Visit Plushka's new space!

We've moved!

Our new space is here. 

xxx

It's happening, Plushka is moving!

It's been a few months in the making but it getting closer and closer... 

Plushka's website is going live any day now! 

It's very exciting and a little scary too as it's a new system that I still need to learn how to use. However, as much as I love my blog,  it's time for a change. I hope to make this transition smooth and that you will still stop by my blog to read it but on a crispy new website! 

It will be a few days of transferring things and setting it all up and I am looking forward hearing what you think about the new look:) 

If you would like to stay updated on my website progress and other happenings, you can do it here:

Newsletter 
Facebook
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Pinterest

Hooray for the new beginnings!

Felt monster toy DIY, make the whole family of colourful monsters!

The patterns for the happy monsters are finally here! It did take me a while but I got here eventually. I got too carried away with making them in different colours, they are very addictive! 

This three eye monster takes a few hours and many felt spots to make. He is super cute and can be an educational toy too - learning colours, textures and shapes. You can use ribbon tags instead of felt ones if you wish. 

To make one 3 eye monster, you'll need:

Plushka's pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in many colourful colours: 2 larger pieces for the body - finished monster is 14 cm in diameter 

red felt for the heart and spots, grey, white, black....other colours for the spots.

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white, black, grey, red and matching embroidery threads to the body colour.

toy stuffing 

pins

Instructions:

1. cut out the body and the eyes as per pattern

2. cut 5 strips of felt about 10 cm long and 1 cm wide, put aside.

3. place white parts of the eyes on the head and lightly draw a little smile with a chalk to make sure it will fit after the eyes are stitched on. Stitch eyes in place - white, grey, black. 

4. Add a smile, making small stitches in black embroidery thread, following by eyelashes. Note that the middle eye looks the other way, thus eyelashes are underneath it. 

5. Cut out one heart shape and about 10 multi-coloured dots. Note that I haven't used red dots on the face of the monster on purpose in order to make heart stand out more. Also, heart is to be stitched on with red thread. 

6. Place all the dots around heart (it's already stitched on) and attach the dots with one cross in the middle with the embroidery thread that matches the body colour. 

Optional: if you would prefer to attach the dots more securely so they are harder to pick on for a baby, stitch them on like you did the eyes, all the way around. As the dots might be ripped off, this toy is recommended for kids after 3 years old. Unless you attach them all the way around and supervise while the toy is played with. 

7. Cut out as many dots  as you wish for the back of the monster. I used red ones at the back as well as other colours. Attach in the same style as at the dots at the front.

8. Fold the felt strips (or ribbon) in half and pin them on in  between front and back. Stitch around using matching thread catching the "tags" in place as you go. Leave a gap for stuffing! 

9. Stuff your little monster and stitch the gap.

Ta-Da! You have one happy monster! 

Enjoyed making this colouful fellow? Other patterns for 2 more monsters are available in the patterns shop. Why not make the whole family?!

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page.

On my day off...

I decided to take a day off today. As I and Mr. Plushkin work through the weekend, we usually have one or two days off during the week. On my little day off to-do list was to feed the birds in the park.... tick.

Then, try to use as many tomatoes as I can as be bought 10 kg on special..... tick.

I roasted 2 kg to make a sauce for carries, used 1 kg to make a pasta sauce in the Thermomix and made one of these eggplant and chickpeas roasts..... Phew! I think we will have tomato based diet this month!

For this afternoon I have a clean up planned in my studio after a monster production line of happy monsters. 

Hope you are having a delightful day too!

xox