More On the Felt Owl Masks

I feel like there is something very soothing about hand sewing felt. I'm not sure what it is but I find it very calming to just sit and sew this soft, fun material.  It doesn't bunch, it's not droopy, it doesn't drape over anything.  It just sits still and let's you mold it, let's you turn it into something cute and fun.  I am all for materials that are cooperative!
When I was asked to attempt an owl mask for a forest themed birthday party coming up in April, I thought, "Why not?  I am sure I can find something to use as a reference on Pinterest!" So I decided to give it a whirl.  I did find some useful photos on Pinterest, as well as some free patterns on other websites.  However, I ended up modifying these patterns and creating my own because I didn't love any of them and when I printed them out, they weren't the correct size anyway. I used a basic mask shape for the back ground, used a second color for the contrasting main portion of the face, and then used white for the eyes and gold for the beak.  Sewing it together wasn't difficult at all.  It was a lot of fun!  The only thing I realized once I had it put together was that the eyes just aren't big enough. I decided I would need to make them bigger next time.

The original owl mask

I thought the original owl mask was so cute, I decided to make a special Valentine's Day Owl Mask.  I made it the same way as the original, except I made the eye holes bigger. I also made them heart-shaped instead of circle like on the original owl. I added some more decorative stitches, too.

Valentine's Day Owl Mask

The heart-shaped eye

Who, who, who do you love?

Now that I am using my sewing machine (sort of!) I could probably get these done a lot faster if I used it to assemble them, but I am thinking I might continue to hand sew them.  Maybe if I had a large order I would do them on the machine, but, for now, if you order an owl mask for me, it's probably going to be hand sewn!

Busy Weekend Finishing Projects!

I usually try to write a post every day, or at least every other day, but the last few days I've been swamped!  I had three orders to get out by yesterday and I had a whole bunch of projects I've been working on.  I finally used my sewing machine (!) and made a dress for Lucy.  I think it turned out alright but not perfect. I will probably list it but I wouldn't sell this particular one to anybody.  I'd just use it to show the style and what  I can add to it (a.k.a. check out the rhinestone ladybug.)  Besides, Lucy really likes it.

Lucy  loves ladybugs!

Lucy's new dress

I also made several rhinestone t-shirts.  A few of them I used transfers for that I already had but I also made some of my own transfers which takes a lot more time but I'm really happy with how they turned out.

This is my design, rhinestones completely placed by me from my  own template

From a purchased transfer

I hand placed these rhinestones, too

This one is for Imma's teacher (don't tell her!) It's from a transfer but it would be very simple to make a similar template.

This one is also from a purchased transfer but would be easy to do something similar.

I finished the Princess Lolly tutu!

Princess Lolly tutu before the lollipops

And after the lollipops.  It took me 7 hours to make these felt lollipops and attach them to the dress.  Yipes!

I was also asked to make a felt owl mask for a huge project I'll be making soon for a birthday party in April. I'm super excited about this project! I wasn't sure if I could make a felt owl mask or not but I did and I really liked making it.  In fact, I liked it so much, I made a Valentine's Day one, too!

Original owl mask.  I think next time I will make the eye wholes bigger.

Valentine's Owl Mask.  The pink you see through the eye wholes is the elastic band.  I could't get either girl to hold still long enough to take a picture with it on!

I also made two tutus this week for a new customer in Pennsylvania and three tutu kits for a very nice woman in New York.  She's going to use them at a baby shower!  The guests are going to make tutus for the new baby.  What an awesome idea!  Wouldn't it be so sweet to give your little girl a tutu that your family and friends made for her at her baby shower?  I love that idea!
I also made this Rock 'n' Roll Teen Tutu for a giveaway winner and I love how it turned out.  She's just too cute! See, I told you you're never too old for a tutu!

Super chic Rock 'n' Roll tutu

If I looked this good in a tutu, I'd wear one everyday!

I'm also still working on an infinity scarf, a couple more t-shirt designs, and I think I'm going to make more felt masks.

What have y'all been up to this weekend??