Bit by the Bug Beginnings: Another Bug is Born

Welcome to...

We are smack dab in the middle of our six weeks of Mega Monkey Mania and it is time to meet the newest family member.  I am thrilled to present to you:

 Manfred

 Manfred will be available in the store for purchase shortly. 

If you missed out on the start of the sock monkey history lesson, you can start HERE and then make your way HERE.  In our last two 'episodes' we learned the history of sock monkeys up until the 1940's in both the US and Canada.  Today, we head to the 50's and 60's to continue to see how these beloved characters evolved during the mid 1900's.

Given the popularity of the sock monkeys in the first few decades of the 1900's, the Nelson Knitting Mills, realized just how important their Rockford Red Heel® work sock was.  Since so many people used it as the base of the sock monkey, the company applied for and received a patent in 1953. Soon after, they began to include a sock monkey pattern in every package of their exclusive work socks.

Unfortunately, as plastic toys became popular in the 1950's, I'm afraid that the sock monkey felt a bit of a decline and continued to do so throughout the 60's.  However, these precious toys never vanished from the folk art market and have in fact experienced a resurgence in popularity.

But....that is a story for another day.

It is time for Suze from Craftysuze to show us what she has cooked up for this week's new release...

 For the last new release, Suze created a monochromatic card in pinks using Malia.  This week she honours us with a blue one using Manfred who is certainly the star of the show in this card.    Funky diecuts and great embellies set the stage for another wonderful creation.  For more details on this card please head on over to Suze's blog (link above card).

Sneak peek guesses...

So this week, once again I had to switch things up and had you guess at some other questions given you already knew the image was going to be another monkey.   The three questions I asked this week were:

1. What sex do you think this money will be?
2. What do you think the name of the monkey will be?
3. What relationship will this monkey be to the other two?

Participant's had the opportunity to win up to three different prizes.  Well, I am pleased to say that four of you correctly guessed the answer to the first question:  Yes the monkey is once again a Male.

So, the following people have won a folder with three sentiments (yes, they are different from last week):

• Fit Kitty
• Iris
• Patti 
• Lisa

Unfortunately, nobody was able to guess that the monkey's name was Manfred.  Which brings us to the final question of how Manfred is related to Mortimer and Malia.  Well, I am happy to say that one person managed to guess that Manfred is indeed the father to our two other little monkeys.  So that means that the following person has won a digital paper in addition to the sentiments she won for getting one of the other questions right:

• Lisa

Winners, please send me an email by clicking HERE, putting "CBD Manfred Guesses" in the subject line.

Now, it is your chance to win a copy of our latest monkey...

It is time once again to try and give away a few copies of this sweet new release.  To be eligible, just leave me a comment letting me know which fact you have found most interesting from the last three weeks of the sock monkey history lessons.  Manfred, like his kids, would be adorable on any card and would definitely bring a smile to the recipient, so what is stopping you from entering!

Winners will be announced on September 19th, when it will be time for the next new release!!!!

Which brings me to the winners of the last new release.  To be eligible to win a copy of the last new release. Malia, I had asked you to leave me a comment letting me know whether you grew up with a sock monkey or have ever made one for a special child in your life..  Once again, thank each of you for sharing your precious thoughts and memories with me.  There were a few comments that really touched me.  I am pleased to say that the following people have won the image of Malia...

 Monkey Toes Too

scrapclose2theheart

 Iris

(names were chosen using a random name generator at Mini Web Tool)

 Seriously, Monkey Toes Too?!  How appropriate is it, that a person with the handle of Monkey Toes Too, won an image of Naomi's sock monkey?!  I believe irony is at work here!

Winners, please contact me by clicking HERE with the subject heading 'Image Win:  Malia' to get your copy of Naomi's sweet image from the last release.

Now Mega Monkey Mania would not be the same without a joke so here is the one for this week:

 Q:  Why don't monkeys play cards in the jungle?
 A:  There are too many cheetahs there!

(source:  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/nosuchfile.htm)

 

Well, that is it for me today.  I must say thank you to all of you who have been wishing me a speedy recovery as I tangle with this virus in my system.  While I am feeling better, I still don't have a voice after almost 2 and 1/2 weeks, much to the delight of my husband!  But I am on the mend and do appreciate your concern.

Please come back and visit with me on Saturday when it is time to show a sneak peek of this coming Tuesday's newest freebie.  

 AND...

don't forget that our DT call is on right now and we'd love to see you enter!  You can find out all the details by going HERE! There is still another week to enter.

Until Saturday, have a fantastic couple days and good luck everyone!

References

Allan, Dixie. (2012). A Modern Sock Monkey Family. Available: http://webclipart.about.com/b/2012/01/15/sock-monkeys.htm. Last accessed 21st Aug 2013.

Author Unknown.. (Unknown.). Sock monkey. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sock_monkey. Last accessed 21st Aug 2013.

Polfuss, Robin . (2009). History of Sock Monkeys. Available: http://www.roroart.com/history.htm. Last accessed 21st Aug 2013.