Felt Flower Pen

It is crazy to think that this is most likely going to be my last post of 2011.  

I just want to thank you for your continued support and love!!

I am hoping that 2012 brings lots of creativity, inspiration and new followers.

Let's get started with this easy project that makes a great gift for just about anyone.  I gave these to my team for Christmas. I got the idea after I purchased notepads for each teacher that had their initial on it.  I instantly wanted to make a matching pen to go with the notepad and thus you have the "Felt Flower Pen!"

Here is what you will need:

• Floral tape
• Hot glue gun
• Pens (as shown in the picture)
• Felt
• Scissors

Begin at the tip of the pen and wrap the floral tape up towards the other end.  Pull and spiral it tight, but not too tight or it will rip.

Lay your pen aside and cut a circle in your felt.  My was about 3 inches... I normally look for lids to jars or containers I have laying around the house and trace one of those.

Cut into your circle and then spiral in towards the center. 

You want a little circle in the middle that will be used to attach your flower to your pen.

Little dab of glue...

 and roll it up.

 This is the back of the flower when you are finished rolling. Add a little glue to hold in place.

Add a generous dab of glue and place your pen in the center. 

Cover the flap with glue and wrap it around the pen.

 It should look like this...

Cut out a leaf.  I just free hand a rhombus shape for the leaves.

Glue and wrap it so that it surrounds the open side and onto the flap. 

Take the floral tape; starting at the end of the leaf wrap up words the base of the flower and back down.  Rip it off and rub the end of the floral tape so that it blends. 

Ta-Dah!

They also look pretty bunched together in a jar or as a bouquet.  This would also make a great secretary or receptionist gift!

You can use the same technique for the flowers to create your felt flower headbands!!

Have a happy day.

-- Kristy

Linking to:

Holiday Wreath

Now that I can breathe and have recovered slightly from Chatty, I wanted and needed to do something to get in the holiday spirit! Of course, what better project than a holiday wreath! 

Here is what you need...

• A styrofoam ring (I got mine for $1 at Dollar Tree)
• Yarn
• Masking Tape
• Felt
• Burlap  

 Start by taping the yarn to the back of the ring.

 Now begin wrapping... this will take about 45 minutes just to let you know.  Turn on one of your favorite shows, kick back and wrap. 

I cut two long burlap rectangles and formed each side of the bow. I then cut one smaller strip and wrapped it around the ring and center of the bow.  Secure it on the backside with straight pins. (oh yeah, you'll need those too) 

Cut out your choice and number of felt flowers.  I love these and they resemble poinsettias. 

And there is your mini wreath! I loved the way it turned out, but the husband said it needed to be bigger for our front door. So...

I grabbed two twigs from outside and secured the ring in the center of the larger wreath. 

~Happy Holidays~ 

 

Linking to:

Frugally Sustainable

Lanyards

Hello wonderful readers!  I hope you enjoy the fresh new look of Pocketful of Poise.  I can't be more excited about this perfect design by one.little.m. She took my ideas and came up with this beautiful concept.

So, for those of you who do not know... school starts tomorrow!! I feel somewhat prepared, but I guess you never feel fully ready for the first day.  I am kicking off the school year with some pretty cute lanyards.  Yes, you guessed it... I am making them for my kindergarten team. Maybe it's part of being kindergarten teachers, but we seem to get so excited over the smallest things. So, if a cute ribbon lanyard with our school's little cub paw print gets them excited then I have to make them!

Here's what you need:

• ribbon
• lighter
• key ring
• felt flowers

Start with a spool of ribbon. I used a whole spool of ribbon to make six lanyards.  I cut each ribbon at 30 inches.

 Burn the edges so they will not frey.

Place the ribbon around your neck and overlap the ends. Holding the two ends in place, fold the edges back and pin in place.

You can hand stitch or run it through your sewing machine; don't forget to back stitch reinforcing the ribbon.

You now have a loop to run the key ring through. 

Decorate with felt flowers, buttons or just leave it as is.  Add your teacher I.D. and maybe you'll actually remember to wear it now that it's on that cute lanyard!

I hope all my teacher friends have an awesome first day!

~Happy Teaching~