This is so simple - I don't think that I have ever crafted anything that could be classified as complex - anybody can make these and it is a great project for children as well.
I used wool felt but you could also use upcycled felted wool (think old sweaters) and cut out 24 hearts and one star for number 25. I used pinking shears so that I could just use a simple running stitch around the heart instead of the blanket stitch to save a bit of time but the blanket stitch would certainly look nice as well. Leave a hole to stuff with wool and then finish sewing closed. Don't forget to add a loop for hanging. I am thankful to have Sarah helping me with these.
Next, we are needle felting the numbers on each heart. You could instead embroider the numbers.
We will be putting all of our hearts and star in a basket and then take out the appropriate number each day beginning December 1st to hang on our Christmas tree. But other options would be to have a smaller branch "tree" to hang them or some other creative idea.
I look forward to your sharing. Please leave a link in the comment if you have posted about your project, recipe, plans, etc...
Warm wishes, Tonya
I love this idea, and I'm so looking forward to all the hand-made inspiration to come--thank you for hosting the Hand-made Holiday theme! I have a few fall handmade gifting ideas in my post today--a lavender eye pillow and a felt birthday crown:
ReplyDeletehttp://4happyhens.blogspot.com/2011/10/simple-hand-made-gifts.html
I hope to participate with more winter holiday themed crafts in the weeks ahead!
An absolutely lovely way to mark and celebrate the Advent season . . . .
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and the anticipation! I really like this idea too-- I created dozens of felt ornaments last year, and though I'm still feeling felted out this year, you're inspiring me to think again... So much fun to have a helper too! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThese are a wonderful idea! And I think my daughter would love helping with the sewing.
ReplyDeleteAlways love stopping by your blog :]
ReplyDeleteThese are really pretty! Thanks for sharing. I bought some advent ornaments last year from an etsy shop, and i really love them too. You might like to check them out! http://www.etsy.com/shop/JesseTreeTreasures?ref=pr_shop_more
ReplyDeleteLovely Idea
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. And how much fun to have a helper. I joined in the Handmade Holiday with a post about a little snowman ornament. You can see it here if you like: http://heartfelthomemaking.blogspot.com/2011/10/handmade-holiday-snowman-ornament.html
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Elizabeth
I love this idea! Thank you. I need to sit down and get organized. My "purchasing" is done, but the making needs to get started.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! My kiddos would love that!!
ReplyDeleteWe are working on our own Handmade Holiday over at http://ruralsuburbianfarmer.blogspot.com/...have finally untangled the yarn from last week and begun moving forward :)
Great idea! I love the idea of up-cycled wool too.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful idea...beautiful, yet simple. Right up my alley!! Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to have gifts or treats for an advent calendar either so this is what we have done: we have 2 "calendars". One is a drawing of a feather tree which we stick to the fridge. Years ago, I glued simple wooden shapes to magnets and we use one to decorate the tree on the fridge each day (a circle painted like a peppermint, an oval painted like an ornament, a square painted like a gift package, etc). For the other, we set up a few branches to look small trees and make a little forest. Each day, we add a tiny toy forest animal, or some toy food, or a tiny nest so that by Christmas day we have a lovely little forest scene. Last year we added a little wooden gnome home that we made from branches. This morning, looking at an old Tasha Tudor illustration, I decided that this year we would add some small wooden stools and a table that we will make from slices of fallen branches. I hope to add a little something to it each year.
ReplyDeleteThose are very cute!
ReplyDeleteI am also hosting a Handmade Christmas Carnival over at my blog on Tuesdays. I am putting up a linky and would love to have you or any of your readers link up there as well.
I am looking forward to coming back to look at all your ideas!
Thank you so much for the great idea! I kind of like the idea of an advent calendar, but agree with you about being potentially expensive or involving too much sugar. After reading your post, here's what I'll do: I will make an advent calendar that will include a tree ornament (like the felt hearts you made) each day. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful idea! i've been looking for something also that doesn't include treats or gifts. I may do this.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Becca