There are a few things that you need to know about me…
Knowing all that, you’ll understand why I’m so exciting to show you something I made for my son…
Yup, I made it.
I started with two socks and ended up with a monkey.
Now clearly this has got to be about the easiest craft project ever created by (wo)man, because if I can do it, it’s gotta be easy!
It’s also a very forgiving project, because it looks cute even though it’s creator almost failed 7th grade Home Economics.
Honestly, if they had assigned a sock monkey project instead of the really-ugly-pantsuit-contraption I think I would have gotten an A plus.
In fact, almost failing Home Ec is probably why it took me over 45 minutes to figure out how to thread the bobbin-thingy on the sewing machine.
Who writes those user manuals anyway?!
{Yes, I own a sewing machine. It was next to the bread maker in the basement}
But I digress…
I mean, how cute is this?! A perfect convergence of money-saving and easy… and if you would like to try it for yourself you can get the excellent, easy to follow directions here.
Trust me… you will want to try this one.
I’ve discovered that making a sock monkey is a profound, life altering experience and totally worth the effort.
You should absolutely make one….
…unless, of course, you would prefer to have me mail one to you.
Because (just for the JOY of it) I made two of these little guys.
And this one is looking for a new home!
All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me what gave you JOY this week. Or can link up a post in the MckLinky and share some of the things that make life great… (If you do both, you get two chances!)
Come on everyone! Spread the JOY!
And for those of you thinking “I don’t need a little stuffed monkey in my life,” let me ask you…
Don’t you know anyone who would appreciate a hug from an adorable, home-made, honest to goodness sock monkey, worth well over $1,000*?
Come on! Leave a comment!
(*value based on the assumption that the Little Man becomes President of the USA and that the folks cleaning out your attic realize that this particular sock monkey was created by the hands of the President’s non-crafty mother!)
And from my non-crafty house to yours… Merry Christmas!
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
That is the cutest sock monkey ever!! I'm joyful about so many things this week, but if I had to pick one then it's seeing my son's face as he spent his first real time outside in the snow today.
Oh wow!!! That is the cutest little thing!!!
My daughter, and her excitement over her birthday, brings me incredible joy!!
Love those monkey eyes!!! I am crafty but not in creating toys (not sure why I never attempted to do so…) My joy this week was seeing how my daughter's prayer being answered. She was speechless as she couldn't believe how God answers prayer at such a timing (well, we do
). She received a big gift to be put toward the purchase of her first camera, which she has been saving since last year when she decided to teach herself photography. You know how hard it is for a teen to save money. We are proud of her self control and patience. Despite on how long it took for her to save up to get it at Costco, where they are having a promotion for the camera kit, she was still short quite a bit. We were only able to help her with one third of it. We talked about bringing our prayer request before the Lord and rest in the knowledge that God is in control of our lives – all things big or small. The giver said it gave her great joy to see how Christine was so appreciated for what she's been given. We are thankful for the help (and God's timing), too .
Cute. Cute. Cute.
What an adorable monkey! I am so impressed. I got a C in 7th grade home ec, so I am right there with you
I plan to write about my biggest joy for the week (I have wanted to participate for a while now) but my runner up was my son's face with our first snow over the weekend. "It's Christmas Mommy, It's Christmas…Christmas is here now!!!" He shouted with joy and couldn't wait to get out and play
Well, see, if I won that, then I wouldn't have to actually *make* it.
Cause I am less crafty than you. 
What brings me joy is listening to my toddler pray by himself. That will never get old!
How cute! You didn't an awesome job. I REALLY REALLY cannot wait to get a sewing machine, it is on my list and I hope sincerely that I get one! So many cute things keep popping up that I'd love to try!
I just entered my post, but another thing that brought me joy was going out to dinner with a great friend who I don't see nearly enough last night. Time with girlfriends is always joyful!
Happy Thursday!
I feel so deprived that I never had one of those monkeys growing up. Nor did I take home ec. Hmmmm, maybe I need to relive my childhood. Oh, wait, I get enough home ec now, thank you very much.
One of my joys this week was seeing my kids work together to get their chores done… and with happy hearts! There are few things better than that. {sigh}
Oh how cute!! He is adorable, and your sewing skills are quite awesome!! I could never do anything like that!
Have a great day!!
Congratulations! That is an scrumpdillyicious monkey. So much personality.
Like you, I have dredged up my sewing machine this holiday. I had broken up with her, but breaking up is hard to do… But I am concentrating on food gifts… What gives me the most joy is how my girls are caught up in the making of gifts and the giving. JOY, JOY, JOY!
Thanks for inviting me over…love this!
Oh…count me in on this one! I'd love to be chosen as the recipient of your hand-made sock monkey! In the midst of the busyness found at this time of the year, I've had some great joys! My son celebrated his 11th birthday on Saturday. I just love that kid! He's so fun and funny and just well…an all-around great person! He brings so much joy to me…I love being his mom. There was more joy on Wednesday when he was ten-years cancer-free. Between my son and my daughter, I cannot imagine having more joy in my life…and yet every day…there it is…MORE JOY!
There's more joy in the fact that our family is being blessed beyond measure right now through the generosity of family, friends and community. It seems as though every day is full of new surprises lately. It's amazing!
Peace and blessings to your day!
GREAT JOB!! and too funny… NO REALLY I AM NOT CRAFTY. I do not own a sewing machine, though I do knit. I have always thought about making a sock monkey.
There are so many things that have brought me joy this week – including your sock monkey! We are getting in the Christmas spirit, we finally got our fireplace stone put on – pics to follow next week, and I saw a fantastic movie that was so hysterical, I still smile thinking about it (It's Complicated!) But mostly, my kids bring me joy everyday with all the quirky things they do.
Should life slow down long enough for me to finish, I'll post about how much joy a friend's gift of peanut butter clusters gave me last night. I love homemade gifts! I was so happy with the HUGE tin of treats, and my husband loves them too!
Oh, my monkey doodle.
Very Cute! I'd like one cause… well… I don't OWN a sewing machine! haha!
Oh, how precious! You did such a great job and that is a joyful accomplishment, to be sure.
I am joyful at this precise moment to have two hours of time to spend with JUST my 6 month old while my two preschoolers have playdates. This is a rare blessing!
Wow! I'm so impressed!
Thanks for your visit on my SITS day the other week! I've been sick so I'm just now getting around to returning all the visits!
Your little sock monkey is absolutely adorable!! I love how cute his face is (I have seen pictures of these before that look a wee bit creepy but yours is so cute!)
You really did an excellent job.
God bless,
Penni
CUTE!
I know the choice will be random, but my little girl collects monkeys! She doesn't have a sock monkey yet…
)
If I don't win Monkey Two for her, I'll have to follow your example and make her one!
SO cute!!! My brother had one of those when we were growing up.
This morning as we were driving down the road, my 2 year old son started cracking up in the backseat. I asked him what was so funny and he said "oh, I'm just laughing with God, mommy!" that brought me the most joy this week. As I was driving down the road doing my own thing my TWO year old reminded me that God is with us and that HE is the giver of joy!
Oh, I definately need a sock monkey in my life. And I think he would feel right at home atop my bed, ahem…not the kids. My mom made one of these once. Guess she didn't know that I harbored a secret desire to have one!
That is just the cutest monkey ever!!!! My son would love it. Now for what brought joy to me… My kids!!!! We are in a blizzard right now so we are stuck in the house. I have 4 kids 8 to 1 year old. Today they were laughing and playing together. Simple thing but it brings me such joy.
What a cute little monkey! Go you with your bad crafting self. My kids made the craft in my blog today– and it totally brought me joy.
You may say your not crafty but that is one little handsome sock monkey!
Adorable! Stopping by to say hi and now following you from a fellow Mama Bzz'er!
That is so cute! I don't even believe you when you say you aren't crafty!
Decorating the Christmas tree brought me joy this week.
Well I do love the monkey. Very proud of you for being so crafty!!!!
Great job! I refuse to own a sewing machine because every time I go near one, the bobbin breaks or it runs out of thread or something else happens and I want to throw the thing out of the window. I told my mom she can never die because I need someone who can sew for my family! The think that brought me joy this week was taking my oldest son through a small drive thru nativity at a local church.
I am so impressed. The sock monkey is adorable!! Great job!!! Thanks for the chance to win him, and for hosting Just for the Joy of it. Have a great, joyful, weekend!
Great!! I need to make a sock monkey to go with this:
http://thebirdsnest3.blogspot.com/2009/07/monkey-business.html
Great job! I made one of these years ago for my kids. What gives me joy is my granddaughter–I am the mom of 4 boys. She would love the sock monkey.