Wool Alphabet DIY

I saw these felt letters in Copenhagen and fell in love. I really wanted to figure out how to make them. They are really cute and sweet toys. They make a great Christmas gift or would even be cute attached to the outside of a gift. It’s a pretty simple process and the materials are common household items except for the wool roving which can be found online or at most crafting or knitting stores. See the instructions below.

Material Needed: Wool Roving, Bubble Wrap, Soap, Rolling Pin, Scissors, Hot water, Bowl

Step 1: Lay your bubble wrap (bubbles up) and tear small strips of wool roving and place on top of the bubble wrap creating the shape of the letter. Continue to tear and place the felt, layer upon layeruntil it is around two inches high.
Step 2: Dampen your felt pile with warm soapy water and cover the letter with bubble wrap, bubbles facing down (towards the felt) and roll with rolling pin.
Step 3: Open the bubble wrap and using your fingers roll the felt together to create the desired shape – make it compact as it will expand
Step 4: Place the letter in a dish of hot water. Remove the letter from the dish and squeeze out excess water
Step 5: Start rolling the felt together in between your hands or fingers (creating heat and friction)
Step 6: Use the scissors to help shape the letter (cut if one side is longer than the other or if you need the inside of a letter cleared out)
Step 7: Continue dunking your letter in hot water and rolling the letter in your hands (area, by area – ex. Legs of the “A”, inside of the “A” – you need to work each and every part.) Once your letter is the desired shape and tightness – squeeze out any excess water and let it dry. Each letter takes about 20 minutes.

All photography by Heather Zweig for Oh Happy Day
Art Directed by Jordan Ferney
Crafting by Stacy Wichelhaus

Oh Happy Day Holiday Projects

Here are some Holiday Projects from the Oh Happy Day Archives. I love this time of year so much!

1. Watercolor Christmas Cards 2. Printable Advent

3. Giant Candy Lights 4. Animal Installation

5. Felt Garlands 6. Christmas Party Photo Props

7. Store your Christmas Lights in Balls 8. Present Garland

9. Snowflake Garlands 10. New Years Eve Sequin Wall Backdrop

10 Experiences to Give

Last year I did a post on 10 experiences to give instead of stuff. There are studies that say people get more joy out of an experience than something they own. The experiences don’t have to be expensive. Sometimes it can be as simple as reserving a $25 camp site. (ps: Coincidentally we are headed to Seattle next week and we found $75 train tickets.) A coastal train trip would be a cool adventure to give! I’ll report back afterwards on how it went. I hope it looks snowy and beautiful, like this.

See all 10 experiences to give right here. Have you ever given or received an experience? I would like to eat at The French Laundry and Camp at Kirby Cove and take Sailing Lessons.

Beeswax Candle DIY

Here is a little project my friend Emily taught me how to do a few years ago. Beeswax candles are so great to have around during the holidays. The smell is subtle and amazing and each candle burns for a little over an hour. It’s perfect for when you are doing a small Christmas-y activity and just want a little atmosphere. These beeswax candles are so easy to make (even kids can do it) and make wonderful little gifts to give to friends and neighbors. This has become a tradition in our house. We’ve kept the extra sheets from year to year and make a new batch every year.

Materials Needed: Beeswax Sheets in Natural, Wick, Scissors, Little Muslin Bags for Packaging.

Step 1: For the size of candle pictured here you can get 16 candles out of each sheet. Step one is to fold and cut the sheet into 16 pieces.
Step 2: The wick has a top and a bottom so cut a piece of wick but pay attention and leave the top of the wick hanging out the top about an inch.
Step 3: Start with the wick at the edge and begin rolling up the beeswax. At the end gently push the seam into the candle to seal.
Step 4: The wax is a little sticky so you can use a glass bowl or cup as a candle holder by pushing the candle into the dish and making in stick in place.

All photography by Heather Zweig for Oh Happy Day
Art Directed by Jordan Ferney
Crafting by Stacy Wichelhaus

Art for Everyone on Your List

This post is sponsored by Art.com, Art for Everyone.

Art.com asked me to choose my favorite pieces of art from their site. It was really easy to do because they have so many to choose from. I really want to buy the one with all the 3D glasses and blow it up big. I also love the one of the kids on the Champs de Mars. That was the park across the street from our house when we live in Paris. It would be perfect for the boys’ room. I’m also obsessed with their huge collection of Iraqi Modern Art, it is seriously amazing. Here are my favorite picks for people on my Christmas list.

A. Champs de Mars, by Robert Doisneau B. Oak Tree, Snowstorm, Yosemite, by Ansel Adams C. Opening Night Screening, by J. R. Eyerman D. Beach Exercises, Unknown E. Dog, by Ellsworth Kelly F. Red and White, by Ellsworth Kelly G. Verve, by Ahmed Noussaief