Fixin' Leaks and Leeks

I got my mind blown in the crafts aisle at the big box store this morning. I’m doing my best to recover, but I can’t get that waffle candle project out of my mind—that will be next on my list. (Make a waffle-shaped candle that smells like waffles? L’eggo my Eggo! Here I come a waffling—soon.)

Instead, I decided to tackle a needle and thread project, knowing that Nate and Alex would secretly create a “Cecilia Censor-Meter” to track how much profanity I’d use while making this project. On a scale of fun or frustration, it turned out to be a little fun and a little frustrating, for me. So it was funstrating—as long as I didn’t take the instructions too seriously—and opted for glue instead of thread at the end. All in all, I’m proud of making something that’s not outstanding, but sew sew. Which is good. No one will steal it.

So, the “craft buddies/pals/critters” project came with enough thread and stuffing and parts to make three puffy, fluffy, felt-like animals: a frog, a hedgehog, or a corgi. I just knew I’d only have the patience to make one, so I chose the frog.

The “felt” part is pre-punched. You’re supposed to line it up with the fluffy part—and then you just go at the two sections with a plastic sewing needle that comes with the kit. Nate actually thought I might poke myself with the needle and draw blood. This is nearly impossible, but I did wear thick grippy socks in case I dropped the needle and stepped on it.

It did take me a while to tie knots and such, but threading the needle was easy peasy. Luckily, I left future Cecilia with an opening at the top, so she could add the stuffing and then close up the final spaces. The kit comes with more parts + more thread + more instructions, but by that time, I decided I’d proven to myself I had enough patience for one day. So, I grabbed some clear Elmer’s glue and glued on the facial features.

The whole thing, from start to finish, took me about 45 minutes to an hour, but I’m not a sewer, so most people would probably be able to make all three animal pals in maybe 30-45 minutes.

Now that I’ve made this thing, sew what? What do I do with it? I think I have some ideas:

• Name it. (I’m open to ideas: Croaker? Skibidi Ribbity? Princess Ribbits?)
• Set a place for it at the dining room table—and give it conversation cards to prevent awkward silence: i.e. Name your most embarrassing swamp moment.
• Hire someone to make seasonal and holiday outfits for it.
• Hide it behind all the coats in the closet to create a jump-scare effect when we reach for our hiking boots.
• Experiment with fun hats it could wear. (Oversized lobster hat!)

Your Turn: How would you rate crafting projects, on a scale of fun to frustration? Or: What would you name the frog?