Ugly Monday

Ugly Monday Aug 27, a photo by Dragon's Landing on Flickr.

I'm new to a great Flickr group called Ugly Monday. The group name is self-explanatory...on Monday take an Uglydoll photo and add to the group.
This is my pic for today.
Come on over to the group and have a look around. Perhaps you'll join!

Sun-Min Sunday #1--Red Ninja Batty Shogun

Welcome to Sun-Min Sunday, the first installment of an on-going focus on the work of one of my two favorite artists, Sun-Min Kim. 

Sun-Min Kim and David Horvath are the creators of the amazing Uglydoll line of toys, as well as numerous other creative endeavors. If you google her name you will find some interviews and information, along with the heart-warming love story about the beginning of Uglydolls. It's well worth a read.

In the early days of Uglydoll, now celebrating their 10th anniversary, Sun-Min sewed each and every Uglydoll herself.  She sewed and sewed until she was unable to keep up with demand and they found a factory to take over retail production. But before the factories, it was all HANDMADES, and all Sun-Min.  It is to her talent, her drive, her skill and vision that Sun-Min Sunday is dedicated.

When I adopted my first Uglydoll I had no idea it would lead to a passion for handmade plush works of Sun-Min.  I just found this one odd looking brown guy, Chuckanucka, alone in a basket in a grocery store and brought him home. It was love!
As I became more connected to the online Uglydoll community,  I was introducted to the history and beginnings of Uglydoll: the handmade works of Sun-Min!

In the first years I admired from afar, sifting through photos in private collections of her plush works and paintings. I could see from the photos  that there was something very unique and special about the handmade Uglydolls.  I waited, and wished, and saved, and one day I was fortunate enough to adopt my first from one of these Uglydoll families. I will feature him at a later date.

Today the spotlight is on Red Ninja Batty Shogun.  He is the only Batty in this color and comes from the Dehara and David Have Mono Show at Stitch, Tokyo, Japan. 

Little Uglydolls Land's End Exclusive

The wait is over.  My Land's End Exclusive Little Uglydolls are here!  I did have to buy four pre-schooler sized backpacks to get the Uglys.  But no worries.  The straps extend enough for me to wear them.  I especially like the backpack with the hammers and wrenches print.  Stylin!  I'll keep that one and donate the rest...without the Uglys of course. 

Notice those nice new tags for my collection! 

Super Bowl 2012

When it comes to bowls, size is a relative thing.  But whatever size you are you will love this Uglydoll Bowl Set. 
Features of coolness:

• Wage inside!
• Stylish green color with matching bow
• White ribbon-like tie
• Enough capacity to hold 4 Clip-on Uglys, serving of rice, tasty soup, or a two-day supply of M&M's. 
• You get TWO! 
• BPA Free. Yes it matters

They measure about 21/2 inches tall and 4 inches across.
11.5 oz capacity
Where to get them? They are made by Zak Designs.
Thanks to a good Ugly friend, I found them for sale at Amazon.
I expect they will soon be more widely available.

Happy Birthday WAGE!!!!

Today we celebrated Wage's 10th birthday.  That's right.  It's been a decade since Sun-Min Kim stitched together the first darling Wage as a gift for her future husband and creative partner, David Horvath. The rest is a wonderful history of laughter and joy for Uglydoll fans and families like ours.

We had ice cream, homemade cookies, music, Uglydoll party favors and fun. All of our Uglys want to do it again next weekend.  And we just might.

Sun-Min and David, if you're out there, thank you!

First Uglydoll On Mars!!

Dr. Max Abima has been dreaming of this day...First Uglydoll on Mars!  Well sorta.
He is still here on earth, but....His NAME will be there....tonight!

In less that 2 hours Nasa will land the Mars Science Laboratory "Curiosity" on Mars and  Dr. Max's name is on board.
The dream began in August of 2009 when Max entered his name to participate in this epic adventure and received his Certificate.
Tonight....Abima on Mars! And there it will remain, nearly forever.