Santa Mouse

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July 31, 2005
This website seems like a gift from Heaven. I am DESPERATELY looking for someone to make my 4 year old son a replica of his beloved friend "Santa Mouse". He has had him since he was 6 months old, and I'm not sure how many more stitches the poor thing can hold. It is a gray mouse with big ears,red nose, a santa hat, santa "suit", and multi-colored arms and legs. I have many pictures of this mouse if that would help you at all. I cannot bear the thought of my son being without his best friend, and if you could help me, I would be forever grateful. Thank you so much for all your time and all you do. I look forward to hearing from you.
Amanda

August 1, 2005
Thank you for visiting my website and your kind words. I would be happy to take a look at the photos of your son's well-loved toy. I am hoping that you have some from when it was new, if the toy has lost much of it's shape and color. I will have to ask you a lot of questions about it also, so get a tape measure too. We can start with actual length overall, then length of limbs; how big "round" for tummy, legs, arms, head. Does it have plastic "safety" eyes and how big across are they. The red nose you mentioned: is that plastic, red fuzzy felt or red cotton? What part is "gray" and is this gray actual fake fur plush or like sweatshirt fleece? I'm sure I'll have more questions. I will take a look at the photos. Does the mouse have any kind of labels on it that might indicate a manufacturer or type of materials used? The fabrics can be the most difficult to match and sometimes THAT texture is the most important thing to a child. But let's see what we come up with. We can always mail some samples off to have you compare or if you are unsure, JoAnn’s Fabrics have wonderful support staff that will see that we have the right fabrics. I am concerned about the "multi-colored" arms and legs. Hopefully you have a scanner and can e-mail the photos to Susan@SusansSewNique.com.

August 1, 2005
Susan, I was so excited to hear from you so fast. I'm thrilled that you are willing to look at some pictures to determine if you can make my son another Santa Mouse. I am sending you three pictures of the mouse. Two are back shots and one is a front shot. I have many more pictures that I will be sending shortly, along with all the needed measurements. This toy came from a stuffed animal machine at a local store, and is a "Kuddle Me Toy". The body, limbs, and hat are made of a velvet-like material. I will be in touch very soon with more pictures and measurements. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to do this.
Sincerely, Amanda Main
August 8, 2005
Hello Amanda:.I do have gray and white "plush" fake fur for the head but do not have in stock anything like the red, hot pink, and dark green fabrics used for the clothing on this mouse. I would need to use one of my patterns for the head and based on the photos design a pattern for the paws, feet and body. After you have sent me more photos and measurements, I will give you an estimate. Since this is a special order and I do not have all the materials on hand, I will require a deposit on the order before I start the work. The pattern designing, and making this special order may require two to three weeks, depending on the work schedule here. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.
Susan
August 8, 2005
Susan, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. I sent the measurements to you on Friday, but you obviously didn't receive them. I may have have mistyped the email address. Anyhow, I am resending the measurements, and am going to get the other pictures today. Hopefully, they will turn out well, and you will have a more detailed idea of the mouse. We do have another mouse that uses the same type of material, so if you need a sample of the texture, maybe I could get one of the

mouse. There is really no rush on this order, and a deposit would be no problem at all. I am very grateful that you are willing to attempt this project. Thank you again. I'm really hoping you receive THIS email. I look forward to hearing from you!!
Amanda

August 8, 2005
Amanda: I will watch for another email with the measurements and for additional photos. If you can, take a piece of the fabric between your two hands and see if there is any "stretch" to that; if it doesn't stretch crosswise, it may stretch lengthwise. Then I might have a better idea if it what I would refer to as "velour" fabric. I might be taking a trip to Madison this week, and they have a large fabric store there that might have the stuff. Will be waiting to see the photos and measurements of Santa Mouse.
Susan

August 10, 2005
Susan, It looks like it will be another day or two on the pictures. I dropped off the wrong roll of film to be developed, and have to wait (again) for the correct roll to be done. I thought I would go ahead and send you the measurements though, to give you a better idea of Santa Mouse. Also, I checked the material, and it does appear to have a bit of "stretch" to it.
Overall length (tip of the hat to bottom of feet): 32.5". Length of "body": 6".
Length of arms: 6 inches. Circumference of arms: 4"
Length of legs: 12 inches. circumference of legs: 4"
Length of feet (green lining): 3". Width of feet: 2"
Length of hands: 2". Width of hands: 2"
Circumference of head (under ears, without white): 12". Circumference of head (under ears, with white): 13.5". Eyes (across): 5/8". Ears (top to bottom): 3". Ears (across): 2.5". Circumference of nose: 2 ". Length of nose: 7/8".
NOTES: The head, ears, arms, and feet appear to be a gray plush. Santa Mouse's "outfit" is actually a body suit type, with only the collar and waist of the "jacket" sticking out (see pictures for better clarification). His entire outfit is made of red, green, and magenta colored fabric. The arms and legs of Santa Mouse are NOT stuffed. They are simply pieces of colored fabric, sewn together, then folded and sewn together again. The arms are "pleated" at each color section to provide a "crimped" look. There is a tiny piece of lace at the end of the limbs, right before the hands and feet. His ears are lined in red and his feet are lined with green. Hope these measurements help you!! The pictures should be ready tomorrow and I'll get those to you ASAP!!! Whenever you're ready to, just email me your estimate!! Have a great evening!
August 11, 2005
I received the measurements and have a couple of questions: on the legs, it would appear that there is about 6" of red before the magenta, green and red start. And the bands on the legs appear to be about 2" long. Is that correct? On the arms, it looks like about 1.5" of red before 3 bands of 1.5" long each of magenta, green and red. Is that correct? Is the red nose a pompom or is it the same fabric as the suit? Also are the eyes solid black plastic "balls" or are they plastic with a brown ring on the outer edge with a black center? So far, I don't see anything that I can't handle...looking forward to the pictures. The I will go to a fabric store and get you a price estimate.
Susan

August 12, 2005
Couple more questions besides the ones I sent yesterday: is the inside of the ears the same fabric as the suit? And does the 12" leg measurement include all the way down to the bottom of the foot? Because 32.5" overall - 12" legs - 6" body - 12" head equals 2.5" hat?
Susan
August 20, 2005
Hello Amanda: Joy! Joy! I found a fabric store in Madison that has the fabric we need for your Santa Mouse. Even though you have not said for sure you want me to make it, I went ahead and purchased enough to make it. I haven't received any more photos from you, but am confident that we can work something out. When you send the photos, be sure to let me know about those other questions I asked...length and plastic eyes, etc. As of right now, I have at least a schedule of three weeks work, with two other special orders pending.
August 22, 2005
Susan, I'm so glad you bought the material you need!! I'm so excited. I will send the pictures and answers to your questions THIS WEEK...... PROMISE!! Thank you sooooo much for your patience...I'll be in touch SOOOOOOOON!

September 3, 2005
Susan, Here I am!!!! WITH PICTURES!!! Yaaaaaaay! I couldn't remember if I answered these questions so I will now. The measurements you asked about seem about correct. The legs have longer sections of material than the arms because they were stretched. They used to be crimped, like the arms, but they aren't anymore. If possible, I would like the new Santa Mouse to be made like it is now. The nose is not a pompom or the same fabric as the suit. Its almost a nylon type of material. But its not really that major. Whatever type of material you use for the nose would be fine. The eyes are plastic with a brown ring and black center. I think that about covers the questions for now. I'll send the pics in this email....let me know if you need any of them more close up because I can crop them if you need me to. Also, please let me know if I have forgotten any questions you asked. Looking forward to hearing from you!!!!
Thanks so much, Amanda
September 4, 2005
Hi Mandy. I received your photos today and I believe I have everything I need to start designing the pattern for this well-loved animal. I'm assuming that the animal is very soft to cuddle and not "hard" to squeeze. You did a great job taking the photos from all views and I can see the nose will be another trick, but I can handle it. These latest photos make the green appear almost a "lime" color; I'm hoping that is a trick of the camera or developing as I purchased the only green available which is dark green. The other fabric colors I'm not worried about though. The knit fabric alone cost $13. The cost for designing the pattern and making a replica of this favorite toy will be $28 plus shipping. I will notify you when the toy is ready to ship and what the total cost is (shipping generally costs between $4 and $8 for priority mail and 3 to 5 days receipt of the package). I will try to get to the pattern design within the next ten days and hope to have this done for you before the end of September.

September 5, 2005
Susan, I'm so glad you received the photos. And you're right, Santa Mouse is exceptionally cuddly. It must have been a camera trick making the green look lime-colored, because it is a dark green. I'm sure the colors you have are going to be wonderful. The estimate you gave me is more than reasonable.
Thanks, Amanda
September 12, 2005
Hi Mandy: The Santa Mouse is done and ready to ship...I need your zip code to find out the cost of shipping this item...I hope to go to the post office today and find that out.
Susan
September 12, 2005
Oh My Gosh!! That was sooooo fast. I wasn't expecting to hear from you for weeks. My zip code is 72543. I'm so excited to see him. I was planning on giving him to Josh as a Christmas present, but I'm not sure I'll be able to wait that long!!!!! : ) Just let me know however much I need to send and if you'd rather have a money order, check, or cash. Thank you soooooo much! Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing Santa Mouse!
September 13, 2005
Hi Mandy: I'm not sure that this was "fast" as I spent part of Friday, all of Saturday and part of Sunday on the Santa Mouse...he was a 'bear' to get looking close to the photos! I hope that Josh will be happy with the results. May we put the photo of your son with his Santa Mouse on a page my daughter is designing for "Special Orders" with a photo of the finished product? I hope Josh is pleased. Shipping will cost $4.30 plus $28 for Santa Mouse for a total of $32.30.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Hello Susan,I wanted to write you a short note and let you know that I will be sending a money order to you this week for Santa Mouse. I hope this is all right. I also forgot to tell you that I would be honored to have you use Josh and Santa Mouse's photo on your website! I am so grateful to you.
Sunday, October 2, 2005
Susan, Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I mailed a money order to you today. I couldn't remember the exact amount, so I made it for $35. I'm sure your time and efforts are worth much more than that. I am so excited to have the new "Santa Mouse" join our family. I will send a pic of Josh with his new friend as soon as possible. Thank you for all you have done.
Kind regards, Amanda Main
October 6, 2005
Hello Amanda: I received your money order in the mail this afternoon. You should have the package within three to five days. Please let me know how we did on this special project...the interpretation of how it was sewn together, the fabric choices, etc. What I would really like to see is a photo of the two (old and new) laid out next to each other! This was a real challenge and I hope we got it right! I would suggest that if you are trying to actually "replace" the old, that you wash it right away with the same detergent you normally use to get the right "smell" for Josh. Please let me know how you feel about this finished project...I'm always anxious to hear if I did all right on it. Thanks for the order. I hope to hear from you soon.
Susan
October 12, 2005
Susan, I wanted to let you know that "MouseMan" arrived home yesterday, safe and sound. As soon as I saw him, I knew I couldn't wait until Christmas to give him to Josh. The look on his face was priceless. He immediately named him "MouseMan". You did an absolutely wonderful job. I am amazed at the resemblance, especially considering you have never even actually seen the real Santa Mouse. You made the pictures I sent you come to life. I am forever grateful to you for your sharing your special gift with us and making MouseMan a part of our family. You've impacted a child's life in a way you can't imagine. God Bless you for all you do.
All my best to you and your family, Amanda
P.S. Pictures will soon be on the way!
October 12, 2005
Whew! I was worried about this special order...and very relieved that you and Josh are satisfied with the results. Everyone needs a challenge once in a while and your order satisfied that need...now back to some "easy ones". I look forward to the photos and thank you for the order. Please pass my website on to your friends and family.
Susan