A Scotty for Kyle

This weekend, we are going to be headed up to San Jose for baby Kyle's baptism. Kyle is the adopted son of Mark & Liz...Mark is Steve's godfather, and Steve is going to be Kyle's godfather. So I felt compelled to make something for Kyle...and then somewhere online I saw a Scotty dog (sincerest apologies to whomever I borrowed this idea from **EDIT - Found the link stuffed in my IE favorites - also Pink Penguin**)...and it immediately made me think of this Scotty dog softie my grandma used to let me sleep with, although he was made of carpet-like fabric, if I remember correctly. **Mom, if you're reading this, find out if grandma still has that doggie...I would like him!**

Anyway, I came up with a pattern for the doggie, using trusty rusty Excel. I fell in love with the American Jane "Recess" fabrics, so I ordered a layer cake from Pink Chalk.

I cut each layer cake into 3x10 strips, then cut 3" squares from that. So I ended up with 120 squares, which I used to somewhat randomly piece together Mr. Scotty Doggie:


I didn't realize until I put the 2 pictures together that I used the navy polka dot fabric in the exact same spot on both sides of his face.

I think I had 25 extra squares leftover, so I decided I wanted to make a fabric basket using Pink Penguin's tutorial:



So hopefully the colors and fabrics aren't too girly, I thought they were fun, kinda Crayola primary colors. If not, I can always keep him...and name him Jock. ;) Now I just need to figure out what to do with the remainder 7x10 Recess pieces (pun intended, although I know it was weak)...

Wendell follow-up

The prob w/Wendell is that I didn't get enough seam allowance going on him...so I think if I were to gift to any small child, he might be too "loved" and fall apart. Plus, I'm still not very good at all with stitching up the stuffing hole (I think there is a proper term for this, but I would have no idea), so my whip stitch (again, I think that's what I'm doing) is about all I have the patience to do with any amount of precision, and it shows (literally!).

I'm envious of those who are able to stitch...not a skill I have. I still have a WIP/UFO cross-stitch project floating around somewhere that was supposed to be a gift to my mom for Christmas 2006. And I have a completely unstarted cross-stitch project that was supposed to be for the guest bedroom (my Americana room)...the supplies are shoved behind my scrapbooking treasure trove. And on a completely random tangent, I really want to move, so I can pack up my apartment and see how much crap I need to get rid of...I'm sure I'll be the source of copious quantities of trash and Goodwill bags.

And I'm really envious of those who actually enjoy binding their quilts...because I view it as an entirely tedious process. I'm not sure I would actually pay someone to bind a quilt for me...I'm too cheap!

Wendell

This is my first attempt at a softie... He measures approximately 8" across. I decided to call him Wendell. :) His backside is Flutterby patchwork, which mis-cut rectangles (my quilty math is lacking). I think he is adorable, but not in good enough condition to actually gift to any of the numerous small monsters/children my friends possess.