Felt Bunny

This little bunny is made with my own handmade felt.  I made it without any knitting and virtually no sewing!  To make felt you simply lay out an interlocking pattern of merino wool and agitate the fibers using your hands with soap and water and - hocus pocus - you have felt!  It's very magical and I've taken to felting like a duck to water.

I made this bunny using a "resist" which allows you to create a 3D piece of felt which is later cut open and, in this case, stuffed.  When he was all dry and stuffed I needled felted on his facial features and added a red glitzy heart that sparkles.  There is no way this bunny can hide his big heart.

I'm keeping this fellow for myself because he reminds me of something similar we saw in a bed and breakfast where we stayed in New Zealand.  I definitely try to make things that remind me of places that I've been and enjoyed.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm trying to hold on to memories and need an anchor or they will simply drift away. 

Particulars:  Felt Bunny made by following the free felt tutorial by Inger who writes the blog Daily Felt;  Finished Dimensions 13" x  9" (after felting).   I cut open the bottom of his feet and used a knitting needle to push the filler inside (100% polyester) and sewed him closed with matching embroidery floss.  I used merino top that I purchased from Inger's etsy shop.  I also made him the green scarf he's wearing in the middle picture, which is wet felted.  If this project seems a bit too advanced you might consider using traditional knit felt and sewing a toy together with a contrasting blanket stitch similar to Kristin Nicholas' Fat Cat or use commercially made wool felt.

Toast and Honey

Work has been a slog lately, but one must still find time to eat.  These are my own baked loafs using the Tartine Bread cookbook.  How I love this bread.  Let me count the ways.....

Toasted and slathered with butter and honey and my morning cup of Joe.  Truly an inspired combination.  If you don't have the time or inclination to bake your own bread, an English Muffin will do in a pinch.

Until next time, be well and love well and remember that simple pleasures add immeasurably to quality of life.