The elephant in the room

In December I got talked into taking a class to learn to make felt elephants. I'm glad I went, because it was a fun project and very easy, even for the sewing-challenged such as myself. I liked it so much that I made a second one for a new baby I know.


The photo is purposely fuzzy, in an attempt to hide the poor stitching on the first (orange) elephant. Her newer, blue friend is a bit better crafted, and I learned not to over-stuff the animal. I just learned that the woman who designed the elephant pattern is going to make a pig pattern, and I can't wait. In the mean time, I am working on using my new-found blanket stitch skills to edge a bib made from a scrap of oil cloth. I am a complete oil cloth addict, and own several items from Love Shine. Now that I live on the west coast and it is less convenient to pop over to New York for the weekend, I'm reduced to making my own bags, etc. To wit:


This is a work in progress; I need to finish the stitch around the outside, and add some velcro to the top.

Oil cloth is fantastic. It doesn't unravel, it repels water (and food), it comes in amazing colors and patterns. If it was a little less stiff, I would make a whole oil cloth wardrobe for myself.

And because I think it is so cool, I wanted to show you the felt board that my mother-in-law made for Ada:


Why didn't I think of this? Why didn't you think of this and tell me about it?