Advent Day 22: The Shortest Day and miniature felted wool wreaths
Book: The Shortest Day
by Wendy Pfeffer
Activity: Miniature Felted Wool Wreaths
Happy Solstice everyone! It's so nice to think that this is the shortest day and from here on into summer our daylight hours will get longer. Yea for the sun! Yea for light conquering darkness! Go here for some ideas on how to celebrate the Solstice. The Shortest Day explains all about the winter solstice, its history and astronomical information, in a pleasing kid friendly tone. It also has some solstice activities that kids can do in the last few pages.
Today's activity is a miniature wool wreath using felted wool sweaters. If you don't have any felted wool sweaters on hand then try regular felt but you will need more squares to fill the wreath up. I used 53 squares but how many you use will depend heavily on the thickness of the sweaters and how tightly you pack them onto the wreath. I made a little flower for mine using three circles of felt in different sizes and finished with a button in the center. I think they look great with or without a flower but I'll leave that up to you. The finished wreath is about 4 1/2" in diameter.
Activity: Miniature Felted Wool Wreaths
Supplies:
•felted wool sweaters cut into 1" squares
•sharp scissors
•floral wire size 18, plain or cloth-covered
•wire snips
•needle nose pliers
•ruler to cut 1" squares
•optional rotary cutter makes cutting the wool easier
•a round object about 2 1/2" in diameter to form the wire around
Step 1: take your wire and starting in the center, wrap it around your round object; create a hook like the one pictured above
Step 2: snip off the long ends of the wire
Step 3: make a hook with the other end of the wire; first hook should be vertical to be used for hanging later, the second hook should be perpendicular to the first one
Step 4: open up the hook you just made and begin stringing on wool squares; pierce the center of the square with sharp scissors to make a hole for the wire to go through
Step 5: string wool squares onto the wire until it is full then hook closed
Optional Step 6: get creative and make a decoration for your wreath if you would like
Woohoo, look what you did!
I love this, and I have lots of felt!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!!
Posted by: asnipofgoodness | 12/21/2008 at 02:16 PM
These are so cute. Would these be okay to put outside and exposed to the winter elements?
Posted by: cheryl | 12/18/2008 at 09:46 AM
This is too cute!
I am going to the Savation army and look for some old wool sweaters!!!
Posted by: Maisie | 11/23/2008 at 11:56 AM
how fabulous!
perfect for my GCSE art unit!
how beautiful!
yay! you have made my day! x
Posted by: Anwoooo x | 11/08/2008 at 12:05 PM
how fabulous!
it is ideal for my GCSE art unit!
yay! :D
it is soooo pretty, thankyou for sharing it!
you have made my day lol x
Posted by: Anwoooo x | 11/08/2008 at 12:04 PM
I'm always looking for great wreath ideas. Loved your mini felt wreaths. Have you seen this place? www.ladybugwreaths.com/wreathgarden
This lady teaches and has videos. There are some great ideas.
I'll remember these cute fet wreaths though ...
Posted by: Sarah | 04/23/2008 at 03:14 PM
wonderful idea!
I wll make a link in my blog and my readers will enjoy also this wonderful craft!
Posted by: marina | 01/09/2008 at 05:58 AM
Where are you finding such cute and colorful wool sweaters to felt with?
Posted by: Lotta | 12/27/2007 at 01:24 AM
You've worked so hard to show us wonderful books and fantastic ornaments! Thanks so much for all the inspiration you share. Blessings to you this holiday!
Posted by: IamSusie | 12/24/2007 at 09:52 PM
Beautiful wreaths... so colourful and festive!
Have a wonder-filled Christmas with your loved and dear ones.
See you in the new and shiny year, g xo
Posted by: gracia | 12/24/2007 at 12:51 AM
JUST SOOOOOOOOOO DIVINE!!!!!
Linkage lovin coming your way!
peace.
Ngaire
x
Posted by: ngaire Bartlam | 12/23/2007 at 10:55 PM
I just want to reach out and feel this wreath. Especially some of the squares that look so thick and scrunchy---yum!
Posted by: Amber | 12/23/2007 at 08:57 PM
I just want to reach out and feel this wreath. Especially some of the squares that look so thick and scrunchy---yum!
Posted by: Amber | 12/23/2007 at 08:56 PM
So happy I found your blog through the Craft Magazine blog - you're so generous with your ideas and resources - fabulous things! thank you for all of this - cannot wait to try my hand at some of your creations and to share your blog with others....
Posted by: patti | 12/23/2007 at 03:08 PM
Such a wonderful series of posts! Merry Christmas Cassi! xoxo T.
Posted by: Therese | 12/23/2007 at 02:56 PM
What great ideas you've been posting. Thank you.
Posted by: Lil' d | 12/23/2007 at 10:55 AM
Love! You know I'm all about the felty sweater scraps! :)
Posted by: betz | 12/23/2007 at 09:10 AM
Cute, cute, cute !!!!! Clarice
Posted by: clarice | 12/23/2007 at 08:30 AM