April 2011

Felt Poppies



Whether you want a fistful of poppies to bring a bit of sunshine indoors or to hand out for Memorial Day and Remembrance Day, these sweet little flowers are easy to make and delightful when done :)

Note: The original post, Poppies A Plenty, can be found HERE.

Materials:
wool or wool blend felt
green woven fabric
3/8" plastic beads
6" pipe cleaners
embroidery floss

Directions:
Using a Mason jar lid (2 3/4" circle) draw a circle on felt using a disappearing marker and cut out.

Fold the circle into quarters and make a small snip in the middle of the circle. Do it both directions so there is a small cut "x". This needs to be just large enough to pass a covered bead through.)

Place a bead on the end of pipe cleaner, and bend the pipe cleaner about 1" down. Twist the end of the pipe cleaner around the long piece of pipe cleaner so the bead is secured.


Using the Ripe and Tear method described HERE, for each flower ripe a strip of fabric 3/4" x 15" from the green woven fabric. Also, cut one square 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" for each flower.

Lay the pipe cleaner on the backside of the square of fabric with the bead in the center.

Wrap the fabric around the bead. Using 2 strands of matching floss, wrap the thread firmly around the bead 2 or 3 times, then tack in place. Holding the remainder of the fabric against the pipe cleaner, tightly wrap the fabric against the pipe cleaner in a spiral fashion. Tack at the bottom of the fabric.


Using a running stitch and 2 strands of matching floss, sew around the "X" in the middle of the felt. Do not tie off and leave the needle attached.


From the backside, push the fabric covered bead through the "X". Make sure the four tabs made by cutting the "x" remain on the backside.

Gently pull on your running stitch, gathering the circle to the pipe cleaner directly below the bead. Keeping the running stitch gathered, tack in place. Sew the flower to the pipe cleaner, making sure your stitching stays between the tabs and the gathering stitch.

Wrap the green strip around the base of the flower. Make sure the top of the strip covers the gathering line. Stitch around the flower every 1/4" - 1/2". After the first round is complete, angle the strip so it overlaps the strip above it by half. Tack about every 1/2", going through the pipe cleaner on an angle downward. At the end, leave a 1" tail that you wrap around the bottom edge and tack in place.

If you would like, you can leave your flower looking like this.


However, if you would like to give your poppy a more traditional crinkled look, dip the flower in water, making sure the felt is thoroughly soaked.

Remove from water and squeeze out all the extra water. The petals will be wrinkled and stuck together.


Hang the wet poppies upside down, allowing to completely dry.

Once dry, "fluff" the flowers, relaxing some of the wrinkles. If there is a real funky bend to one, simply re-wet, squeeze and dry again. Your poppies are now ready to use how ever you like.

Note: If you'd like to make your poppies bigger, simply cut your circle bigger and use 2 pipe cleans, and use longer pipe cleaners.

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2011. All rights reserved.
All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights.

Submitted by Kimara on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 06:47
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Introducing Our Spring Bouquet

It seems like in the Spring there are so many occasions when a lovely bouquet of flowers is the perfect gift. Whether it's Easter, Passover, Mother's Day, Graduation or a Dance Recital, the perfect gift is often flowers. The only problem with flowers is that their beauty is fleeting. This year, consider spending the time, making a bouquet that will last forever!

This week we are excited to share our Spring Bouquet. Although they are easy to make, I must admit it is rather time consuming to make a full bouquet, but the end results are so beautiful, trust me... it IS worth the time.

So, here is a peek at our Spring Bouquet. Tomorrow, we will post the directions on how to make your own, AND Wednesday, we will be hosting a very special give away with one of our awesome sponsors!

So come back all week, and think about the person in your life most deserving of this beautiful bouquet. (And, yes, it is perfectly permissible to make them for yourself!)

Submitted by Kimara on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 06:48
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Spring Bouquet Tutorial



If you would like to give someone special a bouquet of flowers this Spring that will last forever, considering making a bunch of these flowers in a array of beautiful colors. Whether you make a single flower or 2 dozen, they are sure to please. But remember... make some for yourself... we all deserve to give ourselves flowers every once in a while :)

MATERIALS

For single flower:
2" x 28" piece of felt for each flower
Green felt for leaf
3/4" x 40" piece of calico for stem, ripped
2 copies of pattern
bead with large hole
4 12" long pipe cleaners
2 copies of pattern

For 18 flowers:
1/3 yard EACH of 3 colors of felt
12" X 18" Pea Soup for Leaves 
8 skeins of floss to match the selected felts (2 skeins of each color)
1/2 yard of green calico for stems
18 beads with large hole
72 12" long pipe cleaners
2 copies of pattern

DIRECTIONS
Preparing pattern pieces:
The pattern piece for the flower will require taping together 3 pieces. Make 2 copies of the pattern. Cut out the 2 end pieces. Cut out 1 center piece.  Tape the 2 end pieces to the center piece, matching the 3 inch sides. You should now have 1 long piece, measuring 3" x 25", with both ends pointy.



Cut the leaf out of the 2nd center piece adding a tab 5/8" x 1". You only need to cut 1 leaf per flower. (Pattern says 2)

Preparing stem:
Using the Ripe and Tear method described HERE, for each flower ripe a strip of fabric 3/4" x 40" from the green woven fabric. Also, cut one square 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" for each flower.

Place a bead on the end of 4 pipe cleaners, and bend the pipe cleaner about 1" down. Twist the end of the pipe cleaners around the long piece of pipe cleaner so the bead is secured. Slightly twist the rest of the length of the pipe cleaners together.





Lay the pipe cleaner on the backside of the square of fabric with the bead in the center.

Wrap the fabric around the bead. Using 2 strands of matching floss, wrap the thread firmly around the bead 2 or 3 times, then tack in place. Holding the remainder of the fabric against the pipe cleaner, tightly wrap the fabric against the pipe cleaner in a spiral fashion. Tack at the bottom of the fabric.


Preparing petal:
Cut out pieces.


Using a running stitch and 3 strands of contrasting floss, blanket stitch the flat edge of the flower.

Mark a 1/4" seam allowance along the curved edge of the flower using a fading or washable marker.

Using 2 strands of floss, sew a close running stitch along the 1/4" line. Leave a long tail.Sew a 2nd running stitch an 1/8" below the first line of stitching. (It will be between the line of stitching and the raw edge.) Leave a long tail.

Holding both tails, gather the flower until it measures 8” - 9". Secure the end so the gathering does not come loose.

Preparing leaf:
Using a running stitch and 2 strands of matching floss, sew around the stem and leaf, gathering SLIGHTLY.

Using a running stitch and 2 strands of matching floss, sew a stem down the middle of the leaf, gathering SLIGHTLY. Note: You just want to give slight contours to the leaf.

Assembly:
Begin rolling the flower around the bead, tacking it with matching thread every 1/2". As you roll and tack, slightly angle the rolled flower down the stem. Continue until the flower piece is completely wrapped around the bead. Secure thread. NOTE: The angling should be slight. Before tacking the petal, practice rolling the flower around the stem, until you find the desired look. Think of a rose.




Wrap the green strip around the base of the flower. Make sure the top of the strip covers the gathering line. Stitch around the flower every 1/4" - 1/2". After the first round is complete, angle the strip so it overlaps the strip above it by half.



After you have gone around the stem a second time, add your leaf. To do this, lay the leaf against the flower, and pin the leaf tab against the pipe cleaners.

Continue wrapping the stem, catching the leaf tab as you go.

Tack about every 1/2", going through the pipe cleaner on an angle downward. At the end, leave a 1" tail that you wrap around the bottom edge and tack in place.


Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 20011.
All rights reserved. All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights.

Submitted by Kimara on Tue, 04/05/2011 - 05:58
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Spring Bouquet Kit Give Away from Wool Felt Central

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. The winners will be announced tomorrow morning. Please check back.
 
My girls loves these flowers... they won't leave them alone. Gammy always makes them a special felt flower for their dance recital every year and they have already put in their color requests for June. Fairy wants a baby blue and Pixie wants a cotton candy.

Wee Folk Art, together with Prairie Point Junction's Wool Felt Central, has a wonderful give away, just in time for your Spring gift giving and decorating!

Our dear friend, Julie, owner of Prairie Point Junction, is giving away 2 FREE kits so you can make your own Spring Bouquet... enough materials to make 18 flowers!

Each kit includes:
1/3 yard EACH of 3 colors of felt (You pick the colors)
12" X 18" Pea Soup for Leaves
8 skeins of floss to match the selected felts  (2 skeins of each color)
1/2 yard of green calico for stems

Note: You will need to provide 12" pipe cleaners and large holed beads

To enter, simply visit Prairie Point Junction's Wool Felt Central, and check out all the dreamy colors. Pick 3 colors you would like to use to make your bouquet. (We used baby blue, pink grapefruit and mellow yellow for the flowers but pick out colors that make you smile :) Then come back here, give a big thank you to Julie, and tell us what 3 colors you would like if you win. Hey, even if you don't think you want to make this bouquet, who wouldn't want more felt to add to their stash?

The contest begins today, Wednesday, April 6, and runs until Sunday, April 10 at 9:00 p.m. EST. Two winners will be drawn at random and their names will be announced and an email will be sent to them. Winners have 1 week to contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com with their snail address or a new winner will be selected.

So, head on over to Wool Felt Central and start planning! We want to give a heartfelt thank you to Julie for once again giving our readers a chance to win a wonderful kit.

And remember, the directions for making your own Spring Bouquet can be found HERE. Good luck one and all!

Submitted by Kimara on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 06:33
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Tour of the Spring Gnome Home

The gnome home is finally all decked out for Spring and our wee ones have been busy on adventures with our friends that dwell there. We thought we'd take you on a tour, floor by floor. (BTW... we are in the process making several ladders and an elevator to make getting around in the house easier :)

After cleaning and polishing all the wood, and tucking in roving for foliage, (see HERE) we lay down the rugs.

Crocheted Rag Rug

Spring Rag Rug

Flower Fairy Carpet

 
 

Next, using florist tape, we secure flowers to the branches.


Level 5: Sleeping Under the Stars Deck

Spring Sleeping Bags

Felt Flower Garland

Level 4: Dining Al Fresco

Waldorf Style Gnomes

Honey Pot

Level 3: Family's Co-Sleeping Chamber

Little Wooden Birdies

Gnome City Bed and Bedding

Level 2: Family Living Area and Kitchen


Larder Sacks

Gnome and Fairy Books

Flower Fairies

Quilt

Felt Poppies

Level 1: Community Gathering Area




Wooden Pine Forest

Campfire

Wooden Mushrooms

Submitted by Kimara on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 06:55
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Spring Bouquet Kit Winners

The Winners are Nicole One Hook and Meghan G!

Submitted by Nicole One Hook (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:47.
What a difficult choice! I think I'd go with cotton candy, robin egg's blue, and mellow yellow. Here's hoping! Thanks for the great giveaway.

and

Submitted by Meghan G (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 17:49.
Love these! It's go with the pumpkin spice, old gold, and ragtime blue. Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who participated and a big thanks to Julie from Prarie Point Junction. Winners please contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com with your mailing address.

Submitted by Michelle on Mon, 04/11/2011 - 06:15
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Patchwork Pots Revisited

 

Here is a fun spring project that we have completed in the past. The Patchwork Pots make for wonderful Easter table decorations or Mother's Day gifts. It is a fun way to bring a little spring inside. You can find the directions here.

Submitted by Michelle on Mon, 04/11/2011 - 06:42
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Little Lady Eye Candy :)


Tim and I just spent the past few days with the Adorable Little Lady and her equally cute Mommy and Daddy! It was wonderful, but as always, as I lost site of their house upon our departure... Niagara Falls! Unbelievably hard to say goodbye each and every time! But enough of that nonsense :) We had a marvelous visit, very relaxed and had lots of time with the wee one. As all grandparents do... we came bearing gifts! Two of her favorites with the Wooden Rainbow Tunnel I bought from Bella Luna, and The Doorstop Bunny, this one named Nibbs, that I made her. Because I can... her she is enjoying her new booty! 

The Little Lady with Nibbs...


Enjoying here Rainbow Stackers. BTW... THIS is why it is so important to provide your children with safe, non-toxic toys! The purple center of the rainbow has become The Little Lady's favorite teether. Notice the scrap marks :)

The little tutu outfit... adorable, right? Also a Gammy indulgence :) Although it is so hard to say goodbye, it is always nice to get back home. (Ah, my bed over a futon :) Tomorrow I'll be ready to start tackling some new projects and sharing some info about a change in our format and telling you about a rather unique giveaway!

Submitted by Kimara on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 06:47
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The Days and Weeks Ahead AND A Grab Bag Giveaway!

EDIT: This giveaway is now closed. 4 winners will be announced tomorrow, Monday, April 18.

EDIT: If you do not have a Facebook account, just leave a comment :)

This morning I wrote a blog that was probably 3 pages long explaining why Michelle and I felt the need to take a blogging break. Reading it over now, I realize it was overkill! Suffice to say, after 3 years of blogging a minimum of 5 times a week, and sharing 1 - 3 crafts each week, we are exhausted. What was meant to be a fun outlet has become a full time job, AND we are NOT a business!

There are many other pursuits that we have and blogging at this rate has taken a toll on our families and is sapping our creative juices. We both have other projects we wish to work on, yet our desire to maintain the quality of Wee Folk Art prohibits our personal pursuits. We have both felt the stress of realizing it was 8 p.m. and that we don't have a blog ready for the next day. Please realize, we know we are the only ones responsible for setting standards that we felt compelled to adhere to, but we love WFA like a cyber child, and it is hard to give it anything less than our all!

But we realize that we need to let go. Not let go of Wee Folk Art... but let go of the rigid standards we have created for ourselves. So, this is our plan. We are getting away from "blogging"... in other words, from sharing something each and every day. We will no longer blog simply for the sake of blogging. We are also going to tackle some crafting projects we want for ourselves that may or may not be of interest to our readers. We will continue to share crafts and tutorials, but as they authentically touch our lives.  If we don't share anything for a week, we don't want to feel bad. On the other hand, if we are on a crafting roll, we will share what we are doing.

Think of it this way... we aren't disowning our child... we are just sending it to camp! What you can expect are crafts and tutorials, giveaways, and access to all our past blogs and crafts, just not at the rate we have been functioning at. We will put our comments on moderate since we might go a day or two without logging on, but we will get to and reader each one! Also, PLEASE feel free to email us at weefolkart@yahoo.com with any questions, comments or concerns you may have.

We highly recommend recommend you sign up for our RSS Feed  so you know the minute we post something new :) But better yet, if your not a fan of ours and following us on Facebook, make sure you do. I will continue to share my discoveries there, along with announcements you might find of interest. Also, I will link to all of our new crafts and tutorials. To encourage everyone to "like us" on Facebook, we are having a "Grab Bag Giveaway". Just go to Facebook and "like us", then come back here and leave us a comment letting us know you did. Already a fan of Wee Folk Art on Facebook? Then just leave a comment telling us you already are. On Sunday, April 17, at 9:00 p.m. EST, we will draw 4 winners, yep 4, and each will receive a craft that I have made in the past. I know you are all dying for a Wee Folk Art original, right? Hehe!

Anyway, Michelle and I are both looking forward to a break. We hope you continue to stop by frequently to use our old patterns, and that you continue to think fondly of us and visit often to check out new crafts and giveaways. After some rest and relaxation, I'm sure we will slowly slide back into our old habits, but in the meantime, I'm looking forward to having a cup of tea in the morning on the back deck WITHOUT dealing with the computer first :) Hoping everyone understands.

Don't forget to "like us" on Facebook, then leave a comment here. Won't it be fun to get a surprise in the mail?

BTW... our archives are a MESS. Many of our old tutorials have the wrong photos. We plan to use this time to also do a bit of blog cleaning :) 

Submitted by Kimara on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 15:13
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Grab Bag Giveaway Winners!


First off, we would like to thank everyone for your kind words and understanding. Obviously, we love WFA, but hearing that you do too means the world to us! And we really aren't taking a "vacation" from WFA but slowing down. Some weeks it may hardly be noticeable, but other weeks we may be obviously absent. This is a lesson for us to learn... mostly me :) For example, yesterday we sat around the dining room table with the wee ones, and we gave each other manicures. As a show of solidarity, we all painted our nails alternating shades of spring green and lavender. Silly, pretty and springish. It took all of my self control not to run off and grab the camera as sounds of merriment filled the room. Relax, I told myself, and just be here in the moment. That's what I personally need to do more, it be in the moment and stop weighting the "blog worthiness" of everything we do :)

So, on to the give away. We have a basket of projects that for the most part are duplicates of our projects we made. We rummage through this basket when we need a last minute gift. This time, we went through it to get 4 projects to share with our readers. They are...

Treasure Pouch

A Walking Bunny Finger Puppet

Candlewick Mushrooms Wallhanging

Owl Book Mark

The 4 winners, drawn at random, are...

 Lisa L. on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 17:32.
I love your website! You have helped me a great deal in finding ideas for my storytelling in the kindergarten classes. I am a speech pathologist in the public schools, I'm a Waldorf parent and have worked in Waldorf schools in a variety of capacities. I'm doing the Caps for Sale story with the puppets/tree in May. Working on the painting/creation of the man and hats over my spring vacation this next week! Can't wait to perform it! I made a bunch of the leprechauns to do my story of "Lucky Patrick" during the week of St. Patrick's Day! They were a hit! I still have one in my classroom on the bookcase. Thank you for all your inspiration!

 Sally Stanley on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 18:25.
I want you know how much I have enjoyed your blog since discovering it last year. I know it is very time consuming so enjoy your time off! Relax, have fun, and take care of yourself. I will miss your daily blog posts but enjoy looking back at your old ones!! Thanks again for sharing all your wonderful ideas with us!!!

Anushka on Sun, 04/17/2011 - 06:37.
i totally understand a step back from the blog and the exact idea of enjoying your cup of tea on the deck without the computer! your blog is somewhat new to me, so i have yet a lot to explore. i am grateful to hear that you are still keeping the blog because i just filled a basket on amazon for the harvest time curriculum as i embark on homeschooling my four year old son with it. i also liked you on facebook and would love a grab bag! thank you for everything you do! 

SewLindaAnn on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 17:53.
I think it's always important to step back and see what's going on in your life, it's the only way to maintain "balance" or a good lack thereof.. I "liked" you on Facebook. And, yes, of course I would love something really made by Wee Folk Art. I'm a grown woman and I love your mushrooms, crafts and all you do.

Congratulations. Please email your snail mail address to us at weefolkart@yahoo.com. We will get your surprise gift shipped to you lickety split! As always, winners have 1 week to send us their address or a new winner will be selected. 

If you didn't win... we are sorry :( BUT, we have another wonderful giveaway this Wednesday, so make sure you enter. Remember... SOMEONE has to win!

Submitted by Kimara on Sun, 04/17/2011 - 20:26
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Waldorf Inspired Needle Felted Wool Painting Giveaway

EDIT: The giveaway is now closed. A winner will be selected and announced tomorrow :)

Everyone has heard me talk about the love of my life, Tim. (The other day when I apologized to him for creating so much work for him... with programming for WFA and all the projects he does around the house for me, he looked at me and said, "It's nothing, sweetie, you are my hobby!" I ask you, who wouldn't love him?) Anyway... February 28, 2011 marked the 9th anniversary of when we meet. It was also the day Tim and I finally got married. After all the years we have spent together, it seemed a little silly to make a big to-do about it. So, Tim and I, along with my brother, Kipp, and his wife, Jennifer, went to an interesting little chapel, and got married.

Although the wedding was about as low keyed as you could get, we wanted to commemorate the day. After discovering Daria's Etsy shop, Art of Felting, in January, I contacted her. Daria lives in Rehovot, Israel . Here is the email I sent her...

I was so delighted yesterday when I discovered your site. My readers seemed quite taken, too :) I have a question about a custom order. I am going to be married soon... the 2nd marriage for both of us. We are in our 50s, so not babes :) We do want something to commemorate the day since it will be very subdued. (We've already been together for 9 years.) When I saw your wool paintings, I thought this would be perfect! I love your new piece with the poppies, but I would like something bigger... more like the 13" x 17". I'm kind of thinking about a woodsy scene with poppies, and maybe a Mother Earth gets married kind of theme :) Let me know if this is possible.

And here was her reply...

It was a real pleasure to receive your input. The work I put into my creations gives me joy, but it is even more pleasurable to hear good words from others. I truly enjoyed your Wee Folk Art plus and think you are very talented. Your wonderful idea and the matter inspire me to start working on the project right now. I would be glad cooperating with you.

We were delighted when we received it last month. It is beautiful. Daria titled this peace "Mother Earth Gets Married". Perfect, right?  A lovely reminder of how blessed we feel. As it turned out, my mom wanted to get it for us for a wedding gift... thank you mom. As soon as we decide what we want, we will have it framed.

Now... for some exciting news... When Daria shipped us our tapestry, she included a lovely little framed piece to share with our readers. Fantastic, right? The tapestry measures 5 1/4" x 3 1/4", framed 7 1/4" x 5 1/4". It is absolutely lovely!

Daria also sent photos of the fairy tapestry in process! I had asked Daria if she worked from a sketch. This is what she told me:

In Waldorf art is no place for a sketch or a previous plan. It’s like to give birth. This is by some means an opposition to photography. The target is not to show nature, but to discover what is conceived in. That’s why the right mood is necessary, which can be achieved through good music or other inspiring things. When I succeed get into right mood I start. First I place different wool pieces on the felt. Then I let the drawing leading my hands. The next step is to define details and only then the turn of a great finish comes. Billions strokes of needle.




If you would like a chance to win this sweet little Waldorf inspired needle felted wool painting, simply pay Daria's Etsy shop, The Art of Felting, a visit, look at all her lovely things, (taking a drool cloth is highly advisable!) then come back here and leave a comment telling us what your favorite creation is. The giveaway will run from today, Wednesday, April 20, to Easter Sunday, April 24, at 9:00 p.m. EST. A winner will be drawn at random. So, head over to Art of Felting, pick a favorite, come back and tell us about it, then cross your fingers.

Thanks so much, Daria. It will be hard to give up this lovely little tapestry... but I will :)

Submitted by Kimara on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 06:53
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Tuna Can Pincushions

The other day my sister-in-law, Jennifer, gave me this "swell" (my daughter-in-law Meghan and I have decided to bring "swell" back into everyday use... it really is a "swell" word, but I digress!) Where was I, oh yes, Jennifer gave me this swell bottle top pincushion.
 
Isn't it cute as a bug's ear? I LOVE it. It is a perfect size for hand sewing and embroidery when you only need a few needles and pins. But it got me to thinking I needed a big pincushion for my sewing projects. Yes, I have several really cute pincushions, but to be quite honest, they are more cute than functional. So, I started on a quest to find a container that I could use to a larger pincushion. After hitting my recycling bin and tearing through my cupboards, I decided a tuna can would be perfect.

NOTE: Two very important things to remember when working with tuna cans. First... the edges can be razor sharp so be careful. After the can is buried under felt it will be fine, but while the edges are exposed, heads up! And next... tuna cans STINK! I actually opened a can of tuna just to get the can. (Not to fret, we ate it the next day :) I removed the label and washed the can thoroughly. The can was sitting on my crafting table while I was getting other supplies together and YIKES... it was ripe. I washed it again. Still smelly. Finally, I ran it through the dishwasher and at last it lost the tuna smell!

After your tuna can is stink free, you can get started :)

Materials:
Non smelly 7 ounce tuna can (see note above :)
wool or wool blend felt for bottom, side and top
embroidery floss
stuffing of choice
optional: dried lavender

If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out our tutorial on tips forCutting Out Felt.

Cut out the side (teal). (Don't cut out the bottom yet.) The side should be a strip 1 3/4" x 10 1/2". Note: I came up with the dimension by measuring the circumference of the can and using that as the length, then measuring the height of the can and adding an additional 1/8". Although I think most tuna cans are the same size, you might want to check because you want an exact fit.
Using a 7" plate, trace the plate on contrasting felt (lavender) and cut out. This will be the top. (Note: If you would like to make a mini pincushion, simply use the top of a soda bottle and scale everything else to size.)

There are two ways to embroider the side. You can either embroider it before you sew the side seams together or after. It is easier to embroider it flat, but if you have a design you want to run around the whole can, you will probably do that after. As for me... just learning... I did some before and some after. So... embroider if you want now, or wait until you sew the side together. (BTW... I will have a photo below explaining the stitches I used but go totally crazy with your embroidery. This is a wonderful time to try out new stitches. All of the stitches I used can be found in our Stitch Glossary, but if you want to be adventurous, visit this fabulous on-line stitching guide, HERE.)

Sew the side together using 2 strands of matching floss and an overcast stitch. (Note: After the seam was sewn together I added another yellow chain stitch linking the 2 sides together.)


Slide the band onto the tuna can. Place this on top of match felt (teal) and trace around the bottom. (You want to trace after the band has been added to the can so you get the correct dimension.) Cut out the felt.



Place quarter marks on the bottom and the sides using a disappearing marker.


From the outside (right sides) sew the bottom to the side using 2 strands of matching floss with an overcast stitch. Match quarter marks.

Slide the sleeve over the can, so the opening is not covered.

Using a running stitch and 2 strands of matching floss, sew a running stitch near the outer edge of the top circle.

Gather the stitch, adding stuffing, until it is the size of the inner can. When it is the right size, tie off the gathering, and stitch back and forth over the opening to hold the stuffing in place. (If should fit into the can snuggly.)

Stuff bottom of the can with stuffing or lavender. If using lavender, fill it about halfway. If using stuffing, stuff enough so that when it is compressed it fills half the can.

Place the top in the can so the opening is hidden and centered. If there are any gathers, smooth them out so they are evenly distributed around the can.

Using a blanket stitch and 6 strands of floss, sew the top to the edge of the bottom. Hide all starting and stopping threads inside the stuffing.

Embroider your pincushion any way you find pleasing. I just kept working up the side. Here are the stitches I used, but just have fun embroidering whatever you feel like:)

From bottom of can up:
Chain stitch - 6 strands of yellow floss
Running stitch - 6 strands of lavender floss (I wove it in and out of the chain stitch
Lazy Daisy stitch - 6 strands pink
French knot - 6 strands lavender in the middle of the pink flower
Blanket stitch - 3 strands yellow (used to sew the top to the bottom)
Chain stitch - 6 strands pink ( I made 2 rows, staggering the second row)
3 Detached Chain stitches - 6 strands yellow
Back stitch - 6 strands teal
Blanket stitch - 6 strands pink
Steam stitch - 6 strands yellow for circle and center spokes


Your pincushion is now ready to get busy and hold your pins and needles. They are so cute and there are so many beautiful stitches to try, you'll be eating tuna more often :)

BTW... don't you think these would make great Mothers' Day gifts?




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Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2011. All rights reserved.
All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights.

Submitted by Kimara on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 06:55
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Winner of the Waldorf Inspired Needle Felted Wool Painting is...


It is always such a bitter sweet experience to announce the winner of our giveaways. On one hand, we are thrilled for the winner, on the other hand, we always wish we had the ability to make everyone a winner! Today, the winner of the adorable Waldorf Inspired Needle Felted Wool Painting is...

Ray Sultz on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 11:28.
I wouldn't mind everything in her studio but if I had to choose just one it would have to be the wool picture of the 4 fairies with the red flowers. Thank you Daria, Kimara, and Tim! Thank you for sharing!

Ray, please email us at weefolkart@yahoo.com with your snail mail address, and Michelle will pry the little tapestry out of my hands, and we will get it in the mail to you. :) As always, if we do not hear from our winner in 1 week, a new winner will be selected.

We would like to thank everyone that entered, and we would especially like to thank the enormously talented Daria from Art of Felting for her generosity in sharing one of her lovely tapestries for this giveaway.  

Submitted by Kimara on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 05:53
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Through the Eyes of a Fairy


 

Nothing in this world is as magical as the eyes of a child. These eyes can turn a cardboard box into a castle, a handkerchief into a doll, and a stick into a sword. Unfortunately, as we get older, we often lose the awe, and we need Hollywood to make that magic for us. It is my humble belief, however, that the more we nurture fantasy and make believe in our children, the longer they will be able to hold onto their own magic. This magic translates into a never ending awe of the world, the ability to be a creative and open problem solver and, well, a happy and joyous adult. Fantasy and creativity do not need to become a fleeting childhood stage; rather, it can be a way of viewing the world, even as an adult, that makes it possible to accomplish the improbable. In my mind, fantasy and magic are essential human elements that should be nurtured in our children. 
 

Having said that, I got the wee ones a new face painting kit. I took some pics as Michelle transformed the girls into fairies. (Only got pics of Fairy, but trust me, Pixie was equally cute!) Here is our little Fairy painted as a Fairy. Isn't she beautiful?
 


Just a note... Michelle and I were both very pleased with the kit. The paints were smooth and easy to apply, they stayed on all day despite rather sweaty running around, and later, washed off in a snap. I must admit, I paid full price for the kit at Barnes and Noble. $25.00, ouch. (Poor planning on my part!) Amazon carries the kit for $16.47, and judging by how very little paint was used yesterday, I'm sure they will have the kit around for a long time! 

 

Submitted by Kimara on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 06:46
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Would You Like To Be A Guest Blogger On Wee Folk Art?

    
Have you ever sat around thinking about how awesome it would be if you were a guest blogger on Wee Folk Art? (hehe) Come on, admit it, you know you would LOVE it :) Well... last week (?) we told you that we needed to slow down a bit and devote some time to other projects desperately seeking our attention. You guys were totally cool and supportive... thank you very much! But we had several readers email us and leave comments suggesting that we feature guest bloggers in the lull. I thought about it... Michelle thought about it... we thought about it together... in other words, we gave it a lot of thought, and decided, why the heck not?

So, here's an open invitation.How would you like to be a guest blogger on Wee Folk Art? If you would like to be considered, email us at weefolkart@yahoo.com. In order to be considered for publication:

1] Give us your name and a little personal background.

2] Give us a link to your blog.

3] Pitch your idea for a blog. Would you like to do a tutorial? Perhaps an article on how you organize your crafting supplies or children's toys. Do you have a recipe for the most awesomely nutritious take-along snack? Be creative. When sharing an idea, think of Wee Folk Art and our readers. Does your idea "feel" like Wee Folk Art?

If your idea is chosen, we will contact you and send you our Guidelines for Submissions. (Still working on them!) So, start thinking. We are looking forward to looking over your ideas.

Why, you might ask, should you be a guest blogger on Wee Folk Art?

Exposure: Being a guest blogger gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself and your talents to our readers. You can count on new readers visiting your blog.

Gratitude: You would receive a heartfelt thank you and gratitude from Michelle and myself. We strive hard to create a blog that is inspirational to our readers. Anyone that helps us accomplish that goal is a star in our eyes!

Nifty Button: You will be able to place a special button on your site (Michelle is still designing it) that lets your readers know your talents were showcased on Wee Folk Art.

So, start plotting and planning. We hope many of you are interested in joining us here at Wee Folk Art. Lots of love and thanks in advance!

BTW... we are on our way this morning to visit my son, Adam, down in South Carolina. We shall return Tuesday. I should have had a guest blogger lined up :) Anyway... I've left a tutorial for Michelle to post, and, as a teaser, we are having a lovely giveaway next week. There will be 3 lucky winners. YAY! Have a great weekend all!

 

Submitted by Kimara on Thu, 04/28/2011 - 05:15
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Large Gnomes for Little Hands



 

I know it probably seems like I just got back from visiting Drew, Meghan and the Little Lady in Wisconsin, but, to me it seems like forever! I've got another trip planned mid May, and since it would be impossible for me to go empty handed, I tried to decide what I wanted to make to bring. Although I really wanted to make her some our Waldorf Inspired Peg Gnomes, they still could pose a choke hazzard, so I decided to make bigger gnomes.


 

I am working on a set of rainbow gnomes for the Little Lady. Remember last year I made a set of rainbow gnomes for Pixie's birthday basket? Well, those gnomes are teeny tiny next to these! Basically, I took my standard pattern for the Waldorf Inspired Gnomes and enlarged the pattern 125%. Worked great! But I decided since these were so much larger, I wanted to embellish them with applique and embroidery. Today I am sharing the first two: Heart Gnome and Rain Gnome. Over the next couple weeks I will finish the other 4 and share the patterns as I complete them. 

The directions are very similar to the original directions with a few changes, which, BTW, could be used on the previous gnomes directions. Changes are typed in red. 

Materials:
Large People Body (wooden peg) 3 9/16" x 1 1/8"
Wool/wool blend felt - 2 main colors plus various colors for appliques
embroidery floss
crafting glue
favorite stuffing material
copy of pattern

Important Note: People turnings (wooden pegs) are not all created equal. Even pegs bought from the same company can be slightly different. I highly suggest you make a copy of the pattern, cut it out of paper, and “try it on” your wooden pegs. Make adjusts to the paper pattern before cutting out your felt.

Note: If you are making 6 rainbow gnomes, decide on the colors you will be using before you begin. Then, use only those 12 colors, plus white, when adding appliques.

Directions are the same for both gnomes:

Cut hat and cloak out of color A and body wrap out of color B. For the Heart Gnome, cut the hearts out of pink and the leaves out of green. For the Rain Gnome, cut the raindrops and cloud out of white. 

Glue body wrap to people turning. Match bottom edge of wrapping with bottom edge of turning.

Add appliques to the cloaks and hats using the pattern as a guide. Blanket stitch the outer edge of the cloaks using 6 strands of embroidery floss that matches the body wraps.

Using 2 strands of floss that match the cloak, sew a running stitch close to the neck edge on the cloak.

Gather the running stitch slightly to make it fit around the peg's neck. The back of the cloak should be centered with the back (the seamed edge) of the body wrap. Stitch closed at neck.
Using 6 strands of contrasting floss, satin stitch a closure at the neckline.

Using 2 strands of matching floss, sew the hat together using a running stitch or blanket stitch. (I used a running stitch.)

Blanket stitch the lower edge of the hat using 6 strands of embroidery floss.

Using your favorite stuffing, stuff the inside of the head stopping about 1/2" from the edge.

Place a line of crafting glue on the inside of the hat near the edge. Position the hat on the gnome tilting it slightly backward.

Give your gnome a name and introduce him or her to your household!

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2011. All rights reserved.
All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights.
Submitted by Kimara on Fri, 04/29/2011 - 09:01
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