Toy Balls & Dottie Pig

With these short, dark days suddenly upon us again, I decided I needed a little saturated color in my life.  So...I looked around and found these scrap bags from Anna Marie Horner.  Which certainly did the trick, and they turned out to be perfect for this project because I got a nice variety of coordinated prints to work with.  I wanted the balls to be a bit more substantial so lined each section with heavy muslin, using a machine zig-zag stitch around the edges to hold the layers together.  It worked pretty good, but I might try using an iron-on stabilizer next time.  I've found that lining the fabric helps soft toys hold their shape; important if children are actually going to play with them, as they will undoubtedly get squished and squashed and eventually tossed into the washer.  These two balls happen to be presents for the 'sandbox crowd' in the family.  Namely, my two darling "grand-dotties".  (I've since gotten a request for another, so I'm working on it now as a surprise for a certain someone.)  Cloth balls are pretty easy and can be made in any size.  Patterns for them have been around for ages -- for convenience sake, I used the (medium size) template offered here though. 

Naturally, I couldn't resist putting a little embroidery on them either.  I'm sure you must know by now -- if you've been following this blog for any length of time -- that nothing is safe from my embroidery needle around here.  Besides, it's nice to have your own and know whose is whose, and since these are going to reside with sisters, it just makes sense in order to keep the peace.  So they've been personalized.  This monogram pattern is one of my favorites--the little flowers are very sweet and fun to do.  The initial is worked using a satin-stitch, in chocolate brown.  Yum.  Pretty on the candy pink background, a scrap from my own stash.  For the other ball, I traced the design from cute Japanese embroidery book and added letters to spell out the name, using the yarn ball as the "O".  Used a red transfer pen for that.  I'm still swooning over that book, trying to find ways to use more of the designs.

While I'm at it; must mention sweet piggy here.  Grace made it -- used the pattern from this book again--with her own spin.  She stitched this entirely by hand in just a few evenings.  Loving those hamhocks.  There is just something so intrinsically *right* about pink polka dot pigs.  I think this one deserves a little shelf space.

OK.  Without further ado, (I love saying that) the winner of the embroidery pattern give-away#1 is "shy" Arlene.  (hee hee)  Congratulations, my dear!  Please contact me with your shipping info and I'll get your prizes on their way lickety-split. 

Comments

[Tam]

Very fun and sweet gift ideas!
~Tam :D

[Bean]

What a lovely idea! I love your "olivia" embroidery design!!

[Debbie]

That pig is as cute as can be!!!

[Natalie]

Adorable. Fun. Lovely.

[Vee]

Congrats to Arlene! I love these fabric balls and hope to whip up a couple tonight. I doubt that I'll be doing much embroidery on them, but yours sure are sweet!

[Jo]

You are so wonderfully talented! I'd love to learn to create things like this!

[Elaine/Muddling Through]

You and Grace have both done a beautiful job. Inspiring work!

[Cathy Santarsiero]

Love the dottie pig and the 'Olivia' embroidery! So special. Have a lovely week. Warmly, Cathy ^..^

[Katie]

Oh my, those are so incredibly sweet! The colors, the fabric, the embroidery...these are fabulous!

[jeannie]

I wish I had littles to make these for, I wonder how they'd look on the tree? I am so excited as my presents to myself are on the way - a copy of your book and one of Posies'! I just hope I don't have to wrap them and put them under the tree. Have the happiest of holidays. Cheers.

[Amy]

those balls are adorable1 and what a great way to personalize them!

[Judy]

Congrats Arlene! I love the balls. Those look like something I could use in the toy box for the grandkids.

[norththreads]

oh how darling:)

[Christy]

You and Grace make the loveliest things and gifts Vicki!

And congrats to Arlene!

[Patrice]

Too Cute * I'm thinking there's a polka dot pig in my future, especially since I already have the book. THanks for sharing!!! I'm so envious that Grace inherited your love for stichery/crafting. My two girls, (20 & 22) start many conversations with "ummmm. . . . Mom, can you sew this button on"?? or "Mom, what's a seam ripper??" You get the idea. . . .Love those two to pieces, but crafty, they're not! Happy Holidays to all at The Hanniger Household! Oh, one more thing, I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK! Love it. Got yours & Alicia Paulson's together from Amazon and sat with them together with a good cup of coffee . . . . . total crafty bliss. .

[Kate]

Oh I love vintage cross stitch! Can't wait to see what you make from the patterns you are looking through.

[Jen Duncan]

Adorable vicki! And just the right touches of embroidery. :-)

[Lorrie]

cute, cute ideas. Love the colours.

Lorrie

[Nancy]

Pink hammie hocks are adorable!

[Lavender Dreamer]

The colors and designs have brightened my day! HOW CUTE!

[Kelly]

How can I not love a pink dotty pig! Too cute!

[Anu]

Wow..they are adorable!

[Barb]

I just love how creative you are, and apparently the 'apple didn't fall far from the tree'. Love the balls, love the piggy (those hamhocks are so sweet!), and your embroidery is so beautiful!

Love your postings - I read it everyday 'cuz it just makes me smile! Thanks.

[Mia]

Oh my gosh! I love the balls - they're great, but the little pink polka dot pig is fabulous!!! Grace should definitely put a couple on her Etsy shop and you're right the ham hocks are perfect! Well done Grace!!