DIY: felt bows

Hello there all,

Whenever I draw a cartoony-sillsy version of myself, I draw myself with a bow. For example, this picture of me as a cuttlefish.

 However, I, personally, had no bows! What a travesty! Therefore, I went on a binge and made myself some felt bow barrettes. When I wore them, I got multiple compliments, so I thought: why not share the how to with other people  while making a batch of bows for some of my loverly residents at work.

Here is where I originally got the idea. However, I modified it slightly by using hot glue and making them bigger for my needs.

What you'll need:

• felt in colors of choice
• barrette clip-y doodads
• hot glue gun and glue
• stencils from the template found here (you can easily make your bows bigger/smaller than this) The ones that I made are slightly bigger). I traced the template instead of printing them because we don't have a printer.
• scissors
• pen/marker/chalk
• Hands that hot glue won't destroy

Let's make some bows:

Trace the stencils onto the felt then cut the pieces out.

With the longest piece (the piece of that kind of looks like a mustache), gently fold one side over into the middle and glue it down to the middle. You should have a loop on one side after this step.

Fold the other edge over and hot glue that section down into the middle. Your bow should already be taking form, and you should now have two loops.

Hot glue the first shape that has two loops onto the smaller shape that looks like two attached Pac-man (seen above). You should have the creases from the first made shape facing down and glue that part to the Pac-men.

With your smallest piece left, wrap this around the two other pieces and hot glue it down to the rest of the bow. I think it is best to do it in the middle of the bow and underneath where it wraps under.

Hot glue your finished bow onto a barrette.

You could easily modify this for several things: bowtie, beanies, socks, headbands, sweaters, ornaments, magnets, etc. Everything can have a bow and just be a smidge cuter.

Good luck with your bow making and may everything you own be bow-tiful.

-Autumn

DIY: Fabric Colored Button Earrings

Hello there folks,

I have a crafting obsession. No, I don't mean the obsession with making things (which oh God is this ever true). But i have an obsession with making earrings. It is an easy/quick way to implement a made craft into everyday life, and I just want to keep making them....again and again and again.

 It is far too greedy to keep the how to for these cuties a secret, so let the instructions roll.

1.) Pick which delicious fabrics you would like to rock your ears.

2.) Grab a craft cover button kit from your crafty place of choice. Your kit will include the items seen above.

3.) Use the template in your kit to draw two circles (one for each button) on your fabric. 

4.) Place your fabric on top of the mold. The fabric should be facing down, put the button shell on top of the fabric and place it in the middle.

5.) Use the pusher to insert the fabric into the mold.

6.) You will have a coffee filter looking dohickey after you put the shell into the mold. You will need to then fold the fabric into the mold.

7.) Place the back on the folded over fabric. In the picture from step 2, I showed the two different back types: one with a shank and one without a shank. In this picture above, I am using the back with the shank, but I removed the shank. You can use both back types for this project. you just have to be more strategic with where you place the earring post.

8.) After the back is placed on the to-be earring, Place the pusher on top of that and push with all of your might. If you are a weakling like me, feel free to use a clamp to push the back into the shell. Luckily, the Mr. fully supports my crafty addictions and supplied the idea for the clamp.

You should hear a little snappy snap sound when you push the back into the shell.

9.) Glue an earring post onto the back of the button. I used E600, but you could use hot glue as well. Wait 24 hours and ....

10.) BAM! You look good!

-Autumn