July 2011

I was working on project (which I will share later in the week) and I needed a moon and stars applique. I was rather surprised I had never designed one for Wee Folk Art, but since I needed to design one now, I made one up as an applique block. Designed to fit our standard 6" x 6" block, it can be reduced or enlarged to meet your needs. (I had to reduce the size to 40% for the project I was making.) The pattern can be found HERE. 

Below is a diagram for the embroidered stars I made, which I call a Woven Star. When I made my first star, I simply used straight stitches to make the five point stars, overlapping the threads, but I didn't like the way the threads laid. So, I wove the floss, under and over, making the stars lay flatter, and giving an interesting look to the stars.     

It's summer... time for camping under the moon and stars. Whether you throw a sleeping bag on the grass in the backyard or trek into the wilderness, there is nothing like lying on your back, on a clear night, and looking up at the wondrous night sky.

Naturally, our gnomes also enjoy star gazing. Here are our latest gnomes and there sleeping bag, perfect for a night under a blanket of stars and the moon!

To complete this project, you are going to need to do a little scavenger hunt through our site. You will need:

The Waldorf Inspired Gnomes found HERE.

The basic Sleeping Bag Directions found HERE.

The directions for how to make the woven stars found HERE.

And the actual pattern for THIS sleeping bag found HERE.

And, in the event you want to set up your own campfire scene you will need:

The campfire found HERE.

The felt trees found HERE.

And the mushrooms found HERE.

Okay... I think that is everything :)  To embellish your gnomes, simply add some woven stars on their hats and capes before you sew them together. And for all of you that accuse me of flawless crafting... just know I make mistakes ALL the time. I'm just a master of covering them up. For example, when appliqueing the moon and stars on the blanket of the sleeping bag, I appliqued them on sideways by mistake. So, when you look at the pattern, it will look wrong. I meant to do it like the pattern, but after spending the time, I was not going to go back and redo the silly thing. So, I left it. And, if anyone in the future questions the look of the moon, I'll just tell them I was striving to create a lunar eclipse!

NOTE: On the pattern you will also find an applique to make a sunny sky sleeping bag. I was going to make both and ran out of time. If you would like to make one, and the design on your pattern is too light, I simply took our Sunburst Applique Block and reduced it to 40%.

On a completely different topic... you guys will be on your own for the next 10 days as Michelle's family and mine are vacationing. Although we will have access to computers, we will only be using them to check-up on things from time to time. If you need to talk with us, best way to contact us is through email at weefolkart@yahoo.com. We will be checking emails daily. So, have a wonderful week, and if you are really missing us, great time to thumb through past posts and projects. BTW... if you ever find a mistake, i.e., a broken link or an incorrect photo, please email us with the link and problem. We would really appreciate it. We will see everyone back here on Monday, July 18. We well :)

You know how we are always saying that our patterns are just a starting point? We encourage our readers to use them as is, but also want you to use your imagination to personalize our designs. Well... I hardly know what to say here, but I got this email from Bonnie, an avid WFA reader. It said:

Hi - Your bookmark/greeting card template gave me lots of ideas.  So far, I have come up with about 40.  Here is a sample of my imagination at play.  (If you are interested in seeing the rest, please let me know via email.  I do not have a blog, so I will have to send the pages one at a time.  I am on dial-up & don't know how to send more than one.  There are 13 pages.  Sorry.)  (((hugs))) Bonnie
This first "installment" was included in the email.

She included these 3 as her first installment.

1 - made from paint chips (you know - those paint samples?)
2 - made from scrapbook paper
3 - plastic canvas; 10-count, I think

Okay, I was impressed and told her we would love to see her other endeavors. Bless her heart, she sent scans of all her projects... through dial-up no less! Well, they were just too impressive for Michelle and my eyes only, so after getting her permission, we are including ALL her gnomes. I asked her to do a little write-up on what made her take this on as a challenge, and here is her reply:

Oh, thank you!  Well, what prompted my imagination...hmmmm..  For starters, I just love your gnome creations.  Your artistry really appeals to me & when I saw the gnome bookmark, I knew I had to play around with it.  Also, I like patterns & things to have multi-purposes.  Once I got into the mode, the ideas just kept coming & coming.  I would be working on one project & another one (or 2 or 3) would come to mind. I like to think outside the box by using different mediums & sometimes mixing them.  I call these gnomie ideas: A-gnomie-lies.  hahahahahaha  Now the gnomies have run their course, I am off to find other challenges.  Thank you for sharing your ideas, patterns & especially the gnomies.  (((hugs)))  Bonnie J.

So, for your viewing pleasure, I give you ALL of Bonnie's little creations. Remember, all of these were made using the pattern from our Gnome Bookmark and Greeting Card. The pattern can be found HERE and HERE.

These are made with Christmas cards.  The one on the left has a little trim.  The one on the right shows the inside of the card.  Could use any greeting card, birthday card, etc.

This is like a paper doll, only made from felt.  Changeable cloak, beard, braids, etc.  Could make any of the costumes featured on your site.

Santa & Elf.  The eyes are punched from paint chips.  I didn't get the bell for the tip of Santa's hat cause it wouldn't copy so well in the scanner.

Ghost & Woodland Fairy.  I love the colors of the fairy.

Taking the hat component & sometimes the head.
Ice cream cone - could also make a snowcone
watermelon slice
carrot
tussie-mussie - lace on top; flowers are punched from paint chips
candy corn

tree
slice of pizza
icicle - there is clear glitter glue on it but you can't see it
mushroom - my 10 yr. old grandson sewed the mushroom & I left his stitches just the way he did them
cornucopia - the fruits are paper punched; could use stickers, buttons, etc.
piece of pie - that white blob on top is sposed to be whipped topping.  the crust is 2 narrow stripes twisted together.
safety cone

These would make cute ornies, party favors, could be made from paper, etc.
clown
hillbilly
leprechaun - clover is paper punched
wizard - on his hat are gold sequins & silver stars; his hair & beard is fake fur

snowman
tomtem - Scandinavian elf
ghost
witch - that is a plastic spider dangling from her hat; hair is separated yarn
princess

ok; these are not perfect but they would make cute dolls or beanbags.

This is the original made so that 2 regular ones would fit on a page.  I made a finger puppet out of it.  Then I used the hat to make a clover & a shamrock from paint chips.

These are using mostly the little hat.  the center of the star is the head shape from the large one.
Kiss - XOXO is punched from paper & mounted on ribbon
angel - the wings are paper punched & the bow is gold ribbon

Large hat - party hat
paper hat
crownie - large head, small hat
fan
flower - large head for center
witch - large hat

Toppers - the large one could be for appetizers or in a bouquet; the smaller one for cupcakes, etc.
Halloween cone
megaphone - put high school initials on it, etc.
Boo banner

I cut 4 stencils from clear plastic, but I would rather have cut them from milk jug plastic.  this could be used on gift bags, a quilt block, etc.  It could also be cut out, sewn & stuffed for a soft doll.

This card will stand on its own when opened.  It could say any message: get well, happy birthday, etc.

This is the last of the gnomie things & by far, my personal fave.
Top left: doorknob hanger.  the leaf is paper punched.  the handle is yarn.  Tip: tie a knot in the ends of yarn, ribbon, etc., as they will grip the glue better & are less likely to pull out.
Top right: Santa hat; great for ornies, small gifts for guests, etc.
Bottom: Advent garland.  Numbers are paper punched, using Tim Holtz Carnivale die.  Candy canes are 4" pieces of red & white chenielle stems, twisted together.  Baker's twine bows (I just learned how to make my own - easy!)  Lollipop is a fabric yoyo on a twig stick.  (you can also use craft sticks, bamboo skewers, or a real paper lollipop stick.) 

So, there you have it. If you loved our little guys, I'm sure you can find plenty in this collection to your creative juices flowing. Thanks so much, Bonnie, for sharing with us. We really were awed and impressed!

With the high temps we've been having this summer, many of my poor flowers are showing the strain. But here, appliqued on black felt, a garden of rainbow flowers are bright and perky! Made entirely with one small petal, these flowers look awesome together but one by itself would look sweet. As usually, The Rainbow Flower Applique Block was made to fit on a 6" x 6" block, but you can enlarge or reduce the pattern to meet your needs. The pattern can be found HERE.

Often, we get emails from our readers saying they love our applique blocks, but they want suggestions on how to use them. Do you have any ideas on what to do with these Rainbow Flowers? Share your suggestions :)

For example... I'm thinking it would be really cute if you cut the flowers out of kite paper, and attached them to your window. You can paint on the stems and leaves. Wouldn't it be bright and cheery?

Got a most exciting phone call last night. Meghan and the Little Lady are coming in for a visit. Daddy, fondly called Drew Drew Bums by me :) is going out-of-town, so the girls decided to fly in for a visit. YAY! They will be here through Saturday, so if you see very little of us, you know that we are snugglin' and smoochin' and generally enjoying the company of the girls! Having said that... must get a move on... "miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep" :)