Spring has finally arrived and what fun to plan a spring wedding. Tulips are my favourite spring flower, the bright yellow of the tulips match perfectly the yellow felt. Felt, being such a versatile product it can be dressed up or down for any decor or special event.
 

This week I have paired up the felt with some fun trims from Decorative Trimmings. The giant rickrack gives a scalloped edge finish to the felt. Decorative Trimmings provided trims to a group of creative professional designers, the Designer Crafts Connection with a wedding theme challenge. They have a wide selection of quality trims and embellishments, it was hard to choose!

For a wedding with many tables to decorate this is an easy and fast way to dress them up. Finished off with tulips in a mason jar and chalkboard number.

You will need:
Per table
2-9” x 12” Craft cuts Kunin Prestofelt Yellow
1-9” x 12” Craft cut Kunin Printzfelt Saralma
1-12”x 18” Craft cut Kunin Premium Eco-fi Plus Felt White
6 yds Jumbo Yellow Ric Rac by Decorative Trimmings
Aleene’s Quick Dry Fabric Fusion
Westcott Brand 8”Scissors, ruler, pencil

1. Measure and cut each of the 9” x 12” craft cuts into a 9” square.
2. Glue ric rac around each side folding over at each corner. Snip off overlap at final corner. Repeat for all three pieces.
3. Glue ric rac along both sides and across ends of white felt.
4. Center Saralma square on white felt table runner on the diagonal. Glue down.
5. Peel off backing from Presto felt pieces and place on either side of Saralma square.

As simple as that! Now add some embellishments. I glued ric rac around the top of the mason jar too.

Get inspired with all of the great designs from the DCC group. Just hop along with the button in the sidebar.

Thank you for stopping by, it is very much appreciated!

Till next time!

April 22 is Earth Day and we are celebrating with a very special blog hop. Kunin Felt and Walnut Hollow, two “Made in the USA” companies committed to eco-friendly practices and quality products  partner  to bring  you indoor, outdoor home decor projects.

I love Hearts and when I saw the Rustic Heart Walnut Hollow® offers, that was it! I found my perfect piece. With spring in the air and the song birds returning I was inspired to create a song bird happily singing on a picket fence surrounded by colourful flowers. Now the fun part choosing the colours of felt to use, so many choices!

Here is what you need:
Rustic Heart by Walnut Hollow®
9" x 12" Craftcuts of  Kunin Eco-fi Plus Felt: 1 Candy Pink, 1 Lagoon Blue, 1 Orange
9" x 12" Craftcuts of Kunin Prestofelt: 1 Neon Green, 1 White
9" x 12" Craftcut of Kunin Printzfelt: 1 Retro Floral
2 pkg Aleene's Permanent Fabric Adhesive Sheets
Assorted Buttons Laura Kelly Designs for Buttons Galore
Westcott Brand 12" scissors
Aqua, pink embroidery floss
3-6" print fabric squares 
1 yd Ribbon for hanging
Aqua acrylic paint
Fabi Floral, Bird, Picket Fence Dies by Sizzix
Die cut machine
Brush, needle, soft cloth

1. Dilute a small amount of paint with water to create a wash. Test on back for colour depth. Apply to front and sides. Use the wet cloth to wipe the front bringing out the grain of the wood. Set aside to dry.

2. Cut felt pieces to fit die cuts. Apply adhesive sheets to back of fabric and felt pieces. (Prestofelt pieces already have an adhesive back.)

3. Die cut birds, a variety of flowers and a fence piece. (I die cut two birds as I wasn't sure which colour bird I wanted.) Any extras you do not use can be put aside for another project.
 

4. Begin layering flowers and arranging bird, fence and flowers on rustic heart. Add buttons on top of flowers. Once you are happy with your arrangement take a photo with your phone or tablet. (This will be helpful to refer to when adhering pieces in place.)

5. Adhere top flowers to bottoms and sew buttons to centers of flowers. Stitch around wing of bird. Stitch a French knot for eye. Straight stitch tail accents for bird.

6. Peel backing and adhere bird to heart. Add fence. Peel and adhere flowers in place.

7. Use a couple of tacks to fasten ribbon to back if hanging. Add flower to center ribbon loop.

Happy Spring! Want to learn more about these two Ecofriendly companies?

It all began with Stephen Seymour Kunin in the 1960’s, “the Father of Craft Felts”. Now The Kunin Group, located in NH manufactures adhesive-backed, die-cut, embossed, and stiffened fabrics in several color and style options using their Eco-fi fiber. Kunin turns trash into treasure using 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Over six hundred million bottles end up in landfills each year, so far this year Kunin has recycled over 350,000, 000 and counting. This adds the value of environmental stewardship to the fun of making crafts.

Connect with The Kunin Group here:
Website: http://www.kuningroup.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kuninfelt
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kuningroupfelt
Twitter: http://www.twitter.comKuninfeltfc

Walnut Hollow® began as a small family-owned business in Dodgeville, WI in the 70’s. Walnut Hollow is committed to protecting the environment and replenishing natural resources. ·   The company’s owners and employees have been since the beginning strongly committed to preserving natural resources through its raw materials consumption practices, production processes, recycling activities, and community involvement. The Ladd's (owners and founders of Walnut Hollow) have planted more than 300,000 trees and shrubs on personal property in the surrounding area. Whenever possible, raw material is harvested from plantation and managed woodlands for the manufacture of their home décor items and wood surfaces. Through their manufacturing process no wood waste ends up in landfills, all is recycled. Walnut Hollow’s emphasis has always been to bring the best possible quality products to art and craft hobbyists.

Connect with Walnut Hollow® here and learn more:
Website: http://www.walnuthollow.com, http://www.walnuthollow.com/about-us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walnuthollow
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/walnuthollow1

Our teams are sharing projects that pair both the Kunin Group felt and Walnut Hollow wood products to create practical and beautiful home decor, organizing solutions, and entertaining items. You can make these projects all year long, not just for Earth Day. To see more inspiring projects, please hop along using the list below:

Jennifer Priest
Sabrina Alery
Steph Ackerman
Laura Kelly
Laura Bray
Marilyn Gossett 
Abby Davis  
Sue Eldred
Beth Watson  
 Walnut Hollow
Kunin Group  

Celebrating the Made In the USA, eco-friendly fun, we're having a giveaway! We're sending an assortment of Walnut Hollow wood and Kunin Felt products to one lucky crafter. Use the widget above this post to enter to win! in this Earthfriendly Giveaway!

Keep Creating!
Debra

Banners immediately brighten up a space. Even though there is still snow on the ground, inside it is Spring! This is the first Monday of the month and we are hopping with the Designers Craft Connection. Button is in the sidebar. This month's theme is flowers. One of my favourite flowers to make is the looped flower.

Project Supplies

18” x 36” single piece pack Kunin Printzfelt™, Saralma
9” x 12” craft cuts Kunin Classicfelt™, 1 Candy Pink, 1 Neon Green, 1 Orange, 1 White, 1 Yellow
Buttons, 3-1”, 4-1/2”
2 yards of 3/8” ribbon, orange
Aleene's Quick Dry Fabric Fusion
scissors, ruler, pencil

Directions

1. Cut a 12” by 36” piece of the Saralma. Place wrong side up. Mark 9” widths across top edge. Across bottom edge measure in and mark 4 ½”. Continue measuring 9” across bottom.
2. Use ruler as guide to draw a diagonal line from the top outer corner to the 4 ½” mark. Draw a second diagonal line from the first 9” mark to the 4 ½” mark making a triangle pennant piece. Repeat step 2 across the remainder of the felt piece. This will give you double pennant pieces. Cut along lines making eight pennants. Set extra pennant pieces aside for another project.
3. Cut a 6” square from each of the Classic felt pieces. Measure 3” center point along one edge. Draw diagonal lines to the 3” center point to create a triangle. Repeat for each color. Cut along lines.
4. Cut three large and four small floral medallions from remaining piece of Saralma felt.
5. Glue a solid felt triangle to the top of each Saralma felt triangle. Glue a large medallion in the center of three of the pennants. Glue two smaller medallions on the two remaining pennants. Glue a button to the center of each medallion.
    
6.    For each flower cut a 2” by 12” piece of felt. Fold felt strip in half; begin cutting evenly spaced slits from the folded center to the edges leaving ¼” uncut. Keep strips folded and begin rolling, glue as you go. Glue to the end of the two triangles.
7. Lay out pennant pieces right sides down. Glue ribbon along top edges leaving 12” at either end.

Change up the felt colors to personalize the banner for any indoor room, outdoor event or personality! Check out the rest of the flower power designs with the DCC button in the sidebar!

Tomorrow on the Kunin blog we are celebrating Earthfriendly crafts, the HOME on the mantle, easy peasy!

Keep creating!
Debra

Well Miss Bernice B did not win but she placed well and is moving onward and upward! Thank you to everyone who voted for her, very much appreciated! She is moving on as Easter is right around the corner and every Easter basket not only needs a bunny or chick but a duck of course! Back by popular demand!

Meet Miss Bernice B! Wearing her best bow and a flower in her hair she is has returned from the Favecrafts Best Blogger 2015 Contest. Miss Bernie comes from a proud lineage, on her father's side, a good solid foundation Floracraft and on her mother's side, her pretty and soft good looks, Bernat. They met at a big event hosted by Prime Publishing and it was love at first sight. They became inseparable thanks to Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue.

Want a little Miss B of your own? Here's how!
You will need:
Bernat Mega Bulky Yarn Gold (1 Skein will make several ducks)
Styrofoam Brand Foam: 4", 6" balls
9" x 12" Kunin Prestofelt Craftcut Copper Canyon
2-12mm Black Beads
1-12" x 1/4" Dowel
1/2 yard craft ribbon
Flower embellishment
Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue
Printable Pattern
 

1. Begin at center end of ball, glue and wrap yarn.
Continue until ball is completely covered. Repeat for second ball.

2. Cut dowel into 3 equal pieces. Insert one piece of dowel between the two
balls using the Turbo Tacky glue.

3. Print out pattern. Draw pattern onto paper backing of Prestofelt.
Cut out each piece.

4. For legs wrap dowels with yarn leaving a 1/2" at one end. Glue at both ends.
5. Peel off backing of felt wing. Place the yarn back and forth across the adhesive
back of the felt. Trim yarn. Repeat for second wing.

6. Peel backing off of both beak pieces. Place a small amount of yarn in center
of one beak piece for stuffing. Place adhesive sides together around edges.
Press to face, adhesive on felt with adhere to face. Insert beads on either side of
of beak pressing into face. Glue on place.

7. Trim top of wings off and glue to either side of body as shown.
8. Peel backing off feet pieces and press together. Glue to ends
of dowel. Insert opposite ends of dowels into body.
9. Cut a 12" and 3"piece of yarn. Fold the 12" piece back and forth three times.
Wrap 3" piece around one end and tie. Trim ends. Glue to duck back for
tail. Tie on bow and add flower.

Bernice was excited to be part of the contest, she practiced her talent, not sure pond diving is going to do it for her and the swimsuit portion well you have seen her figure. However she is cute, sassy and confident, what more can a duck be!

Thank you to Prime Publishing for the opportunity and to all the wonderful manufacturers who provided great product.

Thank you for stopping by! I truly appreciate it! Thank you too for those who voted for Miss Bernice! Now on to Easter crafting!

Belonging to the DCC, Designer Crafts Connection, a group of professional international designers/bloggers offers creative and fun challenges. This month Offray Ribbon sent each of us a selection of colorful ribbons, mine were red, white and blue! With Valentine's next week and a new heart die, my design had to include hearts. Now to showcase the pretty ribbon with an interesting technique. I came home from CHA with a stack of Aleeene's Adhesive sheets. They would adhere the ribbon very nicely and die cut easily. I was inspired to design a 9 patch no sew wall hanging. Play time! By placing strips of ribbon at different angles and combinations on the adhesive sheets, patchwork hearts. Felt makes a perfect material for the wall hanging base.

You will need:
4 yards of 1 1/2" White, True Blue Ribbon by Offray
4 yards of 1/4" Red Ribbon by Offray
3 packages of Aleene's Fabric Adhesive Sheets
Aleene's Fabric Fusion
3-9" x !2" craftcuts Eco-fi Plus, White by Kunin
1/2 yard of Eco-fi Plus, Red by Kunin
Heart Die by Laura Kelly for Sizzix
9 Buttons, Red, White by Laura Kelly for Buttons Galore
Westcott Brand scissors
Ruler, pencil, rotary cutter, cutting mat

1. Cut 6"pieces from each of the three ribbons, eighteen of each color. Since the die is slightly latger than the adhesive sheet, cut three of the sheets into four equal pieces. Peel off paper from one side of a full sheet and one of the smaller strips. Place side by side. Begin by placing a piece of ribbon across the center of the sheet. Leave a 1/4" space on either side and add the contrasting ribbon. Fill in the 1/4"spaces with the red ribbon.

2. Trim ribbon around edges. Die cut. Repeat for nine hearts.

3. From white felt cut five 6" squares and from the red, an 18" by 22" piece of red felt. Alternate the white squares on the red, glue in place.

4. Peel off the paper backing from each heart, adhere to center of each red and white square. Glue button to center of each heart. Flip wall hanging over and fold top over 3.5" Glue leaving a sleeve to insert a rod to hang.

Easy peasy 123! Hang and enjoy!

Thank you Offray!  Sign up for their newsletter filled with information on new products and projects! Receive a 15% discount code on first purchase when you do at Offray.com!

Follow the DCC button to check out the other creative ribbon designs!
Thanks for stopping by!
Debra

February, sharing the love! The DCC blog hop connection, we are sharing the products and techniques we love! My favourite product to design with is felt, I love Kunin felt especially the new premium 8 oz. weight used in my house.  One of my favourite techniques has been needle felting. I live in Eastern Canada where it is a white winterland at least 5 months of the year. This inspires my design work, snowflakes, snowbabies, soft pastels and sparkle, these are a few of my favourite things!

 I created this snow scene for a magazine campaign about four years ago, a needle felt technique is used.  Handwork is both relaxing and rewarding. Full instructions.

So now that I have shared my favourite crafty things, find out what my other designer friends love! Hop along on the DCC button in the sidebar!

Happy crafting!

Debra

The first Monday of the month we hop with the DCC, Designer Crafts Connection. This month's theme, favourite new product in 2014. I work regularly with the Kunin Group who manufacture felt from chipped up water bottles, millions of bottles every year! This past year they released their new premium felt, Eco-fi Plus, a heavy 8oz weight not only for crafting but for home decor and fashion. The felt is weather resistant, fade and mildew proof, it becomes softer when washed.

I have been creating all kinds of projects for my home from this new Eco-fi Plus felt. In the photograph above my new sewing machine cover. Because of the weight of the felt it stands on its own.

Such a quick easy project, here's how!
I measured the height, length and width of my machine using these measurements I cut two curved ends. I also cut one piece double the machine measurements. Using fabric glue I glued the ends to the straight piece on ether end. For embellishments I added  Tim Holtz  sewing die cut.

Below are some photos from the kitchen over the holidays, the window valance, mini Christmas trees

So now you know my favourite product of the year, check out my other designer frineds to find out theirs, just hop with the button in the sidebar!

Next week we are off the CHA Craft and Hobby Show in North America, Kunin Booth #401!

Happy crafting! Debra

Here we go again, another fun blog hop with Laura Kelly and some other very cool bloggers! I love Laura's Hat die which will be released in January by Ellison/Sizzix. Her hat fits another Sizzix die, the Monkey. Kids love monkeys and this is Christmas crafting with kids so how about a Monkey ornament for the tree! Using Kunin's Presto felt die cut several monkey faces and hats in the different bright colors. Have a selection of buttons, trim and ribbon scraps for the kids to choose from.

Now let the fun begin, with the Presto felt the kids just have to peel off the back and stick down the felt. They get to choose the colors for the face and features, placement and discover how funny a monkey can be if his eyes are crooked, far apart or close together. Use a fabric marker to add their name to the hat brim. Easy peasy Christmas crafting! Keep a little bin for extra parts not used and for future crafting adventures!

Check out the rest of the Christmas Kid Crafting adventures! Linky in the sidebar! A cool contest too, Rafflecopter posted on Twitter, www.twitter.com/DebraQCEO.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy holiday crafting!

Debra

When talented designer friend Laura Kelly asked me to be part of a blog hop introducing her adorable hats, a 2015 Ellison Release Die-Cut Hats, I was so excited! She sent me a few to have fun with along with her buttons from Buttons Galore and products from iLoveToCreate.  The hats I received were all cut from Kunin’s Eco-fi Plus Premium Felt. How could I resist the one  in Candy Pink to create a snowflake tote to pop all those little extras in when taking baby Anna on a winter outing. The premium weight of felt makes a sweet yet sturdy tote. This is a two hour project or less using fabric glue. Sweet and simple!

You will need:
2/3 yard Kunin Eco-fi Plus Premium Felt, Candy Pink
1/3 yard Kunin Eco-fi Plus Premium Felt, White
Laura Kelly pink buttons by Buttons Galore
Scribbles Fabric Paint, Pink, White by iLoveToCreate
Quick Dry Fabric Fusion by iLoveToCreate
Circle Die & Big Shot by Sizzix
Scissors, pins, cutting mat, rotary cutter

How to:
1. From pink felt cut: two 13” by 14” for back and front, two 3” by 23” for straps, fourteen pink circles in total, 2”, 2 ¼” sizes. From white felt cut one 10” bottom piece, one 2” by 14” band, 5” by 9”, 6” by 10”, 1” by 3” pieces for bow, four circles.

2. Glue white band 1 ½” down from top end of pink front piece. Glue white bottom piece to bottom end of pink front piece. Glue back pink piece opposite end of white bottom piece. Fold piece in half matching side seams. Glue side seams with a thin line of glue close to the edge.


 

3. Refer to photo to paint snowflakes, stitch lines on bag and bow pieces, dots on hat. Let dry. Place bow pieces on top of each other centering the smaller piece. Pleat center and wrap the small white strip around the center overlapping and gluing. Set bow aside.

4. Fold pink strap pieces in half lengthwise and glue edges. Measure in 3” from each end of tote and glue strap end to the front, repeat for second strap and glue to back.

5. Glue polka dots to bottom of bag using photo as a guide. Glue bow in place on band. Glue on hat.

This tote can also be easily sewn, wherever the instructions call for gluing, topstitch instead. Make a grown up version with a black and pink color combination. For a wee boy, make a single bow for a bowtie in blue and white and add a blue hat. Have fun making this so cute tote!

Check out all the other super cute and fun designs using Laura's new dies! Enter to win an awesome prize!
RAFFLECOPTER LINK and LINKY in Sidebar!
Laura's Winter Hat Die-Cuts from Ellison Education and Sizzix will be available in January 2015!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

1st Monday of the month we hop with the Designer Crafts Connection (DCC). This month's theme Gratitude, thank you cards and gifts. As felt is my favourite material to work with, I designed a felt envelope to hold a thank you note or card. I wanted a playful, whimsical feel to the project with bright colours and a simple embroidery. The reversed "y" was unplanned but I actually like how it looks, simple sincerity straight from the heart.

You will need:
9" x 12" craftcuts of Kunin Classicfelt TM, 1 White, 1 Red
Sizzix Fabi Flower Layers and Leaves Die
Sizzix Big Shot
Teal Craft Thread
Teal buttons
Hook and Loop Circle fastener
Aleene's Fast Grab Fabric Fusion
Scissors, pencil, ruler, pins, embroidery needle

How to:

1. Cut a piece of white felt 7" by 12". Diecut both red and white flowers and leaves.
2. Refer to photos and layer flowers, buttons. Stitch buttons to centers and use a straight stitch to outline petals.
3. Fold felt envelope 5" from bottom. Finger press. Use pencil to draw "thank you" on front of envelope. Straight stitch.
4. Add buttons to front and back. Fold envelope and blanket stitch sides. Straight stitch around top flap.
5. Glue on flowers Glue top flower to back. Add hook and loop circle to close.
6. Write a card to someone special to slip inside and deliver!

Enjoy other great projects from our talented designers! Our button is in the sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by! Keep creating!
Debra