Tuesday, October 05, 2010




A rather disappointing finish...
Bekah looks like I feel. No, she isn't pouting. That's the look she gets when she is concentrating. The bottom lip juts out and is too adorable not to snap a picture of. I surprised her, can you tell?

Now, I am pouting. I had such a glorious time sewing these little puzzle balls for my friends- flying up on the wings of anticipation, only to fall to earth with a thud. You'll notice that something is missing. They're rather flat, aren't they? I figured that I would make the balls and then buy the stuffing for them. Jenny Beyer recommends the cotton stuffing as it compacts better into a harder ball. None to be found locally. No problem as that is what the internet is for, right? Shopping. I found cotton stuffing at a wide range of locations- even some organic stuffing, which is what I preferred. It runs an average of $8.50 a lb. A price I was willing to pay. I needed 3 lbs. so $25 and my heart would be happy. Figured $8 for shipping. Nope. $16!! Really? I mean, are you kidding me? $16?? So the poor little balls will have to remain uninflated until I can justify spending $40 to stuff them! Think that will ever happen? I think not. I should have know Jenny would get me into trouble. And I'm kinda addicted to sewing them. Really wanted to try some of the more complicated balls now that I have my friends covered. Kinda takes the bloom off the rose. And to think, I was actually hand sewing! Oh the injustice of it! Waa! Somebody call the "waa-mbulance!"

9 comments:

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

Waaa...waa...waa...waa...it is a cryin' shame!!! And the picture of Boo is double adorable - fir for Grandfathers desktop! He'll love it!

scraphappy said...

How about just buying some 100% cotton balls at the drug store. Cotton is cotton after all, isn't it?

teelduo said...

WAAAAAAAAAAA Will the local Joanne's order it for you? Won't hurt to ask and they may not charge shipping since they can deliver it to their store and you pick it up there.

I just loves that picture of Boo!!!!!

Kathy in Seattle said...

how about crushed walnut shells? lizzard bedding from the pet store, great for pincushions, too!

Darcie said...

ROTFLOL The waa-mbulance. You're hilarious!

I know that Jacob would love this: Long ago while I worked at a quilt store, a customer made a pin cushion and inside, had a tiny pillow filled with COFFEE!!! She had read that the oils from the coffee were good for the needles and pins. And oh my...did it smell marvelous!

Or...how about some leftover wool batting? Or better yet, do you know any sheep ranchers nearby? (Are sheep big in IN? I mean...popular?)

Keep hand stitching! The stuffing will problem will work itself out.

Love and hugs!

Unknown said...

Jinny Beyer?

my husband (a quilter) LOVES her stuff

but, like you, no way would I pay two pounds worth of shipping

what about odd bits of cotton batt?

Isobel said...

I made several patchwork balls a couple of years ago and I stuffed them with regular polyfil stuffing. They do not get really hard but I just kept stuffing and stuffing until I couldn't get any more in them and they hold their shape nicely. I my have a picture I can post. I will start searching.

Susan said...

I've used the walnut shells in pincushions and it works great - got it from the pet store. But maybe you could get all your friends to save (and wash) their pantyhose that get runs in them? They make a nice stuffing, too. And, hey, free!

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

long ago I used to save the lint from the lint filter in my clothes dryer for things like this........