Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Fish for Pinguini

*Warning: This is a long post with a lot of photos!*

English: Penguins
Italian: Pinguini

First the story and then the project. ;) It all started when we took my son to the Toronto Zoo this past summer to celebrate his third birthday. We had taken him to the Zoo the previous fall but we missed the penguins. This time we spent some time there watching these little guys. We saw a lady win a petting session with the penguins.

Then we saw this little guy wander off by himself. I think my son really wanted to take him home.

When it was time to leave, we went to the gift shop to let him pick something to take home.

"What would you like?"
There was some quiet thinking then, "I want one (of) those black guys!"
"You mean a penguin?"
"Ya!"

He marched straight over to the penguins and grabbed one off the shelf. Then he proceeded to hand my husband one and me another saying, "One for me, one for Baba and one for you, Mommy!" LOL Oh, how I would have loved to buy three of them! But we knew it would only be special if he had the only one.

After an exhausting day at the Zoo, he actually fell asleep in the car and he never sleeps in the car! I think this photo of him cuddling his newest friend is just the cutest. This penguin which he has aptly named Pinguini (even though he's just one) is so loved. Then early this month, he told me that Pinguini needs a fish friend. I asked him if Pinguini needed food and he said, "No, he (will) not eat him! He need(s) a friend," giving me a look like I should know better. LOL So off I went to make Pinguini a fishy friend.

Oh, boy, did I ever wish I had the Spellbinders Nested Fish! I may get these dies yet but this time I settled for my own hand-drawn version in a similar shape. I cut Pinguini's friend out of grey felt from Felt on the Fly.

I'm not really a button person but these white Stampin' Up buttons from Sunghee really came in handy as pretty eyes. After stitching them on securely (before sewing the fish together and stuffing it), I glued in black centres using black felt die cut with the small berries from Lil' Inker Designs' Holly Jolly dies.

The fish's pectoral fins were created using both the Mini Pinwheel and Pinwheel dies from Lil' Inker Designs and they were cut from white and black felt from Felt on the Fly. I secured the fins by stitching them facing forward, then folding them back and stitching them again to hide the holes.

And finally, Pinguini's new friend is ready for his close up. Squee! Look at those kissable lips. LOL

This all occurred one evening when, after making dinner, my son became adamant that Pinguini have his fish that night. I relented and had my husband eat with him while I went downstairs to make it. My son wanted a white fish but my husband and I knew that would get dirty quickly so all three of us agreed to make it grey with some black and white parts. It took me 45 minutes but it was worth the rush. Not to worry, the marionette strings were required for photography but removed before the hand-off. My son was so happy to meet his new fish!

Then, of course, Pinguini had to make his acquaintance. Awww! Look at him tucking the fish under Pinguini's wing. How sweet!

And, of course, they are both now carried together everywhere.

This photo is just so endearing, it makes me want to squeeze all three of them! Teehee. :D

***

In honour of this post, Felt on the Fly is offering free coordinating Mama and Baby Seahorse felt die cuts with every order! All you have to do is mention PINGUINI in the 'Notes to Seller' at Checkout. Head on over to the shop HERE!

Thank you for stopping by to enjoy this post and for your support of Felt on the Fly. :)

Sources: Felt on the Fly Grey, Black & White 100% merino wool felt; Lil' Inker Designs Holly Jolly, Pinwheel & Mini Pinwheel dies; Stampin' Up buttons; Gutermann thread; Fairfield polyester fiberfill

33 comments:

Alanna said...

Omg such a cutie!! Your son is ADORABLE! Love pinguini and his little fish friend!! So so clever Emily! Too cute!

I have a thing for penguins as well! I even named my new handmade embellishment business "penguin parade" LOL!

Anita Rex said...

Oh Emily what a lovely post! :> What a sweetheart your son is with his penguin! You should see Mr Poppers Penguins with him, it's such a sweet movie my kids loved it. I love that you made him a fish and SUCH A SWEET ONE! Great job my friend!

Jen Carter said...

Awww, so cute!! I love what you made! The flippers from the pinwheel die are so creative too!! Just adorable!

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said...

That has to be one of your best spent 45 minutes - awwwwwhhhhh!

Jennifer said...

GREAT post emily! Your son is just too CUTE!!! (= Love the sweet little fish friend you made for him!!! (=

Unknown said...

what a sweet post. your little man is adorable with his penguin and fish friend. you know a child loves a toy when it goes everywhere with him! :) your sewing skills are amazing too! i can hardly thread a needle :)

Levana Xu said...

Emily, I love reading about your son's story, what an adorable son he is... pinguini and the fish are so cute, love your handmade, and he must be very proud for having talented mom like you... *hugs..

Jen W. said...

Emily, your fish rocks! Look out Gund - I think there's a new stuffed animal player in town!
Thanks for sharing the story and pics - love the super happy look on the little guy's face when he finally met his fishy friend!

Lynn said...

Emily, Damion is so adorable! I love his little fish to go with his pinguini. And...to make it in 45 minutes! I am so impressed!

Lisa said...

What a precious story :) Love the expression son your son's face - priceless :)
Thx for sharing your story and your sweet fish too!

Jessi Fogan said...

I don't even know the words to tell you how much joy this whole story gave me! The last photo, with all 3 buddies heading down the stairs, is such a fantastic way to capture how much it meant to Damian. Love it!

Annette Allen said...

Your liitle guy is just so adorable...such a sweet story..thanks for sharing..

Meg said...

So I thought this post couldn't get any cuter after the penguin picture. Then it couldn't be any cuter after the little guy asleep on the way home. Then it definitely COULD NOT be any cuter after seeing the cutest felt fish in the entire world.

Then I saw the final picture and my monitor exploded from over-cuteness. Such a great mom, you are!

Karen said...

You are a great mom to a sweet and cute little guy. Loved the pics.

Katt aka LaLa said...

So precious!!! Your little boy is super adorable, and what an awesome job you did creating pinguini's friend. Definately inspired me to try my hand at making some stuffed toys for my nieces :)

Creations by Shirl said...

Awww Emily ~
This is one precious story! Your son is so cute along with his new friends the fish and the pinguini.

Sunghee said...

Oh my goodness~!!! He is getting so big. So sweet and adorable! And, wow! What a mom you are! So creative!!! Love the fish friend. YOu rock! Heehee. Thanks for the link. Note to self: do not send Em buttons. ;)

handmade_cass said...

Love this whole story! And your fish is awesome, especially under rushed circumstances. :)

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

SUPER cute--LOVE your little guy and how much he wanted a friend for his little penguin!! ADORABLE:) Cute post!

Angie said...

Your son and his penguin are just too adorable! Your fishy friend is also super cute.

Wendy ten Hove said...

Oh, Emily, these photos are sooo cute!!! And penguins are actually my favorite animals!! I love them, the way they walk, the way they always look dressed up for a party, the way they gather together!! Love them!! And your fish is amazing! Those lips are funny! Very, very nice!!! A perfect friend for your son and his penguini!!
Hugs, Wendy

Scrapowe Sosasowisko said...

Great story! :)

Jenny said...

Oh this is the sweetest story Emily, the fish for Pinguini is just brilliant :)
Jenny x

Tee said...

OMG!! That is so cute!!! first to see the penguins and then the friend for Mr. Penguin!!!
Damien looks so adorable!! Big hugs and kisses to him!!!
And hats off to you!!!

Kelley Eubanks said...

Oh my goodness!! How stinkin cute!! What a good mommy you are! :) Your little man is just ADORABLE!!

Lindsey said...

CUTE!!!

canadian_liner said...

What a great mom you are, and a truly creative spirit. When my kids were that young, we had a lot of last-minute Hallowe'en costume crises, with the trusty SInger sewing machine to the rescue...
I'd be interested to hear how you find the Felt on the Fly weathers (if it gets pilly or thin).

Tiffany Ervin said...

Aw...that is such a wonderful and heartfelt story! Love it! That cute little fish is just the perfect buddy for Pinguini! Super cute! I'm in awe of your talent!

Angela said...

Linds's comment cracks me up.
Also, holy cats, you have the cutest kid! Have you scrapped these photos yet? you better :)

Amazing fish, of course -- you and felt are excellent partners!

Anonymous said...

this is super adorable. how sweet you can make your son his own toy. wonder what this fishy's name is???

Brenda said...

Too cute and your son is totally adorable!

Vicky Hayes said...

It warms my heart to read this Emily. What a special little person your son is and what precious photos - definitely worth a scrapbook page! Love Penguini and his BFF!

Bee's hive said...

Everything about this post made me smile, and then the cherry on top was seeing his little face with the fish...Precious!