Country Friends

May Newsletter:

How do I get such perfectly cut round circles cut for my snowmen hats?

I'm still trying to get some new things designed but thought I would share a wonderful idea that will save you time.

I buy these "already" perfectly cut out circles from a wonderful lady Deb. With the hundreds of little black felt hats I make for all the small snowmen, these are such a time saver.

I use the 1-1/4" size regular black kunin felt, but she also cuts these in Wool Felt.

These work great for all the little snowmen that have the rolled top hats and cut out circle brims.

When I make a big batch of ornies using the circle brims I grab my bag of already cut circles, and I don't have to fuss with cutting them myself!

You can find her on Etsy.

Go to:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunshineAnnieDieCuts?ref=si_shop

email Deb at:

noll7@yahoo.com

(***Please read note below!)

and tell her you want the black 1-1/4" felt circles.

They cost around .10 each and once you start using them you will NEVER want to cut your own.

I just grab my bag of already cut circles every time I work on the small snowmen hats.

She also cuts other sizes and shapes and colors!

Believe me, these are great and such a time saver!

***If you want more quantity than what is listed in Deb's etsy then PLEASE ask her for a special listing with exactly what you want OR you will end up paying too much for shipping by checking out multiple times!

***Mention "Country Friends" when you order and Deb will send you 15 FREE circles with your order! and 10 FREE circles with any re-order

APRIL Newsletter

OK, it’ April and I haven’t been able to create any “Spring” designs L

So, maybe I will try on the summer and Halloween. Sometimes it’s really difficult to think up something totally different from everyone else.

I am stuck in a rut and can’t get out!! So in the meantime I am building my inventory for my Fall craft show.

If anyone has any great ideas on what they would like to see for a NEW design please let me know.

More snowmen?

Angel's?

Witch's

Santa's?

Ornies?

Just e-mail me at cindy@country-friends.net and suggest anything that you think would be popular at this years shows.

December Newsletter

This melting snowman is one of Jaime's patterns called Melt Away Max (go to www.country-whims.com), except for a few changes that I made. I added a little "I'll be back someday" sign too. If you want directions for the changes I made along with the pdf for the little sign, e-mail me and ask for "MeltingSnow" in the subject line! I made 150 of them and sold them all for $5.00 each.

I had the BEST show ever for sales this year!

Chauncy (pictured below) was a great seller sitting on the candle ring with lights, everything sitting on the springs sold well, anything with lights.

I have more pictures on my facebook page if you want to check them out.

After I clean up my sewing room, I'm going to get started on some new patterns! I've got alot of cleaning to do as all crafter's will understand since I've been putting this off for months.

October Newletter

This is a much bigger version of pattern #858 Frost on the Punkin. It sits on a 12" grapevine wreath with Spanish Moss and a string of 20 lights and some rusty stars. There are 2 Black birds (I purchased years ago somewhere????) and a large Thanksgiving Tag. Price $32.00 (This thing used up ALOT of stuffing!) I cut the fabric approx. 15" x 36" in case you want to try this.

OCTOBER FREEBIE: For the large size Thanksgiving Tag, just email me at cindy@country-friends.netand ask for "October Freebie" in the subject line. Available only as a pdf file.

I've been busy and not keeping up with my Newsletter page....sorry for that. If you go to my Facebook page you can see some of the things I've been working on.

I wanted to get my new "Lucky New Year Snowman" ornie pattern out so you have time to make some before your next craft show. People will love the vintage images of Pigs, four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, that will bring Good Luck and prosperity in the New Year! These make simple and quick gift ideas for teachers too.

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As far as the "Polyfil" situation goes, I haven't found another cheap source.

I have heard you may be able to go to your local WalMart and have them order the 10lb boxes of the Fairfield brand. I have also been told that the fiberfill from the Air-lite company below may not work so well if you "colorwash" your dolls. So if you buy the stuff, test it out first if you plan on colorwashing or maybe coffee staining your doll.

July Newsletter

JULY FREEBIE: If you want the PDF file for the top hat used in my Chauncy with the lights, just e-mail me at cindy@country-friends.net and ask for JULY FREEBIE in the subject line. It won't include the directions, just the pattern piece, but very simple to figure out! (Only available as a PDF file now).

My first show of the year turned out better than expected!

I did not expect much since this show has steadily gone down hill over the years, and attendance dropped. I just wanted to see what would sell so I know what to make for my big 3 day show in November! Check out my pictures on my "Show Dates" page. And for more up to date pictures you can join me on my facebook page (click on link on my home page). I hope to post more pictures and share information more often.

ATTENTION:

I just found a CHEAPER source for the fiberfill!!!!!

Thanks to Linda Clark for passing along this information!

This company Air-Lite has been around for over 50 years and I think is located in MI. They sell fiberfill in several different weights, but I was told the regular is what I would probably want. I've never used it so if you are only steadfast on using Morning Glory you may not want to invest in a 25 lb bag. YES, you have to get a 25 lb bag, that is the minimum! It costs $1.49/lb plus the shipping. This is a much better deal than the Morning Glory.

Air-Lite 1-800-521-1267 (25 lb. bag minimum!) $1.49 / lb. right now plus shipping.

FIBERFILL INFORMATION: As you all know, you can't get the Morning Glory fiberfill at Wal Mart anymore. The only source I can find is Marshall Dry Goods. You have to call them at 888-744-8277 and have them quote you a price with shipping. If you order 20 of the 5 lb boxes the price drops to $9.77 and depending on your location a few more dollars for shipping. But you have to order 20 boxes!! Yikes!! So if you know someone you could split that with that would make it easier. I can go through 20 boxes in 2 weeks when I make my pumpkins, I just don't know where I'm going to put them all!

June Newsletter

This great idea comes from Ann Zimmer!

Using #856 Holiday Pillar Candle pattern. Ann says:

I used only half of the fabric on the inside piece, 32 inches instead of 72 inches. Only 32 since I took a 4 inch piece off for the bottom of the candle. And only put the cinnamon/coffee granules mix on the top. I used cinnamon only on the base so it wouldn't have bumps where I glued the cinn. sticks.

Note: Make the candle the size of your cinnamon sticks. A great source for cinnamon sticks is www.atlanticspice.com

Decorate with some berry pics, greens or what you like!

I have a great bag topper you can also use. It's nice to use the bags to package the candles when you sell them at shows. People like to pick them up and sometimes the tea light will fall out otherwise.

This topper will be great for some of your new candle creations!

Another Freebie!

Free PDF file for words in my June Freebie. Use these words on your Pillar Candle! Just print on paper and follow steps as below for the "Simplify" candle!!!

E-mail me at cindy@country-friends.net and ask for the "June Freebie" in the subject line and I will send you the FREE topper and words for the "Faith Family Friends" in a PDF file!

April Newsletter

This great idea comes from Kathy Bailey!!

Using #856 Holiday Pillar Candle pattern. Kathy says:

I printed the saying on brown paper and glued to candle before putting on glue and cinnamon mixture. After all steps for your candle were complete I added thin layer of modge podge over saying.

Kathy also says she adds a few drops of scented oil to the fabric and also to the glue mix which I'm sure make these irresistible to customers!

Kathy says she made the "Simplify" candle 4" tall and it sold for $10.99 at a shop in town, and the taller ones sell for $14.99!

April giveaway: For a FREE bag topper to use for this great idea and a sheet of "Simplify" to use for this idea, just e-mail me at cindy@country-friends.net and put APRIL FREEBIE in the subject line! I will e-mail you the PDF file for both!

Please note that the FREEBIE does not include the directions to make the #856 Candle, you need to have purchased this pattern.

And we did have one nice day last week here in New England and here you can see I have almost 100 #790 Prim heads drying outside and 100 larger #854 Chauncy heads made of chenille fabric drying after coffee staining!

I went through 12 FIVE pound boxes of Polyfil in just a few days. Tip: I go to WalMart and have them order me 10 or 15 boxes at a time. I can fit 20 boxes in my small SUV, so I'll be ordering more soon.

**I just found out my WalMart will not be selling these 5lb boxes anymore and are now selling a 50oz bag of the Fairfield brand. More expensive, and now I can't get my boxes to store all my snowmen!

I take these guys outside to grungy up their hats since the cinnamon is such a mess. I used #854 Chauncy and attached a 5" candle ring (with greenery/berry/rusty stars) on the bottom and placed a 20 strand tiny rice lights with brown cord. I also made a top hat instead of the fleece cap. Looks really nice lit up in the dark and sell really well at the shows for $18.50!! I plan on making at least 80 or 90 of them for this year.

Do you want a great source for bulk styrofoam balls? I buy boxes of 1,200 balls at a time! Yes......and I fly threw them in no time too!

Go to www.plasteelcorp.com and you will find bulk and also packages of 12. These are smoothfoam balls and they are a bit different than styrofoam. They are smooth and much harder. But work perfect for snowmen heads. They are just a bit tougher to poke the hole for the nose. (I use a large sharp doll needle to poke first and then a bamboo skewer to widen the hole). I also add a drop of hot glue to the ball before I cover with the fabric to keep the fabric in place. The fabric sometimes shifts on the smooth surface of the ball, so the glue helps keep it in place.