I’m joining a really neat bloggy carnival going on over at A Soft Place To Land, called Do It Yourself Day.
Originally the founder, one very talented lady named Kimba, had thought this carnival would be a fun way to pass the summer weeks, but it has grown so popular and wonderful that (luckily for me since I just now found it) she has decided to keep it going indefinitely!
I’m seriously hoping that, as school looms into view, having this little carnival to attend every week will inspire me to keep creating even in the midst of, you know, teachin’ and larnin’ and stuff. Cuz that stuff? Seriously shrivels up my creativity. I blame it on the math.
A while back I mentioned that I had crafted some Ugly Dolls with my kiddos, and I wanted to finally show them off. Ugly Dolls, if you don’t know, are a series of soft stuffed toys created with exactly two pieces of fabric and some bits of embroidery floss. And subsequently sold for 20 smackaroos. To which I can only say:
Outrageous!
However, many of my children were instantly smitten with the little exorbitantly-priced uglies (which are actually pretty cute) and would periodically pine for them in a most pathetic way, knowing that I would never shell out the bucks for something that, as I repeatedly told them, I could make myself!
So one day, I decided I would. I would show them! I purchased a few yards of flannel from Wal Mart in several shades and each child with an Ugly Doll Longing showed me a picture of what they wanted theirs to look like. Then I freehanded the shape on a double layer of material and cut the sucker out.
The thing about making an ugly doll is that, well…it’s ugly. It’s not supposed to be perfect! So that’s why I felt comfortable with the whole freehanding thing.
Then we added some bits of felt in the proper places to make eyes and teeth, and we embroidered mouths and such. The eyes and teeth were ironed on with that iron-on stuff the name of which escapes me at the moment. Sorry.
I sewed them up with the sewing machine, and set the kids a-stuffin. Sticks and spoons come in handy for the narrow bits.
Sew ‘em shut, and there ya go. Ugly Dolls. At about $3 (THREE! DOLLARS!) apiece.
The only caution I would give in trying it yourself is not to stuff them too tightly. We got a little carried away on one or two and the fabric simply couldn’t handle the pressure. An emergency operation was performed, a sort of ugly-doll brand of liposuction, and all seems well now.
The little green triangular guy was invented by my 11 year old son, but the other dudes are copied from the originals…I believe it’s an Uglydog, Wedgehead, an Uglycat, and Target, from left to right. Some creative license taken, of course. Uglydog even has his own name tag.
So happy togetherrrrrrr!
Don’t forget to pop over to Kimba’s place at A Soft Place to Land for far, far more DIY ideas than will get your eyes a-glazin’ and your creative juices a-flowin’!
This post has also joined up with Skip To My Lou and her sewing carnival; to see more lovely gift ideas, pop over to Skip to my Lou!
Very “cute” ugly dolls. I’m sure the kids just loved making them.
They are ugly and cute at the same time. Great way to pass the time with the kidlets.
Man! They’re so ugly, they’re downright CUTE! I love it. Do you go to the Crafty Cow much? Because she has a really cute idea for a Tic-Tac-Toe game that you sew up yerself, too. Looks awfully like fun, which we generally discourage ’round these parts, but sometimes the kids just smile so purty I jes’ cain’t resist. Looky there. Now I’m thinkin’ AN’ typin’ with a Southern accent. I’d better hit the hay ‘fore I git s’ tired I got a hitch in my giddyup in th’ mornin’. ‘Night.
I think those are cute. Never seen “real” ugly dolls before, so I have no basis of comparison in my mind. I think you did a great job!
“ugly doll liposuction” I LOVE it. Hahahahaha, thanks for that!
those are too cute and look as good as if not better than their origianal counterparts…whoot, whoot!
You just saved 17 a doll times X= in my mind a new outfit for you, hahahahaha
I don`t think it`s cool to post DIY versions of hard working people`s work. Those two kids who make the real UglyDolls do everything they can to support mom and pop shops.
How would we like it if we invented something, poured our heart into it for years, only to find crafters posting DIY versions every other day?
If we are going to get excited about our hobby, we need to also defend those who take it as far as these kids did.
Hmmm…somehow I think you are missing the entire point of DIY. I was not dissing the Ugly Doll franchise, nor am I planning to compete with them in any way, which would be copyright infringement anyway. I was simply trying to create something for my children without breaking the bank. But thank you for the laugh, since I don’t think it’s cool to sell something for 7X what it cost to make!
^– LOL
Great job!
I love this! My daughter noticed them over my shoulder and squealed-we should make those! I can’t sew one bit, but it sure sounds like a great idea. And I’m pretty sure you’re not out to ruin the UglyDolls establishment…just saying.
You are awesome! Having just finished cleaning, organizing – barely stopping short of torching – the craftylicious corner in my house I am soooo ready to get going on the crafty joy! Not familiar with the UglyDoll in our house…yet! But how cute are those! You guys did a GREAT job! And in my massive clean out I unearthed the big 3D letters I bought to decoupage at Christmastime. You inspired me last year with your cute “snow” letters. Which would’ve been totally lame in SoCal, so I went with “joy”. Also one less letter = better chance of a completed project!
Can’t wait to get going on them before too long! Will definitely check out ASPTL!
Wow! They are so cute! I want to steal your idea…And I think I will!
Oh I saw those ugly little guys in the hobby shop and absolutely loved their little ugliness, LOL. I have no little ones at home, but I think I’m gonna have to make some just for fun!
These are so cute, and it means so much to the kids to get to help and have a say in color, number of eyes, etc. Great job!
they turned out so great!
D
Ugly dolls! NO WAY! Those are as cute as can be. Great little snuggle pals.
Oh so ugly! I love them!!!
If you can sell them for 7x what they cost to make more power to you! That’s called success, girl. Your dolls made me think of what a friend did once when she took her kid’s drawing and made it into a rug. You could do the same and make dolls. Kids always make nice simple and funny drawings – easy to reproduce with a copier. I like your dolls, too. Sorta Monster Dolls.