Instagram Flashback: May

Instagram has got to be my favorite social media to date. No words -just photos -and so easy! Click and post all in an instant! Take a peak @benziedesign, I tend to share more outside of the Benzie realm here. This is some of May's memories:

1. Updated business cards -they should go out soon!
2. Sugar scrubs leftover from Crafternoon -seriously easy: Sugar + Olive Oil + few drops of essential oil and you've got yourself a scrub!
3. Husband graduated and got himself an M.Div -and figuring out life. (Really -shouldn't we have that done by now?!)
4. Working on a little backstitch. I've definitely got that down -how about you?
5. Little gift from my sister-in-law and her brand new etsy shop!
6. Every six weeks it's my turn to go to the farm for our co-op. My children so look forward to this and I reflect on the rural, supposedly more simplistic life. Maybe it's just me trying to figure out life again?

See you on Instagram!

Embroidery Basics: Backstitch

The backstitch is one of the most basic stitches of embroidery and is most commonly used to outline. My favorite use for the backstitch is applique on linen or when stitching Benzie's felt together. Pretty and easy!

Here is a step by step photo tutorial:

1. Working from left to right -bring your needle to the front at point one and back down again at point two.
2. Now your needle is under your fabric -bring it back up at point three making sure of even and straight stitches.
3. Backstitch through point one.
4. There you go! Your first backstitch is complete!
5. A completed row.
6. And for the backside. 

And to make this super clear -a diagram below. The top of the line represent the front side of the fabric and the bottom represents the back of the fabric.

Up at 1, down at 2. Under to 3 and back to 4...

And again! See -pretty and easy!

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!