Benzie Felt Scrap Bags

You asked for you -and now we have it! Bags of scraps! These remnants are a perfect way to try out Benzie's felt on a budget or to use for your craft experiments. Our scraps come from bolt ends, seconds or leftovers from our crafternoons.

Each bundle weighs 8 ounces and comes in a cute muslin bag overflowing with remnants. These scraps come in a variety of colors -all in Benzie's felt rainbow. You can find yours in the felt shop.

We're celebrating!

We're celebrating our 3rd anniversary -and want to thank you for being a part of Benzie. You are all so very talented and creative -making Benzie's felt look it's finest. We wouldn't be the same without you and want to say thanks. For one week (until March 5) -use the code FELTLIKEAPARTY3 to get 10% off your order at our felt shop. And as always -happy crafting to you!

Image from Olive and Cocoa. 

Felt like a tutorial: Babushkas, Nesting Dolls & Matryoshkas

These Russian dolls come by lots of names -and cute ideas plenty! For more nesting dolls tutorials visit Benzie's Pinterest.

1. Russian Doll Cushions by HobbyCraft.
2. An ornament by Better Homes & Gardens. 
3. Fabric nesting dolls by Made by Joel.
4. Babushka pencil toppers by One Crafty Mumma.
5. Soft doll tutorial by Cupcake Cutie.
6. Russian doll pillow and the legend of Babushka (is this for real?!!) by Restless Risa.

Instagram Flashback: December

Happy new year to you! Happy 2013! Two-thousand and twelve was a great (one of the best really!) year -marked by some big transitions for my family -one finishing school and one starting school. Both of these events allowed me to make some creative magic at Benzie. My customers have been nothing less than fabulous -and truly creative beings. I thank you!!! But there is one last Instagram flashback. The month of December. The month of Jesus's birthday...

1. Dala horse cookies to celebrate Santa Lucia. And to brush up on my decorating skills. I used to be pretty good, I guess. Good enough to get into a book!
2. Mermaid for my daughter and my niece! Pattern from Bit of Whimsy.
3. Giraffe for my son -pattern also from Bit of Whimsy. They have patterns great for the beginner -I feel a bit more confident to move up to the more complex!
4. Christmas card season!!!
5. Christmas tags -thanks to my 6 year old. Handwriting is just so sweet at this age!
6. And off to visit family -the best part of the holidays. This is the little town in Iowa I grew up in. Full of frosted, snowy trees. I wish you all a beautiful 2013!

@benziedesign

Felt like a tutorial: Christmas Trees

Celebrating the classic holiday centerpiece: the Christmas Tree!
1. Can't go wrong with this scallop cut tree by Allsorts -and the pattern is easy to understand!
2. Stand up trees by Joggles.
3. These little brooches by Purlbee are perfect for passing and adorning gifts!
4. Super excited about these bright and easy trees -must go see them at The Creative Salad.
5. Little embroidered trees by Cynthia Treen at Martha Stewart.
6. And a great craft for the kids by The Magic Onions.

Happy merry making to you!

Instagram Flashback: November

1. One of the things I love most about Benzie (which is a lot!) is building customer orders. One by one the colors come off the bolt to create the custom picked rainbow. Oh, the things it will become!
2. Every year the youth group in my church host a bake sale called Yule Time Market -it's a way to raise money for summer camps and service projects. My part is designing and creating the packaging for the cookies and soup mixes we sell -I love that I can use my ribbon gifts in this way!
3. Did you see the most recent tutorial round-up at Benzie? Seriously fun!
4. I was in charge of making place-settings at our families thanksgiving celebration. Each leaf was made individually using polymer clay and alphabet stamps. It was baked then painted with metallic acrylics. Totally want to make more!
5. I'm thankful for my husband. We may be totally different on the Myers-Briggs or Ennegram scale -but we both take our oath of "for better or for worse" seriously. There is unique sort of intimacy that happens under the umbrella of commitment and I'm thankful that I get to do life with him!
6. And closing out with this custom garland for a christmas tree! In Red, Fern and Sky.

See you next month!
@benziedesign

Felt like a tutorial: Thanksgiving Feast

Here in the U.S. -it's the month of thankgiving and feasting and Benzie is celebrating with our own Thankgiving dinner! This entire dinner is made with only 10 colors of felt -and even has it's own Benzie Collection. Thanks to all the wonderful crafters who put together these tutorials! 

1. Thanksgiving is complete without the Cranberries -and this tutorial is one of Benzie's very own. 

2. Hot cross buns! by ShellyInspired. We used Benzie felt in Toast and Ivory.

3. Turkey leg by Art Threads. Cinnamon and Latte felt was used.

4. Sugar snap peas (a favorite in our house) by Craftiness is not Optional in Zucchini felt.

5. Cutest little corn cob ever! Derived from While Wearing Heels in Ochre and Ivory.

6. And pumpkin pie from Little Dear at Sew, Mama, Sew in the color Pumpkin (of course), Ivory, and Latte. Go check out the original -it includes some great embroidery!

Happy Thanksgiving!