do-over: a merry little sheep

I can hardly believe it’s been F O U R years since I wrote this post… Recycled Wooly Wreath (see post for how-to mini wreath details).

This mini wreath was a cute speedy-quick project made with little snips of recycled/felted wool (sweaters even better) strung on a piece of wire. Simply cute for decorating cupboard knobs and/or adorning a gift?

Most recently, I’ve been busy creating a few ‘new’ sheepy ornies! HAHAHA What a surprise, right? 

I slightly modified this little wreath project to create a cute little sheep ornament and/or a sheepy pin/brooch for another sheep and fiber enthusiast?!!

How-To // You’ll need:

1. Recycled/felted wool (‘ugly’ sweaters perhaps?)
2. Wire (not too heavy gauge)
3. Pipe cleaners, wool roving, buttons, foam or ‘other’ to create a little sheep head/face… let your creative juices flow!
4. Hot glue
5. Pin back or metallic string for hanging

To begin, cut approximately 1-inch little squares (( any color will do )) from your recycled wool. I used about twenty pieces or so… the more wool, the larger your ‘sheep’. You may also add a contrasting colored wool for legs/feet if desired. No two sheep need to be alike!!

 

When you believe your sheep is about the right size, bind the wire tightly – DO NOT LEAVE A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE LIKE A WREATH – and give the wire a tug and twist. Ta da… you have created a little fuzzy sheep body!!

Now comes the FUN part where you give your little sheep personality!! I used a simple black pipe cleaner to bend into the shape of a head ( like the shape of a capital ‘Y’ ). The top of the ‘Y’ become the ears and the bottom of the ‘Y’ is the face/head. Next, wrap/cover the pipe cleaner with black/white wool roving… a few pokes with a felting needle keeps everything nice, dense and tucked into place. You may add more details… eyes, nose, or not. Use a dab of hot glue to attach the head to the body (of wool).

Add a pin back [for a brooch] or a string for a sweet sheepy ornie.

Merry sheep!!

Hand.Picked.Flowers

I love picking fresh flowers from the yard throughout the growing season. The sunflowers are blooming! I usually plant a row of sunflowers along the north side of the veggie garden, not for picking necessarily, but for the birds!

As I prepare for an upcoming fiber festival, I’ve been busily working on another type of flower…a wooly creation.

You can make these flowers too…they’re simple, fun…and VERY free-form! 

Anyone can make these, really! All you need is some fabric. ANY fabric! I used recycled felted wool; a variety of colors and patterns, solid, plaids & checked. Any cotton, silk, burlap, etc. would be fine too! Go through your fiber/fabric stash. Dare to think of the possibilities.

For example, the ‘red’ flower is made from the satin edge/binding from a wool blanket! Hey!!??

To begin, cut or rip/tear (for a more prim look) a strip of fabric. My wool flowers are between 1/2 – inch and 1 1/2 – inch wide. Wider makes a larger, more dramatic flower. Thin, for a fine, delicate flower. There are lots of tutorials on-line if you need more detailed instructions. To begin, tie a knot at one end (or just begin to roll to form a center) and begin to wrap the fabric around the central knot, twisting it over every so often (to form petals). You may stitch w/needle and thread or use a glue gun to fasten/tack here & there as you go. More fabric…larger flower. You decide.

To finish, I cut a circle of fabric for the back, whip stitch the edge and add a pin-back.

Oh, if desired, add a leaf or two or more. How about ‘petals’ all around to make a sunflower? (I think I’ll have to make one of those…). These flowers may be used to embellish sweaters, coats, hats, handbags, hair accessory, a topper for a special wrapped package (a part of the gift)…and so much more!

The possibilities are endless!