Guinea Pig Presents

A guinea pig tunnel.

For a cousin in frigid North Dakota who recently embraced guinea pigs.

 I did a quick internet search one morning before another 11-hour work day and found that there is a thriving pet market for polar fleece hand-sewn cozies. Who knew?

And PDF sewing patterns for really simple toys for mucho dineros.
I didn't buy a pattern for a tunnel - I just winged it with some remnants from Fabric Depot that matched.
If you're interested in making your own, I added some dimensions at the end of this post.



His name is Fluffy Nocturnal

These tunnels come un-done - held together with velcro. You can use it as a lap mat to hold little Fluffy or you can connect it and let Fluffy run through. Some sites sew together one end to create a Cuddle Sack.

Apparently guinea pigs like to be cocooned. And cozy.

 I rolled back the ends to add structure to my tunnel.

 I used this super cute turtle remnant. I was in Fabric Depot for some pearl cotton for  some hand-stitching in the photo below. I didn't have much time -- so finding small remnants that matched meant I didn't have to spend an hour looking at all of the Polar Fleece available.

This is a sneak peak at a Christmas present that I've been working on since October. I decided to do a sashiko stitch to quilt the layers together. Sashiko is just a fancy-schmancy word for a running stitch.


Guinea Pig Tunnel Tutorial
About 8" in diameter.

You'll need two pieces of matching or coordinating polar fleece and one piece of batting. I used a thin batting and my tunnel collapses unless you roll the end out. You might need two layers of batting to make this stiff enough to stay up.
10" velcro or longer if you make the tunnel longer.

Polar Fleece x 2. Cut each 26" x 13". If you want your tunnel longer, then cut 26" x 16".
Batting: cut to same measurement.

1.   Layer two polar fleece pieces rights sides together (RST), place batting on top.

2.  Sew around edges with a 3/8" seam leaving a 5 inch gap for turning. Turn right sides out and poke out corners with chopstick. Don't poke through - just enough to get corners rectangular.

3. The velcro goes at the short ends. Sew hook tape to Solid polar fleece and loop tape at opposite end to Print fleece. (I used a Print and a Solid). I double stitch at ends to reinforce.

4. Stitch parallel rows (to the velcro) about every 1 1/2". If you need to mark a straight line, use a disappearing ink pen. This quilts the sandwich together and adds structure.

5. Stitch around entire edge about 1/2" in, making sure loose fabric at gap (for turning) is tucked in.

That's it. If you want to make the Cuddle Sack, connect into roll and then sew one end flat.

I  liked the idea of it being a lap mat for holding Fluffy and that it did double duty as a tunnel.

Biplane Rocker

My sister from Minnesota came to visit Oregon a few weeks ago. She found this in the rubbish bin somewhere near her neighborhood. In what might be called a family trait, it was rescued.
She shipped it here where my dad painstakingly put it back together. Her boys helped with sanding and priming.

So this is when I got to see it.

My first reaction? I don't have little kids. And that is still a few years away.

My second reaction? Another unfinished project - because - the seat is broken. Whoever made it cut the seat grain with the fuselage instead of across. The seat split. The back of the seat is half gone as well. The split in the top wing has been repaired.

Third reaction? She intimated that painting the rocker similar to our plane's colors would be cool.

 The fourth reaction came about an hour later as I was driving out to see a friend. The thoughtfulness of coming across an  airplane gift is huge.
Yes- I painted some furniture for the bazaars and sold them and yes - it does take three coats of every color to get it to look right. And there is the upside and then you have to turn it over  and paint some more --so painting it can and will take several weeks. And I know all the guys at Canby Builders. They'd love to suggest the right wood to remake the seat and seat back.

The fifth reaction? How cool is this?

This would make a cool grandma toy. The tail piece moves as does the propeller.  Sure- it needs a little TLC but it will make some kid very very happy. She even took pictures before she took it apart. Painted originally in primary colors with the rocker part just varnished.

Rocket says he's up for supervising.

Thank you for the very cool airplane gift.