Octopus Hair Clip/ From Thought to Creation

Last week I was talking to a coworker about her adorable 2 year old and she told me that her princess who likes mermaids and trolls, was extremely upset because they were reading the story “Good Night Mermaids” and she didn’t have an octopus hair clip to put in her hair like the Mermaid in the story. My response without even thinking about it was… well I can make her one out of felt. After a couple seconds of searching on Google, we came across a cute clip that was being sold on Etsy which I copied and pasted into a word document and resized based on the size that I thought I would need for the clip. I then printed it and used it as my rough template. (I really tried to find the image for this post however 15 minutes later I still couldn’t find it…. Sorry guys). I could have easily sewed it on the sewing machine but I actually prefer hand sewing as I can a.) complete projects while I watch TV and b.) it’s very relaxing for me. Since this was a very small project that I was doing for free for a 2 year old who wouldn’t judge me, I decided to just use items that I had in my studio.

Here’s the Final Product:

Item Listing:

Scrap piece of felt –cut out a front and back

Star shaped button- to add to the bow on top

Black yarn- which I used to make the eyes

Black thread- which I used to make the eyelashes

Purple Yarn- which I used to make the mouth

And finally

Pink Yarn- which I used to decorate the bow and sewed around the octopus

I did all of this with an embroidery needle and a hand sewing needle for the eyelashes.

My coworker loved it and commented on how impressive it was that I was able to go from concept to octopus hair clip in such a short period of time. When designing the back of the clip where the hair pin would go, I just created a small stitch where the hair pin can easily be added and removed in case her little one wanted to just play with her new octopus friend without getting hurt. My coworker though this was even more ingenious….. I wonder if she will show up at my desk with Starbucks one of these days. Lol

Now on to my next little project Halloween Sewing… My Journey Doll now renamed Aziza is trying to come up with some ideas for her Halloween Costume meanwhile I am trying to come up with a simple costume idea for my 3 year old son who is currently a super fan of the show Paw Patrol. Maybe she can write down some of the ideas for his costume in her handmade notepad made from card stock, printer paper, a scalloped punch, and flower shaped brad. 

In reviewing my archives I found some Halloween projects from last year to either refresh your memory or share with you for the first time.

Pillow Case turned Pocahontas Costume 

Now that was an unexpected but awesome project. My friend came up with the idea but was having trouble making the cuts for the arms and the head/neck. She planned on using glue to attach everything on but then I took over the project added some felt, cut some fringe, and sewed everything on. It came out better than I could have imagined.. I would’ve modeled it but I think the pillowcase was an odd size or something so I couldn’t get it that far over my head LOL.

Cat Headband Kids Craft Class 

Original Blog Post

Do you have any Halloween Crafts planned? Any ideas for Aziza’s Costume?

~Darley

Monster Hand Puppets

Hola! Hope you all had an awesome holiday weekend for those of you in the United States. I definitely enjoyed having an extra day of rest as it is always appreciated.

While trying to find  a cute gift to make for my sons soon to be 3 year old friends Birthday Party, I came across the cutest monster pillows. I liked the monster theme but really wanted something that I could just lounge around and complete, and decided to create some toddler sized hand puppets. One was for my son Dylan's friend the other for the friends cutie little sister and the guy in the middle with the tie was for Dylan. When I originally came up with the idea, I envisioned a one eyed version like below. But after looking at the pic and sleeping on it, I decided that the puppets would be more toddler friendly if they had a second eye, and I couldn't be happier. The best part about this craft.... I sat on my couch watching a movie as I completed the first one, was on the deck with the family when I completed the second one and the third and final one Mr. D was finished off on my drive to the Birthday Party. Being a passenger definitely has many benefits and this is one of them. Yes I was able to thread a needle and sew as my husband was driving. The ride actually seemed much quicker than the half hour that it took to get there which was awesome.

Just the other day I was thinking that I needed to find a hobby that was really relaxing like reading fun fiction books. Although crafting is relaxing its really hard to just lounge around completing projects... well most of the projects that I work with... but then after hand sewing these babies I realized that doing little hand sewing projects and maybe even doing some crochet (more than the two stitches that I know) would be a great way to both relax and complete little projects. Now I really have to spend some time with my crocheting friends to get me on my way with some Barbie and American Girl Doll Blankets.

                 

             

Now tell me, do you think you could thread a needle, multiple times and do some hand sewing while riding around in a car? You can be honest or even try it and let me know.

Have a great Tuesday.

Darley~