More on puppets

When I'd showed my kids my sock puppet from high school (as mentioned a few blog entries ago), they'd all wanted to take turns with it. So last night I dug thru the rag bag for mis-matched and/or hole-y socks, and let each kid choose one. Then I stayed up late-ish sewing oval shaped cutouts from margarine tub lids into the socks, to form the mouths.

Today (Saturday), I picked up some colored poofy balls from the local arts and crafts store for noses (if they want to have noses); a pack of googly eyes; and a sheet of black felt, and white felt (as an eyeball alternative). We have a few different colors of yarn, for hair (optional). I'm assembling this all in a box, which I've labeled as my "Puppet Kit".

We were busy today, so maybe tomorrow I'll help them assemble their custom sock puppets.


Regarding my larger puppet, I had the insight a few days ago that if I make the arms the same length as my 3 y.o. boys' arms, then I can dress it in their old clothes! Also, that I'd like to make it with light purple "skin", and dark purple hair. Orange nose, orange felt eyebrows. No ears. Hands will be mitten-shaped, but with clothespins or some-such embedded as thumbs, so that it can hold stuff.

I want the "guide sticks" (don't know the technical name) on the arms to be easily removeable.

Also, that his name will be "Ha". Vocal inflection going down, or kinda flat -- so "Ha.", not "Ha!". Don't know why that name: it just came to me.

Also, his head will be kind of marshmallow-shaped: cylindrical, but with rounded edges.

--GG

Need a puppet

Like many things, this one follows a circuitous path.

A few weeks ago I'd rented I Love You, Man. Sunday I got around to Wikipedia-ing who the guy's fiance was (ah! the same actress who was the love interest in The Office; **knew** I recognized her!!!). Which made me YouTube Jason Segel's "Dracula's Lament".

(No, you don't have to watch the whole thing.)





And somehow that lodged in my subconscious -- such that Monday I realized, "Hey -- I need to make a puppet."

I'm thinking something with "Bert" arms: hollow tube of cloth, with a seam at the elbow, filled with lengths of foam pipe insulation. And with lengths of dowel, attached at the puppet's wrists, to guide the arms.

Not sure what to do about the head. Today (Tuesday) I've been pondering it. Briefly thought about making it some sort of animal -- but I think I'll make it vaguely person-like.

On the way home, on the bus, I decided to name him "Small Guy" -- as a counterpoint to "Tall Guy" (whom we haven't seen much of as late -- have we?).


It'll be a week or two before this happens, though.


However -- as a "proof of concept", I dug out my old sock puppet that I made in high school (or early college?). I was pleased that I found it so quickly: it was in my "Weird Stuff" box, in amongst the Groucho Marx glasses, whoopee cushion, and the like. (What -- you don't have a "Weird Stuff" box...?)




Here it is:



(Did this in the bathroom -- hence, the echoes. I needed the bright lights, to capture a decent image.)

The sock puppet never had a name -- but when I was having him talk to the kids, he said his name was "Olson". So, I guess he's Olson.


--GG