Most of the children I know have far more toys than they need, and maybe even more toys than they even want. This is because we, as parents, find things in the stores that seem so cool, but that our children hardly play with when we bring it home to them. Or, children beg for the latest toy that is being heavily advertised on television and you eventually give in, only to have it break after 20 minutes of use or turn out not to be very entertaining, after all. So many of our homes are knee-deep in plastic crap.
Many children also have an extra special toy that they love to pieces and that goes with them everywhere. Often, this toy is a very special stuffed animal. I know when I was a little girl stuffed animals were my very favorite, and I would play with them for hours on end. I had a stuffed monkey who wore an outfit very similar to Dorothy’s (from The Wizard of Oz). Her name was Samantha and she was my best buddy.
I want Darah to have a best buddy, too, and I have found the COOLEST handmade stuffed animals…err….creatures EVER! Meet Darah’s new plush monster pal Eloi. Eloi comes from a shop called Mr. Sogs and is the handiwork of a wonderful Memphian named Joelle. Joelle has always had a soft spot for animals that are a little bit different, and that is reflected in her creations. Whenever she feels inspired to make a new creature, Joelle will make a few different versions until she gets it just right. All of her creatures are made two of a kind (she says that’s so that they will never really be lonely!).
The name Mr. Sogs comes from Joelle’s very large cat by the same name. Mr. Sogs loves the creatures that Joelle makes, so much so that he used to open the door to her sewing room when she wasn’t around, steal the creatures, and then sleep on them! Ha! Rest assured, she keeps her sewing room locked, now, much to the chagrin of Mr. Sogs.
Now, back to the creatures. When Joelle gave us the opportunity to choose something in her shop to review, Tim and I took this job VERY seriously. We carefully examined each creature, and talked about the features we loved about each one, and whether or not we sensed that each one would be a good potential buddy for Darah. We had to make some tough choices due to all the unbelievably cute animals in the shop, but eventually, we knew that Eloi was destined to reside at the House of M. And when he arrived, Tim and I were so excited! I’m sure if anyone had been watching us, they would have laughed at how excited we were to present Eloi to Darah. But we couldn’t help it! We took a good long look at him before we handed him over, and were just blown away by how beautifully he had been put together. He was part work of art and part future BFF, ready to romp and play. He was, in a word, perfect.
We chose Eloi because we knew that Darah wouldn’t be able to resist those fabulous antennas. And we were exactly right! She reached for Eloi and grabbed him by the antennas and started chewing away. The she loved on him by putting his face on hers. Tim and I just about died. It was so cute. Whenever Eloi gets spotted in the toy box, she reaches for him and just keeps on chewing. Fortunately, he is so well-crafted that he can withstand the abuse, no problem.
I know that Eloi will be having many adventures with Darah and with our entire family, and I just can’t imagine a cooler best bud, except perhaps a certain gingham-dressed monkey.
While Eloi has already found his forever home, there are several other sweet plush monsters at Mr Sogs waiting to be adopted! Wallace is Eloi’s cousin, and he’d love to join your family! Or perhaps Elmore is just the right fit for your little one? Whichever creature you choose, rest assured that they are each made with lots of love and filled with love to give! Micro Creatures at Mr. Sogs start at $19.00 and larger creatures start at $40.00.
EDIT: Giveaway CLOSED!
Win it!: Mr. Sogs the cat doesn’t want to share these creatures with you, but Joelle does! One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win either Chester or Elmore!! The contest will run until Thursday, May 13th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States. Be sure to leave your email address in your comments or have it in your profile or else I can’t contact you to tell you that you won!
How to Enter:
Mandatory entry: Tell me the creature from Mr. Sogs that you never knew belonged in your home until now! Also tell me if you prefer Chester or Elmore.
Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email (one extra entry total, even if you subscribe both ways)
2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect
3. Put my button on your blog (leave blog url)
4. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
5. Become a Fan of Mr. Sogs on Facebook
6. Add Mr. Sogs to your Etsy favorites
Disclosure: I received a complimentary product in order to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
trixx says
I'm a follower!
trixx says
I'm an email subscriber
trixx says
Marco Lops is such a cutie! I'd love Elmore Oddvark!
Katie says
I follow on twitter (wifeofaplumber)
katie_kitty[at]msn[dot]com
Katie says
Button
katiescatharsis.blogspot.com
katie_kitty[at]msn[dot]com
Katie says
I follow
katie_kitty[at]msn[dot]com
Katie says
I subscribe via rss
katie_kitty[at]msn[dot]com
Katie says
I like Kendrick! I'd pick Elmore!
katie_kitty[at]msn[dot]com
lilyk says
I added Mr. Sogs to my Etsy favorites.
lilyk says
I became a fan of Mr. Sogs on Facebook.
lilyk says
I subscribed by email.
lilyk says
I love Haili Oddvark! I would prefer Elmore.
Melissa B. says
Nicky Lops is adorable. I'd choose Elmore if I won.
Anna E, says
I like Ivan the Penguin !! I choose Elmore!
baller19822002 at yahoo dot com
Christina Andre says
Fan of Mr Sogs on facebook
Christina Andre
nobodysangel113@yahoo.com
Christina Andre says
Follow on Twitter @moe92582
Christina Andre
nobodysangel113@yahoo.com
Christina Andre says
follow through GFC
Christina Andre
nobodysangel113@yahoo.com
Christina Andre says
email subscriber
Christina Andre
nobodysangel113@yahoo.com
Christina Andre says
My son would love Hubert the Penguin. I would choose Chester over the two.
Christina Andre
nobodysangel113@yahoo.com
Hotsnotty2 says
I love Olaf Sea Sucker, i would pick Elmore, thanks!
Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com
Anonymous says
layna the penguin choose elmo ty.
vivianbl@olg.com
kathy pease says
like sogs on facebook Kathy L Pease
kathy pease says
following you on twitter klp1965
kathy pease says
Google Friend klp1965
kathy pease says
i love chester and i also love the Lulu Sea Sucker
Tylerpants says
I'm a follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Tylerpants says
I'm a subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
Tylerpants says
Ivan the Penguin would be a good buddy for my son…so would Elmore Oddvark! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
FDP 4 Life says
fb fan
tony l smoaks
FDP 4 Life says
subscriber
FDP 4 Life says
follower
FDP 4 Life says
i like Layna the Penguin and I would choose chester
Summer says
I follow your blog
susan says
The simon the seal orb is great. I would love Elmore the Oddvark!
Summer says
I subscribe via email
Summer says
I really like Harvey Macro…and prefer Chester
Anonymous says
My daughter would love Layna the Penguin -we would choose Chester.
jcristig@hotmail.com
Charlene says
email subscribe
Charlene says
Follower on GFC
Charlene says
I gotta have Henry (love red) & I'd pick Elmore 🙂
momtoem says
Hearted Mr. Sogs (momtoem)
lejn05@yahoo.com
momtoem says
Fan of Mr. Sogs on Facebook (lena naef)
lejn05@yahoo.com
momtoem says
Following through Google Friend Connect
lejn05@yahoo.com
momtoem says
Subscriber
lejn05@yahoo.com
momtoem says
I like Simon the Seal Orb and I'd choose Chester
lejn05@yahoo.com
erinve says
I subscribe via RSS
erinve says
I like Mr. Sogs on FB (erin conley van epps)
erinve says
I hearted the shop on etsy (roundthebendshop)
erinve says
I love Hubert! And my son prefers Elmore
sherri419 says
Follow thru GFC!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
sherri419 says
Adore Hubert the Penguin! I would pick Elmore! Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
Kimberly says
I heart Mr Sogs (kirbycolby)
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Thank you!
Kimberly says
twitter follower @Aerated
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Kimberly says
email subscriber
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Kimberly says
google follower
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Kimberly says
I like Haili the Oddvark and would pick Elmore.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
paula michele says
I subscribe to your Rss.
paula michele says
I'm a follower.
paula michele says
I like Davis Sea Sucker. I prefer Chester.
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
Marci J says
I love the penguin – also love Chester.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
Tabathia says
twitter follower (chelleb36)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia says
gfc follower
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia says
emailsubscriber
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia says
I love Betsy. I would pick chester
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Molly says
email subscriber
molls94@yahoo.com
Molly says
I really liked Dante Oddvark and I liked Elmore the best!
molls94@yahoo.com
Jenn S. says
I really like Ardy Oddvark . I prefer Chester. 🙂
mogrill says
I like Hubert the Penguin.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
I added Mr. Sogs to my Etsy favorites
laprochaine@gmail.com
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
I am a FB fan of Mr. Sogs
laprochaine@gmail.com
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
I follow you on Twitter. My screen name is laprochaine
laprochaine@gmail.com
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
I have your button on my blog
http://www.socialstudiesmomma.blogspot.com
laprochaine@gmail.com
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
I follow you via GFC
laprochaine@gmail.com
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
I subscribe via email and I would prefer to have the Chester Macro Creature
laprochaine@gmail.com
SocialStudiesSoubrette says
Oh the Lulu Sea Sucker so belongs in my house. Cute stuff!
laprochaine@gmail.com
Kim says
subscribe
Kim says
follow blog
Kim says
love love HUBERT! and Elmore.
bison61 says
I like nicky Lops and I would prefer Elmore
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
Aisling says
I follow you through Google Friend Connect.
Aisling says
I subscribe to your blog by email.
Aisling says
I love Haili Oddvark! And I'd choose Elmore, who appears to be Haili's cousin or sister perhaps.
Sarah Osborne says
I added Mr. Sogs to my Etsy favorites!
Sarah Osborne says
Mr. Sogs FB fan!
Sarah Osborne says
I follow you on Twitter!
sarahosborne12
Sarah Osborne says
I have your button!
myfavoritegiveaways.blogspot.com
Sarah Osborne says
I follow!
Sarah Osborne says
I subscribe!
Sarah Osborne says
I love Haili Oddvark! And I would pick Elmore 🙂
littlelatina says
Ardey and Farley are great. I like Elmore best
Snowflake07 says
added Mr. Sogs to my Etsy Favorites (my Etsy name is ColorBomb)
Snowflake07 says
following on twitter as SnowflakeDay
Snowflake07 says
google friend follower
Snowflake07 says
email subscriber
Snowflake07 says
I think Marco Lops would fit in well around our house. Our cats might try to eat him, but I think he would still like us.
If I won, I would pick Chester. My daughter would love him to pieces!
hotpepper71 at bell south dot net
Erinn says
I added MrSogs to my Etsy favorites.
Erinn says
I follow on Google Friend Connect.
Erinn says
I am a subscriber.
Erinn says
Hubert the Penguin is so cute. I also like Elmore.
debbie says
I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
debbie says
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
debbie says
I like the clara sea sucker. I like chester.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
DEBIJOT says
your FB fan
DEBIJOT says
follow you on twitter
DEBIJOT says
added Mr Sogs to etsy favorites
DEBIJOT says
email subscriber
DEBIJOT says
blog follower
DEBIJOT says
My favorite is Ella – I would choose Chester
Attila & Tamara says
I follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter
ID: @szogediek
szogediek at yahoo dot com
Attila & Tamara says
I have your button on my blog:
http://www.szogediek.blogspot.com/
szogediek at yahoo dot com
Attila & Tamara says
I follow via Google Friend Connect
szogediek at yahoo dot com
Attila & Tamara says
I subscribe via email
szogediek at yahoo dot com
Attila & Tamara says
I like the Farley Micro Creature and
I prefer the Elmore Oddvark!!! CUTE!!!
szogediek at yahoo dot com
Ashley says
I like Simon the Seal Orb, and my son would refer Elmore. These are really fun!
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com
Madeline says
I follow you on Twitter. @BabbleBird
Madeline says
I'm a follower.
Madeline says
Dante Oddvark needs to come play at my house!! Love him!
I'd pick Elmore.