by Beth Watson

This month the Kunin Design Team is partnering with one of my craftiest friends, Eileen Hull, to feature her newest line with Sizzix – HeARTfelt The Bigz dies and the Thinlets dies both work really well with Kunin Eco-Fi^® Felt. I LOVE the sayings and possible word combinations in the Word Stitchlets set that I was sent, but YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE really spoke to me. It is one of my favorite songs that I used to sing to my nieces and nephew when they were little. The quick and easy wall décor project I have created would be a wonderful addition to a child’s room or baby’s nursery.

Here’s What You Will Need:

• Kunin Eco-fi^® Classicfelt™ 9” x 12” Craft Cuts – Lemon Frost, Yellow, Gold and Orange (one of each)
• Sizzix Big Shot with Multi Purpose Plate and Cutting Pads
• HeARTflet Collection Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 11PK – Word Stitchlits by Eileen Hull
• Beacon Adhesives Felt Glue
• Tombow Dual Brush Pen # 933 Orange
• DMC Embroidery Floss, Embroidery Needles and Needle Threader
• Piercing Tool; Straight Scissors; Pinking Shears; Scalloped Shears; Ruler; Embroidery Hoop 6”; Scrap Paper (I used 8 ½” by 11 printer paper); Assorted Ribbons in Yellows and Oranges.

Here’s How To Make It

Step One:
Set up the Sizzix Big Shot Machine with the correct “sandwich” according to the instructions on the Thinlets package. I placed the dies on top of the felt because I knew I was going to cut them out later. Die cut the words YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE from Kunin Eco-fi^® Classicfelt™ Yellow. Punch out any excess felt using a piercing tool.

TIP: When you have a brand-new die I always like to make several cuts with it before I cut items for my finished project. It seems like the more you use a die the better it cuts. Eileen gave me a tip as well, she said to back the felt with a plain sheet of computer paper. This made the tiny circles of felt stick to the paper – SCORE! The rest of the excess pieces can be poked out with a piercing tool.

Step Two:
Insert die cut Yellow Felt into a 6” embroidery hoop and tighten. Thread six strands of orange embroidery floss on needle and using the back stitch, embroider the die cut message YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. Cut the words out with scissors, then color the wooden hoop with Tombow Dual Brush Pen # 933 Orange.

Step Three:
Remove embroidered felt from hoop and insert an 8” by 8” piece of Kunin Eco-fi^® Classicfelt™ Lemon Frost. Tighten the hoop and trim the excess felt from the back of the hoop. Place the words on the front of the hoop, then secure with Beacon Felt Glue.

Step Four:
Trace a 6” circle on cardboard using the embroidery hoop as a template, then cut out with scissors. Cut rectangles out of different sizes from Kunin Eco-fi^® Classicfelt™ Lemon Frost, Yellow, Gold and Orange felt with pinking and scallop shears. Arrange in a circular pattern, resembling sun rays, on top of cardboard circle.

Step Five:
Attach sun rays to cardboard with felt glue, layering in assorted ribbons. Attached embroidery hoop to the center of the sun rays and place a heavy object, like a book, on top until dry. Attach ribbon loop to the back of the sun as a hanger.

Here is a close-up photo of the project.

I hope you will use my YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE wall hanging as a jumping off point to showcase your Kunin Creativity to make home décor pieces using felt, die cuts and embroidery as inspiration! Felt is an easy, versatile and forgiving medium which allows you to create affordable but trendy projects to incorporate into your home decor whether you are a beginner or an expert crafter!

You can now find an expanded color line of Kunin Eco-fi Classicfelt; Eco-fiPlus™ Premiumfelt and ShaggiChic non-wovens fabrics in cut by the yard at your local Walmart; please inquire as to what is available in your area.

If you like this project, make sure to visit my blog for more inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth