Stella the Squirrel, Caramel Colored

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometmes you don't. Stella feels like a nut.

Los Angeles based artist Chika constructs these intricately detailed felt animals entirely by hand, and she does so with blanket stitches that are so teeny tiny you'll need a magnifying glass. Details are appliquéd and embroidered including french knot pupils and eyelashes. So as the gift-giving adult you need to know that these diminutive creatures fall more into the fine art category than a toy - they are delicate and should be handled gently. Make them part of a special quiet time, allowing them to come down from the shelf to join in interactive storytelling. These will become childhood mementos that will be treasured into adulthood. (How's that for schmaltzy!)