I got the ridiculous crazy stupid brilliant idea in my head- wait. That was totally a lie right there. I did not come up with this “brilliant idea.” I completely ganked it off the FAO Shwartz website. Let me start over.
I saw this amazing idea for a stuffed toy the other day on the FAO Shwartz website. Basically they send you the tool with which to create your very own softie. You draw it, pick out fabrics, colors, textures, trim, etc. Then you send your creation back to them and they make it to your exact specifications. How incredibly cool, no? Because I am cheap careful with our money in this crappy economy and Christmas is only right around the corner, I improvised with some construction paper and various colors of cotton velour. The Child created a masterpiece and I shall cut it out and sew it up into the exact doll, wonky ears and all.
I so excited to see how it will turn out. I’m such a dork like that. I thought it would also be a good idea for him to draw one for his brother and he can give it to the baby for Christmas. It’s that damn Handmade Pledge I took.
What I didn’t tell you is that my Perfectionism crept up and bit me in the ass Big Time. While the Child was drawing his doll and selecting the colors, I kept saying things like, “Don’t draw too much hair!” “Make sure the other arm is even!” “Don’t you want both ears green?” So before you start thinking I’m some kind of mother made from awesomeness, you can clearly see how much I suck. Because being yelled at while your drawing sucks. But I’m still partly awesome. There’s just a very nice balance.
Meet Wisen, the Owl:
Wisen was the result of a two hour break that the babysitter gave me in which I hired someone to care for my child whilst I went and did something for myself. No, I did not soak in the tub for hours while reading a book. While it appeals to me on a hygienic level, I really wanted to do something with all of the creativity I have been feeling as of late. Seriously. I look around my office and in piles of fabric and I see an elegant tote bag with which I can cart around my crap. I look at the rolls of felt and I see perfect elf clogs that would be totally useles, but completely adorable. I have rolls and rolls of yarn just waiting to be made into a scarf? Comfy Socks? A mouse? A Stripey Hat?
Unfortunately, Baby Moo becomes a downright spaz if I dare place him in the swing and it’s virtually impossible to use a sewing machine while wearing a sling. Ask me how I know. I decided to call in reinforcements in the form of a sweet lady with a sing-song voice that cared for Bugs when I decided to be all Academic and go back to school. (I know! What was I thinking? I still don’t even know.) I knew that Baby Moo would take to her right away for he loves anyone with big cans a chipper attitude and she has it in spades. While Baby Moo cooed, giggled, sat up, took his first steps, and smiled, I created this:
I know! I know! Almost as cute as this, no?
Excuse the outfit. It was a present and I was trying to write a thank you note in which I included a picture of Moo wearing the gift. Usually I don’t have the energy to dress my children in outfits that require such care.
It’s my first Owlie and I didn’t have a pattern to work with, so it was completely off the cuff. I’m proud of him. He’s soft and cuddly and just the right size for tiny hands. And he likes to play. Score!
