Plush You! 2011 Review

Last week, I had the pleasure to attend the Plush You! show for the third time. I think the collection of plush on display, from about 60 different artists, was the best yet!

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 Pepper Stitches:

The Plush Team was, of course, very well represented, including Cutesy but Not Cutesy, Plush Goodness, Hibou Cards, Weird Bug Lady, Moons Creations, Yummy Pancake, Talkproof, Pterodactyl Pants, Green Elevator, Yermit, Scrumptious Delight, Chris Creatures, ThEm DoLLz, Green Star Studio, Needlings, Cretur Fetur, Squirrel Momma, Lowell and Son, and Out of the Frame (I think I mentioned every teamer in the show; apologies if I've left anyone out!).

My dudes looked pretty awesome in their little cubby, keeping good company with Moxie's awesome e-textile monsters.

I even got to chat with Moxie for a spell, and she is as supremely awesome as her critters are.

I also met Anisa from Nonsense Institue (she's so sweet!):

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!

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.

You can see many more photos of the show and my adventures around Seattle on Flickr.

Schmancy Olympic Challenge is Complete!

Kristen assigned me the bobsleigh/bobsled category for the Schmancy Olympic Challenge, and I knew right away that I wanted to turn one of my yetis into the bobsled. I also knew that I wanted him to look like he had just been commandeered by a rider and coaxed down the hill, rather than looking more like an actual bobsled with yeti features.

Since the challenge is judged on a photo submission rather than the physical plush, my original concept was to set a whole scene. I wanted to make two bobsled teams; one the yeti, the other a traditional bobsled. I wanted the photo to include both bobsleds going down a big hill, with the yeti sled in the lead. The softie in the traditional bobsled would be looking over at the yeti sled with a terrible look of dismay, like "how on Earth is the nontraditional sled beating me?!" 

Alas, life and my own tendency to procrastinate got in my way and I was only able to complete the yeti sled. But I still think he and his Eskimo rider are pretty cute! Stay tuned to the Plush You blog over the next few days as Kristen posts all the entries and the judging begins!

Handmade Olympics

The Winter Olympics are right around the corner. Not all of us get too
excited about sports, but if you're a lover or maker of handmade, there
are several fun ways you can get involved.

First, the lovely Kristal from RikRak Studio has put together a fun event that even non-makers can participate in. She has a whopping $2,000 in prizes to give away to winners of eight different events (including a $50 Plushroom Soup gift certificate!). Head to the RikRak blog for details and to nominate your favorite shop, item, or blog in each category.

Next up, the always awesome Kristen of Plush You! and Schmancy fame has come up with an Olympic Challenge for plush makers. She's assigning all participants a particular sport, and they'll each make a plush inspired by that sport. Think your plush could take home a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal? Click the Olympic Challenge link above for details on how to enter what is sure to be a fantastic event!