Tea & Embroidery: Time Off Fun! 8/20/2014

I have a week or so off, it being the end of our summer season here in the camping world.  And, with all this time on my hands, I've decided to attempt a new creative project.  It is sort of related to needlework, because there is some decent hand sewing involved.

I love the films of Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki and the films of Studio Ghibli.  So, while I was browsing on pinterest I came across a DIY pattern from http://www.cheekandstitch.com of one of Hayao's most beloved characters. Totoro, from "My Neighbor Totoro" from 1988.

After some minor communication issues between my computer and my printer, I was able to print out the pattern and get started.

So, I made the first one as a test run, and I learned several things from it.

In my first attempt, I attached the stomach panel the wrong way, which made the attachment of the eyes harder, for they were higher up. 

I also found out that I prefer to attach the ears after sewing the body together, rather than during.  But over-all I was pleased with my results from the initial round.

Here was my finished results:

His name has been decided upon as Geraldo and he will be going to live with my friend Pam, who fell in love with him at first sight.