The first is Reuben.


Isn't he sweet?

I had the pleasure this week of pattern testing this little guy for Jodie Carleton at Ric Rac  There are a couple of differences  - hers is Rueben instead of Reuben (as we spell it - my oldest son's middle name is Reuben); and of course, hers is much more beautifully constructed.

But I think he's very expressive for my first time making a stuffie:




But I wanted you to see how completely adorable it is - that Jodie has a lot of talent! Could you even begin to think of making something so cute?!


I liked Reuben so much I decided that he should be Diva Quilt's mascot - and ought to oversee all that happens in the sewing room.  But then I thought, he might be lonely - so I decided to make him a little friend to keep him company.
Which is where Maddie came in!


I  may have mentioned in the past, how much I adore elephants - so his friend had to be an elephant. At first I was going to make a boy elephant, but then was tempted by the idea of cute dresses and bows.  And er... cute dresses won.  :)

And you know how great Jodie's pattern is? This is how great it is:

with my vast experience making stuffies (after all, I'd made ONE); her pattern writing was so easy to follow that  I was able to riff off  hers to make an a: slightly smaller stuffy with a slightly larger belly (she is an ELEPHANT after all); and franknpattern an elephant head out of a donkey



I mean check out that cute nose!

And so, now Reuben has a friend to hang out with. (Don't worry Reuben, I shall make you some new clothes too)


Don't they look happy together?

And be sure to watch check out Jodie's blog, (which is incredibly entertaining); (seriously, if nothing else, click on those last two links to read her amazing stories) and keep an eye out for Rueben's availability as a pattern!

Next week - a finished quilt.  I promise!  :)