Guest Post: The Quiet Owl

Hello! My name is Karen and I blog over at The Quiet Owl. Today, I'm going to show you how to make a Pompom Garland. Pompoms are super easy to make and can be used for a variety of crafts. Here's what you'll need...

• Yarn- Any kind will do, but I would stay away from cotton and use an acrylic blend.
• Thin cardboard- from a cereal box or anything of the sort will work fine.
• Scissors.
• Tapestry Needle.

1. Cut out a template to make your pompoms. You'll need 2 donut shapes with a chunk cut out of them. The bigger you make your donut, the bigger your pompom will be. Mine is about 3 inches in diameter.

2. Put the two pieces together so the chunks you cut out align.

3. Start wrapping your yarn around the template. It doesn't really matter if the yarn is evenly wrapped around the template, just as long as you get it covered. Don't get too close to the edges.

4. The more yarn you wrap around the template, the fuller the pompom will be. I wrapped mine around just twice, but if you want a fuller look, I would wrap around at least 4 times. Cut off the yarn at any point.

5. Now, carefully start cutting around the edge as shown. Make sure you have a good grip on the rest of the yarn so it doesn't fall apart. You make have to chop at it a bit, as it's thick and hard to cut.

6. Cut another piece of yarn, about 5" long. It can be the same color as the yarn you are using, but I would recommend a different color just so that it's easier to see. Slide it between your 2 template pieces. Tie a knot as tight as you can get it, then repeat in the same spot. Double knot the yarn in a few different places so your pompom won't fall apart.

7. Slide your template pieces apart. Snip the loose parts of yarn off from where you tied your knots. Now you can slide the templates all the way off.

8. Now you have a pompom! But, you may have a few pieces of yarn that are longer than others. Just give your pompom a haircut until it's an even ball. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!

9. Once it's fairly even all the way around, you're done with the pompom.
10. Thread your yarn on your tapestry needle like you are about to sew something.

11. Carefully stick your needle through the middle of the pompom and pull it through. Repeat for all of your pompoms. You'll want to get plenty of slack of either side of your pompoms to hang them. Space them out however you like (I did about an inch or so between mine).

That's it! Now you can hang your garland wherever you like!!!

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Thank you so much Karen! I just love this fun little craft and can't wait to make on myself! By the way, funny and random coincidence- I have that same owl on your mantel! :) Dear readers, please be sure to stop by Karen's blog, The Quiet Owl. You won't be disappointed! Happy Monday!

Guest Post: Just Dawnelle

Hello Darth Pickles readers! How are all of you today?! I'm excited and honored to be here sharing a little project I am super super excited about!

I have a thing for toddlers in little beanies and recently found these fabulous little hats that I have fallen completely in love with. How can you not adore those two little knots?? They look like they could almost be little ears!

So my thought... lets try making one! Ooh, out of a t-shirt! How fun right? You could even use a little bit of the graphic on the t-shirt in the hat right??

And you can't tell me your heart doesn't just melt a little when you see a this...!?

Here's what I did...

Supplies

Old t-shirt (knit fabric!)

Scissors

Measuring Tape

Marker

Sewing Machine

Instructions

Begin by measuring your little's head. My boy's head was about 20" in circumference.

Lay the shirt you are cutting up out flat with the bottom hem all lined up INSIDE OUT!

Using your measuring tape, mark the sides of your hat. You will want to take the total circumference and split it in half to calculate the two sides of your hat.

Measure up about the same as the width of your hat so you have marked out a large square.

Sketch out your hat so it looks like the image. I know, rather vague, but I promise it is sooo much easier than it sounds. The two little long pieces for the knots are about an inch maybe an inch and a half in width and approximately five inches long. But you can make it any size you want really!

After you have sketched out your hat, pin it all together so when you cut it out the pieces don't separate.

Cut it out! Both sides of the shirt together.

Once it is all cut out, sew it together! How simple right? I sewed mine with a 1/4" seam all the way around, single stitch. I'm really not a seamstress by any means, but this seemed to work just fine!

Flip the hat right side out.

Knot each of your little "ears"

Try your little hat on your little and marvel at your mad skills!

 Would it be totally weird if I made one of these for me?? I totally want one...
Be sure to come and check out all my other super fun projects over on JustDawnelle!! I would love to have you!
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Thanks so much Dawnelle, these are too cute! I can't wait to whip some up for my littles. I certainly have an overabundance of old t-shirts I could put to good use!