Bit By the Bug Tuesday - "Marcella"

Welcome to...

It is time to continue our Mega Monkey Mania celebration with this week's freebie.  Please meet...

Marcella

Click HERE to get "Marcella".  Available from September 10th until September 24th.  

After that it will be replaced with another freebie.

If you missed out on the start of the sock monkey history lesson, you can start HERE and then make your way HERE.  In the first two 'episodes' we learned the history of sock monkeys up until the 1940's in both the US and Canada.  Then in the next one, we travelled through the 50's and 60's.  You can check that 'episode' out by clicking HERE.   Today we look at how these beloved characters evolved through the later half of the 1900's up until today.

Let us continue our journey through the history of sock monkeydom, shall we?

While the sock monkey took a downward turn in the 50's and 60's due to the submergence of plastic toys onto the market, they never really vanished from the folk art market and continue to remain a popular toy to this day.   These days though they come in many different types and styles such as birthday themed, different colours, and there are even some of the electronic variety that sing up-to-date pop songs.  Additionally, in this day and age, many sock monkeys are mass-produced by different companies and generally are all produced with the same face and body characteristics; so they are no longer the unique sock monkeys of old.  Instead of using the red-heel socks, some are now creating sock monkeys using different kinds of socks like brightly coloured, striped, polka dotted, etc. 

With the popularity of sock monkeys, they have even become the highlight of different types of special occasions.  Sock monkeys take 'tours around the world' and are photographed next to recognizable monuments world wide.  They have also been the focal point of birthday parties and anniversaries.  A few have even been part of events such as weddings and graduations.  With sock monkeys being so adored, their concept has also been translated into other media.  Sock monkey images can be found in "books, bookmarks, journals, greeting cards, jewelry, quilting, baking, sewing, commercials, movies" [source:  http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Sock_monkey]. Additionally, they have also made appearances in "children's stories, comic books coffee table books...movies and cartoons" [source:  http://www.roroart.com/history.htm].   In fact, these days you can also find the concept of the sock animal morphed into other creatures including the " 'Sockodile', 'Sockosaurus' and 'Sock Bear' " [source:  http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Sock_monkey].

Today, if you do a Google search for Sock Monkey, there are over 6 million sites; so, I have a feeling we won't see the sock monkey disappear anytime soon.  People will continue to want to create unique, hand-made creations filled with love, for special people in their lives; the sock monkey presents them with the perfect opportunity to do so.  Given that they have been around for over a century already, I am hopeful that the tradition of the sock monkey will be around for eons to come. 

Next week I'll continue to share some more tidbits of this special creation from history.

Now Jennifer from Krafty Keepsakes was able to help show off this lovely monkey and created this card...

 

Marcella looks like she was made for this card, suitable for many different occasions.  I really like how Jen popped her up to give her dimension.  I also like the bold colour choices on the cool embossed white backdrop.  

Special thanks to Jennifer for her contribution this week.

Sneak peek guesses...

So this week, I once again had you guess the answers to three things about this image since you of course knew the image was a monkey of some kind.   The three questions I asked were:

1. What sex do you think this monkey will be?
2. What do you think the name of the monkey will be? 
3. What familial relationship will this monkey have to the other members in the group?

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:  The monkey is Female this time.

So, the following people have won a folder with three sentiments:

• Patti
• Edwina
• Ike
• Fit Kitty

Unfortunately, nobody was able to guess that the monkey's name was Marcella, although I loved some of your answers.  Which brings us to the final question of what familial relationship this monkey has to the other members in the group.  Well, two people guessed that Marcella was a mother so that means that the following people have won a digital paper:

• Patti
• Edwina
• Ike

Hopefully I haven't missed anyone.  Winners, please send me an email by clicking HERE, putting "CBD Marcella Guesses" in the subject line.  I do apologize though, I am running behind in my creations as I continue to lose time on the computer battling the fatigue associated with this bug I've been battling; so, I'm afraid the usual 24-48 hour turn around isn't possible this week.  Don't worry though, I'll get to making them as soon as possible.  Oh and Lisa, you've still yet to claim your two goodies from last week so if you are seeing this you'll want to go HERE.

DON'T FORGET...

 there is still time to sign up for your chance to win Naomi's latest new release:  Manfred!  Click HERE to find out how.

 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! 

 

Finally, how about another monkey joke before I go...

Q:  How do monkeys get down the stairs? 

A:  They slide down the banana-ster!

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

Well, that it is for me.  I truly hope you all have an awesome week and I hope to see you all back on Saturday when I reveal the next sneak peek. 

  
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.