Pom Pom Pens

So I saw these really cute Pom Pom Pens on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago and thought "How cute?".  That sentence alone should have been my first clue that this was going to end up being a much bigger project than I anticipated.  I thought I could buy some nice valentines-themed fabric and just make a couple dozen for teacher gifts.  Not a problem.  As I'm scrolling down the tutorial given by SewSara, my 9yo daughter is peering over my shoulder and says "Ooh, cute!"  Second clue.  So somehow a couple dozen becomes 5 1/2 dozen to make enough for the teachers and my daughter's classes.  Yes.  And actually, I'm still working on the last few before Friday, but wanted to share them now.  I found this really sweet valentine printable from Positively Splendid to add to the pens as a gift.  And yes, I do think they are pretty cute although I probably wouldn't suggest making more than a couple of dozen at a time  :)

Teacher Gifts

V-day Exchange

Girl Scout Sleeping Bag SWAP

Girl Scout Sleeping Bag SWAP

What you will need:
Felt Sheets
Yarn
Wooden Beads
Mini Craft Sticks
Sharpie markers
Craft Glue
Safety Pins
Hole Punch
Scissors and/or Fabric cutter
Ruler
Stickers or labels with Troop #

1.)  Start by cutting felt into strips 9" x 1 1/4".  You should get about 9 strips per sheet of felt.

2.) You will need some small lengths of yarn to tie up the roll 5" long.  And you will need smaller (2") lengths for the "hair".  I used a bundle of rug loom yarn in various brown/yellow/beige colors.  The girls can cut the yarn to make shorter "hair", too!

3.)  Use the Sharpie markers to draw faces on the beads.

4.) Next, punch a hole in the felt strip about 1/3 of the way down the strip.  Roll the short end of the felt and tie it with the yarn.

5.)  Glue a small craft stick to the felt and fold the felt up and over to make the "sleeping bag".  Leave enough room to glue the bead to the top of the stick for the head.

6.)  Add glue to the bead for hair and then attach it to the craft stick carefully.  I used a paper plate to keep the glue mess to a minimum. :)

7.)  Once dry, you can add the safety pin to the bed-roll part and attach the Troop# label.  So cute!