Friday, December 13, 2013

Monogram Christmas Ornaments // Cropadile Giveaway!

In December, my kids clamor to put up the Christmas tree ornaments -but what makes it even more special is when they have ornaments that are just for them -a ballerina for the dancer, a chess piece for the gamer and a glittery dinosaur for the preschooler. Monogramed ornaments also serve as name markers for presents or place settings at holiday dinners -something that can be taken home as their own. 

letter felt monograms

wool felt tutorial

For these ornaments you will need:
Wool Blend Felt -we used Swan, Peacock, Mustard, Ochre, Magenta and Flamingo. 
Eyelets (we used 3/16" eyelets)
Parchment paper
Scissors 
Thread
Pencil

1. First, take 2 sheets of felt. To make it easy, I just folded a 6x9" sheet in half. Then trace the letter onto parchment paper. You can download the Futura font and numbers here. Lightly iron your parchment to your choice of felt. Check out our parchment technique for more info.

2. Then stitch right on top of the paper -you're joining the two sheets of felt together. I used a machine to do this, but it would work by hand as well! I love how easy it is to stitch a pattern this way!

3. Carefully rip away the parchment and cut around the letter. You'll want a sharp scissors for this! 

how to cropadile chart

Okay, now the next step is setting the eyelet -but before I can do that -I have got to tell you about a fun tool that will make adding eyelets much easier and quicker! It's the Crop-a-dile! First, I'll give you a quick tour:

1. Squeeze the handle and press the lock button -this will unlock the setter or lock it for compact storage.

2. The Crop-a-dile has two hole punches in 1/8" and 3/16" size (if you're looking at the photo -there is one punch at the top and one at the bottom). This preps the material (in our case, felt) to hold the eyelet. You may notice a little black knob -this is adjustable so you can evenly space multiple holes along a line.

3. This is where you actually set the eyelet - but first the combo has to be right for whatever item you are setting (the right size eyelet, snap or embellishment). This is done by popping out the little black cubes and twisting them to the setting you need. Pop it back in when you are done -and set your eyelet by placing the item between the cubes (make sure the 'base' is on the bottom -it's written on the crop-a-dile) and squeezing the handle. Works perfect every time! You can also view a video to see the tool in action.

4. Here is a handy combination chart -the top cube is designated by a letter and the bottom by a number. We are using 3/16" eyelets -so we have our Crop-a-dile set at A-1. Now back to the ornaments!

eyelet setterTo set the eyelet, make a mark where you want the eyelet to be.

how to set eyelets with cropadileWe are using 3/16" eyelets (this is the measurement of the center hole). Use the 3/16" punch on your Crop-a-dile.
how to set eyelets with cropadile

















Adjust the knobs on your Crop-a-dile to A-1, place your eyelet in the hole and press. String some ribbon (we love velvet!) and you have an ornament!

letter felt pattern
I love how just adding eyelets give these ornaments so much class -definitely on my list of favorite felt tools!. We R Memory Keeps has offered to give a Crop-a-dile away to one of Benzie's guests. Just add a comment below! For two additional entries, like Benzie and We R Memory Keepers on facebook. Congratulations Laura Cox!

To get 20% off eyelets, ribbon or the Crop-a-dile (or other Memory Keeper and Lifestyle products) use BENZIE at www.shopwer.com.


54 comments:

  1. LOVE this, Renae! I had no idea that a Crop-a-dile would cut through felt...now I'll HAVE to get one. :) These would look adorable on gift packages or tied to the backs of chairs, too, like place cards.

    Lisa Frank :)
    handcraftedparties.com

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  2. Thank you for sharing this fun tutorial! I'd love to win the Crop-a-dile and give it a try using my stash of Benzie felt!

    Warmly,
    Rebecca Hartman
    Turtlesgrl@aol.com

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  3. These monograms are so classy, Renae! I didn't realize the Crop-a-dile would work with felt. Love it!

    Faith
    ordinarymommy@gmail.com

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  4. I 'like' you on Facebook!

    @OrdinaryMommyDesign

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  5. Looks like a genius product! And such fun ornaments :)

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  6. Follow Benzie and We R Memory Keeps on FB. Would love to win a Crop-a-dile!

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  7. They look adorable! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  8. Like We are Memory Keepers on Facebook (Carrie Tanguilig Scaduto)

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  9. Like you on Facebook as (Carrie Tanguilig Scaduto)

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  10. ....loved making handmade ornaments with my boys when they were little....would love to win the crop a dile...Karen

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  11. LOVELOVELOVE your ornaments!! They are so cool and look quite easy to make!! I am going to give them a try!!! I am now following you via myyahoo. Thanks for the chance to win a tool that I have been drooling over for a while now!! It would make my craft life easier if I won! Merry Christmas!

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  12. Thank you for sharing your tutorial. Thanks for the chance to win a crop a dile.
    Thanks,
    Djuna
    djuna1027@comcast.net

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  13. I am a long time follower of We R Memory Keepers on Facebook! I love their products! Thank you for the chance to win the crop-a-dile!! I have wanted one for a long time!! Merry Craftmas!!!

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  14. I am now following you on Facebook! Thank you for the chance to win an awesome tool!

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  15. These are gorgeous...love what you've used the tool for! Would LOVE to win one x I also like We R Memory Keepers on Facebook x

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  16. I would love to win this as a gift for a special teenager who has just started papercrafting. She would love it!

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  17. Love the letters. the crop-a-dile is a great tool.

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  18. I "like" We R Memory Keepers on FB, Have for a long time.

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  19. I "liked" you on FB. Love the felt flowers on the page. The colors are very pretty together. I'll be watching to see you cut the felt with the Sizzix.

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  20. What a great tool to have this would be so great to win . I could put all my felt to use if I had a crop-a-dile !

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  21. Beautiful! I never thought to use the cropadile for ornaments! you could do alot more than just letters :) I like both you and We R Memory Keepers on facebook!

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  22. What a great tool! The tool I use now for making holes and setting eyelets involves a hammer and lots of noise. Would love to win this!

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  23. I have never thought of using felt before reading this! Thank you for the letter downloads, inspiration and tutorials!

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  24. I would love to win this! I like both Benzie and We R Memory Keepers on Facebook!

    ashleymwren@yahoo.com

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  25. That would be fun to win. Great tutorial, too.

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  26. I like your Facebook page

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  27. I have been wanting this tool, I would love to win!

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  28. I like we r memory keepers on Facebook

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  29. Love the crop a dile! Very cute ideas!

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  30. Great giveaway!! I already like WRMK on FB....of to check your site there as well! Thanks for the chance!! :)

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  31. Great tool would love to try one.... your ornaments are awesome. i love the use of bright vibrant colors

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  32. The crop-a-dile looks like a very useful tool. Thanks for showing how it works

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  33. This is so sweet of you and WE R Memory Keepers to offer this prize of the crop-a-dile. Would love to win it!

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  34. Thanks for the chance to win this prize, I've wanted one forever!

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  35. I love your cute ideas!! I would love to win, I hope you pick me it will go to great use!! Thank you

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  36. Great giveaway! I have one of this tool, but have not used it on felt! Would love to win another one to give to my daughter :)

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  37. I also Like Benzie and We R Memory Keepers on Facebook.

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  38. Very cute project for Xmas or any occasion. So many ways to use a cropadile. Thanks.

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  39. fabulous project for all seasons and events; mahalo for sharing

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  40. Oooh! Awesome craft, and great giveaway! Thanks! Happy holidays!

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  41. liked on facebook under bri tom.

    i love this giveaway! i would love a hole punch!

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  42. Love the cropadile! Thanks for the prize!

    dpolkadots

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  43. Great idea for ornaments! I have been looking for specific letters and can't seem to find them and I can make them. A Crop a dile would be nice to win!

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  44. This looks like a very useful prize!

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  45. Would love this as a crafty Christmas gift!

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  46. I also like Benzie on FB, thanks!

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  47. I'd love to play with one of these.

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  48. So cute! I see we share a love of felt! :)

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