November’s edition of Maker of the Month finalists includes cute and colorful soft toys and heartfelt keepsakes. You’ll especially enjoy the photos of toys with their new owners, as well as pics of keepsakes and the people who inspired the memory items. Since this is the collection of toys posted in November, you’ll see some of the Christmas patterns represented, too. Read down to the end of the post to find out who won the title of Maker of the Month.

Let’s take a look…

What a striking soft toy! This Patch Pussy Cat made by Cook’s Curious Crafts is covered in a patchwork of colorful botanical prints. The black bow tie stands out from the colors in a striking way.
.

Click HERE to purchase the Cat Sewing pattern.

 

Giddy Goat stands out from the herd in these citrus-colored strips. The Giddy Goat pattern includes customization options (horns or no horns, perky ears or floppy ears) so you can sew the goat of your dreams. This “kid” was sewn by Cook’s Curious Crafts.

Click HERE to buy the Goat pattern.

 

 

What an adorable photo! You can read the caption for the story. Linda Telford Trettin captured this sweet moment in the form of a plush Dynamite Donkey. 

Click HERE to buy the Donkey Pattern

 

 

Jenn Bilodeau staged a holiday photo shoot for the Digger Dachshund she sewed in November. Digger is a great gift any time of the year. You can add a bow at the neck for a festive touch like Linda did here. 

Click HERE to buy the Dachshund pattern.

 

 

Lynn Cove St.Andrews made this terrific collection of Daisy Dress Up Dolls in order to delight some kids at Christmas. The Daisy pattern includes multiple hairstyles (shown here) and additional clothing options (not shown: reversible skirt, dress decor pockets, dress collar). Daisy is 18 inches tall and a great alternative to an18 inch fashion doll for younger kids. 

Click HERE to buy the Dress Up Doll Pattern

 

 

Looking for a quick scrap-busting project?  The Silly Scrap Snake Sewing Pattern let’s you transform scraps of favorite prints into a plush toy that’s bound to be a a new favorite. Nobody can pass by Scrap Snake without using him to act out some snake antics! Mary Stenger made this pair of Scrap Snakes for her twin granddaughters.

Click HERE to buy the Scrap Snake Sewing Pattern.

 

 

Pretty in pink! A classic gingham makes Kitty Kate Cat a perfect present for a lucky child. Noni’s Needleworks sewed this plush toy and then added an unexpected color contrast with a black neck bow. The color really pops! 

Click HERE to buy this Cat pattern.

 

 

Mitch the MONKEY looks great in almost any fabric, and he sure seems comfortable in the knit shirt and jeans combination in the photo below. This casual-wear keepsake was sewn by Jane Wood.

I’m sure Mitch MONKEY approves of the fun banana fabric Sharon Obee used to sew him. 😀

Click HERE too buy the MONKEY pattern.

 

 

 

This Reggie Reindeer is a delight in teal plaid. It’s not the first fabric you’d think of to make a reindeer, but the result is fun and funky. Reggie was sewn by Louise Butterworth.  

 

 

Check out the cute pair of corduroy and sherpa Reggie Reindeer below, and then read the story Patricia Del Giudice included about the source of the fabric. That’s just too cute! I’m sure these reindeer will be a special part of many future Christmas celebrations.

Click HERE to buy the Reindeer pattern.

 

 

Happy harvest time to Kip the Keepsake Dog! He’s a new pattern this year, so this is his first holiday season. It looks like he’s got a pumpkin ready to make a pie. Gail Meddows Edwards did a fabulous job with this autumnal plaid and denim combo. 

I love the colors and fabric layout in Joy Davies‘ version of Kip the Keepsake Dog,  seen below. Also, I’m glad Joy found the pattern easy and enjoyable, as she added in her comment.

Aww…here’s another great set of keepsake photos. Maureen Kelly used the “no seam rummy” on Kip the Keepsake Dog to preserve a memory for this happy new keepsake owner. 

Click HERE to buy the Keepsake Dog Pattern

 

People are starting their Christmas toy sewing!🎄🎁🎅

Do you want to build a snowman? The Slush the Snowman pattern let’s you make a frosty friend who can stay around all year, even when it gets hot! Margo Wetherly used an embroidery machine to add a birthday greeting to this Slush, and she knitted him a tiny hat and scarf! (Note: knitting pattern not included). 

Click HERE to buy the Snowman pattern.

 

 

With the All I Want for Christmas Santa Sewing pattern, you can make make a plush creation for a child’s toy or a piece of home decor! Jackie Wooding made the one below for her workplace raffle, showing that big kids would like a plush Santa, too.

Click HERE to buy the Santa Sewing pattern.

 

 

We had some super cute memory bears this month!

This Melody Memory Bear Pattern, sewn by Andrea Peters, has an especially sweet face.

Click HERE to purchase the Melody Memory Bear Pattern.

 

 

Corduroy looks great on toys. Claire Adler used corduroy clothing and other fabrics to make these Keep Me Keepsake Bears. 

Click HERE to purchase the Keepsake Bear pattern.

 

 

People often ask to see a photo of the Buttons BEST DRESSED Bear pattern sewn as a “lady Buttons.” Here’s a lovely example sewn by Michelle Fish. Just use ladies clothing to make Buttons and you’ve got a “grandma bear” instead of a “grandpa bear.”

Click HERE to purchase the BEST DRESSED Bear pattern.

 

 

I love seeing photos of kids enjoying their Funky Friends. Here’s a great photo of Lizzy Barrlett’s Kelsey Keepsake Unicorn  and the unicorn’s new best friend.

 

 

This Kelsy Keepsake Unicorn sewn by Rebecca Karstad isn’t a typical unicorn color, but the green print looks great! 

Click HERE to purchase the Keepsake Unicorn pattern.

 

 

Alison Powley used a fluffy faux fur to make this terrific  Ben BEGINNER teddy bear. 

Click HERE to purchase the BEGINNER teddy bear pattern.

 

AND this month’s winner is…

Congrats to this month’s winner Rebecca Karstad who sewed this VERY real-looking Sue Squirrel! Rebecca delighted our online fan club by sharing in her post that her yard had dozens of grey squirrels, plus one white one, who inspired this toy.

CONGRATS! You win
a FREE Funky Friends Factory Pattern ~>
of your choice!

 

Click HERE to purchase the Squirrel pattern.

Want to win a
FREE toy pattern?

 

It’s so EASY to enter the Pattern GIVEAWAY!

 

ALL you need to do is post a photo of a FUNKY FRIENDS FACTORY toy that you have made on the Funky Friends Factory Facebook Page .

At the end of each month I draw a winner and post the winner’s name on the Blog the following MONTH. I have an Album on Facebook for all the MAKEROFTHEMONTH winners. You can check it out HERE!

 

 

NOT on Facebook? ENTER by email! 😀

*** You can send me your photos by email too!

 

So come on! Share your photos  ~> The next winner could be YOU!!!

.
Till next time,

Happy Sewing,
Pauline
xxx