New Years Resolutions

How many of you make New Year’s Resolutions?  Is it to stop a bad habit or lose weight or exercise more?  Getting healthy sure is a good thing to do. 

But what if your resolution was to be more creative?  What if you made a promise to yourself to do more art or sewing or learn a new craft? 

Every year I go through my unfinished quilting projects and decide which one I am going to finish for the upcoming quilt show in March.  It is amazing to me when I find I only have a little more to do on a project for it to be finished.

Other years I have promised myself to take advantage of the classes my quilt guild offers.  I have learned different ways to quilt on my home sewing machine, new ways to appliqué, new embroidery stitches (after a recent class with our guild I can now do a successful bullion stitch) and can now piece a Y-seam in a quilt block.

This coming year I want to try more sculptures in needle felting and expand my embroidery on needle felted items and I want to finish the log cabin sampler I started so many years ago. And I still want to take as many classes and try as many new crafts as I can.

Why not make sure you add some creativity to your resolutions list?  You can still break a bad habit, lose weight and exercise more but make sure you also create new art that represents who you are and what your 2018 brought to your life. 

Happy 2018 to you.

Cheryl

 

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

Happy Holiday (all year long)

This is truly is a wonderful time of the year.  The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, helping wishes come true and maybe being a little sneaky with who is getting what in gifts.

It is a time of year to dress up our houses in holiday decorations and string lots of lights everywhere (Kudos to the brave souls who climb on their roofs with those twinkle lights).  There is music in the air and even if you have hard the songs hundreds of times, it still brings a smile to your face.  And then there is time for family and friends and the holiday parties. 

Sometimes don’t you wish you could have the holidays all year long. Well, why not?  No I don’t mean keeping the tree up and playing the  Christmas music all year  But what about keeping the good spirits of smiles to strangers and visiting with family and friends. 

Where I work there is a holiday party for the staff.  I often can’t go because of various obligations.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get together in the spring when the flowers are blooming or the summer when the sun is shining later in the day?  A gathering at other times of the year would not compete with the busyness of Christmas or Hanukah or New Years. 

And what about decorating?  You don’t need Santa or trees or snowmen around all year.  How about decorating for the other holidays?  I know some people do for Valentines, Easter, Thanksgiving and Halloween (at least I do).  What about decorating for Mothers Day or Father’s day or Independence day? What about those months with no special holiday like August or September?   Wouldn’t it be fun to research a holiday for those months and decorate and celebrate it?  (I think I have a new idea for a blog post.)

Think about keeping the spirit of the holidays with you all year long. Find something to celebrate and some reason to party and find some music that makes you smile and you never tire to play.

Whether you try to keep this idea of the holiday spirit with you all year is up to you.  But for this holiday, I hope that it is wonderful and filled with family, friends, good eats and good memories.

Happy Holidays, Everyone.

Cheryl

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

 

Create Your Own Souvenirs

With the exception of thimbles, I am not a big souvenir person when I travel. And I don’t much care for t-shirts.  But I usually want something to remember a vacation or a special event.

This year I went to the Nutcracker Ballet at the community college where I work.  They were selling wooden Nutcracker Princes in all sizes and while they were tempting, I didn’t buy one.  Instead I came home and started working on an embroidery piece of the Nutcracker and a ballet dancer.  This would have a lot more meaning to me that a wooden nutcracker.

I realized while I have been working on this that I do create my own souvenirs.  I mentioned above that I am not much for t-shirts.  So when I went to Door County Wisconsin for my 50^th birthday, I bought fabric to make blouses.  Now when I wear those blouses (one had sailboats on it which is one activity Door County is known for) I think of that trip.

In Door County there are numerous lighthouses.  I went to one which was a favorite of my father’s.  Now I will admit I did buy a travel mug from the lighthouse but I also create a wall hanging of it.  I took a picture of it and printed it on a special treated fabric that could be sent through the printer.  And with that lighthouse picture on fabric I created a wall- hanging adding more trees and beach and water in appliqué to expand the image.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse wall hanging
(the above photo is in the center)

I work with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  I am working on a t-shirt quilt (I may not buy t-shirts but I do keep them from special events where they are given).  I didn’t want to make just a t-shirt quilt but one with meaning for me.  So for every year I do the relay, I prepare the front of the t-shirt to put in the quilt and also create a quilt block that represents either the theme of the relay or some member of it.

My first Relay year

Purple is the Relay's color.

While I was writing this blog I began to wonder how making your own memory souvenir would work for a Christmas holiday.  If a family is traveling to visit Grandma or just to spend the holiday somewhere new, the kids could draw a picture of their favorite activity or memory of their visit.  You could take pictures and make a collage to hang on your wall (it could be, but doesn’t have to be, done in fabric). 

Or how about make an ornament that represents this holiday.  Did you build a snowman in Grandma’s front yard?  Create a snowman ornament to remember it and don’t forget to make a snowman for Grandma too so she can remember it?  Did you go to the beach?  Collect some shells to decorate a framed memory of your holiday.

Store bought souvenirs are nice but making your own personal souvenir makes your special trip or holiday even more memorable.

 

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

My Ornament Tradition - 2017

In a December blog last year, I wrote about a Christmas tradition I have. When I was a teen, I made a little paper doily angel for the ladies celebrating Christmas with my family.  Then ever year I would make another ornament.  This tradition has continued all these years.  What started with 6 family friends now includes over 30 family, friends and colleagues.

While I can’t make an ornament for each of my reader’s I decided to share how I made this year’s ornament.  This year’s ornament was a felted heart with a little embroidery added to it.

Cheryl's 2017 ornament

To make this heart, I needle felted some wool in a cookie cutter (see my blog “Needle Felting in Cookie Cutters” for even more instructions.)  Start by putting some of the wool roving or batting in the cookie cutter.  It doesn’t matter if it over flows the cutter, this will felt this down.   Keep felting until it is a firm as you want it.  Add wool where  you need it to get the surface smooth.  Remember to felt both sides, this will help smooth out the felting.

roving in cutter

finished felting in cutter

                           

When you have it the thickness and firmness you want, take it out of the cookie cutter and felt along the edges.  This will give a nice rounded smooth appearance.  Now if you like it looking a little ragged, then leave it unfelted.  This is your ornament.

felting the sides

Now starts the embroidery. Use embroidery floss, perle cotton or as I did here a real thin 2 ply yarn. I put a snowflake design in the middle. But you could do whatever design you want it.  I did it by free hand but if you want to draw the design on  the wool , go ahead.  To be honest, I had a hard time getting my fabric pens or pencils to work on the wool.  I started with a dash along the center of the heart.  I made mine about an inch long.  Don’t worry about hiding the stitches on the back, when it is done, we will cover that up

start the embroidery

Then I made an X over that dash.  After the X was done. I then added a French knot at the tip of each point of the design.   

Add French Knots

Add the X

                       

                                   

                            

       

Finished snowflake

When you are done with the embroidery turn the ornament over.  Now you see the back side of the embroidery, add a little roving on it and felt it in.  If you are using a dark color thread against a light colored wool, you might need to add a little more as you felt it because the dark thread will show through.

put roving over back stitches

Back of ornament

                 

Finished back

felt roving on back of ornaments

                             

If you like how the ornament looks at this point, then stop and add a loop of thread at the top for a hanger.  I added a running stitch along the edge in another colors just to add some pizzazz to it.  Make sure you have enough thread long enough to be able to go around the heart without having to start and stop.  I didn’t felt over these stitches on the back I liked the look of the running stitch on both sides so that meant I didn’t want any knots showing.

I started at the bottom edge of the heart.  Leave a tail of a couple of inches.  I knotted the two ends of the thread when I finished the running stitch for a simple little tassel at the bottom.

 

Start the running stitch

the running stitch

                       

When I stitched around to the other side, both tails of the thread met.  And here is where I knotted the two tails, like I said making a simple little tassel.

Running stitch done

Knot at the bottom

At the top I added – in the same color as the running stitch – a loop as a hanger.  And now your ornament is ready for the tree.

Ready for the tree

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

Creativity in your Holiday Shopping

I am sure many of you have started your holiday shopping or are at least are planning your lists.   If you read this before you start your shopping adventure, don’t forget to add a little creativity to your shopping list.

What do I mean by Creativity?  I mean make sure you buy someone you love some art supplies, craft supplies, or a craft kit or two.  You never know what life long love you will start in a young child or help someone older continue to enjoy a lifelong love.   

There are all kinds of activities out there from model airplanes and cars to assemble to adult coloring books.  The other day I saw a kit to paint a set of nesting dolls (I almost bought it for myself).  There are looms of every kind and step by step books to do all kinds of needlework.  And of course you could provide the supplies for one of the crafts I have done a tutorial on and show them this blog.

And also consider a gift of music or dance.  Either provide some future performer with lessons or an instrument or take them to a holiday concert or ballet.  I bet there is a Nutcracker Ballet going on somewhere near your hometown this time of year. Going to a performance is a memory both of you can share.  I still remember going to a simple children’s Christmas concert at a local junior high with my mother when I was visiting her one holiday.

So add a little creativity to your holiday shopping by giving a gift of creativity in whatever form your heart desires. You can never give too much. Happy Shopping!!

©2017 - Cheryl Fillion

A Christmas Advent Tradition

Advent is considered the four weeks before Christmas and it represents the coming of God to men.  It is often in churches represented by a wreath of 4 candles; each candle lit on the Sundays of Advent with a fifth candle lit on Christmas Eve to represent Jesus. There is also the tradition of the advent calendar.  I love advent calendars.  Those wonderful holiday pictures with the numbered windows you open to reveal a little picture.  I get one every year.   

But many years ago I started a tradition with my mom to give her advent gifts.  I lived away from her and so I would send a box of little gifts such as candy or Christmas stories or poems or a little ornament for her to open each day until I arrived in my hometown to spend the holidays with her and then could give her the rest in person.

I then started doing an advent for friends where I live.  One year I did a progressive wall hanging.  I worked with a couple in a quilting and monogramming shop.  I started an appliqué block by leaving a piece of fabric on one of the walls and then every other day would take it down and add a new piece of the picture.  When I took it down I would leave a poem or story or little piece of candy for them as a gift until I could get the next piece added and then back up on the wall it would go. I had fun and they enjoyed wondering what would come next.

I began to feel left out so I started doing advent for me.  I have plenty of holiday shows I have bought or recorded over the years.  So I set up a schedule of holiday shows to watch every day along with some planned activity like putting up the tree and then adding the lights or working on my yearly Christmas ornaments.  I also have plenty of holiday books of stories and customs and never get tired of reading them so I make sure before I go to sleep each night to read a Christmas story.  Occasionally I will buy a piece of candy or a new ornament and give myself one of those to enjoy during Advent.  Just like with the Advent calendar, it gives me a little surprise (If I buy the items early enough I will forget I have them so it is a surprise.)

I always thought it would be a great idea for children to help them handle the excitement of waiting for Santa’s visit.  Just plan a little gift or activity for them each day. Make a visit to Santa Claus something they can anticipate (or make it a surprise).  Maybe take them shopping to buy another child a Christmas gift like with the toys for charity programs that are often available.

Remember my blog on Cookie cutters I reposted just a couple of weeks ago.  Plan a day of paper ‘cookie’ ornament making.  You might even want to cut out the ‘cookies’ from colored construction or card stock paper so it looks more ‘frosted’.  Don’t forget to get some glitter or sequins to add a little sparkle. 

It is a lot of fun to plan and a lot of fun to do.  And don’t just do Advent for the little ones.  Plan one for your spouse, your parents and of course, plan one for yourself.  I found it helped me stay in the holiday mood when the hustle and bustle of the holidays got to be a little overwhelming.  And have yourself a merry little Advent fun.

 

©2017 - Cheryl Fillion

 

A Heart Shape Needlefelted Bowl

How many of you remember the coiled clay bowls you made in art class as a child?  I bet you gave one to your mom for Mother’s day.  Well you can do a similar type bowl with needle felting.  It is my favorite way to make a bowl.  And to make it even more fun I do them in a heart shaped cookie cutter.

You start the bowl like you would a needle felted cookie cutter ornament. This one is a 3 ½” heart. (See my blog on “Needle Felting in a Cookie Cutter”).  Put some roving or wool batting in a cookie cutter and start to needle felt the roving to the shape of the cutter.  This will be the bottom of the bowl.

After you have felted in the shape for a while, turn it over and felt on the other side.  This will make it stronger and more firm.  I like to take the shape out of the cutter and look at it in front of a light.  If you can see light coming through the roving then add a little more there and felt it in.  Once you have the bottom of the bowl at the firmness you want felt around the edge of the shape to smooth it out.

roving in cutter

felting roving

                              

felting edge of bottom

Now it is time to build the bowl.   Take some of the roving and roll it between your fingers to make a coil.  Lay it on top of the shape right along the edge and start felting it in.  It might be easy to start with small pieces and just add as you go along.  Don’t flatten it out; remember this is the wall of your bowl. in fact I often pinch the coils as I am felting it to make it stand up and not flatten out (just don’t poke your fingers).

coil of roving

starting the wall of the bowl

        

pinching edge to keep it from flattening

felting all around the edge

                  

 

Once you have roving coiled all along the edge, start with another layer.  Gradually build up the wall by adding roving coils and felt it in.  You can as you go along smooth out the sides by felting the outside and inside of the walls.  When it is as high as you want, stop adding coils.  Smooth out the walls again checking it against a light source so you can see where there is a weak spot and then add roving there.

felting the side

felting the inside of bowl walls

       

I usually use simple smooth shapes like circles and hearts.  I haven’t had any luck with shapes like a star or multi-petaled flower.  But it might be different for you, so try it if you would like.

side view of finished bowl

top view of finished bowl

     

Occasionally I add beads at the top edge of the bowl just to add some sparkle.  I like the clear glass beads.  It doesn’t distract from the color of the wool and gives a little light to the bowl.  I either sew them on with invisible (or mono filament) thread or with thread that matches the color of the roving so it blends in.  If I am not able to pull the knot into the felted roving, I just add a tiny bit of roving on the thread knot and felt it in to hide the knot.

bowl with beads

© 2017  Cheryl Fillion

Cookie Cutters Aren’t Just For Cookies

I wrote this last year and just love the idea of using cookie cutters for crafts; I had to post it again.

 

Cookie cutters used to be for Christmas but now there are cutters for every holiday or occasion you can imagine.  But you know you can use cookie cutters for more than just cookies.  They are great shapes for kids crafts, appliqué, needle felting, punch needle and embroidery.

Pompom pumpkin


I use pumpkin, bell and stars for kid’s crafts at the market.  I trace the cookie cutter on to paper, scan them on my printer so I can enlarge them to the size I need (although I have pumpkin cutters in just the size I needed).   I print them out on cardstock, cut them out and punch a hole in the top then add yarn for a hanger.  Give them to the kids to glue whatever they want on it or just color them.  I was given pompoms of various colors so we have been using those. 

Cat Pumpkin

Witch Pumpkin

                                

I have also used them for appliqué.  Again just trace the cookie cutter; cut it out on fabric and sew it down.  I like the cat and witch cutters my mom had as we were growing up.  They were great appliqués for my Halloween quilt (which one of these years I will finish).

Punchneedle

I enjoy punchneedle embroidery.  Recently I found some tie-dyed embroidery floss and wanted to see how it would look stitched out.  So I took several sizes of my heart shaped cookie cutters and made myself a little heart ornament using the floss.

 

Needlefelted

Cookie cutters are also a great shape for needle felting.  As long as the cutter is open on both ends, you can place your roving in the cutter and needle felt until the roving takes the shape of the cutter.  Then once you have finished felting it, you can use it as an appliqué, stick a thread hanger through it for an ornament or glue a magnet on the back and put it on your refrigerator. 

Making sugar cookies are so much fun and decorating them with children creates memories but using your cutter with fabric and thread (or glue and pompoms) is a way to keep the cookies forever.  Cookie cutters aren’t just for cookies anymore.

 

© 2016, 2017 Cheryl Fillion

Love Many Things

I journal.  I usually have my journal with me everywhere.  Even sometimes to bed.  This way if I need to get down an idea or an emotion, it is right there for me to get it all out.  I try to find journals with interesting covers so I can always look at something inspiring.

My latest journal has inspirational quotes and phrases on the cover.  The one I like the best reads: “Fall in love with as many things as possible”. When I read that I immediately thought of my needlework.  I like doing so many different things and usually have one or two or twenty different projects going on at once.   

I usually get inspired to start a new pattern or design and am too impatient to finish the project I am working on before I start the new one.  I eventually finish my projects.  It might take years but they do get finished. 

 But sometimes the fact that I do so many different types of needle work bothers the people around me.  “Do you do everything?” they ask.  No.  I never got the hang of crocheting, knitting, or tatting.  But still they want me to concentrate on one thing.  Why when there are so many things out there to try?

I like doing different things.  It gives me variety.  I think I would be bored if I did just one thing all the time.  If I do my needle felting for a while and need a change of pace I try a little embroidery or appliqué.  Then after a while I can do the needle felting again.  It is like I have given myself a little vacation and now I am refreshed.

Often one form of needle work gives me a new idea for another needle work I do.  Recently the embroidery I have been doing has inspired me to try embroidery on my needle felting.  I am working on some felted hearts with little flowers embroidered on them.  (I’ll post a picture when I get them done.)

I have also noticed that if I keep switching needlework, my hands or arms don’t get sore.  With needle felting there is the repetitive motion of up and down of the needle into the wool roving or batting but if I do some hand quilting my hand is making a different motion.  So it helps flex different muscles.

And with some things I have to concentrate and with others I can just do it automatically.  So if I am with some friends or watching TV. I can spoolknit or needle felt but if I need to have some quiet, hand quilting or weaving is better for that.

It is OK to like to do different things.  And it is also OK if you like doing just one type of needlework or art.   As another quote on my journal cover says, “Do What You Love”.

 

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

 

What I Learned

Today’s blog might be a little off topic from my usual crafty, artsy blog but I wanted to share this.  This has been a difficult month both physically and emotionally for me. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and along with that I had difficulties with a new doctor (who is no longer my doctor).. But here is what I have learned through it all:

1- Stick up for yourself because no one else will.

2- Don’t let anyone judge you because they do not know what you have been through in your life.

3- You have more friends than you realize.

4- When someone asks for your opinion, be honest even if it seems mean because the other person involved may have a lesson to learn; even if that other person is a doctor.

5- If you don’t get the answer you want, keep asking.

6- Be careful what you say because you may have to act on it (I always said I would give up my beloved coca-cola if I had to for my health and I had to.  No I haven’t tried the zero coke yet.  I might at some point).

7- Learn everything you can about what you need even if some the reading is conflicting information.

8- Don’t be afraid to tell others what you are going through.  You never know who will have helpful information or wonderful hugs.

9- God has a plan for you but sometimes it takes a while for the plan to start. (and sometimes you are the plan for others – see the above item 4).

10- Sometimes what seems like the worst thing to happen can often be the best thing to have happen.

And from me to you:  Stay Healthy, Everyone.

 

©2017 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

Doing While Waiting

My mom was one of those mothers who would bring toys for us when we went somewhere to visit.  She wanted us to be entertained (and out of trouble) and she knew we would be bored just sitting there waiting for the adults to stop talking.  I continue to do that.  I always have a book or a magazine with me.  And sometimes I have my needlework. 

I take things to do when I travel.  You can get a lot done in those hours between destinations. I often do needlework during the business part of a quilt guild meeting. I can stitch and listen to all of the announcements at the same time. I won’t miss an announcement or miss a stitch. I usually have a book while waiting in a doctor’s waiting room.  But recently to a doctor’s office, I brought some needle work.

It’s always interesting to see people’s reaction.  Sometimes there are questions:  “What are you doing?”, “What will it be when it is done?”(This time I was buttonhole appliquéing a picture).  Occasionally you hear stories of what they used to do or remembering what their mother or grandmother does or did.  I’d like to think my activity is bringing up fond memories for them.

Some people will watch me while trying not to be noticed that they are watching me. Those people make me smile.  I always want to say, “Go ahead and look, I don’t mind” but I am afraid I will embarrass them if I let them know I see them.

Often I get the statement “I just don’t have the patience for that.” And that is OK, not everyone does.  Although I do laugh when I think of the times when things aren’t going great and I lose my temper with something I am attempting.  I am not sure I sometimes have the patience myself.

I am glad I brought my appliqué this time as it was a long wait in the examining room and it kept me calm while I waited. I often hear from others “You always have to be doing something.  Can’t you just sit?”  Yes, I can.  But for me it is a lot more fun to do needle work (or read a book) while I sit, especially while I am in a Doctor’s office.  

For me needlework calms me down (lowers my blood pressure) and doctor’s offices do the opposite, so why not do a little calming hand work.  Hopefully when they take my blood pressure, it will be lowered because I have done some stitching.   And it makes the time go by faster.  I am one who wants the time to go by when I am just waiting.

So take something with you the next time you have to wait It doesn’t have to be needlework.  It could be your sketch book, or your poetry book or a book or magazine that will spark some new ideas.  Don’t leave your creativity at home while you are on a plane or bus or doctors office.  Bring it along. It just might like to wait with you.

©2017  Cheryl Fillion

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Honor a cancer survivor and make a donation to your favorite cancer charity.

Here are some ribbon items in my shop.  Proceeds from the sale of these items goes to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  This is an event I participate in every year with friends and students.

Yoyo Pink Ribbon Doily  

Pink Needle Felted Ornament

  Pink Needle Felted Magnet

I am showing the pink ones here but I also have needle felted awareness ribbons in various colors.

© 2017 – Cheryl Fillion

Silence

Society today is built to allow for communication with others or from others.  We have phones (cell and land lines), e-mail, pagers, not to mention television, radios, and answering machines.  The only communication that society doesn't allow or even sometimes encourage is communicating with yourself.  To do that you need, not all those electronic gadgets, but the antiquated idea of silence.

Silence is how we hear ourselves think.  As creative beings, we need silence.   We begin to see our lives, and the world around us in silence.  To some it is the only way to communicate with the Spirit.

For many years I lived in a dormitory as the hall director (what many might think of as a Dorm Mom).  Outside my front door was usually a lobby with a TV and dozens of college students at any time of the day or night.  I realize now, being away from that atmosphere, that I kept my stereo and TV on more as a sound wall than for any enjoyment or even company.  As long as I had something on in the apartment, I couldn't hear what was going on in the lobby (and there were times I didn't want to hear what was going on in the lobby J.).

Now the TV is rarely on.  I don't have to fall asleep with either music or something creating 'white noise'.  When I do listen to music, I am able to enjoy and relax to it. And to my great enjoyment I can hear the little birds at my feeder, the breeze through the trees and a thunderstorm.  But mostly I can hear my own thoughts. 

I don't have to set aside time very late at night to create an atmosphere of quiet (usually with ear plugs).  Silence isn't that far away.  Without all the noise, my stress level is down, decisions are made easier and my creative ideas just flow.

Now this might not be possible with a house full of family.  You might also have to create some time late at night with ear plugs, as I did.  If you need to, do so.  Without silence, your life and your creativity will reflect the chaos of the noise around you. 

Catch bits of silence whenever you can.  If you are consciously looking for the quiet, try not to use the phone - even let the answering machine or voice mail pick up.  Don't have the TV or stereo on.  While driving, turn the radio off.  Silence can be found quite nicely in the newly insulated cars on the market these days.  And even in the mists of traffic, with the radio off, you will be able to hear yourself (pay attention to the road though, OK?)  Take a nap in the afternoon when you can so you can stay awake after the rest of the household is off with the Sandman.

You don't have to do anything during these times of silence (unless you are driving the car).  Just sit.  Maybe start out by breathing deeply.  And relax - the blood can't get to the brain with those tight shoulders and neck muscles.  As you spend more time in silence, your mind will take over.   Just follow it to see where it leads.

Even with tiny bits of silence here and there, your stress level will decrease (noise of any kind raises the blood pressure), your concentration will increase and your creativity will blossom.  It may take a while but you will see a difference in your life.

Silence is golden.  Shhhhh.

© 2017 – Cheryl Fillion

Embroidery on Needle Felting

I recently had another of those “What if” moments.  I was adding a bead to a heart ornament and realized that the ornament looked very plain even with the heart.  So I wondered how it would look with a little running stitch of embroidery around the edge.  And I liked it. 

Heart Ornament with embellishments

So that led me to adding embroidery on other felted items just to add a little embellishment to them.  

Such as using french knots for the eyes of some dolphin ornaments. 

French knot eyes on dolphin

Or adding a little sparkle to an ornament with metallic thread.

Sparkle on Red needle Felted Ball

How about creating the laces on what will be a football ornament. 

Laces on a football

When you do embroidery on fabric you have the knots and stitches on the back side of the fabric.  But with needle felting you don’t have that because you can felt over the knots and stitches.

Back of the football 

Just take a little roving and cover the back side and felt it in and the knots are gone.  Just a little advice: don't felt too deep or the needle might come through the embroidery and ruin your stitches. 

Felted the knots away

So the next time you are needle felting something, add a little interest to your piece and do some embroidery.

©2017  Cheryl Fillion