Tuesday, April 3, 2012

travel bugs (now called TravelWees)


{Late note: This pattern is now called TravelWees instead of Travel Bugs, and is now available in my Craftsy store for instant download and also via email in my Etsy shop.}

Well, it's official. My friend is now in Brazil. Olá, meu amigo Robyn, over the equator and far away!

I sent a package to her kids before they left the US because I thought it might be nice for her older two to have a travel sized buddy like their younger brother, Asher. Something to play with on the long airplane ride. I had all this fur left over from the beards. And some nice chenille stems from my sister Lita (thanks, Lita!). So here are the Travel Bugs. 

I think they ended up kind of Seussy looking (like they might live in a truffala tree), and probably a little too cutesy for her older boy, but he can secretly like it. I meant for his to look a little weirder and fiercer but somehow it stayed cute. Sorry, Gage. Maybe you can add some fangs? Audrey, Leafling looks like she might enjoy a tiny bow in her hair. Do you know any crafty kids that could make her one? And don't mention her mustache. Girls don't like to call attention to those.


I consume a lot of Altoids® Curiously Strong Mints (where's my sponsorship?) so I always have tins on hand. I was lucky to have a British 50g tin in my pile for Boogerby (that's the blue one) because he is so FURRY and all that hair would not fit in an American tin. The 50g tin is slightly deeper than the American. Also, it is not embossed. I'm actually not sure how I came to have a 50g tin. I don't remember buying any in London. That's curious. (rimshot)


Travel Bugs bring their own maps and their own food. Plus, they already have airplane hair, so they make you feel better about yours.

39 comments:

  1. This is so adorable!!!!!
    I love the fact that hey have already Airplane hair :)
    Soooooo cute!!!
    Hugs,
    Kiki

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  2. Just too stinkin' cute Larissa! I'm sure the kids will love these as they come from you with love.

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  3. Those are SO cute. Thanks for giving me some ideas on what to do with fake fur (I have some blue that's been hanging out in my stash for a while) and altoid tins.

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  4. Aww, how wonderfully fun!! I bet they are loved for sure!

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  5. Oh, those are sooo cute, larissa! What a great idea. Yeah, the boy one looks cute too, but I bet he liked him anyway. So funny trying to make something fierce looking and having it cute instead. Happens to me too.

    How is Robin doing? Never heard from her again, maybe I'll email her to see if she had a safe trip and if she needs some help setteling down.

    hugs to you!!

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  6. These are so fantastic. My little girl would love one. I stumbled onto your site from Pinterest, I live in Brisbane, Australia. Will you be doing a free tutorial on these or selling them in your Etsy store? Would love to make one for my daughter.

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  7. From Audrey: I think that it was very weird that you said that about the mustache because it was funny. I really like it because it's fuzzy and I can probably pretend with it. Thanks a lot for it. And I will send you a mango.

    From Gage: I truly like it, but I don't secretly like it. Thanks a lot. I really think the mustache is really funny, also. I think you did a good job on it. And I think you did do it sort of weirder and fiercer than Audrey's. And I will send you a coconut.

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  8. Saw these on Pinterest. So wish I had them ready to go on our plane ride later today! Awesome!!

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  9. I'd love to know how you made these! I can't even imagine what you did. They are amazing. And the little bite from the leaf is killing me with cuteness.

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  10. I would love to know how you made these! A tutorial would be great!

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  11. What a sweet and fabulous idea, no matter what age of child they will be adored I'm sure!
    Kandi x

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  12. So incredibly sweet. I love your creations!

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  13. Love them! You are so creative! What an adorable idea! Thanks for sharing.

    pat

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  14. Curiously adorable.
    artteajannell.blogspot.com

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  15. Oh. My. Gosh. These are so stinkin' adorable, I can't even stand it.

    What a wonderful idea and a great gift for travelling children! Love it.

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  16. Hey, thanks, everybody!

    Thalita, you are so sweet! Robyn is fine! She has been so crazy busy for the last few weeks, as you can imagine. I'm sure she'll be in touch when they settle in. Thanks for checking on her. It is so great for her to already be in touch with such a sweet person in Rio!

    Amanda and Mommy2four, it's a possibility! I'll add it to the list.

    Audrey and Gage: You make me laugh because you are funny. I could hear you both telling me your messages in your own voices, Audrey's with an English accent. I'm so glad you can openly like Boogerby and Leafling and not just secretly. Be sure to comb their mustaches and let them look in your noses. And I will send you a peanut.

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  17. So cute. We are going on a trip next week, and my daughter was looking over my shoulder as I read this. She immediately wanted one, of course. So, where's the pattern/tutorial??? LOL.

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  18. These are fun, your mouse provided inspiration for several birthday gifts, now you've made me think outside the square again - thanks

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  19. What a cute idea. I saw them and had to squeeze them in to make tuesday before our plane ride tuesday pm. I will link you and spread the word, when I write about ours! Thanks they made our travels so much easier!!

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  20. Hi! I sent you an email. Can you please check it? Blessings, kelly

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  21. This is such a cute idea! Thanks so much for sharing it.

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  22. Oh my, Larissa, we spent the whole day with a bunch of Brits. It's doing nothing to cure Audrey of her Anglophile ways. I do have to admit, though, everything their kids say is so dang cute!

    Oh, also, Audrey's been telling people she's famous ever since she read this post.

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  23. Robyn, that's right, everything sounds better in an English accent. Even a whiney kid yelling 'Wanna bikkit!' Tell Audrey that she and I can run away to London together, get a flat and pretend we were born there with our spank-on British accents. We'll continue to build our fame on our fashion sense and tea drinking abilities. No one will ever know.

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  24. Oh these are just too cuuuute! I love the blue one especially, it has a great face!

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  25. You always have such super cool, cute, and creative ideas!!! I need some of that to come my way ;)

    Love the furries! I might have to try to make some. My Kiddos would love them to pieces. The 9 year old boy.... (secretly) as well!

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  26. Found these on pinterest!

    I have used a lot of your tutorials for friends... Is there anyway that you would do a tutorial for the travel bugs? We do a lot of flying since my husband's family is in Texas and we live in Virginia. My daughter would LOVE one of these!

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  27. Hi, Wes! There's a pattern coming for them that will be available in the shop soon. Thank you!

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  28. Completely adorable. I can't wait for the pattern! ac

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  29. OMG! My 9 y/o daughter and I LOVE these! Can't wait for the pattern-until then we're going to try to make the wee mouse house with help from my Mom (she's a much better at sewing than me and has TONS of scraps from making quilts!). Looks like we better get after eating some altoids!! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity!!!

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  30. These are the CUTEST!!! I wish you sold them completed and not just the pattern.

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  31. I absoluely love this idea! With a bit of alteration to the message these would also be a wonderful lil gift for any child needing a pick me up or distraction when dealing with an illness, greif or any other disruption of their normal life. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  32. Kolik stojĂ­ jeden???
    jsou tak rozkošní

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Marta, the PDF pattern is in my shop for $8.00, but I do not sell ready-made. No time! Have a lovely day.

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    2. Where can I find 5mm pony beads. Hellllp

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    3. Hey there, I found them at my local craft store (not sure if it was Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or JoAnn. It's been a few years). If you can't find them, sub in 4 mm or 6 mm. :-) Sorry it took so long for an answer! Contacting me via my Etsy shop is much quicker.

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  33. I would love to make these but I'm not that skilled. I could mess up the simplest of tasks. I wish you would sell them, not just the stencils for them. But still love it

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    1. Hi there, I just don't have the time to sell ready made or custom items, but you can check with the mmmakers on this list about ordering a custom TravelWee! :-)
      https://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/p/mmmakers.html

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