There are few things on TV as entertaining as Shark Tank. Or maybe that’s just me. I just love watching entrepreneurs try to pitch their horrible ideas to the “sharks” that have more money than they will ever know what to do with. Seriously. I want to be on the show and just ask them for money. I will pitch my dream life: Please pay for me to travel the country and try cheeseburgers everywhere. I think they’d be completely on board. It’s definitely a better idea than some of the ones I’ve seen. Typically as I watch, my thought process goes something like this:

“Oh look at this woman, she’s so organized. Her idea is going to be great.”

“She wants HOW MUCH MONEY?”

“For that????”

“No one is going to invest in this product.”

“Who would buy that?”

“I knew it. All sharks are out.”

“Oh no. She’s crying?! Oh god.”

“Okay just give her the money! She can’t take the pressure!”

“I guess her product has potential! I could use one of those.”

“I could totally put that in the White Elephant gift exchange at Christmas.”

Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some good ideas on Shark Tank. Like the guy last week, who stole my idea that I stole from someone else. Who does he think he is? I took this idea fair and square from someone else who had it first. He should be ashamed of himself. Or at least give me a cut. Okay I’ll settle for a cheeseburger.

I’m sure by now (unless you’re seriously clueless), you’ve figured out what the idea was. My cousin’s daughter E wanted her drawing turned into a stuffed animal. My cousin is by far an amazing mother who had every intention on sending this drawing in to one of the companies online that can do this for her. Even with the price tag of up to $150! I mean if she didn’t get the Mom of the Year award for that, I don’t know what would. Because the sites she found were back ordered until July, she asked me if she thought I could do it. Of course I could. How hard could it be?!

Ugh.
It was so hard. I had a relatively easy time sewing it together until I got to the head. I ended up having to hot glue the head on. Which E immediately noticed when she received it in the mail. But that didn’t deter her from absolutely loving it. Which gave me the back pat I needed after the excruciating process.

If you’d like to attempt to make your own, here’s a few tips: Print out the original drawing, cut it out to shape. If you’re able to blow it up on the printer, that is your best option for accurate shape. Cut material to size, leaving 1/4 inch extra for seam. Details, details, details. The animal may look a little odd, but the point is to make the stuffed animal as close as you can to the original drawing. I used felt for the “black spot” on the cat’s tail, and cut holes in it for accuracy. I also used felt for the facial features. Overall, it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Just ask E.