The Hooters Are Out Again

Hooray for October, one of my favorite months. I love the weather. I love the leaves. I love the cheesy Halloween decorations. A few years ago I made these owls. I smile every year when I take them out. I posted these photos last year, but I'd like to post them again and give a brief how-to for some of my newer followers and friends. Unfortunately, I did not take stepped out photos when I made them. But, they are very easy to make and do not require a pattern or a sewing machine. Here's a rough how-to.

Supplies you'll need:

• felt (I like wool blend (20-30% wool) felt the best. I buy it by the yard, then wash in hot water and dry in the dryer. The result is a soft and nubby texture.) Regular craft felt will work too and you might have more color choices.
• embroidery floss and heavy embroidery needle
• thimble (sometimes you will be stitching through several layers of thick felt)
• fiber fil 
• vintage buttons
• tiny rickrack trim

Directions

1) Cut the felt as follows:

-2 pieces of owl body shape. As you can see here, owls can come in all sizes.
-2 circles for eyes
-2 wing shapes. I created a variety of wing sizes too. My favorites...the tiny ones that poke out from the sides.
-1 beak
-2 feet

2) Stitch the eye circles onto the front body piece using a basic stitch. If you want your owl to have eyelashes, put rickrack pieces behind the circle, then stitch the piece down. Sew a button on top of the each circle.

Another variation is to use two buttons instead of felt circles.

 If you want your owl to wink, stitch a piece of rickrack straight across the felt circle.

3) Stitch the beak below and between the eyes.

4) If your owl has wings that rest on his body, stitch those down. Do not stitch the sides that line up with the body edge. Those will be stitched when you sew the front body to the back body.

 You can also stitch the wing onto the body and allow it to fly out to the side.

5) Stitch an outline onto the feet and wings (if they are coming out between the front and back of the owl.) These pieces will flap freely from the body and will look cuter if they have coordinating stitches.

Another wing variation... cut a half circle, stitch the edges, and fold.

6) Start stitching the front to the back. Insert feet, wings (if not already stitched down), and hair (if desired) as you stitch. When you have stitched around most of the body, stuff a moderate amount of fiber fil into the opening. Finish stitching and secure last stitch.

Please feel free to ask questions if you need help! I think you'll have fun with these!


And on another hooty note...  A few days ago, I went into the backyard for some air. I noticed that the songbirds were all making their warning chirps and flitting among the branches. I looked around for Lucky, the neighbor's tomcat. He was nowhere in sight. Suddenly a dark shadow swept through the branches. I walked further into the yard and looked up to find these eyes staring back at me.

I don't know if you have ever stared into the eyes of a live owl in your backyard. I found it to be a bit eery, like he knows that I know that he knows, you know?

Anyway... I like to think that he flew into my yard as a reminder to patiently seek wisdom a little more often and to be comfortable with uncertainty while I wait for the answer. Most of the time, I am a "go with your gut and quickly" kind of gal. Sometimes this works. Other times my gut is nothing but a
chips-and-salsa-filled blob that really has no opinion.

Here's my latest owl. He is only 2 inches tall. Perfect for that little shelf in my guest bathroom.

Any owls in your life lately?