New Facebook Fan Page

Facebook, originally uploaded by qdpatooties.

I finally have an account on Facebook as well as a Fan Page there. I'd appreciate it if you would add me as a Friend!  CLICK HERE for the link to my regular Profile Page and then CLICK HERE to become a member of the q.D.paToOtieS Fan Page.

Also, I just wanted to quickly say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating here in the U.S. and around the world (troops, etc.). Please, if you are traveling, have a safe trip and a wonderful time with your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

It's Coming -- the Luv-able & Hug-able 3rd Annual Plush Show!

It's Coming -- the Luv-able & Hug-able 3rd Annual Plush Show!, originally uploaded by qdpatooties.

It's coming, it's coming! The press release is up on their website: www.galleryhanahou.com/. I'm really nervous because I've never participated in this type of show before where it's a "gallery" type event. So it's kind of part exhibition and part sale. I hope my pieces are cute enough that someone adopts them!

Attention Spammers...

Spam!, originally uploaded by Grumbler %-|.

I love people who comment on my Blog. Really. I really, really, really love it when people comment on my Blog. Real people that is who comment on my Blog. I don't, however, love SPAM'ers who comment on my Blog. First of all, it's a waste of time really on their part because you see, I have this weird little setting that I use where I can do what is known as "moderate" the comments that come are posted here. Now, when I see a lovely SPAM comment come which says something about buying Viagra, I scratch my blond little head and say, "Hmph, funny, I don't know any bears or softies or craft items that need Viagra at the moment." And so, with a click of my mouse, I end up deleting it. Blogger has made it very easy for me to do that and I use it frequently. So you see, posting SPAM here is a waste of your time and mine as well. Because I could be doing other things like ugh, making new patterns instead of throwing out SPAM that's been posted on my Blog.

I had another problem here where people started setting up links from my new patterns to their Blog where they would talk all about new items they had in their Etsy shop or what have you but no where would they mention me or the pattern/project I had just put up or that they were linking to. So, I had to turn the backlink feature off.

Anyway, it saddens me when people use their time this way and I really hope I don't see any more of that kind of thing here. I'll get off my soapbox for now and I'm sorry I even had to bring this up.

Thanks to all of you who actually read and follow this Blog and I really do appreciate, more than ever, the people who take time to leave nice comments and link to it so other people can see and enjoy the projects here. You are very special to me. THANKS AGAIN!

Hot Diggity Dog It's a New Group For q.D.paToOtieS!

Hot Diggity Dog It's a New Group For q.D.paToOtieS!, originally uploaded by qdpatooties.

I've started a Flickr group for items made out of the free patterns that I have here on my Blog. The photos in the photo pool will be used on here as I show off how creative you were when using the pattern. The address for the group is www.flickr.com/groups/qdpatooties/ and if you're a Flickr member it's an open group so go ahead and join as I'd love to see what you made. If you would put the pattern name as well as qdpatooties as a tag that would be great because I think I'm also going to set up an automatic sweep to clean out things that don't belong there.

And For My Next Magic Trick...

I'm going to turn this fabric into a doll! Really, I am! I don't make very many dolls but as part of my doll club Christmas swap, we put some fabric into bags and passed them around and whatever bag you receive is what you'll use to make your doll. You can add a little fabric too if you need to and in this case I think I might. I told the ladies not to expect much though because I am not a doll artist. So we'll just see what comes out of this scrap of floral cotton and little piece of faux fur.

A "Shout Out" To People Who Use My Patterns!

Nothing makes me happier then when people use my patterns and send me a picture of their work. I've been very bad lately about not getting my act together to say "thank you" to everyone who takes the time to do just that as well as drop me a kind word. Working, kids, busy life, really I have no excuse as the people who use my patterns and read my incessant babbling and keep coming back for those two things are very dear to me. So here it goes -- two long overdue "shout outs" to lovely people who used the crocheted sock monkey pattern that's on here for you to enjoy.


Ruth Flynn made her first sock monkey for a church bazaar out of acrylic yarn. He's darling Ruth! Anyway, she said she planned to make another one out of wool yarn and try to felt it. She contacted me through my website and wrote me a second time just the other day:

Lisa, I have to tell you that I am on my 3rd crochet sock monkey pattern. One for the church fair, one for me, and then my daughter wants one. I get tired of doing the legs,arms and tail, but they do go rather quickly. It is more time consuming to sew the parts together. Each one has its own personality. I still want to try the felted one. Just want you know how much I have appreciated that pattern.
Ruth Flynn from MA.

Lori Enyart made this adorable sock monkey from the pattern I provided here on the Blog and wrote me this nice note:

Hi,
My name is Lori Enyart and I just finished making the sock monkey for my new little nephew. I think it turned out pretty cute. Thought I'd send you a picture and a great big thank you for the pattern.
Lori

Thank you both for using my pattern and for taking the time to send me a picture and write to me. I really do appreciate it and it makes my day to know that my patterns are actually being used!

I am thinking about starting a Flickr group just for items made from my patterns. I'll also be putting up the "prototype" made from the new pattern in the group so you can see how mine turned out. I'll post the address to the group here once it is created.

Thanks again to all of you for tuning in and for being so patient with my absence from blogging over the past couple of months.

Nippy, Tippy and Zippy Headed to Gallery Hanahou for the Luv-able and Hug-able Show

Pocket Protectors -- Nippy, Tippy and Zippy
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Here are three more that are headed to Gallery Hanahou's Luv-able and Hug-able show. The theme of the show is "Mediums and Minis" and these are my minis. I never thought I could sew this small. These little guys measure 3.5", are made of wool felt, and come inside a plastic Pocket Protector. Of course, they would probably only lick your enemy to death but hey, that's one form of protection!

Dandy Lion Headed to Luv-able and Hug-able

Dandy Lion Headed to Luv-able and Hug-able
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Dinnah Belle Headed to Luv-able and Hug-able
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Dandy Lion, Dinnah Belle and friends will be headed to the Luv-able and Hug-able show at the Hanahou Gallery in NYC. The theme for this year's show is Medium and Mini.

Luv-able and Hug-able Show Coming to Gallery Hanahou!

Luv-able and Hug-able Show Coming to Gallery Hanahou!
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

Everyone in my family is sick right now. I was trying to stay healthy but then came down with Strep throat today.

Anyway, I'm quietly working on my softies for the Luv-able and Hug-able show. It's coming up sooner than you think! The Press Release just went out today!

Luv-able and Hug-able
New 2009 theme: medium and mini!

December 3 - January 9
Opening party: Dec 3, 6-9 pm RSVP info@galleryhanahou.com

gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC / galleryhanahou.com
extended holiday hours Mon-Sat: 12 - 6 pm

FREE Patterns for the Twofers!

Meet the Twofers!
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

We got Yella Belly Twofer, the Chihuahua, and his 3rd cousin twice removed Blue Bunny Twofer, er, the rabbit. Wanna know how they're related? Same pattern with a twist. Or a flip for that matter. I was scrounging through my pattern box and I always draw faces on my patterns to "jog" my memory of what I had originally "envisioned" because truthfully, sometimes I draw a dozen or so at a time and just toss them in a box for later. Anyway, I saw this bunny and I thought, wow, that's weird. I didn't draw a face on this little guy. And when I flipped him over, there was my crazy little Chihuahua's face. So, that's how "Twofer" came about. 'Cause with one pattern, you get a twofer one...get it?

Now you can create your own set of Twofers by following the very FREE pattern that I've made up for you. The instructions are all printed on the pattern this time so just print it out and enjoy! And please remember, I'm sharing my own designs because I love Softies and the hobby so please no using my pattern for commercial purposes unless you get the "okay" from me first. I'd also appreciate a link back should you decide to make one or two for yourself!

Anyway, to make your own Twofers, click HERE!

Making Friends

Making Friends
Originally uploaded by qdpatooties

See? I have been working on stuff. Now finishing stuff? If that were only possible...

It seems my real girls have had a rocky start the first two weeks of school Last week, they just couldn't seem to decide on what bus they would ride on and seriously, the bus number changed three times the first week. On one occasion, I had the bus driver call me at home to ask if the twins were with me! I politely replied, "Well, they are supposed to be with you!" I was kind of upset by this considering they did lose my twins on the first day of school last year and the arrived home in tears two hours later than they were scheduled.

With that resolved, we moved on from transportation problems to teacher problems as I received notes home for two out of the three girls. Unfortunately, they were not "happy" notes but notes of concern. I always thought my girls were pretty good but it seems like the twins have a little bit of separation anxiety, i.e. bawling hysterically for mommy, and the first grader can't seem to follow directions or pay attention so I've kind of been pulling my hair out.

I swear that I WILL get around to doing SOMETHING softie related so please don't give up on me. And hopefully, just hopefully I will get to finish something or I'd settle for ANYTHING during the third week of school!

Send happy thoughts my way...

Work In Progress and YEAH, It's September!

Work In Progress as of 09/01, originally uploaded by q.D.paToOtieS.

I can't believe how quickly this year has passed. Just one week from today I will be standing at the end of the driveway with my three little girls waiting for the big yellow school bus to come by and pick them up. *sigh* There's a bit of sadness there as I know I will soon be losing my cool factor as well as my sanity trying to keep up with field trips, and homework and who's lunchbox smells the most like a candidate for just tossing it out instead of trying to clean it for the umpteenth time.

The picture you see is stuff hanging around waiting to get, er, stuffed? Roquefort hates unfinished projects just as much as I do. He's been shoveling coffee down my throat to get me to finish off some of this stuff. GAH!