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:

Pattern (2 pages)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3ZH1BVLOI4JRjVnc2xHRDYyVkU/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3ZH1BVLOI4JYWhpQjRnZUhyVnc/edit?usp=sharing 
 

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

http://americanprim.blogspot.com/2005/09/tea-coffee-staining.html

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.

http://www.ask.com/question/how-to-needle-sculpt-doll-faces

 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

A GIVEAWAY from the FAAP Team!

http://folkartandprimitives.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-giveaway-and-celebration.html

Don't miss it!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

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!

**********************

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

Baby, It's COLD Out There!

Oh, BRRRRRRRR, it's so cold here in Florida! How cold is it Vicky? 

"It's so cold that...Starbucks is serving coffee on a stick!"

  "It's so cold the lawyers have their hands in their OWN pockets!"

  "It's so cold that the snowman is begging to come in and get warm!"

  "It is so cold outside that I had to climb into a chest freezer to warm up!"

  It's so cold that, "my Snuggie needs a Snuggie!"

 "It's so cold outside the chickens are begging KFC to fry them up."

  "It is so cold that the smoke froze up in the chimney."

Well, I could go on but I know that many of you are COLDER than I am!

I had a really good friend come over yesterday to paint the day away with me! These are my favorite kind of days....filled with lots of hugs, love, and mega laughter! Everyone should have a friend that you can LOL with!

We made my new Love Bugs!

They are so fun to make! Wish I'd taken a photo of hers as they were SOOOOO much better than mine!

I've also been making more of these as they've been a good seller for me this year.

 I have an order to put in the mail on Tuesday along with another Garland of mine.

Can't wait to finish these and show you them all in their RED!

 They were supposed to be finished by Christmas but the Flu caught up with me and I went down like lead balloon :( The original pattern is from Kim over at ORP or Old Road Primitives.

Don't forget about my current Giveaway in the post below this one. You can also find it in the upper right of my side bar.

Stay healthy and 

Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

2014 VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Yep....it's time to think of pink and red and hearts.....at least my buyers are anyway! I've already sold a few of these so I thought I'd make some extras and start the year off right with a Giveaway!

Take your pick.....1, 2, or 3!

These are older pictures but these Garlands are still made the same way. I just add more fabric in between and the paper on the Decoupaged one differs a bit. They are about 36" long (I'll have to take some new pictures this year)!

Here's what you need to do to win one of these Garlands!

1. FOLLOW THIS BLOG!

2. Leave me a comment of which one of these Garlands you'd like to have (1, 2, or 3).

3. Like me on Facebook for an EXTRA chance! Already do, tell me in your comment!

This Giveaway is open to the US and Canada.

End FRIDAY Jan. 31st. Winner announced SATURDAY, Feb. 1.

Thanks for your support!

Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my Blogging Friends!! Yes, it's taken me a few days to get that out.

Thank goodness for 2014 finding us on the mend. We have been some sick little puppies! Thank you for all of your well wishes! I've been resting and catching naps during the day. Laziness suits me just fine! I've piles of 'this and that' sitting in my laundry crafting room. Don't judge me!

These bins are full of half-finished items that I hope to have ready for my show this Fall. I have 7 months to worry over it.

I always donate to the Humane Society's 'Bun Fest' in Stuart, Florida on our Gold Coast so Bunnies are on my mind!

I figured this year I'll send some Chocolate rabbits/Carrots in baskets. Do you have a place where you donate once a year?

 Getting started on a few Nativities. I'll offer these this year in a set of 5 (manger included) with the option to add the other pieces (8). They take a while to paint. Not sure what to ask for the set. Hate to get too pricey as I know they won't sell but surely don't want to short-change myself. Any suggestions?

Making some of these now since I sold 2 sets today. 2014 started off right with me seeing sales on day one. Nice to see I'm getting noticed but don't want to generate too much work for myself (see my opening statement and the reference I made about laziness!).

Stay tuned as I've a Giveaway next week! 

My best to you as you get your 2014 started! It can only be as good as WE make it!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Back in the Blogging Lane!

Nothing like being shut down by technical devices that you have no control over. I'm not going to take you through my computer woes of the last few months.....just know I'm back!

Amy from BumbleBee Lane Cottage hosted a Christmas Swap and I received some wonderful Swap goodies from Sandi Allen of THE PRIMIVE SKATE. Here are a few pictures!

What's not to LOVE?!!! THANK YOU, Sandi! It's all just wonderful and smells soooo good! You can go over to Sandi's blog and see what I gave her, HERE!

We've been battling illness around here most of this month. Our 8 year old son has developed Cellulitis in his leg and we're dealing with that infection with recurring trips to the hospital and lots of antibiotic. Hubby and I still managed to put on a good Christmas despite all of the stress, however, a few things were placed aside such as cards, ornies, and the family letter. I figure I can send those off in another day or so.

I'm back up on my Etsy but will hold back new things for my show this year. I did make this guy for a gift though.

He's a pattern from Chestnut Junction. Can't wait to make more of these guys in various colors of reds and greens!

Here's hoping you and yours are having/had a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays all around! I'm enjoying all of my children (6 of them) for the next few days!

 Wishing you all a wonderful New Year!

}}Hugs{{

Vicky

I'm A Doing!!!

Putting up Christmas and packing my crafts away.....that's what I'm doing! I'll close my Etsy for vacation at the end of this week to give me some time to finish some personal crafts. I've been filling Teacher orders and just put 8 out today! 

I've (sort of) hired a little helper. 

She loves to 'grundge' up my dolls and I've even got her base coating my wood. Here she is coating a snowman with cinnamon!

Here is a picture of my FB Mystery Prize. 

Not many signed up -- due to the onslaught of the holiday chaos, I'm sure -- but someone was a winner and it was Barb of Barb's Heartstrokes! I call them my 'Snowpal Pails'! You can find the little pails everywhere! Target even has some wrapped in Burlap with a Christmas tree stenciled on it. I just added a Prim Snowman with some pipberry arms. He's got a dowel stuck in an uncomfortable place and he's glued into some floral foam. I've added floral pieces and fiber fill all around the inside of the pail. Cute for quick gifts!

Here is a picture of my Elf dolls. I'll have these available in a show I'm doing next year.

My Sister-in-Law talked me out of one at Thanksgiving but she couldn't have if I didn't love her so much!

These guys were adapted from a pattern by The Olde Country Cupboard.

Last, but not least, I've been making these girls up for gifts. 

They still have some details like whiskers and tails but they're almost ready to gift! LOVE making these as they are super simple. The pattern is from Old Road Primitives.

I'm almost done with the Christmas shopping. My house will be FULL with all 6 kids this year! Looking forward to all of our festivities. Hope you have lots planned, too!

}}Hugs{{

Vicky