Christmas Crafting

First piece of Christmas crafting down.
I've had this idea buzzing around for a few weeks, and then of course saw a similar one in this months issue of this magazine  and I'm sure many other places too - so much for originality!
But it was the perfect thing to do, sitting in front of the tv last night.

I just threaded some blue, red and white wool felt on to a long piece of florists wire along with various red buttons. Then twisted the ends together and added a piece of ribbon, to hide the fact that it's stuck on with blue tack!
I want to make a large version, but I'm such a tight wad when it comes to using up my precious wool felt and even these small ones use far more than you would think. Of course the great thing is that you can use all those tiny bits that you just won't throw away and finally feel completely justified in keeping them. Bonus.
I also found that the easiest way to thread the felt was to poke a small hole through it first with a needle - but if you use craft felt instead of wool felt, I don't think you'd need to.
After making this one I thought I'd have a go at something that might be a little quicker and made a small rag wreath too.

This one was made  by simply tying strips of fabric to the florists wire and adding a few squares of wool felt every few pieces to give it a bit of depth and pad it out.
I'm not quite as happy with the rag wreath, but I do love the fact that  it again uses the scraps that you can't throw away. It's also a really quick project. Both of which means that I'm definitely going to make a much bigger version. Possibly even tonight. Because I don't have work to do.

Of course I've still got these little houses to finish (I bought them as paper mache blanks) and a wintery scene to create, so maybe I'll do that instead. Oh the pressure.

Comments

[kelly]

pressure that's a pleasure to be dealing with!

your wreaths are fab...i've never seen anything like them before. gorgeous colours! x

[deirdre]

Oh I love the wreaths. Thank you for the fantastic idea.

[Abby]

THANK YOU!!! I have been looking for some advice on how do to a rag wreath and was just going to wing it today..... you have made my day...
luv Abby

[Al]

Don't talk to me about pressure! Burning the midnight oil to get text finished for tomorrow. Xmas doesn't even begin to rear it's ugly head until next week for me - oh and then there's all the presents to get and outings to plan - yeah, I know all about pressure!!!
Gonna send you an email after Friday. . .
Al xxxxx

[Grainne]

The felt wreath is really nice, but I love the rag wreath!

Your tutorial last week gave me a crafting idea. I fused some Christmas material to nice wrapping paper and then I drew around Kieran's hands several times on the material and cut them out. I glued them in a wreath to hang as a decoration. I would never have thought of fusing material to paper. I also made some Christmas tree and gingerbread shape ornaments for the tree with the material too. Thanks for the idea :-)

[Ram in the Thicket]

Oh how cute!

[geek+nerd]

I made a rag wreath a few weeks ago, and I'm in the process of making a bunch more for an ornament swap. You can see my first one here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/geekxnerd/1977521028/ I took my scrap fabric and folded it accordian style until it was about an inch square and then thread the bunch on the needle. It worked for me, so I thought I'd share! Merry Christmas!

[Joan Gibb]

Love the houses and the wreaths. I'm so glad you're having a bit of fun!
Joan

[Lynn]

Just discovered your blog...thanks to SouleMama. Love it! Such beautiful pictures. You moved up my blog list...you are right under SouleMama now...heehee!

[amy m]

so very cute!! must make some for my home!