Life After Manatees

I'm done with toy #2. Like the manatee, I can't tell if the little guy (girl?) is hideously beautiful or just hideous. He's got a split pea stuffed rear end and has jingle bells inside his stuffing. I wonder how long before my nine month old tears that pacifier out of his hand...

Maybe my New Years resolution will be to learn how to do all these crafty things that I've always wanted to learn. I was seriously inspired over Christmas when I got together with all my crafty sisters and my ultra crafty mom and they could make anything they set their mind to. I want to be them. Here's my humble offering on the alter of greatness. I hope he doesn't get poop on it.

Comments

Carina said…
Ha! Now you're getting someplace!
Anonymous said…
Some constructive criticism from a non-crafty person. It's a great idea, but it's ugly...really ugly. Maybe if you market it as such it will be successful....like Bratz. Don't give up. I admire your perseverance and creativity. Sew on my friend, sew on.
TheOneTrueSue said…
Oh good heavens. What happened to the other side of his mouth? He looks like he has skin grafts.

But he is cute in a kind of a scary deformed baby kind of way.
TheOneTrueSue said…
I do love his belly button.
Karen said…
Oh my goodness, I'm in love! That is the cutest thing EVER. I especially love the half mouth and belly button. I have visions of those flying off an Etsy virtual shelf. That kind of stuff sells like hotcakes there.
Lisa said…
This one is awesome! The butt-crack really makes it!
jjstringham said…
I love it! I think it's totally cute. I kind of want it. But don't get your hopes up. I'm too poor to actually buy it from you.
Sarah said…
You guys crack me up! Yeah, I was going for the ugly look. I don't do sweet very well. I'm not trying to compete with Precious Moments, but maybe the twisted humor in them would be appreciated somewhere. I was thinking of doing a series of "bad babies" like Poopy, Naughty, Snotty, Drooly, Fussy, Clingy, Pukey, Germy, etc. But I can't for the life of me think of who would want them.
Sarah said…
My two year old just woke up and saw this doll. Her response?

"Mommy, I don't like him. He's ugly. I want to throw him out."

Ah, honesty. Priceless - it just makes me like him better!
Anonymous said…
Well at least you have a baby that will love him. People will buy anything, take for example the garbage pail kids on trading cards. I think that was the name. Ugly, but people bought them, at least for a short time!
Clyde said…
We like them! Keep them coming.

An idea: a baby girl holding a bottle, with a pink bow and two front teeth (a big gag between them). And don't forget the eyelashes... The suggestions came from my girls so I guess it would be a big hit in my house.
Colleen said…
I'm speechless. Love the belly button.
Sarah said…
Oh, come on Colleen! I'm sure you can think of something to say! How about, "DIE TOY DIE!!"
Bek said…
don't under estimate the market of people who DON"T want cute and sweet. These are great. The whole "ugly doll" brand is HUGE... I think you have found a good niche..... they are not sweet, but they are interesting and fun in their own way.. keep it up....
Ally said…
LOL! I'm sorry, but that toy makes ME want to cry! Let alone my sensitive little 1-year-old boy,... he cries about everything, so I don't think I would give him that.

I bet you could sell it on ebay, though. Really!
Heather O. said…
I'd have to second the whole "looks like a burn victim" comment.
S'mee said…
I like this one better than the manatee, kind of reminds me of a muppet or sesame street character, only asymmetrical.

Good:hair, face, belly button, hands and pacifier, and yes the bum shot. Genius at putting jingle bells in the tummy, LOVE that; and I think a child would also.

Needs improvement: thread choices, and filling. I would prefer the sculpting thread match the fabric so they were less visible, and your embroidery will need to be smaller stitching so that little fingers don't pull through them. On the filling, I like the texture of a split pea, however you could never wash it, perhaps those plastic pellets instead? Both easily fixed and perhaps just demo'd on the prototype.

I can see these selling.
The Wiz said…
Way cute. Way.
Erin Marie said…
I'm in love. Seriously... that's awesome.
Carrie said…
I love this doll. It is cute in a "hideous" way. The "plumber's crack" sold me on it. What kid wouldn't like a toy that makes noise? If I had a baby and if I had money, I would seriously consider buying this. I also loved the manatee. I think you might have a niche here.
Shiloh said…
Hollywood!
You are so talented! I love it and can't wait to see what is next! :D
How can you not say you are not ultra crafty? I would call making that softie, very ultra crafty. Way to go.
Memarie Lane said…
Okay, THIS one I'd buy. I bet his mommy thinks he's beautiful!
LunaMoonbeam said…
Now THAT is adorable. I ESPECIALLY enjoy the little "crackity in the backity." Adorable!
Heffalump said…
Wow...the bum crack.
The one sided mouth is a little disturbing...is he related to popeye?
Still, he is strangely cute at the same time...
Maybe you could start a museum of plush creations, kind of like that bunny museum you blogged about once...
Anonymous said…
BABY! I am so proud that you are loving sewing and creating! It saved me when I was raising you millions of little kiddles. I love this little guy!

I've made another creation today for my friend who had a baby. No name picked out yet. This isn't for the baby; it's for the mother to hang somewhere. Yes, it's another 'useless' glass pendant, but I think it's quite lovely, and maybe, just maybe, it has magical powers?
Sarah said…
Wow, Mom! I love the idea of having a portion of the glass empty so you can see through. This pendant is particularly sweet - you are really shining with this particular useless hobby. No it's just a contest between which of us is more useless.
Janell said…
Well, at this rate of production you should have some truly fantastic creations by the end of 2008 =)
Jessica G. said…
I love it! Made me laugh out loud! But I would suggest making him in a different color...although I like the irony of him being baby-poop colored.
bdmalouf said…
this is fantastic. i want it. seriously. mine. i called it. i will pay you for it. i have felt like having a child for quite some time but am not yet at that phase of my life, but this would go well with my crib bedding and baby clothes i already have. ITS GENIUS!
Angela said…
ugly is so hot right now. i would totally buy one. hook me up!

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