Saturday, April 28, 2012

Mr. Snuffleupagus, Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?

He's not invisible, He just has bad timing! –Martin Robinson

Mr. Snuffleupagus, who everybody affectionately calls Snuffy, lives in a cave at 456 Snuffle Circle with his parents and younger sister Alice. Snuffy is approximately 8 feet tall and 15 feet long. He and Big Bird are the best of friends, and although for more than 14 years everyone on Sesame Street thought that Snuffy was imaginary, there's not a person or monster on Sesame Street who doesn't know and love him today.


Snuffy made his first appearance on November 8, 1971. He is built on a rattan framework, which is attached to a steadycam backpack and requires two puppeteers to operate. Throughout the years various performers have put on the Snuffleupagus costume, but since 1980 Martin Robinson has been the principal performer on Snuffy's front end. He does Snuffy's front legs and navigates through the use of a monitor inside the head. Marty operates the eyes and trunk with his left hand, the mouth with his right and also does the voice. Bryant Young is the main performer at the back end, although several others have also played the part. From his first appearance in 1971 to mid-season in 1985, everyone thought Mr. Snuffleupagus was Big Bird's imaginary friend due to a constant series of near-meetings. The producers decided to reveal him to the entire cast because they were worried that children might believe that the adults in their lives wouldn't believe them when they told them something important and choose, instead, to remain silent.

More Mysterious Mr. Snuffleupagus Facts:
Full Name: Aloysius Snuffleupagus
Age: 4
Birthday: August 19
Favorite expression: “Ohhh, dear!”
Best friend: Big Bird
Favorite food: cabbage, spaghetti and sasafrass tea
Favorite activities: Attending the opera, roller skating and tap dancing
Shoe Size: 65 triple G


Pattern by Michelle Thompson
Piece Count: 91
Block Size: 10"
Fabrics:
Moda Marbles: Cyan Blue, Chestnut & Bubblegum Pink
Kona Cotton: Snow & Black

11 comments:

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

-so cute, I just love the facts *lol*

Amy said...

Mr. Snuffleupagus is my favorite! Can't wait to see what other characters make it. Do I see Grover in the future?

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Oh I hope cookie monster is next!

Barb said...

Oh....this quilt is going to be soooo awesome...

Julie said...

So cute!

Shay said...

It used to really bother me that nobody believed Big Bird.

Cute as!

Paulette said...

Aw, so cute! I sure love seeing each one of these. You are doing an awesome job on them!

Jill said...

Snuffy has always been my favorite. I even put him on birthday party invitations one year. My top three favs are Snuffy, Big Bird and Oscar. So glad Snuffy was not left out of this project.

Richard Healey said...

I love that quilt you are working on its just fantastic.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com
http://blog.beccacooks.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Elizabeth,

What a beeauuuutiiiful quilt! I actually found your blog by doing a Google image search for Snuffy cookie cutters. My husband and I are puppeteers and we are friends with the original, ORIGINAL puppeteer who did Snuffy waaaay back when. His name is Michael Earl and he is currently fighting colon cancer. A website has been set up to help raise money for him to pay medical bills. Here is a link in case you are interested.

http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?url=michaelearlcancerfund&fundraiser_id=9428

My husband and I are also quilters and love to quilt when we have the time. I love your paper piecing patterns for these Muppet characters. Did you happen to make the patterns? Do you have a Snuffy pattern? I would love to get my hands on some of these if you have them available for sale or free :o)

My husband and his twin have their own puppet company called Swazzle. On Oct. 20 we are having a workshop sale to try to raise money for Michael. Here's a link with more info.
http://swazzle.com/wp/?p=1460

I know this is totally random, but let me know if you would be interested in helping out in any way.

My email is ladybuglee@yahoo.com

Take Care,
Victoria

Anonymous said...

Hi Elizabeth,

It's me, Victoria again! I looked a little closer at your pattern and realized it was a pattern by Michelle Thompson. I looked it up and am now enjoying it as a free download. I should have paid better attention the first time. You really did a gorgeous job on these blocks! Such attention to detail! I know this is a tricky pattern. You really knocked it out of the park!