LEFTZ - created by ArtTales Featured in Stuffed Magazine July 2010 & Winter/January 2011

End of the blog

2011-10-19T14:28:00.002-04:00

I'ved decided to stop posting to my blog. Since I created my fan page it seems most of my readers have moved with me! Unless there is a huge outcry this will be my last post :)

Come join the fun on my facebook fan page here

Day Trip

2011-10-18T15:08:00.000-04:00

Looky what I found :D sadly it was closed...

Dino Sale

2011-10-16T19:17:00.001-04:00

Huge Dinosaur Sale going on in my Etsy shop Adopt yours before they go extinct!

Eco Plush Christmas Monster Ornaments

2011-10-14T20:08:00.003-04:00

Adopt

Felt Stegosaurus Fossil

2011-10-12T19:03:00.000-04:00

100% hand cut and hand stitched
Measures 9" x 6"

Plush Parasaurolophus

2011-10-10T15:24:00.001-04:00

Adopt

I've updated my map!

2011-10-10T11:24:00.001-04:00

View Adopted LEFTZ in a larger map
Every time I get an order I get super excited. I love knowing that my plush creations are traveling all over the world and seeing places I might not ever see. Today I sat down and mapped out all the places LEFTZ have traveled. Take a look!

Tribals are back!

2011-10-09T14:59:00.001-04:00

Adopt

Just Listed

2011-10-08T12:03:00.000-04:00

Adopt

New in the shop!

2011-10-05T21:55:00.000-04:00

Now Available

2011-09-29T10:24:00.002-04:00

Grass Green with Chocolate Brown Accents Adopt

Pumpkin Orange with Sandy Brown Accents Adopt

Chocolate Brown with Brown Plaid Accents Adopt

A step back in time..

2011-09-20T10:23:00.003-04:00

Some of my favorite and silliest designs over the years.

Featured

2011-09-05T18:07:00.001-04:00

Up for adoption

2011-09-03T11:27:00.002-04:00

New LEFTZ Stegos now in the shop!

Custom Set

2011-08-01T09:57:00.000-04:00

Going on now!

2011-07-16T16:57:00.001-04:00

Shop Now

New Pterodactyls

2011-07-16T11:29:00.000-04:00

Butterscotch

Bright Red

Midnight

2011-07-09T21:09:00.001-04:00

Adopt

New

2011-07-09T18:08:00.000-04:00

New Brontosaurus in my Shop

Submission

2011-07-08T16:34:00.000-04:00

My next submission to Stuffed Magazine

Published!

2011-07-07T10:00:00.005-04:00

This is my third article in Stuffed Magazine in two years and it is really an honor!
Find a selection of my Plush Trout in the Gallery section of the July 2011 issue!
You can pick up a copy online or at your local bookstore.

Previous Published Issues:

My Next submissions are ready to go and will be off to CA in a few days :)

June Giveaway Winner

2011-07-01T17:17:00.004-04:00

Congrats Sarah from Sarah Halstead Photography

Sarah will be contacted via e-mail and has 48 hours to respond. If she does not respond she gives up her winnings and I will pick someone else.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Keep an eye out for the next giveaway :)
Winner was chosen by Random.org

Sale!

2011-06-29T19:21:00.000-04:00

LEFTZ Rabbit Sale Going on Now!

They're Back!

2011-06-25T21:06:00.000-04:00

6 New Mini Monsters are now ready for adoption!

Custom 2 Eyed Giraffe

2011-06-07T15:18:00.000-04:00

Materials:
• Repurposed fleece jacket
• Eco felt
• Vintage buttons
• Stuffed with clean recycled polyfil

Size:
• 10 1/2" long
• 8 1/2" tall
• 6" wide

His bottom is weighted so he wont fall over.

June Giveaway & News

2011-06-06T14:18:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone! For those of you that didn't know, I've moved! My husband and I found a great house in a VERY small town. It is beautiful here and I'm so happy! The history of this town, our house, and the beautiful countryside is overwhelming and I'm still in shock of where we live. Our house has all the features I was hoping for and more. It's a large Victorian home that was once a speakeasy. The owner had just finished remodeling the inside when we first saw it, but it still has all the great charm that I love. I finally was able to get the wood floors that I wished for, huge windows, and a even bigger studio space. My studio now sits in a 20' x 30' room that overlooks the creek and park.

We are still in the process of getting the internet setup. Apparently the internet companies have forgotten about this small town and no one supplies anything other than dial-up. But I am still able to list and check e-mails so it works for now :)

Though all of our boxes are unpacked, I feel like the house is a mess and nowhere near ready for public viewing ;) Hopefully I can get everything in it's place and share the great space we've found!

Now onto the giveaway!!

Enter to win a LEFTZ Rabbit

International friendly :)

HOW TO ENTER:
You DO NOT need to do all of these things to enter. Doing just one will suffice, however doing more things will equate to more entries! :)

1. Follow my blog, Fan Page, or follow me on Twitter comment that you have done this. (3 possible entries - 1 point for each)
2. Tell me your favorite item in my shop (arttales.etsy.com)
3. Heart my shop or add me to your circle on Etsy, then leave a comment.
4. Blog about my giveaway, Tweet, talk about it on Facebook and post the link.
5. Buy something from my Etsy shop and post the link to the transaction. (5 entries)

Also please PLEASE be sure to post separate comments for each thing you have done to enter yourself into this giveaway. Please be sure to include your e-mail address each comment you post, so that I can contact the winner.

Each comment will be numbered, and the winner will be chosen through a random number generator. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) on June 30th 2011. Winner will be announced July 1st 2011

Copyright©2009-2011 ArtTales/LEFTZ
Because of the materials used in LEFTZ they are not a toy or intended for children.

Yellow and Aqua

2011-05-11T11:27:00.002-04:00

A Brighter Day

2011-05-10T14:15:00.002-04:00

Adopt

Adopt

A bit of fun for all of us

2011-05-10T00:21:00.001-04:00

New Brontosaurus

2011-05-09T20:46:00.002-04:00

Adopt

Adopt

Adopt

Gathering Summer

2011-05-07T21:13:00.001-04:00

Sage Green

2011-04-28T12:05:00.001-04:00

Adopt

New Bronto

2011-04-27T16:33:00.000-04:00

Adopt

Light and the Blue Ocean

2011-04-26T08:36:00.000-04:00

Love this color!

2011-04-25T23:50:00.001-04:00

Adopt

Cutie in purple

2011-04-25T21:13:00.000-04:00

Adopt

Sunshine

2011-04-25T18:45:00.000-04:00

Crafty Planet Underwater

2011-04-24T17:09:00.003-04:00

Crafty Planet invited me and several other plush artist to create a one of a kind window display.

Contributing artists:

The backdrop panels by Crafty Planet Crew member Adrienne
Giant octopus by Jessica of Plushroom Soup
Felt fish by Crafty Planet Crew member Mary
The awesome turte by Plush Team member Anne-Claire of Hibou Cards
Jellyfish by Crafty Planet Crew member Susan
Anenome by CP Crew Member Lisa, Clown Fish by Diana, seaweed by Lisa's daughter, ship wheel proided by Captain Adrienne
Tiny octopus by Crafty Planet customer, chest with booty on loan from Bob
Starrrfish, plants, and rock by Plush Team member Mary of LEFTZ
Seahorse by Plush Team member Chris of Chris Creatures
Angler Fish with LED by Crafty Planet Crew member Tia

See the window display in person by visiting Crafty Planet!
2833 Johnson Street Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Jurassic Finds

2011-04-23T20:48:00.001-04:00

Mellow Yellow

2011-04-22T20:04:00.001-04:00

Adopt

Purple and Gray

2011-04-22T15:07:00.000-04:00

Adopt

Sneak Peek

2011-04-21T16:55:00.001-04:00

Working on a new breed of dinos for the shop :)
I have a large custom order to finished then I will start adding these cute fellows!

Featured in the Storque

2011-04-21T16:32:00.001-04:00

See the whole article here

Chocolate

2011-04-20T19:04:00.001-04:00

Adopt

The new guy

2011-04-19T16:15:00.000-04:00

Adopt

RAWR

2011-04-19T13:41:00.002-04:00

I used the last of a bright green wool coat to create this guy. I really wish I had more! Adopt

A new cutie

2011-04-19T11:25:00.001-04:00

Adopt

Materials:
• Repurposed wool jacket
• Eco felt
• Vintage button
• Stuffed with clean recycled polyfil

Size:
• 12" long
• 7" tall
• 7" wide

Colorful Dinosaurs

2011-04-19T08:48:00.000-04:00

Sandy

2011-04-18T17:02:00.000-04:00

New fellow in the shop

Seeing spots

2011-04-18T13:40:00.000-04:00

Adopt

Back from extinction

2011-04-17T21:19:00.002-04:00

Glad to have one of these cute guys back in the shop. You can adopt this Brontosaurus here

Earth Tones

2011-04-17T15:13:00.002-04:00

The wool coat used in this creation was given to me by my Aunt. I love the color and matched with the green felt I really think he looks smart. You can adopt this cute fellow here

Custom Sparrow

2011-04-17T12:30:00.001-04:00

eve-N-odd The Stuffed Bunny Show

2011-04-17T08:26:00.005-04:00

April 9th - May 6th

In need of a change of art? Come by and visit a unique shop offering:
local, etsy, fluxus, mail art, outsider ART, vintage surprises and candy!
645 Central Avenue #11
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Stop on by the eve-N-odd gallery and enjoy some freshly stuffed bunnies!
All of our bunnies are artist made and come with a love-ability guarantee.
April 9th - May 6th
See more photos here

Now in the shop

2011-04-16T18:13:00.000-04:00

Adopt

All kinds of green

2011-04-16T16:35:00.001-04:00

Adopt

Materials:
• Repurposed wool jacket
• Eco felt
• Vintage buttons
• Stuffed with 30 recycled plastic shopping bags

Size:
• 10 1/2" long
• 8" tall

New Stegos!

2011-04-16T10:16:00.002-04:00

New Stegos up for adoption here

Bye-bye!

2011-04-09T14:47:00.000-04:00

Big set of LEFTZ off to The Glitter Workshop in Madison, WI

Please Vote for me!

2011-04-09T08:45:00.007-04:00

NBC's Green is Universal has teamed up with Etsy to promote the reuse of unwanted items.
They have created a contest which I have entered one of my Plush Stegos in.

Click "Login" at the top of the page and Register. Then take a second to vote for me here
(at the bottom of the page there is a link that says "Cast Vote in this Category")

If I can get into the top 10 my item will be judge by greats like Martha Stewart, Lauren Bush, etc. and if I happen to win my plush will be shown on the Today show!

By registering you also will be entered to win a $500 shopping spree to Etsy!

Plush Team Challenge - El Gallo

2011-04-07T12:50:00.003-04:00

This rooster was created as part of a Plush Team Challenge using a set of Loteria cards. Each member was given a card and we had to create a plush based off of the card. 100% hand stitched.

Materials:
• Upcycled corduroy pants
• Eco felt
• Vintage buttons
• Stuffed with clean recycled polyfil
• Wrapped floral wire

Size:
• 10 1/2" tall
• 12" long
• 8" wide

•••••

This Rooster is a soft sculpture and is meant to be a display piece. Adopt

Just for me

2011-04-05T13:00:00.009-04:00

I decided that I needed some "me" sewing time, so I recreated my 8ft alligator. If you remember the original was created out of fleece and stuffed with plastic bags. But during a lull in plastic bag availability I chopped the poor guy up. So when my birthday came around this year my sister gave me a gift card to Joanns. I've had my eye on their green/brown fur for awhile. Last night I worked on creating a new alligator and I'm really happy with how he turned out. He is super soft and I plan on using him as a movie pillow since he is just over 5ft long.

His eyes were a real treat to work on. The buttons I used were from a coat I found at a Michigan thrift store last year and I've been saving them for this project. Surprisingly enough my sewing machine didn't have a hard time going through the many layers of fur. So all in all the project went smoothly :)

R.I.P. Mr. Alligator

My studio is full of little fun things including this salt shaker.
Along with his pepper partner, he was just too cute to pass up.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Gone Fishing...

2011-03-29T11:15:00.007-04:00

IMPORTANT: I will be out of town March 30th - April 3rd
All orders placed during that time will be shipped out on April 4th

As part of the Etsy Plush Team I will be going away for the weekend.
The team has rented a cabin in the mountains so we can get together and create!
I'm excited and ready for a relaxing break. See you when I get back!

Projects

2011-03-27T21:44:00.004-04:00

Today I created a thread catcher to go with my tote. Both created without a
pattern so there are boo boos. The top part of the thread catcher is a
pincushion which I filled with rice.

Read more about my Dino Tote here

These little fellows have already been adopted :)

Hop on Mama!

2011-03-27T21:12:00.001-04:00

Spotlight on Creativity

2011-03-26T12:50:00.001-04:00

Read more about me via Spotlight on Creativity from Caster Communications

I Spy

2011-03-25T16:52:00.000-04:00

Jade and Teal

2011-03-25T12:22:00.000-04:00

Materials:
• Repurposed wool jacket
• Eco felt
• Scrap fleece
• Vintage button
• Stuffed with 27 recycled plastic shopping bags

Size:
• 11" long
• 8" tall
Adopt

Chocolate Bunny

2011-03-25T10:31:00.001-04:00

Adopt

Oh Peter Rabbit...

2011-03-24T18:11:00.001-04:00

Easter Sale

2011-03-22T14:20:00.002-04:00

New LEFTZ Rabbits now in the shop!

WIP

2011-03-22T11:38:00.000-04:00

WIP - Easter Bunnies

Dino Tote

2011-03-21T14:48:00.003-04:00

While doing a lot of traveling with my sewing machine the past few months, I decided that I needed a tote. While with my mom, I found this cute dino print fabric and decided it was time.

I created this without a pattern so it isn't perfect. I added pockets on the outside and it is reversible!

I measured my sewing machine, leaving an inch or so for clearance, and added room for the smaller tote (which I did not make) The smaller tote will hold my tools, thread, etc.

The bottom is a sturdy upholstery fabric and heavy duty cardboard was inserted between the layers to hold up to the weight. The longer sides also contain cardboard inserts, leaving the sides free so it's collapsible when I'm not using it.

The inside color picks up on the accents in the dinos and the bottom is lined with gray denim. Chances are I will never make one of these again.. it wasn't hard coming up with the design but making sure I didn't sew threw cardboard and break a needle was a little scary :p

Back from vacation

2011-03-20T14:53:00.003-04:00

New in the shop:

Adopt

Adopt

Baby

2011-03-12T08:35:00.000-05:00

My shop will be going on vacation from March 13th - March 24th for the birth of my niece!

Custom: Twin Stegosaurus In Slate Blue

2011-03-10T22:30:00.001-05:00

Created with an upcycled wool jacket, eco felt, vintage buttons,
and stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags.

Green and Golden Yellow

2011-03-09T20:49:00.001-05:00

I'm seeing spots...

2011-03-08T23:21:00.001-05:00

This plush Stegosaurus is made from repurposed corduroy pants and Eco felt. His good eye is made from a vintage button and he is stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags. He 11" long and 8" tall. Adopt

Red with Buckle

2011-03-07T20:25:00.002-05:00

This plush Stegosaurus is made from a repurposed wool jacket and fuzzy upcycled upholstery fabric. His good eye is made from a vintage button and he is stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags. He is 11" long and 8" tall. Adopt

Purple and Swan Blue

2011-03-07T15:56:00.001-05:00

This plush Stegosaurus is made from a repurposed wool jacket and eco felt. His good eye is made from a vintage button and he is stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags. He is 10 1/2" long and 7 1/2" tall. Adopt

Slate Blue

2011-03-06T21:28:00.003-05:00

This plush Stegosaurus is made from a repurposed wool jacket and eco felt. His good eye is made from a vintage button and he is stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags. He is 11" long and 8" tall. Adopt

Custom Stegosaurus

2011-03-06T19:22:00.001-05:00

Materials:

Upcycled Wool Jacket
Eco-Felt
Vintage Button
Stuffed With Recycled Plastic Shopping Bags

Suddenly I see

2011-03-04T21:02:00.001-05:00

Sky Blue

2011-03-01T21:54:00.001-05:00

The Bright Ones

2011-03-01T20:50:00.001-05:00

New Stegosaurus

2011-03-01T17:46:00.001-05:00

This plush Stegosaurus is made from repurposed upholstery fabric and eco felt. His good eye is made from a vintage button and he is stuffed with recycled plastic shopping bags. He is 11" long and 8" tall. Adopt

Swimming with the fishies

2011-02-28T18:03:00.002-05:00

Plush seaweed, starfish, and rocks for a window display at Crafty Planet

Button It!

2011-02-28T15:13:00.001-05:00

New LEFTZ Pinback Buttons in the shop!

Blue Strawberry

2011-02-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

New Stickers!

2011-02-26T17:11:00.000-05:00

Things

2011-02-26T11:33:00.001-05:00

Things around my studio that make me happy

Spring cleaning...

2011-02-26T01:10:00.002-05:00

... minus the Spring!

I went through all of my fabric today and made it purdy.
The bins hold my felt and correspond with the colors in the row below :D

Custom Macaw

2011-02-25T18:22:00.001-05:00

Created with upcycled corduroy pants and Eco felt

Purple People Eater

2011-02-25T15:19:00.001-05:00

A Subtle Shade of Happy

2011-02-25T10:25:00.001-05:00

WIP

2011-02-24T16:36:00.000-05:00

Custom Macaw in red with cream accents.

Custom Macaw

2011-02-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

Custom Macaw to match a family pet.

Created with upcycled corduroy pants and eco felt. (with 2 eyes)

WIP - custom

2011-02-22T15:18:00.003-05:00

Digitally colored my macaw sketch to make sure that the colors are right.

What I'm watching:

2011-02-22T12:48:00.002-05:00

[Image Source]

When I am working I constantly need background noise and the perfect thing I've found are TV series on NetFlix. Oldies on the radio work fine too but they tend to repeat after a few hours.

Do you listen to or watch anything while you work? Or does the house need to be dead silent for productivity to kick in?

Too Cute Tuesday

2011-02-22T12:41:00.001-05:00

Featured on Mr X Stitch

"Mr X Stitch is the number one contemporary embroidery and needlecraft blog on the planet! Each day we bring you posts about people who are pushing boundaries of the threadiverse; people who make amazing art using the power of stitch."

Now Available

2011-02-21T18:49:00.001-05:00

This plush Pterodactyl is made from a repurposed corduroy pants, upcycled upholstery fabric, and eco felt. His good eye is made from a vintage button and he is stuffed with recycled polyfil. He is 8 1/2" long, 5 1/2" tall, and with a 17" wingspan.
Adopt