Thursday, February 26, 2015

2015 Year of the Sheep Craft



The Chinese New Year was celebrated last week and 2015 is the year of the sheep, goat and ram. The celebration started on the 19th and lasts for 15 days, ending with a Lantern Festival.  There are so many interesting facts about the year of the sheep.  People born under this Chinese zodiac sign are polite, shy, frank and honest, are highly creative focusing their energy on artistic hobbies.  Their lucky colors include purple, red and brown.  You might think that I am one of the sheep people, but I'm not.  I am a rooster. 

I love watching them. There's a farm a couple of miles from where we live and every time I drive pass it, I make a point of seeing if the sheep are out grazing.  They seem so cute, fluffy and cuddly! Watching them inspired me to make these adorable stuffed sheep.


Isn't she precious!
 
And putting this together was so easy to do!
 
Here's how:
 
Start by right-click copying the pattern for the sheep and paste to Word.  From there, you can adjust the size you want and trace the pieces onto faux fur and felt or fleece fabric.
 
 



1.  Cut out the six pieces - one top, two ears, two face, and one body. 
2. With right sides together hand or machine stitch around edge of face. 
3. Once stitched, separate the center fabric and make a slit opening in back and turn inside out.
4.  Stuff face with poly-fil.
5.  Hand-stitch opening close.











6.   Insert needle and embroidery thread from the back to make eyes, positioning thread into a slanted line as pictured.

7.    Move the thread into a v shape and push needle through to the back in the same area.

8.    Continue pushing the needle in the same area, under the fabric for the other eye and make the v shape as before.
 
9.    Move the needle from the back down to the cheek dimples and pull through to the front and back again.

10.  Fold the ears together and sew ends onto top of head.










11.  Gather the body by weaving the needle and thread over and under.

12.  Pull the threads and fabric together leaving an opening to insert the stuffing.

13.  Add stuffing half way to body leaving space.  

14.  Add decorative filler for weight (optional). add more stuffing for a round full look.

15.  Add more stuffing for a round full look and stitch opening close.


To complete the sheep:
        - Make running stitches in top to close and hot glue between ears.
        - Hot glue head to stitched area of body.
        - Use rouge or pink chalk dust to high-light dimples and inner ears.
        - Add bow embellishments.

    I dipped the beige faux fabric in diluted black acrylic paint to make the black sheep on the left.  The fabric became very rough with the watered down paint rubbings and dust smearing on my fingers and everywhere else for that matter.  I don't recommend doing this.  
 





The Year of the Sheep runs from February 19, 2015 to February 7, 2016.


Wouldn't this be a fun project to make with kids?  Imagine the possibilities!  Don’t ever be afraid to get creative or to try something new. From making simple birthday cards on Shutterfly, to sculpting clay from Michael’s, start small and work your way up if this is a new realm for you or your kids! You never know what idea will turn into a lasting keepsake for the house, or a nice gift for a loved one. These DIY sheep are easy enough that any of you can give it a try!




Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!









35 comments:

  1. Absolutely adorable!! We have a small sheep farm as one of our neighbours. Your sheep turned out amazing. Sooo cute!

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  2. Those are just darling! I love sheep too. When we lived in Montana, I tried to get Sam to let me have some, but no. He said they were dumber than cows. I think yours are the cutest!

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  3. These really are the most beautiful sheep I have every seen. I am very impressed. xx

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  4. Oh my goodness! These are sooo cute! They remind me of the sheep in "The Sound Of Music" - you know, when they are doing the puppet show. :-) love them...off to get some faux wool to make my own.

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  5. Oh my Gail! Your sheep are absolutely adorable! You should sell these! I wouldn't know which one to pick from, because everyone of those sheep are adorable!

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  6. Oh. So. Cute!!! Thanks for sharing this tutorial with us. Not only is it great for the Year Of The Sheep but Easter season is upon us and I just love little sheep and lambs as a symbol fo Spring! Wouldn't these be wonderful in Easter baskets and vignettes?

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  7. Haha I love the title of your blog post (: Happy sheep.

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  8. Cuties! Thanks for sharing them at my Fab Friday Party
    Maria

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  9. Oh, how fun! These sheep are so cute. Great craft to do with kids. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again next week. :)

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

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  10. Aww these are so sweet :)

    Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays

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  11. How cute, sheep are a big hit here on the farm. Perfect for a cuddle before bedtime.

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  12. These are adorable. Our neighbor a couple houses down has one. It's so fluffy cuz of its winter coat. Thanks for sharing your adorable sheep and tutorial.

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  13. Adorable!!!!! Stopping by from Enchanting rose. Really ever so cute!

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  14. Hello, I just wanted to say that these are so cute, I just showed them to my two grandsons that are here visiting!
    There is just something about a wee little lamb that I cannot resist! I saved this on my Pinterest Craft Board!
    I was just saying that saying last night that goes like this"I ain't fat I'm just fluffy"
    Thank you for sharing!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  15. PS I am now your newest follower! Come and visit me soon! Roxy

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  16. These are darling! I love the sweet faces and their bows are just too cute. I greatly appreciate you sharing your creativity at Roses of Inspiration - thank you, Gail. Hugs!

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  17. Love expressions! Can quite see lots of little people enjoying making and/or getting one of these

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  18. Congratulations! This post is featured over at Diana Rambles today and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest, Tweeted, and Shared on G+. Please grab a featured button off my button page or via the post guidelines graphic. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!

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  19. Oh my goodness they are the CUTEST EVER!!! Please make a note to come share this post on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop on Ducks' n a Row this week. We go live 7pm EST on Tues eve. Pinned it!!!!
    Sinea from Ducks 'n a Row

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  20. Oh my, they are just gorgeous! Thanks for the pattern, onto my "to do" list they go!

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  21. Hello! I found your site through USS Crafty's Submarine Sunday link up. These are so adorable!

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  22. These are so cute! What an adorable craft just in time for easter! :)

    Thanks so much for sharing at Talented Tuesday Link Party, hope to see you again this week!

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  23. Oh those sheep are so sweet and like you I love to see them in the fields, cannot wait for the lambing time to watch them enjoying life

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  24. They are adorable! My neighbor across the street has sheep, but they are moving soon so bye bye sheep ;( Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Blessings, Deborah

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  26. These are super cute!! I've had people ask if I'm a sheep, but I'm a dragon. Very different personalities!!
    Thanks for joining us over at Idea Box link party!!

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  27. These are so sweet! Would be a cute addition to an Easter basket. Thank you for sharing with Idea Box link party!

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