Sock Monkey Brothers
It’s been awhile since I’ve stitched up a sock monkey. The classic.
One for new baby grandson in Ohio and one for a friend of my sister in New York City. The pairs of socks have been in the house a long time. Once I stitched on the faces, they seem to look at me and smile.
Both Anna and Jack have set up a crew of sock monkeys, told them to smile and photographed them. This evening I placed the newly completed monkeys on the couch in my living room. And took their picture
Very cooperative!
One of the smiles needs a bit of straightening out, I see upon examining the image. Ooops.
And yes, my sister and I visited the Sock Monkey Museum in Rockford, Illinois when we were visiting relatives. (The relatives live in Rockford, not the museum)
Sock monkey duo, going in different directions, more than 500 miles apart.
Here are some old sock monkey photos from previous blogs.
When I was a kid (c. 1958)my family lived in the city of Newark NJ. there was a Youth Consultation Service behind our house on Broad Street. At least a dozen girls lived there and each girl had a handmade sock monkey. My mom thought sock monkeys weren’t appealing but I always wanted one. Some people think they are ugly, others think they’re cute. These two have a bit of scrap flannel from the sock monkey pillowcases I stitched for the grandchildren for Christmas. Going with a theme, here. That will be another post.
I don’t think I owned one until I stitched on in 1976.
The first sock monkey I ever made was for my son Mark (39),father to the grandchildren in the photos above. He name it the Doonie Monkey and it was stuffed with old stockings. I use fiberfill now. And for some unknown reason, I never added a tail on his monkey. He resides with the grandchildren in Ohio, too.
I’ve make pink and blue and purple monkeys but my favorite is the classic.
If you would like to make a sock monkey, there’s a terrific youtube tutorial by Professor Pincushion on how to make the classic monkey. I don’t add the ears or buttons on mine.
Giraffe Family Puzzle Construction
Maura and I were at Laura’s house, folding the freshly washed baby things, trying out some of the new baby equipment. Laura said, “let’s do the giraffe puzzle that Aunt Mary gave me”
So we did. Matching tiny numbers to numbers. A and B giraffe.
My Sister’s Swedish Bride Doll- 1948
A gift to my sister Mary from some friends and neighbors in Mt Vernon, NY.
She wasn’t played with either, just like the italian doll I posted yesterday.
Her white clothing has yellowed even though she’s been wrapped up and tucked away.
I’m still amazed at how different angles and backgrounds create such a varied look.
You can write the captions.
Stuffed Plush on Garbage Trucks but Ken on the Grill?
At least I think it’s Ken. Without clothes. Not sure of the message or meaning.
I’ve see plenty of stuffed plush on garbage truck fronts, especially in New York City.
Maybe I should rethink this post and title it Wordless Wednesday.
I love how some bloggers are so consistent- Six Word Saturday, Silent Sunday, Wordless Wednesday, TBT and the dependable Weekly Photo Challenge on Friday and so on.
But sometimes when I’m stopped at a red light I see something I can photograph in a blink. No rhyme or reason. It is just there.
You can add the caption
Do You Have a Sentimental Toy from Childhood?
Laura asked me if I could find Ned. That wasn’t his name when he was purchased in 1987.
She received this Cabbage Patch Premie for her fourth birthday.
I dug around in a closet and found him, a little soiled on his feet and hands. I washed him and then his little outfit.
When I was soaking the doll hands in the suds, it looked as if he was washing his own clothes and diaper.
I’ll take him out to Laura when I visit.
Before getting a bath
Cabin Fever? Toss Stuffed Animals in the Air, Practice Motion Photography as the Kids Catch Them
It was Jack’s idea. Take a picture of him tossing his sock monkey in the air.
This weekend I got to be a useful grandma and help watch the younger 3 grandkids while Anna and her mom went to Cincinnati to a swim meet.
The bonus is I got to practice photography- catch motion, suffed animal mid-air, press the shutter, experiment with the new SONY mirrorless camera. Get a sense of the timing.
The kids were in jammies and ready for bed.
But hey, let’s throw stuffed animals in the air! Maura got the groundhog up and his shadow appeared on the wall!
Here Comes the Bride Doll – Vintage Crochet
Do you have a doll with crocheted clothes, right on its body?
Marlene’s cousin made many of these bride dolls and I photographed hers when we were in Hardy. Virginia,
There is a 1951 pattern available for $1.49
Would like to make a gallery of vintage crochet dolls and their clothes if you want to share a pic or two.
Joanne, i know you have that poodle! Are people still creating these? Share your photos.
Look what just arrived from Omaha! Joanne sent her Poodle crocheted by Aunt Angie
What I Saw on my Son’s Bookshelf in his Office
First Communion Weekend in my son Mark’s home office I saw his old Baby Jake from 1976.
I believed little boys should have a doll to love and care for when they were growing up. Preparing for fatherhood.
Now he has his own family of four, but it touched me when I saw his old doll Jake on the bookshelf. Jake has a soft body that has been recovered and filled with fluff, his rubbery arms surgically reattached by me.
You might have seen Mark’s 38th birthday post from Monday.
There is something about a toy or a doll with a face.
One that’s been well loved.
If you want to see a doll well loved, his wife Erika’s childhood doll (now named Baby Doll) adopted by their daughter Anna- really illustrates LOVE! (click the blue link)
old rubber doll from 1976 with home sewn clothes I made for him
The International Sphaeralogical Society Super-ball® Exhibit via Henry J. Simonds
Here’s a new one on me- the International Sphaeralogical Society Did you ever see a SUPERBALL®??
“Founded in 2011, The International Sphaeralogical Society was created to celebrate the history and dynamism of the Super Ball®. Invented by chemist Norman Stingley in 1965 and sold by the Wham-O Manufacturing Co., the iconic toy has been the subject of fascination and play for almost half a century. The I.S.S. is dedicated to exploring and promoting the allure of this bounciest of balls.”
Good friends keep me up to date on what is going on around the city of Pittsburgh. (Thanks Tom.) The following is from his friend Henry J Simonds. I had hoped to photograph it myself but wanted to help get the word out right away.
If you’re in the Pittsburgh area, make a plan to come down sometime during the weekend. If you live far away, just enjoy the photos and check out the International Sphaeralogical Society.
Photos and attachments via Guest Blogger Henry Simonds.
There are extended hours today until 4pm and visits can be arranged throughout the week with
Mia at 412-370-6916.
Regular hours Friday 11-7,
Saturday 11-7
and Sunday 9-3.
Saturday December 21st is FAMILY DAY 11-7
All the work is for sale, so you can pick up a last minute gift while you are here.
Some of you mentioned that it was a little hard to find, so I have posted a visual guide on my facebook page from the vantage point of the East End Food Co-op front door.
Also, Check out the link to the new Merchandise page.
The address again is 201 N. Braddock Ave at Meade St. (across from the Co-op in Point Breeze).
I could use all the help I can get to spread the word, so please tell your friends and neighbors to come down.
Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Henry J. Simonds
Co-Founder and Chief Sphaeralogist
The International Sphaeralogical Society
Saturday, December 14, 2013
7pm
—-
International Sphaeralogical Society
Co-Founder and Chief Sphaeralogist
Henry J. Simonds
Invites you to join him for a gallery talk and conversation
at
The Mine Factory
201 N. Braddock Ave.
Point Breeze
(across from the East End Food Co-op)
Come and learn more about the history of the Super-Ball®
and man’s unique relationship with this iconic toy.
Share some wine and beer and hear more about the exhibition and its evolution
as Mr. Simonds shares how the ball has inspired him and
presents contemporary examples of how others have been inspired.
—
https://www.facebook.com/events/512335242207435/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular
Www.Sphaeralogy.org
Www.Facebook.com/Sphaeralogy
—-
Weekend Hours:
Friday, December 13, 2013 – 11am-7pm
Saturday, December 14, 11am-7pm
Gallery Talk – 7pm-??
Sunday, December 15, 9am-3pm
What We Found When We Went to Brush Our Teeth
Photographed by Anna (9+) with the iPhone. When I am staying with the family ( since I am out of school for the summer), I get help documenting-
“for the blog”.
You might remember Anna found the pick up truck full of mannequin legs last winter and captured the scene with her mom’s iPhone.
Jack’s (6) plane- landed in a sink full of water earlier in the day.
I like that she changed up her angle on the second shot and found the unfortunate figure beneath the plane at the bottom of the sink
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