giraffe love

if i had to choose a favorite wild animal, the giraffe would be on the top of my list.  i've been wanting to make a stuffie from this tutorial by kristina karkov (woman's day) for a while now...  i knew that it would be perfect for my friend's baby boy!

i guess this would make it my 3rd sew september project! so check out what i made with my trusty needles and threads...

hello!

embroidered (raised satin stitch) - eye detail

felt heart applique

i used a 4-strand round braid for the tail

i decided to use two different fabrics to create the stuffie, and added some details to make it extra special!

xoxo,
carla

kokeshi love

i found melly and me's kokeshi stuffie tutorial through google almost two years ago.  the moment i saw it, i was in love.  i wasn't sure when i would get the chance to make it and for whom.

recently, we found out that one of our friends' daughter got sick.  she's the same age as our lil' man.  i knew right there and then, that i just found the perfect thing to give her.  i've also been saving this amazing "yui kokeshi" fabric from alexander henry for something special.

kokeshi dolls originate from japan.  they are given to kids on special occasions, as a remembrance, or as a sign of luck. 

everytime i see kokeshi figurines or artwork, it never fails to make me smile.  so, here's the kokeshi doll i made using melly and me's tutorial.  i altered the design a little bit.  instead of the flowers, i changed it to a rainbow motif.  i also enlarged the template so she could use it as a pillow, or just to make it more huggable...

here are some work in progress shots:

after embroidery

ready to be flipped right side out

front view

back view of the cutest alexander henry fabric

detail of the hair embellishment

detail of the obi (sash)

detail of the face

finished stuffie from the side

a kokeshi stuffie, ready to be loved...

thanks melly and me for a wonderful tutorial!

the kokeshi in her new home - a lovely girl`s arms...

hope you are having a great week!
xo, carla

can anybody find me some-BUNNY to love???

lots of easter-love is going around and with spring just around the corner, it seemed perfect to try out elsie's DIY monday funny bunny plush doll..

 (source:  abeautifulmess.typepad.com)

i decided to make two hand-stitched plush dolls.

the first one:

...went home to two (soon to be three) of my favorite people, del and ryan, who are expecting a baby boy!  can't wait to meet him!

the second one:

i added french knots (i think this is my favorite) to indicate whiskers, i learned how to do this from purl bee's tutorial.  most of  the embroidery is done with a backstitch.

...this one went to my lil' man, dominic, who gives the bunny big hugs and sloppy kisses!

have  a very happy sunday!

xo, carla