My sister bought me a lovely gift for my birthday this week - Fiona Dalton's soft toy making book 'Hop Skip Jump'. 

I knew it was coming out in late October but hadn't had a chance to check it out.   Hop Skip Jump (the blog) was my introduction to blogs when my sister showed me a couple of years ago.  I'd never heard of a blog at the time but her's was one I checked regularly as I loved her style of toys and the materials she used.   I have made quite a few of her toys now and have had lots of fun with her new book already. 

This is 'Charlie' the cat (using the 'Archie' pattern).  Isabella needed a bit of help naming him appropriately as she thought 'loopy' and 'catty' were good names!  He was going to be for a new bub (a friend's not yet born) but Isabella looked at him and said, "but I don't have a cat Mummy..." so of course, Charlie is now sleeping soundly next to her at night!  I adapted the pattern to incorporate string joints on the legs so he can sit on his own.  I bought the wool for Charlie here.

I also made 'Eddy' the mouse for another friend who just had a baby girl...

He is made from a recycled wool skirt - also used to make this little deer.

Here is the original Archie...

And Eddy...

A few of the other gorgeous toys in Fiona's book...