Stash Happy Felt Book Review

I have been reviewing some fun felty books lately and today I have another one to share with you. This one is Stash Happy Felt 30 Fun Projects For Felt (and Fabric) Lovers by Amanda Carestio. There are quite a few designers combined in this book to make a fantastic book full of fun projects.

There are lots of great projects in this book.  Each one has step by step instructions, as well as templates that can be found in the back of the book.  Some templates need to be enlarged and some of full size.

Here are a few projects in the book.

 

I love the owl lunch bag and may make one to take the kids after school snacks in. 

Fantastic Trivets.

Cute sewing machine cover.

These two little guys are woodland bears and so cute.

I needed a new pin cushion so I decided to make this cute little whale.  It works up VERY fast!...and was so fun to make!

Sorry about the pictures.  It is cloudy today and I can not get a good picture. The felt I used is actually a pretty aqua blue. I only made one of the little covered pins because I wanted you to see them.  I didn't have to pins with the big flat heads but plan to get some so I can make the cute fish and other water spouts to go with him.

Here is his tummy with the big heart. I hand sewed my whale instead of using the machine because I had a SMALL phobia of my sewing machine. I had fun making him.  My little man saw him when he was finished and wanted to know if it was for him. Now he wants one. 

I really like this book and can't wait to make some of the other goodies. If you liked any of the projects shown, you can go over to the Lark Crafts website and get free bonus projects as well as some of the projects from the book.

Bauble Bracelet

Penny Rug Bouquet

Hexy Stocking

Woven E-Reader Case

Woolen Tree Trio

Felt Blooms Wreath

Purple Gift Tag

Fascinator Headband

Now go make some of these fantastic projects, and if you do please come back here and let me know which ones and how you liked them.

How To: Make A Puppy Keychain

How To: Make A Puppy Keychain.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been reviewing some wonderful craft books. Yesterday, I shared about making some cute keychains from the book Happy Stitch.  Today I am sharing a little how to for a cute puppy keychain that I designed.

To make Patches the Puppy, you will need…

- The template sheet at the bottom of this post.

- Cream felt, approx. 3” x 6” (5 ½ x 15 cm)

- Tan felt, approx. 7 ½” x 8 ½” (19 x 22cm)

- Small piece of dark brown felt

- Matching sewing thread or embroidery floss (thread)

- Stuffing

- 4” (10cm) piece of brown 5/8” (15mm) ribbon

- 1 small key ring of your choice

- Needles, pins and small sharp scissors. (Embroidery or scrapbooking scissors work great for cutting out small felt shapes.)

- Permanent markers, disappearing fabric pen or chalk to trace pattern (Optional. You can also pin pattern to felt or just hold it while you cut around it.)

1. Use template provided to cut out pieces.

Cut two head shapes from cream, four tan ears, one tan nose and eye patch and two dark brown eyes.

    

2. Sew one of the eyes onto the eye patch with a running stitch in matching thread.

3. Sew nose, eye patch and other eye in position with a running stitch in matching thread.

4. Embroider mouth under nose with a backstitch in dark thread.

5. Sandwich two of the ear pieces together, then stitch together with a running stitch in matching thread. 

Repeat with other two ear pieces. If you need to, trim around edges to make sure they have a clean edge and match up well.

6. Loop ribbon through key ring. You can use a small piece of tape to hold the ribbon ends together if needed.

7. Sandwich the two head pieces together and place the end of the ribbon between them. Leave approx. 1” (2.5cm) of ribbon sticking out. Pin in place.

Now slip ears between the head pieces and pin in place.  

Sew ¾ of the way around, through all thicknesses, with a running stitch in color to match head. Remove pins as you go.

8. Stuff head and sew the remainder of head together.

Now add keys or attach to your favorite child’s backpack.

You can also make it in any color you want.  The one above was made to match my son's favorite snuggle buddy.

Click Here to view template in another window and print at 100%

This tutorial is for non commercial use only: you can use it to make as many felt puppies as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don't make any for sale. You may borrow a photo or two if you want to blog about this project, but remember to credit me and link back to my original post, and do not reproduce my entire tutorial on your site. Thanks!

a1d07cbb76d8ad4df8a8a69ba8df86cc669e014195b21cbae3

Happy Stitch Book Review

If you have missed some of my last posts, I have been reviewing some great new craft books that I have. The one I am sharing today is Happy Stitch 30 Felt & Fabric Projects For Everyday by Jodie Rackley.



Click on the link or cover image to have a peek inside the book. If you click on Jodie's name above it will take you to her blog as well.

This book has 30 fun projects that range from curtains and lampshades to cake toppers and softies.
Here are a few things you can make from the book.

Nesting Doll, Owl and Fox Softies.

Embroidered denim skirt and fabric necklace.

Rainbow coin purse and mushroom bag.

I made two of the mini softie keychains.

I made the panda and a ladybug keychain.

There is also a lion and a leaf that you can make and turn into a pin or keychain.

I made the ladybug a little different by not stitching the wings down on the edges.  I just embroidered the dots and that was enough to hold them down.  It makes her look like she is ready to take off. They are both on my daughter's backpack now.  They were both quick, easy and fun to make. The book has loads of fun things that I want to make. The patterns in this book are not full size so you will need to enlarge them. If you would like to find out more about Jodie and the cute things she designs, stop by her blog Lova Revolutionary for more information.

My son wanted some fun keychains for his backpack too so mom was off to make a cute keychain for him as well.  He loves anything that has to do with dogs so I designed a keychain after one of his favorite stuffies.  Meet patches...

If you would like to make a Patches of your own, stop back by tomorrow and I will have a tutorial on how to make him. Plus, Patches and the other two keychains are available to purchase in my Etsy shop.

The ideas, thoughts and comments in this review are my own.  I was not compensated for this review, nor did I receive a free product for it.

A Heart-Felt Holidays Book Review

Back in December, Mr. Boo got a part in his 3rd grade music program.  He was a Holly Jolly Pirate of Pinataville. Being a pirate, he needed a cute little parrot to sit on his shoulder and be his side kick. Of course being the crafty mom that I am I felt the need to whip up a cute little parrot for him.  I searched the internet for cute parrots and came across this one...



Upon clicking the link I found out it was on one of my favorite craft blogs, Bugs and Fishes. I then discovered that it was a pattern the she had created for a book titled Heart-Felt Holidays by Kathy Sheldon and Amanda Carestio.  


As luck would have it, I had just found this book at my local library and had it on hand at the house.   I printed out the pattern and made my own version.

The instructions were very easy to follow and the pattern was easy to enlarge and use. The parrot in the book is flat and one sided (the other side is just solid red).  I stuffed mine and made it the same on both sides so that when he was finished with the program it could be a stuffie.  I added a pin back to one side of it so that we could pin it to his shirt (we removed the pin back when the program was over).  I made the hat but forgot to attach it so Polly didn't have his hat for the program.

Here are a couple pictures of him all dressed up in his costume...

ARRRRGGGH

This one is a little fuzzy but I had to get one of him with his stash on. This is right before they did the practice program for the school during the day.  He did fantastic and had quite a few speaking and acting parts as well as a solo.

I got to see the program twice.  I was there for the practice program during the day, as well as the one for the families that night.  When he came out on stage for the night time performance, we had trouble finding him.  See the child in the middle with the very long black hair?  That dear friends is my son.  Let me tell you we were EXTREMELY surprised!!  When we dropped him off in the music room he had very short very red hair and suddenly we had a child with long black hair.  

He has had a blast playing with his Polly bird since the program!!  If you would like to see more of this book please click on the link above and have a peek.  I can't wait to make some more of the goodies out of it!! There are 40 projects so there is a little something for everyone.  I would love to hear what you think of the book if you have it or have a peek at it.

The ideas, thoughts and comments in this review are my own.  I was not compensated for this review, nor did I receive a free product for it.