February 17, 2014

TUTORIAL -- A PRIMITIVE BUNNY

I know it's a few months before Easter, but here in our little 'crafting corner' where we buy and sell, we like to be the birds that catch the juciest of worms, ya know?!
So I have a little pattern for you to make these guys. They measure approximately 8" x10".
 One I sculpted and the other I didn't.
Here is a list of materials you will need to make these bunnies:
Muslin or fabric of your choice for the bunny
extra cotton floral fabric (2 1/2" x 4" piece)
Fiberfill for stuffing
#10 Crochet Thread (or your choice of Thread)
Sweet Annie and/or dried flowers
Prim Staining Mix

Let's get busy!
Cut her out --1/4" seam allowance is already added to the pattern. Sew her, turn, stuff. Easy, peasy so far! (I left the bottom open for stuffing but you can easily slit the bunny where the pocket goes to turn and stuff).
If you're going to sculpt the hind legs and ears, refer to the pattern (make sure you leave the bottom open if you're going to leave the pocket off). Use a long doll needle and some sturdy thread (upholstery or crochet). Here's a link.
 They're ready for the staining mix.
Now, I added some dk brown acrylic paint, 'bout a tablespoon or so, to my mix.
Some people just paint the stain on with a sponge brush but I actually like to submerge mine. I add a LOT of vanilla and cinnamon to my stain mix and it saturates the fiberfill thus leaving it smelling stronger,  longer. Takes longer for the drying time but I like the smell!
 Don't forget the cotton tail! Strip about 5 pieces of 6" x1/2"pieces of muslin.
Fold it over once.
Tie it in the middle with a heavy thread. Should be 10 pieces on each side. Tie it tight!
Should look like a Pom-Pom. Trim it up and stain it.
Bake it in a warm oven (205 for mine) for 15 minutes at a time. Guess I turned mine 2-3 times. You can also put them outside in the sun but I'm guessing since it's still winter, you might have some trouble with that whole 'sunshine' part! 
DON'T FORGET the floral material for the pocket! Stain it, too; dry it!
Pin the pocket in place.
Sew up the pocket leaving the top open. I used brown #10 crochet thread. You can use embroidery floss, also.
I added a spot of hot glue at the top corners to keep the pocket down. Add your dried floral pieces or just some Sweet Annie or whatever appeals to you. Glue or sew on the cotton tail.
You should have something similar to this.
 What else would you do with this guy below?
A tag? Rusty pin and Jingle bell? Where would you put it? Everything I tried didn't look right. Let me know what you'd do!
THIS PATTERN IS FOR YOU TO ENJOY HOWEVER YOU WISH!
Enjoy!
}}Hugs{{
Vicky







February 1, 2014

A Giveaway Winner/Where Is Our Sunshine?!!

Seriously, we've been without sunshine for so long I think they're going to rename our state!
 I try not to diss the rain when we get it. When you live on a lake and watch the water levels come and go, you learn to appreciate when Mother Nature is giving. But dadgummit all I WANT MY SUNSHINE!!
I've got a winner for my Valentine Giveaway! Random.com surprises me from time to time by choosing #1 and it did this time!  
So, Vicki H. you are my winner!
Email me at VicWeave@aol.com so I can get your Garland out to you this next week!
Thank you EVERYONE for signing up and supporting this Giveaway. I will have more throughout the year/Seasons. I'm getting ready for one on my FB to celebrate 700 followers and I'll let you know when it's up and ready!
Our Etsy Team, Old Farmhouse Gathering (OFG) had a Team Swap: "Beat the Winter Blues" and I received mine from Bonnie of Occasional Gifts.  Here's a picture of what she sent me.

We were supposed to send a Snowman, fabric, something 'sweet' to eat and then something else that we chose to send. I LOVE these little Snowmen!
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I've finished my Cardinals except for a little beaded eye.
 I'm putting them away until it gets closer to the Holidays as they'll be designed with floral twigs and greenery, and white lights. The pattern can be found at Old Road Primitives.
I've just finished 6 chocolate Bunnies. 
They need their bows but I'm sending some of these with some Easter grass, colored wooden eggs, and a carrot to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. I donate to their Bun Fest every year.
Last but not least, I purchased another cute pattern from Sweet Meadows.
I've cut out 6 and am now in the process of cutting and sewing them up. Hope to have some to show you next week. My 8 yo daughter wants one so she has to help me stuff them up. Love me some cheap labor!!
Best wishes to all in this cold weather. Looking forward to Summer so I can complain about the heat!
Stay Tuned!
}}Hugs{{
Vicky