How Does Your Garden Grow?

So after Hurrican't Irene, I was a little disappointed. We had mayors, govenors and even the president saying New York was gonna get smashed. Of course I didn't want anything seriously bad to happen, but I was hoping I'd see a little more damage the next day. There were leaves and sticks on the ground in my neighborhood and my power didn't even go out. I mean, I bought a lantern and I didn't even get to use it.

Anyway, I found out that week at work that I was being a real smug asshole. Just because the hurricane didn't effect me or do any damage to my area didn't mean no one else was effected by it. Case in point, my friend Lana at work. She lives on Staten Island. Not only did her power go out, but her basement flooded (something that has never happened in the 10 years she's lived there) ruining the carpet and a lot of her stuff. But the topper was that a tree fell on her garden and she wasn't sure if her veggies were ok or not. As she told me this story, I could tell she was really upset. I felt terrible for thinking not enough happened and I wanted to make it up to her. I decided to make her the three veggies she grew in her garden, eggplant, cucumber and tomato (fruit?).

Anyway, these guys turned out great and were real easy and fun. The tomato took me about an hour only, making it the fastest thing I ever did sew. Unfortunately, I only had a neon green for the inside of the cucumber so it ended up looking more like a pickle. I decided why not go with it and so I made some extra bumps on the outside and voila, you have a pickle.

The best part of this project was that I got to make some stuffed food. I wanted to start a new ongoing series like the weapons and I had been thinking about foods for a while. I love making weapons and that series I don't think will ever end, but its good to have some variety in my life!

Soft Weapons: Medieval Flail

Another one for the Soft Weapons series. I had actually always been calling this weapon a mace. Then when I looked that up, I saw a staff with a metal ball right on it. What I had always thought was a mace was actually called a flail or a morning star. This has always been one of my favorite weapons. It is beautiful in its simplicity but deadly in its execution. This is definitely my favorite stuffed weapon yet. Up next: blow darts!

Doug Trivets

I took a loooong break from making coasters out of perler beads. I had made a bunch of loveable cartoon characters from the days of yore about three years ago and then just kind of forgot about the medium as a whole. Recently, I needed a break from sewing and wanted to do something fun so I thought of perler beads! I love working with these beads. The process of figuring out how to make it look like a character is really fun, constantly switching out beads until the shape is just right.

I love this craft because I made something completely original out of what is essentially a kid's medium. Making character coasters is one of those things I consider to be mine, that no one else does. Of course, I haven't met every crafter in the world so I can't say for certain!

Brass Knucks

Another for the Soft Weapons series! Some brass knucks! I was lucky enough to have both the perfect color in my repetoir and a lazy Sunday to complete these babies. This project was quick but taxing. There were so many holes to cut and recut to get the right shape and as I said in my ninja stars post, that is not my strong point. But, I am getting better. Stuffing this thing was the hardest time and has caused a little sharp pain in my back from hunching so much.

I've already cut out the parts to make a second one, but I think I'm done sewing for the day. Next weapon: Flail. Stay tuned.

Swiss Army Axe #86

The fourth in my Soft Weapons series, this axe is based off an actual Swiss Army Axe. On a ridiculous whim, my boyfriend decided he needed an axe and bought this one for himself (eye roll). It worked out for me though, because I got to base my stuffed axe off of a real one. I think it turns out much better when I can see the model in person instead of just pictures online.

I like that I can pretend I'm thwacking zombies without swinging the actual axe because I am a weak girl and that thing is pretty heavy. Also, axes are scary unless they're plush!

Topping it Off

Even More Polar

I couldn't write all the small words on the nutrition facts label, but I did try and make it look as close to writing as I could.