Mike the Monster

Meet one of my new best friends. Okay, okay, maybe it is slightly pathetic for a 20 year old woman (I'm old enough to call myself woman aren't I?) to have a stuffed animal for a friend, but just look at him! How can you not fall in love? Doesn't he look like one of those friends that will love you for the way you are? Someone that finds imperfection beautiful and lovely?

I think that is why I love him so much; he's not in the least bit perfect or symmetrical yet he is wonderfully beautiful. The different eyes, the crooked smile... who does not love a crooked smile? I mean check out those super hunky guys in movies: they have all mastered the art of crooked smiling. But I think I especially love his ears. Probably because they are different sizes and shapes, but probably more because they are big and they stick out. Much like my own ears...

I was very sad to see Mike go. But not too sad. He was made for my brand new nephew Nash! Do you think he will be one of those stuffed animals that Nash needs to take everywhere, who stands at the washer just WAITING for him to come out, who had fought with all his might to make his mom see reason that Mike did NOT need to be washed? Do you think Mike will be the stuffed animal that hides in Nash's backpack until the 3rd grade because the friends just can't say goodbye (and of course Nash will sneak peaks and smiles to him throughout the day)? Do you think that he can become one of those friends that becomes not-so-fuzzy anymore but that worn-out type of soft? Do you think he will be so loved that he needs to be re-stuffed and sewed a few times regardless of Auntie Hailey's sewing expertise? I sure hope so.

Mike has also inspired me. I want more than anything else to start my own quilting charity. But I think I would also really love a charity or an organization that gives homemade stuffed animals to kids that enter foster care or who have been victims of domestic violence. I think this is much more feasible than quilts on a large scale. So I see many Mikes in my future. And Mirabels (see previous post) and of course, others. I have so many I want to make! I have caught the sewing bug and I don't think it will ever go away... maybe I should call it a sewing parasite, or sewing virus. I know, I have caught the sewing endospore! Nearly impossible to kill! I know, I am a Biology (micro) nerd...

Any way, I hope you all love him as much as I do!

Hailey

Meet Mirabel

I am excited to say that I finally sewed something out of my Quilting for Peace book: Mirabel the Owl. I will admit that this "softie" was not made for charity, in fact my inaugural owl was made for a little friend of mine whose birthday is in just a few days. Do not worry though, I am planning on making a few more Mirabels over the next few weeks and sending them off for children in need. So without further adieu, Meet Mirabel:
Softies for Mirabel is a holiday toy drive with a fun, crafty, modern yet slightly vintage twist. The toys and dolls are made the old-fashioned way and are donated to the Mirabel Foundation in Melbourne, Australia. Each softie is hand made and unique offering kids something original, something special, something beautiful. Pip Lincolne is the organizational force behind Softies for Mirabel and owns a shop called Meet Me at Mikes- down the street from the Mirabel Foundation. Her store reflects her "crafty, nostalgic sensibility: a mix of retro and modern, handmade and vintage, earnest and ironically hip."

Pip found out about the organization and right away began to rally crafters and sewers to make softies for children in need. "it seemed to me," she says, "that there were so very many children who really needed softies. NOT JUST FOR THEIR STITCHED-UP BEAUTY, BUT TO HAVE A SPECIAL MADE-WITH-LOVE FRIEND TO SHARE THEIR SECRETS WITH."

Softies are not limited to owls, but include everything from cats, dogs and rabbits to llamas, platypuses, tarantulas, robots, monsters and old-fashioned dolls wearing one-of-a-kind clothes. To check out some of these, visit www.meetmeatmikes.com for guidelines and inspiration and to view the photo gallery of softies that have been donated in the past.

You can make a softie and send it to:
Meet Me at Mike's
63 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Australia

I love that these softies offer something different for every child. Whether it be a comfort item, a confidant, a hug: this hand-made, sewn-with-love toy offers so much more than anything store bought. It was made individually, with lots of personality and charm. The seems may not match up perfectly, like something stamped or manufactured. And if you look closely, the eyelids are not perfectly spaced or you may see tiny holes where stitches were taken out because the pieces did not fit together. Mirabel offers so much love, stimulation and imagination. She is someone to talk to, confide in and mourn with. A toy that can never really be bought or replaced. Mirabel is a friend.

If you would like directions on how to make Mirabel, feel free to send me a message on Facebook and I will be happy to share. You don't have to piece together her body as I did, I wanted my Mirabel to be colorful, energetic and unique: qualities that she will share with the girl she is intended for. I would also love to hear/see your softies that you have created!

Farewell my friends,
Hailey & Mirabel

The Project

I finally did it. Yes, I have joined the blogging world. I think I was so hesitant to join because I don't much like talking about myself and posting it for the world to see. Ok, maybe I do on occasion like to talk about myself (who doesn't) but I guess I saw it as a waste of time. Or, maybe that my life wasn't interesting enough to blog about. I am not Julie from Julie & Julia, I am not some incredible cook, photographer, or crafter extraordinaire.
However, I have found something to blog about: the Project. So here are the parameters. Well, rather the background. So, I have been wanting this incredible book at JoAnn's for about 6 months.
It's aesthetically pleasing, it has quilt patterns in it (not to mention the pattern for softies-homemade stuffed animals) but it ALSO describes and gives the requirements for 15 different quilting charities. By the way, did I mention I love to make quilts? So, this book was PERFECT for me. It had everything I was looking for: a decorative piece (books are always the best), quilting patterns (I can't get my hands on enough of them), and opportunities to give something warm, comforting and beautiful to those in need. Finally this book went on sale and I bought it.
What do I do with this book? Well, I work my way through it and make every single quilt top, softie, and baby bib in it. 15 different charities. I am so excited! I wish I could complete all of these in about a month, but because I am a full-time Pre-Med Student and work 20 hours a week, that is not going to happen. Also, quilting is not the cheapest of hobbies unfortunately. So, this project will go as time and funds permit.
I will be posting the parameters and progress for each of the projects. I will also be posting the background and goals of the charity and where to send it to. I might along the way post other quilting/sewing projects of mine, some of which will be for sale to fund the projects (10% of profits to one of the organizations) and others for myself or whatever. That way, all of you quilters and non out there can join in the fun as well! I hope as this progresses, I will be able to bring peace to those out there that can use a little beauty, warmth and comfort.