tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43217027059208535482024-03-13T05:12:13.666-07:00Testthemagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-59694998792062922202012-01-31T11:07:00.000-08:002012-01-31T11:07:41.284-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fairyfolk Needle Felting Kit :: Spring Nest</span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">www.fairyfolk.etsy.com </span> </h4>
<h4>
I am
so excited to share this Spring robin's nest needle felting tutorial
with you. Even if you've never needle felted before, you'll
be amazed at how quickly and easily you can make this little treasure.</h4>
</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jb7fzolxns/TyHYNgqbDQI/AAAAAAAAIDQ/kEKb-j-1jWs/s1600/nest+tut1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9jb7fzolxns/TyHYNgqbDQI/AAAAAAAAIDQ/kEKb-j-1jWs/s400/nest+tut1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Needle felting equipment - Needle felting requires three tools; wool roving, a felting needle and a protective foam board.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wool
roving looks like cotton candy. When the sheep is sheered, the fleece
is washed and dried and then it is 'carded' - brushed so that all the
knots and clumps are brushed out and the fibers of the wool all run the
same way. It is then dyed... any wonderful color under the sun :-) This
roving can then be spun into yarn (for knitting) or it can be felted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />The
protective foam board is not absolutely necessary but it is definitely
recommended when you are learning to needle felt. The needle is very
sharp and if you don't have a board upon which to steady your work, you
will find yourself painfully stabbed more than once.<br />
<br />The felting needle is about 3 inches
long. As I said before, it is very sharp. The tip of the needle has a
number of small barbs and it is these barbs that felt the wool. It
works because the outer surface of each fiber of wool has tiny,
microscopic scales on it. When the fiber is agitated, the scales hook
into one another, forming a tighter and tighter mass. The needle works
because the barbs of the needle 'grab' the fibers as you stab it into
the wool, depositing the fibers deeper into the wool. The little scales
on the fibers lock together, ensuring that the fibers stay in their
new place. By stabbing the wool hundreds of times with your needle, you
have control over the form of your wool and can shape it as you wish.
You can see the barbs if you look closely at the tip of your needle. </span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This tutorial will show how to make a sweet robins nest... a simple and fast project for beginner needle felting</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg3CZkqaU5M/TyHYWCe5KMI/AAAAAAAAIDk/prOJMg2qOwI/s1600/P1014592.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg3CZkqaU5M/TyHYWCe5KMI/AAAAAAAAIDk/prOJMg2qOwI/s200/P1014592.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Start by breaking the blue wool into three strips of roughly the same
size... as you can see from the photo, the lengths should be about
double the width of your hand.<br />
<br />
Roll each strip between your hands as you would if you were rolling a ball of playdough into a snake.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YobSvrcQj_E/TyHYX7UJJzI/AAAAAAAAIDs/9xLXKBPVFqw/s1600/P1014594.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YobSvrcQj_E/TyHYX7UJJzI/AAAAAAAAIDs/9xLXKBPVFqw/s200/P1014594.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
With your forefinger and thumb, roll the wool 'snake' into a tight
spiral. The tighter you can get it, the easier it will be to felt.<br />
<br />
Tip: I find that rolling is key in many of my felting projects... if I
can roll the wool tightly to begin with, I can greatly reduce the time
my form takes to felt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLqO4fsuKMc/TyHYanEHXCI/AAAAAAAAID0/sjb9HYa8fl8/s1600/P1014596.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLqO4fsuKMc/TyHYanEHXCI/AAAAAAAAID0/sjb9HYa8fl8/s200/P1014596.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
When the blue wool has been rolled into a tight spiral, I set it down on
the felting board and stab it with the needle many times around the
outside of the spiral. Be slow and deliberate with your stabbing in the
beginning, and concentrate, please... it hurts when you stab yourself... it's definitely not the end of the
world, but it is better avoided :-)<br />
<br />
You will soon see that this stabbing holds the wool in place and the spiral will not unravel if you let it go.<br />
<br />
To round the ends so that your creation starts to look like an egg,
gently loosen the the outside layer of wool around the spiral by
pulling it with your thumb and forefinger. Fold this pulled layer over
the spiral edge and needle felt it gently. Needle felt the edges until
your shape becomes a smooth round ball.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzID5CY0Pjo/TyHYdvmjc8I/AAAAAAAAID8/GxhQhuAHoGs/s1600/P1014597.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzID5CY0Pjo/TyHYdvmjc8I/AAAAAAAAID8/GxhQhuAHoGs/s200/P1014597.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Roll your ball in your hands as if you were rolling a marble in your
hands... this will help shape your ball. Then needle felt it again into
the egg shape you want. Continue with the other strips of blue wool,
following the same technique for each egg. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FgS-euUjRyg/TyHYfyGaS3I/AAAAAAAAIEE/zwdms08fOL0/s1600/P1014601.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FgS-euUjRyg/TyHYfyGaS3I/AAAAAAAAIEE/zwdms08fOL0/s200/P1014601.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FgS-euUjRyg/TyHYfyGaS3I/AAAAAAAAIEE/zwdms08fOL0/s1600/P1014601.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAkSEy1-nrc/TyHYmz2QbKI/AAAAAAAAIEc/AI1UgXzYzno/s1600/P1014606.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAkSEy1-nrc/TyHYmz2QbKI/AAAAAAAAIEc/AI1UgXzYzno/s200/P1014606.JPG" width="200" /></a> Now
that your eggs are ready, they need a mossy nest to nestle comfortably
in. First, we need to tie our twine onto the edge of the nest so that it
will hang nicely. Thread the twine through a strand of vine and fasten
it with a knot. Do the same for the other side, making sure that your
nest hangs straight before making the second knot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SEq5b-0XHU/TyHYir5v2aI/AAAAAAAAIEM/05-iAU8zV9Y/s1600/P1014603.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SEq5b-0XHU/TyHYir5v2aI/AAAAAAAAIEM/05-iAU8zV9Y/s200/P1014603.JPG" width="200" /></a>Now we need to line the nest with moss. Take about a handful of mossy green wool and gently pull it so that it
makes a rough circle. Gently flatten it between your hands.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TA9Jb74Bf9M/TyHYk_4yX4I/AAAAAAAAIEU/EwNoWgQsyh0/s1600/P1014604.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TA9Jb74Bf9M/TyHYk_4yX4I/AAAAAAAAIEU/EwNoWgQsyh0/s200/P1014604.JPG" width="200" /></a>Place this green wool over the nest and push it into the hollow of the nest. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3PoM9wVoQE/TyHYpEK1m6I/AAAAAAAAIEk/SEh0AJBlgyU/s1600/P1014608.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3PoM9wVoQE/TyHYpEK1m6I/AAAAAAAAIEk/SEh0AJBlgyU/s200/P1014608.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Needle felt the wool gently into the nest. Remember to keep your nest
on the protective foam board as your needle will sometimes go all the
way through the nest and you don't want the nest to be sitting on your
lap when the needle pokes through the bottom! Ouch! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bOedIMt1znQ/TyHYrqa3QVI/AAAAAAAAIEs/7Ig3t_n0b6I/s1600/P1014610.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bOedIMt1znQ/TyHYrqa3QVI/AAAAAAAAIEs/7Ig3t_n0b6I/s200/P1014610.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
You will see that as you gently needle felt the wool into the strands
of the nest, the nest indent will become more and more pronounced,
making a lovely hollow for the sweet little eggs to nestle in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vC7fMyuCzT0/TyHYuYcQ9JI/AAAAAAAAIE0/Wt84oSCr69c/s1600/P1014612.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vC7fMyuCzT0/TyHYuYcQ9JI/AAAAAAAAIE0/Wt84oSCr69c/s200/P1014612.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
In go the three little robins eggs and Voila! What a sweet Spring nest
you have made. Just perfect for hanging from your chandelier, twig tree
on your nature table or anywhere else in your home that is ready to
welcome in the Spring.<br /> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
I have other needle felting kits available in my shop too if you wish to try
something else... felted pebbles for lovely home decor, felted pumpkins,
felted hearts, felted wreaths, felted balls as well as kits of lovely colored wool for you to make
whatever your heart desires. Please visit my shop<a href="http://www.fairyfolk.etsy.com/"> Fairyfolk</a> to see them all and look under the '<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Fairyfolk?section_id=6755213">Needle Felting Kits</a>' section.<br />
<br />
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any felting questions.<br />
<br />
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Happy Spring crafting, </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Blessings and magic, </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Donni</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Please visit my other spaces...</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Blog: www.themagiconions.blogspot.com</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Fairyfolk Shop: www.fairyfolk.etsy.com</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Photography Gallery: www.doviemoon.etsy.com</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Fairyfolk Weddings: www.fairyfolkweddings.etsy.com</div>
</div>
</div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-52118151933500957272012-01-17T09:25:00.001-08:002012-01-17T09:25:08.689-08:00Toadstools<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title">
<a href="http://www.themagiconions.blogspot.com/">Tutorial : Needle Felted Toadstools</a>
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am
so excited to share a tutorial on needle felting. You have shown
interest in giving it a go and I encourage you to dive right in. Others
of you who are hooked will agree, it is such a fun hobby and you'll be
amazed at the things you can make. When I picked up my first needle
three years ago, I was surprised at how quickly I took to it. One of
the things I love most about needle felting is that you can finish a
project in one sitting. You can sit down with a basket of wool and be
holding a delightful toadstool in your hands an hour later. Of course,
you can make wonderfully elaborate creations that take hours and hours
but you can also make something in twenty minutes too. I like that.</span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUBfqEWUS2U/ThNGqJWTBYI/AAAAAAAAG7c/-dwqKgr4ZXg/s1600/P1013341.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUBfqEWUS2U/ThNGqJWTBYI/AAAAAAAAG7c/-dwqKgr4ZXg/s200/P1013341.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
tutorial (and others like it) is published on my blog, The Magic
Onions, in color if you'd rather follow the color, online, directions...
www.themagiconions.blogspot.com (search: needle felted toadstools).</span><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">This is a tutorial on how to make sweet, needle felted toadstools... a simple and fast project for beginner needle felting.</span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Equipment - Needle felting requires three tools; wool roving, a felting needle and a protective foam board.</span></span></h4>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQRjXn9VptA/ThNHDeVE4_I/AAAAAAAAG7g/EGhhkurbrlA/s1600/P1013351.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQRjXn9VptA/ThNHDeVE4_I/AAAAAAAAG7g/EGhhkurbrlA/s200/P1013351.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wool
roving looks like cotton candy. When the sheep is sheered, the fleece
is washed and dried and then it is 'carded' - brushed so that all the
knots and clumps are brushed out and the fibers of the wool all run the
same way. It is then dyed... any wonderful color under the sun :-) This
roving can then be spun into yarn (for knitting) or it can be felted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gaYzm-Cwf5Y/TWCMR15I7sI/AAAAAAAAGHE/nOgBm8nwqp4/s1600/P1011284.JPG"><br />
</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
protective foam board is not absolutely necessary but it is definitely
recommended when you are learning to needle felt. The needle is very
sharp and if you don't have a board upon which to steady your work, you
will find yourself painfully stabbed more than once.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The felting needle is about 3 inches
long. As I said before, it is very sharp. The tip of the needle has a
number of small barbs and it is these barbs that felt the wool. It
works because the outer surface of each fiber of wool has tiny,
microscopic scales on it. When the fiber is agitated, the scales hook
into one another, forming a tighter and tighter mass. The needle works
because the barbs of the needle 'grab' the fibers as you stab it into
the wool, depositing the fibers deeper into the wool. The little scales
on the fibers lock together, ensuring that the fibers stay in their
new place. By stabbing the wool hundreds of times with your needle, you
have control over the form of your wool and can shape it as you wish.
You can see the barbs if you look closely at the tip of your needle. </span><br />
<br />
Making Toadstools:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-17kI4D4ATlA/TV7rwnLFlGI/AAAAAAAAGGU/oyW5bSOX2X4/s1600/P1015637.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575152609112986722" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-17kI4D4ATlA/TV7rwnLFlGI/AAAAAAAAGGU/oyW5bSOX2X4/s200/P1015637.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a> For the red top of the toadstool, break off a length of red wool roving about the length of your hand.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ_vD1__-2A/TV7rxCkRYUI/AAAAAAAAGGc/48Lwb931xVo/s1600/P1015633.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
Roll it between your hands as you would roll a ball of playdough into a snake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXyK76RDGpM/TV7ndCJZabI/AAAAAAAAGF8/mpZHs53o_hQ/s1600/P1015641.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575147874709760434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXyK76RDGpM/TV7ndCJZabI/AAAAAAAAGF8/mpZHs53o_hQ/s200/P1015641.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Roll the wool 'snake' into a tight spiral. The tighter you can get it, the easier it will be to felt.<br />
Tip: I find that rolling is key in many of my felting projects... if I
can roll the wool tightly to begin with, I can greatly reduce the time
my form takes to felt.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TK0j1vMmORQ/TV7ncKA-oOI/AAAAAAAAGFs/1MZnCRsfuSU/s1600/P1015647.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575147859642065122" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TK0j1vMmORQ/TV7ncKA-oOI/AAAAAAAAGFs/1MZnCRsfuSU/s200/P1015647.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a>When
my red wool has been rolled into a tight spiral, I set it down on the
felting board and stab it with the needle many times around the outside
of the spiral. Be slow and deliberate with your stabbing in the
beginning, and concentrate, please... it hurts like getting an injection
when you stab yourself... it's definitely not the end of the world,
but it is better avoided :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOqkzBqYMYQ/TV7kVxMspBI/AAAAAAAAGFc/kvP9nOkdNOw/s1600/P1015655.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575144451366233106" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOqkzBqYMYQ/TV7kVxMspBI/AAAAAAAAGFc/kvP9nOkdNOw/s200/P1015655.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6YIV8-pUZM/TV7nbsr4Q1I/AAAAAAAAGFk/BPOfD0zq7eI/s1600/P1015648.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
You will soon see that this stabbing holds the wool in place and your spiral will not unravel if you let it go.<br />
Now for the underside of the toadstool. Set your spiral upright and
stab the top gently many times so that it becomes a nice flat surface.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When your underside is nice and flat, turn your spiral over to what
will be the top side of your toadstool. With your thumb and forefinger,
gently pull the outside layer of wool a loose, just a little.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsevIPeDkkU/TV7kVamhsII/AAAAAAAAGFM/zl9JiQ1p6fY/s1600/P1015659.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575144445300551810" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsevIPeDkkU/TV7kVamhsII/AAAAAAAAGFM/zl9JiQ1p6fY/s200/P1015659.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbA3PwVHp6I/TV7kVmEuwnI/AAAAAAAAGFU/i2qLmg59n7k/s1600/P1015656.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
Fold this pulled layer over the spiral shape and needle felt it gently.<br />
<br />
Continue needle felting it until it is a smooth round dome.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp1foJ2M9kU/TV7hQloTUJI/AAAAAAAAGE0/jg1Swl8ai2Y/s1600/P1015665.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575141063826559122" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp1foJ2M9kU/TV7hQloTUJI/AAAAAAAAGE0/jg1Swl8ai2Y/s200/P1015665.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a><br />
Now for the white spots. Get a small tuft of white wool roving about the size of your fingernail.<br />
<br />
Roll it in the palms of your hands until it becomes a nice firm ball.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDLtTnwGaXE/TV7hQRwWrsI/AAAAAAAAGEs/UCeE1GDYwC8/s1600/P1015667.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575141058491625154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDLtTnwGaXE/TV7hQRwWrsI/AAAAAAAAGEs/UCeE1GDYwC8/s200/P1015667.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a>Place the white ball onto the red toadstool and needle felt it into the red wool.<br />
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Needle felt as many dots as you'd like onto your toadstool.<br />
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Now for the toadstool's stalk. Take a piece of white wool as long as
your finger and roll it in your hands until it becomes a 'snake' (as
before).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQzekhDZrOs/TV7hPh89W3I/AAAAAAAAGEU/KSTtikr0gG0/s1600/P1015673.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575141045659589490" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cQzekhDZrOs/TV7hPh89W3I/AAAAAAAAGEU/KSTtikr0gG0/s200/P1015673.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a><br />
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Roll it tightly into a spiral (just like you did with your red wool to start your<br />
toadstool).<br />
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Put the stalk onto the felting board and felt it around the outside until it is firmly felted and holds its shape.<br />
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Leave one end of the stalk fluffy. Gently needle felt the other end of the stalk until it is round.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suvaNHzQlfg/TV7euvJB1pI/AAAAAAAAGD8/5soHG-728mM/s1600/P1015678.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575138283240937106" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suvaNHzQlfg/TV7euvJB1pI/AAAAAAAAGD8/5soHG-728mM/s200/P1015678.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="150" /></a>To
connect the stalk to yolace the fluffy end of the stalk onto the
underside of your toadstool (the flat side) and attach it by needle
felting it into the red wool of the toadstool.<br />
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Gently felt around and around the stalk until it if firmly and neatly secured.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYlHFoiSB8/TV7euA6VXEI/AAAAAAAAGD0/pur9mc_Bgqk/s1600/P1015679.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QFmhgB3_M4/TV7et-2WYpI/AAAAAAAAGDs/vEq2bfMkSlg/s1600/P1015680.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Waldorf craft tutorial for a needle felted toadstool" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575138270277690002" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0QFmhgB3_M4/TV7et-2WYpI/AAAAAAAAGDs/vEq2bfMkSlg/s200/P1015680.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="200" /></a><br />
Voila! You have made a darling little toadstool!!<br />
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<br />
I hope you have enjoyed this needle felting project. You have enough wool in your kit to make many little toadstools :-)<br />
<br />
I have other needle felting kits available in my shop if you wish to try
something new... felted pebbles for lovely home decor, felted pumpkins,
felted balls as well as kits of lovely colored wool for you to make
whatever your heart desires. Please visit my shop<br />
www.fairyfolk.etsy.com and look under the Kits section.<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">For more tutorials, please visit my blog The Magic Onions (<a href="http://www.themagiconions.blogspot.com/">www.themagiconions.blogspot.com</a>)
I have a page dedicated to needle felting with a number of detailed tutorials…
how to make needle felted toadstools, pumpkins, hearts, pebbles and others.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Don’t
hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Blessings
and magic, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Donni</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">Blog: <a href="http://www.themagiconions.blogspot.com/">www.themagiconions.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">Shop: <a href="http://www.fairyfolk.etsy.com/">www.fairyfolk.etsy.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">Shop: <a href="http://www.doviemoon.etsy.com/">www.DovieMoon.etsy.com</a></span></div>
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</div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-90884550319520503052012-01-12T11:55:00.000-08:002012-01-12T11:55:46.910-08:00Hearts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fairyfolk Needle Felting Kits - www.fairyfolk.etsy.com</b></span></span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am so excited
to share another tutorial on needle felting. One of the things I
love most about needle felting is that you can finish a project in
one sitting. You can sit down with a basket of wool and a needle be holding a few beautiful felted hearts in your hands half an hour later. Of course, you
can make wonderfully elaborate creations that take hours and hours but
you can also make something in twenty minutes too. I like that.</span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
tutorial (and others like it) is published on my blog, The Magic
Onions, in color if you'd rather follow the color, online, directions...
www.themagiconions.blogspot.com (search: needle felted hearts).</span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">This is a tutorial on how to make needle felted hearts. We use a cookie cutter for the shape, making this a simple and fast project for beginner needle felting.</span></h4>
<h4>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0_fLLinQ4Q/TwY43dpWU6I/AAAAAAAAH7w/v3rEzvrLC1s/s1600/P1013455.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0_fLLinQ4Q/TwY43dpWU6I/AAAAAAAAH7w/v3rEzvrLC1s/s200/P1013455.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Equipment - Needle felting requires three tools; wool roving, a felting needle and a protective foam board. And, for the hearts, we use a cookie cutter.</span></span></h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wool
roving looks like cotton candy. When the sheep is sheered, the fleece
is washed and dried and then it is 'carded' - brushed so that all the
knots and clumps are brushed out and the fibers of the wool all run
the same way. It is then dyed... any wonderful color under the sun :-)
This roving can then be spun into yarn (for knitting) or it can be
felted.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gaYzm-Cwf5Y/TWCMR15I7sI/AAAAAAAAGHE/nOgBm8nwqp4/s1600/P1011284.JPG"><br />
</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The protective
foam board is not absolutely necessary but it is definitely
recommended when you are learning to needle felt. The needle is very
sharp and if you don't have a board upon which to steady your work, you
will find yourself painfully stabbed more than once.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The
felting needle is about 3 inches long. As I said before, it is very
sharp. The tip of the needle has a number of small barbs and it is
these barbs that felt the wool. It works because the outer surface of
each fiber of wool has tiny, microscopic scales on it. When the fiber
is agitated, the scales hook into one another, forming a tighter and
tighter mass. The needle works because the barbs of the needle 'grab'
the fibers as you stab it into the wool, depositing the fibers deeper
into the wool. The little scales on the fibers lock together, ensuring
that the fibers stay in their new place. By stabbing the wool hundreds
of times with your needle, you have control over the form of your
wool and can shape it as you wish. You can see the barbs if you look
closely at the tip of your needle. </span><br />
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Break off a piece of wool about three times the size of the cookie cutter.<br />
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Set the cookie cutter on the protective foam mat.<br />
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Starting at the center top of the heart shape, line the heart cookie cutter with wool.<br />
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Prod the wool until it is all inside the cookie cutter.<br />
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When the wool is inside the cookie cutter, use your needle to gently and evenly poke at the wool. Hold the cookie cutter with the thumb and forefinger of your left hand and needle felt with your right hand. You will see that the wool becomes compacted the more you poke at it. Poke evenly, giving particular attention to the outline of the heart. <br />
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As you poke close to the outline of the cookie cutter, be sure to move your fingers to the other side so that if your needle jumps outside the mold, you do not poke your fingers. Try to poke with even controlled strokes. You do not need to lift the needle very high, especially when working around the outside of your woolly heart. <br />
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Once the wool has become nicely compacted inside the heart cookie cutter, gently pry your heart from the foam board, making sure it remains inside the heart cookie cutter.<br />
<br />
Flip the cookie cutter over so that you can now work on the underside
of your heart, needle felting it just as before until it too becomes
nicely compacted and smooth. <br />
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Again, pay particular attention to the outside shape of your heart... the more you can needle felt it inside the cookie cutter, the better your wool will hold it's heart shape once we take it out of the heart mold.<br />
<br />
When you feel you wool heart is well felted, gently slip it out from the
cookie cutter mold. You might need to neaten up the edges by needle
felting your heart some more. <br />
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If you want to add a loop of ribbon to hang your heart, use a pair of small, sharp scissors to make a small hole in the top of your heart.<br />
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Tie a knot in the ribbon to make a loop.<br />
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Use the blunt edge of your felting needle to poke the ribbon knot into the hole. Then, needle felt the hole shut so that your ribbon is firmly felted into the wool.<br />
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<br />
Voila! You have just made a delightful felted heart to hang somewhere special in your home. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you have enjoyed this needle felting project. You have enough wool in your kit to make three large hearts, one red, one pink and one white.<br />
<br />
I have other needle felting kits available in my shop if you wish to
try something new... felted pebbles for lovely home decor, felted
toadstools and pumpkins, felted balls as well as kits of lovely colored wool for you
to make whatever your heart desires. Please visit my shop<br />
www.fairyfolk.etsy.com and look under the Kits section.<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy felting and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about needle felting.<br />
Blessings and magic,<br />
Donni</div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-46678085818404604742011-10-01T13:57:00.000-07:002011-10-01T13:57:00.322-07:00Waldorf and Wonder<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>550</o:Words> <o:Characters>3140</o:Characters> <o:Company>Sandpoint Waldorf School</o:Company> <o:Lines>26</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3683</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">So many of us are initially drawn to Waldorf Education because of the beauty of the materials, the connection to the natural world, and the warm, coziness of the early childhood environment.<span> </span>We become even more convinced that Waldorf is for us when we imagine our children enveloped in the nurturing environment created by the wool felt, silk playcloths, and wooden toys. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IN0sIf_qUlw/Tod6aCX-JuI/AAAAAAAAAGo/KwyxFE898sc/s1600/kindy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IN0sIf_qUlw/Tod6aCX-JuI/AAAAAAAAAGo/KwyxFE898sc/s320/kindy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And though these things are lovely, many of us don’t realize the greatest gifts of Waldorf Education until months or even years after our children have begun the journey.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A long time ago one of my mentors made a comment that has always stuck with me and has guided my teaching ever since. She said, “The one thing you cannot teach a child is how to have a new, original, creative thought that no one has ever had before.” What an idea! How can I really teach children to think for themselves? The moment I open my mouth (let alone teach my students a concept) I am filling them with pre-formed ideas that many people (myself included) have thought about endlessly. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3UqjBm66Ao/Tod7noFJlzI/AAAAAAAAAGs/JJJctzZeta0/s1600/classroom-prep-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D3UqjBm66Ao/Tod7noFJlzI/AAAAAAAAAGs/JJJctzZeta0/s320/classroom-prep-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I wonder, how important is it that my students have the ability to have new, creative ideas? Maybe they’ll make it just fine in the world without this ability. It doesn’t take long to wrestle with this question. The moment I think about Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and other brilliant entrepreneurs I can see that the most successful people in our society are those who think in a creative and inspired way. And then, when I think about the condition of our world and the creativity that our current fast-paced world thrives upon I’m even further convinced that creative thinking is an essential skill.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But what can I do to help children have ideas that no one has ever had before? As I’ve thought about it I’ve realized that the best thing I can do to support the development of this skill is to create fertile ground, cultivate the seeds of thought and establish the form and rhythm that will allow the child’s own imagination to take over. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have found that this is best done by engaging the child’s imagination with moments of wonder. With wonder, an opening comes that allows for the arrival of true inspiration.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What does that wonder look like? At different ages it takes on different forms. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In early childhood it comes around most often through experiences of the natural world. Very often those moments of wonder are so striking that we remember them even years later. I remember when I was a child watching the raindrops on the car window and having a clear moment of awe and wonder as I tried to determine how the drops chose to move around on the window.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4-1CCkfvYc/Tod5SvbHcVI/AAAAAAAAAGg/-bxaqkLts90/s1600/forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4-1CCkfvYc/Tod5SvbHcVI/AAAAAAAAAGg/-bxaqkLts90/s320/forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the grade school years those moments of wonder come about as children connect with the world through their feeling life. Younger children immerse themselves in stories and create the pictures in their imaginations. The story itself provides the opening. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Older children are inspired by observation that leads to thinking. I remember a physics demonstration that I did with my sixth graders. We completely blacked out the windows of our classroom and turned off the light. With a light on a dimmer switch I gradually let the light fill the room while the students observed the changes they saw. They were positively filled with wonder as they observed the shadows change to form and then become full of color. They wondered why that happened and the opening was created. Creating wonder for these older children is a huge passion of mine and it is the main topic of my <a href="http://www.awaldorfjourney.com/">blog</a>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGyxqhrmxUE/Tod5o5Z0XeI/AAAAAAAAAGk/pAlJUkuJbxU/s1600/candle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGyxqhrmxUE/Tod5o5Z0XeI/AAAAAAAAAGk/pAlJUkuJbxU/s320/candle2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As children get older it is thought that inspires this wonder more than anything else and it all comes about through our efforts to have our children experience the world in a completely open way, rather than through fixed concepts.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Wonder is truly the most essential component of the Waldorf curriculum and, in truth, it can arise in the most mundane experiences. The key to having children experience wonder is to fill their lives with rich and varied sensory experiences.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193399120830321154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-6125903495221740122011-09-30T09:43:00.000-07:002011-09-30T11:21:37.075-07:00Needle Felted Playscape.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This Tutorial is also available on my blog, The Magic Onions (www.themagiconions.blogspot.com) on the Needle Felting Page. <br />
<br />
To make the green base for these sweet felted landscapes all you'll is need:<br />
<br />
* White wool<br />
* a bamboo place mat (or bubble wrap)<br />
* dish detergent <br />
* two packets of green Kool-Aid (or about two tablespoons of green food coloring)<br />
<br />
To begin, lay your bamboo place mat down on a flat surface.<br />
Break off hand length pieces of your white wool, about an inch thick. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2hLhJqKM5bk/TepGH5WvAeI/AAAAAAAAGw0/2SHQ5SyYeSY/s1600/P1014668_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2hLhJqKM5bk/TepGH5WvAeI/AAAAAAAAGw0/2SHQ5SyYeSY/s200/P1014668_2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Place these lengths of white wool on the bamboo mat... two pieces this way... then two pieces on top of the first, the other way, at right angles.<br />
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Continue building two this way and two that way until you have placed about 4 layers on top of each other.<br />
<br />
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Now, roll the mat up with the wool inside.<br />
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The wool will all be rolled up inside the mat... don't worry if some is sticking out of the ends.<br />
<br />
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Pour a little detergent into the middle of the roll.<br />
<br />
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Pour some warm water into the middle of the roll.<br />
<br />
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You (or your child) can now roll the mat back and forth on a flat surface.<br />
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Soon it'll foam up wonderfully.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5PE6taoRiyY/TepIAsIVhLI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/aUO3wtjajA0/s1600/P1014685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5PE6taoRiyY/TepIAsIVhLI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/aUO3wtjajA0/s200/P1014685.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Use a little elbow grease, rolling it for about 5 to 10 minutes. Take turns with your child and when you think it is nicely felted inside the mat, let your child unroll it to reveal your wonderfully felted FLAT piece of wool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1K81mist3Iw/TepIKGySUKI/AAAAAAAAGxU/g3hHmtDhjNo/s1600/P1014686_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1K81mist3Iw/TepIKGySUKI/AAAAAAAAGxU/g3hHmtDhjNo/s200/P1014686_2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
This is Teddy's favorite part of the process... massage the felted wool with your hands so that it felts just a little more. He loves this as the wool is warm and soapy and all wonderfully squishy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Omc0a-Gj7kA/TepIUm2mLOI/AAAAAAAAGxY/IoY09j4W-NE/s1600/P1014691_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Omc0a-Gj7kA/TepIUm2mLOI/AAAAAAAAGxY/IoY09j4W-NE/s200/P1014691_3.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
Rinse out all of the soap from your lovely flat piece of felt.<br />
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Now for the dyeing process. We use Kool-Aid... it makes your white felt such a wonderful meadow green (food coloring should work just as well)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h30hSAkvTD4/TepI-hiVsFI/AAAAAAAAGxs/5eUrMALG5ao/s1600/P1015573.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h30hSAkvTD4/TepI-hiVsFI/AAAAAAAAGxs/5eUrMALG5ao/s200/P1015573.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Empty two packets of green Kool-Aid into a rectangular baking dish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eycN-H0hgXY/TepJSNLitVI/AAAAAAAAGxw/KLzsKV6-Osk/s1600/P1015575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eycN-H0hgXY/TepJSNLitVI/AAAAAAAAGxw/KLzsKV6-Osk/s200/P1015575.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Teddy loves this part too :-) The Kool-Aide makes volcanos!<br />
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Make sure you child is a safe distance away when you pour boiling water in to the Kool-Aid... enough water in which to submerge your wool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtI6pDqrA0Q/TepJ3LfVEBI/AAAAAAAAGx4/PgdfQ_lAaBY/s1600/P1015577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtI6pDqrA0Q/TepJ3LfVEBI/AAAAAAAAGx4/PgdfQ_lAaBY/s200/P1015577.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Now, add your white wool felt. Use a spoon to make it sink under the green water.<br />
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Leave your wool in the green water and watch your child marvel as the wool sucks up all of the green and turns the water back to clear!<br />
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With cold water, rinse your green felt, roll it up in a towel and get your child to stomp on it to dry it. Pop it in the dryer for a few minutes for the final felting and Voila!<br />
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You have a beautiful green meadow base for your playscape.<br />
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Now, needle felt the trimmings onto the meadow and you and your child will delight in the enchanting playscape you have made together.<br />
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I have included a tutorial on how to needle felt a toadstool with this kit. This will give you the basics of needle felting 3D sculptures. Use the same techniques to make as many little goodies to adorn your playscape.Your imagination is the limit :-)<br />
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Please have a look at my blog, The Magic Onions, (www.themagiconions.blogspot.com). I have a page dedicated to needle felting with many wet and needle felting tutorials. <br />
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Happy creating,<br />
Blessings and magic,<br />
Donni</div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-75287703840391590182011-08-13T09:14:00.000-07:002011-08-13T09:14:11.428-07:00Tutorial: Needle Felted Pumpkin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I am so excited to share a tutorial on needle felting. You have shown interest in giving it a go and I encourage you to dive right in. Others of you who are hooked will agree, it is such a fun hobby and you'll be amazed at the things you can make. When I picked up my first needle three years ago, I was surprised at how quickly I took to it. One of the things I love most about needle felting is that you can finish a project in one sitting. You can sit down with a basket of wool and be holding a delightful pumpkin in your hands half an hour later. Of course, you can make wonderfully elaborate creations that take hours and hours but you can also make something in twenty minutes too. I like that.</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This tutorial (and others like it) is published on my blog, The Magic Onions, in color if you'd rather follow the color, online, directions... www.themagiconions.blogspot.com (search: needle felted toadstools).</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">This is a tutorial on how to make a sweet, needle felted pumpkin... a simple and fast project for beginner needle felting.</span></h4><h4><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Equipment - Needle felting requires three tools; wool roving, a felting needle and a protective foam board.</span></span></h4><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wool roving looks like cotton candy. When the sheep is sheered, the fleece is washed and dried and then it is 'carded' - brushed so that all the knots and clumps are brushed out and the fibers of the wool all run the same way. It is then dyed... any wonderful color under the sun :-) This roving can then be spun into yarn (for knitting) or it can be felted.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gaYzm-Cwf5Y/TWCMR15I7sI/AAAAAAAAGHE/nOgBm8nwqp4/s1600/P1011284.JPG"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">The protective foam board is not absolutely necessary but it is definitely recommended when you are learning to needle felt. The needle is very sharp and if you don't have a board upon which to steady your work, you will find yourself painfully stabbed more than once.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The felting needle is about 3 inches long. As I said before, it is very sharp. The tip of the needle has a number of small barbs and it is these barbs that felt the wool. It works because the outer surface of each fiber of wool has tiny, microscopic scales on it. When the fiber is agitated, the scales hook into one another, forming a tighter and tighter mass. The needle works because the barbs of the needle 'grab' the fibers as you stab it into the wool, depositing the fibers deeper into the wool. The little scales on the fibers lock together, ensuring that the fibers stay in their new place. By stabbing the wool hundreds of times with your needle, you have control over the form of your wool and can shape it as you wish. You can see the barbs if you look closely at the tip of your needle. </span><br />
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Making A Pumpkin:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKY06SKnvSs/TkaU2mFb3HI/AAAAAAAAHG0/vgOdpInuiSQ/s1600/P1016939.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKY06SKnvSs/TkaU2mFb3HI/AAAAAAAAHG0/vgOdpInuiSQ/s200/P1016939.JPG" width="200" /></a>For the pumpkin, we will start by making an orange ball. Break off a length of orange wool roving about the length of your hand.<br />
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Roll it between your hands as you would roll a ball of playdough into a snake.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ahno1QJJFfg/TkaVUKsBpkI/AAAAAAAAHG4/_c-Q0fe4U9k/s1600/P1016941.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ahno1QJJFfg/TkaVUKsBpkI/AAAAAAAAHG4/_c-Q0fe4U9k/s200/P1016941.JPG" width="191" /></a><br />
Roll the wool 'snake' into a tight, fat, spiral. The tighter you can get it, the easier it will be to felt. The fatter your spiral, the rounder your ball will be.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa4KNkgL2Sw/TkaVx0bn7pI/AAAAAAAAHG8/W8V83IuxP6I/s1600/P1016944.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa4KNkgL2Sw/TkaVx0bn7pI/AAAAAAAAHG8/W8V83IuxP6I/s200/P1016944.JPG" width="200" /></a>Tip: I find that rolling is key in many of my felting projects... if I can roll the wool tightly to begin with, I can greatly reduce the time my form takes to felt.<br />
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When my orange wool has been rolled into a tight, fat, spiral, I set it down on the felting board and stab it with the needle many times around the outside of the spiral. Be slow and deliberate with your stabbing in the beginning, and concentrate, please... it hurts like a shot when you stab yourself... it's not the end of the world, but it is better avoided :-)<br />
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You will soon see that this stabbing holds the wool in place and your spiral will not unravel if you let it go.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJMTzAQ0E9o/TkaWSojSZkI/AAAAAAAAHHA/ORJU92k5gOI/s1600/P1016945.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJMTzAQ0E9o/TkaWSojSZkI/AAAAAAAAHHA/ORJU92k5gOI/s200/P1016945.JPG" width="200" /></a>Now, to clean up the tops of your orange ball and make it round, gently, with your thumb and forefinger, pull the outside layer of wool a loose, just a little. Fold this pulled layer over the spiraled wool and needle felt it gently. Duplicate with the other 'spiral' end of your ball and needle felting it until it is a smooth round ball.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YipP8-7X4a4/TkaWmc_DkxI/AAAAAAAAHHI/lfFPQyf58Zw/s1600/P1019663.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YipP8-7X4a4/TkaWmc_DkxI/AAAAAAAAHHI/lfFPQyf58Zw/s200/P1019663.JPG" width="186" /></a><br />
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To make the 'segments' of your pumpkin, we are going to use a needle and thread. Thread your needle with an appropriately colored, strong, thread... I use embroidery thread. Tie a knot in the end of the thread and 'catch' the thread in the base of your pumpkin by using a simple catch stitch (through a little roving at the base of your pumpkin, and through again, catching the roving in the stitch firmly).<br />
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Now, holding your 'pumpkin ball' horizontally, pass the needle through the ball from the base of the pumpkin to the top middle of the pumpkin, where the stalk will go.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfrFtnJcfV0/TkaW-YaMCjI/AAAAAAAAHHM/5e6Nu8B1CRw/s1600/P1019667.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfrFtnJcfV0/TkaW-YaMCjI/AAAAAAAAHHM/5e6Nu8B1CRw/s200/P1019667.JPG" width="200" /></a>With your thumb and forefinger, pinch the pumpkin ball tightly and pull the thread tight. Still pinching the ball tightly between your thumb and forefinger, pass the thread over the outside of the ball and then through the ball again, as above. Pull tightly and you will see that the thread on the outside of the pumpkin ball will make a perfect pumpkin indentation around the outside of the ball. Still pinching the ball between you thumb and forefinger, and spacing the next thread 'segment' a little distance apart from the first thread 'segment', repeat, passing the thread around the outside of the ball again and back through the center, pulling tight when it comes out at the stalk end of the pumpkin ball... you will see a that you have made a perfect little pumpkin segment.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiAiw1HpBkY/TkaXRphNcBI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/rGIkF1p8WrQ/s1600/P1019668.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiAiw1HpBkY/TkaXRphNcBI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/rGIkF1p8WrQ/s200/P1019668.JPG" width="200" /></a>Continue making thread segments the whole way around the pumpkin ball, spacing the segments roughly equal distance apart. Voila... your orange ball will now look wonderfully pumpkin like.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32gftwclAdA/TkaXkvlVm3I/AAAAAAAAHHU/i-F6xoKaycM/s1600/P1019671.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32gftwclAdA/TkaXkvlVm3I/AAAAAAAAHHU/i-F6xoKaycM/s200/P1019671.JPG" width="200" /></a>When all of your segments are completed, you can either tie a knot in your thread, again using a simple catch stitch in the wool at the base of the pumpkin and trim the thread. Or, if want to hang your pumpkin, pass the thread back through your pumpkin middle again after making your catch thread. make a loop for hanging, pass the thread back through the middle of the pumpkin again, leaving the loop for hanging and tie another catch stitch. Trim the thread short.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nf8Pgw7OhiI/TkaX-jPJYAI/AAAAAAAAHHY/FD25MpWwACU/s1600/P1019677.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nf8Pgw7OhiI/TkaX-jPJYAI/AAAAAAAAHHY/FD25MpWwACU/s200/P1019677.JPG" width="200" /></a> All this working with your orange pumpkin ball will have made it quite fuzzy. With your felting needle, clean up the fuzz buy needle felting it gently back into place. Play particular attention to the pumpkin segment indentations, making them lovely clean lines.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuQXYsJUDxo/TkaYTcbaLoI/AAAAAAAAHHc/aU7c8xnXEfQ/s1600/P1019678.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuQXYsJUDxo/TkaYTcbaLoI/AAAAAAAAHHc/aU7c8xnXEfQ/s200/P1019678.JPG" width="200" /></a>Now we will make the green stalk and little leaf and twirly vine. Break of a little piece of green wool about the size of your little finger, about half an inch long. Roll it in your hands as you would a ball of playdough into a snake.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cM06et3m9KY/TkaYpAmv8YI/AAAAAAAAHHg/LtSbcFaQAyc/s1600/P1019680.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cM06et3m9KY/TkaYpAmv8YI/AAAAAAAAHHg/LtSbcFaQAyc/s200/P1019680.JPG" width="200" /></a>Tightly roll this 'snake' up into a tight, thin, spiral. Still holding onto your small green spiral tightly, place it on the felting board and needle felt it along the outside of the spiral... all around until it is a tight stalk. Leave one end fluffy. Carefully needle felt the other end flat.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jryonEdYRCc/TkaZXjyNWdI/AAAAAAAAHHs/5yOLN0jCGKw/s1600/P1019683.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jryonEdYRCc/TkaZXjyNWdI/AAAAAAAAHHs/5yOLN0jCGKw/s200/P1019683.JPG" width="200" /></a>To attach the stalk to your pumpkin, needle felt the fluffy end into the orange, indented, top of your pumpkin, trying to avoid the thread that has made the segments.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub9o7GSfRZA/TkaZsetTz0I/AAAAAAAAHHw/jxZAgKGVFtw/s1600/P1019684.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ub9o7GSfRZA/TkaZsetTz0I/AAAAAAAAHHw/jxZAgKGVFtw/s200/P1019684.JPG" width="200" /></a>To make the leaf, take baby-fingernail sized piece of green wool into a small ball. Needle felt it onto your orange pumpkin.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l05Y8j5mVeo/TkaaBSXDHBI/AAAAAAAAHH0/EDDo-ms6Gw4/s1600/P1019686.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l05Y8j5mVeo/TkaaBSXDHBI/AAAAAAAAHH0/EDDo-ms6Gw4/s200/P1019686.JPG" width="200" /></a>To make the twirly vine, take an even smaller piece of green wool, roll it between the palms of your hands, pulling it longways, until it is a long thread-like length. Needle felt it onto your pumpkin.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFKAqwMo0yA/TkaaVnRXBII/AAAAAAAAHH4/HJUB-8CQ2Xc/s1600/P1019687.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFKAqwMo0yA/TkaaVnRXBII/AAAAAAAAHH4/HJUB-8CQ2Xc/s200/P1019687.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
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Voila! You have made a darling little pumpkin!!<br />
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I hope you have enjoyed this needle felting project. You have enough wool in your kit to make three little pumpkins :-)<br />
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I have other needle felting kits available in my shop if you wish to try something new... felted pebbles for lovely home decor, felted toadstools, felted balls as well as kits of lovely colored wool for you to make whatever your heart desires. Please visit my shop<br />
www.fairyfolk.etsy.com and look under the Kits section.<br />
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Happy felting and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about needle felting.<br />
Blessings and magic,<br />
Donni</div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-91238577376402480382011-07-23T16:03:00.000-07:002011-07-23T16:03:35.137-07:00Returning Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9fZMQpshmw/TitRVNushPI/AAAAAAAAA4E/taxe-IBEhyE/s1600/DSC03220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9fZMQpshmw/TitRVNushPI/AAAAAAAAA4E/taxe-IBEhyE/s320/DSC03220.JPG" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u> Returning Home</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The day had turned cooler</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sky was a darker blue </div><div style="text-align: center;">The trees had lost their leaves</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mother wrapped her babe tightly in a green shawl </div><div style="text-align: center;">She knew it was warm and snug</div><div style="text-align: center;">She hurried through the meadow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eager to get home before night fell</div><div style="text-align: center;">She would be happy when she reached her own hearth</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am always so happy when returning home</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where all is familiar and safe</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love and light Marie </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>softeartharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14527736727793111902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-76832892548667145262011-05-17T20:33:00.000-07:002011-05-17T20:33:57.254-07:00Whispers in the Garden<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The sun shone brightly, it's golden rays warmed the young child</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quietly she wandered into the garden</div><div style="text-align: center;">Soft was her tread</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W41bp3w2iqU/TdMqSO_AyNI/AAAAAAAAAzw/TqLGS0D8FAg/s1600/DSC01281.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W41bp3w2iqU/TdMqSO_AyNI/AAAAAAAAAzw/TqLGS0D8FAg/s320/DSC01281.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sound of bird song could be heard</div><div style="text-align: center;">She always carried some breadcrumbs in her pocket </div><div style="text-align: center;">She loved listening to their sweet song</div><div style="text-align: center;">It always filled her with joy</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78jvdsy4RhQ/TdMrnWx55TI/AAAAAAAAAz0/rvxSbHC3Jbk/s1600/DSC01464.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78jvdsy4RhQ/TdMrnWx55TI/AAAAAAAAAz0/rvxSbHC3Jbk/s320/DSC01464.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">She caught a faint whisper on the breeze</div><div style="text-align: center;"> She knew who was whispering </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was the flower children</div><div style="text-align: center;"> She spied them smelling the flowers</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2Dkp8jnFhQ/TdMvH6lyq_I/AAAAAAAAAz8/Q77zi4ehk5I/s1600/DSC02848.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2Dkp8jnFhQ/TdMvH6lyq_I/AAAAAAAAAz8/Q77zi4ehk5I/s320/DSC02848.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Their perfume filled the air</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh how she loved the garden </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was her favorite place to play </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember to take the time to go quietly out into the garden and be still and quiet</div><div style="text-align: center;">You just might hear whispering<br />
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Love and light Marie </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>softeartharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14527736727793111902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-66011275020159999412010-08-09T13:08:00.000-07:002010-08-09T20:49:45.032-07:00Our little house in the Big Woods.<div style="text-align: left;">Our little family of 4 live in Los Angeles, surrounded by miles upon miles of urban metropolis. My husband and I have struggled enormously with living such an urban existence. He grew up in the pristine beauty of New Zealand's forests and I spent my childhood on the dusty plains of Africa. Both of us feel more comfortable in a country setting and yet, our life's path has brought us to settle in one of the worlds largest cities. I fought this path vehemently in the beginning. I wanted to bring my children up with the wind in their hair, the fresh scent of open spaces in their hearts. I pleaded and begged with destiny to take us to the forest, the mountains, the meadows. But, alas, it seemed she had other plans for us. It was only when I stopped fighting her, stopped focussing on what I 'didn't have', that I could see that what I <b><i>did</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> have was so much more important. And, can you believe, it was then that she gave me my hearts desire!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wmhV_tPI/AAAAAAAAEy4/eScuDhlmd1Q/s400/P1014139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498315264665564402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Two years ago, on New Years Day, we passed a campervan parked on the side of the road with a 'For Sale' sign on it. Although we hadn't even entertained the thought of buying an RV until that very moment, we stopped our car, called the number on the sign, scrounged together the asking price of $6000 and, on utter impulse, bought her there and then!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE35hjmTyUI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/_22PZsX53r0/s1600/P1013677.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE35hjmTyUI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/_22PZsX53r0/s400/P1013677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498325074976164162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh boy, has she changed our lives! She has given us the open spaces, the meadows, the mountains, the forests. She has given us memories and happy times. She has strengthened our family love, our marital love, our Earthly love. She is a blessing in our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>Often, on Friday afternoons, the kids and I pack her with what we'll need for the weekend. We put our food in her fridge and fresh linens on her beds. A Good Man knocks off work early, hitches her up to his truck and off we set, excited for the adventures ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div>She has a place for everything - our jackets hang on the hooks at the door...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30E3aZGiI/AAAAAAAAE0I/vJUtvXgGdbo/s1600/P1013698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30E3aZGiI/AAAAAAAAE0I/vJUtvXgGdbo/s400/P1013698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498319084520544802" /></a><br /><div>K makes sure she doesn't forget her comfy pillow...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30EMY1JlI/AAAAAAAAE0A/Bx4l45-tsyU/s1600/P1013701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30EMY1JlI/AAAAAAAAE0A/Bx4l45-tsyU/s400/P1013701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498319072971269714" /></a><br /></div><div>Sometimes, she is our little home in the big woods, sometimes our little house on the prairie and, just last weekend, she was our cabin in the mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div>First thing I do when we arrive, is set out our pretty table cloth...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3sfG0jS8I/AAAAAAAAExo/FvvUVHTuLZ0/s1600/P1014427.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3sfG0jS8I/AAAAAAAAExo/FvvUVHTuLZ0/s400/P1014427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498310739240373186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My Teddy Bear goes straight to play in the dirt...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30D-o7AvI/AAAAAAAAEz4/KRbU3cB9kNk/s1600/P1013706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30D-o7AvI/AAAAAAAAEz4/KRbU3cB9kNk/s400/P1013706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498319069280666354" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div>A Good Man "unhitches" and "hooks up" while I make us some coffee...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3yU2CgxJI/AAAAAAAAEzo/bvNsR8irMZ0/s1600/P1013767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3yU2CgxJI/AAAAAAAAEzo/bvNsR8irMZ0/s400/P1013767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498317160006599826" /></a><br /></div><div>Kitty goes off in search of new friends...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3yUPXGdmI/AAAAAAAAEzg/Um-aV_EuPRw/s1600/P1013769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3yUPXGdmI/AAAAAAAAEzg/Um-aV_EuPRw/s400/P1013769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498317149623973474" /></a>We make new friends too...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30DSnt4HI/AAAAAAAAEzw/hMbdo5l1rpg/s1600/P1013717.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE30DSnt4HI/AAAAAAAAEzw/hMbdo5l1rpg/s400/P1013717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498319057464451186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>We light the fire...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vieY4ueI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/ZZDlg1yUKiE/s1600/P1014361.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vieY4ueI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/ZZDlg1yUKiE/s400/P1014361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498314095641278946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div> and cook our dinner...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vj8y5wsI/AAAAAAAAEyo/4_7JmuHNurg/s1600/P1014232.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vj8y5wsI/AAAAAAAAEyo/4_7JmuHNurg/s400/P1014232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498314120983331522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Wholesome food, with the flavor of fresh air...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vjQokM5I/AAAAAAAAEyg/3MpiEJoADzM/s1600/P1014292.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vjQokM5I/AAAAAAAAEyg/3MpiEJoADzM/s400/P1014292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498314109128815506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We pop popcorn...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vh9Gjh8I/AAAAAAAAEyI/Gkqal3PTO44/s1600/P1014375.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3vh9Gjh8I/AAAAAAAAEyI/Gkqal3PTO44/s400/P1014375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498314086706022338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div>We roast marshmallows...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3sf8uxkGI/AAAAAAAAEx4/vH8O3aEbe0E/s1600/P1014406.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3sf8uxkGI/AAAAAAAAEx4/vH8O3aEbe0E/s400/P1014406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498310753711657058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div>We have late nights...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3sfXv57XI/AAAAAAAAExw/LOx02-dQ_PI/s1600/P1014407.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3sfXv57XI/AAAAAAAAExw/LOx02-dQ_PI/s400/P1014407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498310743784287602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes, we sleep well. Sometimes, the children wake up in the night and we all end up in the same bed. Often, we wake up at dawn, ready to explore our new surroundings.</div><div><br /></div><div>We walk in the woods...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wmLj-nnI/AAAAAAAAEyw/PO8U1xgn2OU/s1600/P1014193.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wmLj-nnI/AAAAAAAAEyw/PO8U1xgn2OU/s400/P1014193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498315258818633330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>We feel the texture of grasses in our hands...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3setHTpGI/AAAAAAAAExg/s-ONHHDSyZk/s1600/P1014569_2.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3setHTpGI/AAAAAAAAExg/s-ONHHDSyZk/s400/P1014569_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498310732339717218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Sometimes, it rains. But we don't care... we get wet. We let the raindrops splash on our faces. We notice how clean and vibrant the rain makes everything look and feel...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wn-EfQhI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/ckYYeXlYnPs/s1600/P1013799.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wn-EfQhI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/ckYYeXlYnPs/s400/P1013799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498315289556632082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We spot our favorite things...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wnUspTkI/AAAAAAAAEzI/2SmapOvUmsY/s1600/P1013973.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wnUspTkI/AAAAAAAAEzI/2SmapOvUmsY/s400/P1013973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498315278450773570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>We discover magic...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wnCHOkHI/AAAAAAAAEzA/yI7FjUa8aeE/s1600/P1014034.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/TE3wnCHOkHI/AAAAAAAAEzA/yI7FjUa8aeE/s400/P1014034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498315273461993586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I have found that when you let go, that when you take a deep breath into your very soul and quieten those rumbling of discontent, that when you truly accept that <b><i>you</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> will make the most of what you have</span></b>, you find that what you have been wanting so badly all along, is actually right there in your hands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blessings and magic, </div><div>Donni</div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4321702705920853548.post-43661810522845495352010-04-05T20:40:00.000-07:002010-04-06T13:46:52.713-07:00The Magic of a Fairy Garden.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-size:20px;">Childhood magic is a precious gift. I believe that it is more important than ever, in today's fast-paced, success-driven world to protect and nurture the magic in our children's lives. The excitement my daughter feels when she thinks that the fairies have left her a silvery message, the delight in the discovery of a pearly dewdrop left behind by Mother Moon... these whimsical thoughts dwell only in childhood's imagination and yet the magic they spark will live in her heart long after she knows that it is only the snail who left the silvery trail and condensation that left the dewdrop.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><div>One of the ways we nurture childhood magic in our home is through Kitty's fairy garden. She pays outside in her fairy garden often. She's in the warm sun, breathing in the fresh air. It is her special place where her imagination can roam freely... were her felted fairies and gnomes get married, her tiny horses gallop and her little wooden birds build their nests.</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Sp7RjozxRTI/AAAAAAAACWo/QwllZypPCbc/s1600-h/P1170802.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Sp7RjozxRTI/AAAAAAAACWo/QwllZypPCbc/s400/P1170802.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376965415307134258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px; " /></a><div>Kitty and I made her fairy garden together. We started with a large whisky barrel but you can also use a much smaller container such as a planter, a tin basin or even a salad bowl. Make sure that the container has a hole in the bottom for proper drainage. Drill a hole if your container doesn't have one. You will be watering your fairy garden often and it is important that it can drain adequately.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Once you have picked out your container, fill it with potting soil. Leave it about half a foot deep.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/S7qoD6AwTqI/AAAAAAAAEJI/hJy9x7GPVpo/s1600/P1090445.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/S7qoD6AwTqI/AAAAAAAAEJI/hJy9x7GPVpo/s400/P1090445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456858683578273442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Spwwc84fKUI/AAAAAAAACTU/GFABa-juY10/s1600-h/P1170587.JPG"><br /></a></div>Next, let your child plan out her fairy garden. Kitty drew a detailed map, indicating where she wanted a hill and a valley, were the pond would go and even where she wanted the path to be placed. Making the map gave her ownership, made the garden hers.<br /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Spwvzv98rLI/AAAAAAAACTE/4jHvvJrtykg/s400/P1170597.JPG" border="0" alt="Drawing a map of our Fairy Garden" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376224621269658802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: left; ">We propped the plan up in the papyrus and got to work landscaping our garden. We created the hill by mounding the soil and the valley by digging a groove.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Teddy, Kitty's little brother, was in charge of finding earthworms in the vegetable garden to put in Kitty's fairy garden. He was very good at his job and found quite a few...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvzCQ1iTI/AAAAAAAACS8/fBhMqKLIZUk/s400/P1170603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376224609000851762" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div>Earthworms are optional. They are great soil aerators and help maintain good soil drainage (plus, they give the little one something to do so that he doesn't keep destroying the soil hill his sister has, so carefully, built...)<div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvzCQ1iTI/AAAAAAAACS8/fBhMqKLIZUk/s1600-h/P1170603.JPG"></a><div><div style="text-align: left; ">Now, it is time to plant the 'trees' and plants. When choosing plants for your fairy garden, be mindful of the scale you are after. You want it to look like a miniature garden. Moss is the main ground cover and too many other plants may detract from the mossy atmosphere. Let your child's imagination run wild as she chooses plants that will attract the fairies in your neighborhood. We used an immature Tea Tree for our tree. We know that it will want to grow very big and we need to trim it often to keep it stunted. The tree sets the scale of the garden. If your garden is in a smaller container, a shrub will have the same effect as a tree. Also, keep in mind the color combinations... silvers, light greens, dark greens, browns... we like as many colors as possible as it adds texture and interest to our fairy garden. Another consideration when choosing your plants is to make sure the combinations all like the same amount of sun and water. If you are going to be using moss, remember that moss likes sun to part shade and lots of water... add other plants that like the same. If you are going for a desert garden appeal, pebbles, rocks and various cacti look wonderful, but do make sure that too many prickles won't deter your little one from playing in his garden. Here are the plants Kitty chose...</div><div style="text-align: left; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/S7qoE4LAYpI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/lIfDRLEmdbc/s1600/P1090447.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/S7qoE4LAYpI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/lIfDRLEmdbc/s400/P1090447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456858700264268434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left; ">When your plants are laid out, set in your pond. Your pond can be any small container. We used a coconut shell as we love the natural texture it adds but you can use a glass, porcelain or metal bowl too... anything that lends itself to the magic and natural feel of your garden. Do not place your stones until you have planted the moss.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Spwubx3cgEI/AAAAAAAACQ8/EUEm5SdKAkM/s400/P1170791.JPG" border="0" alt="Creative play in our Fairy Garden" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376223109950767170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">With the pond in place, it's time to plant the moss. Carefully break off chunks of moss and contour it over the landscaped hill and valley, around the pond and the tree. Remember to leave space for the path.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Arrange the rocks and pebble path and, all at once, your fairy garden looks like the magical wonderland that it is.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvyCk_FcI/AAAAAAAACSs/699VJ1P93IQ/s1600-h/P1170611.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvyCk_FcI/AAAAAAAACSs/699VJ1P93IQ/s400/P1170611.JPG" border="0" alt="Beautiful Fairy Garden" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376224591905494466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a>Water your Fairy Garden well...<br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvXH3v9FI/AAAAAAAACSc/BTNHYUrz9vA/s400/P1170627.JPG" border="0" alt="A Fairy Garden for the imagination" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376224129469903954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " />Put all the little fairy and gnome bits and pieces in place... a toadstool rock, a miniature table and chair, a nest.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvxjOKUxI/AAAAAAAACSk/pgyAVWi_OME/s1600-h/P1170617.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Spwu3IFDl6I/AAAAAAAACRs/rLWd7bO4wFY/s1600-h/P1170641.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/Spwu3IFDl6I/AAAAAAAACRs/rLWd7bO4wFY/s400/P1170641.JPG" border="0" alt="Red rock toadstool" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376223579769903010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Your Fairy Garden is complete!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvWgk5X8I/AAAAAAAACSU/PFpINND3SZo/s1600-h/P1170631.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwvWgk5X8I/AAAAAAAACSU/PFpINND3SZo/s400/P1170631.JPG" border="0" alt="Magical Fairy Garden" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376224118921846722" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div>We've seen a gnome taking a skinny dip in the pond... a fairy resting comfortably on the moss?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Kitty's fairy garden is her kingdom and magic reigns!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwucEUg-vI/AAAAAAAACRE/x3pl6-9OJUo/s1600-h/P1170683.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dpzWlq0_W8Q/SpwucEUg-vI/AAAAAAAACRE/x3pl6-9OJUo/s400/P1170683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376223114904533746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>Blessings and, especially, magic!<br /></div><div>Donni</div></div></div>themagiconionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06500897236644327174noreply@blogger.com0