Egads! The knee has improved! Not even going for an x-ray like we thought he'd have to yesterday. Pheeeeew. Now we can all laugh without worry!
The drama of the doormat pile-up. And all in his jersey, too! More poignant, somehow. Oh, the humanity!
And . . . scene.
I wish I had mentioned this earlier, since the book actually came out in August, but the illustrious Therese Laskey has compiled an incredibly cool collection of critters in Softies: Simple Instructions for 25 Plush Pals. Published by Chronicle, this book is totally charming and beautifully styled and produced, as all Chronicle's gorgeous books are. It features a range of my favorite indie designers' patterns for two dozen simple, sweet softies, perfect to make up as holiday presents.
The pattern for my Paper Doll Dresses is also included, and I love the way they photographed them. Cuties. Therese has started a Flickr group for things made from the patterns in the book, and I am totally loving the dresses that others have made (and the other stuff, of course, but it's very exciting when you see people intrepreting your own designs). Therese is also hosting the Holiday Softies Awards right now and there are some amazing, amazing critters over there so far. I am judging the "Doll Dress Up" category and I'm excited about that — they are all so cute I don't know how I'll decide. I never know how to decide these things. Unfortunately, I should've mentioned this a lot earlier, because the deadline for entries is tomorrow, October 31, at midnight. So if you want to enter, please see Therese's Softies Central blog for all the info, including info about tagging your photos so that they show up in the right category. (The FAQ is here if you have questions; otherwise be sure to email Therese.)
Oh dear! Hello from a longtime lurker... I just splurged on a big bag of lavender buds to use for Christmas gift crafting, and after reading yet another review of this book, may have to splurge on this, too! Little lavender scented dresses blowing in the wind...
Also, every day when I walk I pass the saddest little corgi whose owners have confined her to a small one foot wide fenced pathway along the front of their tiny yard. There she sits looking with big dark corgi eyes at passers-by while the sad six square feet of grass in front of this house remains protected but empty and straggly.
I always mean to take a picture of her and send it to you, because Audrey and now Clover are truly sweet and lucky little pups to have Paulsons to love them - perhaps I will do so now that I've come out of the corner.
Posted by: No regrets, Coyote. | October 30, 2007 at 10:08 AM
I'm so glad to hear the knee is better! Sounds like that was a close one.
Posted by: HeidiAnn | October 30, 2007 at 10:14 AM
I was lucky to get a copy of that book right away (we follow a lot of those blogs!) and I love your dresses!!! Have fun being a judge and glad to hear there were no real injuries!!!
Posted by: Bethany | October 30, 2007 at 10:19 AM
So happy to hear the knee is better. Now I don't feel so guilty for the hilarious laughter that filled my house on reading your fumbled post.
Posted by: pammc | October 30, 2007 at 10:50 AM
I'm glad Andy's knee is okay. Give him a hug for me!
Posted by: Chris Howard | October 30, 2007 at 12:14 PM
ohhh! You say "And...scene" too!
I always knew I liked you :)
Posted by: Coco | October 30, 2007 at 01:57 PM
Adorable book - yet another thing to add to the list. I saw it today at the bookstore and also Victoria magazine which apparently has resurfaced, looking all Tasha Tudor-y as usual. Yay, lots of holiday ideas!
Posted by: patty | October 30, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Oh Alicia, your story had me in tears. I'm so glad everyone is alright.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Johnson | October 30, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Can't wait to get that book. I love your paper doll dresses, Alicia. A few years ago my sister, my daughter and I went to a Halloween party dressed as paper dolls. I copied 3 cute vintage paper doll dresses and blew them up to life-size, tabs and all. Then glued them to cardboard and we just carried them in front of us. We even had paper doll purses and hats. We had as much fun as we did as kids playing with paper dolls.
Posted by: Linda | October 30, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Love the softies! Very very cute!
Posted by: Firefly Hill | October 30, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Oh! I am so glad to hear that Andy is all better! I felt rather guilty laughing at your description with the possibility of a bad result. Now I shall go re-read it and laugh without guilt.
Posted by: Susan | October 30, 2007 at 04:40 PM
i know how you feel! i am judging the "animals dressed up for the holidays" category and i am overwhelmed by how cute everything is! i am a sucker for a woodland creature in a scarf.
Posted by: kayte | October 30, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Oh, those little dresses...
I can't wait until my girls are old enough to make things like that with me - or even to simply appreciate it if I make something like that for them. I hope they aren't hopeless tomboys. Oh, they can't be. They wouldn't. No. Goodness, now I'm all in a dither.
Well, I'm going to make them anyway, for me. And if they like them, maybe I'll share. Heehee.
Posted by: Stacie.Make.Do. | October 30, 2007 at 09:23 PM
P.S. Glad Andy's knee is mending. I recommend a warm rice bag.
Posted by: Stacie.Make.Do. | October 30, 2007 at 09:25 PM
I am glad your Andy is okay! I bought Softies several weeks ago and fell in love with so many of the projects! I have bought a bag of supplies for about half of the projects and I am going back to buy more! I cannot wait to get started on your adorable dresses! So many possibilities with those little jewels! Thank you!
Posted by: Love Leigh Things | October 30, 2007 at 11:32 PM
glad all is well!!!
put on
one of those cute little dresses
and
come on over
to the Blog Halloween Party!
:-)
you can find out about it
at my blog!
everyone is welcome
and
it features crafty witch-ettes
[ well, not real ones, just on halloween! ]
who
sew,
art,
write,
create!
come to the blog-party!
Posted by: somepinkflowers | October 31, 2007 at 05:37 AM
glad andy is on the mend! the dresses are adorable.
Posted by: cindy k | October 31, 2007 at 07:41 AM
So glad Andy's doing better!
Posted by: scribblesnbits | October 31, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Lovin the paperdoll dresses:D Absolutely adorable! I can see a swag haning over my sewing machine right now....LOL
Posted by: Linda Harre | October 31, 2007 at 08:51 AM
okay.
just read the falling down post again.
laughed til i peed again.
i need to stop now.
Posted by: bobbi | October 31, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Glad to hear Andy is doing better. I just read the last post it was sooooo funny and I really needed a good laugh. I could see the same thing happening to me and my husband.
Posted by: DT | October 31, 2007 at 10:20 AM
I adore those little dresses.. and love the cheery yellow background too.
Posted by: tiffany | October 31, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Haha, I'm pretty sure it's "End scene." but "And... scene" is funnier and much more dramatic.
Posted by: jennie | October 31, 2007 at 01:13 PM
Love those dresses!! Cute! Cute!
So good to hear Andy is better. Hurray! What a relief!
Posted by: angeljoy | October 31, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Glad to hear the knee is doing better! At least it can be laughed over now... ;) hehe.
Posted by: Casey | October 31, 2007 at 07:13 PM