small bean bag chair - about 2 feet tall

Some things I learned while making this chair:

1. If you think you bought a zipper big enough for the cover, add 4 inches and buy another.
2. Those bean bag filler pellets go EVERYWHERE! Make sure you have a vacuum handy.
3. For the inside bladder, even though no one sees it, make sure you use fabric that is easy to sew. I decided to use fabric that I had, but I knew I'd never use again, just to get rid of it. Big mistake, as this fabric was not at all easy to sew.
4. Add 2 hours to your estimated time to complete said project.

That said, I do feel satisfied that I have a cute little chair that will hopefully make someone happy in the future!

Fat Bulldog

Another fantastic customer had a special request: create a bulldog as a gift for a coworker who was having a baby.

I presented the computer sketch first (seen above) and set to work.

I'm pleased with how much my embroidery has improved from when I first started. My last few animals with embroidered features have looked very close to the plastic perfection at first glance. I really like how the embroidery gives a classic look to the animals. There's something about the shiny plastic that I love, but the embroidered eyes and nose seem timeless.

Changes from the original sketch - I gave him little feet with toe detail instead of the longer legs. Because, let's face it, bulldogs are very stocky and sturdy. Also, the nose area is much larger and more prominent. It adds a little bit more personality I think.

Eco Friendly Lion

Meet Eco Friendly Lion!

I have a lovely customer who requested a fat lion to be made with Eco friendly materials. I've been waiting for the chance to use orange corduroy! I went to the fabric store and chose some fantastic, orange, cotton fabric for her to choose from.

I'm thrilled with how this guy came out. I cut out another lion from the fabric on the far left, and I hope to have it ready by the SOWA Holiday Market on Dec. 8 & 9.

The next few weeks will be so busy! My husband (Gubicza) put together the white cube shelves this weekend that will be my display for the holiday market. It looks great... I only hope I have enough animals to fill all of those spots!

Wizard of Oz Show

Our quilt was accepted into the Ozspirations show at The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University. I'm an adjunct professor there (teaching Design & Typography), and I heard about the show from a colleague who is one of the organizers.

My husband designed the quilt, and I sewed it by hand this summer. The size is 18"x24", so not a full bed quilt, just an art quilt to hang on the wall.

The opening is this Friday, Nov. 16 from 6-8 pm
75 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116

If you're in the area, I'd love for you to come and check out the show. We'll be at the opening to meet & greet visitors and fellow artists.

About the show:
OZSPIRATIONS
New Works Inspired by The Wizard of Oz
See what happens when more than 30 artists, inspired by 100 years of L. Frank Baum's classic Oz series, allow their imaginations to take flight.
November 16-December 21, 2007

Sweetestpea in The Boston Globe

I'm in the Globe today along with fellow wonderful artists:
Azure Grackle
mLee
JCDesign
and Mogo

Hooray for press! Thanks Etsy for facilitating this!
Although the article implies that the animals are all based on designs by my husband, despite how wonderful and talented he is, only the monsters that are inspired by his illustrations.

Fat Fox - upcoming creation

Recently, I seem to be thinking about foxes a lot. I woke up this morning thinking of them, and how I was going to create a fox in stuffed animal form. I created this computer sketch of what a fox would look like in the "fat creations" model... and I have to say that I'm pretty pleased. But, what I really want to do is create a fox that has legs you can pose, much like a teddy bear. Perhaps I'll experiment with a new line of animals that break the "fat" model in 2008 after the holiday rush leaves me in a pile of rubble. :)

But, for sure, the fat fox will be available before Dec. 9. That date is significant because it's the last day to get your holiday orders in if you want them before the 25th.

Perhaps I should make more time for this

I won some prizes this week for my robot costume!

First, from the South End Open Market -- 5 free market days!!

Second, from Etsy -- $150 shopping spree and a surprise grab bag!!
PLUS, my costume was featured on boingboing.net, because they were the judges for the "General Awesomeness" category.

I feel honored to have won such prizes and to have been chosen from many amazing costumes that were entered. Thanks to all of the contest sponsors and judges! I can't take the smile off of my face.