I was hoping I'd have a leisurely afternoon before the middle of December to make a full-fledged tutorial, with step-by-step photos, for this little Scandinavian-inspired tiny-hoop ornament, but that, alas, was not to be. Since no one will have time to make one before Christmas if I don't post about it, well,
immediately, I thought I'd just share the photo and a little note about how it's done.
Materials/Supplies:
3-inch wooden embroidery hoop
scrap of fabric (I've used turquoise/teal) about 4" square
felt scraps in various colors (I've used white, pale green, and red)
red embroidery floss
length of ribbon about 8" long (I've used red velveteen)
glue
scissors
embroidery needle
scrap of brown paper (I've used a bit from a grocery bag)
Instructions:
1. Secure the fabric tightly in the hoop.
2. Cut your felt pieces--in this case, I've cut two curved white pieces (though straight strips will work, too), six small, green teardrops, and four small red circles (which a hole punch can cut if you want to go that way).
3. Position and secure the white strips to the fabric using four strands of embroidery thread and a small, neat running stitch. Position and secure the green teardrops as shown with a couple of back stitches. Position and secure the red circles as shown using two small crossed stitches.
4. Run a bead of craft glue around the hoop edge at the back and fold the fabric over onto the glue, running your thumbs around the glued fabric until it adheres. Allow to dry.
5. Cut away excess fabric from the middle back of the hoop, so you get a neat edge.
6. Using this hoop or another three-inch hoop, trace a circle onto brown paper, and cut the circle a bit smaller than the template indicates. Run a bead of glue around the edge of the back of your hoop, right on top of the glued-down fabric, and secure the brown paper circle to the back of the hoop. (This will hide the stitchy backside.) Allow to dry.
7. Attach your ribbon through the metal closure at the top of the hoop and tie a knot a few inches up, so you can hang the ornament.
Voila!
I think one of these would be lovely added to a special package--or you can just keep yours for yourself, as I intend to do. :-)
Well, he's not such a baby anymore, is he? In fact, he's 21, but you know how it is--when I look at his handsome man-face, I still see the fat cheeks and cork-screw curls.
The lovely young woman snuggled up to him is his girlfriend, Bridget. The hoop was my Christmas present to them--and kind of a nod to their long-term relationship, a welcome into our family. And I accomplished all that with wool felt! :-)
On the docket for this weekend? Six more Intro to Lit final exams to grade. (That's the agony part.) But the bright side? I also get to see Annabelle perform Antigone--twice!
I was hoping I'd have a leisurely afternoon before the middle of December to make a full-fledged tutorial, with step-by-step photos, for this little Scandinavian-inspired tiny-hoop ornament, but that, alas, was not to be. Since no one will have time to make one before Christmas if I don't post about it, well, immediately, I thought I'd just share the photo and a little note about how it's done.
This puppy is ready to hang on the mantle! It'll be my friend Jason's baby Lucy's first Christmas, and it's so fun to think about the fact that for many years she might run to this stocking upon waking on the big day, anxious to see what treats Santa has tucked inside.
Welcome to the world, Little Elf. It really is a sweet place.
While I await final papers and exams, I find myself free to sink into the sweetness of the season--we've watched both the Mr. Bean and the Black Adder Christmas specials this week; we've taken many brisk, pine-cone collecting walks; we've filled the bay window with junk-mail paper snowflakes (using this lovely tutorial--try it--it's fun and feels quite virtuous!); general elfishness has ensued. Right now, Miss A. is working on a secret project that means she's in her room, Indigo Girls on the iPod, "Please Knock" sign on the door for a couple of hours every afternoon. That leaves me free to work on the felty stocking you see in progress above. 
We all know it's not just Santa who has one--mine's the length of my arm and then some. It includes shop business, student paper drafts to comment on, a whole issue of the English department's literary magazine to publish, and all those gifts I want to make before Christmas.
This item, such a pleasure to attend to these past few days, is now checked off, and I am hoping that the smiles on these felty faces will be reflected back when the recipients get a look at their portrait!
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