Sunday, July 28, 2019

Tag A Bag!

Have bag will travel! Just add a fun felt tag for a little added pizazz! 


With a rainbow of felt colors to choose from, pick school colors or personal favorites!
And, with a Cricut® Maker™ to cut even the most intricate shapes, it's quick'n EZ...!

You'll need:
  • Kunin® Classic Felt*, 9" x 12" - Royal Blue, Candy Pink, Orange & Yellow 
  • Cricut® Maker and rotary blade, or use patterns provided
  • Embroidery floss - Pink, Orange and Lighter Blue 
  • Embroidery needle
  • Scissors
  • Button
  • Cotton balls
  • 5/8' Gros grain ribbon - 3"
  • Swivel ring
  • Felt glue
* With so many fun colors of felt to choose from, it was hard to decide!


NOTE: You will need to cut 2 large - 4", 1 medium - 3" and 1 - 2" small flower shapes. If you have a Cricut Maker, use the link below to the project in Cricut Design Space. If not, go to Step #4 in the instructions to download the flower patterns.  Steps 1-3 are for readers who have a Cricut Maker.

1.  If you have a Cricut Maker, use this link to connect to the project in design space. Select "customize" then "hide" the 2 large blossoms by selecting then clicking on the "eye" in the sidebar.  


2.  Cut* the small and medium flower shapes in 3 different colors.  To cut all at one time, cut a 4" wide strip of 3 colors of felt then place them side by side on the mat. You'll decide which colors to use for your project after all the shapes are cut.

*When cutting felt, browse all materials, then select acrylic felt setting under the felt drop down menu.


3.  Carefully remove the cut shapes from the mat then place the Royal Blue felt on the mat. Reveal the large flower shapes by clicking on the "eye" in the sidebar next to the large shape then "hide" the set of small shapes.  Move the large shapes toward the top of the canvas then cut.  Remove the cut shapes from the mat.  

4. Cutting with scissors.  Download the flower shape patterns. You will need to enlarge, or reduce sizes as needed.  The pattern for the filigree flower is not given, since it may be hard to cut with scissors.

Large Flower      






5.  Once all the pieces are cut from the colors you chose, it's time to play around with layering to see which colors work best together.



I liked these colors in this arrangement best.


6. I love the added texture and dimension of simple embroidery on felt, but it's not necessary. You can always glue the layers of felt together!  I recommend however, that if you plan to stuff your tag, it's better to stitch the two large layers together using the blanket stitch or a simple running stitch.

7. When stitching layers together, start with the top layer. Using pink thread, sew the yellow flower to the orange flower with simple running stitches around each petal as shown. Attach the button to the center. My button was small, so I placed a felt circle between the button and the flower center.


8.  Stitch the orange flower to the blue with yellow thread then sew the two large flower shapes together using a lighter blue thread and blanket stitch.  Simple running stitch is fine too, if you find that easier.  Leave a space between the layers then stuff with about 6 cotton balls.



9.  After stuffing cotton balls between the layers, use the ribbon to attach the swivel clip. Thread one end thru the ring then place both ends in the opening. Continue to stitch the two layers of felt together, sandwiching the ends of the ribbon between them.


10. I glued my initials to the back with Joy® embroidered letters to finish, but you can layer flower shapes to the back too!  Remember to sew (or glue) the layers together before stuffing......  


Tag your bag and enjoy!

Yours truly,
Julie

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Get Crafty with Leftovers

        I have a LOT of craft supplies! And, probably half of them are left over from projects I've worked on over the past 30+ years...  Hate to admit that I hardly ever throw anything away, resulting in an infinite resource of crafty leftovers.  (I cook the same way. I always make too much, then have meals for the next few days......)   So, if you check my previous post, you'll understand why I had enough cut pieces of felt to make more of those fun felt flowers......  for another project!


You will need
  • Kunin® Classic Felt, 9” x 12” – Baby Pink, Lemon Frost and White
  • Kunin® Premium Felt, 9” x 12” – Kelly Green 
  • Cricut® Maker™ with Rotary blade
  • Zots® clear adhesive dots - singles
  • 8" x 10" Mixed media canvas
  • 12" x 12" Green striped burlap paper
  • 10" Strip of decorative border (cut from a piece of scrapbook paper)
  • Lo Temp glue gun
  • Extra strength glue stick, or other glue
  • Jute


Instructions:

1. Please refer to my previous post for step by step instructions on how to make the rolled roses and the free pattern for the leaf.  You will need 3 roses and 3 leaves.

2. Cut the burlap paper to fit into the opening at the back of the mixed media canvas. Cut the paper about an inch wider then tuck the ends between the wood frame and the canvas and it will stay in place.


2.  Cut a 9" piece of border pattern from a sheet of scrapbook, or other paper. Place on top of the burlap paper then tuck the ends behind the wood frame to secure. You may need to glue the strip to the burlap to prevent it slipping.


3.  Position, then glue the roses to the center of the strip with lo-temp glue.  Glue the leaves between the roses. 


4.  Cover the staples with strips of burlap paper. You can glue the strips with either the green side up, or the back.  Overlap, then trim ends to fit.  I chose to have the plain side facing up.



5.  Wrap the length of jute 3x around the top edge of the frame, tie the ends in a bow et voilà, it's finished and it took hardly any time at all. Note: It took longer to decide which papers I wanted to use than it did to make the project!


I really love how easy these roses are to make and can think of lots of different ways to use them; decorate baskets, headbands, summer hats, bags, wreaths and a whole lot more.  Wonder what you'll come up with - enjoy!

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

 Don't forget to follow Kunin Felt Products on Facebook for a chance to win a selection of felt!