those stuffed animals on flickr.
Where is a tissue when you need one?! Wow, Phyllis Schmidt is my new hero. Thank you for telling us about it and making our hearts all mushy!
All your finished W.I.P.s are so incredibly adorable, Shelly! They all have a bow! I think Mr. Little Pig is my favorite with his cute floppy ears!
I literally got goose bumps when I read that Ms. Schmidt is doing such awesome work at 93 years! Thanks again Shelly for the most positive post!
Once again you amaze me with your craftiness! Those dolls are adorable, and the rabbit is functional as well. They all look so cheerful!
You are very sly with keeping that bunny a secret from Guppy! I can imagine it’s tough. And how cool that it has a pocket for candy. Hmmmm… maybe I’ll make one for myself to stash chocolate in.
Glad I’m not the only one who hasn’t started the stitch along… we’ll get there 🙂
100 knitted bears at 93?!? Kick a$$!!
Black apple doll is my favourite. it’s so lovely to be able to pass treasured toys onto your children isn’t it?
Madame Schmidt est formidable…quel coeur enorme!