Tag: needle felting

DIY 341: Fall for felt acorns

A year ago, my fab sister sent me a felted acorn as a talisman for a new adventure on which I was about to embark. So charmed by the token, I have made several for friends as gifts since then. This Friday I say good-bye to a treasured friend who is moving in a new direction, and I will give her one. Since I was at it, I thought I’d document the making since it is so easy. Here’s how it’s done:

Ball up some felt about the size of the nut removed from the cap

Drop a bit of craft glue in the cap and stuff the felt ball into it

Using a felting needle against a thick (clean) sponge, start to jab at the felt to form a tight ball

Keep poking at it to sculpt the felt — reduce the size and increase compactness

Glue and tie to the stem a pretty ribbon for hanging. Mine dangles form my rear view mirror and reminds me of my sister every day.

Tiny pockets made from felted sweaters

These necklaces are a pretty place to hold my treasures: “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck.” I don’t know why I say it whenever I find a penny because it is admittedly dorky. The other day, though, I had the time to stop myself to think about it and that’s when it hit me: The act of picking something up that is as insignificant as a penny shows your gratitude for the littlest things in life. Isn’t gratitude the secret to good luck? I think it is! So now I never pass up the opportunity to get one penny richer!

The necklaces are made from seed beads, vintage buttons, felted sweaters, and decorated with embroidery and needle felting. In addition to that penny I find, these pendants are a pretty place to put a treasured photo. Here are other ones I have made: click here.

xoxSarah

 

Needle felted Eiffel Tower

I was sitting shop for a friend the other day and had my Felt Kit with me (I take it everywhere like people carry around books to pass the time). Low on supplies~having only a felted wool sweater sleeve and white roving~I simply started working to see what would happen.

Now I am not one for overused icons, but there was something in me that said this dark, blank canvas~a little sleeve end sewn up to make a phone protector~was Paris at night. I thought, "Okay now, what is in Paris at night?" Well, the Eiffel Tower, of course. It’s lit up from tip to toe.

I needle felted this version of the so-famous-martians-know-what-it-is tower. Turns out the stab holes from the needle do a pretty good job of simulating the look of the lights. Finally, I embroidered "Bonsoir" ("Good evening") on the back. I intended to give it to a friend, but my phone is so comfortable in it, I may keep it for myself and make her another one.

Wool sweater sleeve covers a flower pot

September is a busy month for birthdays. That means I am extra crafty this time of year. My awesome mother-in-law’s birthday is today and I whipped out this cute little thing in under an hour. She loves to have herbs on her sill for easy picking, so I think she’ll be thrilled.

I used a wool sweater that didn’t end up felting in the wash. What you see here is the end of the sleeve (the cuff is at the bottom of the pot.) It’s easy to do. Find a pot that fits into the arm hole of the sweater. It could be any sweater, actually, not just wool. Slip the pot in, and cut the arm high enough so it tucks in but doesn’t hit the bottom. Then, drop in a small potted plant. This Sage plant was purchased at a local nursery.

I had to add a little something special, of course, so I needle felted two mushrooms in her favorite colors.

Needle felting is a kick a** process!

Alright~you got me…I should be nose-to-the-grindstone in my novel rewrite, but I discovered how to needle felt. Holy Crow! (As Aunt Midge always says). I’m in love!

Check out these little pouches I just made while taking a break from the book. They are so small, in fact, that I am hanging them on beaded chains and calling them modern craft lockets. When I get home I’m putting pics of my favorite peeps in there.

Now back to work!