Fans of Carolyn DeAngelis Felt Ornaments: February 2012

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Timothy

I did Timothy as the second installment in my series of mice for baby Allyson, daughter of my friend, Rachel. This is one of only a few ornaments that Ouida, Clif, and I have all made.

Clif's version of Timothy

Ouida's version of Timothy

We're not very creative, are we? They all look the same!!

Further evidence of the old adage: GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Dawdling Duck

Another one for me! When I saw Clif's version of this ornament, I thought it was so cute. I knew I wanted to make it for myself. I thought it would take a long time because it seemed like it had a lot of pieces with the little suitcase and all. It really wasn't that bad, though. I didn't make any changes other than choosing my own colors.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Marching Band Bear #3

I said it was my turn to get an ornament, but we were ready to start a movie and I didn't have one cut out. I cut out all four of these when I started them two years ago so I could make sure all the colors matched. For convenience, I decided to go ahead and do this one.

Here's Bear #1

Here's Bear #2

So here is Kelly's third member of her personal marching band. His hat is missing its pom pom because those are at home in Ohio. I accidentally got my drum mallet a little long -- OOPS!

I've known Kelly since she was in kindergarten and I can't believe I've just completed the ornament for her junior year. Only one more to go!

Welcome to my blog!

I hope this will be a fun place for us to exchange pictures of our completed ornaments, as well as tips and stories. If you're new here, be sure to read back through previous posts so you can see all my ornaments. Be sure to list yourself as a follower of the blog so we can start a felt ornament community!

Please feel free to comment to any of the posts . . . maybe you've made that ornament, too, and have a tip or a funny story to share . . . or maybe you have a question to ask. Whatever your thoughts are, please share them with the rest of us!

Who's Ouida?

About Ouida and me . . . . we taught school together briefly years ago when she was nearing retirement and I was a student teacher. We found that we shared a love of crafting and other interests. That, and the fact that our husbands got along well right from the start, made us all fast friends.
We've exchanged many patterns over the years for various craft projects and we both love to sew and quilt. I knew she made the felt ornaments that I remember so well from childhood when my mother and grandmother used to frequent church bazaars. I, on the other hand, had never made one and had only the ones Ouida made me herself: a golfer for Scott and an elf for me.
Ouida and her mother used to order patterns from Carolyn DeAngelis in the 70's and 80's. When her mother had to enter a nursing home, I was blessed to be the recipient of all her patterns. I've been obsessed ever since! She frequently gives me tips and we share ideas all the time. She's my friend and partner in crafting crime!
And the most interesting thing? We're 25 apart in age and 500 miles apart geographically. Think of the trouble we'd get into if we lived in the same town again!

General Ornament Info

I use both regular felt and unwashed wool felt. The wool felt is thicker, offers better colors . . . but is more expensive. :o(

I stitch with regular sewing thread unless I don't have a matching color. Then I use cross stitch floss. I use only one strand regardless of what I do.

I hand stitch the year on the back of my ornaments.

I make everything 3-dimensional . . . like arms, little doodads in hands, etc.

I use a 1/8" hole punch to make my eyes. I add a little white French knot for a pupil.

I hot glue things into hands, to glue hands together, etc. Definitely not a "Ouida-approved" action! She stitches all hers.