Mischievous Raccoon

With summer nearly over, frog brothers Freddie and Teddy go for one last visit to their favorite swimming hole. It's so private, they decide to do some nude sunbathing. Their swimsuits are drying in the sun on the nearby rocks....

Uh-oh! What's this? That mischievous Raccoon has slipped away with Freddie's and Teddy's swimsuits, right under their noses!

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!" The frogs quickly find something handy to cover their private parts. "Thief! Thief!"

Stay tuned for the next installment of this story. You can see all of Plushpussycat's stories in one place. And don't forget about the Fall Giveaway happening right here on Plushpussycat! More giveaways to follow too! :-) Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

A Love Letter

Sent by Bert....

...and treasured by Bella.

If this is your first time on my blog, you may not know that the story of Bella the bride bunny and Bert bunny started a while back. You can see previous episodes of this story (and other miniature vignettes I've done) here. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella and Bert Go on a Real Date

Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

A Couple of Changes

Hi! Just wanted to give you all a heads up that I've changed a couple of things on my blog. First, I added a stand-alone page dedicated to all of the various storylines going on at Plushpussycat.

Most of those storylines involve plush critters, such as mice, kitties, frogs, bears, and bunnies. I also put the Dad's Dollhouse series on the "Plushpussycat's Stories" page. Hopefully, this page will help anyone who is interested be able to follow an entire series from start to finish. It might also be a helpful page if you want to re-read a favorite story or series of stories. :-)

The second change I made was adding a dedicated page called "Shop." That page is currently under construction, but as I have time, I will list items for sale. This will allow you to make purchases directly from me using Paypal. Currently, however, my greeting cards, plushies, and (hopefully in the near future) miniatures are available exclusively in my Etsy plushpussycat shop.

Just a heads up! So how to find these dedicated pages on the blog? There are links to them near the top of the blog, front and center. They're just under the name of the blog followed by the paragraph that describes the blog. Just under there! :-)

I hope you're all having a lovely July. I'll write soon with more about my new (to me) dollhouses, I'll show you the work I've done recently on Dad's dollhouse, and I'll have a new story for you very soon. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

I Will Not...

Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying my blog giveaway. There are two prizes: one features a handmade chick plushy and the other features some vintage Victorian dollhouse miniatures. The giveaway ends June 18, 2011. Welcome to all of my new followers! I hope you have fun every time you visit here!

Here's a new miniature vignette story for you. School is almost out for the summer, it's getting hot outside, and tempers are flaring. Looks like Freddie the frog is in trouble with the local school teacher, Bella the bride bunny. Freddie's brother Teddy watches it all unfold. His eyes are huge with fear. Will he be next?

Gosh, it looks like Freddie can't do anything right! He was just being himself! (Did you see what is written on the blackboard? If not, look at the third photo again now. You will get the joke!)

For newbies to this blog, or anyone else who wants to see these again, here are some links to previous miniature story vignettes: Intro to Bella, Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping, Bella Goes Shopping Part 2, Bella Goes Shopping Part 3, New Puppy!, and Conclusion: Houndstooth Puppy and Raccoon.

Next post I'll reveal the amazing gifts I won in Klara's giveaway. I can't wait to show them to you! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping Part 3

In our last episode, Bella and Bert were gazing into each other's eyes after meeting for the first time.

Finally, Bert spoke: "Say, Bella, I was just about to take a break." He pulled out a thermos and poured them each a latte. "Would you care to join me?" Bella, having thought ahead (you never know when Mr. Right will show up!), pulled out a piece of cake from her picnic basket. "I'd love to!" she cried. "Would you care to share this cake with me?" "Why, yes," Bert replied. "How about we sit down in the grass near the barn?" "That would be perfect!"

Ever prepared, Bella's picnic basket liner miraculously turned into a picnic blanket, and the two sat down together in the field. Bella and Bert drank lattes, ate cake, and chatted. "So what do you do, Bella?" Bert asked. "I'm the local school teacher" replied Bella. "How long have you had your farm?" "Just a few years," replied Bert. Turns out they both are committed to growing and eating organic produce (we already knew that!). Both of them are single (we knew that too!), and both want to start a family soon (we could have guessed that!).

After a long while, drunk on infatuation, they wandered back to the farm stand, where Bella picked out her fruits and vegetables. Oh, yes! She had come here to shop. She'd almost fogotten!

She had such a large load of produce that Bert offered to walk her home. "Oh no! That's too much trouble for you, Bert! I couldn't ask you to do that!" Bella pretended to resist his offer, but she was secretly thrilled. "It's my pleasure," said Bert, as he carried the large vegetable crate in his strong paws, while Bella carried her picnic basket, now laden with fruit, at his side.

They didn't talk much on the walk home. They were a little too giddy for that! Both of them were savoring the moment, neither of them wanting this time together to end. When they got to the gate of Bella's cottage, they set down their things and were about to say their farewells.

Just then, Bert pulled out a bouquet of fresh Forget-Me-Not flowers that he had picked for Bella when she wasn't looking. "Oh Bertie," Bella cried. "These are so beautiful! Thank you!" "Thank you, Bella. I am so glad to have met you." With that, they said their good-byes and shook paws again. The tingle was still there! "Oh my!" Bella thought she might swoon. Bert had to pull himself away from Bella's intoxicating eyes.

Bella went into her little cottage and reminisced about her day. Night was falling as she got into her warm, cozy bed, but she couldn't sleep. Her heart was pounding. It had been so lovely meeting Bert. "I hope I get to see him again soon! He may be the Mr. Right I've been waiting for!"

Bert walked back to the farm, thoughts of Bella dancing around in his head. After closing up the farm stand for the day, Bert decided to call it a night. Bert went to bed in the barn, his usual spot. Because he didn't have the benefit of a female influence in his life, Bert had never gotten around to fixing up the farm's dilapidated house. "Bella's cottage sure looked warm and cozy. Oh, and that Bella sure looked warm and soft too! I wish I could be in her arms right now!" thought Bert.

Is Bert Bella's Mr. Right? Is Bella Bert's Ms. Right? Will Bert and Bella ever be in each other's arms? Will Bert always have to sleep in the hay barn? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions and more! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping Part 2

In the first episode of this story, we learned some important background about Bella, our heroine. Next, Bella the bride bunny had walked to a local organic farm to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. Last we saw, Bella had reached the produce stand, and the farmer was behind the table of produce, with his back turned toward her.

Just then, the farmer turned around. Bella sucked in her breath. "Oh, my!" she softly whispered to herself, for the farmer was dressed in a tuxedo shirt and bow tie! "How can this be?" she thought. "Is this a male after my own heart?"

Oh, and what a handsome bunny he was, dressed in his finest while selling the fruits and vegetables of his labor. Turns out, while this handsome farmer, hereafter known as Bert, was carrying out all of his duties, the only thing on his mind was "When will I meet my Ms. Right?" Like Bella, Bert was always thinking like this. He was waiting and waiting.... And there she was! "Could she be the bunny of my dreams?" he wondered.

Bert came from behind the produce stand and approached Bella.

Bella was feeling so shy that she could hardly speak. They exchanged names and shook paws. When their paws touched, both Bert and Bella felt a tingle. Bella could hardly breathe. Bert couldn't stop looking into Bella's beautiful eyes.

They were completely alone together. If anyone had come by just then, they would have thought that Bella and Bert were newlyweds, not only because of their outfits, but also because of the energy that was between them. Was it a match made in heaven? Stay tuned for the next part in this ongoing series to find out! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping

Hello, dear readers! I promised you more about the bunny bride-to-be and her search for Mr. Right. Our little bride bunny is officially named Bella now! Bella, because she is so beautiful!

Bella, as you may recall from our previous episode, always wears a bridal veil, because the only thing on her mind is, "Who is my Mr. Right? When will I meet him?" She is always thinking this way.

Today, Bella the bunny must take care of practical matters. She is going to go shopping. No, not shopping for a man, but shopping for food at one of her local farms. First, Bella prepared a small lunch for herself, and then she headed out of her little cottage and into the nearby woods.

After walking for a while, she made it into the deep forest. There she found a clearing with a comfortable place to rest and eat her lunch.

Once she had eaten her fill, she continued her journey. She needed to stock up on some organic fruits and veggies. She would take them back to her cottage and store them for a bit.

After a little while, she found the new farm she had been looking for. "Ah, here it is!" The sign even said that there was fresh fruit. "Oh goody!" Bella walked up a short path which led to the actual farm. The farm stand was filled with delicious-looking fresh fruits and vegetables. Behind the farm stand, with his back toward her, stood the farmer.

What will happen next, dear readers? Stay tuned for the next episode! xoxo Jennifer

New Bunny Plushy!

And she's a bride! :-) I've been wanting to make a bunny plushy forever, and here she is! She is made from a white vintage cashmere sweater that I felted, vintage and new embroidery floss, and she's stuffed with renewable bamboo fiberfill. Her bridal veil, which is removable, is made from recycled tulle, vintage embroidery floss, and vintage lace. She is completely sewn by hand except for one seam on the back of the veil that I sewed with a machine. She's super soft and huggable!

Oh, sweet little bunny bride. She is waiting for Mr. Right! That's the one thing on her mind. See how even when she is doing something, her eyes are always looking to the right? Looking to the right symbolizes looking to the future, and that's what she's always doing. She is imagining meeting her Mr. Right, getting married, and living happily ever after. Until then, she is just waiting, waiting, waiting....

Let's see what happens in this little bunny's future, shall we? Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Conclusion: Houndstooth Puppy and Raccoon

Why did Raccoon steal Houndstooth Pup's bicycle? And where did he take it? These are a couple of the unanswered questions from my previous post, New Puppy! Here's what really happened. Raccoon thought he was just borrowing the bicycle for a little joyride. He hopped on Houndstooth Pup's bicycle and rode around and around the park. What fun! He didn't have a bicycle of his own. He felt so free!

After a few minutes, though, he started riding back toward his new friend Houndstooth Pup. His new friend looked so sad. Why was he so sad? Raccoon wondered. He stopped right in front of Houndstooth Pup, jumped off the bike, and said, "That was great! Thanks for loaning me your bicycle, Houndstooth!"

At that moment, Houndstooth and Racoon were happy, feeling that everything was OK between them again.

Here's a photograph showing the two friends arm in arm:

How lucky they feel to have made friends. Now off they go to make some mischief. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

New Bear!

My newest creation is a cute bear plushy:

Here's a rear view of the little cuddly guy:

He is made from a felted lambswool and angora sweater for his body, soft felted wool for his snout, soft wool for his scarf, embroidery floss, and ecological bamboo fiberfill. He measures approximately 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide. He is soooo soft and cuddly! I call him Papa Bear, and he has a little toddler bear under his care that I call Baby Bear.

Before a full afternoon of play, Baby Bear needed to go to the bathroom. Baby Bear is just a toddler, so Papa Bear coaches him on how to use the toilet. "Good job, Baby Bear! Now we can go outside and play!"

After using the bathroom, Papa Bear and Baby Bear spent all day playing together. There was lots of snow, so they built a snowbear together and had a snowball fight. It was the best day ever!

Hope you've been having fun with my silly stories and vignettes. I've been having a ball putting them together! In my next post, I'll begin where we left off with Houndstooth Puppy and Raccoon. Until then.... xoxo Jennifer

New Puppy!

I made a new puppy! He's Houndstooth Pup! He's oh-so-soft, made from a felted wool and cashmere (yes, I said cashmere!) jacket for his body, soft felted wool for his ears and tail, and ecofelt for his nose and heart. Embroidery floss and bamboo fiberfill add the finishing touches. He stands at just under 5 inches tall:

Here's a view from the back:

Recently, Houndstooth Pup got into a little trouble:

Here's what happened: He rode his bicycle to the park. He was having fun romping with a new friend, Raccoon. Then Raccoon ran off with Houndstooth Pup's bicycle! Oh, No! He got tricked by that rascal Raccoon. Look how sad Houndstooth Pup is now! Will he ever get his bicycle back? Stay tuned for the next chapter in this saga. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Frogs!

After making my kitties, I wanted to tackle making frogs next. I've always loved frogs. They're so sweet and tender! I had found some vintage green buttons at a thrift store on a trip to the Oregon coast. Those were going to be the eyes, along with some new yellow buttons to go on top/inside the big green ones. First I made the cute and geeky tall frog:

His narrow neck gets cold (like mine!), so he wears a scarf. Then I made the cute and geeky short frog:

I think of him as a baby bullfrog-in-training. These two little guys are brothers. As you can see in the next photograph, they're getting ready for a bath together:

Both are made from a green felted lambswool sweater, vintage and new buttons, vintage embroidery floss (given to me by my mom 20 years ago), ecofelt for the short frog's heart, felted wool for the tall frog's heart and scarf, and bamboo fiberfill. They're super soft and snuggly!

I have two more critters to show you in the next few days, so please keep checking back often. I can't wait for you to see them! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Kitties!

I just love cats, so I always had making kitty plushies in the back of my mind. For that reason, right after I made my woods mouse plushy, I made a tomcat plushy:

He's all boy! Actually, Tom looks tough, but he has a tender heart. He's a powerful 6 inches tall, made completely by hand from a felted grey merino sweater for his body, a felted black merino sweater for his nose, and a felted pink lambswool and angora sweater for his heart and ears. Speaking of his ears, they even have some angora "fur" on them! Tom was lonely, though. As tender as he is, he needed a girlfriend:

Her name is Plushpussycat! Does she look familiar? She is the avatar/mascot for Plushpussycat and stands at a slightly more delicate 5 1/2 inches tall. She is made from a felted black merino sweater (body), felted hot pink lambswool and angora sweater (nose and ears), and a felted green lambswool sweater (eyes). Both she and Tom are soft, soft, soft. They've got cotton embroidery floss for their finer details, and they're stuffed with snuggly, renewable bamboo fiberfill.

Recently, the two of them went on a picnic date at the park:

He brought her flowers (what a romantic!), and she brought a picnic basket full of goodies. What fun! xoxo Jennifer

A New Era: Felted Wool Sweater Plushies

After making my banana slug and worm plushies, I caught sight of several artists who were making cute stuffed plushy critters from upcycled felted wool sweaters. I caught a kind of fever for using this type of material, as it was and is a great fit with my values and interests.

I like the idea of recycling something that can no longer be used by someone else. It saves the material from going to a landfill. Using recycled sweaters (and other fibers and craft supplies, for that matter), reduces the raw material and energy needed to create brand new materials. Double-win for the environment! Plus, I LOVE thrift store shopping! I win too! :-)

Here are some fun pictures of my first felted wool sweater plushy. It's a sweet little woods mouse: 

First, I thoroughly washed and felted the sweaters I used. Then I made her completely by hand from soft recycled lambswool sweaters, cotton embroidery floss (including some vintage floss), and bamboo fiberfill, which is a soft and renewable fiber. I adore this critter, and designing the sets and taking the photographs was so much fun. Hope you enjoy them too! OK, that's it for now! More cute plushies next time.... xoxo Jennifer