I love the way finished felt projects look, so colorful and pretty and homey! I haven't quite mastered the medium, though. I seem to do better with paper, but maybe I will conquer felt in this lifetime!
I started making a felt Christmas storyboard for David last year, and lost momentum. So I took it up again this year.
My requirements were:
-representational, but simple
-big and sturdy enough for David to handle
-removable pieces that could be moved around
Problems and Troubleshooting:
Last year I cut out some figures but found them too floppy. Maybe if they were smaller it wouldn't have been as much of an issue. This year I finally fortified them a bit.
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| Didn't trim the edges. |
Not all felt is created equal...it doesn't necessarily stick to other felt (without adhesive), and depending on the thickness might also need a pretty strong glue to hold together permanently.
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| Removable angel toupee. |
Meanwhile, David wanted there to be eyes, hands, feet, etc. So I added those later.
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| You want feet? You got feet. |
It turned out that he was dead against Jesus having clothes or a blanket of any kind, so I had to make a new naked one, which he was pleased with.
My figures definitely aren't anything to sell on Etsy, but I think they'll do for the toddler years and then maybe David will help me make a new, more sophisticated set!
He likes to play with them as a family unit. Mommy Mary nurses Baby Jesus, Daddy Joseph takes him around in the "stroller," etc. The Angel Gabriel has been referred to as "Doctor."
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| The facial hair is shared by Joseph and the Angel. |
No shepherds or wise men this year...maybe another time!
Well, I think yours is pretty darned cute, and especially sweet since David himself helped.
ReplyDeleteHowever, just to throw out an idea - I replaced our old felt board for the Sunday School classes with figures that I make from paper and then cover hard laminate (or I can print them on card stock and do regular laminating). I put a piece of sticky magnet on the back and they can be moved around on the white board in the classroom - or they would be great for the refrigerator at home. They are stiff; they are pretty indestructible, and they can be used on the intended (magnetic) surface, or laid out on the table or floor. I use these all the way up through sixth grade and laugh to myself as the boys enjoy them (because I am thinking all the time that they are so much like paper dolls).
I feel pretty lame, though. Monnie has no clue about Jesus at all. Soon I hope?
That is a great idea and I would like to make a version for the fridge. Not sure if I will get around to it this year but it is a great ready-made surface! I even thought of just sketching a few pictures out really quick and sticking some of our boring freebie magnets to the back. I don't have any contact paper on hand right now. David is so into taking things apart that I try not to invest TOO much into my crafts.
DeleteDo you read Monnie any Bible stories? David has a few books with parables and miracles of Jesus, along with the Nativity story. I guess it is like another storybook character to him. Who knows what goes on in their heads?
How fun! I love the way yours turned out! I would like to make a felt storyboard for the kids one of these days - I think they'd love it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I bet your kids would love it too and my friend has a nice tutorial here. http://afamilyofsojourners.blogspot.com/2014/11/make-your-own-advent-calendar-part-1.html
ReplyDelete