A Flip Doll story
Melos is a stuffed chameleon, and he is a sad fellow.
He sits by the window looking at all the new leaves and bulbs sprouting in the Spring,
and he longs to lose himself among the shades of green as real chameleons do.
But he is stuffed with wool, and not fit for the outdoors.
Alas and alack.
"What shall I do?" he asks his friend the crocodile.
"Don't let it get you down," she smiles, "Look around. It's lovely. Make yourself at home here."
Melos looks around.
"She's right," he thinks to himself. "It's a lovely home.
I may not be fit for climbing trees and crawling through dewy grass.
But my fuzzy wool is perfect fit for snuggling into this folky ogee upholstery."
And so that's what he did.
And he was right at home.
"You look lovely, dear. I'm glad you're here," Crocodile tells him.
Melos is glad, too.
The end.
It's easy to modify the basic shape of the flip doll so that you can create whatever character tickles your fancy. The book includes a section explaining how that works. I had a brainstorming session, with a table full of kids, trying to think of new something that changes into something else - and someone thought of the chameleon! What a great idea! Then I remembered my leftover upholstery fabric and Melos was born.
I based his body shape on the dragon from George and the Dragon, with a few modifications. I gave him skinny little arms and legs, and made the tail the shared body part instead of the legs. These were pretty simple changes. You can download my template for the chameleon here, and instructions for assembling the flip dolls and modify the pattern to create your own characters is included in the book. Give it a shot!
Leave a comment (and be sure to provide your email address through rafflecopter) for a chance to win a copy of my book Flip Dolls and Other Toys that Zip, Stack, Hide, Grab and Go from my awesome publisher. You can earn extra entries for sharing on facebook, pinterest, or twitter. And be sure to check out all the other Flip Doll Pattern Hop stops to see more cute dolls, and more chances to win!
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20 comments:
Did you recover the chaise in your living room with that fabric? I really like it, and I think it's very clever for Melos to be made of it. How fun for the girls!
Yes, Mom helped me recover the wicker chaise last year! Louise is really into science-y animal stuff, so she was thrilled about using the upholstery.
Laura! This is sooooo wonderful! The switch to the upholstery fabric is such a fun surprise!
I'm just starting to learn how to sew! This is wonderful!
The chameleon is such a delight!! For some reason I just love him! <3
I love the little chameleon. Precious!
That is super cute! My 7yog especially would love something like that.
I'm redoing my boys' room--this project just made the "must do" list.
I definitely need to make a superhero flip doll :)
I would love to make a couple of superheroes for my boys! So fun!
Such a cute book! My kids would love it!
Definitely the chameleon!
I would like to try and make a frog that turns into a prince. May be a bit too ambitious as I have not been sewing long! Fab book.
LOVE the chameleon.
Brilliant.
Love the caterpillar that turns into a butterfly. Congrats on a great book.
I laughed when I saw your chameleon change…he looked so cute!
My daughters are going to love your book -- these are just adorable!
I love the chameleon! I wonder what I could match up in the house?
Laura, I love your flip dolls and it's so cool seeing all the versions that other people made. I think I'll have to make a little baby alligator/crocodile to go with the big pink one we already have!
The chameleon is adorable but I'd also like to make the crocodile (can I pretend he's an alligator?)
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