Katie

We heard from Katie after she and her son experimented with our Wonky Doll instructions.

"We did it! My son wanted an ant though because regular animals are to babyish for a 6 year old. We also placed the ant around the house and took pictures of him searching for food."

When we asked Katie if she had any comments or tips to share, this is what she said:

"Make sure its an extra large pattern! The legs were a little small to stuff (and my fingers were raw by this time) so I ended up just running a stitch over them where they attached to the main body. We used ultra-boy fabric, desert camo, it was thick so maybe that is why it was hard to turn on the pesky small antenna. I'll stay away from thick fabric next time. Topped him off with red embroidered smile and button eyes. We embellished both sides since boys tend to actually play with stuffies and not just let them sit on a shelf ... My son wanted to make the ant also to celebrate our 'antless year', we have always been plagued with them and this is our offering up to the queen ant for them to stay away again. Gotta love the inner thinking of a six year old.

You were right about over priced crafters website wonky dolls, this didn't cost us anything except the leftovers of previous crafts. Plus the afternoon we spent together... and the extra Cub Scout badge for button sewing."

We were thrilled that Katie and her son shared their ant's adventures with us. It looks as though he has quite a taste for pancake syrup!

Maureen Moore

The cake and cupcakes in these photos pre-date our Dirt Cups article by several years. Maureen made the cake for an eight year old boy, and created the matching cupcakes for his classmates.

They're a darned fine example of what a determined woman can do with a bare expanse of cake, some cookie crumbs and a handful of gummi worms.

Maureen's talents were not limited to worms, though; she also created the very fine - not to mention augmented - "San Diego or Bust" cake shown at left.

Missy Sturdivant

Courtesy of Missy Sturdivant, we have this rendition of the farting poodle air freshener cover.

"I didn't have any black felt, so it doesn't have a collar yet."

That's okay, Missy; your poodle looks great! Besides - some spirits were born to roam free and wild, unfettered by the black felt collars of life.