michelle my belle: handmade little monsters

December 30, 2010

handmade little monsters

a few years ago my dear friend Janne opened up the possibilities of sewing to me.
she quickly taught me the easiness of the the free motion stitch.
and helped me accept that that things don't have to be perfect.

when things have to be "perfect" i tend to have no patience for them.
don't get me wrong.
i believe in doing things "right" and not taking short cuts.
this being something i've been trying to teach my youngest.
as she is a fast mover and takes A LOT of short cuts.
which leads to things stuffed under the bed, shoved into a corner and not put away where belonged.

as i get older i'm constantly learning which things to do "right"
and which things that can/should handle "short cuts".

some things are even enhanced with lack of perfection.

all this, brings me to the monster bunny-ish stuffies i made as gifts this year.

there are mistakes on every single one of them.
my sewing skills are limited.

nevertheless, i had so much fun!

and i think they turned out imperfectly adorable and wacky!
thank you Janne for opening my eyes to this very fun world of yours!
i can't wait to make more.

however, gift show season is approaching fast and there is "real work" to be done.

Posted by michelle allen at 10:17 AM | Permalink

Comments

They are perfectly imperfect...and adorable

Posted by: Cristi Clothier | December 30, 2010 at 11:36 AM

Oh I am SO excited about this post!! I got a sewing machine for Christmas & I'm so inspired to make some fun stuff- now I just need to learn to sew... your little monsters are too cute for words.

Posted by: Sherry Williamson | December 30, 2010 at 12:05 PM

Aaahh, Michelle, thanks! You´re so sweet :-) Your dolls are so... you! So cute and whimsical and colorful and sweet! I´m so glad I could inspire you on this, you´ve inspired and taught me so many things! Like the book-binding. I´m such a sucker for book-binding now-a-days.
You know, they kind of look like sheep. Very well-behaved and shaved (except for inside the ears) sheep. Especially that first one with the orange nose.
And talking about serious work. I think you should make a monster-clock.
Hey-ho, let´s sew!

Posted by: Spindelmaker | December 30, 2010 at 12:36 PM

I love these, Michelle! And I appreciate the difference and struggle in learning perfect vs done w/out short cuts. It shows in your work!

Posted by: Annette M | December 30, 2010 at 01:11 PM

These are soooo cute Michelle! I love their wacky flavor. Imperfectly....perfect! Thanks for sharing. :)

Posted by: Jen R | December 30, 2010 at 01:28 PM

There are SUPPOSED to be mistakes. THe Amish, as well as the rug weavers of the world purposely put a mistake into the textiles as a symbol of humility, for only god is perfect.

I always say some of my projects are more Amish than others. *laughs*

The beauty of folk art is that things are wonky doodle. That what I love about it-the simple humility of the work. That's how you know it was handmade and infused with love. We could all use a little more of that in our lives.

Posted by: Lelainia | December 30, 2010 at 04:27 PM

cuTe, CuTe, cUtE, vending these at Artfest?

Posted by: Kim Seistrup | December 30, 2010 at 06:17 PM

They are adorable and I happen to have a very great love of imperfection. It's quite perfect, don't you think?

Posted by: Lori | December 30, 2010 at 07:09 PM

LOVE them, so inspiring!

Posted by: Wendy @ Living Creatively | December 31, 2010 at 06:31 AM

those are crazy amazing!!!
makes me want to sew!

Posted by: MEG DUERKSEN | December 31, 2010 at 01:40 PM

They are really adorable! I so love the look in their eyes! And since we are now in 2011 here, I want to wish you a happy new year with a lot of inspiration and creation.

Posted by: muriel | December 31, 2010 at 03:19 PM

Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!! They turned out adorable.

Posted by: Teri Leigh | December 31, 2010 at 10:02 PM

These are absolutely fabulous!

Posted by: Jill | January 02, 2011 at 07:30 PM

Your work is always amazing and so adorable! Thanks for sharing!

Posted by: Terri Nickelson-Williams | January 03, 2011 at 10:55 AM

You have an amazing eye and sense of outrageously endearing style! Always enjoy seeing what's in your art head, LOL!!! So cute.

Posted by: joanne sharpe | January 03, 2011 at 11:13 AM

Omg, these are so cute,,,,,,,I want one! Xo...

Tara

Posted by: Tara | January 04, 2011 at 08:56 PM

perfect and adorable! love them and would like to stitch some up my self. Did you just free draw a pattern? michelle

Posted by: michelle | January 09, 2011 at 11:02 AM

too too cute..I like the gray and black one so much..I might have to make one..
Looking forward to arting with you!

Posted by: Deirdra Doan | January 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM

with the little..pink flower..so sweet.

Posted by: Deirdra Doan | January 14, 2011 at 10:55 PM

Oh my gosh. Michelle!!! These are just too dang cute for words!!! I am IN LOVE!!!!!! Absolutely. Head. Over. Heels!!
LOL I can't stop smiling at them! :D You are so talented woman!

Posted by: Brenis | January 17, 2011 at 10:02 PM

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ABOUT ME

hi and welcome!!! i'm so glad you're here! my name is michelle. i'm blessed to be a wife (to gary) of 18 years and a mom of two girls; alexis(16) & jess(11). i've been a full time artist for 15 years. i made my start at Portland Sat. Mkt. and art fairs around the country, and then headed into wholesale shows when our oldest began school. i love ART-ing, art journaling, running, cycling and downing junk food!