Stuffie Stories: Beauregard

I can't help looking at the plushies when I'm out at a thrift store. The toys there all have their stories, though most of them are sad.

Beauregard is a well-loved plush dog I found at Goodwill. Although I wasn't really looking to adopt that day, I knew the moment I saw him, before I even picked him up, that he needed to come home with me.

You can spot a beloved toy no matter what circumstances he's fallen into. Beau's once-plush fur was thoroughly matted and tangled, but he had that unmistakeable "knowing expression"* in his eyes, declaring that he had once been loved dearly enough to be made Real.

"I declare if that old Bunny hasn't got quite a knowing expression!"

After I paid his adoption fee and got him home, a closer inspection revealed that Beauregard had likely been the favorite pet of a little girl, as evident by the stick-on earring on the underside of his left ear.

Only Beau and his former owner know how he ended up in a basket at Goodwill, but I like to think the little girl wasn't given a say in the matter. Maybe her parents told her she was too old for toys and had to give him away. Or maybe they 'cleaned up' her room one day when she was out. Sometimes I wonder if he was accidentally left somewhere and unable to be retrieved. Whatever the reason, I hope she wasn't too sad. I know I still miss my plush friends who've been lost over the years.

And even if Beau's story was one like Jesse's from A Toy Story, no amount of 'growing up' could change the years the little girl spent taking care of him and loving him.



Beau remembers his last owner with love and fondness. But he's living in his retirement home now, with all my other plushies and me, secure in the knowledge he'll never be let go of again.

This is the point in my blog where I usually direct you to my shop and encourage you to buy a new, eco-friendly plush from me. But, this time, I'd like to ask you to consider adopting a "used" stuffed animal this holiday season, one who needs to be loved again. Check your local thrift stores or yard sales. Every plushie needs a loving home. :)

Two New Plushies! Mama Frog and New Year's Snake

First of all, another thank you to everyone who participated in last month's giveaway. This sweet little guy has a new home now. :)

But as of today, it's February. And that means we're fast approaching Chinese New Year.
This year will be the Year of the Snake, so of course, I had to make a snake plushie to celebrate:

He's a very excitable snake, isn't he?

And no fangs. ;)

For the first time, I had the opportunity to use sparkle safety eyes, and I'm so glad I did. They're the perfect finishing touch.

I'm also very proud to present Mama Poison Dart Frog and her baby Tadpoles!

They give a new meaning to the term "mom mobile"

Poison dart frogs are amazing animal parents. The mama strawberry poison frog carries her babies on her back, while Dad watches out for them and keeps them hydrated.

The plush version has velcro hearts on her back that her tadpoles can attach to when it's time to travel.

Green Snake and Mama Poison Dart Frog are each available on Etsy.

Ferocious Ankylosaurus!

You'd better watch out, because there's a new herbivore in town, and he means business!

Introducing The Toy Cove's fearsome Ankylosaurus:

He's got armor. He's got a club tail. And he's got attitude.

Ankylosaurus doesn't mess around.

Looking for the perfect guard-dino? You found him.

Just look at that armor.

The Toy Cove's Ankylosaurus came about when one of the neighborhood kids asked for "a green dinosaur with an angry face."

That club was made for knockin', and that's just what he'll do.

I was really pleased with how his bony plates came out.

Ankylosaurus' armored back plates

Underside of plate. I think it'd make a good turtle shell.

Ankylosaurus is available on Etsy.

Giveaway Coming Soon...

I'm excited to announce that I'm getting ready to launch The Toy Cove's first ever giveaway!

The prize is a Plush Piggy Bank.

The contest will be held on Facebook, and all you'll need to do is like and comment on The Toy Cove's Facebook page.
It starts as soon as I get the new product pages finished on TheToyCove.com (about another two days). So, if you haven't already, like the page and subscribe to this blog so you'll be kept informed!

(if you don't want to wait and take the chance, Plush Piggy Bank is also available on The Toy Cove's Etsy page.)

Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skull Dolls!

Just in time for Day of the Dead, here's a delicious sugar skull.

Plush Calavera de Azucar

 

Ready to celebrate!

I've never seen a sugar skull decorated in the back, but it looked so plain unadorned.

So I added a flower.

(Available through The Toy Cove on Etsy.)