Robbie & Nathan

This summer has been incredibly busy -- and just plain incredible.
We've had a few weeks of heat and humidity, but also long stretches of beautiful doll-making weather. We've played outside, we've watched movies, we've done crafts . . . and I've made a few more dolls.

First up is Robbie.
Robbie arrived at his new home last week.

He's already well loved by his child, who has been engaging in some baby wearing, and has his mommy nurse Robbie at bedtime.

Robbie is a 14" traditional style Waldorf doll . He has fair skin.

Then there was Nathan.

Nathan is a 10" traditional style waldorf doll. He climbed into his box this morning and headed off for Australia. He's going to see kangaroos, koalas, and parrots!

Nathan's family are fans of non-traditional colours - creating Nathan and his clothing was a really fun, riotous process. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Kaelin and Kristine

July has been a little on the wild side for me. First, there was my daughter's fifth birthday, and a last-minute party we had to pull together.Then, I was rail roaded into full time day shifts at my job for 2.5 weeks, so that really threw a wrench into the doll-making works. By the time I came home from a full day of office work, I wasn't feeling fun or creative at all. I had forgotten just how rough a full-time day shift can be. Part time afternoons might be taxing, but at least I get a little space from the office!

My stint as an office worker made me really appreciate the opportunity I have as a part-time worker/stay at home mom/hand-made entrepreneur. This is so much better!

I did manage to get 2 dolls done so far this month. I'm starting another one today.

First off, Kaelin:

A 10" jointed custom order, Kaelin was sent off to the same household as Pippa! She's colourful, fun, and slightly silly in her sparkly purple pants.

Then I did up Kristine - Krissy for short:

She's a 14" custom order. She's on her way home now, and will be waiting to delight someone for her birthday!

I know it seems early, but it's already time to start thinking of winter holiday orders. Christmas and Hanukkah are just a few months away! I already have 2 orders for December. If you're thinking of a special toy for the winter season, you may want to start that ball rolling. 

Catching up.

For a while there, life was moving pretty fast. I missed posting some dolls!

This is Bobby - a gender non-specific, 10" jointed doll. I just love the little sleeper!

Celia - a 10" jointed rainbow stripe, that I made just for fun. She's still available in the shop.

Ella - another 10" jointed doll. She was a custom order, but her intended family suffered an unexpected blow. They weren't able to bring her home. Fortunately, Ella was a great fit for another child, and she has found a loving family.

Jennifer - a 14" because I needed a change of pace. I made her just for fun, and she's still available in the shop.

 Pippa - a 10" jointed. I'm particularly fond of this one. I think she's among my best work.
 She is meant to be a very princessy doll, but not a princess. Her belt and un-crown can be worn as bracelets by her child. What's your bet they're lost? I know my daughter would lose them in a week. ;)

And there is Susie - a 10" jointed. I adore her rainbow-y hair. It's bright daisy yarn from Odalee Fibers. LOVE! And the bug dress? Dying over here!

I think that catches us up.

And the winner is . . . .

Christina D, who chose Becky!

I'm so pleased that this lovely little doll has a new home, and will be played with!
Christina, Becky is on her way.

Thanks everyone for your entries! I have hidden entries on the giveaway post to protect your contact info, everyone. Spam sucks.

The bunny will be uploaded to the Etsy shop very soon. 

The Giveaway Gang!

Are you just about ready?

Today, June 21, 2013, marks the third birthday of Making Friends. Three years of making adorable toys, delighting children and parents, and (best of all) working with some of the most incredible customers I could ever hope for.

In keeping with tradition, a birthday for Making Friends means a giveaway! As you all know, I've been grappling with the decision -- what to give away? I made a choice of sorts -- and this is it:

The 2013 Making Friends giveaway is . . . . .

One of these guys. Yeah, I kind of flaked out on making a choice.

Becky, you all know. 10" jointed Waldorf doll, fair skin, Tibetan lamb wig.

Stuffed with clean, carded wool, dressed in cotton, Becky is an all-natural toy. She's sturdy and crafted to last many, many years. She's been sitting around here for quite a while now, waiting to be adopted and meet her new best friend.

The other options are:

This dragon right here --

He seems like a bit of a shy guy. He keeps wrapping his wings around himself like a security blanket. But then, he was really just finished this morning, so maybe he needs time to warm up to us?

He's made with polyester fleece, filled with polyester, and due to small parts and safety eyes, should be chaperoned if he's given to a young child.
Pattern purchased from DIYFluffies.


And the final option --
This little bunny.

The softest stuffed animal I've ever met! His 'fur' is shaggy minky, his ear lining and foot pads are minky. He is stuffed with clean, carded wool. While he's not an all-natural toy, his stuffing will warm to the touch, and he has a bit of extra heft to him. These are really solid little bunnies!

I tried something new with this guy and did nylon joints instead of string. His jointing is extra solid! He's super cute and would make a great companion for anyone, young or less young.
Pattern credit goes to Cutest Creations. 

General rules:

• You are not required to like Making Friends on Facebook, favourite Making Friends on Etsy, follow this blog, follow Making Friends on Twitter, or pin anything on Pinterest. That said, if you like what you see well enough to want one of your own, then I would hope you will like, favourite, follow and/or pin my work. 
• 1 entry per household permitted. You're on the honour system here - don't break my heart! I will be checking that the winners only have 1 entry. Additional entries mean instant disqualification. That's just cheating. 
• To enter, leave the following via comment: Your choice of prize, and a contact for yourself - either email or Etsy. Please keep in mind that while you CAN comment anonymously, I will need a way to contact you. Per page terms of use, I cannot contact you via Facebook. It's just not allowed. Some folks have been having difficulty with comments. I've done some reading -- apparently if you try a different browser, you may have some luck. Failing that, send me an email (makingfriendsdolls@gmail.com) and I'll enter for you. 
• Winner will be selected via random number generator at noon EDT on June 25th, and contacted immediately. They will then have 48 hours to respond, or the prize will be passed on to a new winner.

Good luck, everyone, and thanks for another amazing, successful, overwhelmingly incredible year!

So, I've arrived at a giveaway decision.

I see all of you are just as good at making final decisions as I am. Hurray for us!

I suppose that's not really fair to say. Some of you are quite good at making decisions. It's just that we kind of failed to reach a consensus. We did, however, eliminate the sheep as an option - that's progress, I suppose.

With only three choices, I was able to arrive at a final decision. Would you like to know what I've decided? You'll have to keep an eye on this blog! Unveil will be either tomorrow or Friday.

Avaleigh & Alice

Sometimes, people ask me to make things that aren't in my normal repertoire. Sometimes those requests work out REALLY well.
A while back, I was asked to make a bunny from Cutest Creations' Waldorf Wabbit pattern.

I did. This was the result:

Alice. Made with shaggy minky, stuffed with wool, weighted with glass pellets. Her ears and foot soles were made from a "Guess How Much I Love You" knit that the momma who ordered Alice sent me. It was sent in the form of a dress that the little girl getting Alice was close to outgrowing. Momma wanted to keep the dress around forever and ever. Now she can, in a way.

Alice was so lovely that I was soon asked to make another, smaller bunny for a different customer. I just finished Avaleigh  yesterday. She shipped this morning.

OMG for cute. Love the big eyes! And her popsicles and ice cream cones dress? Squee!!
Initially Avaleigh was meant to be made from a very shaggy minky. Unfortunately, the pile was overwhelming and it just couldn't work. Thank goodness for flexibility - this final look is something I can really be proud of!