It all started with this, a felt kit containing all the pieces for a family of snow people. I found it at a charity fabric fair some years ago selling both new and used fabrics, linens, wool, kits and quilting and embroidery supplies. That's cute, I thought, and I seem to remember I only paid a small amount for it, about $5 or so. So it came home with me and sat for a while.
The Snowman Family kit
Why don't I just get on with it, I asked myself, and I have to say I really enjoyed doing the simple embroidery on the felt hats, gloves and scarves. But then what? I had no idea how to put it all together. To be truthful, I don't really like making and stuffing toys, let alone stitching their heads and arms on. So once again, it was put aside.
Then last year on one of my daughter's visits, I got the kit out and asked if she would like to help me as I was stuck. I had the pieces already cut out and stitched and Nicky spent the afternoon stuffing their limbs and bodies. Luckily I had some toy stuffing and beads for the bottom.
Naked snow bodies
You can guess what happened next - it was packed up and left again. And just before Christmas I took the bag along to my Monday Craft Group, asking if anyone would like to take it off my hands, otherwise I would be disposing of it. I don't enjoy making toys, I declared, and I don't know why I bought the kit in the first place! Carolyn, one the the members, is an accomplished toymaker, and came to have a look. I'll finish them for you, she said. And when the group started up again in the New Year, she brought the Snow Family back, all finished. How kind was that!
Carolyn had to make and then stuff the heads, assembled the bodies, stitched the clothing onto them so it wouldn't get lost, created their faces and made Mother a little hat. And she didn't want anything for her trouble, except maybe a little dark chocolate, she whispered. So the following week I packed my lunch to take to the group, gathered up my knitting and wrapped up some chocolate for her to enjoy.
A small gift for Carolyn
I'm not sure what I'll do with the Snow Family, or even if I want to keep them. Perhaps I can offer them to the co-ordinator of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren later in the year, if she wants them. They could given as a set to a child, or split up and be gifted to three children, whatever she she thinks best. I'll look after them in the meantime.
Although I've said I don't like making toys, I'd like to try making a bunny out of a square of knitting sometime, surely I could manage that. And I have a pattern for a trauma teddy I'd like to try. This design only has a front and back, no separate head and legs, and a simple embroidered face. But maybe I need to get over the trauma of the snow family first!
15 comments:
Your snow people family was a group effort! They are really cute, all dressed up. Well done , all of you! I actually like making stuffed toys…
The snowman family turned out so cute!
Your post made me laugh Jenny, which was just what I needed. I don't mind making toys so long as I've chosen to make them. Friends and colleagues ask me and I usually say no. I do make toys from patterns I like and make sense to me. The snow family are fun and will make a child or children happy and your friend did a beautiful job of finishing them. I also giggled as chocolate is my preferred treat for helping complete any sewing job!
They are really cute! Lovely of your friend to finish them for you (worth a bar of chocolate) and someone will love them. Sarah quiltingbythesea
That was so nice of both your daughter and Carolyn to help you out--I am not a stuffed toy maker either...they both did a great job on them--they really came out so cute and would make a lovely gift for a child...;))
It is zero here this morning and we have a "feels like" temp of -12--but I am staying inside for sure...that wind has been howling constantly...I guess we can thank Siberia for this extreme cold!! ;000
I have just the two side borders left to attach to "Baby Baby" quilt--hoping to do so today...not at all my usual style, but I will put this in my "Hoping for great grandchildren" box when I finish it...;)))
Hugs, Julierose
That was very kind of your friend to finish them for you
Your post makes me smile, Jenny. As you know, I've been making round loom knitted dollies and a teddy, so I completely understand your aversion to the fiddly bits of sewing body parts onto the main body. How nice to have a knowledgeable friend to take the hard parts out of your hands, and then return them to you finished! That's a good friend, I'd say! She's definitely worthy of chocolates. Each felt character turned out so cute. I understand about wondering where they should go next. It's okay to hold onto them for now. I'm doing the same with six dollies I've made. They're too adorable to pass on... at the moment. After I've cuddled and admired them for a bit, I know where to donate them. Hopefully both your efforts and mine will eventually be appreciated.
I used to make stuffed toys years ago but I didn't really like making them either and stopped when the girls got a little older and never made any for the grandchildren. When you don't enjoy making them you don't do as good of a job I think. These turned out good though and if you don't want them someone will.
They did turn out cute, so nice of Carolyn to help you out. Someone will enjoy them!
Aren't those cute?! Sometimes it takes a village to finish a project - I'm glad you got all that help. Someone is going to love that family of snowpeople!
The snow family is so cute. I am happy that you got the help you needed in putting them all together. A bar of dark chocolate was a small price to pay. I hope you find someone to give them too.
God bless.
The snowmen family is really cute. Wonderful that you got help making them. I've made a few stuffed dolls, but not sure I'll do it again. I love knitted, stuffed Santas, which reminds me I have some in my UFO (knitting) basket that should see some progress this year, I hope!
The snow family look great finished .
So nice of Carolyn to have completed them for you.
The snow family ended up being a real combined effort. Well done Carolyn for completing them. I’m sure you will work out what is best to do with them. The idea of knitting a trauma teddy sounds good. I’ve looked at the pattern. They are rather simple.
You certainly know the right people. Lovely to see that the finished result was a group effort. Well done.
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