Holiday Cards from Shutterfly

It's the most wonderful time of the year... and I say that because I really, really love the holiday cards that come every day.  Most people don't know this, but I actually keep them from year to year.  Only the ones with pictures, of course - I'm not nuts.  But almost everyone I know sends cards with pictures and I treasure each one.  Sometimes it's the only glimpse I get of college friends and their children living on the opposite coast or family in distant lands.  My first stop will be Shutterfly. 

A dear friend takes a photograph of my children every year and I really don't know how she manages to capture them so well.  My favorite had to be about 5 years ago.  I have twin boys and a little girl and they were just "DONE" with the whole idea of having their picture taken.  They were uncooperative, cranky and a little bit impish.  She got them to dance, took a picture and.... Ta-Da... I had an adorable card with my children dancing and the caption read "Be Merry".  It was my favorite!

Every year I create a calendar on Shutterfly with pictures from the last year... Halloween, summer vacation, first day of school.... great memories. And almost every year I create a photo book. That's the favorite gift among the grandparents. I know they show it to everyone!  So now I need to choose a card for this year.  So many to choose from at Shutterfly, but here are the top contenders:

Tutorial for my Pinecone Trees

www.shop.thewoolacorn.com

I've been asked to create a tutorial for my Pinecone Trees which are currently on the cover of Holiday Crafts 2010 magazine.  It's super easy and I have a kit in my shop with all the supplies you need to make them!!!  Keep in mind that you can whip them up in any color combination and use them for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Easter, New Year's Eve or any other holiday.  I did mine in a combination of bright colors that I just happen to like for Christmas.  (You supply the reindeer).

The trees are decorated with needle felted wool balls.  Needle felting is the process of poking wool roving with a special kind of barbed needle.  It is insanely sharp!  As you poke the wool, the barbs on the needle cause it to "felt" together... much like that time you washed a sweater and it came out the size of a potholder.  Now, before you start, I want you to raise your right hand and repeat after me.  I {state your name} do solemnly swear that, while poking the needle, I will not glance at the TV, give my children the stinkeye, or shoot a knowing glance at anyone in the room.  I will keep my eyes on the needle at all times!!!  You're still going to poke yourself but I bet you catch on real fast!


First thing... use a bottle brush and scrub the pinecone to loosen any seeds and dirt (do this over a trash can).  If the pinecones are sticky, you can bake them in your oven at 170 degrees for an hour to harden the sap.


Make the balls:  Take a small wisp of wool and roll it into a ball.  You can always add more wool to make it larger, but you can't take wool away if it's getting too big.  So begin with just a little bit.  Start poking your needle into the wool, turning the wool and moving it every few pokes so it doesn't stick to the foam pad.  If you keep rotating the wool, a ball shape will appear.

After you've made a bunch of balls, head to the sink.  Using hot soapy water, gently roll the balls one by one, in the palm of your hand.  This will really tighten the fibers together and give them a nice round shape.  If they start to look orb-like, use less pressure.  Squeeze them with a towel when you're done.  They will dry pretty quick if you just leave them on the counter.  Using the Tacky Glue, stick them onto your pinecone.  I make about 25 balls for a 2-2.5" pinecone.

To make the base, cover the wooden spool with glue and roll it in German Glass glitter.  Let dry.

Use the same glue to attach the base to the pinecone.  It's OK if you have to play with it a bit before it sits just how you like it.  If it's sitting crooked, you can tuck a little ball underneath to balance it out.  Ta-da, you're done!


Shop.theWoolAcorn.com

The kit contains 3 real pinecones, 6x8x2 felting pad, 2 felting needles, 3 wooden spools, German Glass glitter, .66 oz bottle Aleene's Tacky Glue and Pure Wool Roving in 8 colors.  Directions included as well.  Feel free to email me if you need a consult!  But, really, it isn't hard!  Click here to purchase!

Linking up with these fabulous bloggers:
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com/
http://itsablogparty.com/home-for-the-holidays-party/
http://itssoverycheri.com/
http://alittlelovelyblog.blogspot.com/
http://itssoverycheri.com/2010/11/14/its-so-very-cheri-party-time/
http://iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com/2010/11/saturday-is-crafty-day-22.html
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-craft-tutorial-linky-party-20/
http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
733blog.blogspot.com

Craft-O-Maniac
http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/2010/11/market-yourself-monday_15.html





































































 
thethriftyhome.com

Adding the ribbon acorns to the shop

Brown paper packages tied up with string.... or ribbons adorned with acorns... It's clever and seasonal and easy to make.... The wool is needle felted and shaped, attached to a real acorn cap with a drilled hole for the ribbon.  Easy peasy!  Or, you can just buy them because your to-do list is longer than your arm.  Embellish a package, decorate your feather tree or use as a napkin ring, there's no end to what you can do with the acorns on ribbons.  Ornaments and adornments!   Available in my shop at shop.theWoolAcorn.com

Shop.theWoolAcorn.com