Sock Monkeys Rally for Obama in Michigan!

Less than 50 days to go in the election... and in Macomb County, Michigan, sock monkeys are rallying for Obama! This photo, taken a recent event, captures the diverse support for the next president of the USA! Young and old, sweet and sassy, they know a great candidate when they see one. Music was provided by JSB Squad, with an acoustic set prior to the rally.

Only a couple more weeks to get registered to vote - don't waste a minute of it! Remember... the world is run by the sock monkeys who show up!

Naptime in Sockmonkeyville

Well, not all the sleepy critters in Sockmonkeyville are of the Simian variety. Tommy, our 10-1/2 year old cat, has chosen snuggling in with my own sock monkeys as a great way to get some quality rest. In fact, if you look at the left of the picture, you'll see the paw of a kind of sock monkey style stuffed cat doll that he's plopped right down on. Life is blissful in Sockeymonkeyville. Time to catch some kitty zzzzzz's!

Some new faces here and gone...

While the eBay part of my sock monkey domain has been quiet, I've been making a few sock monkeys to raise some money for my walk or for gifts. The angel - "Another Dawn" was commissioned by a truly angelic and heroic Dawn. Fifi and Tina's Bowling Fairy were for raffles at fundraisers for my team - The BC Babes. Let's not forget Emeline's naptime babysafe sock monkey, currently named "Monkey."

And then there was a special request for the apple of my eye - Anna! She asked for a sock monkey for her birthday... and there she got her wish! In fact, her wish is my very command! She spend a weekend with me this summer, and I introduced her to her first sewing machine experience... One rectangular fleece pillow may be starting her on her own sock monkey adventure in the future!!!

Got them sock monkey blues....

So I thought I was going to be caught up on sock monkeys. Then I had to go and have some family issues, and then there's my day job... Right now, I'm achin' to finish the 4 sock monkeys that are 1/2 done here - all of which are for private orders. The next eBay-bound sock monkey will be in honor of my Uncle Lawrie, a 40+ year survivor. In fact, he will be a blue monkey, in recognition of the blue ribbon used for male breast cancer awareness. In the meantime, I'm trying to get done what I can get done. Keep an eye on this blog for the next sock monkey to be listed on eBay!

Rose is Living with Rose!

In a most happy turn of events, Rose adopted Rose! How wonderful is that? And the best part... I got to sample some of Rose's deeeeeelicious cookies! Even MORE wonderful!

A few words about Rose...

In the 7 years that I've been involved in the 3 Day Walk, I've met some very interesting people. I feel that these folks fall into my life for reasons that may make sense only to me - and one of these people is Rose, for whom the newest sock monkey is dedicated. I met her in 2006, and I was wowed by her energy, enthusiasm, embrace of life, and sunshine personality. Rose is an inspiration to me, and when I look at this picture (which I also have at my desk), I am reminded to enjoy life's gifts - even when you think you might have just gotten the booby prize (some pun intended!). Rose is a survivor in many ways, and I am absolutely delighted to think of her as a friend. To know her is to honestly love her, and it's not often in the world that we meet someone who makes us feel so great - just by smiling at us. So, Rose, this sock monk's for you, dedicated with admiration and affection! (Rose is playing Monkey in the Middle in this picture, I think!!!)

Rose is Ready to Get Rollin'!

Where's Anatole of Paris when I need him?

When I was a girl, I listened to a song over and over and over again by my favorite Danny Kaye. The song, "Anatole of Paris", told the story (first-person, I must add) of Anatole, a hatmaker. He sang of his love of hatmaking, and as he describes: Give me THREAD... and a needle! I itch, I twitch to stitch! I'm a glutton... for cuttin'... For puttin' with a button! To snip and pluck, nip and tuck... Well, that's me, except with sock monkeys. Denise and Cathy sold on the same day, and off they have gone to their new homes. Nobody is on eBay right now, because I'm trying to get caught up with special orders. And thank you for those! Please watch for the next sock monkey to go up on eBay... hopefully this weekend. Now, back to puttin' with a button!

Dancing Lady Boogies on Back to eBay!

A child-safe sock monkey for the cure!

My friend Sue wanted a child-safe sock monkey for her 2 year old absolutely adorable granddaughter. Seeing as this child is totally into naptimes for all, I made her a little sock monkey with embroidered eyes, no earrings, and pretty much as child-safe as I could. I dressed her in some silky PJs, and made her a sock monkey fleece blanket with a white satin trim. You can see the material in the background of this sleepytime monk. This sock monkey was named... Monkey by her new mommy.

Dazzling Denise Brightens eBay...once more!!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

How fun is this!? On my son's 21st birthday, a really nice article hit the streets in The Detroit Free Press - Southfield edition. Mom's picture is in it, along with a really cute picture of Ruthe and Lynda!

So, if you want to know all the news that's fit to print (or find on the web), go to... http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804060431

A new sock monkey - for an "old" friend

Sometimes I know who will be the next sock monkey... sometimes I don't. I was on my way to make a completely different sock monkey, when Rick and I found this little boombox. I had recently purchased this Hawaiian outfit. BINGO! The Cathy Sock Monkey for the Cure was designed! Cathy is the "Official" (volunteer) Dancing Lady for the Michigan Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. I've known her and her boombox since I met Cathy while I was walking and she was dancing at the 2002 3 Day. We've been friends since, and I was able to be her "roadie" for 2 Michigan walks. That woman is an energizer bunny, and until you've shlepped along with her, you have no idea how much she puts into this event! She spends a month or so in the winter in Maui at her condo. Cathy is also a survivor, and she is tireless in her work to create awareness about BC - and to get people off their butts and onto their feet! You can see Cathy here, on the left, getting a "high five" from a very cheery walker! (Cathy - sorry - I don't have any pictures of you in action...from the front!)

Boogie On, Dancing Lady... in a bit...

OOOPS! I inadvertently messed up and included a reference to this blog and my sock monkey website... and Cathy was obliterated in an eBay violation! The folks who were bidding and watching apparently were sent an email that Cathy and I had been sent to eBay jail or something like that... so if you were one of those folks, she WILL be relisted, once eBay accepts my truly humble apology. Ya live, ya learn. Meantime, I have listed Denise, who was created in memory of my friend who died at age 34. Take a look. No .coms this time!

If you blinked, you missed it!

Whoooosh! Dawn was placed on Ebay... and in less than 12 hours... POOF! She was snapped up by a lovely woman in Iowa! How terrific!

Dawn Makes Her Ebay Debut!

Sock Monkey Slow Down

With Lorraine and Ruthe on their way to their new homes, it's a bit quiet on the Sock Monkey front right now. Sewing time has been curtailed by "real work" time, so the sewing machine is cooling off for a short bit. In the meantime, I'm also working on 5 commissioned sock monkeys... sooooooo..... I hope to be back on Ebay again real soon!

At the Ebay Hop with Lorraine

Ruthe's Gone International!

My sock monkey empire has gone international - Ruthe was adopted and will be shipped out to British Columbia, Canada! How cool is that? She was purchased by a friend of a breast cancer walker, to show support for that walker! That made me remember how Jan brought me a sock monkey from New York when she came to cheer me on in my 2004 walk. Hmmmm.... That apparently makes Jan the inspiration for this sock monkey craziness! How completely fitting!

The next logical extension of sock monkey fundraising madness...

While investigating CafePress.com for another project, I found a WHOLE lot of sock monkey stuff for sale there. Hmmmm. What a concept! So if you cannot get enough of the Sock Monkeys for the Cure and NEED something for your own, the girls are now available in a variety of formats at: http://www.cafepress.com/sockmonkey4cure

All of the profits will go to my walk. The nice thing is that I just post the pictures, choose the items, and things are created on demand - no outlay or inventory! YAY!!!! And maybe some of those other sock monkey fans will find my girls there! Ya never know!

Queen Ruthe's Ebay Reign

Off to the Gunks with Lynda, and Onto Ebay with Ruthe!

Lynda has been won by Ahda (what a surprise!), and she is on her way to The Gunks, via Bullville, NY! Today Ruthe - a decidedly queenly sock monkey - has entered the world of ebay. She is named for my Aunt Ruthe, who truly was regal!

Speaking of crowned ladies, I found these Disney Princess Sock Monkeys on the web last night. I wish I had thought of this!!!! Can you name who's who? And I need to know... where are their princess crowns???? If you want more information, go to smonkeys.com.

Speaking of .coms, since this is going so swimmingly, I actually registered the URL for sockmonkeysforthecure.com and sockmonkeys4thecure.com. I have threatened Rick that I may just leave the world of work for the much more cozy world of sock monkeys.... stay tuned!

Lynda's Wild Ebay Experience

Introducing Lynda!

The new girl on the block is Lynda! She's a riot! Here she is, pictured with Lillian. Rick likes Lynda best so far. And as he is my fashion and hair consultant, I am pleased! This one was "commissioned" by Jan (a.k.a. Ahda) for a birthday gift for her pal (and mine) Lynda!

Beautiful Jewelry from a Generous Jeweler!

I just bought some beautiful pink ribbon earrings on Etsy.com, from a great jeweler named Dara. She is giving 20% of the proceeds to Susan G. Komen... so I asked if my walk might be the designated Komen recipient for my earrings. Dara is so generous - she wrote back:

Hi Wendy, if  you want to put a link to this section of my Etsy shop on your website
I can donate 20% of the sales. 
http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_4990&search_query=breast+cancer
Thanks, Dara

So, if you are in the market for some really beautiful, handmade, cause-driven jewelry,
please check her out!  Thanks!  Off to make some monkeys today....

Lillian!

Lillian makes her ebay debut!

Most of tonight was spent working on Lillian while watching a couple of Lifetime Movies! She's on ebay and the little ebay magic widget will be up for your entertainment! Here's a picture of Lillian and Pearl, just before Pearl packed up for her trip to her new home with Ticky La Ticky in Rhode Island.

Pearl's on her way to a new home!

Pearl, the first Sock Monkey for the Cure, has just been won on ebay by Tamar! That's $26.50 toward the $2,200 goal! (Only $1,242.50 to go!) THANK YOU, TAMAR! Pearl will be heading off to Rhode Island to live with a really neato keeno lady... and I know that for a FACT! xoxox, Tamar!

The next sock monkey is just waiting to put on her face (so to speak), get dressed, pose for her photo shoot, and then she'll debut on ebay!

Journaling the Sock Monkeys for the Cure Saga

When I decided to participate in the Michigan Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk again, I knew I was probably going to have a challenge in terms of fundraising. I walked first in '02, then '04, and raised the money (but was unable to walk) in '06. Donations totaled over $13,000. I raised that money primarily by contacting friends, family, and "the network" of folks with whom I work. The prospect of contacting them again didn't set well with me.

So how can I raise the money if I'm not asking folks for donations? There are options:

• Self-fund the $2,200 required to participate. (Okay. Move to #2.)
• Ask folks to donate, in spite of my discomfort. (Nope. I like being comfortable.)
• Create a blog where folks can click to my 3Day donation page by clicking http://08.the3day.org/goto/wendyshepherd-appelle. (Crafty, but will it work?)
• Hmmmm. Crafty sounds good! Why not make things to make money... and sell these things to fund the walk?

NOW we're cookin'!

One of the "products" will be pillow slips for the small camp pillows that folks use in the tents on the walk. In 2004, my team made fleece pillows, stuffed with fiberfill. Very popular, sold lots... and spend a LOT of time on sewing and shipping. Pillow slips are quick, easy, pretty, and a definite way to go.

The other goodies will be primarily primates... of the sock variety. Sock Monkeys for the Cure is a series of lovely sock monkeys who are dressed in pink outfits, machine and hand stitched, and NOT for children to play with! I am naming them for the people for whom I walk, including:

• Fran, my mom - who died at the age of 55 of breast cancer
  
• Pearl, my grand-aunt, Dad's aunt - a 30+ year breast cancer survivor, who died at the age of 89 from another cancer (NOTE: SOLD ON EBAY 1/20/08)
• Ruthe, my aunt, Mom's sister - who died in her 60s of ovarian cancer (NOTE: SOLD ON EBAY 2/23/08)
  
• Lawrie, my uncle, Mom's brother - who is a 30+ year breast cancer survivor!
• Lillian, my grand-aunt, Mom's aunt - who had a double mastectomy in the early 1960s and lived many more years, as a survivor (NOTE: SOLD ON EBAY 1/31/08)
  
• Nilda and Denise, two of my friends who died of BC in their early 30s, each leaving a husband and two children behind
• Lynda, my best friend's friend who is a survivor, who is a dynamo, and who has always supported my walks! (NOTE: SOLD ON EBAY 2/13/08)
  
• Rose, another friend who is a survivor and whom I met during the training for the 2006 walk
  
• Lorraine, a dear friend's mom, who was diagnosed in 2007 and is in treatment (NOTE: SOLD ON EBAY 3/4/08)
  
• Dawn, another sweet friend of the same best friend, who has had too many battles with too many cancers (NOTE: SOLD on ebay in less than 12 Hours!!!!)
  

So, there you go. It's a start. I'm waiting and hoping that someone buys Pearl in the next 2-1/2 days! Two friends have already ordered their own sock monkeys, based on her picture!

I'll update this blog with stories about the sock monkeys, and maybe some links for you to view. Every day I find something new and interesting about sock monkeys and the folks who create and collect them. I like this sock monkey world. Hey - with Carol Duvall in it, what could be wrong? In fact, if you are looking to see how to make your sock monkey, click here for a description from her show on HGTV!