Hey, hey, we’re the Monk-chis . . .
My weekend was all about working on some softies for Mirabel. I had originally planned to make some sleepy, huggable bunnies and cats but during a lunch break last week, I had come up with this little guy:
I used my basic Chibi as a starting point (as I have done many times previously) and made a few alterations like a disproportionately large head and short legs :-) So out came the fleece and a wonderful vintage fabric that I had picked up from Mikes, featuring little children playing with various toys, which I thought would make great patches on their tummies.
I used a ‘chenille fleece‘ on one of the softies – it’s very much like a light-weight and stretchy version of the fake fur you would normally use on teddy bears, and gives it a very ‘plush‘ look. However, there was fluff all over the place after cutting it up and it took forever to clean it up.
After sewing them all up, I couldn’t decide on a name as I didn’t know what they were exactly. So I called in my in-house soft toy consultant for help . . . Ava :-) She gave them the once over and then her judgement (“I like it Mama!”). I asked her what she thought they were.
“They’re monkeys!” she declared.
Okay, so that was that. And after some very simple name games, playing around with the word ‘Monkey’ and the word ‘Chibi’ (since they were based on the basic Chibi pattern), I came up with ‘Monk-chi‘ :-)
Here are the Monk-chis with Ava before they make their trip to Mikes. I really do hope they bring a smile and comfort to some wonderful little kids this Christmas.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:39 am
they are awesomeness!
i love the black one! ooh!
(you should donate some for the “silent auction” :))
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November 5th, 2007 at 9:39 am
They are just gorgeous!!! They will definately bring some big smiles to some little children this year over xmas…. Well Done!!
Jodie
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November 5th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Love them – wonderful expressions on their faces!
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November 5th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Wow – they are just adorable! I can’t believe you rustled them all up in a weekend!! It took me all weekend to knit 3 rows (OK I was doing non-craft stuff too!!)
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November 5th, 2007 at 10:16 am
The one with the red polka dots in the ears is too cute! I love them!
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November 5th, 2007 at 10:45 am
They’re all too cute! They’ll definitely cheer up some kiddos this Christmas.
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November 5th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Love the mon-chis. I also love the cheeky monkey pattern of yours in the latest Handmade magazine. Will make a modified version for my little cheecky monkey for her first Christmas.
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November 5th, 2007 at 11:50 am
They are spectacular. Love the great big expressive eyes and the tiny little legs.
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November 5th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Wow, you are very talented!
Do you sell anywhere else apart from Etsy? I am launching an online store with a childrens clothing and accessories section. Your beautiful little works of art would be perfect…
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November 5th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
oh, they are just gorgeous!!!!
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November 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Love! They are amazing, and I think it’s so neat that you gave us a glimpse into your design process. Those little monk-chis are seriously adorable, and I don’t know how you and the girls can part with them. Do they have tails? They have the sweetest little faces! These might be my favorite Jhoanna originals to date, and that’s saying a lot.
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November 5th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
oopsy, just realise Monk-chi #1 is brown not black! Even better! Apologies for my colour blindness – bad monitor.
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November 5th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Absolutely adorable!
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November 5th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
they are so sweet, love all three of them : )
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November 5th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
I am sure that would bring a smile to anybody’s face.
they are just beautiful, just like Ava.
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November 6th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Oh, some very lucky little children are going to be made very happy thanks to you this Christmas Jho, you’re totally awesome. Love Posie
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November 6th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I immediately thought of the Monchichis from my childhood, although yours are cuter!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monchhichis
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November 6th, 2007 at 11:57 am
You have done a lovely job as usual and will make some children very happy. Good on you!
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November 6th, 2007 at 11:59 am
very cute! i wish i have a way to get hold of some. tsk tsk. theyd be great christmas gifts.
and gaaah i’ve to think of handmade gifts for people, too. i might still be in denial that it’s already november and i would need time to make gifts…
you really should open a store in the philippines. hehe
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November 6th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
you are so amazing!! these little monk-chis are brilliant.
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November 6th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
adorable monk-chis!
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November 7th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
not only will they warm little hearts but bigger grown up hearts too… so cuuute! great name choice!
:)
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November 7th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Lost brothers and sisters of Cheburashka :) Lovely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9ZRcgRm4ds
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