Felted Bean Bags and More Handmade Journals

I was going thru trying to organize my photos as this year comes to an end and I realized that I didn’t post these crocheted and felted bean bags as well some handmade journals (that I did a tutorial on) that we had made for our school’s Waldorfaire.  These are two very easy projects that would have been great for Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers…

The idea for the bean bags came from Pinterest and that wonderful Wee Folk Art site.  They are super easy to make.  Use untreated wool yarn and crochet circles of the same size and do any pattern you like.  Or, like Wee Folk Art and the beanbags shown above, crochet solid circles and weave in contrasting strands of yarn.  Throw in your washer filled with hot soapy water until they are felted.  Block out, dry, and fill with beans or any other stuffing you like.  Here in Hawaii, we have to worry about bugs getting to the beans.  In an effort to repel bugs, I’ve tried soaking the beans in essential oils, but nothing seems to work.  We’ve resorted to using poly beads as stuffing.  You do what you have to do!

The handmade journals were covered with beautiful watercolor paintings done by the Waldorf 2nd grade class.  To finish them, we tied them up with a Lyra pencil.  

I’m sorry that these ideas are too late for Christmas, but they could be easy birthday gifts or party favors in the upcoming year.

Wishing you a joyous New Year!

Linking to:  Create with Joy , Creative Friday