Felt monster toy DIY, make the whole family of colourful monsters!

The patterns for the happy monsters are finally here! It did take me a while but I got here eventually. I got too carried away with making them in different colours, they are very addictive! 

This three eye monster takes a few hours and many felt spots to make. He is super cute and can be an educational toy too - learning colours, textures and shapes. You can use ribbon tags instead of felt ones if you wish. 

To make one 3 eye monster, you'll need:

Plushka's pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in many colourful colours: 2 larger pieces for the body - finished monster is 14 cm in diameter 

red felt for the heart and spots, grey, white, black....other colours for the spots.

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white, black, grey, red and matching embroidery threads to the body colour.

toy stuffing 

pins

Instructions:

1. cut out the body and the eyes as per pattern

2. cut 5 strips of felt about 10 cm long and 1 cm wide, put aside.

3. place white parts of the eyes on the head and lightly draw a little smile with a chalk to make sure it will fit after the eyes are stitched on. Stitch eyes in place - white, grey, black. 

4. Add a smile, making small stitches in black embroidery thread, following by eyelashes. Note that the middle eye looks the other way, thus eyelashes are underneath it. 

5. Cut out one heart shape and about 10 multi-coloured dots. Note that I haven't used red dots on the face of the monster on purpose in order to make heart stand out more. Also, heart is to be stitched on with red thread. 

6. Place all the dots around heart (it's already stitched on) and attach the dots with one cross in the middle with the embroidery thread that matches the body colour. 

Optional: if you would prefer to attach the dots more securely so they are harder to pick on for a baby, stitch them on like you did the eyes, all the way around. As the dots might be ripped off, this toy is recommended for kids after 3 years old. Unless you attach them all the way around and supervise while the toy is played with. 

7. Cut out as many dots  as you wish for the back of the monster. I used red ones at the back as well as other colours. Attach in the same style as at the dots at the front.

8. Fold the felt strips (or ribbon) in half and pin them on in  between front and back. Stitch around using matching thread catching the "tags" in place as you go. Leave a gap for stuffing! 

9. Stuff your little monster and stitch the gap.

Ta-Da! You have one happy monster! 

Enjoyed making this colouful fellow? Other patterns for 2 more monsters are available in the patterns shop. Why not make the whole family?!

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page.

Valentine's day DIY links round-up, guest post

Happy Friday!  This is Laura of Creativity Unmasked and today’s guest post is a romantic round-up of DIY ideas to help you get ready for Valentine’s Day. 

Clockwise from upper left: 

Heart-shaped ice cream sandwiches (Martha Stewart)

Cupid’s arrow toppers and tags (Creature Comforts)

Coffee cup wrappers (Eat Drink Chic)

Wrapped books (Design Sponge)

Valentine pillowbox (Whip Up)

Printable children’s valentines (Ellinee)

Looking for more great Valentine’s Day ideas?  I have a whole board of Valentine’s Day inspiration on Pinterest.

Have a fabulous creative weekend! 

DIY links round-up, get organised for the new year!

Happy Friday (and Happy New Year)!  This is Laura of Creativity Unmasked and today’s guest post is a round-up of DIY household organisation ideas to help those of you who have resolved to get things at your home into ship-shape order this year. 

Clockwise from upper left: 

Mail Sorter (Curbly)

Menu Planning Board (The Creative Momma)

Family Organiser Board (Woman’s Day)

Magnetic Calendar Inspiration (Apartment Therapy)

DIY Corkboard (Martha Stewart)

Have a fabulous creative weekend! 

"Wonky Gingerbread house" Christmas decoration DIY

This Wonky Gingerbread house is the last DIY in my series of Christmas DIY posts for this year. It was fun to design them and I am now thinking what other DIYs I will share with you next year....

This little house, besides being a cute Christmas tree decorations, will make a great housewarming gift for someone who just moved houses and celebrating new year in a new place! 

To make one gingerbread house you'll need:

Plushka's gingerbread house pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in red-ish brown 12cm x 12cm

(finished size of the decoration is 11cm x 9cm)

small piece of  red and white felt

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white and red embroidery threads

one small button

ribbon 12 cm long

red/white beads 
(you can substitute beads with French knots)

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration 

Instructions:

1. cut out all the pieces as per pattern 

2. stitch the beads on the "roof snow"

3. attach snow to the roof - start stitching in one corner and  only stitch the bottom of this part on, leave the thread hanging as you see on the picture. You will use this thread later on when attaching the house to the fabric. 

4. Take the white & red part of the door. We will be stitching on only the red part so pin them on the house and, using red thread, attached the door. 

5.  Add the white bead - door knob, following by the button above the door.  
 6. Take 2 snow parts for the chimney at stitch them on by "sandwiching" the top of the roof between them. 

7. Pin the house on the wrong side of the fabric as you see on the picture and stitch around, using the white thread you have left after the step 3, catching the ribbon and the chimney in place as you go. You might notice that on the pattern the chimney is on the other side. When I was making the house, placing the chimney on the left looked better to me so see how you feel when you pin it to the fabric. You might want to swap it around too:) 

8. cut around the excess fabric.

That's all, you have one slightly wonky gingerbread house! 

Make a few more with different buttons, change the door colour, ribbons and  display them proudly on your Christmas tree! 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

Jolly Gingerbread man DIY

This cute Jolly Gingerbread man is a third DIY in my series of Christmas DIY posts and I am having so much fun creating them. Hope you enjoying them as much as I do!

This fellow can be easily made from felt and fabric scraps, a few little buttons in about an hour. It's another quick project so you can have a few of these guys to decorate your Christmas tree with by the end of a weekend. You can also use one of them to add a handmade touch to a gift wrapping. 

To make one gingerbread man you'll need:

Plushka's gingerbread man pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in red-ish brown 12 cm x 12cm

(finished size of the decoration is 10.5 cm)

small piece of white & black felt 

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white, cream, black embroidery threads

(I used cream thread to stitch around the body as it makes it more biscuity looking)

3 small buttons 

ribbon 12 cm long

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration 

Instructions:

1. cut out the body and the eyes as per pattern 

2. place eyes on the head and stitch them in place. Then add a smile, making small stitches in white embroidery thread.

3. add "crosses" in white thread as per picture.

4. attach the buttons.

5. pin your gingerbread man to the piece of fabric as shown on the picture and stitch around using cream thread catching the ribbon in place as you go.

6. cut around the excess fabric.

That's all, you have a Jolly gingerbread man! 

Make a few more with different buttons and ribbons and  display them proudly on your Christmas tree! 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

Guest post: DIY round-up holiday treats ideas

Happy Friday, everyone!  This is Laura of Creativity Unmasked and today’s guest post is a recipe round-up holiday treat ideas to help you to get ready for the festive season.  Whether you make them for yourself, for entertaining family and friends, or for a very sweet homemade gift, these treats look deliciously festive!

Clockwise from upper left: 

Spiced Cardamom Cookies (Martha Stewart)

Lofthouse Sugar Cookies (Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms)

Chocolate Cherry Kisses (The Curvy Carrot)

Mini Gingerbread Houses (Woman and Home)

Candy Cane Wands (Betty Crocker)

Have a fabulous creative weekend! 

"Folk flower" Christmas ornament DIY

I love folklore art and this ornament was inspired by my Pinterest board with all the different folk prints and patterns! This decorations, same as a snowman last week, can be easily made from felt and fabric scraps, beads and a ribbon in about an hour. Another very quick project to make this weekend for  your Christmas tree or you might want to use one of them for a gift wrapping. The choice is yours! 

To make one ornament you'll need:

Plushka's "Folk flower" pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

3 pieces of felt in 3 colours of your choice 10 cm x 10cm

(finished size of the decoration is 9.5 cm)

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

matching embroidery threads (I used white and red)

16 beads in silver or any matching colour to your felt

(white will look great!) 

ribbon 12- 14 cm long

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration (or double the amount of green felt - felt used for the Part 3 and use it instead)

Instructions:

1. cut all the pieces required as per pattern 

2. Take Part 3 and stitch the beads on as you see on the picture.

3. Take Part 2 and Part 1, place Part 1 slightly on a side of the circle and stitch on using contrast threads. Add a little heart.

4. Place them on Part 3 and stitch around. 

5. Take a piece of fabric (or felt), pin the ornament to the wrong side of the fabric, insert the ribbon and stitch around catching the ribbon in place as you go.

Voila! A Folk flower decoration is ready! 

Make a few more in a different colour combos and hang them on a tree for everyone to admire:) 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

Snowman Christmas decoration DIY

This cute gentleman-snowman is opening my series of Christmas DIY posts. He can be easily made from felt and fabric scraps, a few little buttons in about an hour. So, quick project with a few snowman to decorate your Christmas tree by the end of a weekend or use one of them to add a handmade touch to a gift wrapping. 

To make one snowman you'll need:

 Plushka's snowman pattern 

(it can be downloaded from HERE)

felt in cream (off white colour) 13 cm x 13cm

(finished size of the decoration is 11.5 cm)

small piece of white felt about 4cm x 4 cm

black felt 8 cm x 8 cm for the hat and eyes

tiny bit of carrot orange for the nose 

(All felt is 100% pure new wool felt from Plushka's Makery)

white, cream, black embroidery threads

3 small buttons 

ribbon 12- 14 cm long

fabric scraps for the back of the decoration (or double the amount of cream felt and use it instead)

red felt 2 cm x 2cm for the heart on a hat (optional, you can use a button instead)

Instructions:

1. cut all the pieces required as per pattern 

2. place eyes on the head and stitch them in place, following by a carrot nose. Then add a smile, making small stitches in black embroidery thread.

3. pin a ribbon to the top of the head.

4. attach the buttons to the bottom part of the body.

5. pin a snowman to the piece of fabric (or felt) as shown on the picture and stitch around catching the ribbon in place as you go.

6. cut around the excess fabric.

7. Take one of the black hat pieces and stitch the red felt heart on (or a button).

8. "sandwich" a head of the snowman between 2 hat pieces and stitch around making sure you catch all the layers. 

That's all, you have a festive snowman! 

Make a few more with different buttons and ribbons and hang them on a tree for everyone to admire:) 

Happy stitching!

I would love to see your creations so don't hesitate to leave a link to your blog post or post pictures on my Facebook page).

Guest post: Friday DIY links round-up

Happy Friday, everyone!  This is Laura of Creativity Unmasked and today’s guest DIY is a creative round-up pre-prepped for sharing here at the Plushka blog as I am currently travelling overseas.  

I love the rustic look of burlap, and it is perfect for creating so many styles, from country chique to beach beautiful and everything in between.  Here are some great creative links to inspire:

 

Clockwise from upper left: 

burlap letters (The Virginia House)

burlap wrapped cork board (Sarah Ortega) 

burlap flowers (Snug as a Bug Baby)

burlap favour bags (Ruffled)

simulated burlap cafe sack pillows (Sew Dang Cute Crafts) burlap napkin rings (Tatertots and Jello)

Have a fabulous creative weekend! 

*   *   *   *   *

Thank you Laura for another fabulous guest post and happy travels! 

Visit Creativity Unmasked for more creative ideas or stop by Laura's Pinterest board.

6 creative ways to use washi tape this Christmas

It's exciting and it's scary that there are only 65 days left until Christmas!  Thus, I thought it's about time to start looking for gift ideas as well as gift wrapping inspirations.
I am starting the Christmas themed posts with 6 ways to use the washi tape for gift wrapping and decorating. I especially like the recycling idea for the cookie container as I get to buy more cookies (or ice-cream) to get the box! 

1. Pick festive colours and decorate Christmas baubles.

2. Recycle a cookie container. 

3. Make pretty washi gift bow.

4. Cut out and decorate a Christmas tree.

5. Create an Advent  calendar  from white or red boxes.

6. Decorate your shelves with  tiny washi flags.

Do you collect washi tape?

Where do you use it?