Fisk-a-Ornament Tutorial by Guest Blogger Rebecca Bird Grigsby
- posted by: Angela
- posted in: Uncategorized
- on: December 5, 2009
2 days ago, I asked you all to tell me about creative blogs you read. Fiskateer #2494 Kimberlee chimed in with Rebecca Bird Grigsby’s blog. When I clicked over, the first image I saw was Rebecca’s holiday Circus Cookie ornamnents. She had me at hello. Crafty AND sweet?! I had to write Rebecca IMMEDIATELY and ask if she would let me share her cute cookie project. I did mention that as Fiskateers, we’re partial to the color orange and, well, you won’t even believe the cute project she made just for us in under 48 hours! I do hope you go to Rebecca’s blog and comment on some of her other projects and I CHALLENGE YOU to make her amazing little orange slice ornament and post it in the gallery by end of day tomorrow. (and p.s., I think Rebecca is under the impression that these ornaments represent REAL oranges but between you and me, I just KNOW they’re candy orange slices!)? Here’s what Rebecca has to say:
“When Lead Fiskateer Angela asked me to be a guest blogger I was thrilled, and the first project that came to mind (thinking about the color orange, naturally) was a felt orange slice Christmas tree ornament. There is something really satisfying about making felt food and I’ve always enjoyed the tradition of receiving an orange in my Christmas stocking, so the project felt like a nice fit all-around.
My only concern was that the project might not utilize Fiskars products all that well. But after I collected my materials and took a look around my craft area, I realized there’s a lot of orange there, from the circle templates to the finger tool to the scissors, not to mention possibly the least exciting but most utilized tool: the very handy scissors sharpener.
The materials are simple: all you need are three small pieces of felt (I used two shades of orange and one shade of yellow), embroidery floss (I used orange for all the stitching and white for the embroidered French knots), and ribbon to hang it on the tree I (I used gold but I think I might use green for the next one). I used the 3 inch, 2 ½ inch, and 2 inch circle templates, one for each color, and then cut each circle in half (for front and back). I separated the smallest, yellow circle into six sections (three for the front, three for the back), and stitched the yellow sections onto the middle orange semi-circle. I then attached that piece to the large orange semi-circle before adding the embroidered French knots for the white pith. I’m a big fan of the French knot and typically use it for anything with sprinkles but I think it works well for just about any embellishment with a more organic quality to it (what interesting uses have you found for the lovely French knot?).
I followed the same process for the back (or, to save time, you could use a solid piece of felt for the backing) and then used a blanket stitch to attach the two pieces together, tucking the gold ribbon between at the top corner of my orange slice. I think this will make a colorful addition to this year’s tree. I can almost smell the citrus!
Bio:
I have an insatiable sweet tooth, can wiggle my ears, and watch too much television. I’ve moved around a lot, most recently returning to the San Francisco Bay Area after four years, one master’s degree, and one baby in Boston. I now live and craft in Oakland, California, with my husband, son, and two cats. My blog link is: http://wazocafegallery.blogspot.com“
Kelly #6558 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 6:11 pmI absolutely love this! I have been wanting to make some Felt Food for my grandson’s for Christmas because we are giving them a Kitchen for the holiday’s among other things like trucks etc. I might have to make this orange now too. Unfortunately we have our grandson’s right now for 9 days (that sounds terrible like I don’t want them, but that is so not true!) and I do not have time to do this type of challange. Bummer!
Angela says:
December 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pmKelly- make sure you post whenever you have a chance to make this cute little ornament & send me an email to let me know you did (angela@fiskateers.com). You never know when the prize fairy might notice a really specially gallery item!
Susie #6652 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 6:16 pmTHis is really cute ! I love the animal crackers as well. I invited her to join Fiskateers as well when I left a comment ! There is always room for more creative talent !!
Angela #3100 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pmWhat a fabulous idea for an ornament! Great work!
Maya #351 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pmAdorable! so simple and so so cute!
Tona #4437 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 6:58 pmThat is too cute!
Pinky #3405 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 7:11 pmwo that is super fun and so creative!
Donna says:
December 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pmI love your little Bio - I will share mine - I am married to the love of my life. Between us we have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. We have our own little zoo includidg 3 dogs, a cat, 2 prairie dogs, 2 sugar gliders and a brine shrimp. I have an Associates degree in nursing and love to scrapbook.
Donna says:
December 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pmI also love Rebeccas blog-I am just now starting to look at some blogs - I do love her little animal cracker ornaments tho!
Patty 2832 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:36 pmThat is adorable as are her other things too!
Christina 4635 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:36 pmThis is so adorable!! Love it!!
Amy E. #1764 says:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:45 pmThose are super adorable!
Sylvia #5019 says:
December 6th, 2009 at 12:01 amToo cute! I posted a comment on Rebbecca’s blog too
kimberlee #2494 says:
December 6th, 2009 at 1:17 amThat is soooo cute! The french knots look like pearls, love that touch!
I love oranges in the winter. This is the perfect ornament!
Thank you for sharing and welcome to Fiskateers!
doverdi says:
December 6th, 2009 at 9:13 amThis is so adorable!! It looks almost good enough to eat. lol I also posted a comment on Rebecca’s blog.
viji says:
December 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pmVery cute looks yummy! I have an idea…how about using this as a decoration for a cocktail? Like you can put it on a toothpick!
viji says:
December 6th, 2009 at 1:36 pmI left her a comment and asked her to join us!
Karen Sue says:
December 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pmI left some comments on Rebecca’s blog, her projects and ornaments are so cute, think I’ll try the animal cookie ones.
Karen Sue says:
December 6th, 2009 at 9:34 pmI can’t post on the message board post, it keeps asking for a password and each time I have to exit the internet link to get rid of the box that pops up,
so I’m posting my orange slice entry here, hope that’s ok.
http://www.fiskateers.com/community/photo/51400/
I also visited Rebbecca’s blog and left some love.
Groovy Deborah says:
December 6th, 2009 at 10:31 pmI LOVE fruit and oranges/tangerines are so Christmas-like. Santa always left those in my stocking tow
Off to see if I can make one of these tonight!
Groovy Deborah says:
December 6th, 2009 at 10:32 pmtoe, lol!
kimberlee #2494 says:
December 7th, 2009 at 12:54 amOh, oh, oh! Karen Sue had the same thing happen to her that was happening to me today! Which has stopped now. Very weird.
Debbie Buckland (NZ) says:
December 7th, 2009 at 4:44 amWonderful!
Hmmm might do that as a Kiwi Fruit.