How are the critters made?

This is Danny. I made him for my grandson Alex. That's a lego in his pocket because Alex is into legos. Alex also loves camo. 

Almost all of the critters are made from recycled something.  I use old clothes, buttons, socks, sleeves and pieces of ribbon. I love going to Goodwill where I can get old and very ugly clothes by the pound. That's where I find sports clothes and can find material for football shirts and camo pants. Friends send me old clothes that are beyond wearing.

The ideas just come to me - sometimes from seeing a piece of fabric, or a photo in a magazine. Sometimes it's just an inspiration that comes - poof!

The critter that I'm working on now is a cowboy singer. I found a guitar iron-on in the sale bin at Joann Fabrics and that inspired my vision. Maybe he will be my next blog entry.??

Tooth Fairy

When I was on vacation with my grammar school friends (my yaya's) in San Antonio this year, my friend Karen from California told me about how her granddaughter calls the tooth fairy Brucie and actually got into an argument on the playground about how a tooth fairy could not be named Brucie. Well, I got to thinking about what Brucie would look like and somehow purple came to mind. However when I finished my tooth fairy, I couldn't see "her" as a "Brucie". Maybe Tabitha?? or Fiona?? But not Brucie.

I'm thinking that Brucie is a bit overweight and "manly" with a frilly dress. I'll have to keep thinking....

Abracadabra WVPBS Season 2 stars

When I finished my 2012 season critters, Mike and Cheryl came to visit and Mike looked through all of the critters to decide which ones he wanted for the set of Abracadabra. This is a children's show that airs on PBS in West Virginia and teaches children about healthy eating, how to make the most healthy food choices and how to make snacks, as well as magic acts, exercise, and music. There are several regular characters on the show including Mike as the magician and Joey his puppet pal and they all interact with children who visit the set.

Daisy is the "head" of the kitchen and the critters can be found on the shelves of the kitchen set. In season 2 they peek out from behind the cabinet doors or out of containers. It was very cool to see them and I'm a bit overwhelmed that they such a place of honor.  So, whether they are on TV or in someone's home, what's important is that they are enjoyed.

Watch for Season 2 on www.abracadabra.org and follow on facebook.com/abracadabrapbs

Little fox lost

At one of the Christmas fairs a young boy named Matt was with his grandmother and he spotted the fox with the flower pants and, being the good grandmother, she bought the fox for Matt. Well, somehow - somewhere - Matt lost his fox and was very sad. One day I received a call from Martha (who is my friend in Maine who is the reason I donate my critters to the fair) and she told me the story and asked if I had any critters laying around that I could send to Matt. I did not.

I was not really making critters at that time. I usually put my sewing away in the early part of the year and devote my time to writing or other seasonal things - plus my volunteer stuff. But I couldn't let this poor little boy be sad so I whipped up another fox (the one on the right) and sent it up to Martha. About two weeks later I receive a hand made thank you card from Matt! His mom wanted to pay me, but I said no. The joy for me is always the making of the critters. And if they find a happy home, that's all I can ask.

More opportunities??

One day we had some friends visiting from West Virginia. Mike is a doctor and is the president of a college and he's also a magician and ventriloquist. His wife, Cheryl is also a doctor and when they saw my little hand sewn friends, they immediately saw potential. The first thing Mike said was that he wanted to use them on a PBS show that he was getting ready to do. And Cheryl said "this would be a real hit in West Virginia". The question is, do I want to sell them? Since I enjoyed making them, and mostly creating new personalities, what would I do with them?

The first Christmas Fair

After the Christmas fair in 2010 I got phone calls and emails about how well the critters did. People were putting them in their bags and walking around meeting each other's critters. Friends were buying them for other friends and many bought for children. But the best part, they all said, was how happy the critters made everyone. They made people laugh!

So the second year I made more and then I started making them for friends and family. People were asking if I'd sell them and I have always said no. I didn't (and still don't) want to make custom critters. If the idea doesn't come from my creative side, then I don't think they will be authentic. Someone would always have an idea in mind that may or may not be similar to my vision.

So, for now they are for donation, gifts and ............

stay tuned.....

Welcome to Ellie's Critters!

Welcome to Ellie's Critters!

The idea of the critters began back in 2009 when I found a book called "Sew Me, Love Me" by Hsiu-Lan Kuei. The author called her little hand made animals "friends" and encouraged both using her designs and venturing off on our own. Her animals were made from old clothes and socks and I loved the idea of reuse. Many of my initial designs came from the basic designs from this book, but as I've progressed, more and more are my own designs.

The first group of critters sat on my desk for a while and as friends came to visit, I asked their opinion. My friend Leah was most honest - she thought they were silly but that I should consult with some kids in the neighborhood. But, I really didn't see (or make) the critters for children. I see them more as an adult thing, but honestly I had no idea.

What I decided to do was to send them up north to my friend Martha who's church has a craft fair just before Christmas every year. I had been sewing and sending American Girl doll clothes up there for a few years and thought I'd see how the critters did. The church sells the crafts and then all proceeds go to charity so it was a win/win. I got to create and whatever sold made money for good causes.

Find out more about the critters journey next time......