Death's Head Hawk Moth Custom Pin

Nearly 5 hours of work, but I think worth it!  I'm pleased with how the custom Silence of the Lambs icon turned out.  

Four layers of felt make up the body and wings which were hand-cut and stitched.  Details were embroidered as well as needle-felted using wool roving and other wool fibers.  Its wings span approximately 4 inches from tip to tip.

Inspiration image from Silence of the Lambs

See how I made it here!

Death Moth Custom Felt Pin

Custom creations are exciting and fun, and I always love a new challenge.  After my butterfly was featured on the front page of Etsy yesterday, I was contacted to create a custom "Death Moth" pin.  

Death's Head Hawk Moth

Image from the movie, Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs!  Love it!  I've immersed myself in images, trying to decide the best design and colors to use.  I also did some research on the moths, just out of curiosity.  Fascinating creatures!  

The caterpillar looks incredibly like the massive 3 inch tomato worm I plucked from devouring my Romas yesterday.... blech.

Death's Head Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Tomato Horn Worm

As soon as I have finished the moth pin, I will post photos!  Off to create!

Etsy Front Page - Mariposa Monarch

What an excellent Wednesday!  My "Mariposa" Monarch pin appeared on the front page of Etsy this morning, and as a direct result of that appearance, I've been featured on a wonderful blog. 

emmy-ray not only has a great blog, but also creates gorgeous jewelry.  A big thanks for featuring my work on your site!

Til Death do Us Part Bangles by emmyray

Peppermint Candy Hair Clip

Peppermint Hair Clip or Pin Brooch - $8.00

Refreshing and calorie-free!  Peppermint pinwheel candy hair clip is 100% wool and encloses a 1.25 inch snap clip.  I was envisioning this clip as part of my holiday set, but I think it could work for everyday as well.  Customize the color to match any outfit!

How to Make a Custom Felt Hair Clip

Feeling crafty? You can create your own felt accessory to match any outfit.

Basic materials needed:

-design with multiple copies

-small craft scissors (sewing scissors are best

- they need to be SHARP)

-pins

-embroidery thread

-needle

-bar pin or hair clip

-felt (wool or wool blend are best, but craft felt can also be used)

Simple designs are best, the more intricate the design, the more cuts you'll need to make. You can use clip art or draw your own. I like to sketch my own designs and scan them so I can shrink and enlarge as needed. If you're making a hair clip, keep in mind the size of the hair clip you'll be using when you create the design. You'll want to have a finished product about 1/4 to 1/2 inch larger than the hair clip.

I began with sketching the squirrel, then scanning it and printing multiple copies. You'll want a copy for each piece you need to layer. Cut out each individual piece and decide which color felt you want to use for each. You may choose to embroider the details rather than cut felt. Be creative! Try using buttons, sequins, or fabric for additional details.

Once the pieces of your design are cut, pin each piece to the felt and carefully cut them out using the sharpest, smallest scissors you have. I like to use small Gingher scissors. Be sure to have a back and front to sandwich the hair clip between.

Before you begin to stitch the pieces together, check to make sure they fit together neatly. Start by stitching the detail pieces to the top of your design.

Once the front is completely stitched to your liking, including embroidery and embellishments, you are ready to attach the hair clip or pin.

Decide which direction you want your clip to open and make a small slit to slip the bottom prong of the hair clip through. If you are using a bar pin or French barrette, you'll need to flip the piece over and stitch the pin/French barrette securely to the back of the design. Stitch across the clip to hold it in place.

Lastly, stitch around the outside of your creation. Knot your thread carefully; you don't want it to unravel in your child's hair!

Voila! A completely unique hair clip or pin for you or someone you love. Feel free to leave comments if you need clarification on any of the directions listed here!

To purchase the squirrel, please visit Pammy Dawn!

Squirrel design Copyright Pammy Dawn 2009. No reproduction without permission.

Name that Squirrel!

After a month or so of much-needed vacation, I've finally felt like creating again!  My fall collection needed a nutty squirrel, so here is the first sketch, yet to come to fruition.  Now comes the task of choosing felt colors, textures, and naming the critter.  

I'd love to hear from you if you have any fabulous suggestions!  If I pick your name, I'll link to your blog/website in the final listing on my shop, Pammy Dawn.  Please be sure to leave your shop link when you comment if you have any burgeoning ideas!

Sketch Copyright Pammy Dawn Designs, 2009.  No reproduction without permission.

Foxy Loxy - Red Fox Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Foxy Loxy - Red Fox Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Finally having some free time this week, I wanted to do some new designs inspired by the requests I've gotten recently.  The first is a curled red fox, Foxy Loxy.  I think my favorite part of this design is the tufty wool tail.  Foxy Loxy is about 1.75 inches across and houses a 1.5 inch snap clip.  He is a rusty pumpkin orange wool felt with cream accents.

Mother's Day Blog Sale

Monarch Butterfly Pin for Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm offering a 10% discount code for followers of my blog! Discount will be valid now until May 10th, 2009. To redeem, make a purchase in my Etsy store and enter "MomBlog 10" in the notes at checkout. I will send you an adjusted invoice on Paypal reflecting the 10% discount. Don't forget to also let me know if you want pins or hair clips for your unique creation in the notes section! Happy shopping, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Celebrate motherhood! A huge thank you from my darling inspiration and me. Happy Mother's Day!

Etsy Front Page - Woodland Butterfly Pin

I was so honored to be part of this fabulous treasury, "Green Angel," that made it to the front page of Etsy on April 10th!  Thank you so much to kaleprimitifs for including my Woodland Butterfly pin!

Mother's Day Gift Guide - For the New Mommy

Second in my series of Mother's Day gift guides, this guide is geared toward the NEW mommy.  My daughter is now 2 1/2, but these are things I would have loved to receive as gifts for my first Mother's Day.  Some are practical and others whimsical, but all are fabulous.

Every new mom needs a brag book to show off the beautiful bundle.  This one is lovely, and nice and small for the purse.  As if your purse or diaper bag wasn't crowded enough already, but photos are essential!

Brag Book Accordion Album - $9 by junesgallery

My daughter was always pulling my hair while nursing, so I would have appreciated a necklace designed especially for the purpose of keeping her occupied during nursing.  This one is particularly nice because it is all natural.

Wooden Grabbing and Nursing Necklace - $12 by stonesofhealing

One of the first gifts I bought myself after my daughter's birth was a necklace declaring to the world her name stamped in silver.  I love the thickness of this particular necklace set, and the unique stacked look for either a first and middle name, or for showing more than one child's name.

Personalized Double-Disk Mom Pendant - $48 by westbyron

So, the most vivid part of new motherhood in my memory... sleep deprivation.  The art of napping was never so finely tuned as in those first few months of my daughter's life.  Any time of day, this might help catch some much needed zzzz's.

Pink Chocolate Fully Adjustable Eye/Sleep Mask - $12 by BibBon

Returning to work can be quite traumatic for the new mommy (unless you are lucky enough to get to stay home, and even then, this would be lovely) so displaying baby prominently on your desk can lessen some of the separation anxiety.  This picture frame is so beautiful, it wouldn't even need to be for baby.  

Shabby Cream Ornate Picture Frame - $12 by scavengerhunt

Mother's Day Gift Guide - For the No-Frills Mommy

As spring is underway, Mother's Day approaches.  Every mother is unique, so why shouldn't her gift also be?  I've put together a list of handmade items I myself would LOVE to receive for Mother's Day... (ahem, honey?  Take note....)  No budget busters here - I'm keeping my list to $30 and under.

Who can resist a massage?  Uninterrupted of course, complete with candles.... soft music.... what?  Oh yeah - gift guides - I'll remove myself from my mini-fantasy.  This gift certainly does NOT break the bank, but does require a little something extra - someone else's hands that is.

Lime Light Massage and Body Oil - $4.00 from vistahsoap

I must admit that I am a sucker for anything this particular shade of green, and this has just the right amount of funky.

Green Shining Pompon's Scarf - $20 by Starpompon

A minimalist at heart, I tend toward very understated jewelry.  My favorites tend to be small silver pendant necklaces and dainty drop earrings.  I love the sweet delicacy of this necklace by CopperFrogStudio.  I also ADORE the slightly larger version of this design (however, I promised $30 budget limit, so we'll stick with the mini).

Poppy Drop Necklace - $22 by CopperFrogStudio

In a similar theme as the Poppy Drop Necklace, these understated earwires are simple, yet stunning.

Kalabu - $22 by soulyyours

The geek in me thinks this is just the coolest thing - how fun to display this at a small gathering.  Perfect for moms that need a little vino wind-down at the end of the day (and who hasn't been there before??).

Balancing Wooden Wine Bottle holder - $15 by SmileMoon

Waking up in the morning can be difficult, especially if you've spent half the night answering "Mommmmmmy!"  summons.  Scrub awake with yummy lemon - sure to invigorate and liven the senses.

Natural Lemon Sugar Scrub - $20 by nettiescrub

Chocolate Brown Crocheted and Felted Wool Baby Booties Mary Janes

In my ongoing crochet quest, I searched and searched for a cute pattern for baby Mary Janes.  More than 3 of my girl friends are pregnant and having girls, so I thought these would be fun shower gifts.  I finally found a pattern that I liked at Michaels, of all places, in a baby book of crochet projects.  

I had to tinker with the pattern a bit for sizing because I planned on washing the booties to "felt" them (make the fibers dense and fabric like, losing the crocheted look).  First I tried enlarging the pattern, but the resultant shoe was floppy and oddly shaped.  I finally just increased my hook size by 2 sizes and lengthened the strap a bit.  I washed the booties in ultra hot soapy water (the sanitary setting in my washer) and checked on them frequently for amount of shrinkage.  After they came out, they were so tiny!  I had to stretch and shape them up a bit, and they ended up at about a newborn to 3 month size, perfect for a baby shower.  I have yet to stitch on the velcro closure for each strap, but I anticipate that step to be pretty quick.  

If you'd like any tips, I'd be happy to share what worked best for me.  Leave me a comment on this post for further information on felting!