Wool Felt Joy: Wrapping Up the Holidays and Welcoming the New Year

As the holiday season winds down and we step into a fresh new year, I’ve been reflecting on the warmth and creativity that filled December. For me, that joy came through wool felt ornaments—tiny treasures that carry heartfelt meaning. Handmade pieces have a way of turning simple moments into lasting memories, and this year was no exception.

The Benzie Design Ornament Exchange

One of the highlights of my season was participating in the Benzie Design Ornament Exchange. It’s such a wonderful way to connect with fellow makers and share a bit of handmade magic. The idea is simple: create ornaments for a partner and receive their creations in return—but the results are always extraordinary.

For my recipient, I wanted to design ornaments that felt cozy and whimsical. After taking a peek at their social media, I noticed a love for a pink and mint color palette—such a cheerful combination! I knew right away that I wanted to make a felt ornament and a stocking to match. Each piece was curated with care, using vibrant colors and playful details that reflected their style.

To make the gift extra special, I tucked a matching handmade needle minder (made from cute Poppie Cotton fabric) inside the stocking, along with a few felt pom shapes and some sweet treats. It was such a joy to pull everything together and imagine the smile when she opened the package.

And then came the best part—opening the package from my partner! Her ornaments were stunning, full of detail and heart. I love all the different mediums and delightful details. Both ornaments were charming, and I couldn’t stop admiring the craftsmanship—along with her special wrapping that made the whole experience feel even more magical.

An Assortment of Handmade Cheer

Beyond the exchange, I spent much of December creating wool felt ornaments for family and friends. Each evening, I cozied up in my stitching nest and worked on a fresh batch. From classic holiday motifs to whimsical winter designs, every piece was stitched with love and attention to detail.

These ornaments became more than decorations—they were tokens of thoughtfulness, reminders of the joy that comes from giving something handmade.

If this post has inspired you to create your very own wool felt ornaments, you should definitely give it a try! Wool felt is such a versatile, forgiving, and satisfying material to work with, and there are endless possibilities for shapes, colors, and designs. To help you get started, here are a few links at Benzie Design. Just a heads-up: some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you decide to buy something through them, I’ll earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to support the content I share, and I truly appreciate it!

• Free Project Tutorials
• Wool Blend Felt (high quality, yet more affordable)
• Bellwether 100% Wool Felt
• Cutting Dies (like the tree, mitten, dove, and nutcrackers I used)
• Die Cutting Tutorial and Tips

As I pack away my felt scraps and tidy up my stitching nest, I’m reminded of how much joy these little handmade pieces brought to my holiday season. Each ornament was more than just decoration—it was a way to slow down, savor the moment, and share a bit of love with others. Moving into the new year, I hope to carry that same spirit of creativity and connection forward. Here’s to more making, more sharing, and more moments that feel truly meaningful.

FlossTube Episode 12: Cutting Accurate Pattern Template Shapes Using Freezer Paper Tutorial

Hello stitching friends! A new tutorial has been posted on my FlossTube Channel. This tutorial shows how to accurately cut pattern template shapes using freezer paper. This is a short video for a helpful technique you can use for needlework finishing, wool applique, quilting applique, and other craft projects. You can find it by visiting my YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/BelindaKarlsNace) and I'm posting it below for convenience: I hope you will stop by for this fun, learning video...

Helpful links, mentioned in my video:

Harvest Huswif Pattern PDF: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1250811461/harvest-huswif-brd-114-cross-stitch

Harvest Huswif Pattern Paper: https://www.etsy.com/listing/204869465/harvest-huswif-brd-114-cross-stitch

Tulip Table Runner and Alphabet House Mug Rugs Quilt Pattern PDF: https://www.etsy.com/listing/993465066/tulip-table-runner-and-alphabet-house

Tulip Table Runner and Alphabet House Mug Rugs Quilt Paper: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1232464384/tulip-table-runner-and-alphabet-house

Amazon Store - here you will see essential items I use in my studio, including all the materials used in this tutorial…and other items/materials I share about in my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

A comprehensive list of all creative items in my shop (including everything in this tutorial: https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl/list/21CEJ3D770R13

Light Pad

Freezer Paper Sheets

Tim Holtz Small Scissors/Snips

Oliso Mini Project Iron

Wool Pressing Mat

If you like my content and would like to show me a little extra support, you are welcome to buy me a coffee – no pressure, but greatly appreciated!! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brdgirl

I hope you will stop by for this fun, learning video...

Other news of interest - I have posted the last of the large sunflower project bags and sunflower ruler sleeve sets in my Etsy Shop...and I have a good selection of project bags in progress that will be posted soon! Plus more of my classic cross stitch patterns have been converted to digital PDF format and have been added to the shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRibbonDesigns

Thank you for visiting with me today - I hope this finishing tutorial will inspire you to work on and/or finish a piece using this technique...and if you do, leave me a comment and share your results with me! Happy stitching, sewing and quilting....

Fabric Gift Tag Tutorial

One of my favorite holiday projects this year has been creating fun fabric gift tags. I have been wanting to make some of these tie-on tags for a couple years and I finally made time to play in my sewing studio. I managed to make a handful this past week...then today, I decided I would make one more, so I could write a quick tutorial for you. This project gives you a chance to be creative and play fabrics, threads, and embellishments...and use a sewing machine...plus do a little hand stitching. I am actually a little addicted to these package tie-ons, which would be perfect for any occasion...in fact, I think I will be making some for future birthday presents! I used quality quilting fabric for the front and back of the tags and wool felt scraps for the main embellishments...I also added some trims, sequins, and tokens I had in my sewing room...and of course ribbon and/or baker's twine is perfect for attaching the tags to packages. The back of the tag can be used for personalizing...and, of course, each one would make a fabulous tree ornament!

First, you will want to cut your tag shapes from fabric - you will need two (one for the front and one for the back). I used a die cutting machine, but another option would be to print a tag template (a Google search will give you loads of options) and trace it on your fabric to give you a cutting line. I also cut two from a fusible lightweight interfacing - if you are cutting by hand, you will want to fuse the interfacing to the fabric before cutting your tags.

If you did not fuse the interfacing to the fabric before cutting, fuse it to your fabric now. Fuse the shiny, pilled side to the wrong side of your fabric using the manufacturer's instructions.

Next, decide the motif/shape you would like to add to your tag - for the example, I used a snowman cut from white wool felt - you could use fabric or any assortment of embellishments. I used a glue stick on the back of my felt shape to help hold it in place.

After deciding on the wool shape, I took the tag to my sewing machine for a bit of embellishment. I used dark sewing thread to cover the hat...then stitched some stick arms...and used a specialty stitch on my machine for the buttons. I also stitched around the entire snowman with a straight stitch using white thread. For all of the machine stitching, I used an open toe foot for better vision.

Use sewing thread or embroidery floss and a sharp needle to add the smaller details - for the model, I hand stitched the snowman's face (French Knots for the eyes, and straight stitches for the carrot nose and mouth).

Next, add any additional embellishments, such as: buttons, trims, sequins, brads, or beads. For the model, I added three snowflake sequins, using a sharp needle with transparent thread. If you want, now would be the time to embellish or personalize the back of the tag.

You are now ready to sew the front and the back of the tag together. Place the two tags right sides together, and sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening for turning. I did this on my sewing machine and and used about an eighth of an inch for the seam allowance, so I could keep the curvature of the tag - if your tag is not as fancy, a quarter of an inch seam allowance will work quite well.

                                 

                                        

The next step is to turn your tag right sides out...making sure to get all the corners and curves pushed out nicely (try using a pencil eraser or chopstick to make this step easier). Press, then machine top stitch around the entire perimeter, which will close the opening used for turning.

I used a grommet to strengthen the hole in the tag.

Run a decorative ribbon or length of baker's twine through the grommet hole for attaching to a gift.

Tie on your package for a perfect, personal, handmade touch!

I hope you have enjoyed this holiday tutorial...maybe it will prompt you to make a few fabric gift tags of your own. Happy holidays!

Gifts and Giggles

Today was a good day! - I was able to have lunch with my friend Mary - it had been a while since we had seen one another, so it was marvelous way to spend the afternoon...we also did our annual Christmas gift exchange and a little shopping. I had a fun gift bag of goodies prepared for her...including a sock monkey drawstring bag and twelve little sock monkey ornaments that I had made especially for her...(Marsha - I apologize for this post - I know sock monkeys "creep you out"☺). I showed you the drawstring bag several days ago...but I wanted to wait to show you the ornaments until after Mary received them. I found a great sock monkey fabric (Santa's Little Helpers by Erin Michael for Moda) that was perfect to make feather tree size ornaments - each is approximately 2" square. I fussy cut twelve squares for the fronts - used a fabric from the same collection for the back (dark brown sock monkey knit texture fabric) - and used 1/8" red and white ribbons for the hangers. These twelve little ornaments fit perfectly in the matching drawstring bag!

Mary had a wonderful assortment of gifts for me, as well. Check out this adorable wool runner - it is SO "me" - it is 8" W x 18" H and will work perfect on the Longaberger end table in my living room! I just adore the red birds on the black wool...

...and check out this pile of goodies - including a pincushion and sweet pea lotion (two of my favorite things!)...and a beautiful Hugging Heart and snowflake magnet by Isabel Bloom.

We had such a fabulous time...and a lot of laughs...and I just have to share this funny story with you:

I LOVE books - I have three large bookcases full of sewing, quilting, stitching, crafting, needlework, "you name it" creative/artistic books in my studio. Many times I will give my dear friends a book or two for Christmas or a birthday. This year I decided to give Mary the book "Cute and Easy Quilting and Stitching" by Charlotte Liddle for Christmas. It is full of adorable projects that incorporate both sewing and needlework...and I thought Mary would really enjoy it and feel comfortable creating the projects. When she opened it, I could tell by her face that she may already have this book in her collection - when I asked, she said she did not, but she had admired a copy of it - she then told me to open one of the packages she had for me...and guess what...it was the same exact book! We had both picked out the same book to give each other...what a hoot! We laughed so hard....of all the books in the world, we both picked the exact same one to give as a gift. I am actually REALLY excited to have a copy, as there are several projects I can't wait to bring to life - including a super cute embroidered bird brooch that incorporates wool and silk fabric with beads, sequins, and pearls....

So, there you have it, a rundown of my very fun day. I have a little sewing to do this evening - then I am off to do more model stitching on "Redwork Garden". Tomorrow will be another full day, as I am headed to my mother-in-law's house to help her with her holiday baking and cookie decorating.

Wishing you a fun-filled weekend - I do hope you make time to do something you enjoy...

A Loveliness of Ladybugs

After sewing several ladybug zipper pouches, I decided to do a little research on ladybugs...and the first thing I wanted to know is "what is the collective noun for ladybugs"?...well, I found out a group of ladybugs is called a loveliness - how adorable is that?! They are also known as a ladybird or lady beetle...and yes, there is a male ladybug...and here are several other fun facts:

• In the past, doctors would mash ladybugs and put them in your mouth to cure a toothache
• You can fit 80,000 ladybugs into a gallon jug
• Male ladybugs are smaller than female ladybugs
• They can live for as many as three years
• A ladybug beats its wings 85 times per second when it flies
• Their spots fade as they get older

Not that you needed an insect lesson today - I just thought it would be fun to share a little bit of what I learned on my endless quest for knowledge...

I decided I would work on more of my handmade holiday gifts instead of fighting the shopping crowds today...and spending my morning in the sewing studio was my gift, as it brings me sheer joy. So now, back to my sewing project...okay, how cute are these little ladybug zippered pouches?!...I guess they are technically "coin purses", but I plan to put stitchy things inside - a pair of scissors, needles, needle threader, 3" ruler, etc....a special little sewing/stitching kit. The wings are cotton quilting fabric...the head, the spots, and the belly are felted wool fabric...and of course, the eyes are buttons. The first "ladybird" was so adorable, I had to make a whole family (Teresa, I know you are smiling!)...plus I wanted to try out several red fabric prints that I thought would make cute ladybug wings. The head and the spots were attached using a blanket stitch, which could easily be done by hand - but I chose to do this stitch on my sewing machine. They measure about 5" in diameter, so they are the perfect size to tuck in your stitching bag, tote, or purse....and the zipper closure helps keep all your handy little tools safe inside. I have a few special people in mind to receive a lucky ladybug...and I might just keep one for myself because they make me happy! I hope you will take some time to work on a project that brings you happiness...

Christmas in April

As some of you know, I am suffering from a terrible head cold...I have been miserable for a few days. In the midst of feeling awful, the most incredible surprise package arrived for me, giving me a wonderful sense of comfort. My dear friend Terri had mailed me the most perfect box of treasures! This package is actually a Christmas package...but something she special ordered took months to arrive...so I get to celebrate Christmas in April - which is AWESOME, because I get to spread out the joy (it actually came when I needed it most). This special box included a GORGEOUS wool pin cushion (from The Daily Pincushion)...a bumble bee magnetic needle nanny (from Puffin & Company)...and some AMAZING decorated pins (from one of my favorites PuntiniPuntini - I absolutely adore these pins)! I'm sure you can see why this package brightened my day - who can feel miserable with beautiful, new needlework tools??...and they are nice and springy too!! Thank you Terri - your surprise added some sunshine to my day...

Scented Heart Sachets

Aren't these just the sweetest little heart-shaped sachets? This fun wool applique project was part hand-stitching and part machine embroidery....and I was so tickled with how each one turned out. Each tiny heart pillow has some machine embroidery on the front and the back...and hand-stitched embellishments and blanket stitch around the outside edge. I enjoyed choosing the wools, ribbon, buttons, and pearl cotton out of my stash...and filling each with a mixture of fiberfill and scented pellets. The machine embroidery digitized design is called "Scented Bags" and is by Embroidershoppe ....it comes with 5 different designs, but I only worked on two of my favorites. They are a great size and measure about 4" H x 3.5" W (without the hanger). I should have taken a photo of the backs for you as well - each back has embroidered words, including: "made with love", "with love", or "handmade". My schedule has been so hectic, I had to do the machine embroidery on one day...and then the handwork the next day. I was really hoping to get a photo of these sweet little sachets posted a few days ago, but my schedule just didn't allow - although, I think they are perfect for year-round use!

This morning I had to take my little boy Simba to the groomer, so of course I met my dear friend Merry at the quilt shop - we did some fabulous fabric shopping and enjoyed a wonderful lunch together....always a treat. There were so many new "springy" fabrics, it was an overload to the senses - I tried to be good, but I still brought home an assortment of new cotton prints and a few new notions.

Merry brought me the most fabulous box of homemade chocolates (her talents are endless) - oh my goodness, these are sinful! So far, I have had a miniature white chocolate turtle that was divine...and when I got home, I had a larger milk chocolate turtle with caramel/nut filling...and they are AMAZING (but who would expect anything less from Merry!). I am going to savor each and every one of them...well, I may share with my husband, if he is lucky. To see more of Merry's cute candies and read about them, visit her blog: http://www.afarminmyheart.blogspot.com/.

I am now excited for tomorrow - I have lunch and some "girl time" scheduled with Merry and Kimber to celebrate my birthday - can't wait! I have been so unbelievably swamped with work and have been so under the weather, it is going to be heavenly to get out and about...plus the weather is supposed to be abnormally beautiful. Tonight I will be working hard on some needlework finishing and more chart bagging - I want to get a bunch of things done on my list, so I can enjoy the day with my friends....

A Week of Celebration

This week, I am celebrating my birthday...and I just had to share what some of my amazing friends have done for me. I have a terrible head cold and pharyngitis (I have absolutely no voice - only a squeak!) and I am feeling quite miserable, so these special gifts arrived at the perfect time!

My dear friend Terri, who lives in Illinois, sent me a beautiful miniature rose plant. It arrived yesterday evening and was just what I needed to cheer up my spirits! Terri and I met through email several years ago, sharing our love of cross stitching...corresponding about some of my designs...and it turned out, she lived in the same town as my mother and aunt (small world) - we had the chance to meet and have been great friends ever since. Thank you for the gorgeous plant Terri - I miss you friend....

My very sweet friend Robin, who lives in Virginia, sent me a wonderful package with a fabulous quilted pin cushion pattern, a charm pack, and some sampler fabric to add to my collection. Robin and I also met through our love of needlework - corresponding for years - in fact, I think Robin was one of my very first fans. I was finally lucky enough to meet Robin and her mother at Stitcher's Hideaway last fall - we have a zillion things in common and keep in touch weekly. Robin - I adore you - thank you for the lovely sewing surprise package...

Next, I have to share this adorable little present my friend Kimber sent me in the mail. Even though we will be getting together next week to celebrate my birthday, she took the time to mail me the sweetest little wrapped present! Kimber always does the best "wrapping" job - everything coordinates and she uses very fun trims for ties. I had to take a photo before I opened it...and inside, the cutest little notebook - it is about 3" w x 4" h and has lined pages inside to take notes. I will definitely be putting this little book to good use!!

And if I wasn't spoiled enough already, earlier in the week, my close friend Mary dropped off an AMAZING birthday package, filled with goodies. I was like a little girl opening each present...and each item was perfect! There was a really cool round box...and inside, a hand-painted "Happy Birthday" wine glass (I will be filling it on my birthday)...I had never seen one of these before, it is quite unique - she also included a super fun wool applique project pattern, some cute rick rack, lotion, and a scented sachet. I was in heaven - thank you Mary!

I am so very blessed - I have the most creative, amazing, special friends a girl could ever hope for...I have had a week of celebrating and it isn't even my birthday yet!

Although I am feeling miserable, I did manage to finish a huge project deadline today...and I am hoping to finish up a couple more small stitching projects this weekend. I will also be bagging and preparing the new charts for shipment next week. Blue Ribbon Designs is keeping me beyond busy and I am truly thankful for your continued support of my work! I will have more photos to share with you soon...

For now, I am now off to make more hot tea, take more cold medicine, and curl up with Simba and my NookColor....