How to make a traditional Red Heel Sock Stick Horse

Would you like to make a cute and inexpensive gift for your youngster, Grand baby, loved one, for Christmas? What child doesn't love the traditional stick horse. I made one and they are adorable. I have put together pictures and instructions that are easy for you to follow so you can make one yourself. Of course if you prefer I do sell these. I will have these for sale at the Priest River Christmas Craft Fair at the elementary School on Hwy. 2. The craft fair is from 9-4 on November 7th, 2009. For more information feel free to contact me.

The directions to make the stick sock horse can be found on my Latest News from Lady V's Blog or click this link to go there.

These are fairly easy and fast to put together. Have fun and Enjoy!

LVS

Harley's Debut

Sock monkey's are fun, without a doubt, but I wanted to make a sock critter that was unique and more geared towards the animals that you would see up here in the north country. We don't see a lot of monkey's swinging from the trees around here... perhaps it's the lack of bananas?

I've must admit, I've been intrigued with moose, ever since that one spent the night in my backyard last winter. I even made a polymer clay moose sculpture (pic is on my Flickr page.) I got a wild hair and decided I'd try my hand at making a sock moosie. Here is my finished project. I am sure it will get altered a bit here and there as I make more, but all in all I think he turned out pretty cute for my first attempt (and without a pattern even!)

Thank goodness the dollar store got in a new shipment of the black and red heel boot socks. I have a feeling I will be using up a bunch of them over the next few weeks, rofl.

I named the moose Harley. I have all good intentions of making him a black leather vest. He looked like a "biker type" of dude moose to me. Funny the pictures that we get in our head as we are creating.

Be sure you check back for blog updates and more North Country sock critters. Hey, I'm on a roll! ROFL. Need I say any more? Harley is currently for sale at my Etsy store.

Ciao

More Monkey Maddness!

First a little bit of sock monkey lore, from Wikipedia. John Nelson, a swedish immigrant, patented the first sock knitting maching in 1869 and began making work socks in Rockford, Illinois in 1890. Sock monkeys first emerged in 1932, the year Nelson added his trademarked red heels to his socks.

In 2005 the first "Sock Monkey Maddness festival was held at the Midway Village and Museum in Rockford, Illinois. The continued popularity encouraged the city of Rockford, Illinois to embrace the doll as part of its history. The festival has now become an annual event. The event draws 1500 people and continues to grow in attendance each year. More sock monkey lore can be found by reading the Wikipedia online article on sock monkeys.

Make no doubt about it, sock monkey's are a loveable and adorable American mascot! If you read the comments posted on my "very first sock monkey" you will see Granny Jan's (Sock Monkey Ranch) comment saying, "Fair warning, once you make one you are hooked!" She was so right. I love making these whimsical little creatures. Each takes on a personality all of it's own. I've included her link above. Talk about some adorable sock monkeys. You've got to check them out!

Here is my own sock monkey that I made with a pair of boot socks I found yesterday. Not the traditional red heeled sock monkey, but a cute little guy, I think. Next I will be working on making them some outfits. I mean you can't let your monkey run around in putblic naked now, can you? ROFL. Check back to see what other monkey tales await.

And many thanks to all of my new monkey pals who have offered such wonderful tips, words of advice, encouragement and praise. It's so appreciated. :)

Mojo the monkey is currently for sale at my Etsy store.

Sock Monkey Maddness!

As long as I can remember I have always loved sock monkey's. They are simplistic, wimsical, and they make great, affordable Christmas gifts (and gifts year around) for youngsters and teens. Add a sock monkey outfit and sock monkey's make a unique gift for adults too! I have always wanted a sock monkey. This year I decided to buy some for my Grand Kids. MamaMelLoves has some adorable sock monkey's at great prices. I found a sock monkey kit at sockmonkey.net that comes complete with an adoption certificate. I purchased one because I thought it was a great way for people to learn how to make sock monkey's and the price was reasonable enough..... and in the back of my mind I am thinking, YES! Finally my very own sock monkey, lol! Some kids never grow up. Now to make it (and the Grand kids monkey's) outfits. AuntyAnnsDesigns sells both sock monkey patterns and completed outfits for the traditional sock monkey's. You have to check them out.... cute! And need a source to buy the red heel socks? Monkey socks has the best prices I have found so far unless you want to purchase bulk on Ebay. Also, I just found sock monkey kits sold at Target for $13.99 (enough to make 2 sock monkey's.)

Talk about sock monkey maddness, rofl!!!!! If all goes well I will make a few up to sell at our local Christmas craft fair November 30th. I've posted some of my favorite links (above) for you other sock monkey lovers. If you have any questions feel free to email me.