Thursday, March 20, 2008

Spool People







I have been working on these little guys for 3-4 hours a night since Sunday. They were fun, but oh, how happy I am to be done with the Easter gifts. It's been a love-hate relationship.

I first spotted them on etsy. I loved them immediately. They reminded me of the old school Little People that I played with when I was little. The girls absolutely LOVE playing with them at grandma's house. Round body, no arms, no legs, and a head. Somehow, limbless, they're still the favorites .

With my obsessive compulsive disorder kicking into high gear, I called my mom, mother-in-law, and grandma within minutes to see if they had any old wooden spools. To my delight, they all did. My mother-in-law sent me all she had and my mom let me pick out a dozen or so of my favorites from her collection. Both my mother-in-law and moms spools came from their moms. So each doll is made from the old sewing spools that the girls great grandma's, Ola and Mable, actually sewed with. I marked on the bottom with an "O" or "M" so we will always remember where they came from. My other grandma just had back surgery so I'm hoping when she's all recovered I can make a few more using her spools as well. Three different great grandmas spools...what a legacy! It makes me so excited! I just love one of a kind things with sentimental value.

I made a set with three beds, 2 tables, and 20 spool people: 1 Grandpa, 1 Grandma, 1 Joe, 1 Jamie, 1 Gabriella, 1 Gwen, 10 friends, 3 Bears, and Goldilocks. I don't think I'll ever tell the girls who is suppose to be who, I'll just let them use their imagination to pretend how they want.

The doll house is actually a CD holder dollhouse from Michael's. I got the idea here and thought it would be perfect. Small and put-awayable...yes, I made that word up, but that is a huge criteria for toys around here. Can it be put away so I don't have to look at it all the time? Yes? Okay, good, I'll take it.

I hope the girls enjoy their town full of spool people. I'm thinking I might put a few in Easter eggs and hide them along with the other eggs. We'll see. But for right now, I'm just glad I don't have to paint another face on any wood heads for a while. Not so crafty with the paint brush over here!

14 comments:

Jennifer said...

I hate you in the sweetest way possible. They are amazing and your girls are the luckiest girls in the world!

Kelli said...

You amaze me. You come up with the cutest ideas. I am going to file this one in my brain for my next life when I am crafty or if I find some sweet person to do it for me. hehe. Love it Kelli

Jill said...

I love this! They turned out so cute. I need more instructions though! Did you just buy wooden balls and glue them on top? How did you attach the fabric? What about the beds and tables!? This is such a cute idea--I can't wait to do it. I love that they stand up and the girls can play make believe. You are amazing!

Sara said...

Cute little people...they really do remind you of the original little people. How awesome that you were able to get your grandmother's old spools. I'm sure they will be treasured for years to come.

Unknown said...

Jamie all I can say is they are great and you are an amazing crafy person! Your girls are so lucky.

The Bone Family said...

So cute! SO SO CUTE!!

The Seaquist Family said...

Ok, I'm just sending Ava over so you can teach her how to be girly and want to play with all these sweet things. How are you doing all of this? They don't even go to school? I've been to your house...do you have a hidden attic that I don't know about?

Bryn said...

I love the way they turned out. I know you described them to me but I had no idea how adorable they would be! I love all the characters you made! I know Gabriella will be on the same page as you as to who is who! I can't wait to hear what she thinks of them!

Shanen said...

Jamie these are amazing. I can't wait to hear how this morning went and how the girls just love them. You have a wonderful talent, and we love seeing it. Love you

Carly said...

Holy Hannah. When I have little girls I am going to need your phone number to get more details. There are beyond adorable--beyond because they come from Grandma's old spools and are made by Mom. Maybe when your girls grow up they will realize what a treasure of a mom they have. Happy Easter!

Tasha said...

Amazing. Simply amazing. I LOVE THEM!! Love, love, love them. I have been waiting in anticipation as to what you were making your girls for Easter. I had no idea it would be something this fabulous. Seriously, I think we think a lot alike, except you actually do all those wonderful things. Oh, I love these. I love that they come from their great grandmothers sewing collection. I love how darling they are. I love that your girls will adore them. I love that they are homemade and sentimental, and apsolutly fabulous! Okay, enough said. But, I am just grateful you have this blog and share all these darling things with us. So wonderful. your girls are very very very lucky to have you!

McCurdy Family said...

You are soooo talented- how in the world do you find time to do this! I have two and can barely get laundry done!!

pink-petal-designs said...

These are sooooo cute, and such a great idea! I have just found your blog and i love it. The mail bag is just brilliant and i want to make one now. Do you kbow where i can get hold of a mail tin like you have?
Sarah x

Becca said...

so not sure if I've told you yet but this little blog of yours is my favorite of all time as of now!!! I love all your ideas and get so excited to try anything new you do. I made some fun fans for the girls room but haven't figured out how you hang them... fill me in!!! I 'll have to make some dolls now!!!