houseful of hedgehogs

NEEDLE FELTED HEDGEHOGS

I started thinking of these little hedgehogs as the three amigos.  I needle felted the faces and placed them in large bur oak acorns. Two are for my hedgehog friends, one in the U. S. and one in Vienna, Austria. Of course, I made one for myself. They are sitting here on the penny mat that my dear friend made for me. Alas, now there is only one left since the others have gone to their new homes. Below is an enlarged picture of one of the little guys.

My niece gave me a kit to make a needle felted hedgehog several years ago. I finally was brave enough to try it when I had a visit from my dear hedgehog friend. We had different kits to create hedgehogs, and after several finger sticks and several hours spent, we had our creations. Mine looked more like a mouse, so I worked on him by adding more wool, and he finally looks more like a hedgehog. He could use a bit more wool, but for now, he is what he is. I liked the needle felting, and I plan to learn more.

HEDGEHOGS SAY, "HAPPY FALL"

My dear hedgehog friend alerted me to all the fall décor this year at Hobby Lobby.  There were so many hedgehogs, I had to limit myself to just these. I'm always sad to leave a hedgehog on the shelf, but I also must be practical. The ceramic pieces are by a company called Robert Stanley. From what I can find, the company is based in the U. K. I'm not sure who made the resin hedgehog pumpkin, but he is unique and adorable! Thank you, my friend!

SUMMER MAINE AND NEW YORK HEDGEHOGS

This summer we spent a little time in Maine while we were in the Northeast. Camden is beautiful little town on the water of Penobscot Bay. Pretty towns seem to always have hedgehogs in their shops. I found this cuddly little fellow with the name Spunky, made by Douglas Toys. I decided he needed one of the sailor hats in the basket by the stuffed animals, and it suits him well.

The great little shop, called The Smiling Cow, had lots of fun things in addition to hedgehogs. I found a toothbrush holder by Kikkerland (to match my dental floss,) some stickers by Mrs. Grossmans, and tiny "good luck" hedgehogs. I can also recommend the Camden Deli, where I had a good lobster roll.

The artistic woodland card I found in Corning, New York, at the Rockwell Museum. The artist is Daniel Mackie of The DM Collection, and his paintings are lovely! Speaking of beautiful little towns, Corning, New York, is one.  The Corning Museum of Glass is a fabulous experience I'll never forget. It has modern glass art, collections dating back to Egypt and Syria, live glass-blowing demonstrations, a history of glass and Corning glass, and so much more! 

 

WHIMSICAL HEDGEHOG ILLUSTRATIONS

This creative drawing came in the mail some time ago. I was so impressed that my granddaughter was such a great little artist! I will save these hedgehogs forever!

This New Yorker illustrator has had a bit more experience as an artist. I love the smile on the face of the hedgehog as she walks along with the menagerie of pets! 

The August 2021 edition of National Geographic points out that February 2 is National Hedgehog Day! I wondered where the picture of the hedgehog was until I turned the page and found him here. Great illustrations!

HEDGEHOG PIN CUSHION AND SPICE DISHES

I recently had the very first visit from my dear hedgehog friend. We had a great time looking at my collection, in between dining and a little shopping. We also each had a different hedgehog needle felting project to attempt.  She was able to finish hers, and it turned out pretty well.  Mine still needs work since it resembles a mouse rather than a hedgehog.  I need to fatten him up!

She didn't arrive empty-handed. She created this stylish hedgehog pin cushion, complete with hedgehog pins. Such talent! I love it! The sweet hedgehog and mushroom spice and appetizer dishes were also a gift. They are sold by Miss Tutu. They'll be really handy for measuring out spices before cooking a dish.  I can also envision them at a tea party for two special girls.

It's so wonderful to spend time with a friend who is a great person and also loves hedgehogs as much as I do!

HEDGEHOG MOTHERS' DAY GIFTS

This Mothers' Day, I was surprised with several very sweet hedgehog gifts! My son and his wife have been on the hunt for hedgehogs. This planter by Segreto gives you a peek inside the tiny hedgehog house.  So cute! They also found a pretty succulent to match!

Here are a wonderful woodland-themed pillowcase, and a bright, colorful tote bag with all a hedgehog's favorite things. The makeup bag is full of pockets, and the fuzzy socks look so cozy. Lots of hedgehog love!

HEDGEHOG FAIRY GARDEN

I've had it in mind to make a fairy garden for a while.  I wanted it to be small and neat, so I decided to make it in stacked pots. I saw an example of how to stack pots while searching for porch decor. I painted the pots with while chalk spray paint and was going to distress them.  Then I decided I liked the look of just the painted pots, which are a bit rustic on their own.

I found the fairy house and the hedgehogs on a teeter-totter a couple of years ago at Dollar Tree. There are some other little hedgehogs on the second tier, although they sort of blend in with the dirt. I used assorted cacti for plants so they will stay small. They also resemble trees and bushes. The ladders I made from twigs in the backyard, using a glue gun to put them together. I hope just fairies and not some creepy-crawly creatures use the ladders!

 

HEDGEHOG EASTER TREASURES

My dear hedgehog friend has presented me with a beautiful, handmade Easter ornament. Better yet, it's a hedgehog Easter ornament! It was nestled in this very sweet card. Alongside the card are my two happy Easter bunny hedgehogs. Below is a closeup of the ornament she made. Hedgehog friends are the best!!!

 

I had almost forgotten about Arthur le Herisson Jardinier. I found him in Paris in 2005. He looks just as good as the day I brought him home in all his chocolateness. He hasn't melted or been nibbled on in all these years. I remember my husband saying, "You can't take that home." Well, he was wrong because Arthur is still adorable!

HEDGEHOGS FROM HERE AND THERE

I'm always amused and surprised to find hedgehogs in so many diverse places. Marshall's often has one or two. I found the wrapping paper on a shopping trip with a friend in Fort Myers, FL. Then I had to carry it home on the plane. Not such a great idea, since it wouldn't fit in the suitcase.

The tiny teeter-totter hedgehogs came from the Dollar Tree. A friend of mine has a sister who likes to find hedgehogs for me.  She sent me these pretty hedgehog house-shoe/socks which are really warm, and I have worn them this winter. I found the "Living on the Hedge" magnet in Florida at a Cracker Barrel where my husband had a meeting.  They had a huge display of hedgehog and llama gifts. I restrained myself, and came home with just the magnet. You never know when or where you'll find a hedgehog!

To finish my remaining unposted hedgehogs, I must include these Christmas gifts. My sweet husband found this hand-painted Border Fine Arts hedgehog online and ordered it for me. Unfortunately, I already have two of them.  The Scottish company has been out of business for years, and all their beautiful figurines are collectors' items. He had figured out that I already had one by the time Christmas rolled around.  I love all hedgehogs, even if I have more than one.

This funny puffer hedgehog was a gift from a friend who usually manages to find something unique. When you squeeze him, he puffs up and out. He strangely has colored lights that flash on and off when you shake him. He's a cute little toy!

HEARTS AND HEDGEHOGS VALENTINE SURPRISE

I was so thrilled to open a package from my dear hedgehog friend to find this adorable runner inside. She is a great quilter as well as being excellent in embroidery. I love all the tiny heart prints she used. She even made the hearts and hedgehogs extra special by using variegated thread. Could anything be sweeter?

That wasn't all!  She also included this cute hedgehog refrigerator notepad that she found during a quick shopping trip.  I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful hedgehog friend!

GALENA HEDGEHOGS

On what may have been our last trip to Galena, IL, I returned with two hedgehog items I thought were very cute. It's not that we want to avoid Galena, it is that our in-laws have sold their lovely vacation home there. We enjoyed so many good times there over the years, and I found a lot of hedgehogs in the many great shops along Main Street.  Just remembering makes me miss it all so much!

I saw the Wrendale card in La Vie En Rose and the Swedish Ecologie Kitchen Cloth in The Grateful Gourmet, two of my favorite shops there. I hope someday we can return to Galena for old time's sake!

HEDGEHOG CHRISTMAS 2020

2020 has sadly been a bleak year in many ways.  However, when it comes to hedgehog Christmas gifts, it was great! My son and his wife gave me the adorable "Awakening" hedgehog cushion by Wrendale Design. It even has a beautiful back displaying some of their many woodland creatures. They also gave me the precious Wrendale Christmas ornament with two hedgehogs touching noses under the mistletoe. I love them so much!

My dear hedgehog friend didn't forget me either. She cross-stitched a lovely hedgehog ornament, complete with a Christmas star button! It is proudly displayed on my new hedgehog Christmas tree. This year, my hedgehog friend found a Victorian "feather" tree, and I thought it was such a good idea that I got one too.

Last, but certainly not least, a special friend gave me the sweet, fluffy hedgehog skiing along with his blue scarf. What a cute face he has!

HEDGEHOGS FOR ALL SEASONS

The fact that I'm posting a Thanksgiving Day card in January says that I'm really behind in posting new additions to my collection. No excuses. This happy card and the jaunty felt ornament arrived as a surprise from my dear hedgehog friend! There is nothing as sweet as a homemade ornament, and it is now on my Christmas tree (which is still decorated with hedgehogs.) Again, no excuses.

This shiny, gold hedgehog tape dispenser is made by Scotch 3M. It's heavy and easy to use. I decided to give myself a Christmas gift this year, and I did use it for wrapping packages. It made Christmas gift-wrapping even more fun!

 

A WONDERFUL HEDGEHOG PACKAGE FROM VIENNA

The wonderfully generous Connie (The Hedgehog Collector) from Vienna, Austria, sent a package brimming with dinner napkins and cards. My hedgehog friend from Kansas and I each have a set. We have been having Zoom meetings with Connie, and it's a lot of fun!

Most of these images are ones I've never seen.  It seems Europeans have admired hedgehogs for decades before Americans even knew what they were.

I do love all the hedgehog cuteness! The next two pictures are cards and stationery. We can't thank Connie enough for sharing!!!

 

MORE BELATED BIRTHDAY GIFTS

We were lucky enough to have a visit from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law around the time of my birthday. She always gathers up hedgehogs when she sees them and saves them to give to me. I know the white salt and pepper hedgehogs by Creative Co-op came from the Portland Art Museum. The furry little guy with a mushroom and a big smile came from somewhere in Europe, and the tiny hedgehog with them is just cute.

When she said I probably already had this woodland hedgehog with the sticks for quills, I said I didn't but I have his mother! Now they are reunited.  They do look very much the same. She also said she thought she should cut back on giving me hedgehogs. I said that's fine.  Now we'll see if she can really do it!

 

 

BELATED BIRTHDAY HEDGEHOGS

This whimsical hedgehog billfold by Chala Handbags was a birthday gift from my son and his wife. I love the fall colors! I had a key-chain coin purse that matches it, which was a gift from my sister-in-law. I'm lucky to have such sweet and thoughtful relatives!

I don't always post cards, but these two were exceptionally great!

 

TWO BLUE HEDGEHOGS, ONE OLD AND ONE NEW

I have a wonderful sister-in-law who always finds hedgehogs for me when she travels. This cheery felt and cloth trivet came all the way from Estonia! Someday I should make a list of the various country origins that make up the history of my hedgehog collection. That sounds like fun!

BIZARRE BLUE HEDGEHOG TOY

I'm not sure what to say about this hedgehog toy, also a gift from my sister-in-law in 2013. I know she found it at a street market in a U.S. city. Recently, it has attracted some comments to the blog. It's video wasn't working anymore, but thanks to my son, it is up and running again.  You can be the judge by clicking on the link. Just don't have the volume up too loud. Imagine having to listen to it for more than a few minutes, which would be impossible for most.

OCTOBER HEDGEHOG BIRTHDAY SURPRISES

Some great things about having an October birthday are the cute fall hedgehogs. My sweet "hedgehog friend" made this beautiful candle or penny mat for my birthday. I love the colors she chose and the tiny buttons on the mushrooms! She is so talented in stitchery, quilting, and related arts. I'm truly impressed!

Another adorable birthday gift is from a dear friend who happened to see these cute, cute fall hedgehog towels while she was strolling through Kohl's. They have really brightened up my kitchen, and I smile every time I see them.

I don't know where another great friend of mine ran across this festive hedgehog, because she's not much of a shopper. The corrugated tin and the little pumpkins stuck to his sides make this such a unique and clever decoration. I'll look forward to putting him out every fall! I'm so happy to have friends who think of me with hedgehogs on my birthday.

PRECIOUS HEDGEHOG ORNAMENTS

I have a new "hedgehog friend," and I couldn't be more thrilled. We share the same love of hedgehogs, and she lives only four hours away! My husband and I went to visit her and her husband at their beautiful farm on a spectacular fall-like day. She had a lovely table set, complete with a delicious hedgehog cheese ball and my favorite German beer.

I was so surprised when she presented me with a gift! She had made the precious hedgehog ornaments at the top of the page. I can't express how much I love them! Even the backs of the ornaments are so sweet! She also made the box for the ornaments and included a beautiful card.

I know this is just the beginning of a wonderful friendship! There will be many fun times ahead and, of course, much more about hedgehogs!

HEDGEHOG GIFTS FROM GRANDCHILDREN

Even though I'm sure they had help picking them out, I did receive some hedgehog gifts from the grandchildren. I have two new books to add to my collection and an especially cute zippered bag. What makes it extra-special are their initials on the tummies of the hand-holding hedgehogs! As a background, I included some of the cheerful gift wrap that my son and daughter-in-law used to wrap one of my gifts.