September 11, 2013

Handmade Black Cats for Halloween


I've found a new craft, it's called needle felting. Wool roving and barbed, very sharp needles. Not a craft to do carelessly. But what a great way to relieve stress! The needle is jabbed hundreds of times as you create the shape you are after. I have 6 parts to a cat. Body, head and 4 limbs all joined by the needle jabs. It takes an afternoon to create the cat and another afternoon to dress her. I've made five. They all have a candy box that I've dressed up too.





I've found a new craft, it's called needle felting. Wool roving and barbed, very sharp needles. Not a craft to do carelessly. But what a great way to relieve stress! The needle is jabbed hundreds of times as you create the shape you are after. I have 6 parts to a cat. Body, head and 4 limbs all joined by the needle jabs. It takes an afternoon to create the cat and another afternoon to dress her. I've made five. They all have a candy box that I've dressed up too.




I love them! They've got a vintage look too. I've never sold any of my crafts before so these will be the first attempt. Now I just need to figure out how I'm going do it. I've also been looking around online and haven't found anything like my little black cats yet, maybe I'm the first?

Try out this video by Linda Facci to get an idea how I made my kitties. 




I'm using all the same tools, my technique is a little different - but still the same. Check out this video by Living Felt. She has lots of great hints too.






If you're going to give this craft a go... you'll need these tools: 
     ( I'm sending you to Amazon for the best prices and huge choices.)
Roving Felts
Foam Base Pad 

Now as for the arms and legs.....I really had to figure this out for myself. I've seen some other cute animals with wrapped limbs but NEVER found any information on how it was done. I use pipe cleaners and embroidery floss. I shave off about 3/4 inch of the fur on one end and start slowly wrapping the floss from the same point for about an inch. (over wrap the end to hold) I take pliers to bend over the tip to the wrist area (making a loop) then I resume wrapping the floss up the pipe cleaner until I'm where I want to be in length. You've got to do this all slowly and tight. Spirals wrapped too loose show the pipe cleaner beneath. Wrap and twist wool in a cone on the thigh (or upper arm area) and start punching with your needle to make the parts hold. It's not mandatory to do the limbs like that, but I like the vintage look it gives.

I've got a needle felted Christmas craft coming soon to post too. Thank you so much for taking a peek at my black cat project. I'm hoping on a fun holiday season for 2013!





shared with these linky places,
Share your Cup Thursday #73
Friday Link Party 
FRIDAY
Friday Link Party at Craftionary,
Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove,
Inspire Me Fridays at Five Simple Things(gen&cards)Inspire Me Please at Blissfully Ever After
Shine on Friday at Happy Go Lucky(4hop)
Inspiration Gallery at Crafty Scrappy Happy(3hop) 
Creative Mondays Blog Hop
Make It Pretty Monday
From Dream to Reality
Cottage Style Party

11 comments:

  1. These are just too precious! Love them to pieces. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are just too cute! When I first saw them I thought you'd found some vintage Halloween goodies at an estate sale, they really do look vintage. Great job. Good luck with selling, I think they'll do great. Etsy, maybe? Your photography is really good, too. -Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are just the cutest! You are SO talented and found a great project to work on! WOW! I'm off to look at more of your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  4. do you have a tutorial on how to do this I would love to give it a try they are so cool

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, these are amazing...and precious! love all the details, really fantastic project!!

    Thank you so much for linking up @ Inspire Me Fridays!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Victoria, I have always wanted to learn how to do this. I am heading out of town in the morning, but when I get back I will check into it more. Love your darling kitties and so happy to have you back and sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your cats! Can hardly wait to see more of your felted creations!















    ReplyDelete
  8. Love these, they are great :)

    Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays last week,,,, featuring and pinning your post this week...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh these are so unique and adorable, Victoria! I love it when someone discovers a new craft! Your kittens look like they are having a ball! Good luck with selling them! You'll be a success! Found you through Creative Mondays and am now following you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh my gosh, I love needle felting! I have been wanting to learn how to do this craft. I will watch the video, but do you know how much you are going to sale them for? So, so creative! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete