squirrel momma

Monster Love

I just got my hands on three teeny tiny Random Bloody Wee Monsters from DanceSippyDance:

I'm not sure if they look stunned or slightly guilty. Or just full. But they definitely won my heart.

And then I think they ate it.

 

 

Hair. And the Animals that Grow It.

This weekend was the West Michigan Fiber Festival. I went to stock up on wool roving (didn't find any felt), but my favorite part ended up being the critters.

There were really big bunnies.

 

Llamas with attitude.

 

Goats who needed a trim.

 

And goats who were just plain adorable.

 

Although I didn't leave with a baby goat (really, really had to talk myself out of that one), I did score some fabulously weird wool.

I think the stuff on the top is from those curly sheep I can't remember the name of, and the stuff at the bottom is wool "pebbles". What's it for? Who knows! What will Squirrel Momma use it for? Hmmm. Fish scales? Frog warts? Monster fur? Don't know yet, but I can practically guarantee it will be strange, and most probably have fangs.

Somebody Fell off the Wagon

Yes, I know I virtuously proclaimed nine short days ago that I am not a fabric hoarder (except for that fur thing). But I have a dear customer who asked if I might think about making monster cosmetic bags. And that meant I needed to order oilcloth. And then Cynthia, the wonderful owner of FabricWorm, pointed out that not only does she have Anna Maria Horner's oilcloth, but Heather Bailey's and the Echino line, too.  

 

 Then I happened to see some Michael Miller fabrics...with hedgehogs and gnomes...

 

Oops.

Warning

It is definitely not a good idea for a fourteen year old girl and her mother to go to Ulta:

 

How can they possibly be expected to resist the coupons?  The gift with purchase?  The nearly infinite selection of girlie goodies?

Now, where'd I leave that new Sheer Amaretto lipstick?

Goodie Bag

I just got the most fabulous bag of goodies, courtesy of my brother- and sister-in-law, and, of course, my niece.

If I were Johnny Depp (or Gene Wilder--still haven't decided which is better) and had Wonka Vision I could send you the little bird, so that you could experience the fabulousness of the fact that it chirps when you pick it up.  But you'll have to take my word for it, at least until technology catches up with Squirrel Momma. 

Thanks so much, guys!

Fairy Door

A friend and I drove to Ann Arbor yesterday to have a girls' day out and do some shopping, which had to include a stop at Peaceable Kingdom.

Here's a shot of their front window...

And their second front door--the one for fairies!

Fairy Doors are sprinkled around downtown Ann Arbor. Peaceable Kingdom's is special because you can peek through windows and see the little fairy store inside.  

In the big person store I got this extremely necessary object...

And why, you ask, is a woodpecker toothpick dispenser necessary? (This will be the same question Squirrel Man will ask when he sees it.)

Because I said so, that's why.

Score, Part II

I have to show you the little dog I got at the antique market on Sunday, because I need someone to fill me in on what breed he is:

I thought a terrier, but then I changed my mind. Schnauzer? Too short. I've pretty much exhausted my minuscule dog breed knowledge on this one, so feel free to tell me what's what.

And in other news, the PACKAGE arrived today!

The PACKAGE was a treat for myself I ordered from the Etsy seller Sawako Hayakawa, whose shop is called Alleluja. I could barely stand to wait for it to come all the way from Tokyo (and I think my mailman was tired of me waiting, too).

Let's take a closer look at that stamp, shall we?

Well, obviously a package with a squirrel stamp on the outside must have something wonderful on the inside.  And it did, wrapped in soft wool felt.

Here's my little cat, who is both a pendant and a pincushion.

Yay for packages with squirrel stamps!

Score!

The last couple of times we've hit the Allegan Antique Market we haven't had a very good haul, but yesterday we hit pay dirt. Among other things, Squirrel Girl found a jewelry box, Nut Boy got a mini pub-style dart set, and I scored not only a cast metal terrier from the 1920's (I am a complete sucker for metal animals) but also...

A teeny tiny ceramic gnome! He was originally a candle holder, but as soon as I got him home I felt it necessary to make certain modifications...into a pincushion.  Surprising I would do that, isn't it?

I've Been Gnomed!

Look what I got myself the backyard squirrels got me for my birthday yesterday! They're from LayerCakeShop, and boy, are they cool (my favorite is the guy with the little lantern).

They are happily keeping me company by the stove right now, but if flying pasta sauce becomes a problem they may relocate to the safety of the windowsill. Gnomes, I was surprised to discover, do not like being dunked in marinara.

Bye for now. My brain is mush from 24 hours straight of birthday sugar, an hour and a half on my webcam in the Etsy labs, and the fact that Nut Boy just finished making cascarones and scurrying around looking for a head to smash them on.

Spring Plushapalooza

Wait, did I hear you say you need an easy way to shop for Easter basket bunnies?

Or you're desperately searching for a gift for that hard to shop for friend/child/second cousin twice removed?

Or you're wondering what's new in Plush Land?

Or, maybe, you've been wondering what someone as strange as yours truly looks like?

Well, hallelujah, friend, your prayers are answered!

But wait, you say, what is this strange new world, this "Etsy Labs"?  Dare I venture there?  Will people laugh at me?   

No worries!  The Etsy Labs aren't scary at all, they're just a fancy schmancy chat room run by Etsy.  Just log into your Etsy account (and if you don't have one, it only takes a second to get one--the only private info they'll ask for is your email).  Once you've logged in, the Virtual Labs are located under the "Community" button.  Or click here and I'll magically send you there!

I'll admit, a few months ago I had never set foot in a chat room anywhere, and was really nervous about going to the Labs.  But I really wanted to, and I finally screwed up my courage and attended a shop critique.  And guess what?  It was great!  And now I love them so much that for the Spring Plushapalooza I will be turning on my webcam* to meet and greet you guys! Which is saying a lot, because as a rule I hate having my picture taken, and truly despise being on camera.  But for the glory of Etsy Plush Team, I will bare all!

Wait...I don't think that came out the way I intended. But you know what I mean.

*Perhaps I should explain that you will not have to worry about being on camera--just I and some of my fellow Etsy plush artists will up on the screen.  You can come in your pajamas, cup of tea in hand, if you like. And definitely wear your pink bunny slippers, because this will be the perfect kind of event to wear pink bunny slippers to.