Growing Family

It's been another busy evening in our house!  The sock monkey family is ever expanding here with lots of new characters to share adventures with me in my next books.  I will soon be introducing more of my sock friends who may not all be monkeys...!

My new friends don't grow on trees; some are the result of lots of care and patients from Jo our creative director and photographer or Granny M who bought Christmas Bear to life or Mumsie (Yvonne) who bought Witchey into our lives.  Both Granny M and Mumsie are gifted with a talent for knitting.  This is not a talent that Jo possesses, unless the creature happens to be square - Owl.  Jo specialises  in monkeys but is branching out to design different sock creatures who I will be able to introduce you to soon.  In the mean time, I have been patiently awaiting the arrival of Woolly Monkey...

Almost there...

Hello Woolly Monkey!  Welcome to the family!

The cast - Introducing Witchey

I'd like to introduce my good friend Witchey!

She is both a member of our cast and also a good friend.  People can sometimes be nervous around her but she is the most kind hearted of souls.  She may be green and cast the occasional spell (for good) but there is no need to fear her.  Let me tell you Witchey's story...

Witchey was born on the 31st of October and grew up in a small town called Burley in the New Forest renowned for it's history of witch craft and folklore, including a milk drinking dragon!

She didn't have many friends at school but those she did have were very special to her and have stood by her through good and bad times.  Sometimes it is hard when you are a bit different to the other children but when you find your kindred spirits, you should hold on to them forever.

Witchey has a spells degree from witch college and she enjoys nothing more than snuggling in with her favorite meal frogs legs and eye of newt soup with a good spell book.

Here is the gang preparing Witchey for her latest photo shoot.  We all work as a team here; just like one big family.

Thank you to Witchey for sharing your story with us, Mary Monkey x

The History of Sock Monkeys

As sock monkeys, Woolly Monkey and I wanted to find out more about our history and ancestors.  I suppose you could say that we are not traditional sock monkeys because we don't have the tell tale red mouth that you see on 'vintage red heel' sock monkeys but we are all the same in spirit!  So this is what we found out...

In 1868 in a place called Rockford, Illinois, a Swedish man called John Nelson designed a machine to make socks.  His sock making business grew into the Nelson Knitting Company where they made the 'Nelson Sock'.  In around 1932, John's son, Franklin Nelson designed a machine that could make seamless socks that went on to be known as the 'Rockford Red Heel'.  When the socks were worn out they were used to create our original ancestors with their traditional red mouths during the Great Depression to comfort children all across America. 

Love Mary and Woolly Monkey x

Meet the Crew - Mark and Philip

Introducing our catering team!

Mark and Philip are always working hard to bring the most delightful culinary experiences to the hard working team.  Be it bananas for me and the other sock monkeys, frogs legs and eye of newt soup for Witchey or figgy pudding for Christmas Bear; they will accommodate any needs.  With Philip's creative flair and Mark's inspiration and imagination, you can guarantee a recipe for success!

With love to you both, Mary Monkey x

Meet the crew - Yvonne and Sylvia

No crew would be complete without wardrobe!

Special thanks go out to Yvonne and Sylvia for their care and dedication to fashion and design.  They have been friends since their school years and have encouraged us all with their commitment to family and friendship.  Yvonne and Sylvia have always been fashion gurus and will continue to advise with current trends and fashion; thank you for your continued hard work.

Mary Monkey x

Meet the Crew - Jo

Dear all,

I'd like to introduce my creative director and photographer Jo.

She studied biology and graphical design at college.  Although she has pursued a career in Pharmacy Aseptics, she still has a passion for creativity and design.  She is a most beloved friend of mine and I thank her for her time and commitment to our joint passion for creating enjoyment and memories for our family and friends.  Everything that we are doing together now is thanks to the encouragement and support of Yvonne, Jo's mum, who believes in us and in never letting go of something you love,

Mary Monkey x

Mary's New Year Resolution

Hello everybody,

Happy new year to you all!  I've had a very busy year in 2015 and as part of my new year's resolution, I have decided to tell you all about what I've been up to in the form of a 'behind the scenes' style blog.  

It's the start of another exciting year and I am looking forward to starting my own website bringing together all of the hard work that we have been doing over the last few months together.  

As another year begins, I'm thinking about my family and how much they mean to me.  All my books so far have got a strong family influence and my next book will be no exception.  I am busy planning my next adventure and as my blog continues, you too will be able to meet the family that I am so proud to call my own and the roles that they play in my life.

Once again, I hope that your new year brings happiness and joy to you and all those you love,

Mary Monkey x