Monday, February 21, 2022

Leprechaun Gnome

       Guess what! It's almost March! Whether it comes in like a lion or a lamb, it'll be here before we know it! We'll be springing forward, cleaning out flower beds, planting spring flowers,  pruning rose bushes and, if you're like me, you'll be ready to get your green on and celebrate St. Patrick's day!  

       Before we start thinking corned beef and green beer,  let's put together a few Leprechaun gnomes and decorate! After all it isn't St. Patrick's day unless we have a few shamrocks,  gold coins and Leprechauns (even if they do look like gnomes).... 😜 

You'll need:
  • Gwen Studios* 3/8" single face satin ribbon - Green
  • Gwen Studios* 3/8" Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon - Green
  • Kunin® Presto Felt - Green
  • Double stick 1/4" tape
  • Smoothfoam® 1" ball
  • Small wood bead
  • Orange/Red yarn
  • LoTemp glue
  • Scissors 



Instructions:

1.  Cut a 6" circle from the felt, then cut into quarters. You'll need one quarter for each hat.

2. Remove the backing from one piece of felt then cover the adhesive with alternating strips of solid and polka dot ribbon. Place the first strip along one straight edge allowing about half the width of the ribbon to overlap the edge.  Flip over and trim the ends even with the felt.

 

3. To make the beard wrap the yarn around a ruler.  Wrapped yarn should be long enough to go along the curved edge of the felt piece.  Place a piece of double stick tape along the wrapped yarn.  Remove the backing.  TIP: Extend one end of the tape past the end of the yarn to make it easier to remove the backing paper.  Cut the yarn along one edge of the adhesive strip then attach to the bottom edge of the felt.

 

   

4.  With the beard on the inside, fold the felt into a cone shape overlapping the ribbon edge as shown. Glue in place with lo-temp glue.

 

5.  Flip the hat upside down, allowing the yarn to fall away from the inside, then push the foam ball into the hat. 

6. Cut a 1" x 4" piece of felt then remove about 1" of the backing from one end. Fold 10"-12" of grosgrain ribbon in half then press onto the end of the felt.  Roll up the strip of felt with the ribbon at the center and the adhesive to the inside. This will be the body and "legs". Glue the top of the roll to the base of the ball inside the hat. Tie a knot at the end of each ribbon leg then glue the small wood bead to the front for a nose to finish.  

 

        Much like an an elf, these little Irish gnomes can be found anywhere around the house; hiding in the center of a decorative shamrock, chilling on the mantel, or hanging from a wreath.  You can even attach one to your sweatshirt or jacket when you head out on the seventeenth so you don't get "pinched"..... 

  

 

 
May the road rise up to meet you
 
May the wind always be at your back
 
May the sun shine warm upon your face
 
and rains fall soft upon your fields... 
 
And, until we meet again
 
May God hold you in the palm of His hand


Enjoy!

Yours truly,
Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING! 

*Ribbon used in these projects was provided by Gwen Studios and can be found at your local Walmart and online at Walmart.com

Look for more ribbon crafts featuring Gwen Studios ribbon here:

 



Thursday, February 17, 2022

Shamrock Garland

 Go GREEN on St. Patrick's Day and celebrate like you're Irish!



Iron-on embroidered letters and a Cricut® Maker to cut felt shapes, makes crafting quick'n easy! 

You will need:

  • Joy® Iron-on Embroidered letter sheet - Gold

  

  • Kunin® Eco fi Classic Felt, 9” x 12” – Apple Green x 3
  • Kunin® Gold Dot Coordinate Felt, 9” x 12” – Black x 3


  • Cricut® Maker™ with Rotary blade, or purchase pre cut, 3" Shamrock shapes - 18
  • Expo Intl - Gold tassels x 8
  • Tacky glue, or lo-temp glue gun
  • Iron
  • Cord
  • Scissors

1.  Cut 18, 3” Shamrock shapes using the “felt acrylic” setting and rotary blade, or use purchased felt shapes.


2. Cut 8, 4” x  6” black felt rectangles.  Fold the strip in half lengthways, then cut from center fold to the outer edge, 2” up from the bottom.  Do not discard the triangle pieces. 

Download the FREE Shamrock pattern to upload to Cricut Design Space.


3. Remove letters – G O O D L U C K- from the letter sheet then, following the manufacturer’s directions on packaging, iron one letter at the center of each felt shamrock shape.


4. Glue each shamrock to a piece of black felt, then glue a second shamrock at the back of the black felt at the top as shown.  Spread the glue lightly on the felt with the tip of the glue gun.  


5.  Fold the shamrock in half over the top of the black felt and glue to the front to create a tab for the cord.  


6. Glue the tassel to the back by covering the tassel loop with one of the leftover triangles. 

  

6.  Thread the cord thru the loops at the top of each piece, then glue a shamrock to the cord at each end to finish.



Cook up some corned beef brisket for a party platter, serve with a glass of green beer, or Guinness and enjoy!

Yours truly,
Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

*Felt, iron-on embroidered letter sheet and tassels for this project were provided by the companies listed above.