A little penguin (and keeping up appearances)

[Miss Chicken]

This thread is about a little penguin I made out of a sock. I have actually made three of these but this thread is about this particular one

While I was making him/her a friend visited me. Accompanying my friend was her sister and her sister's two little daughters.

The oldest of the two little girls is aged 4 and half. She watched me sewing and asked me what I was making. I turned the penguin in the right way and asked her if she knew what it was. She said "A little penguin". My visitors didn't stay long and I promised the little girl that the next time I saw her I would show her the finished penguin.

Earlier this week I visited my friend and she was babysitting this niece. I knew the little girl was going to be there so I took the finished penguin along. The little girl played with it and informed me she thought it was a girl. I asked her what its name was and she said "Pixie". She said she had seen Pixie 'being born'. I told her she could have Pixie.

When her mother came to pick the girl up, the mother said that she girl couldn't have the penguin as her father doesn't like her to have homemade stuff.

After they left my friend told me not to take it personally, that what her sister said was true. That girl's father only wants her to have the best quality store bought toys and clothes etc. He doesn't want anyone to think his family is cheap. He won't allow second-hand furniture (unless it is antique) into his house either.

Sound like he is very stuck up to me.

It reminds me a bit of a neighbour I used to have. She wouldn't buy anything from Target or K-Mart even if those stores had an exact same item for much cheaper than Myer (a store she would shop at).

Do you know anyone who goes to these sorts of lengths "to keep up appearances"?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

He sounds like an asshole, and I do my best not to associate with people like that. I mean, really? You make something with your own hands and that's not good enough? My response would be, "Fuck you, then, you aren't good enough to associate with me."

Also, that penguin is adorable and if my daughter was offered something like that she would love it.

 

[Kestra]

I know people who won't shop for clothes at Target, that sort of thing. It's not they type of thing they ever verbalize or would look down on other people for doing, but I know they wouldn't do it themselves.

 

[Australis]

That guy sounds like a complete dick. Homemade toys are often made with love.

My wife bought a hommeade teddy bear from someone in her congregation. That bear has so much more personality than a conventional one.

 

[thestrangequark]

That is the CUTEST PENGUIN EVER! Do you sell them? My little nephew would love it. Interestingly, my sister and brother-in-law are snobby about that stuff too, but in a slightly different way. My brother-in-law doesn't want him to have plastic toys, for example, but they'd find a homemade toy charming. They are exceptionally choosy about his clothes, leaning towards the preppy styles, but with quirks such that I can find no rhyme not reason to their choices. Then again, we are talking about a woman who was concerned over the batter on her fish and chips being vegan.

 

[Miss Chicken]

We have a chain of stores in Tasmania called Chickenfeed. The do sell things very cheaply and I go to them for things like notebooks, some craft stuff, products for the garden etc.

When my sister visits from Adelaide she loves to go to Chickenfeed and she wishes that they had stores in South Australia. However my brother wouldn't be seen dead in Chickenfeed. He does like some jelly crystals and some of the lollies (candy) they sell but Mum has to go in to the store to buy them.

 

[Miss Chicken]

That is the CUTEST PENGUIN EVER! Do you sell them? My little nephew would love it. Interestingly, my sister and brother-in-law are snobby about that stuff too, but in a slightly different way. My brother-in-law doesn't want him to have plastic toys, for example, but they'd find a homemade toy charming. They are exceptionally choosy about his clothes, leaning towards the preppy styles, but with quirks such that I can find no rhyme not reason to their choices. Then again, we are talking about a woman who was concerned over the batter on her fish and chips being vegan.

My toys are still giveaways, I haven't thought about selling them. I don't think I would want to as I tend to get fond of the toys as I make them.

I have only just started making these toys in the last few weeks. I bought a book called Sock Appeal and have been going through it making the different toys.

I am also planning to try and make some toys out of felt.

 

[thestrangequark]

^That's my problem with selling paintings and illustrations: I become quite attached to my work too.

 

[FPAlpha]

Those kind of people are sadly not the exception.. i know some too.

People with money who want to shof it off and sometimes don't let your forget it by actively shoving it in your face aka "Look what i bought recently.. it may not have been cheap but i had to have it!"

Try to ignore it but if it becomes to aggravating call them on it.

 

[Snaploud]

That's a very cute penguin. My only concern with home-made toys and young children: a piece might not be secure enough, and the kid could end up swallowing it.

 

[Sephiroth]

damn snobs, the guy sounds like just another plastic person, a sad product of the consumerist world we live in

 

[Aurian]

That is just a completely adorable penguine-toy. Seriously, that family seems to have a big problem. They should ignore him.

 

[RJDiogenes]

That guy has some serious insecurity issues. Maybe he was homeless as a kid or something. He should get counseling.

I'll take the little penguin.

 

[Jadzia]

Handmade things are bespoke. You can't get posher than that. Just ask our resident fashion guru.

The man in your story sounds a little like my father. It's not so much a principle/rule with him, but he certainly sees zero value in homemade things where equivalents can be bought.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

This broke my heart. That poor little girl was denied an absolutely charming gift because of her parents' ignorance. One of my dearest friends crochets and cross-stitches beautiful items. The throws, custom afghans, and other items she has made for me and my children over the years are some of my most cherished possessions. I have two other dear friends (a father and daughter) who are both very talented artists and have given me lovely artwork. Again, those pieces are some of my most cherished possessions.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[mari]

You should have put a price tag on it that said "$500". Or a Coach label...

 

[Rulius]

My 13 year old Daughter would love one of those.

 

[{ Emilia }]

He sounds like an asshole.

This.
I think the penguin is adorable and just awesome all around. Some people are just stupid. Personally I own both expensive dresses (even though half my stuff was bought for photo shoots, lol) and some comfy clothes my mom made for me. It's got nothing to do with money.

Now I want a penguin, too.

 

[captcalhoun]

You should have put a price tag on it that said "$500".

werd.

some people really are a-holes.

 

[Kitty]

I love that little penguin. I value handmade far above anything mass produced. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind treasure, not just item #69775433 off the truck. His loss.