Amber Jewelle, bringing you the magic of Monarchs

Another year passes and a new year is here to offer things that have never been as well as things that are ever lasting. For us, awaiting the return of the monarch butterflies is one of those annual traditions. The monarch butterfly's migration to their roosting trees occur at the start of Fall. By November/December they are settled for overwintering in their new homes. In Northern California there are a few public places to go see this amazing phenomenon. Because Fall to the end of December is often much too hectic for us, we go visit the monarch roosting site in January. And oh!!!....the magic that beholds the eye!!! 

See for yourself in the slideshow below. These are from photos I took one year on one of our visits to a local farm where the beauties were roosting for the winter. Is it not one of the most amazing pieces of work that nature has created?

Now...without further ado....let me introduce to you little Miss Amber Jewelle...inspired entirely by what I could not get off my mind in recent days as we look forward to our upcoming visit with the monarchs.

AMBER JEWELLE: 'orange beauty'

Amber Jewelle is part of a project I started in the summer of 2016 called 'A Meeting in the Woods'...a collection of tiny woodland creatures meant to come to life all at once.

However, time could not afford me the luxury to bring them to life all in one swoop. So, they have been trickling out of the woodlands slowly one by one in the past several months.

First and one of my favorites was Morselfina...created in August of 2016. Morselfina was the wee-fairy keeper of Morpho Peleideis (the blue morpho butterfly).

Then, in September 2016 came Aurora of Cithaerias Aurorina  (the amazing glass butterfly)...another personal favorite. Aurora was a custom created for a dear friend. Aurora was also actually the catalyst...the great inspiration behind the creation of 'A Meeting in the Woods.'

And now...I present to you...the third of 10 from 'The Meeting in the Woods' Collection....Amber Jewelle...Bringer of Danaus Plexippus (the magical Monarch butterfly).

Amber Jewelle...she is made from 100% cotton interlock. She stands a whoppin 6 inches tall. Her face is lightly sculpted and facial features embroidered with cotton floss. Her eyes are that of a beautiful teal blue that matches a few shades in her dress. Amber Jewelle's carrot colored hair mimics the colors of the monarch and is created from mohair yarn crocheted into a wig and stitched securely to her head. Amber Jewelle is a sitting doll detailed with belly button and bum.

Amber Jewelle comes cloaked with an oversized cape and bearing a basket of tiny Monarch butterflies cut from 100% cotton. Her cape, sprinkled with bits of Monarch, is cut from 100% cotton and lined with a beautiful Liberty of London floral print. The confetti of Monarchs is individually stitched to the cloak as well as to her basket. Amber Jewelle's basket of butterflies is hand knit by me using a Kakishibu (persimmon) dyed 100% silk yarn.

Underneath the masking of the cloak, Amber Jewelle wears a delicate peasant style dress made with vintage 100% French cotton trim, Liberty of London fabric and the lightest shade of pink tulle. The dress opens fully on the back with two nickel-plated snap buttons. Underneath, she sports a pair of bloomers matching her Liberty dress.

Lastly, her tiny toes are covered with an itty-bitty pair of hand knit slippers made from 100% alpaca yarn.

For our lucky winner....Becky!....presenting Scarlet Elfcup's first creation of 2017! Congratulations, Becky! Thank you so much to all who participated in Dollectable's annual giveaway. Thank you to all who were the brave souls to enter your name into a surprise drawing. And thank you all for entering your name for a Scarlet Elfcup creation. Sending you all big hugs and best wishes for a fantastic 2017!!!

Bram and Pickle

When you are lost and there are storms to brave alone in the deep dark shadows of the woods, it's nice to know that someone will be out looking for you and soon you will have a warm hug and a safe place to be.

Such was the case of Mr. Pickle. Little Pickle gets himself into many quandaries by which Bram must rescue him. The latest tale and adventure of these two involved curiosity almost killing a bird...until Bram brought him back. Pickle, who is the littlest of them all, being the enthusiast of fun and never wanting to be left behind followed his fellow play mates into the big back woods as they played hide and find. While all the others...chicken, rabbit, cat, fox, deer, heron and squirrel...found their way home, little Pickle found nothing except the fact that he couldn't find his way back home to Bram.

After an unbearable amount of hours during which Bram searched and searched but could not find his best friend, he came to me for help. I've been occupied with so many things lately that I told Bram he must get on without me. I'll be along with him in a while. Well, after several more hours of going on without help, he came back and made my heart swell with sadness, for he asked "if I had forgotten about him?" I immediately laid all urgent matters aside to lend him my full attention because truth is I never forget any of my little ones. That is where you found us when we last left you hanging in one of our earlier Instagram posts. Bram led me back into the woods so that we could go fetch Mr. Pickle. 

So, now, you and I both know why Bram came out of the woods to fetch me. What I haven't explained is why Bram was trotting around stark naked last time. Well, turned out, in a desperate search for Pickle, he thought it wise to take off all of his articles of clothing to leave behind as a trail for Pickle to follow in case Pickle should chance upon the trail of clothing then he can find his way back to Bram. Now, that's what I call the true meaning of "giving the shirt off one's back for a friend."

Now that the whole ordeal is over and Pickle is at last home and safe with Bram, the two have decided they need not rest too long from adventures and have schemed to leave Fall behind and move on to newer pastures...whiter pastures.

Off they go, bundled in just enough to keep warm but not too much to restrict play...two little boys and a sled...off to seek new adventures.

BRAM

Bram is a Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup doll. He stands less than 6" (15 cm) tall. He is made with all natural materials. His doll skin is made with premium quality cotton interlock imported from the Netherlands. He is firmly stuffed with bio-wool made in the USA.  His seams are sewn twice for reinforcement.  His hair is made from the softest suri alpaca locks, trimmed with stylish long straight layers. He has beautiful blue embroidered eyes and a lightly sculpted face. His cheeks, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.  He is a sitting doll with sewn joints that are made flexible for easy movement and changing of clothes.  But, with some posing, he can use those sturdy legs for standing. He also has a belly button and a bum.

Bram comes wearing a simple mustard cotton shirt and striped cotton pants.

Bram comes with a collection of hand knits worthy of coveting. His warm, luxurious, soft cap is hand knit with a 100% baby alpaca yarn. His colorful houndstooth patterned scarf and elf boots were hand knit with 100% fine alpaca yarn. The colors chosen were very intentionally selected for the little daddy whom these boys are going home to. Small daddy loves the bright colors of yellow, red, blue, and green. And I think he's got some great taste.

Bram comes with a wooden sled, hand-painted with a scarlet acrylic paint. The sled handle is made from hemp twine. It is perfect play for such a wee-boy or for hanging on your Christmas tree to celebrate the season of red and green. 

PICKLE

Mr. Pickle is a little house finch who stands at a mere 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall. He is densely and entirely needle-felted from 100% wool roving and clean carded wool. His eyes are made from glass beads stitched very securely to his head.

He, of course, also comes wearing some winter gear. His itty-bitty red hat is made from clean, re-purposed, pre-washed 100% cashmere. His scarf was hand knit with 100% wool yarn. As usual, all hand knits are done with the greatest of pleasure by me. 

Bram and Pickle...a duo, custom made for a small boy who lives amongst one special little house finch and many other animals that he loves.

To: Mr. E! May Bram and Pickle take you on many adventures and may you be dubbed The Three Musketeers! Onward you go!

Bram and Pickle are recommended for ages 5+ due to the delicate nature of their design and the small parts that may pose as choking hazards for very young children.

Secret Garden of Lanterns

Amidst the turmoil and restlessness in the world, it is a lovely idea to stow away in a secret garden of lanterns...to celebrate life, to be in the moment with your best loved ones, your sisters, and to make a wish upon a lantern...A wish for peace, harmony and love amongst all peoples of this Earth.

If you read the previous blog about a Wish Upon a Lantern, you'll know that this is a sequel to the story of the three sisters of the Orient.

The creation of sisters, Aki and Rantan, was inspired by so many things. Hence, their existence represents and means a lot. All things Japanese were inspired by one little Japanese girl's birthday and a custom doll created just for her as requested by her sweet grandmother. All things lantern were inspired by Southeast Asia's recent celebration of the Autumn Festival (aka Moon Festival).

In 2016, the Mid-Autumn Festival was on September 15. During the festivals, which is to welcome the Autumn, thousands of lanterns are set ablaze floating upward into the moonlit night sky or downward into the ebb of a moonlit river. Traditionally, lanterns signified wishes for health, harmony or longevity. Lantern festivities are a sight to behold and I do dare to dream that one day, I will travel with my children back to my homeland country of Vietnam and experience this magical event with them.

We live in an interesting age. Amidst these times of chaos and uncertainty in the world, there is always a place for hope that humanity can rise out of the smoldering ruins that are caused by hatred and anger and restore unto itself a place filled...

...not with hate, but with love

...not with greed, but with generosity

...not with power, but with empowerment

...not with fear, but with courage

...not with conflict, but with unity...

...A place where people of all colors, all faiths and all backgrounds can be as one and live in harmony. This is the wish from these sisters...their wish upon a lantern...a wish for the world to be at peace with itself.

This month, Aki and Rantan will join Dollectable to represent the group of multi-nationals to promote harmony and peace for all.

AKI

Aki is a 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. She is made from 100% cotton interlock. Her dark soft locks are made of wefted 100% suri alpaca and can be lightly styled. Her facial structure is lightly sculpted. Her eyes and lips are embroidered with 100% cotton floss. Her cheeks, lips, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.

Aki comes wearing a wee-tiny kimono made with a beautiful 100% cotton floral fabric and 100% cotton bias at the neckline. The kimono is wrapped at the waist with an obi made from 100% linen and cotton. The obi is secured with two nickel-plated brass snap buttons on the back. Underneath, she wears a set of tiny bloomers matching her kimono. 

On her feet, Aki wears a simple pair of sandals made from a hand-dyed Kakishibu 100% silk yarn crocheted lining and matching fabric straps stitched to soles made of 100% Belgian wool felt.

RANTAN

Rantan is a 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. She is made from 100% cotton interlock. Her dark soft bobs are made of wefted 100% suri alpaca. Her facial structure is lightly sculpted. Her eyes and lips are embroidered with 100% cotton floss. Her cheeks, lips, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.

Rantan comes wearing a wee-tiny kimono made with a beautiful 100% cotton floral fabric and 100% cotton bias at the neckline. The kimono is wrapped at the waist with an obi made from 100% cotton. The obi is secured with two nickel-plated brass snap buttons on the back. Underneath, she wears a set of tiny bloomers matching her kimono.

On her feet, Rantan wears a simple pair of sandals made from a hand-dyed Kakishibu 100% silk yarn crocheted lining and matching fabric straps stitched to soles made of 100% Belgian wool felt.

Lastly, and most importantly, both sisters carry a special lantern...for making wishes come true. Their lanterns are made from 100% cotton. Lighting the lanterns from inside is a brand new, tea light wrapped very securely in 100% cotton fabric and 100% Belgian wool felt. A tiny opening is left at the top of the lanterns to switch it on and off. The lanterns' design was inspired by the physalis alkekengi (or Japanese lantern plant) itself. 

Aki and Rantan, two sisters stowing away in a secret garden of lanterns to wish upon the Earth peace and harmony. If you are interested in bringing home the celebration of Autumn, beautiful lantern wishes and a piece of harmony for the world, you can find Aki and Rantan in their secret garden celebrating with all the other friends tonight, October 1, 2016 at 7:00 PM (EST) at Dollectable.

Wish Upon a Lantern

Tsuki turned seven with her best floral kimono, a delicate pink crown, a lovely cream filled cake, surrounded by lanterns amongst the trees and rocks and of course her sisters, Aki and Hozuki. It is almost all that she wished for. The one missing wish...her sobo.

They say that if you miss someone, set a lantern to the sky and let it fly. Then, make a wish upon it and they will hear you.

Tsuki was created for a special little girl who lives in Japan and whose 7th birthday is coming up. Her birthday coincides close to the Mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival) which is celebrated by many Southeast Asian countries and originating mainly from Vietnam and China. In 2016, the Mid-Autumn Festival was on September 15. During the festivals, thousands of lanterns are set ablaze floating upward into the moonlit night sky or downward into the ebb of a moonlit river. Traditionally, lanterns signified wishes for health, harmony or longevity. Lantern festivities are a sight to behold and I do dare to dream that one day, I will travel with my children back to my homeland country of Vietnam and experience this magical event with them.

Tsuki's birthday celebration with sisters Aki and Hozuki and lanterns lit in a secret garden filled with physalis alkekengi (Japanese lantern plant, hozuki) was inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival.

TSUKI

Tsuki is a 6" Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup. She is made from 100% cotton interlock. Her dark soft locks are made of wefted 100% suri alpaca and braided into two braids secured with thread. Her eyes and lips are embroidered with 100% cotton floss. Her cheeks, lips, nose and various body parts are blushed with 100% red beeswax.

Tsuki comes wearing a wee-tiny kimono made with 100% Liberty of London cotton and 100% cotton bias at the neckline. The kimono is wrapped at the waist with an obi made from 100% linen and cotton. The obi is secured with two nickel-plated brass snap buttons on the back. Underneath, she wears a set of matching bloomers made of 100% Liberty of London cotton. Tsuki's head is graced with a birthday crown made of 100% French cotton lace.

On her feet, Tsuki wears a simple hand crocheted pair of sandals made from a hand-dyed Kakishibu 100% silk yarn.

Tsuki comes bearing a few birthday trinkets. Her delicious cream birthday cake is needle felted from 100% wool roving, decorated with pink ric-rac and topped with a candle made from wire wrapped in thread glowing with a flame made from 100% Belgian wool felt.

For her party decor, she carries a birthday bunting made with bits of 100% cotton and 100% Belgian wool felt secured to red ric-rac.

Lastly, and most importantly, she carries a special birthday lantern...for making wishes come true. Her lantern is made from 100% Liberty of London cotton. Lighting the lantern from inside is a brand new, tea light wrapped very securely in 100% cotton fabric and 100% Belgian wool felt. A tiny opening is left at the top of the lantern to switch it on and off.

The lantern design was inspired by the physalis alkekengi itself. Tsuki's lantern is especially wrapped in a floral Liberty with pink flowers for pink is her signature color.

For a grand daughter and her grandmother...over seas and over oceans, may not distance or time hold apart your hearts. Happy happy birthday, dear little E!

Morselfina

I believe that creativity is a form of energy that is within each of us and we can access it through different means. For me, it comes when I create from the heart, with a playful attitude, experimental mindset, curiosity for what will come through the process and a sense of wonder at the beauty of nature. When I am in this mindset, I lose myself in the process, forget the worries and fears and let the process flow. I know that creativity cannot be forced. It must be allowed to flow and come and go in it's own time.

So what stops the flow? Sometimes, it's perfectionism. When the project I am working on becomes "The Project," some idea that I have to get right at all costs, my thinking becomes clouded and cluttered. I forget to relax, play, and experiment. In these cases, I need to remind myself that perfection does not exist and that what I create can just be 'good'...and 'good' is quite enough. Sometimes, it's expectation. I'll have specific ideas about the type of blog post to create or a certain image to capture. But, on the way, it develops it's own mind and becomes something quite different than what I initially intended. When this happens, I find that I need to just let got and follow the flow. Being rigid never leads to anywhere interesting, so I may as well follow the adventure and figure it out along the way. And this is how the creation of 'A Meeting in the Woods' is manifesting itself.

My intention for 'A Meeting in the Woods' was to present all 10 creatures at once. What I am now finding out is that some of them want to be released sooner than others. Some of them would prefer to be released with a friend or two. And then, some of them tell me they just don't want to come out and play...not now, anyway. Forest beings live by democracy, much like we do. As such, I am obliged to follow their wishes and will now introduce to you a single small fairy by the name of Morselfina.

Morselfina was inspired by my recent obsession with butterflies. It all began with a custom request that started way back in April...and I'll tell you more about this creation when the time is right. Since April, butterflies have been with me all around. They keep coming in different forms...as if to tell me that I need to complete something before I move on from them. At some point this Spring we were gifted a butterfly set to grow and we did. And my children had the most fantastic time letting them fly away at the end of their metamorphosis. Not to mention, the details we learned through the process of growing them from caterpillar to butterfly. Also, in July, my husband gave me one of the loveliest, most beautiful birthday gifts...a set of real, but dead exotic butterflies preserved in a box. From these things, came my need to create butterfly fairies. And Morselfina is the first of them.

Morselfina is a wee-fairy, keeper of Morpho Peleides (the most popular butterfly of all time, the Morpho butterfly). If you have ever seen a migration of butterflies such as that of the Monarchs, then you understand how awe-inspiring it is to see big clusters of butterflies hanging like grapes on a grapevine. It is one of the most amazing and beautiful things you'll see in nature. And it will remind you that there is no art that exceeds that of Mother Nature's. With her as the inspiration, I wanted to create a wee fairy who is tiny, dainty, fun and carries about her head a massive cluster of Morpho Peleides. So, here she is...in all her 6 inches worth of glory....

Morselfina....

Her body is made from 100% cotton interlock. She stands 6 inches tall. She is a sitting doll. Morselfina's hair is made of mohair yarn crocheted into a wig and stitched securely to her head.

Morselfina comes bearing a head full of tiny Morpho butterflies cut from 100% cotton and were individually stitched one-by-one onto her tiny fairy cap made of 100% cotton and lined with the same fabric. The tie on her cap is hand knitted using a mohair and silk yarn.

Morselfina's wings....hand embroidered on 100% cotton fabric, with the finest 100% cotton, hand-dyed embroidery thread made in France...just because I had an itch to hand embroider something beautiful. Did you know that the Morpho butterfly's wings are iridescent and brilliant blue on one side, but patterned with browns and spots on the underside. Hence....double the embroider-thon. Her wings took all of 20 hours to complete. The wings can be put on and taken off of Morselfina and they are attached to her with straps hand knit from a mohair/silk yarn.

Morselfina comes wearing an itty bitty strapless fairy dress made with 100% cotton trim, lined with 100% cotton fabric under the tulle and a tiny flower stitched to her dress and made from tiny wood beads. Underneath, she wears a set of matching bloomers made of 100% cotton.

Finally, her tiny toes are wrapped in tiny shoes hand knit using a 100% alpaca yarn.

Morselfina...a wee fairy keeper of Morpho Peleides...to bring a bit of magic to your day.

Morselfina will be looking for a loving home to flutter to. She'll be waiting in the Dollectable shop tonight, August 1, 2016 starting at 7:00 PM (EST). She'll hang out there for 24 hours. After that you may find her fluttering about in the Etsy shop.

A Meeting in the woods

Over hill, over dale,
Through bush, through brier,
Over park, over pale,
Through flood, through fire!
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moon's sphere;
And I serve the Fairy Queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green;
The cowslips tall her pensioners be;
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours;
In those freckles live their savours;
I must go seek some dewdrops here,
And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.

- A Fairy Song, William Shakespeare

It has been a while, hasn't it? Spring sprung off somewhere and here we are amidst a rapidly approaching Summer. In this small corner of the world, life is happening at a fast and furious pace and it makes me yearn for the clock to stall and stand still a minute. For the time being, I am back from travels and adventures with my family. It won't be long before we go again. But, for now, I relish in this time to enjoy some moments with a few woodland friends that I found lying in wait on my work table.

Fairy, fauna or flora...who they be, we shall see. One thing is for sure. They are inspiring the beginning of my very first herbarium. Now, for the magic of letting them tell me how, who, when and where things will go from here. This is the beauty of the creative process that makes the hands and the heart and the soul blissful. I bid you a good weekend filled with rest and relaxation...til we meet again next week.

Happy New Year!

Please bring a warm drink. Sit down. Relax. Play the music below. Enjoy the slides and find a surprise at the end of the show. It is for you!

On January 1st, 2016 at 4:00 PM (EST), Scarlet Elfcup is offering Jespa for FREE via Dollectable. Simply visit the Dollectable shop to enter your name for any of the drawings listed.

Without further ado....Jespa, a doll for the new year!

Aoife and Mochta

Once upon the earth lived a variety of deer so large they stand at nearly twice the height of a human. Their antlers spanning more than twice the height of man. They were known as Megaloceros, the giant Irish Elk. Today, they are no more.

But, legend has it that one giant male still roams the planet. He walks alongside his master and protector, the Princess Aoife, a mythical being from the woodlands.

During the time of year when the sun favors the Southern hemisphere, it is said that they can be sighted roaming the woodlands in various parts of the southern world. But, when the time comes for the sun to move toward the Northern hemisphere, the duo return to the tundra where they prefer to live.

It is only during the northern summer that they desire a brief relief from that place where winds and wolves howl, permafrost and chilling snowdrifts occupy all the days of the year, bright white snow and cold dark skies prevail. This is a place where no man can survive for long, only legends can exist. The chills are relentless and the winds merciless. For Aoife, life with Mochta can be harsh and gruesome. But, she wouldn't have it any other way because her sole responsibility is to protect Mochta, the last great giant, from going into extinction.

And so, legend has it that the earth is still graced with one single, remarkable giant Megaloceros and his guardian, the Princess Aoife.

Aoife and Mochta represent the essence of this time of year, when the Northern hemisphere is adorned with flurry white and frozen air gifted by Father Winter. There is nothing more magical than this.

If you were around for the blog post titled "A Woodland Warrior Princess," you know the story and inspiration behind the creation of Mochta. Mochta and Aoife are a dream come true thanks to my mama who requested a custom involving a reindeer. From this idea, the great Irish Elk and his protector evolved. And how happy and thrilled I am that they came to life. But, they have been through a long journey and their creation has been nothing short of adventurous and full of lessons learned. I enjoyed every step of the process, so thank you, thank you A.K. for giving me the chance to play and experiment and bring this beautiful duo into the world.

AOIFE (pronounced Ee-fa)

The name Aoife is derived from the Gaelic aoibh, which means "beauty" or "radiance." Aoife is a Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup doll. She stands less than 6" (15 cm) tall. She is made with all natural materials. Her doll skin is made with premium quality cotton interlock milled in the USA. She is firmly stuffed with bio-wool also made in the USA.  Her seams are sewn twice for reinforcement.  She has embroidered facial features and the most beautiful emerald green eyes I've ever seen. Her facial structure is sculpted giving her a sweet little heart-shaped face with an itty-bitty chin, round chubby cheeks, deeper set eyes. Her cheeks, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.  She is a sitting doll with sewn joints that are made flexible for easy movement and changing of clothes.  But, with some posing she is able to stand on her own. She also has a belly button and a bum.

Aoife's luxurious locks are made of a fine wefted suri alpaca crocheted into a wig.  It is so lovely and fun to style into a number of coiffures. Just use your imagination and the possibilities are endless. Note: Her locks can be styled gently to your heart's content, but take heed and do not comb or brush that magnificent mane. Suri alpaca can get very static-ky if handled too much and it can felt if not handled gently and lightly.   

Aoife comes with two sets of clothes made fit only for a Princess.

Her wintry wear consists of a warm white cap and a shoulder wrap, both hand knit with brushed suri, a yarn blended of baby suri, merino wool and bamboo. They are extra fluffy and warm, much needed in the tundra. Her shoulder wrap is reversible. Her purple dress is made from 100% cotton and decorated at the hem by a beautiful embroidery motif of flowers. The dress opens fully on the back with two nickel-plated snap buttons. She comes wearing a pair of tiny undies made from 100% cotton. Her lacy legwarmers are hand knit with a fine 100% alpaca yarn. Her winter boots are made from 100% Belgian wool felt.

Aoife's princess wear consists of a hand tatted crown made with cotton floss and embellished with tiny gold beads and a gold flower adorning the front of the crown. As a princess she is cloaked with a beautiful golden brown lace capelet hand knit with a Japanese yarn blended of kid mohair and silk. Her dress is made of 100% cotton, hand embroidered at the front with a pretty doodle motif and strapped with a delicate 100% swiss cotton trim. The dress opens fully on the back with two nickel-plated snap buttons. Her second pair of boots are made with a 100% wool fabric and hand crocheted trim made of a kid mohair and silk blended yarn from Japan.

MOCHTA (pronounced Much-ta)

Mochta's name is derived from Irish gaelic and it means "great." Indeed, he is a great one! The making of Mochta was a magnificent learning process for me and I had a blast at it. Here's what this great creature is made of.

Mochta's enormous Megaloceros skin is made of 100% cotton linen and a 100% wool fabric. He is very firmly stuffed with 100% bio-wool made in the USA. His magnificent antlers are made with the same cotton linen used on his body and lined on the backside with 100% Belgian wool felt. It is detailed with a beautiful motif of pine needles drawn and hand embroidered by me. It is supported by a network of cloth covered floral wires and this allows the antlers to have the ability to be shaped and bent slightly. His ears are made of 100% cotton linen on one side and lined with 100% Belgian wool felt on the other side. His face is embroidered with cotton floss. His bottom side is graced with a sweet tail made of a 100% wool fabric and lined on the underside with a hand knitted piece made from a yarn blended of baby suri, merino and bamboo. His legs are supported internally with silver wire extended through the foot. The hoofs are wrapped securely with floral tape and a 100% cotton linen fabric. Because his legs are supported by the internal wires, they have the ability to be gently and slightly bent.

Mochta comes with a warm wrap around his neck and chest (the tundra is very cold, you know). The wrap is hand knit with a Japanese yarn blended of baby suri, merino wool and bamboo. The wrap is secured with a functional button wrapped with a 100% cotton crocheted cover. Mochta has reins made from crocheted chains of 100% cotton floss.

There we have it...an introduction and welcoming of Aoife and Mochta into the world...may they never go into extinction.