Felt like a tutorial: Flowers!

Flowers are like fireworks, displaying their color and beauty for a short time and then fading away. We have to be alert to even notice some of them at all. Especially those that only bloom once in the Spring and then wait another year before putting on a show. Other flowers are more generous, giving us beauty for an entire season, seducing butterflies and hummingbirds.

Selecting my favorite felt flowers was a challenge since all of them capture a different element of assembly that makes them charming in their own right. Some are loosely folded together and hot glued, while others are meticulously sewn together petal by petal. They can be attached to hair clips, purses, brooches, or added to stems for a long lasting bouquet.

I chose the most interesting flower creations to inspire you to try something new with felt for this month of May flowers.

 

 

1.       No-Sew Felt Flower – from Marryl All Write

These petite flowers are added to barrettes and a stretchy headband.

2.   Large Felt Flower – from Tres French Hens 

Flower petals with seams down the middle to add depth.

3.       Flower Pin – from Jones Design Company

A little hot glue and a few shapes of felt create this pin.

4.       Gray Felt Flowers – from Craftaholics Anonymous

Strips of felt are twisted and stitched for this loose creation.

5.       Felt Tulips – from While She Naps

A bouquet of tulips to last you for years, these are very realistic.

6.       Felt Flower – from Food, Wine & Mod Podge

After this is all stitched up it's ready to be put wherever you want it!

7.       Felt Flower Hair Clip – from Ordinary Mommy Design

This simple, flat flower benefits from embroidered details.

8.       Felt Rose – from How Joyful

I confess... these are my favorite; the layers on the outside and the compact center are gorgeous.

9.       Felt Brooch – from Betz White

Lots of separate petals give this flower a fun, happy feel.

 

Jen Van Oosbree enjoys the versatility of Benzie felt, slow strolls through the garden and camping with her family. She brings monthly DIY selections to the world of Benzie Felt Fanfare.

Guest Curator: Aimee Ray from Little Dear

I cannot wait to introduce you to Benzie's newest curator -she is an author, illustrator and embroidery designer. In fact -she has even taught me how to embroider. Well -not in the "face-to-face, let's have some tea" sort of way -but I have gotten quite cozy with her book "Doodle Stitching" and owe all my french knots and chain stitches to her! Here she is: Aimee Ray of Little Dear.

Aren't her patterns just perfect! And everyone needs a gnome -right? You'll have to visit her shop for even more patterns (and gnomes!). Check out the matryoshka dolls pattern -it is my favorite!

And what good does a pattern have without it's coordinating felt pack? I love the colors that Aimee chose for her Benzie Color Collection: Blush, Strawberry, Cotton Candy, Butter, Fern, Pistachio, Swan, Icicle, Sky and Toast. Perfect candy land colors!

Check out more of Aimee Ray, Little Dear:
Shop
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr

And get the Little Dear's Color Collection at Benzie. But there is more -Aimee has included a little gift for those who purchase her felt collection -but for a limited time. Oh how surprises make everything sweeter! Go quick & get crafting!

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!