Felt Fever

A couple of Christmases ago the "felt bug" struck and I came down with a bad case of felt fever. It began with the creation of a trio of ornaments found online that became my must-do of the season. I think I made 7 sets. This was "P.P." (Pre-Pinterest) and now I don't even know where I got the idea for this particular set. I wasn't exactly organized at the time. What am I saying. I'm not organized now.

Many of the pictures in this post were taken with a "lesser camera" so the quality is a bit grainy. This shot includes a little gift that I also wrapped with felt.

Often I'll just "wing" things, but these ornaments actually had patterns. Good thing, because I don't think in that sort of dimension; I think in stick figures.

It would be wonderful if the patterns for the ornaments could be found lying around in a drawer somewhere, because I've searched the entirety of the world wide web for the site at which I found these originally, along with their patterns, but to no avail. So I don't have them to show you how they were made. We were broken into and my computer stolen while they were being created, so anything I had on my computer from that time that hadn't been backed up was lost. Those patterns would come in handy too, because I was entertaining thoughts of a sort of felt ornament reprisal this year. 

One of the ornaments adorning our tree

Then again, there are tons of adorable felt ornaments out there for inspiration, Christmas trees of every shape and hue, sweet little birds, snowmen, penguins and more. A quick Bing Image search has been enticing me to pull out the felt again...and to start cutting and stitching. I like to create or buy ornaments for the kids each Christmas. We missed a few years in there, but one year soon everyone will be taking their ornaments for their own trees (as was the plan), and my tree will be left fairly barren. Most of what's on our tree was made for the kids. It will be a hard "letting go", to be sure. Our handmade ornaments have a special place in my heart.

The little pinecones are cute, however brown ornaments don't show up well on a real Christmas tree.

A felt tree was also crafted on the fly, wrapped around styrofoam, secured with blanket stitching down the back and decorated with colorful felt circles, buttons, rick rack and little pearls. Maybe this year a star or an angel could be crafted for the top.



This was all done within a short span of time. When inspiration for Christmas gifts hits, I tend to go into overdrive and get a lot done within a week or so; usually just before Christmas, and finishing just in the nick of time. Just call me "Last Minute Liz". It seems a looming deadline suits me.

One thing led to another that year and these felt envelopes were concocted, as well, to hold the cards and tags I had created that were going to be given to some of girls in the family. The envelopes were used as the wrapping since they were so colorful. The small green one with the strap was just a sort of little envelope purse I made for my young niece, and it was used as the wrapping for some small girly gifts.




Here are just a few of the zillions of cards and tags I made and gave that Christmas. Each envelope was crammed with a variety like this. No one got the same mix because many were one of kind. The "Sing for Joy" (to God our strength) card was embellished with yarn and a wire treble clef I created. The cards and tags had become a sort of crafting addiction throughout the year. The colors, textures (including wire, fabric, yarn, sand, shells, crystals, buttons, etc.) and designs drew me in and kept me wanting to think up and create more. It was hard to stop.


It was a colorful Christmas to be sure. Now it's time to get working on an idea for some things to make and give this year. Hopefully "Last minute Liz" will show up. If not, it may be because she was discovered on the couch with her feet up listening to Christmas carols eating ice cream with hot fudge or some other delectable goody, leisurely reading a book at the beach or taking some time for ski vacation all while someone else maintains the yard, car, house and whatnot.

Pfffbbttt! Yeah, right! That would, however, be my wish list of ways to spend the next month.

No, I'm sure I will find something to get "the fever" over this year. Like many of you, there will be plenty to keep me busy, even if it's just to cook up or bake up some goodies like fudge, penuche, hard tack, our family's Santa cookies or some fun new item Casey finds on Pinterest. One just never knows what inspiration will strike. Hopefully it will strike soon. I'd like to ditch the "Last Minute" moniker this year and fully enjoy the creative opportunities. We'll just see how that works out.

Here's hopin' for that, and hopin' that YOU have a Merry Christmas season!

I'll be sharing my FELT FEVER at:

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Cowgirl Up @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Mop it Up Monday @ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage