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:

 

Offray Ribbon Blog Hop

Ribbons and roses and trims, oh my! 

What a wonderful way to add texture and excitement to all kinds of projects!

I LOVE working with ribbon.  I think it's one of the most versatile products available for needle workers, crafters, makers and do-it-yourselfers.  From a simple embellishment to an item made entirely of ribbon, there's no end to creativity.

Last month, members of the Designer Crafts Connection (DCC) each received samples of Offray ribbon to work with.  I was excited to receive 2" wide "gauzette" ribbon in pink and orange together with 3/8" 100% polyester ribbon.  I've always loved the orange/pink combination and, since these are my granddaughter's favourite colours, I decided to make a quick'n EZ valance for her bedroom window, by simply wrapping a 9" by 30" sheet of Smoothfoam with the orange ribbon, then embellishing it with coiled ribbon roses.

Supplies are minimal: Ribbon, Smoothfoam sheet and a cool temp glue gun.  I also had a hot wire foam cutter to cut the Smoothfoam, but a utility knife (the one from the hardware store with a break off blade) works just as well.  I also had some quilt pins on hand to hold the Smoothfoam pieces together and the ribbon in place before gluing.

Here's a closer look at the border with the polyester ribbon along the bottom of the valance, embellished with the coiled roses.

Here you can see a close up of the rose.  They are so easy to make.  I used a 16" piece of ribbon, tied a knot about 1/2" from one end, frayed the end to look like stamens, then glued the knot in place on the valence.  To make the rose, wrap the ribbon around its center, twisting as you wrap, then glue the opposite end under the coils.  For an added touch of color to the center, I frayed a 1" piece of the orange ribbon, rolled it tightly then glued it in place.

I really love this gauze ribbon.  It reminds me of a more elegant form of burlap; perfect for home dec projects and a whole lot more.   

I've been a ribbon fan for many years and in the early 90's authored a book for Leisure Arts entitled "Ribbons & Trim".  I'm sure it's out of print now, but you can still find a wide assortment of Offray ribbon.  Here's a couple of projects featured in the book, together with a ring bearer's pillow I made for my daughter's wedding in 2003, and a stool I made for my MIL in the late 70's.  Told ya - I've been a ribbon fan for a long, long time!

Before you hop forward to the next blog (use the DCC logo button in my sidebar on the left), check out the Offray Ribbon site and sign up for their newsletter.  You'll receive 15% discount on any ribbon order and there's a whole gallery of inspirational projects to look at there too!

Enjoy!  Y'all come back now..............

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!