Sequins and Felt: Valentine hair clips

My favorite sparkly embellishment for felt is sequins, it pairs so nicely and sews so easily with felt! Make a pair of heart shaped hair clips or pin one to your lapel -something sweet for Valentine's Day.

1. To make the hearts super quick and uniform I grabbed my favorite nesting heart die from Lifestyle Crafts. And don't forget to use our 20% off coupon BENZIE on any Lifestyle or We R products!

2. You'll also need some of Benzie's felt -we used Flamingo and Magenta to cut two larger and one smaller heart. Here's a tutorial on how we use the die cuts but you can also freehand hearts using a sharp scissors or our freezer paper method.

3. And for the sparkles! Pick out your favorite sequins and some matching seed beads.

4. Layer sequins and beads onto 2 layers of felt and fill in the center heart. You may need to use a beading needle for the seed beads.

5. Stitch a pin or hair clip to the second large heart then attach to the sequined heart. Happy Valentine's Day!

Can I use a die cutting tool to cut felt?

Update -Benzie is now blogging over at Benzie Design - don't miss any of our new tutorials or news!


Two questions I get asked all the time: "How do you cut your shapes so perfect?" and "Can I die-cut felt?!" Yes, I say while nodding my head enthusiastically! You can die cut felt -it makes perfect edges every time and makes felt even more versatile and production friendly.

First -there are two different categories of machines: electronic and manual. We are going to take a look at manual die cut systems today. There are several different systems and brands of dies from companies such as Accucut and Sizzix. Dies for these machines generally fall within two types: wafer thin dies and steel rule dies. Steel rule dies are approximately 3/4" thick dies encased in foam where wafer thin ones are just like it's name; thin, light and kind of like a cookie cutter for crafters. You can mix and match dies and machines using combinations of platforms and shims.

We are going to focus on the Evolution die cutter and Genius platform system by Lifestyle Crafts to cut Benzie's felt but the Sizzix Big Shot is a great option too. Let's get started!

First, the Genius platform is what is used to sandwich your die, felt and cutting pads. Genius is also compatible with other die cut machines as well. There are a couple of fun things about this, first off, the base is magnetic. The wafer thin dies just stick to the base -and don't move around either! This makes it easy to place multiple dies down while getting maximum cuts from your felt. The cutting pad is also flexible -kind of like a self-healing pad so it still looks great after hundreds of cuts! Here's a diagram that explains what order you will want to sandwich the parts.

1. The magnetic platform is placed first.
2. In order for the felt to be cut cleanly -a shim needs to be used. I used a sheet of card stock.
3. Then place your die, cut side up. We are using Lifestyle Crafts bow-tie die.
4. Benzie's 6x9" felt sheets work perfect in die cutters -just order it to the size you need!
5. Then place your final cutting pad 'Mat A' on top.

Then take your die sandwich and roll it through your die cutter.

See how it comes out?! A perfectly formed shape!


With a few quick folds and stitches or glue -it's even easy to make a bow -a bow tie for a boy or a hair bow for a girl! I love that I can quickly put together a gift and not worry about tedious cutting or time consuming patterns. Let me know how you use dies with your felt -I would love to hear about it! Grab one of our felt palettes to get started!. I love these colors together!

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. 

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 

Velvet Ribbon

Pattern

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! 

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!

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

We are using 3/16" eyelets (this is the measurement of the center hole). Use the 3/16" punch on your Crop-a-dile.

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!

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.

Guest Curator: Kitschy Christmas by Wild Olive

This guest collection was planned just in time to deck your halls -and trim your tree! Mollie Johanson from Wild Olive introduces a pattern for nine different ornaments -in some retro pinks and greens.

Oh my! The poinsettia ornament -I think it's my favorite -but you'll have to check out the rest! All cute and smiley! The pdf pattern is super easy to understand and she has some helpful tips about embroidery on felt. This pattern is for sale in her shop and Kitschy Digitals. I love how it's easy to just do one ornament -or a few and so easy to take along on holiday trips!


This is Benzie's first guest curated collection that also has coordinating floss, I'm excited about how easy it is to get supplies and get crafting. Pick up your floss and felt at the same time!

Our Favorite Felt Tip and Chicka Boom Boom Cupcakes

Read our updated blog and shop here!

Our foster son recently had a birthday -and we celebrated with cupcakes and his favorite book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom  -this boy recites the book perfectly from cover to cover and even requests to sleep with it!

Look who's coming?!

It's black-eyed pea!

You'll need: wool blend felt, chicka font sized to 209, scissors, toothpicks, glue... and our secret weapon: Super Spray!

1. Fist cut out letters of your choosing (black eyed p is a favorite here!). We like to transfer our patterns using freezer paper -and even have a tutorial for you!

2. I'm excited about this step fellow crafters -it's like introducing felt's best friend -or a secret beauty tip -and it's so easy too! Drum, dum dummmm... Fabric stiffener! It helps felt to stay sturdy, keep its form and provide extra durability; it extends the capabilities of felt even further. Here we are using a spray product called Stiffen Quick that we found at a local fabric store (but I just call it Super Spray).

I generally place the items to be sprayed in a box (to protect the surrounding area) -and spray stiffener about 6-8 inches away from the felt. You control how stiff you want your felt by how much you spray. These cupcake toppers needed to be pretty stiff so I sprayed one side till wet, came back an hour later flipped the letters and sprayed the backs.

After the letters dried -I used thin line of hot glue to attach toothpicks. Then you're done and ready to party!

Garlands for Sale!

We recently updated the way we assemble and produce our multi-sized circle garlands. But we still have some of Benzie's first design in stock -these are incredibly long at 7 or 14 yards (21 or 42 feet) per garland. No more skimpy party decorations -and we are offering them at a crazy 50% off our regular price! Go visit our shop!

Benzie in Pregnancy & Newborn!

Benzie's first magazine feature is in September's issue of Pregnancy & Newborn magazine! Do you spy our Moss green garland? Surrounded by Divine Twine, Shop Sweet Lulu's straws, Lisa Leonard's cake toppers and Rifle gift wrap... we're in good company!

Magazines are available in newsstands now! Thanks Pregnancy & Newborn!