2012 draws to a close

Well, we're just about to recycle another calendar. It's kind of hard to believe that another year has passed - it went so fast!

It helped that this was the busiest holiday season Making Friends has experienced. I made and shipped roughly 35 holiday/new baby/birthday gift dolls and toys in the last 3 months. Here's the handful I made since the last post!
 

Trina - a 10" custom order. Her hair was so luxe, it about killed me to send her away!

I put the finishing touches on this guy, and Boober instantly claimed him.

This is Jack-Jack, a 10" custom order. Apparently his little boy is really excited about him!

A last-minute sheep, custom ordered for Christmas

A super adorable pair of dragons ordered for a sibling pair. I loved these fabrics and would make them again in a heart-beat!

And these last two are things I made for my kids. Sweet Pea got a shaggy black lamb for Christmas. Boober got a monkey for his birthday. They went over pretty well. Boober sleeps with his monkey on one side, and his trusty doll George on the other side.

2013 holds a few unknowns for Making Friends. I'm considering switching up some of the skin tone fabrics I've been using for Waldorf dolls, and looking into some new suppliers. There are things in the works that I'm just not ready to discuss yet. All in good time, right?

Annnnd . . . . TIME!

It was 11:58 this morning when Boober decided it was time for his nap, so I was a little late in drawing our winning raffle entry. I am pleased to announce that KATE CLARK has won Moe! I'm just waiting to hear from Kate with a shipping address, and Moe will be on his way home.

I am also super pleased, thrilled even, to announce that the raffle of Moe raised $80 in donations to movember.com. I've already submitted the donation, and would be sharing the receipt here with you, except that all my info is printed on it. I like you all and everything, but I prefer to keep my home address, full name and such off the internet. If you feel very strongly that you need to see the receipt, then let me know, and I'll figure out how to do that blurry thing.

Congratulations Kate, and thank you to each and every one of you who bought a ticket!

Catching up - NOVEMBER edition??

Wow - time sure has a way of flying by.

So apparently it's the end of November. I'm not too worried. I have 2 orders left to do and get into the mail before December 10, then 2 items to make for local delivery . . . and then it's all about my kids! This year I'd like to give Boober a monkey, and Sweet Pea a lamb. Last year they didn't get anything hand-made from momma, and I felt pretty guilty. I even had to go so far as to purchase Boober a Wadorf doll - and I admit I felt silly doing it. Glad to support another doll-maker, but silly.

Here's what I've been up to since the last post:

Whew! No wonder I'm so tired!

And let's not forget Moe -- I made him up this past month too! Raffle entries are still being accepted - don't miss out.

Moe(vember)

This is Moe.

Moe is helping me out.
You see, I've never been a fan of Movember. Many of the gentlemen I know use Movember as an excuse to grow a nasty, greasy, unkempt beard/mustache -- but they don't use it the way it's meant to be used!! They don't register, or ask for donations, or what have you. This has always made me slightly crazy.

This year, I know a fellow who is growing a brilliant mustache for Movember. I looked him up, and he's registered - he's doing it right! This inspires me. I wish I could partake in some way, and so I have crafted Moe to wear brilliant mustaches for me!!

And this is where you come in. Moe will be offered via raffle -- and just in time for Christmas! Here's how it works. Click the buy it now button at the bottom of this post to buy a raffle ticket for Moe - just $3! You can enter more than once, if you'd like. In fact, I encourage it! The raffle will close on November 28 at noon EST. At that time, I will draw the winner from the entries, and the money raised will be donated via movember.com. Moe will be shipped to the winner by end of day November 30 - so he should be there in time for the holidays!

Cool, right?
Moe's mustaches are removable, and interchangeable. They're held in place with velcro. Moe comes with his airplane diaper, and all 4 mustaches you see in this post.

Depending on your response, I may be selling packs of mustaches for dolls in the future. Do you like them? Let me know! Leave a comment, or better yet, tell me with the purchase of a raffle ticket!

PS. Check back in on Wednesday afternoon - I'll announce the winner. I'll need your shipping address!

Catching up - October edition

Things have been so very busy around here these days! I've been working long hours on holiday orders for many deserving children, welcome gifts for upcoming babies, and birthday presents for little ones. With the kids, I've been puddle stomping, leaf jumping, and prepping the yard and our wardrobes for winter. We've had playdates and long walks, done a lot of reading, learning, and worked on some development. I'm absolutely loving life these days. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the opportunity to stay home with my little ones this year. I'm so lucky.

Since I last updated (cringe - 6 weeks ago, now), I've completed another pile of cuties. 

Just this week, I finished Gloria - a 14" Waldorf doll. She's a custom order and will be shipped off to her family later this week.

 This is Marlena - already on her way to welcome a beautiful little baby girl. Marelena's girl was born on the weekend. Welcome, little C!

 Emmy, a custom 10" jointed Waldorf - already arrived at her new home and waiting for Christmas!

This one is waiting for the arrival of a little sister, so that big sister has a baby of her own to care for.

And so is this one, actually -- except that this one is waiting for a baby brother.

 This sheep will join some others and head off to a family for Christmas.

This sheep is for a special little girl. 

And this sheep has gone to his family, not too far from here!

I've got good news, and bad news . . .

Let's start with the bad news. I heard back from the Stitch N' Kitsch Collective re: their winter show -- there is no space for Making Friends as a guest artist at this year's show. I can't say that I'm not disappointed - of course I'm feeling a little let down. But . . . it is what it is. No hard feelings, I'll still apply in the future. They just had a lot more applications than spaces.

The good news? More time and materials for your orders! I had a lot of spots reserved for show items - now I can release the items I have already finished, and use my time to make the things as they're ordered.

This is the last month's productivity. (Can that be right?? There's so much there!) Most of it was custom ordered, or has already been spoken for - but some of it will be going into the Etsy shop over the next few weeks. If you're considering a custom order, now is the perfect time. If you like something you see here, shoot me a message, or check the shop frequently.

That horrible moment . . .

When you realize your child's lovie needs washing . . .

And then your child figures out what's going on . . . .

. . . I only wish I'd had the camera on hand for the reunion. You've never seen such love and adoration.

Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?

This adorable little lamb baby is one of the best things I ever stumbled across. 

 For those of you who are intermediate - advanced level artists with a sewing machine, this pattern is absolutely worth the time and effort.

 I say intermediate - advanced level not because the pattern is exceptionally difficult, but because it assumes a lot. There is no hand holding taking place with this pattern, and there really doesn't need to be -- but if you're the type of person who wants to know exactly how many inches down the body to tie off the head, you'll be pretty frustrated with this one. If you're the type of person who likes to tackle a pattern and make it your own, you'll ADORE this pattern.

I, for one, loved making this lamb. I foresee many, many more in my future.

The pattern can be purchased here.