Introducing hi tree + The Land of Nod

September 17, 2015

Almost 2 years ago I connected with Michelle Kohanzo, Managing Director of Land of Nod on Instagram like this:

The answer was: I was wondering the same thing? and YES.

What I didn't say (but wanted to) was OMG YES I'VE BEEN STALKING LAND OF NOD FOR 3 YEARS YES PLEASE OMG.

So now nearly two years later we have the hi tree + Land of Nod line with some giant plush boulder buddies, a big tree stump canopy and some super cute stroller toys and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Transplanting this huge tree playhouse into your living room is a great idea. It features playful embroidered details, and plenty of room for your little ones to play. We tried transplanting an actual tree into the living room, but this playhouse wo… — Transplanting this huge tree playhouse into your living room is a great idea. It features playful embroidered details, and plenty of room for your little ones to play. We tried transplanting an actual tree into the living room, but this playhouse worked much better.

Our Boulder Buddy Pouf is the softest rock to have ever been discovered. It's super comfy to sit on and features a super friendly face. It also weighs much less than an actual boulder buddy. Designed exclusively for us by Hi Tree.

Your baby can experience plenty of natural wonders with our Sightseeing Rattle. Each super soft rattle features a friendly face and fabric loop that attaches to strollers or activity gyms. Designed exclusively for us by Hi Tree.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Land of Nod at www.landofnod.com. I couldn't have asked for a better company to team up with. Everything they make is ridiculously adorable and very well made responsibly.

How to become the McGyver of Pom Poms

September 25, 2014

Hey Guys! After months of cleaning up, migrating to squarespace and seemingly endless redesigns, I'm super excited to be relaunching my blog! I thought it would be nice to start off with a lovely little lesson on how to make A LOT of pom poms all at once. I think the technical term is butt load, but whatever gets the point across.

So here we go!

First you will want to find a chair or a stool. I chose this stool because we have a deep psychic connection. Just kidding, it swivels around in circles which will definitely make the process a lot easier.

Then you will want to grab some yarn. You are going to want to use both ends of the yarn. The more yarn the better.

Tie the end of the yarn to one of the legs of the chair/stool/thing with legs.

Start wrapping that yarn around and around. Don't pull it too tightly and do not get dizzy.

This is where I like to throw the yarn onto the floor like a diva. The yarn likes the floor. It unravels much faster that way. Just leave it down there.

Ok, now back to wrapping.

Keep going.

OKAY that's probably enough.

Now, cut two short pieces of yarn, put them together and tie them around the lovely spool of yarn you just made. It's SUPER important that you use two pieces together, so it'll be strong enough to hold.

Tie them incrementally all the way around, about 3 inches apart. If you want to be sure all of the pom poms will be equal in size and density then be sure your knots are equidistant.

Don't let those pesky corners get the best of you. Show them who's boss.

YAY! We made it all the way around.

Now get your scissors.

What would life be like without scissors?

Now you have what appears to be an intestine made of yarn. You could stop here if that's what you're going for.

You see what's happening here, right?

My scissors were jealous that they were only included in one photo, so I let them pose in another.

Yeah. No. Just cut in between the knots, all the way around.

Keep chopping.

Oh look! The last one looks like a piece of candy (don't eat it).

These are my lovely friend Gracie's hands. She just happened to show up for a visit at the perfect time for me to use her fingers. Mine are busy holding a camera.

Snip snip snip all around the edges to get the perfect ball shape.

YAY! YOU DID IT! YOU'RE AMAZING!

Now that you have 12 tons of pom poms you can bury your dog in them. If they're anything like my dog, it'll be a dream come true.

A few important things to know:

The more yarn you wrap around the legs and the wider apart you tie the knots, the larger your pom poms will be.

The less yarn you wrap and closer together you tie the knots the smaller they will turn out.

Feel free to leave any questions in the comments!

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hi tree tutortial in issue 11 of Crafty Magazine!

February 18, 2014

Hi friends!

Exciting news! I wrote a tutorial for this super cutes log bag so that you can make one all by yourself. So now you don't need me to make you one any more. All you need to do is go pick up a copy of Crafty Magazine Issue 11 at Barnes and Noble or download a digital copy in the itunes app store and get your sewing on. Email me if you have any questions!

New web site yay!

January 29, 2014

This is a momentous occasion. After almost 7 years of being in business I finally have MY OWN website. That I built. Say whaaaat? Yes, It has literally taken me FOREVER to accomplish but I DID IT ALL BY MYSELF. Add "web designer" to my list of skills and duties.

I'm still getting used to this fancy new blog engine for new blog posts. Luckily I was able to import my old blogger posts here. You will find those below.

A few exciting things happening. Here's the short list:

Hi Tree is currently featured in the latest issue of Stuffed Magazine. This is a super cute magazine packed with great plush artists. I'm so honored they chose me to be in the issue.

Also, photographer Jack Strutz came by my home studio for his photo series "A Day Spent".

"If the LA based home studio of plush maker Tina Rodas was a person, it would be the identical twin Tina never knew she had."

Yes, I agree with you, Jack. Thank you. It looks like a unicorn puked all over my studio.

To Check out Jack's write up and awesome photos click here.

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That's all for now. Please click around the site and let me know if you find and bugs or have any suggestions. You can email me at tina@hitree.com.

hi Mr. Pine Tree!

April 26, 2012

Yesterday was a big day over here at hi tree. I had an IDEA. Sometimes those can be few and far between and other times they just flow like water.

Let me break it down for you. I had an Idea, then this happened.

I think it's rather fantastic, but I'm a little crazy so just bare with me here. I've retired the old pine tree design indefinitely and in it's place will be this little guy. He is now available for purchase in my store!

He has been sitting on my work table since I completed him yesterday and every time I leave the room I hear a tiny voice singing, I quickly turn around and catch him singing songs about pinecones. What is up with that?

Also, I made a new notebook design.

Setting up for the North East Los Angeles Art Walk in my dear friend Sonia Romeros studio.

There was a popcorn fight and naturally I decided it would be a good idea to go swimming in the popcorn.

And now for some pictures of my studio/ work space.

Little mushroom pins that go with the Tree Stump Pincushion.

I don't know what I would do with out this Ikea shelf.

That's all for now!

<3 Tina

Earth Day and the New New

April 18, 2012

Ladybug Girl! Now available in the shop.

Hello earthlings! As I type this I am sitting on a GIANT rock flying through space at approximately 66,600 miles per hour. There also appears to be a giant flaming ball of gas near by, it looks pretty hot. I don't think we should get too close. MIND BLOWN.

I'm releasing a ton of new spring stuff. Yay! Here are some of the items you can now find in the store.

Owl Composition Notebook Cover

Owl Composition Notebook Cover

Four Leaf Clover Headbands

iPad covers are also in the works. I just finished flushing out all of the design details, so check back in with me NEXT WEEK if this is something you are interested in!

That's all for now!

DOLL CUTENESS ASSAULT

November 11, 2011

Oh, hey!

I wanted to take a moment to show all 5 of you that read my blog some of the new dolls that I have been making. Since they don't really seem to make it past the

facebook hi tree fan page

without getting snatched up, no one gets to see them! And it's been a proverbial doll making sweat shop over here.

So prepare to be assaulted with cuteness. SOME of the following dolls are available for purchase but will not be up in my shop until next week.