The Whimsy Patch

Up Late Tonight....

 

My husband and I are both going to be up late tonight--he working on a client's server, I on a handful of dolls that are going to be traveling a long way in the not too distant future.  I've been working very hard lately trying to get back into the swing of things.  Taking time off to reorient the Whimsy Patch and spend time with family was a necessary move but it also means that I am having to revisit my daily routine.  Add a cute and rambunctious son and precocious and darling nephew into the mix and I have my hands full these days trying to figure it all out!  My days as of late have been full of things like trips to the playground, Easter egg dying, cleaning up stray cars and trucks that like to hide in places so as to end up under my feet, Play-Doh, crayons, stickers, laundry, dishes, meals, pattern drafting and tutorial writing, cutting fabric and sewing, trying to remember to update Twitter, relisting items on Etsy, attempting to check out other blogs and remain inspired, etc.  When I look at all of that I really wonder how I fit it all into a day.  By God's grace! 

On top of all of this, I have also resolved to post to my blog more often.  I decided to snap a quick pic of the stack of fabric and doll pieces that I am working with right now.  I must make progress tonight!  I guess that means coffee and dragging a bit in the morning....  I think I really need to add sleep to the list somewhere;)

Whimsy Patch Happenings

I've been feeling a little bit out of the loop and disconnected as of late so I thought I might post a little about what I have going on now and coming up in the near future.

Custom orders have been a big blessing lately but have kept my production rate a little slower than usual lately.  I recently finished my new monkey pattern which was part of a recent custom order (see Molly and Patches in Boots below) and I am currently working on my first mermaid, part of a more recent custom order.   This little lovely is going well but I'm waiting on some wool felt to come my way in the mail so that I might finish her and post her for all the world to see.  I have a gaggle of monsters to make in the coming weeks--two in my newer "Lovey Size" and replacement monsters for the Sawyer monsters that were recently and rudely stolen. 

Aside from custom orders, I am working on my plans for my submissions to the new "Stuffed: a Gathering of Softies" magazine that will be coming out.  I'm cooking up ideas for Plush Team's newest project and also planning my P.T. Stitchy, something I have been wanting to make for a while and have not gotten to yet.  I am also working on some patterns that will be available for sale of Etsy.  I'm still in the decision making process for this new venture so I'm keeping quiet for now on what will be for sale.  I will update and drop hints when the project is closer to completion.  I am also planning my plush creations for a couple of upcoming markets.  So, needless to say, I am very, very busy!

Keep your eyes open for some new plush posts in the coming days!

More great news for the Whimsy Patch!

I'm excited!  I'm thrilled!  And a little crazy, I think!  I will be sewing more in the next seven weeks than I've ever imagined I would be sewing in such a span of time, but I'm determined to make all my deadlines.  Anyways, I'm in really great company with all of the great plush artists involved.  Check out artist's link on the site to see the wonderful conglomeration of plush designers who will be involved.  There will be a book and shows across four venues.  Too much fun!

Exciting Upcoming Event

So, if its not enough that I absolutely love the city of St. Louis and I adore everything to do with softies, the two are coming together in one fabulous event!

This is going to be cool stuff! The show is going to be called "Crammed Organisms: Fairy-Folk-Fable."  The theme sounds absolutely fabulous and fun.  If you are interested (and you should be:), go to www.CrammedOrganisms.com and check out all the intriguing info there.  There is even a great story behind the theme, making it even more fun!  I'm definitely applying and hope to take part in this fab plush blowout.  I have plenty of ideas for what I would like to show and plan to give peeks in the coming weeks.  I'm currenty finishing up a store order and have another to get going, but I'm going to make sure to fit in plenty of planning for my entry ideas. 

The show is coming up in June so there is plenty of time for your anticipation to build.  I think I need to put mine on simmer or I'm might just boil over:)

Whimsy Patch Update

As it seems that it takes me a couple of weeks between posts about new Whimsy Patch residents, I thought it might be a good idea to update my blog with info about what's coming around the corner!  I'm busily getting a BUNCH of plushies ready for two different boutiques--one here in Louisville and one in Lexington.  (More info about that later.)  I am in the process of branching out more with my local sales and heading into the exciting new territory of consignment and boutique sales.  Recently, two different shops approached me to my thrill and excitement.  I really want to support my local shops, so I figured this would be a great way to start.  I will posts pics of new projects as they are completed.

I have several new lines of Whimsy residents in the works.  I'm taking my dollie and creature sets in a little bit of a different direction.  I'm thrilled with the way things are going thus far.  I've already worked up one new pattern and many more are coming.  I'm hoping to get Whimsy Patch creations in the hands of more people and I hope this might speed that dream along.  Let's just say there will be collectible sets and lower price points:)

I also have plans for a new custom order line.  Once I am finished working up my shop items, I will be making a prototype for my son's room--his door to be exact.  I'm super stoked about this idea.  I think it will be very cute and it will appeal to those of us with the pitter-patter of little feet around our houses.

On the note of expanding Whimsy Patch lines, I also plan to put more effort into keeping up my MySpace page.  I know it's a great tool for connecting and another way to steer people to my blog.  This is something I can do with a little more ease with my son running about.  If he heres the machine stitching away, he comes run at a bolt to see what I'm doing.  It's a little difficult to sew with him sitting on my lap...

That's the long and the short of it!  Check back soon for peaks at new Whimsy residents.

My plate

Make your own card catalog card here! 

I think I'm just procrastinating right now.  I should be sewing...