Indian Sock Monkeys for Thanksgiving

A FUN Sock Monkey Adventure! INDIANS...for two little boys!!

I did not plan for the mouth to have a "smirk" but it so happens that the twins dad...cannot look at you without a "smirk"... he has always been somewhat self conscience when looking at people. Soooo instead of the SMURFS...we have the "SMIRK" tribe twins.

Had to have fun posing him for his run to hunt....

I used felt for the clothing. I traced on paper first and cut for a perfect fit. Then copied onto felt. Using pinking sheers made perfect "feathers". This was such a FUN project for my twin grandsons.

I loved this stitch...looking like animal tracks....

I hope you enjoyed the adventure...and come up with some of your own to share...

Blessings to you and THANKFULNESS your friendship!!!
HOPE

TEA and Sock Monkey's

Two of my favorite pass times...

Tea with a dear friend and making these fun sock monkey's!






I had this pleasure recently when my dearest friend Sue joined me for TEA and a sock monkey challenge! I asked if she would like to help make some SOCK Monkey's for her grandchildren due in for a visit. Her daughter Missy was due home for a short visit while on deputation with her husband and children. Missionaries to Bulgaria. A very dear family to me, personally...I fill in as Nana to these children, when Sue is gone herself to the Mission Field of Papua New Guinea.

We scouted the stores for SOCKS! I wonder what people were thinking as we chatted how this pair or that pair was soo CUTE! Okay..some socks worn are cute...but not like OUR conversation!

Like this BABY one...the socks were sooo SOFT...so imagine me cuddling this pair to my face! and other customers saying..."OKAY..LADY"???


But, for sweet little Kaitlyn...going on three years old..this was perfect!


And the names commenced..."Peppermint Patty" for the baby.

"Buddy" for Joshua..."Polly" and "Penelope"(the II)...the older girls could choose.

Along with my Quilting Stash of Fabrics...I now own a Sock Monkey Stash...and plenty for future projects to come.

ENJOY!
Hope

Lucy and Penelope

Meet twins... Lucy and Penelope...

I had the wonderful opportunity to see and HUG my two wonderful g'daughters this past weekend...as they journeyed with their family (dad HOME from the war on R & R) for a short meeting at his parents home.
(I get to see and hug them for a looonger visit at a later date!!)

So I surprised the girls with the sock monkey's they have been anticipating on receiving! They both love pink and purple and I found these cute socks at Walmart! They had this puff balls on each pair that made...

PERFECT EAR MUFFS!



and since the girls live waaaay up north where it is very COLD they will enjoy letting Lucy and Penelope use their built in earmuffs! How fun!
(they can also double as ponytails!) I also was happy to find the pink and purple HEART buttons...perfect for giving them with ALL MY LOVE!





While the girls swam in the pool....the "twins" just chilled out watching them have fun!


(more SOCK Monkey's to come in the future...for the real TWIN baby boys!)

NOTE: I have some sewing tutorials to share for making nice Kleenex holders for your purse with matching makeup bag...SEE YOU SOON!

HOPE

Meet ROSIE

Rosie

was made as a surprise for a very SPECIAL little girl age 8. Alyssa lost her mother last year to a sudden illness. She was down visiting her older sister and I wanted give her a keepsake to remind her she has friends who love her.

Alyssa was anxiously waiting in the doorway with her hands clasped together under her chin and a sweet smile. SHE KNEW. Her sister told her I was coming to bring her something. When she saw me pull "Rosie" out of my craft bag...her eyes sparkled like stars...PRICELESS!!

I will never forget that moment of reward...seeing this sweet child's expression

"OH, She is soooo CUTE!" she exclaimed!!





We talked about a name....and agreed on "ROSIE"..since her colors reminded us of a bouquet of pretty roses.



A little information about "ROSIE"...the socks were actually given to me by Alyssa's sister for my birthday! I had received an entire collection from her. HOW FUN! I recall thinking this particular pair would make up really cute. I was right!

Now for the "creative heart" in me...I could not decide on the eyes..sometimes buttons just don't appeal to me and as I was searching through my sewing drawers..VOILA..my eyes fixed upon a sheet of VELCRO dots...mmm? lets try it! I made eyelashes from black thread ...attached to the sticky backing of the Velcro and for a more secure application added good o' Elmer's Glue. PERFECT eyes for "ROSIE".

I hope that Alyssa will enjoy many days with her "friend" Rosie, as a constant reminder she has friends everywhere!

(ps) I have several crafts to post...but have been extremely busy the past two weeks..so please come back... there is more of A CREATIVE HEART to share!!

ENJOY!
HOPE

Sgt. Winchester.. Sock Monkey

Introducing Sgt. Winchester...made for my new grandson Brady (born the SAME DAY as the Twins...Nolan and Asher!! only 3,000 miles away). His daddy is a Policeman and his mom (was a dispatcher) NOW a stay at home mom...

Once again, I had sooo much FUN making this little guy...and HAPPY I found the perfect little embellishments. I did change the button..after finding a gold STAR which really made it much cuter.....



then personalized him, by putting Brady's name and birth year on the backside.



I was unable to be at the baby shower so sent this in a pkg.

Sgt. Winchester was the hit of the shower!!

My next SOCK MONKEY project...will be TWIN SURFER DUDES..be on the watch!

Have FUN making your own!!

SURPRISE ..sock monkey!

This little guy was made for my sweet Grandson Stephen. He is the name-sake of my son Stephen (read Watering Wells Of Hope). His dad, Charlie, is an Army Firefighter.

I was so excited when I found this cute outfit ...that fit PERFECT!When I looked over my sock COLLECTION! (huge grin) These colors just popped out as a Firefighter..NOW..if only I could find...FIREFIGHTER clothing...his size. Guess where...yep! the infamous DOLLAR STORE!! and sooo CUTE!

I really was beside myself...

hope no body in the store noticed...

......with all my jumping up and down in delight!!


Here he is as just FRANKIE...



I couldn't decide on the right buttons for him..and chose the silver, I guess because of the grey in the color scheme...wasn't too sure I liked it...

BUT WHEN...I found that outfit...with the SILVER fabric on the ax ..and the hose!...WELL..NOW YOU KNOW...why I was beside myself with good reason!



Did you notice..his little crooked grin!!

I enjoyed putting little Frankie together..and now on the search for not only socks..but now embellishments. WHO knows..who is next!

More..sock monkey's to come...

HOPE

ZOEY...the sock monkey!

Meet ZOEY!!

He was soo much fun to make with his little scarf and "Snow cap-topper"...

I am so excited now to add embellishments to my sock monkeys...



This little guy was made for a little boy in our church who had to have a minor surgery..but had to stay overnight in the hospital. I wanted to give him a little friend to cheer him! I think every little kid....NEEDS a sock monkey..don't you agree!!!

the next introduction is a very special surprise for my grandson...it hasn't arrived yet for his 6th birthday...so stay tuned for the next post...

Enjoy!
HOPE

Lilly's brother Zeek!

Introducing Zeek! He cracks me up! These sock monkey's each take on their own "personality"...his ears hang low...but that's okay..That's Zeek!




Here is his little friend we found over Thanksgiving at Cracker Barrel restaurant..our favorite when traveling. What a FIND!!!! You know I had my sock monkey radar on as I entered the store (I mean eatery!) I did go there to eat breakfast..right?





I didn't realize he looked like a bandit with his eyes on the blue strip! Guess o' Zeek is going to be my mischievous little monkey! (you don't have any in your house do you?)

I'm not crazy about button eyes..but for Zeek it worked pretty good.

And there you have it...my little monkey family is growing!! More little "guys" to come!

Enjoy!
HOPE

Double Fun..sock monkey!

Okay...I know...I just had to post this for you. These are soo much fun to make!

I'm thinking I like the names Lila and Lilly for these gals! What do you think?




I was a little disappointed in the argyle socks quality and these cost more than the other pair! I thought from a shoe chain they should be good..um..well. Anyway..I will keep Lilly for myself. Not kid quality. But, the other I believe is also an acrylic sock? and had more stretch that was nicer for stuffing.

Hope you like her...and I might just have to post when more come along!



I think she is soo cute~ puts a SMILE on my face~

Now... that I have you looking everywhere at SOCKS!!!

Try making your own..or I might just make some to sell? we'll see.

God bless...
HOPE

Fun Sock Monkey!

yes..I did it! I have joined the ranks of making the infamous SOCK MONKEY!

A local gift shop has the CAAUTEST sock monkey's I've ever seen...so colorful! Though the traditional grey and red is a cutie too.

I searched online for a pattern and found a tutorial as well. I had no idea all this time (YEARS!) how easy and FUN these are to create.



In my search however..locally...I only could find this ONE pair at Kmart. I would have preferred an all over pattern (they look better) but she did turn out pretty cute even if she does have the measles (husband's input!)...but her Measles sure made good eyes (I added eyelashes) and her ears almost appear to have earrings!


This is the sock pattern I began with...and the beginning steps. I did a search and found a great YouTube....find the one by mandybentley her blog didn't come up in my search but it is under DIY YouTube sock monkey's. Her instructions are very clear...

I also found a print out pattern by http://lennytaylor.freeyello.com if you don't link go to your search engine and type in lenny taylor sock monkey pattern. This is the one I followed.


Some monkey's have stitched X's for the nose or eyes..some had buttons. Some times the button eyes can look scary...so I pondered what to do..and decided why not TRY making eyelashes. I was so pleased it turned out. Some have the cutest little caps with fringe. Some of those take more than one sock for parts. So if you were to purchase three sets of the same sock pattern you can make TWINS!



Some of the tools needed...the polyfil came with a stick for pushing the filling..but I found my CHOPSTICK worked better as it was a little thicker and the end was more square.



It wasn't quite as easy stuffing as I had expected...so if your hands are arthritic..make the opening a little larger... Here is her body getting STUFFED!



So let me know what you think? Any suggestions on future Sock Monkey's..as I plan to make bunches! Just have to search for the cute socks. I heard that Children's Place probably carries them. Kmart's price was perfect at $2.99 and the batting a huge bag for the same price and I still have tons left for more Monkey's.

And here she is.....All dressed up!


My CREATIVE HEART can't wait to make more of these cuties! and now I'm not so intimidated by the pattern...just give her eyelashes and it makes it! (I think so!)

Blessings..

HOPE