Bargains + Parrots

I've added a few things to my Etsy shop this week...

There's a few bargain felt bundles:

A selection of "not quite perfect" felt squares that are have a small mark on them or are slightly mis-shapen - update: these have now been sold.

A pack of bright felt pieces that aren't quite square: 

And some grey felt squares in colours I don't normally sell (I ordered these by mistake, oops!).

 There's also a bargain bundle of elasticated sequin trim - 20 metres for just £4! Update: these have now been sold.

And there's also an extra large embroidery thread box (+ 72 embroidery threads and bobbins to wind them onto). This box is 1cm deeper than the other boxes I sell, has movable dividers and is sturdier than the other boxes but I've listed it at the same price. Update: this has now been sold.

I've also listed the two parrots I stitched for Heart-Felt Holidays. There's a parrot brooch...

... and a large pirate parrot to wear as part of a pirate costume. Arrr!

 

They can all be found over in my Etsy shop.

DIY Lucky Four-leaf Clover Card

This tutorial is very simple, but (I think) rather cute - a Good Luck card decorated with a felt four-leaf clover.

You can keep the card super-simple...

... or add a pretty mini paper doily to "frame" the clover.

To make this card you will need...
- card
- the heart template at the bottom of yesterday's post
- small pieces of green felt
- a green felt tip pen or coloured pencil
- sewing scissors
- craft glue
- optional: a small paper doily 

Use the template to cut out four green heart shapes. Check out this post for tips on cutting out small felt shapes.

If you're using a paper doily now's the time to stick it in place. To stick mine, I placed the doily face down on a piece of scrap paper and carefully dabbed it with a glue stick. I then carefully peeled the doily from the paper, lightly positioned it on the card (leaving space to write the message below it) and pressed down to secure it in place. You could alternatively use pieces of double-sided tape to stick the doily in position.

Use small dabs of craft glue to stick the four felt shapes on the card as shown, so the four points meet in the middle. Try to arrange them so they're at a slight angle (i.e. so they're not pointing North, South, East and West).

Then use a green pen or pencil to draw a stem on your clover. If you prefer you can draw the stem before you glue the last (bottom) heart shape in place.

Finally, write "Good Luck!" underneath the clover. If you're worried about making the text central / neat, try writing the message lightly in pencil first to test out the positioning - then write over the pencil with your pen and erase the pencil markings.

Please note: this tutorial is for non-commercial use only. You may borrow one or two photos if you want to blog about my projects but remember to credit me and link back to the original source, and do not reproduce entire tutorials on your site. Thanks!

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DIY Felt Flower Card

Today's tutorial is for a quick and easy felt flower card - perfect for birthdays, Mother's Day, or any other occasion when a floral card fits the bill!

To make this card you will need:
- the heart and leaf templates provided at the bottom of this post
- plain card
- small pieces of craft felt in green and pink (or whatever other colour you want to make your flower)
- a mini button (or a sequin, or a small circle of felt)
- a pencil
- a green felt tip pen or coloured pencil
- sewing + craft scissors
- craft glue
- optional: decorative washi tape

If you're using washi tape, tear or cut a strip and stick it along one edge of the card. Fold the ends over, or carefully trim the excess tape with scissors. You could achieve a similar effect by cutting a narrow strip of gift wrap or other decorative paper and sticking it in place with glue or double sided tape.

Use the templates provided to cut out two felt leaves and five heart-shaped felt petals. Check out this post for tips on cutting out small felt shapes.

Arrange the pieces on your card as shown with the mini button in the centre of the petals. If you've not used a strip of washi tape / patterned paper, position your flower in the middle of the card.

Use a pencil to make two small dots to mark the position of the button and the point where the two leaves meet, and then set the pieces aside. Then use the dots as a guide to draw a green line to form the flower stem.

Glue the mini button and all the felt pieces in place with small dabs of craft glue.

... and you're done!

Variation: use a larger card blank (arranged landscape instead of portrait) and decorate it with a row of three flowers in different bright colours.

Gift idea: make a set of these flower cards and use a length of ribbon or pretty twine to tie them in a bundle with matching envelopes.

Double click the template / click to open it in a new tab in order to view it full size and print:

Please note: this tutorial is for non-commercial use only. You may borrow one or two photos if you want to blog about my projects but remember to credit me and link back to the original source, and do not reproduce entire tutorials on your site. Thanks!

Enjoyed this free tutorial? Buy me a "coffee" and help support my blog!


Subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly free pattern and visit my crafty tutorial archive for lots more free projects.

Visit my shop to buy my printable PDF sewing patterns:

Better Late Than Never

I've got a few tutorials to share with you this coming week - some quick and easy crafty ideas based around a simple heart-shaped template.

I'd originally hoped to have them sorted by early last week (just in time to get crafting for St Patrick's Day and for Mothering Sunday here in the UK) but, alas, I didn't have time. Even though they're a bit later than planned, I hope you'll still enjoy them!

The first project will be posted tomorrow :)