Anemone Brooch by Benzie

I've been working on a little project -a brooch inspired by an anemone. They are gorgeous flowers -large petals with dark button centers and distinctive stamen. Just gorgeous and I envisioned one as a brooch. I made my first one over a year ago -it looked something like this:I've worn it a lot over the past year, even fulfilling some custom orders for friends. This gave me the opportunity to refine, tweak, perfect and refine some more (yep -total perfectionist!!). And now I have some ready in Benzie's handmade shop -and just in time for mothers day!

Loving the little french knots!  Enjoy!

Felt like a Tutorial: Wreaths

Is there a more classic decoration than the wreath? Whether it greats your guests at the front door, hangs above the fireplace, or graces a wall in your home, the wreath is a timeless form of creative expression. Wreaths are very popular these days as people free themselves from the traditional and explore bolder adaptations.

Historically wreaths have symbolized many things; by being displayed at a funeral or memorial service, they represent the circle of life. When they are made of dried grains and flowers and put out in the Fall they celebrate harvest time. In ancient Greece and Rome they were even used to show an occupation or rank. Amazingly, the wreath is still just as familiar today as it has been throughout history.

When deciding whether to hang a wreath in my own home, I find the circle of life meaning to be what the wreath represents for me. But these days, the more fashionable the wreath – the better! You can jazz them up with felt in many ways and there’s no end to the possibilities. I hope you find these wreath selections inspiring!

1.       Autumn Wreath – from Withywindle

Change the colors to fit the season with this 1 hr. creation.

2.       Leaves & Lace Felt Wreath – from burlap & blue

Create texture with overlapping layers of curled felt.

3.       College Colors Argyle Yarn Wreath – from Spirals & Spatulas

Support your favorite team while decorating!

4.       Felt Flower Wreath – from Twig & Thistle

Floral elements pop from this jazzed up wreath.

5.       Leafy Felt Wreath – from mollee sullivan

Change this wreath to match the season, swapping out the daisies for red berries.

6.       A Pretty Rosie Wreath – from the pretty poppy

Contrast elegant felt roses with textured twigs.

7.       Ruffles & Yarn Wreath – from Six Sisters’ Stuff

Simple and fun, add as many ruffles as you please!

8.       Nonna Wreath – from Jones Design Company

Bunch and scrunch the felt around this wreath to create texture.

9.       Scalloped Felt Wreath – from a bit of sunshine when skies are grey

Choose your favorite colors to make this wreath pop! 

 

Jen Van Oosbree enjoys the versatility of Benzie felt, the awesomeness of graphic design and the fun of Girl Scouts. She brings monthly DIY selections to the world of Benzie Felt Fanfare.

Guest Curator: MmmCrafts

I am so excited to introduce the creator behind these beautiful designed and intricately sewn needle books that are finding their way through the pages of the internet. I oohed and awed over these for months before I realized they were made with Benzie's very own Merino wool blend felt. What a fun surprise!

I welcome Larissa Holland, creator and craftswoman behind these needle books and Benzie's newest guest curator. Her shop, MmmCrafts is full of beautiful and well designed lovelies. Larissa's graphic design experience plays out in beautiful lines and complementary colors. I can't wait to see what she creates next!

The colors chosen are representative of her work and her constant go-to colors for her softies and needle books. The MmmCrafts Basics collection is currently available at Benzie. Perfect combo, don't you think?

Here are just two of several beautiful patterns that can be purchased through MmmCrafts shop:

Love, love the Katy Kitty pattern -you must see the adorable coat that comes with it! Here are Larissa's links:
MmmCrafts Shop
MmmCraft Blog

And Larissa's felt favorites:
MmmCrafts Basics Color Collection

Now it's time to get crafting!

Felt like a Tutorial: Celebrating Easter

My youngest daughter asked me the other day if the Easter Bunny was the only bunny that lays eggs! I am always amazed at how kids hold onto their belief in something like a big white bunny hopping around the yard leaving plastic eggs filled with candy and coins. If we tell them it’s true, it must be, right? But who can resist the wonder and awe Easter egg hunts bring to the holiday; fun traditions and memory makers for kids and adults alike.

I recently read through the book, “Moonwalking With Einstein” by Joshua Foer, which talks about how to create more lasting memories. Getting out of our daily routine helps our brain retain memories more readily. Doing something unexpected, taking time for a vacation, or changing up our daily rhythm are all examples of how to incorporate this concept.

Life goes by too fast for us to not take advantage of times such as holidays and seasonal changes to do something special to commemorate the event. I am challenging myself to do something different this spring, to make the house feel like the season has arrived inside as well as outside.

These felt finds for Spring/Easter are sure to be memorable for you and your family this season.

1. Felt Egg Design Book - from Chez Beeper Bebe

Kids can decorate the eggs again and again with this quiet book.

2. Easter Chick Card - from incy wincy stitches

Sweet chick greetings on this Easter card.

3.Bunny Ears – from Martha Stewart

Homemade bunny ears for the little bunnies in your life.

4.Easter Egg Hunt Bags – from the Purl Bee

Treasure bags for a hunt or Easter morning goodies. 

5. Finger Puppets – from Fiskars

Spring animals couldn't be cuter!

6. Bunny Finger Puppets – from the Purl Bee

Encourage play with these Easter basket fillers.

7.Felt Chick Egg Warmer – from Craftideas.info

Wake up to a bright Felt Chick keeping your morning egg warm.

8. Felt Peeps Bunnies – from Mommy Savers

These are even better than the edible variety, they will last much longer!

9. Carrot Goodie Bags – from betz white

So simple and practical, jelly beans would fit perfectly inside.

Jen Van Oosbree enjoys the versatility of Benzie felt and the awesomeness of graphic design. She brings monthly DIY selections to the world of Benzie Felt Fanfare.

Striped Straws: Valentines

I can't get enough of striped straws these days -and no party is a party without them! And thus my inspiration for these candy-free classmate valentines. You make every sip sweeter, Valentine. Oh yes you do.

Materials needed:
Printable Labels, cut to size:
Red front / Polka-dot back (click on bright green download button)
Gray front / Polka-dot back (click on bright green download button)
Benzie Blend Felt (I used Strawberry and Parchment), cut into hearts (I used a die-cut)
Striped straws in red and gray
Double sided tape
Scissors

Step 1: Fold felt heart in half and make two small cuts into the fold approximately 1/2" apart.

Step 2: Place an inch of double sided tape along the back side of the labels (polka dot side).

Step 3: Slide heart and label on the straw.

Step 4: Press down to adhere.

And you're all done! There is also a place for your child to write his or her name on the back of the label. I suggest this to be done first -before the valentines are assembled. These would also be a perfect match to your favorite beverage, tied with twine. You make every sip sweeter valentine!

Valentine Surprise: Felt like Love

I made some special valentines for you this week. I wanted to share some Benzie love -you know, I "felt like love".

And you want to know what's inside? Well, felt hearts of course, die-cut from Benzie's very own. Six little (and not so little) hearts in complementary colors and in multiple sizes. In love yet?

Valentines will be included in every felt purchase $18.00 and up (before shipping) until Valentine's day or unless the Valentines run out. But no worries -felt like love can never run out...

Felt like a tutorial: Be Mine, Valentine

His name was Russell. My third grade crush. He had spiked blond hair and I thought he was the cutest boy in the whole class. I would always put his thumb down for the game Heads up Seven up, and he always knew it was me who had done it. After our class Valentine exchange that year when we were lined up to leave for the day, I gave him a very special Valentine, an Iowa Hawkeyes watch! He accepted it and that was that. I was sure he understood how at that moment, with the gift of the watch, just how much I liked him.

I will never forget the excitement of my third grade Valentine exchange. It was so important that certain people received the simple cards, and others got ones with lots of hearts drawn on for extra emphasis! And who could forget Nathan’s mom with her cookie sheet of homemade sugar cookies with each student’s name frosted on one of them. It was not a holiday at school without one of those cookies!

The magic of Valentine’s Day is truly made better with homemade gifts. These felt finds for February are sure to give you a spark or a start on your way to making the day exceptional for those closest to you.

1. Fortune Cookies – from Martha Stewart

Felt fortune cookies stuffed with your own fun sayings.

2. Felt Rosette Ball – from Frankly Speaking Too

Decorate in style with this burst of color and texture.

3. Be My Bluebird – from Sew, Mama, Sew!

Make a valentine that will last from year to year.

4. Heart Garland – from My Pile of Sugar

A creative way to make heart shapes that will hold.

5. Valentine Pins – from The Purl Bee

These Valentine pins would be great to hand out to classmates.

6. Arrows and Hearts – from Katie Did

Let the kids use their own scissors to make these bracelet Valentines.

7. Felt Heart Pockets – from All In One Day’s Time

Stuff these darling creations with whatever candy you please.

8. Arrow Cupcake Toppers – from The Sweetest Occasion

Felt arrows to push into heart shaped treats.

9. Felt Valentines & Envelopes – from Everyday Celebrate

Fun for the kids to play with, and even more fun to giveaway. 

Jen Van Oosbree has lots of love for Benzie felt, graphic arts and anything Girl Scouts. She will be bringing monthly DIY selections to the world of Benzie Felt Fanfare.