Stitch Wars Strikes Back!

The excitement for this show has been uncontainable!!! ...I wonder, is that a real word? Oh look! It is!

I've been looking forward to Stitch Wars Strikes Back since opening night of Stitch Wars (2009), when Amanda mentioned that she wanted to do it again in a few years. Inside my head I was like, OMG!!! I can't wait! Ever since then I been dreaming nothing but Star Wars.... ok maybe that's taking it a bit too far... the characters have been in my mind since the first show though. Hence the update and multiple re-prints of the Star Wars stickers. I haven't wanted to do the plush dolls outside of the show because I wanted them to be special... ok except for the Friendly Wampa that has been commissioned 4 times. But that's IT, there are only 6 of him in existence! What I am trying to say is that this show is very special to me because it was my first gallery invitation show. I want to Celebrate the upcoming Stitch Wars Strikes Back, so I created my very first Small Tips post, I hope you all enjoy them.

You can also visit my site to see more images.

Small Tips : Posts to help and support the plush hand crafting community.

Tip 1. Select your materials. In this case I am using fleece, which is a stretchy material, so I need to make sure that when I cut my pieces they are all stretching to the same side. That is very important to remember, the stuffed plush could look awkward if the material stretches in different directions.


Tip 2. If you have a pattern cut all your fabric first and pin them together. I know we want to get to sewing as soon as possible, but believe me this way saves time and avoids errors/mistakes... oh look at that I forgot the boots and belt buckle.


Much better. Those are his ears, by the belt and to the right of the head. His arms are on top of the yellow felt to the right.


Tip 3. Save your patterns in plastic bags and label them. I like to save a picture of what the final product should resemble. It helps me remember the design, and of course do multiples if necessary. I also like to write notes on my patterns, specially if its an old pattern and I have learned better ways to do things.


I hope to see you all at Stitch Wars Strikes Back at Bear and Bird Gallery + Boutique, Lauderhill, FL on opening night August 13.

New and revamped artwork

Bear and Bird Gallery Purchase Art

Serene Monsters (acrylic and color pencil)

Señor Luchador (acrylic, markers, ink, gold spray)

Squishy and FrankenOctoKitty (felt and ultra soft)

Pink Luchador (felt, fleece and buttons)

This is some of my new and revamped work, just in time for the upcoming show Small Stuff 3. I revamped some plushies I made earlier this year and made some new paintings based on character sketches. This show opens November 22 and runs through January 9, 2010. Unlike other shows the theme of this event is "cash & carry", in other words, you pay for it, you take it home on the spot. I'm really looking forward to seeing the work made for this show. See you at the gallery early! :) To purchase any piece from the show go here.

Painted Señor Luchador in progress

This weekend I started the final piece for Bear and Bird's Small Stuff 3 show, Señor Luchador. He is based on a luchador sketch a did a few weeks back. The background is gold, metallic spray with gloss spray. I still need to do some small shadows, the chest hair and the tattoo. I hope I can finish him this week so I can finally turn everything in to Bear and Bird on Saturday or Sunday.

Serene Monsters for Small Stuff 3

6 x 6 canvas, ready to hang.

This weekend I gave Serene Monster the final touch, made the background lighter, added a bit of shadow, made the monsters eyes and gave it an UV coating. I was thinking on giving it a gloss coating but I always have problems with that spray and I really wasn't in the mood to mess the painting up. So UV spray it is.

The painting will be part of the show Small Stuff 3 @ Bear and Bird gallery. Show opens Nov. 22 and unlike other shows this time when you buy it you can take it home on the spot. I'm planning on getting there early to see all the pieces and buy some before they are gone.

Ouch!New Halloween Plush

Ouch! Sketch. Scanned and colored in Photoshop.

This is what happens when you bring your new monster friend to the office. This is the new Halloween plush for the Candy Apples and Razor Blades show. You can see Ouch! in person at the Bear and Bird gallery. Candy Apples and Razor Blades runs though November 13, 2009.