Creative Challenge - Alice in Wonderland

For the past several months, I've been "hosting" Creative Challenges" for our EtsyRAIN group (aka Puget Sound Indie Arts). This involves coming up with the inspiration for each challenge... and in the end, grabbing a treasury to feature the results. It's been a lot of fun. However, I've been so busy lately, that I haven't been able to partake in the actual challenge itself.
In between preparing for the upcoming craft show and worrying about the weather, I've found a little time to work on the newest Creative Challenge. The inspiration is Alice in Wonderland and I have created a Queen of Hearts Jingle Ball.

These are new items for me. The inspiration was a felted ball I saw a while back (I think it was in a book). It's been in the back of my head as something I wanted to try (and I still do). However, I am far to busy to pick up a new medium at this point. But I love the look of them. Then yesterday, I was riffling through my fleece scrap box making Scrappy Little Monsters when I had the idea to make the ball out of fleece and to hand stitch patterns on the fleece ball... making sort of a faux felted look.

I loved the way my first one turned out (balanced on Robbie's head). So, I made another one... this time enclosing a jingle bell (the felted ball I saw had a jingle bell inside). The kids loved it!

So I was excited today to make a ball inspired by Alice in Wonderland. I love the black, red and white that comes to mind when I think of the Queen of Hearts. So, I based my ball on elements from the Queen of Hearts. I love the result. I've listed it in my shop and hope to follow it up with more as soon as I get past this next show. Making these is simple and fun. As I was searching for an idea of what to price this little baby, I came across numerous tutorials on how you can make your own (most are made of cotton... but fleece sews up basically the same). I've also taken the time to decorate each one.

I've been knocking around ideas for a tutorial I can feature on my blog... and perhaps the fleece faux felted jingle ball would be perfect. Easy, fun and the result is very rewarding. Especially when your kids have a great time playing with it. These would make really fun and unique baby gifts. So, watch for a tutorial one of these days!