This cute and characterful keepsake koala is a simply wonderful way to repurpose those beloved items of clothing that your little one wore. Guaranteed to be treasured for years to come, this keepsake kola will be loved by children and adults alike.
Made from the clothes that your little one has grown out of, as well as other precious items that you want to keep and treasure, this koala is sure to become one of your most beloved possessions. This keepsake is a truly special way to reuse garments and upcycle preloved clothes.
Your keepsake koala will be lovingly handmade by our team, ensuring each one is completely unique to you. Choose your favourite items from when they were young - make sure you send us enough material according to our guidelines. If the baby grows are premature or newborn size, we’ll definitely need the maximum. You can leave us special instructions at the checkout so we know which are your favourite items, and we’ll do our best to include them how you wish.
Sizes
If you are having a large animal we need at least two items of slightly longer clothing (e.g. a bigger baby grow, a little blanket etc) as some of the pattern pieces are quite big. If you only have smaller items that is fine, but please be aware we may need to use more seams).
Adult Clothing: We only need one decent sized item of adult clothing per animal, but people usually prefer to send more. 2 - 3 items per animal is ideal, 5 is the maximum we would suggest.
While our keepsakes can be machine washed at 40 degrees, we would recommend that they are hand washed and dried naturally. Do not tumble dry. The stuffing is 100% CE tested polyester.
As these can be delicate items, often made from very well-worn clothes, they can not be CE tested and therefore come with the following: Warning: This product is not suitable for persons under the age of 14 years. Pattern is by LoveKeepCreate Ltd.
More Details & How It Works
There can be a real variation in the appearance of the animals depending upon the clothing that we receive. Please ensure that you do look through the full product photo picture selection in order to get a good idea of how the appearance can vary.
Once you’ve placed your order, you’ll receive an email telling you how to send us your clothes. If you have got a lot of special requests and additions then, depending on the complexity, we may contact you to request an additional payment to cover the cost of making these.
We can make your animal weigh the same as your child did when they were born, up to a maximum of 10lb.
Weighting is only available on certain keepsakes, as shown in the table below. Where it is available, you must select the larger size.
Please be aware that weighted keepsakes will appear a lot bigger than they do in the main product photos and will generally have much chubbier looking limbs. As with all the keepsakes, generally the older/more worn the clothing, the more stretched it will look on the final item, but this is particularly so with weighted keepsakes. It does not mean that they are overstuffed.
Up to 7lb | Up to 7lb 5oz | Up to 8lb | Up to 10lb | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mouse | Yes | No | No | No |
Cat | Yes | No | No | No |
Bunny | Yes | No | No | No |
Lion | Yes | No | No | No |
Elephant | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Koala | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Monkey | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Fox | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Bear | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pig | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
We get a lot of questions about the clothing which can be used. This should answer all your questions!
Types of Clothing: We use baby grows as a guide for numbers of items (below) but you can send us pretty much any clothing. We can work with all kinds of materials - if they are delicate/knitted then sometimes we back them with another fabric for stability. We struggle to work with very chunky knits and we can’t use plastic rainwear or swimwear. On the whole we can do most things, however the wider the variety of fabrics the less ‘uniform’ the finished item will look.
Number of Items: As a guide to what to send in we ask the for equivalent number of babygrows. This assumes babygrows that are approximately 0-6months. If they are tiny babygrows, vest, tops, trousers etc then they would count as half a babygrow. Equally, if the items are much bigger babygrows, or dresses with quite a bit of fabric to them etc, then you may be able to send less. Generally we would say it is better to send slightly too much than too little.
Notes: Please do tell us in a note with the clothes which are the favourites, especially if you are sending more than we’ve asked for, so that we can make sure they appear prominently on the finished item. Please do tell us if you want a bit of everything using. If you don’t, and we don’t need it all, then we will make a decision about what to use and will send back any uncut items. Similarly, it is really important to let us know if you are sending in certain items which are particular favourites, or if you want bits of detailing etc using in a particular way. We will always do our best to adhere to these requests, although it may not always be possible.
Quality: Obviously the most worn items of clothing are often the favourites and we love these. However, please be aware that the more stretched/worn/washed something is, the more delicate the finished item will be as stitches are more likely to pull into little tiny holes on seams. Also, more won/stretchy fabric tends to look more stretched – obviously! This doesn’t mean it is over-stuffed, it is just a consequence of the fabric. We think it still looks lovely, but you just need to be aware that it may look more different to the pictures on the product pages. There are lots of customer photos on our Facebook page so please do look there for more real life examples. We strongly encourage customers to look at the customer photos so that you can get a good idea of the variety in appearance of the products.
Offcuts: We do keep remnants of fabric for a short amount of time after dispatching your order, so if you aren’t happy, or want something back, you need to tell us quickly. Once your order is dispatched then we usually recycle remaining fabric within a few weeks.
How do I send them in? Once you have placed your order you will receive a confirmation email with postage instructions. Please follow the instructions! It is really important to make sure the order reference and a senders address is on the outside of the parcel.
Customer Reviews5.05 5.0/5 Based on 8 reviewsShow all reviews
PerfectReviewed by Katiecoleman03 on 19 Apr 2022
The Kola was chosen for my cousins daughter, who lives in Australia, after our Grandfathers passing. It is perfect and an amazing comfort to her (until her daughter is old enough to have it herself haha).
AmazingReviewed by Jwc09 on 28 Jan 2022
It was the item of my mums and absolutely love the koalas you made for me x
KoalaReviewed by Gilliemam on 22 Nov 2021
Really pleased with my duplicate Koalas, just I needed to think on what coloured clothes I send the next time to ensure they go together!
KoalaReviewed by Hawkinssheila on 24 Sep 2021
So delighted with this beautiful toy my granddaughter is thrilled, the colour co ordinating and work that has gone into it is amazing, Thank you
Very pleasedReviewed by Sarahrichards761 on 28 Dec 2020
Keep sake Purchased for my daughter. Really good quality, we are so pleased with how they turned out. Lovely way to remember her grandad
Mainland UK Delivery Rates
Delivery Option | Dispatch Time | Delivery Time | Tracked | Signed For | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Keepsake | Approx 4 weeks from receipt of clothes | 24 Hours | Yes | Yes | £7.50 |
Standard Non-Keepsake | 3 - 5 Working Days | 2 - 3 Working Days | No | No | £3.50 |
1 Week Express (Keepsakes Only) | Within 1 week from receipt of clothes | 24 Hours | Yes | Yes | £30.00 |
European Delivery Rates
Delivery Option | Dispatch Time | Delivery Time | Tracked | Signed For | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Keepsake | Approx 4 weeks from receipt of clothes | 2 Working Days | Yes | Yes | £20 |
Standard Non-Keepsake | 3 - 5 Working Days | 2 - 3 Working Days | No | No | £5 |
1 Week Express (Keepsakes Only) | Within 1 week from receipt of clothes | 24 Hours | Yes | Yes | £30 |
Non-Mainland UK and International Delivery
We are able to process orders from non-mainland UK addresses, including the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Delivery surcharges for the relevant postcodes are calculated at the checkout. Delivery charges for any address outside of the non-mainland UK will cover shipping only. From 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom (UK) is no longer a member of the European Union (EU). If you buy goods from the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) from 1 January 2021, you may incur charges. Love Keep Create will not be held liable for any additional charges.
How quickly will my order arrive?
Our aim is to dispatch all non-bespoke, non personalised orders within one working day.
For keepsake items you will get an order confirmation as soon as you place your order, with instructions for posting the clothing to us. The average turnaround time for keepsakes is approximately 4 weeks. Orders placed using the Express services can be completed within 1 week of us receiving the clothing, depending on the level chosen.
We will send you a notification email when your order has been dispatched. The time your order takes to arrive will depend on the delivery option you choose. All personalised keepsakes are sent via fully tracked and signed for 24hr DPD service (delivery only made on working days).
Non personalised items are sent via Royal Mail First Class.
While we always try our best to dispatch every order following the above guidelines, during extremely busy periods dispatch times may increase.
How can I track the status of my order?
You will receive an email to confirm we have received your order and that your payment has been accepted. You will also receive an email when your order has been dispatched.
In your dispatch confirmation email we will include any relevant tracking numbers, allowing you to track your parcel on the DPD Local website.
What days will my order be delivered on?
Our couriers deliver between 07.00 and 18.00 Monday to Friday.
Will I need to sign for my order?
If you have chosen the ‘signed for’ delivery option, you will have to sign for your parcel upon receipt, unless you use the DPD link provided in the email/text to give them delivery instructions (such as leaving the parcel in a safe place, with a neighbour, delivering on a different day etc).
Special delivery instructions
If you have any special instructions for delivery, such as leaving your parcel with a neighbour, please include them in the ‘special instructions’ section at the checkout. Please note that our couriers will not respond to notes left on doors for security reasons.
I have a query regarding my delivery?
If you have any queries regarding your delivery please ring us on 0333 444 9144 or email us at info@lovekeepcreate.co.uk:
If we cannot deliver your order within the specified time period we will make every attempt to contact you and provide an expected delivery time. If this delivery time is not suitable, you can cancel your order and we will provide a full refund.
Collect in person
You are able to collect your order from our premises by choosing the relevant option at the checkout. At this point delivery charges will be removed. You can collect your order from:
Unit 8 Burrington Business Park
Burrington Road
Plymouth
PL5 3LX
How carefully is my order packaged?
We take great care in packaging your order using the necessary materials according to its weight, size and how fragile it is.
What do I do if my order arrives damaged?
If any item you receive from us arrives damaged, please contact us as soon as possible on 0333 444 9144 or by email at info@lovekeepcreate.co.uk. We will then advise you on the best course of action. In most cases we will ask you to return the item to us for an exchange or refund. We cannot take back keepsake animals unless the item is actually faulty.
Please do not return a damaged order to us without contacting us first.
We cannot accept personalised items back unless they are actually faulty. Please note that there is a wide variation in how the keepsakes come out, due to the very different natures of the fabrics we receive and the final item may well not look exactly like the pictures on our product pages. If you are not happy with your order for any reason please get in touch straight away to discuss it.
Non personalised items can be returned in their original condition and packaging within 14 days of delivery. We will then either replace the item or, if you prefer, offer a full refund of the goods less the original delivery charges. All return postage is the responsibility of the purchaser and we recommend that you obtain a proof of postage receipt from the Post Office.
Our return address is:
Unit 8 Burrington Business Park
Burrington Road
Plymouth
PL5 3LX