tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33961939969966246212024-03-05T01:34:58.939-06:00Plushroom SoupStewing strange softies.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-37225507689121398642013-05-30T06:07:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:37.131-05:00Moving Sale!<p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0192aa821ecb970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Farm in 90s" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0192aa821ecb970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0192aa821ecb970d-800wi" title="Farm in 90s" /></a><br />Hey folks! I know it's been a long while. We're super busy prepping the house to go on the market so we can move to that beautiful property above (pictured about 20-25 years ago. It hasn't changed much, except the trees are much, much larger and there's far less lawn.).</p><br /><p>Anywhoosies, to help me clear clutter (and raise funds--selling your house REALLY drains the pocketbook!), I'm putting the <a href="http://plushroomsoup.etsy.com" target="_blank" title="Plushroom Soup Etsy shop">shop</a> on sale for the first time ever! From now until August 31, you can save a whopping 30% on any order of $50 or more. Just ender the code MOVINGMADNESS at checkout. I will also be separately marking down some of my older inventory. So if you've had your eye on a special critter, now is the chance! </p><br /><p>Just a few of the items you can nab:<br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c019102b9a574970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02315" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c019102b9a574970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c019102b9a574970c-800wi" title="DSC02315" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01901cc399c4970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02317" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01901cc399c4970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01901cc399c4970b-800wi" title="DSC02317" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c019102b9a79a970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01801" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c019102b9a79a970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c019102b9a79a970c-800wi" title="DSC01801" /></a><br />It's going to be a big summer, moving from the city and taking on the responsibilities of such a large property. I'll probably continue to be pretty MIA, but I'll try to pop in for updates when I can. Probably more on the farmy side than the plush side. :)</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-76691885192252704252012-12-03T04:19:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:37.122-05:00That Time of Year<p>Woah. Can you believe it's December already? Where did the year go?</p><br /><p>As usual, the past month I have been busy busy busy prepping for the <a href="http://nocoastcraft.com" target="_blank" title="No Coast Craft-o-Rama">No Coast Craft-o-Rama</a>. This year marks my seventh year at this great event (also WOAH). I'll have a dual booth this year, presenting both Plushroom Soup and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/starduststitches" target="_blank" title="Stardust Stitches Facebook page">Stardust Stitches</a> goods. I'm still working out how I'm going to do the display, but whatever happens, I'm excited as always!</p><br /><p>Here's a sneaky peek at some of the goods that I'll have available. . . .</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3e6a0a8c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Wee imps" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3e6a0a8c970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3e6a0a8c970c-800wi" title="Wee imps" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c343b2040970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Foxy Mary Jane house shoes" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c343b2040970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c343b2040970b-800wi" title="Foxy Mary Jane house shoes" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee5dec9fa970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="furry owl plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee5dec9fa970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee5dec9fa970d-800wi" title="furry owl plushie" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3e6a10e0970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Little Red Riding Hood mary jane house shoes" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3e6a10e0970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3e6a10e0970c-800wi" title="Little Red Riding Hood mary jane house shoes" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3e6a25b5970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="super fruit plush Christmas ornament" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3e6a25b5970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3e6a25b5970c-800wi" title="super fruit plush Christmas ornament" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee5dee336970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="peter pan collar toddler house shoe" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee5dee336970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee5dee336970d-800wi" title="peter pan collar toddler house shoe" /></a><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee5dee528970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="plush yeti ornaments" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee5dee528970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee5dee528970d-800wi" title="plush yeti ornaments" /></a><br /><br /></p><br /><fieldset class="zemanta-related"><legend class="zemanta-related-title">Related articles</legend><br /><div class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; overflow: hidden;"><br /><div class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;"><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/2012/10/weekend-in-pictures.html" style="box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://i.zemanta.com/118813152_80_80.jpg" style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/2012/10/weekend-in-pictures.html" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" target="_blank">Weekend in Pictures</a></div><br /></div><br /></fieldset><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-76250016773513725722012-10-15T03:00:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:37.073-05:00Weekend in Pictures<p>I know, there are a LOT of photos in this post. The farm is just so flippin' gorgeous this time of year, I had a hard time choosing! As you can see, I was a little obsessed with the tamaracks. I've never seen them so pretty. </p><br /><p>The alpaca photos were taken at Whistling Winds Farm, where I spent an afternoon assisting with vaccinations and nail trimming. The herd welcomed two new crias mere weeks ago, so it was of course hard to choose from among all that adorbsness as well.</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c32884da5970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03323" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c32884da5970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c32884da5970b-800wi" title="DSC03323" /></a><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3987970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03329" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c3987970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3987970d-800wi" title="DSC03329" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c39ef970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03332" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c39ef970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c39ef970d-800wi" title="DSC03332" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c32884e81970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03336" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c32884e81970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c32884e81970b-800wi" title="DSC03336" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3ab6970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03349" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c3ab6970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3ab6970d-800wi" title="DSC03349" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6eeff970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03353" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6eeff970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6eeff970c-800wi" title="DSC03353" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6ef3c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03354" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6ef3c970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6ef3c970c-800wi" title="DSC03354" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3b8d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03357" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c3b8d970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3b8d970d-800wi" title="DSC03357" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c32885006970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03359" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c32885006970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c32885006970b-800wi" title="DSC03359" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f0c9970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03364" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f0c9970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f0c9970c-800wi" title="DSC03364" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f102970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03368" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f102970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f102970c-800wi" title="DSC03368" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f162970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03383" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f162970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f162970c-800wi" title="DSC03383" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f1b7970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03420" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f1b7970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f1b7970c-800wi" title="DSC03420" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c3288522f970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03360" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c3288522f970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c3288522f970b-800wi" title="DSC03360" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3f4b970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03389" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c3f4b970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c3f4b970d-800wi" title="DSC03389" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f3cc970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03392" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f3cc970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f3cc970c-800wi" title="DSC03392" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c408e970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03396" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c408e970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c408e970d-800wi" title="DSC03396" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c40e4970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03408" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c40e4970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c40e4970d-800wi" title="DSC03408" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c413c970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03411" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c413c970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c413c970d-800wi" title="DSC03411" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f56c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03406" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f56c970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017d3cb6f56c970c-800wi" title="DSC03406" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c41da970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03417" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017ee42c41da970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017ee42c41da970d-800wi" title="DSC03417" /></a><br /><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c328855e0970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03424" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c328855e0970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c328855e0970b-800wi" title="DSC03424" /></a></p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-15746950352451933592012-09-25T14:35:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:37.065-05:00Plush Team 5th Anniversary Swap!<p>If you follow the <a href="http://www.plushteam.com/" target="_blank" title="Plush Team blog">Plush Team</a> (and if you don't, well what the heck are you waiting for?), you know we just celebrated our 5th Anniversary. Can I get a woot woot? </p><br /><p>Anyway, to mark the momentous occassion, we decided to do another swap! Because nothing says par-TAY quite like snuggly plush. </p><br /><p>I was lucky enough to get this adorable party owl from Nyssa of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LitheFider" target="_blank" title="LitheFider Etsy shop">LitheFider</a>. She already has her party hat on and even brought me a tasty little treat!</p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c3223cd75970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03280" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c3223cd75970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c3223cd75970b-800wi" title="DSC03280" /></a></p><br /><p>I'm not sure if it's because she's so cute, so sweet, or because she totes around a sweet, but she already made good friends with all my other plush.  </p><br /><p><br /><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c3223cffc970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC03282" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017c3223cffc970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017c3223cffc970b-800wi" title="DSC03282" /></a><br />She should probably watch herself, though. A few of them look like they want to eat more than just her cupcake. . . .</p><br /><p>Thanks so much, Nyssa!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-56033018840663581072012-07-28T04:50:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:37.016-05:00Summer So Far<p>Oh, hai Interwebz! I have returned with splendid tales of offline adventures!<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b65c25970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Stardust Stitches Logo" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b65c25970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b65c25970d-800wi" title="Stardust Stitches Logo" /></a></p><br /><p>The most exciting bit of news: I launched a second business last week! The new biz is Stardust Stitches, and it's lots of handmade little lovelies to help you have a more relaxed and serene life. Slippers/house shoes, rice therapy pillows, sachets, lap/receiving blankets, etc.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><div class="photo-wrap photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d photo-full " id="photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d" style="display: inline-block;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d-pi"><img alt="Stardust Stitches "Laura" slipper with Peter Pan collar" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d-800wi" title="Stardust Stitches "Laura" slipper with Peter Pan collar" /></a><br /><div class="photo-caption caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d" id="caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b66a36970d">Why let your neck have all the fun? Now your feet can have Peter Pan collars too!</div><br /></div><br /><p><br />Check out the <a href="http://starduststitches.etsy.com" target="_blank" title="Stardust Stitches Etsy shop">Etsy shop</a> or the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/starduststitches" target="_blank" title="Stardust Stitches Facebook page">Facebook page</a> for all the goodies. I might be crazy, what with Plushroom Soup, the day job, the 5 pets, the farm plan, and trying to have a social life too. But I'm super excited about the new biz!</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><div class="photo-wrap photo-xid-6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b photo-full " id="photo-xid-6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b" style="display: inline-block;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b-pi"><img alt="Crabtree Studio reversible dresses" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b-800wi" title="Crabtree Studio reversible dresses" /></a><br /><div class="photo-caption caption-xid-6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b" id="caption-xid-6a010536227592970c016768db247d970b">Amy's reversible dresses</div><br /></div><br /><p> </p><br /><p>I'm also excited to announce that Amy, my BFF and favorite crafty partner in crime has revamped and relaunched <a href="http://crabtreestudio.com/" target="_blank" title="Crabtree Studio">Crabtree Studio</a>. She's making utterly AMAZEBALLS heriloom-quality childrens clothing, so if you've got a little munchkin in your life, you should check out her stuff.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><div class="photo-wrap photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d photo-full " id="photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d" style="display: inline-block;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d-pi"><img alt="Crabtree Studio and Stardust Stitches, Summer 2012 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d-800wi" title="Crabtree Studio and Stardust Stitches, Summer 2012 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" /></a><br /><div class="photo-caption caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d" id="caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b660de970d">Lookin' snazzy before the show.</div><br /></div><br /><p> </p><br /><p>Last Sunday, we shared a booth at the innaugural Summer <a href="http://www.nocoastcraft.com" target="_blank" title="No Coast Craft-o-Rama">No Coast Craft-o-Rama</a> in Silverwood Park (<em>reunited and it feels so good</em>. . . .). But holy hell, people, was it HOT. And STICKY. I felt like I was standing in a swamp all day. I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my entire life. But the park was gorgeous, the crowds were pretty steady, and we got lots of positive feedback about our work. I even made a few more sales than I had expected for both a first-time show and the first event for Stardust.</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016768db2775970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02941" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016768db2775970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016768db2775970b-800wi" title="DSC02941" /></a></p><br /><p>I didn't have much of a chance to check out all the other vendors, but our neighbors <a href="http://ohdier.com/" target="_blank" title="Oh Dier">Oh Dier</a> were really sweet and lovely people. And they make highly-covetable, beautiful objects to prettify your home. I think this sign in red would make a perfect addition to our reading room.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><div class="photo-wrap photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d photo-full " id="photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d" style="display: inline-block;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d-pi"><img alt="Oh Dier Read sign" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d-800wi" title="Oh Dier Read sign" /></a><br /><div class="photo-caption caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d" id="caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b6a0f6970d">image © Oh Dier</div><br /></div><br /><p><br />They also had one that said "Library," but I can't find an image of it. Tough to choose which I'd want more, but I better decide before Winter No Coast!</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p>In other news, I started a new day job in mid-June. I've once again picked up the red pen after my brief erroneous stint in IT. I'm VERY relieved to not be part of that madness anymore and am loving the new job so far.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><div class="photo-wrap photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d photo-full " id="photo-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d" style="display: inline-block;"><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d-pi"><img alt="Cal in the field" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d-800wi" title="Cal in the field" /></a><br /><div class="photo-caption caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d" id="caption-xid-6a010536227592970c017743b67464970d">My MIL's dog, Cal, helps us assess the north pasture.</div><br /></div><br /><p><br />The farm dream is also going strong. My local NRCS rep came out to the farm in June to help me assess the pastures and develop a rotational grazing plan for my future critters. Turns out I have abundant and species-diverse (if a bit overgrown) pastures, including awesome native prairie.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p>Sadly, all this activity has left little room for plush making. But I do have lots of fun ideas and the Plush You! 2012 deadline is starting to loom, so expect to see some fun stuff soon.</p><br /><p>Also expect to see some changes around the blog in the next few months. I haven't entirely worked out what it will look like, but I know I want one cohesive space where I can write about Plushroom Soup, Stardust Stitches, and the soon-to-be-named farm. I'm toying with lumping them all under one blog called Farm Sewn (<em>see what I did there? See? Yes, I'm a dork.</em>). I know many of you run several businesses. Any advice for juggling their web prescences gracefully?</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-71504022891046314792012-05-20T08:37:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:37.006-05:00Second Annual Plushcation!<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a0d61f970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plush Retreat 2012 group photo" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016766a0d61f970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a0d61f970b-800wi" title="Plush Retreat 2012 group photo" /></a><br />Last weekend (May 10-14) was the second annual <a href="http://www.plushteam.blogspot.com" target="_blank" title="Plush Team">Plush Team</a> retreat. Just like last year, there was so much joy, warmth, fun, laughter, and productivity all weekend. I'm sure it sounds like a tired refrain by now, but seriously, I can never adequately express just how awesome this team is, and how lucky I feel to be a member.</p><br /><p>This year's retreat was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was organized by the amazing <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yummypancake" target="_blank" title="Yummy Pancake Etsy shop">Yummy Pancake</a>. Though there were six fewer of us who made the trip this year, it was no less fun. I'm not sure I ever laugh quite as hard as I do when I'm with this group.</p><br /><p>Our view this year was very idyllic and peaceful. Most of us spent a few hours taking in this view each morning while sipping our tea or coffee.<a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a0dd8f970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02620" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016766a0dd8f970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a0dd8f970b-800wi" title="DSC02620" /></a>Two geese families lived on the pond, and each day we were visited by deer, hawks, vultures, herons, bald eagles, and all manner of backyard birds.</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba2d260970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02666" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168eba2d260970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba2d260970c-800wi" title="DSC02666" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad15c0970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02618" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016305ad15c0970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad15c0970d-800wi" title="DSC02618" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a0e0ef970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02700" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016766a0e0ef970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a0e0ef970b-800wi" title="DSC02700" /></a><br />A few bird families even lived in the walls of the cabin. Unfortunately for me and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HibouDesigns?ref=ss_profile" target="_blank" title="Hibou Designs Etsy Shop">Ann-Claire</a>, this was directly behind our beds, and we were awakened to a chorus of very loud cheeps every 20 minutes or so starting just before dawn.<br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad1745970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="early riser" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016305ad1745970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad1745970d-800wi" title="early riser" /></a><br />One of the highlights of the trip was the PA Fabric Outlet. It wasn't quite as big as S.R. Harris here at home, but the wall of buttons and trims was much more impressive. And cheap! <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba3117b970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="PA fabric outlet" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168eba3117b970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba3117b970c-800wi" title="PA fabric outlet" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad6499970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="PA fabric outlet" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016305ad6499970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad6499970d-800wi" title="PA fabric outlet" /></a><br />We also explored downtown Lititz, which was incredibly quaint. We had the most amazing meal there at the Tomato Pie Cafe (if you are ever offered tomato pie, eat it! You will not be sorry. It was so delicious that most of us became obsessed with it the rest of the weekend, plotting ways we might get it shipped to us or how we might make it ourselves.) and had a great time exploring the little shops and reading plaques on all the historic buildings.</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a1374f970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="downtown Lititz, PA" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016766a1374f970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a1374f970b-800wi" title="downtown Lititz, PA" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad666e970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="downtown Lititz, PA" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016305ad666e970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad666e970d-800wi" title="downtown Lititz, PA" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba31645970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="downtown Lititz, PA" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168eba31645970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba31645970c-800wi" title="downtown Lititz, PA" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba316b4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="downtown Lititz, PA" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168eba316b4970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba316b4970c-800wi" title="downtown Lititz, PA" /></a><br />Back at the house, there were tacos once again, Amy's famously delicious margaritas, and waaaaay too much sugar and chocolate (between the Amish homebaked goods we picked up at the Green Dragon farmer's/flea market and the chocolates from the Wilbur Chocolate Factory, we were guaranteed weekend-long sugar comas).</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad4fef970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="liquor and zombie-in-progress at Plush Retreat 2012" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016305ad4fef970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad4fef970d-800wi" title="liquor and zombie-in-progress at Plush Retreat 2012" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a1236e970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Margarita time!" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016766a1236e970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016766a1236e970b-800wi" title="Margarita time!" /></a><br />Of course there was much crafting, as well, including the awesome group-produced giant plush taco you can see in the first photo of this post. There were <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/100056117/bob-the-zombie-goes-to-the-circus" target="_blank" title="Squirrel Momma's Etsy shop">zombies</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/100109439/marimo-moss-ball-amigurumi" target="_blank" title="Moon Creations Etsy shop">moss balls</a>, poopsticks, appliqued onesies for the Moon Bun in the Oven, caged gouda, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiboucards/7221867830/" target="_blank" title="Hibou Designs angry panty">angry panties</a>, and so much more. . . . We also once again participated in a white elephant swap and the goods were so amazing that actual tears were shed when certain items were stolen.</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad6913970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plush Team Retreat 2012 White Elephant swap items" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c016305ad6913970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c016305ad6913970d-800wi" title="Plush Team Retreat 2012 White Elephant swap items" /></a><br /> But none of these things were quite as amazing as all the laughter. The conversations were hysterical and often we laughed until we cried.</p><br /><p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba31a08970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plush Goodness, Fuz Frenzy, and Cutesy but Not Cutesy" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168eba31a08970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba31a08970c-800wi" title="Plush Goodness, Fuz Frenzy, and Cutesy but Not Cutesy" /></a><br /> <a class="asset-img-link" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba31a51970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Moon's Creations and Yummy Pancake share a laugh" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168eba31a51970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168eba31a51970c-800wi" title="Moon's Creations and Yummy Pancake share a laugh" /></a><br />I sincerely love this whole group, and I can't wait for next year's retreat!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-9373788906367594392012-02-15T05:46:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.957-05:00Monster Mail<p>Every year, the <a href="http://www.plushteam.com/" target="_blank" title="Plush Team blog">Plush Team</a> participates in a little Secret Santa-style swap. This year we decided to push the deadline out to Leap Year, since the plush community is always crazy busy during the holidays.</p><br /><p>My swap this year came from the super talented Chelsea of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveandasandwich" target="_blank" title="Love and a Sandwich Etsy shop">Love and a Sandwich</a>! I've been wanting one of Chelsea's critters for a while now, so I was excited when I unwrapped this guy:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01676265b964970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02369" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01676265b964970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01676265b964970b-800wi" title="DSC02369" /></a></p><br /><p>He's very snuggly and also very well made. Check out his details:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01630170a4f1970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02370" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01630170a4f1970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01630170a4f1970d-800wi" title="DSC02370" /></a><br />I immediately hung him on my little plush wall:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01676265bb61970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02367" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01676265bb61970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01676265bb61970b-800wi" title="DSC02367" /></a><br />The space on the right looks a little empty, but I have some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ecoLEFTZ" target="_blank" title="ecoLEFTZ Esty shop">ecoLEFTZ</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yummypancake" target="_blank" title="Yummy Pancake Etsy shop">Yummy Pancake</a> goodies to hang there. . . .</p><br /><p>Anyway, my adorable little monster also came with a fabulous drawing:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01676265d447970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC02398" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01676265d447970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01676265d447970b-800wi" title="DSC02398" /></a><br />I love how he's salivating while he thinks about tacos, which is pretty much a daily occurrence for me too.</p><br /><p>Thanks, Chelsea, for the wonderful monster and drawing!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-74104840840740401552012-02-02T02:40:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.948-05:00Barnheart<p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0163008bede7970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01747" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0163008bede7970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0163008bede7970d-800wi" title="DSC01747" /></a><br />So, I've been very absent lately, and it's not all due to my typical craft fair hangover + post-holiday slump. No, for the past several months, I've been spending 3-6 hours every other week in a county fair building some 90 minutes west of my home, learning about holistic and whole farm management philosophies in a <a href="http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/farmbeg.html" target="_blank" title="Farm Beginnings">Farm Beginnings</a> program offered annually by the <a href="http://www.landstewardshipproject.org" target="_blank" title="Land Stewardship Project">Land Stewardship Project</a>. And a fair portion of my time outside the classroom has been spent researching, writing, and reconnecting with my favorite alpaca farmers.</p><br /><p>To many of you, this is no surprise. But some of you may be furrowing your brows in confusion or wonder. Let me explain. I've had a serious case of <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/The-Happy-Homesteader/Yearning-To-Farm.aspx" target="_blank" title="I have barnheart">Barnheart</a> for the past 5 years:</p><br /><p><em>"that sudden overcast feeling that hits you while at work or in the middle of the grocery store checkout line. It’s unequivocally knowing you want to be a farmer — and for whatever personal circumstances — cannot be one just yet. So there you are, heartsick and confused in the passing lane, wondering why you cannot stop thinking about heritage livestock and electric fences. . . .</em></p><br /><p><em>"It’s a dreamer’s disease: a mix of hope, determination, and grit. Specifically targeted at those of us who wish to god we were outside with our flocks, feed bags, or harnesses and instead are sitting in front of a computer screen."</em></p><br /><p><em><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168e68356ba970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC00430" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0168e68356ba970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0168e68356ba970c-800wi" title="DSC00430" /></a><br /></em>I'm hoping to find my cure for Barnheart in a heritage-breed fiber farm (sheep, goats, and alpaca) and fiber CSA. I long to spend my days working in and with rather than against nature. To be a good steward of the land. To do work that feeds my soul, while deepening my spiritual connection to both people and the natural world. To foster creativity and handmade pursuits within the community.</p><br /><p>That's right, nearly all my long-term goals are related to farming and living in the country and playing with fiber and just <em>doing</em>. I know it won't be easy. It takes a lot of grit—physical and mental—to run a farm and make a living from it. But it's what I want, truly. And I hope I can make it happen within the next two years, even if it's just part-time.<a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0163008c6e0d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Boys" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0163008c6e0d970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0163008c6e0d970d-800wi" title="Boys" /></a></p><br /><p>I've spent a lot of time this past year examining my values and goals and intentions. In doing so, it has become painfully clear to me that I have spent a good deal of time living outside of them, living out of integrity with myself. I've known since I was 18 that I wasn't really cut out for corporate life, and yet I've spent the last 15 years attempting to fit into that mold. I've taken the path of least resistance too many times instead of creating the life I want.</p><br /><p>My Farm Beginnings course is just one of many shifts (some tiny, others larger) that I've been making over the last year on my path toward intention. I want to be mindful of where I'm spending my time and energy, and if it isn't in service to my values in any way, then I need to foster change in that area.</p><br /><p>I know I'm starting to sound a little too woo-woo. This is what happens when you spend several months clarifying to yourself what you personally hold most dear and why, and exploring where your strengths intersect with your passions.</p><br /><p>So this is where I'm at. Researching. Exploring. Thinking. Acting slow. Acting purposefully. Taking baby steps. For someone who likes to leap feet first into almost everything, you have no idea how uncomfortable this is. But it's what needs to happen right now to move me closer to my goals. And I can only hope that the reward at the end will be all that much sweeter!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-81475068439474665662011-11-11T04:28:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.900-05:00Happy Corduroy Day!<p>Yes, folks, today is national Corduroy Appreciation Day, since 11|11|11 is the day that most resembles that glorius fabric, corduroy.</p><br /><p>To commemorate this momentous date, the Plush Team has teamed up with the Corduroy Appreciation Club. Eleven members of the <a title="Plush Team blog" href="http://www.plushteam.com" target="_blank">Plush Team</a> created a collection of 11 corduroy-inspired plush. These pieces will be displayed at the grand meeting celebrating all things corduroy at the Desmond Tutu Center in Manhattan on this most auspicious date. These pieces are available to the public to celebrate this every man's fabric in their own private collections. They may be purchased in the <a title="Plush Team Etsy shop" href="http://plushteam.etsy.com" target="_blank">PlushTeam's Etsy shop</a>.</p><br /><p>I had the pleasure of being one of the 11 artists, and I created a "waling" banshee for this event.</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fc4e110f970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0162fc4e110f970d" title=""Waling" Banshee" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fc4e110f970d-800wi" border="0" alt=""Waling" Banshee" /></a><br />According to Irish folklore, banshees are fairy women (or ghosts of women who died, commonly in childbirth) who wail when death is nigh. Their wails are most often heard at night near woods.</p><br /><p>My banshee is dressed in baby corduroy, or pinwale, for a play on the word "wailing." Her tattered dress is accented with ribbon and lace, and her split dagged sleeves feature a silk blend lining (because I still can't get <em>Game of Thrones</em> costuming out of my head). Her body is made of 100% wool felt, and her hair is mohair locks needle-felted into place. Her arms and fingers are wired and jointed for full range of motion. She comes with a doll stand.</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4533970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015436cc4533970c image-full" title=""Waling" Banshee" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4533970c-800wi" border="0" alt=""Waling" Banshee" /></a><br />I love my banshee. Seriously LOVE. I did not want to ship her to New York, I loved her so much. I haven't been this in love with one of my plush pieces since, well, probably ever. Which means I will definitely have to make more banshees in the future.</p><br /><p>All the pieces my fellow Plush Teamers created for this event are amazing. There's a Woody Allen plushcature:</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4ee1970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015436cc4ee1970c" title="Woody" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4ee1970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Woody" /></a><br />A <a></a><a title="Crazy Nasty-Ass Honey Badger with narration by Randall" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg" target="_blank">nasty ass honey badger </a>(if you don't understand this reference, click the link to watch the video NOW. Seriously, now. I'll wait.):<a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fc4e1b4b970d-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0162fc4e1b4b970d image-full" title="Honey" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fc4e1b4b970d-800wi" border="0" alt="Honey" /></a><br />And a plethora of amazing whales:</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4f34970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015436cc4f34970c image-full" title="Dapper" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4f34970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Dapper" /></a><br /><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4f63970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015436cc4f63970c image-full" title="Wale" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015436cc4f63970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Wale" /></a></p><br /><p>And if that weren't enough awesomesauce for you, last night, Rachel Maddow of MSNBC purchased that nasty-ass honey badger, and then FEATURED THREE PLUSH TEAM PLUSH ON HER SHOW, including my banshee. How amazing is that?!</p><br /><object width="592" height="346" id="msnbc3643bc" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=45250281^50540^82470&width=592&height=346" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed name="msnbc3643bc" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="592" height="346" FlashVars="launch=45250281^50540^82470&width=592&height=346" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 592px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">news about the economy</a></p><br /><p>Big, big props to Abby of <a title="Abbydid Blog" href="http://abbydid.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Abbydid </a>for organizing all this plush corduroy awesomeness.</p><br /><p>About the Club:<br />The <a title="Corduroy Appreciation Club" href="http://corduroyclub.com/" target="_blank">Corduroy Appreciation Club</a> is a social club which wishes to cultivate good fellowship by the advancement of Corduroy awareness, understanding, celebration and commemoration of the fabric and all related items. Club events are held on dates which resemble Corduroy.</p><br /><p>All Hail the Wale!!!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-52699554756916193732011-10-20T11:27:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.890-05:00Plush You! 2011 Review<p>Last week, I had the pleasure to attend the <a href="http://www.schmancytoys.com/blog/plush-you" target="_blank" title="Plush You! blog">Plush You!</a> show for the third time. I think the collection of plush on display, from about 60 different artists, was the best yet!</p><br /><p>I helped Kristen set up the show on Thursday night, which meant I got first dibs on buying a plush. I had such a hard time choosing which one to take home, but I finally settled on this handsome viking dude by <a href="http://pepperstitches.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Pepper Stitches blog">Pepper Stitches</a>:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364aeab6970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Pepper Stitches at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154364aeab6970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364aeab6970c-800wi" title="Pepper Stitches at Plush You! 2011" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.plushteam.com" target="_blank" title="Plush Team blog">Plush Team</a> was, of course, very well represented, including <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dkoss2" target="_blank" title="Cutesy but Not Cutesy Etsy shop">Cutesy but Not Cutesy</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlushGoodness" target="_blank" title="Plush Goodness Etsy shop">Plush Goodness</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HibouDesigns" target="_blank" title="Hibou Cards Etsy shop">Hibou Cards</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/weirdbuglady" target="_blank" title="Weird Bug Lady Etsy shop">Weird Bug Lady</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonscreations" target="_blank" title="Moons Creations">Moons Creations</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yummypancake" target="_blank" title="Yummy Pancake Etsy shop">Yummy Pancake</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/talkproof" target="_blank" title="Talkproof Etsy shop">Talkproof</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PterodactylPants" target="_blank" title="Pterodactyl Pants Etsy shop">Pterodactyl Pants</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenElevator" target="_blank" title="Green Elevator Etsy shop">Green Elevator</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yermit" target="_blank" title="Yermit Etsy shop">Yermit</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrumptiousdelight" target="_blank" title="Scrumptious Delight Etsy shop">Scrumptious Delight</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChrisCreatures" target="_blank" title="Chris Creatures Etsy shop">Chris Creatures</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/themdollz" target="_blank" title="ThEm DoLLz Etsy shop">ThEm DoLLz</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/greenstarstudio" target="_blank" title="Green Star Studio Etsy shop">Green Star Studio</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/needlings" target="_blank" title="Needlings Etsy Shop">Needlings</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreturFetur" target="_blank" title="Cretur Fetur">Cretur Fetur</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/squirrelmomma" target="_blank" title="Squirrel Momma Etsy shop">Squirrel Momma</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lowellandson" target="_blank" title="Lowell and Son Etsy shop">Lowell and Son</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/outoftheframe" target="_blank" title="Out of the Frame Etsy shop">Out of the Frame</a> (I think I mentioned every teamer in the show; apologies if I've left anyone out!).</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364afae4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plush You! 2011 " border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154364afae4970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364afae4970c-800wi" title="Plush You! 2011 " /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015392774870970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Hibou Cards at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015392774870970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015392774870970b-800wi" title="Hibou Cards at Plush You! 2011" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbccccde970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Scrumptious Delight and Chris Creatures at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0162fbccccde970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbccccde970d-800wi" title="Scrumptious Delight and Chris Creatures at Plush You! 2011" /></a></p><br /><p>My dudes looked pretty awesome in their little cubby, keeping good company with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebymoxie" target="_blank" title="Made by Moxie Etsy shop">Moxie</a>'s awesome e-textile monsters.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbcccf0a970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plushroom Soup and Moxie at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0162fbcccf0a970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbcccf0a970d-800wi" title="Plushroom Soup and Moxie at Plush You! 2011" /></a><br />I even got to chat with Moxie for a spell, and she is as supremely awesome as her critters are.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364b19bc970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Me and Moxie posing at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154364b19bc970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364b19bc970c-800wi" title="Me and Moxie posing at Plush You! 2011" /></a><br />I also met Anisa from Nonsense Institue (she's so sweet!):</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364b1a32970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Nonsense Institute at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154364b1a32970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364b1a32970c-800wi" title="Nonsense Institute at Plush You! 2011" /></a><br />And another plush-maker from Minnesota! She even lives in my neighborhood! Meghan and her husband were so fun to chat with, and I can't wait to get my craft on with Meghan sometime. Her toys are not only cool to look at, but they're interactive too!</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbccd333970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Meghan and the Geirdoz at Plush You! 2011" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0162fbccd333970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbccd333970d-800wi" title="Meghan and the Geirdoz at Plush You! 2011" /></a><br />Aside from the show, I also visted the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, Bainbridge, the Asian Art Museum, the conservatory in Volunteer Park, the Japanese Gardens, the Arboretum, Fremont Market, and Pike Place Market. I would say Bainbridge and the Japanese Garden were the highlights for me this year.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbccd8dd970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="View of Olympic Mountains from Bainbridge Island" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0162fbccd8dd970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0162fbccd8dd970d-800wi" title="View of Olympic Mountains from Bainbridge Island" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364b2e36970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Japanese Gardens, Seattle" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154364b2e36970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154364b2e36970c-800wi" title="Japanese Gardens, Seattle" /></a><br />You can see many more photos of the show and my adventures around Seattle on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87199759@N00/sets/72157627802105363/" target="_blank" title="Plush You! 2011 set on Flickr">Flickr</a>.</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-46401542874175499192011-09-27T14:51:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.841-05:00Ta Daaaaa!<p>It's finally time to reveal my finished plushies from the last post!</p><br /><p>First up is my interpretation of the La Catrinas from Dia de los Muertos festivals. She's heading to the <a href="http://starkweatherarts.com/" target="_blank" title="Starkweather Arts">Starkweather Arts Center</a> in Romeo, Michigan for a Day of the Dead show. The show will run October 7-29, and there are lots of amazing artists participating (I think the Plush Team may have a slight monopoly on the exhibit!), so if you're in the area, be sure to check it out!</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bbb92b4970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="La Catrina" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8bbb92b4970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bbb92b4970d-800wi" title="La Catrina" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154359b3dfc970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="la catrina" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154359b3dfc970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154359b3dfc970c-800wi" title="la catrina" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154359b3e4c970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="la catrina" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154359b3e4c970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154359b3e4c970c-800wi" title="la catrina" /></a> <br /> I really enjoyed making this catrina, so I've cut out a few more and hope to put at least one in the <a href="http://plushroomsoup.etsy.com" target="_blank" title="Plushroom Soup Etsy shop">Etsy</a> shop soon.</p><br /><p>I'm even more pleased with how my pieces for this year's <a href="http://www.schmancytoys.com/blog/plush-you" target="_blank" title="Plush You blog">Plush You!</a> turned out. As I mentioned, I decided to continue with the fractured fairy tale theme I employed <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/2010/10/plush-you-seattle.html" target="_blank" title="Plush You Seattle 2010">last year</a>. I decided to take popular women characters and turn them into men instead. First up, we have Cinderfella, who of course couldn't even <em>conceive</em> of leaving the party before midnight, so he lost a slipper and his stagecoach turned back into just an ordinary, if rather large, pumpkin:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015435bd6cce970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Cinderfella Plush loses his glass slipper" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015435bd6cce970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015435bd6cce970c-800wi" title="Cinderfella Plush loses his glass slipper" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015435bd85d4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Cinderfella plush doll" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015435bd85d4970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015435bd85d4970c-800wi" title="Cinderfella plush doll" /></a>This guy was a LOT of work. He has little glass slippers (made from vinyl), a gored, ribbon-trimmed doublet (that'd be his skirt), a wool jacket with fancy buttons, and a cotton eyelet ruff (collar).</p><br /><p>I don't know what possessed me to make him a gored doublet (okay, yes I do—George R.R. Martin, I'm looking at YOU). Because I don't really make clothes. I've tried in the past to make clothes for myself and the results have been fairly disastrous. So making them even tinier? With no prior experience and no pattern? But thanks in large part to all things <em>Game of Thrones</em>, I just had to dress my little dudes in fancy medieval/Renaissance/Tudor costumes. On top of that, I've always been a jump-right-in-and-just-figure-it-out sort of gal. Luckily, things turned out well. For the most part. I did have to re-sew Cinderfella's and the next guy's coats, but that was only because I miscalculated measurements and they were too small the first time.</p><br /><p>So anyway, a lot of work. But I'm so, so happy with the result.</p><br /><p>Which brings us to Alex . . . in Wonderland. <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015391ea245c970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Alex in Wonderland plush doll" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015391ea245c970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015391ea245c970b-800wi" title="Alex in Wonderland plush doll" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bdddd2d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Alex in Wonderland close-up" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8bdddd2d970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bdddd2d970d-800wi" title="Alex in Wonderland close-up" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bdddd7d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Alex in Wonderland pantaloons" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8bdddd7d970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bdddd7d970d-800wi" title="Alex in Wonderland pantaloons" /></a> As you can tell, he's not at all sure about this Wonderland place. But isn't he just adorable? I'm in love with his jaunty little outfit, right down to the adorable white rabbit buttons I found to fasten the sides of his knickers/pantaloons!</p><br /><p>Last but not least, we have Sleeping Brawny.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015391ea2ac0970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Sleeping Brawny plush doll" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015391ea2ac0970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015391ea2ac0970b-800wi" title="Sleeping Brawny plush doll" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015435bd94d4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Sleeping Brawny plush doll" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015435bd94d4970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015435bd94d4970c-800wi" title="Sleeping Brawny plush doll" /></a> This guy is my favorite of the three. I think mostly because I love how his jacket turned out, and even on the first try! Also, his mustache is pretty great, no?</p><br /><p>All three of these guys are packed up and ready to head to Seattle. Plush You! opens on October 13 this year, with an opening reception from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Hope to see you there!</p><br /><p> </p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-92061700872360484232011-09-19T15:00:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.832-05:00Works in Progress<p>I'm entering into my second busiest time of year (second only to the frenzied activities leading up to No Coast each year): Plush You!, Halloween, and Dia de los Muertos.</p><br /><p>I've always wanted to participate in a Dia de los Muertos show, and this year I finally have the opportunity to do so.</p><br /><p>I was inspired by the wodden la catrina dolls common in Day of the Dead festivities, and immediately started picturing elegant plush versions.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f5d0a970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01818" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154358f5d0a970c" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f5d0a970c-800wi" title="DSC01818" /></a> <br /><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>I've drawn out the pattern, and selected a few fabrics.</em></span></p><br /><p>Once I got started, though, I couldn't stop thinking about <em>Game of Thrones</em> (I've been reading the books <em>and</em> watching the HBO series). In the books, the author is consistently mentioning women wearing dresses with dagged sleeves. So I knew I had to incorporate them into my catrina.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f668d970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01823" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154358f668d970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f668d970c-800wi" title="DSC01823" /></a> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>Ready to turn right side out. The dagged sleeves are sitting under her arms.</em></span></p><br /><p>And the <em>Game of Thrones</em> influence didn't stop there. I've also been simultaneously working on my Plush You! pieces: three fractured fairy tale dudes, all dressed in costumes inspired by the books, the show, and my general love of tudor/renaissance/medieval period dramas. Here's a sneak peek of all them sewn up, but not turned right side out yet:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f6256970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01857" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154358f6256970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f6256970c-800wi" title="DSC01857" /></a></p><br /><p>Can you guess any of their identities? Here's a few hints:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bafcbc0970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01888" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8bafcbc0970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bafcbc0970d-800wi" title="DSC01888" /></a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8bafcbc0970d-pi" style="display: inline;"></a> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f63d0970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01897" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154358f63d0970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f63d0970c-800wi" title="DSC01897" /></a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f63d0970c-pi" style="display: inline;"></a> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f654b970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01861" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0154358f654b970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0154358f654b970c-800wi" title="DSC01861" /></a> <br /><br />I'll show you all four finished pieces later this week, and we'll see how many of you accurately guessed my Plush You! pieces. :)<br /><br /></p><br /><p> </p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-76777298024337312052011-07-04T05:32:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.783-05:00Creature Collaboration<p>What happens when you combine two monster makers, one pattern from each maker's repertoire, and no instructions? A pretty fantastic collaboration.</p><br /><p>Daniel Allyn Lee of <a href="http://happycloudthunderhead.com/" target="_blank" title="Happycloud Thunderhead">Happycloud Thunderhead</a> contacted me a while back and suggested we collaborate in some way. We decided that we would each cut out two of the same pattern, make one ourselves while sending the copy to the other person with no instructions, and see what happened.<a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8996d4c7970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plushroom Soup meets Happycloud Thunderhead" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8996d4c7970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8996d4c7970d-800wi" title="Plushroom Soup meets Happycloud Thunderhead" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538fa36bef970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Plushroom Soup meets Happycloud Thunderhead" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01538fa36bef970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538fa36bef970b-800wi" title="Plushroom Soup meets Happycloud Thunderhead" /></a> It turns out that Daniel and my husband share the same hometown (they were even in the same graduating class—small world!), which we visit quite often, so I suggested Daniel and I meet up this weekend while I was out there.</p><br /><p>Daniel is just as awesome as the fantastic plush he creates. We had a great time chatting and playing with our monsters. It's probably fairly obvious whose is whose, but just in case, here's what I made: <img alt="Plushroom Soup" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8996d74c970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8996d74c970d-800wi" title="Plushroom Soup" />And here's what Daniel made: <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538fa36d36970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Happycloud Thunderhead" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01538fa36d36970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538fa36d36970b-800wi" title="Happycloud Thunderhead" /></a>I can not stop giggling over what Daniel did with my imp pattern. The hat! The britches! But most of all, the jaunty little bow tie! I think bow tie-bedecked plushies might become my next collection obsession. . . .</p><br /><p>It was so much fun seeing Daniel's take on my patterns, and how different the "same" creature could look when our own style was applied to it. I'd definitely do this kind of collaboration again!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-84861403999323017322011-05-25T04:16:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.775-05:00Plush Exclusive<p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01543284d662970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="5744213144_cbf6b69f6a_o" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01543284d662970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01543284d662970c-800wi" title="5744213144_cbf6b69f6a_o" /></a> <br />I'm thrilled to announce my first-ever exclusive plush design: zomberries! I only made 17 of these sinister fruits, and I made them exclusively for <a href="http://www.schmancytoys.com/" target="_blank" title="Schmancy Toys">Schmancy Toys</a> in Seattle.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538eb1d9d2970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="5743663885_16c5485da6_o" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01538eb1d9d2970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538eb1d9d2970b-800wi" title="5743663885_16c5485da6_o" /></a> <br />If you're not familiar, each month or so, Schmancy's owner, the stupendous Kristen Rask (also the gal behind the annual Plush You! show), asks a different plush artist to make an exlusive toy sold only in her shop. I was beyond excited and extremely flattered when she contacted me to participate, putting me in the company of such plush superstars as <a href="http://robynfabsits.com/" target="_blank" title="Robyn Fabsits">Robyn Fabsits</a>, <a href="http://mysticforestdwellers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Mystic Forest Dwellers">Michal Wright-Ward</a>, and <a href="http://leeannasthread.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Meet Sam and Pete">Leeanna Butcher</a>.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538eb1da84970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="5744214312_e63d6847d8_b" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01538eb1da84970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538eb1da84970b-800wi" title="5744214312_e63d6847d8_b" /></a> <br />I made two different sizes, with varying levels of decay. You can read more about my inspiration behind the design in an <a href="http://www.schmancytoys.com/blog/plush-you/plushroom-soup-interview-and-plush-exclusive" target="_blank" title="Plushroom Soup interview with Kristen Rask">interview</a> on Kristen's blog, and you can buy your very own zomberry in her <a href="http://www.schmancytoys.com/products/categories/schmancy-exclusive" target="_blank" title="Schmancy Toys Online Shop">online shop</a>. But don't delay! Once they're gone, they're gone!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-29365926994074636592011-05-23T08:15:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.727-05:00Upcoming Events<p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e88980d34970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Picture 3" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e88980d34970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e88980d34970d-800wi" title="Picture 3" /></a> <br />I will be a vendor this June at the first-ever <a href="http://www.unraveleddiyfestival.com/" target="_blank" title="Unraveled DIY Festival">Unraveled DIY Festival</a>, an event presented by the <a href="http://www.textilecentermn.org/" target="_blank" title="MN Textile Center">MN Textile Center</a>, in conjunction with this year's <a href="http://www.surfacedesign.org/" target="_blank" title="Surface Design Association">Surface Design Association</a> Conference. I have no idea what to expect, since this is the first year, but given the narrow focus of the show and the built-in audience of all the conference attendees, I'm hopeful that this will be a good show. If nothing else, it will be an excellent networking opportunity. Hope to see you there!</p><br /><p>Details:<br /> Friday, June 10, 2011<br />6 - 9 pm<br />Rapson Hall (University of MN)<br />89 Church Street SE<br />Minneapolis, MN 55455<br />You can park in the Church Street parking garage is located across the street from Rapson Hall.</p><br /><p>Festival Admission: $3.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432776be1970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Picture 4" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015432776be1970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432776be1970c-800wi" title="Picture 4" /></a> <br />Also, I will once again be teaching regularly at <a href="http://www.craftyplanet.com" target="_blank" title="Crafty Planet">Crafty Planet</a>. I'm really looking forward to teaching others how to craft, and excited to stretch my skills a bit and hone my teaching techniques. I'd love to see you in one of my classes! More details to come soon for each class, as I'm still working out my syllabi.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.craftyplanet.com/mtarchives/events/000410.html" target="_blank" title="Beginning Needle-Felting Class at Crafty Planet">Beginning Needle-Felting</a><br />Sunday, June 26<br />11 am - 2 pm</p><br /><p>Make Your Own Plushie<br />Tuesday, July 19<br />6 - 9 pm</p><br /><p>Beginning 3D Pattern Drafting<br />Thursdays, August 25 & September 1<br />6 - 9 pm</p><br /><p>Beginning Needle-Felting<br />Sunday, October 2<br />11 am - 2 pm</p><br /><p>Plush Monster<br />Sunday, October 30<br />11 am - 2 pm</p><br /><p> </p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-52966010191911313272011-05-21T08:14:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.717-05:00Crafty Planet Underwater<p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432721db5970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Underwaterfull" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015432721db5970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432721db5970c-800wi" title="Underwaterfull" /></a> <br />The <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/2011/03/largesse.html" target="_blank" title="Largesse">large sea monster </a>I made a few months ago now graces <a href="http://www.craftyplanet.com/" target="_blank" title="Crafty Planet">Crafty Planet</a>'s window, along with a bunch of other fantastic underwater-themed plush. I think Adrienne's totally amazeballs display is her best yet!</p><br /><p>The window also features plush from a few fellow Plush Teamers—the sea turtle is by <a href="http://www.hiboucards.etsy.com/" target="_blank" title="Hibou Cards">Hibou Cards</a>, the star fish, rocks, and plants are by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/arttales" target="_blank" title="LeftZ Etsy Shop">LeftZ</a>, and the sea horse is by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chriscreatures" target="_blank" title="Chris Creatures Etsy Shop">Chris Creatures</a>. The rest of the creatures were made by the talented staff at Crafty Planet. Let's take a closer look, shall we?</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8892c78b970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Seahorse" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8892c78b970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8892c78b970d-800wi" title="Seahorse" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432722667970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Starfish" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015432722667970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432722667970c-800wi" title="Starfish" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432722694970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Turtle" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015432722694970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432722694970c-800wi" title="Turtle" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01543272270f970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Wheel2" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01543272270f970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01543272270f970c-800wi" title="Wheel2" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432722736970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Anglerfish" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c015432722736970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c015432722736970c-800wi" title="Anglerfish" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8892c90c970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Monster" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8892c90c970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8892c90c970d-800wi" title="Monster" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8892ca06970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Fishes" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e8892ca06970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e8892ca06970d-800wi" title="Fishes" /></a> <br /><br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538e9f32f9970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Windowright" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c01538e9f32f9970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c01538e9f32f9970b-800wi" title="Windowright" /></a> <br />The display should be up for at least the next few months. If you live in or are visiting the Minneapolis area, be sure to check it out!<br /><br /></p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-2930254541349079782011-04-07T04:42:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.669-05:00Plushcation<p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e3ca938e970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01326" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e3ca938e970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e3ca938e970b-800wi" title="DSC01326" /></a> <br />As you may know, I had the privilege of attending the first ever <a href="http://www.plushteam.blogspot.com" target="_blank" title="Plush Team">Plush Team</a> retreat last weekend (March 31–April 3). Seventeen Plush Teamers descended on Luray, Virginia, for a 3-day craft fest. As testament to how awesome the Plush Team really is, note that 17 women, all armed with multiple sharp stabby implements, managed to share 3 bathrooms for the whole weekend and <em>no one got hurt</em>. But even cooler, there was so much joy, warmth, and inspiration flowing all weekend long. This is truly an amazing group.</p><br /><p>I started my trip early Thursday morning and touched down in D.C. around noon. The super talented and sweet <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChrisCreatures?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank" title="Chris Creatures Etsy shop">Chris</a> picked me up from the airport (who despite spending about 6 hours in a car with me that day (it's a long story), failed to mention until the retreat was almost over that she's a breakdancer. And was in an episode of Ace of Cakes. See what I mean about this being an amazing group?), and we proceeded to make our way southwest to this gem: <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f6cd4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Cabin" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e606f6cd4970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f6cd4970c-800wi" title="Cabin" /></a> which boasted this view: <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874ae731970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01228" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e874ae731970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874ae731970d-800wi" title="DSC01228" /></a> Rough, right?<a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874af015970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01250" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e874af015970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874af015970d-800wi" title="DSC01250" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f7715970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01246" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e606f7715970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f7715970c-800wi" title="DSC01246" /></a> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874af26b970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01240" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e874af26b970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874af26b970d-800wi" title="DSC01240" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f788d970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01245" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e606f788d970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f788d970c-800wi" title="DSC01245" /></a> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f7bd8970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01225" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e606f7bd8970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e606f7bd8970c-800wi" title="DSC01225" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874af84d970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC01224" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e874af84d970d image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e874af84d970d-800wi" title="DSC01224" /></a> <br />The next few days were a whirlwind of hugs, laughter, fluff, sewing, crocheting, needle-felting, tacos, amazing home-baked goods, hilarious stories, plush-stealing (and sharing), memes, and all-around crafty bonding. We all had so much fun, we're already starting to plot next year's retreat. Hopefully more of the Plush Team will have a chance to join us, because I can't say enough good things about this group of people.</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-24300738511528468272011-03-28T03:47:00.000-05:002014-07-28T15:07:36.658-05:00Largesse<p>Last month, the ever awesome Adrienne at <a href="http://www.craftyplanet.com" target="_blank" title="Crafty Planet">Crafty Planet</a> asked me if I'd make a critter for another window display (you may remember she designed a <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/2010/02/goings-on.html" target="_blank" title="Plushroom Soup - Goings On">yeti-themed window</a> last winter). This time, she requested a giant octopus. I'd been wanting to make a large version of one of my critters for quite some time, so I was especially excited about this request. Here's the finished result, hanging out in Crafty Planet:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e380ec0a970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Epic Sea Monster" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e380ec0a970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e380ec0a970b-800wi" title="Epic Sea Monster" /></a> Isn't he fun? He's 24" tall and made of super soft fleece (my first time using fleece for a plush), with a wool face, wool suckers, and wool fish prey (who all have needle-felted wounds). His tentacles are wired for posability.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e60263955970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Ahhh! He's coming right for me!" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c014e60263955970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c014e60263955970c-800wi" title="Ahhh! He's coming right for me!" /></a> <br />I had so much fun making this guy, I already cut out another larger octopus. And I'm definitely going to make time for a large yeti before No Coast this year as well. I'm thinking about 4' tall. . . . Frankly, I don't know why I haven't gone large before. The larger the plush, the easier it is to make. It seems counterintuitive, but I often have to fight with tiny parts to turn them right side out and get the stuffing just so. Especially with tentacles. Unfortunately, plushies are a bit of niche market as it is, and I'm not sure there's much of a market for supersized plush. Partly due to the expense, but also, what does a person do with a 2-foot octopus (other than display him in a window, of course)?</p><br /><p>Anyway, I'll post pictures as soon as the window is complete. Adrienne has some super fun stuff up her sleeve for this one, and I think it will be the best Crafty Planet window yet. I even got a few members of the <a href="http://www.plushteam.blogspot.com" target="_blank" title="Plush Team">Plush Team</a> to contribute, so it will be loads of plushie fun!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-91711711310500462322011-01-30T08:48:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.609-05:00My Pet Stegosaurus<p>The <a href="http://www.plushteam.com/" target="_blank" title="Plush Team Blog">Plush Team</a> did a Russian Christmas plush swap this year, and I was lucky enough to receive a super awesome stegosaurus from Mary of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtTales?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank" title="ArtTales Leftz Etsy Shop">ArtTales/LeftZ</a>!</p><br /><p>Stinson (as I'm calling him) instantly made friends with one of my cotton candy yetis.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e2224acd970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Yeti befriends Stinson" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e2224acd970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e2224acd970b-800wi" title="Yeti befriends Stinson" /></a></p><br /><p>Each one of Mary's unique creations is eco-friendly. She repurposes thrift-store finds for their bodies, stuffs them with recycled plastic bags (you'd have no idea if she didn't tell you! They're stuffed really firmly and are super cuddly.), and their "good" eye is made from layerd vintage buttons.</p><br /><p>"Good eye?! What does that mean?" you might exclaim. Stinson isn't shy, he'll show you:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e2225120970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="yeti and stinson" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e2225120970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e2225120970b-800wi" title="yeti and stinson" /></a></p><br /><p>Hee hee! I love the wounded eye. It gives Stinson so much character.</p><br /><p>Thanks again, Mary, for my wonderful stegosaurus! He will be cherised!</p><br /><p> </p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-52086405269854865462011-01-17T16:17:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.600-05:00I Want Candy<p>This weekend, the first ever <a href="http://www.plushteam.com/" target="_blank" title="Plush Team blog">Plush Team</a> group show opens at <a href="http://www.hotpopshop.com/" target="_blank" title="Hot Pop">Hot*Pop</a> in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The show's theme is Candyland, which we were all allowed to interpret any way we saw fit.</p><br /><p>For some reason, the very first thing that came to mind when I heard the theme was "Candy Mountain, Charlie! Charrrrrrlieeeeeee." If you're not familiar, go <a href="www.filmcow.com/videofiles/charlietheunicorn.mov" target="_blank" title="Charlie the Unicorn ">watch the video</a> first, then look at the plush version I created below.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b976b1970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Candy Mountain" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7b976b1970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b976b1970c-800wi" title="Candy Mountain" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b978c6970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Candy Mountain Detail" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7b978c6970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b978c6970c-800wi" title="Candy Mountain Detail" /></a> I painstakingly sculpted out of Fimo all the candy pieces for Candy Mountain. The lollipops were so much fun to make! Aside from that, I must admit that it was a bit of a pain in the arse to make such tiny candy pieces out of clay, and an even bigger pain to attach them all to the mountain. But it was well worth it, I think. I love the way candy mountain turned out.<br />I also love the way Charlie the Unicorn turned out, though I wish I had made Candy Mountain to scale.<br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b97b1a970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Charlie the Unicorn at Candy Mountain" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7b97b1a970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b97b1a970c-800wi" title="Charlie the Unicorn at Candy Mountain" /></a>The best part about Charlie is that if you turn him around, he bears the scar from his kidney removal, just like at the end of the video!<br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b97d90970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Charlie's Kidney is Stolen" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7b97d90970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b97d90970c-800wi" title="Charlie's Kidney is Stolen" /></a> <br /> The second piece I made for the show is Grandma Sugarsweet: <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b06f32970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Grandma Sugarsweet Plush doll" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e1b06f32970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b06f32970b-800wi" title="Grandma Sugarsweet Plush doll" /></a>Forget about eating your broccoli. This "sweet" old lady caters only to your sweet tooth. Eat your sugar, dearie!</p><br /><p>Again, the candy pieces, as well as Grandma's tray, were sculpted from Fimo. The candy ribbons were fun to make also. My grandpa always had a tin of these by his chair when I was growing up.  <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b98d0e970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="candy on a tray" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7b98d0e970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b98d0e970c-800wi" title="candy on a tray" /></a> Grandma Sugarsweet hits the candy a bit too hard, I think. She's always got a stray lolli or cane stuck to her!<br /><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b076d3970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="sticky grandma sugarsweet plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e1b076d3970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b076d3970b-800wi" title="sticky grandma sugarsweet plushie" /></a>And finally, my favorite piece, the Gingerbread Zombie (or as I like to call him, Gingerzombie, because it makes me giggle): <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b07a7c970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="gingerbread zombie plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e1b07a7c970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b07a7c970b-800wi" title="gingerbread zombie plushie" /></a> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b99b02970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="gingerbread zombie plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7b99b02970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7b99b02970c-800wi" title="gingerbread zombie plushie" /></a> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b07f2c970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="gingerbread zombie plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e1b07f2c970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e1b07f2c970b-800wi" title="gingerbread zombie plushie" /></a> <br /> The show opens Friday, January 21 and runs through March 20. So if you're in or near Milwaukee, make sure you pop in and see the show! Many talented plush creators contributed awesome designs to the show.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /></p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-47008449702008028252011-01-14T13:58:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.551-05:00Etsy and a Community of Respect<div>Today Etsy announced that it would be <a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/policy-change-prohibiting-items-and-listings-that-disparage--11599/" target="_blank" title="Policy Change: Prohibiting Items and Listings that Disparage or Promote Hate">changing it's Terms of Use</a> (TOU) to include specific language about prohibiting items that "disparage or promote hate." While I ultimately agree with the decision they made, the events leading up to it and the key themes within the comments on the article left me with a bit of a bad taste.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>If you're not familiar with the story behind these changes, I'll offer a brief history. Last week, some controversy arose around a particular seller who was making cards that most found offensive. Many believe the cards promote hatred, particularly against people with disabilities, rape victims, and Christians. Yet others saw the cards as just being in poor taste and got on with their lives (and I'm sure you can tell which category I fall into by my tone). But those who were offended? Thanks to the power of social media, they created a feeding frenzy of negativity that ultimately led to higher exposure and sales for the seller. Angry viewers posted and reposted links on Facebook, Tweeted their horror, and routed a petition to ban this seller from Etsy, and soon the story hit CNN and Etsy announced their TOU changes.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Since I ultimately think it's a good thing that Etsy has a specific anti-hate policy, why does this story bother me?</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Well, it feels a little bit like a witch hunt, doesn't it? You offended me, so in my righteous indignation, I round up all my friends and their friends and their friends, and we come get you. Hooray us! All the while we applaud Etsy for their decision because respect has won the day!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>But has it?</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Here are but a few of the over 600 comments (as of this posting) on the Etsy article:</div><br /><ul><br /><li>"good riddance to that creep"</li><br /><li>"that crap isn't tolerated in the forums and shouldn't be for sale either"</li><br /><li>"I am pleased that someone has recognized MY right not to have to wade through offensive, disgusting material that some people try to pass off as arts and crafts."</li><br /></ul><br /><p>Granted, most of the comments are just harmless "I support this decision" or "glad to hear it" type of things. But the comments like the ones above really disturb me, especially in light of how many people said things along the lines of "now we can return to being a compassionate and respectful art community." So because you personally were offended by something someone you never met did, suddenly the entire community is a disrespectful mire of filth? What?</p><br /><p>Even more disturbing, perhaps, is that many people congratulated Etsy on taking the high road, though many of them took the low road to force Etsy's hand on the issue, hurling abusive comments at the seller (and even Etsy administrators) online. So why is it okay to hurl insults at someone who offended you while demanding respect for yourself? Is it okay to be rude and insensitive to someone just because you feel they were rude and insensitive to you? <br /> <br /> I don't think so.<br /> <br /> Where has common sense gone? I was raised to respect other people regardless of whether or not I agreed with them. If I think you are doing something in poor taste, well, then, I'm going to take personal responsibility for myself and look the other way. "But this person was hurting others," you might say. I can appreciate the argument, but it's a fine line. Some have vulgar senses of humor, yes. But does that make them wrong and you right?</p><br /><p>Many comments also (rightfully) question who decides what is or isn't offensive, and the resounding reply in the comments is "we the people." But remember when we the people decided a group of teenage girls were witches? Or when we the people thought slavery and segregation was a good idea?</p><br /><p>We all have to be very, very careful where these kinds of movements might lead us. Ask yourself how you would feel if the lens were turned on you. What if an angry mob suddenly decided something you were doing was offensive? Would you still agree that "we the people" had a right to decide you suck?</p><br /><p>All beings deserve respect. You don't have to like them, you don't have to buy their wares or support their cause. But you should, at the very least, do what your mother always told you to do: treat them as you yourself would like to be treated.</p><br /><p>My four or five cents.</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-82646548661891336832010-12-29T08:32:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.543-05:00On Loan<p>My poor sewing machine has gotten sick twice in the past two weeks. The first time I took her in, I was able to get her fixed on the spot. No such luck this last time. They think it will take at least 10 days to fix what ails her, so in the meantime I have a loaner:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7218baf970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC00762" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7218baf970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7218baf970c-800wi" title="DSC00762" /></a></p><br /><p>And much like last time I needed a loaner (more than 2 years ago), I am not a happy camper. It's loud, shakes my whole sewing table while it sews, and it's not at all intuitive (and the instructional manual leaves a lot to be desired).Worst of all, it doesn't have the stitch I use most, the triple straight stitch, which makes me feel like I'm making inferior products.</p><br /><p>It's so funny how we can get so attached to our tools, isn't it? My <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/2009/06/sewing-machine-meme.html" target="_blank" title="Sewing Machine Meme">hardworking, over-abused Elna</a> is my most important tool. For some of her faults, being without her just feels wrong. It has me considering investing in a cheaper backup machine. Do any of you have a backup machine? Any brands you'd recommend? What is your most important tool?</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-4560671002589626342010-12-24T04:43:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.494-05:00Happy, Merry, Joy!<p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7068486970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC00672" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7068486970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7068486970c-800wi" title="DSC00672" /></a> 56 yeti ornaments made this season (and the orders are still coming in!).</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0fd2c33970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC00696" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e0fd2c33970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0fd2c33970b-800wi" title="DSC00696" /></a> <br /> <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0fd2ddc970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC00703" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e0fd2ddc970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0fd2ddc970b-800wi" title="DSC00703" /></a> 8 Christmas zombies (and more orders to go).</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7068884970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="DSC00661" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c7068884970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c7068884970c-800wi" title="DSC00661" /></a>Plushroom Soup has had an amazing, amazing end of year and holiday season. Thank you all so much for the kind words, the sharing, the buying, the support. However you and your loved ones celebrate the season, I hope it is filled with much joy and laughter.</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-79950246736791494302010-12-06T08:35:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.484-05:00No Coast Wrap-Up<p> <br /><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d5399970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e06d5399970b image-full" title="Plushroom Soup booth at 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama, Day 1" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d5399970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Plushroom Soup booth at 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama, Day 1" /></a><a title="No Coast Craft-o-Rama" href="http://www.nocoastcraft.com" target="_blank">No Coast</a> was lots of fun again this year, despite a rather slower than usual pace. More shoppers came out Friday than Saturday, or at least the per-sale average was higher on Friday than Saturday. This despite the 8 inches of snow that fell throughout the afternoon and evening!</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c676e936970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c676e936970c image-full" title="Plushroom Soup booth at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama, Day 2" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c676e936970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Plushroom Soup booth at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama, Day 2" /></a> I was in a new area this year; most of section B was tucked into the area formerly known as the Jade Restaurant. It was a slightly tricky space, but I think we all made it work. I had lots of fun hamming it up with my neighbors, most notably Maya from <a title="Roxiedoggie" href="http://www.roxiedoggie.com/Roxiedoggie/Home.html" target="_blank">Roxiedoggie</a>.</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d5a54970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e06d5a54970b image-full" title="Maya of Roxiedoggie at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d5a54970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Maya of Roxiedoggie at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" /></a> Her wooden pet food bowls are AMAZING. Plus, she's super sweet and fun. <a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d89d2970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e06d89d2970b image-full" title="DSC00601" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d89d2970b-800wi" border="0" alt="DSC00601" /></a>I made a few purchases this year: an awesome Robot T-shirt (with its own origin comic!) from <a title="Minty Fresh Monster Apparel" href="http://www.mfmapparel.com/shirts/13-The-Minty-Fresh-Monster" target="_blank">Minty Fresh Monster</a>, a fun red dress from <a title="Mary Pass Clothing Design" href="http://www.marypass.com" target="_blank">Mary Pass Clothing Design</a>, and two adorable note cards from <a title="Happy Go Lucky Creations" href="www.happygoluckycreations.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Happy Go Lucky Creations</a>. I also made a fun trade with my other booth neighbor, <a title="Breaksea Upcycle Etsy Shop" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Breaksea" target="_blank">Breaksea Upcycle</a>, for the sewing machine T-shirt and hairclip (matches my new red dress!). Breaksea makes awesome mittens out of recycled childrens pants (pockets on the back of the mitten!). <br /><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d8eff970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e06d8eff970b" title="5199866488_72b2486230" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d8eff970b-800wi" border="0" alt="5199866488_72b2486230" /></a> <br /><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d8f96970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e06d8f96970b" title="4912291792_442353b27f" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d8f96970b-800wi" border="0" alt="4912291792_442353b27f" /></a> <br />There were lots and lots of new vendors this year among the old favorites like Adam Turman, Crafty Planet, I Like You, and My Friend Jess. I wish I had taken pictures of the newbies; they were all very sweet and their booths looked awesome!</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c676ed5c970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c676ed5c970c image-full" title="I Like You at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c676ed5c970c-800wi" border="0" alt="I Like You at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" /></a> Amy was able to help me out on Saturday this year. I really missed vending with her last year, so even if she wasn't selling anything, it was super fun to have her in the booth with me again!</p><br /><p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c676efd4970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0148c676efd4970c image-full" title="Amy and Jessica together again at No Coast!" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0148c676efd4970c-800wi" border="0" alt="Amy and Jessica together again at No Coast!" /></a> <a style="display: inline;" href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d9926970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e06d9926970b image-full" title="Plushroom Soup at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e06d9926970b-800wi" border="0" alt="Plushroom Soup at the 2010 No Coast Craft-o-Rama" /></a> And, even if it was a little slow, I completely sold out of yeti ornaments (as has <a title="I Like You" href="http://www.ilikeyouonline.com" target="_blank">I Like You</a>. Again!). The regular yetis received a lot of love also, and I have only one left (will be listing in my <a title="Plushroom Soup Etsy Shop" href="http://plushroomsoup.etsy.com" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> in the next few days). Boris the Strongman was pretty popular as well. He sold Friday night, but the buyer let me display him on Saturday as well, and I think I could have sold four more of him! Mental note: more cirucs "freaks" next year.</p><br /><p>Thanks again to everyone who braved the weather to come out! I'll be making more yeti ornaments this week, so don't despair if you missed out! I'll make as many as I possibly can this week and have them back in stock at I Like You by early next week at the latest.</p><br /><p>Now on to filling Christmas orders and making my pieces for the Plush Team show at Hot Pop in January! Whew!</p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3396193996996624621.post-41756396470956152272010-12-02T05:48:00.000-06:002014-07-28T15:07:36.436-05:00The Goods, Part Two<p>Here's another sneaky peek at what I'll have available at <a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/plushroom_soup/www.nocoastcraft.com" target="_blank" title="No Coast Craft-o-Rama">No Coast</a> this weekend.</p><br /><p>A few dragons, like this guy:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0522dd6970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Dragon plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e0522dd6970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0522dd6970b-800wi" title="Dragon plushie" /></a> A funny mustachiod monster; let's call him Harry Handlebar:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0522c58970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Harry Handlebar Monster" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e0522c58970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0522c58970b-800wi" title="Harry Handlebar Monster" /></a> A few circus "freaks," like Boris the Strongman:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c013489ae8300970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Boris the Strongman Plushie" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c013489ae8300970c image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c013489ae8300970c-800wi" title="Boris the Strongman Plushie" /></a> And, of course, my booth wouldn't be complete without an assortment of yetis:</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0522b91970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Cotton Candy Yeti Plushies" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536227592970c0147e0522b91970b image-full" src="http://www.plushroomsoup.com/.a/6a010536227592970c0147e0522b91970b-800wi" title="Cotton Candy Yeti Plushies" /></a> <br /> Plus much more!</p><br /><p>Hope to see you at No Coast this weekend! <br /><br /></p><br /><br/>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02006791306464332996noreply@blogger.com0