Pompom Birdie Spring Wreath

This little pink birdie needed a home so I decorated a grapevine wreath for her.
I'm getting overrun with little birds as I practice my pompom making skills!

I also finished the first project from the book. I really, really wish I'd thought of the bow before I glued the egg in place! Oh well, it was finicky but I got the ribbon on there:)




And now Miss Bunny is holding an egg present and I'm happy with her. I'm starting another pompom rabbit but this time using a combination of techniques from all my pompom books, old and new. Waiting for some glue to dry...my least favorite part of the process. Hopefully pictures soon!

Pom Pom Critters

I'm still having just too much fun making little pom pom birdies and assorted critters. Amazon tells me that my book is on the way earlier than expected and I can hardly wait! Even though I'm guessing and using el cheapo acrylic yarn to practice with I still think they turn out pretty cute. I went through all my old pattern books and pulled out anything to do with pom poms. One of the books has a great polar bear which I tried. I think modern ready made pom poms are different from the old ones.They don't want to fluff up so my polar bear has obvious joins. The mouse has issues - Still cute though:) I seem to be best at birds so far...

In other news I just finished my second elephant for Kelapo Coconut Oil. This one is a much smaller version and done in crochet thread instead of worsted yarn. I had lots of fun blinging him out with sequins and beads:) The owner wants to take him with her to meetings so I made the tusks out of polymer clay instead of crocheting them. I'm hoping that they'll hold up to travel better. Plus I starched the heck out of his ears!

Pom Pom Easter Chicks

 So I opened up the latest bulletin from my book club and found the most amazing book by Myko Bocek. She makes these fantastically cute pompom bunnies, little chicks and even an elephant. Somehow I've missed her all this time on Etsy. The problem is that the book doesn't come out until sometime in March 2013. Easter is the last weekend in March...not a whole lot of lead time there and I was just so eager to try it myself!

I imagine she's gotten swamped with all kinds of emails and messages because her Etsy shop seems to have been put on hold and my message to her appears to have gone astray. Nothing left to do but wing it:)

Off I went to make my own pompoms. Being a frugal sort I used some acrylic yarn I have laying around, not 100% wool. My first one became this little guy's head. I just wrapped around my fingers. The body was made with a template I found here. I've since gotten some of the Clover pompom makers but I think I like the finger method best.

The legs are pipe cleaners wrapped with embroidery floss, the beak is a little bit of felt and the eyes are the black plastic doll eyes you can get in the big craft stores.

It took a little time to get him all together but it was just so much fun:) He stands on his own and I just have to smile every time I see that wide open beak. 

I ended up making him a little display stand and swapping out his ribbon - is this just too cute or what?