S.W.A.K. Critters

Send a kiss to someone you love by way of these cute little critters. With just small pieces of felt and some magnets, your love will soon be on the way. They make a cute gift for any occasion. Give one as a magnet or add to the top of a gift. Stitch a straight small branch to the back of one and include it in a bouquet of flowers. You can also make a heart tag from card stock and write a love note on it such as, "I'm udderly crazy about you" for the cow or "Sending a deer one a big kiss" for the reindeer.

Thread a string through the top of the heart and hang it from the arm with the magnet. This would also be a great project for an older child to make for grandparents.

Approximate Time: approx. 1 hr.

Supplies:

• felt, assorted colors
• wiggle eyes
• round button type magnets: 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch
• needle and assorted color threads
• yarn - lion
• pom poms - bunny and Grinch
• pipe cleaner - snowman
• small red and black beads - snowman
• black wood bead - Grinch

Instructions:

For the most part, all critters are assembled in the same general manner. I will first provide the general instructions, followed by any specific differences in each. They are all hand sewn with simple stitching and if you need to trim at all, it is easy to do with felt. Do as much detail sewing as you can before you stitch any body parts together, such as facial features, hearts, tails, tummy pads, etc. This will help leave the back with a cleaner look. Wait until the end before gluing any items on, such as pom poms and eyes.

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1. The first body piece you will sew is the circle for the front magnet pouch on the face. This is sewn to one head piece, which will then become the face. Sew this piece on only half way, then insert magnet and finish sewing closed. I used the larger magnet on the face and the smaller size in the hand. I chose to use the larger magnet on the face because it fits in the pouch well and gives the front of the face a full look, especially for the Grinch. You can choose to use only the 1/2 inch ones. They are strong enough to attract to each other. Do not use magnet sheets. They are not strong enough to magnetize through the felt. Use thick, button type magnets.

   Note: When putting two magnets together, there is a positive and negative side to each. Be sure you have the correct side facing out so the two can magnetize together.

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2. The dotted lines on the placement diagrams show where parts are inserted into others. Refer to these and photos along the way. Put both head pieces together, inserting any additional pieces, such as ears and antlers, as you go. Leave bottom of head open. Put body parts together and insert into head. Begin stitching together, inserting arms, legs, and any other lower body parts.

3. Sew hoof (hand) pieces together, leaving tops open. Insert magnet inside one, being sure you have correct side facing up. Insert end of arm into hand and sew closed. Do same for other arm and feet.Glue on any objects such as eyes, nose, spots, pom poms, etc. Glue another small magnet in back, if desired.

Cow:

Cut two small circles and sew onto pouch circle with french knot in middle of each for nostrils. Cut one head piece and one cow head piece with horns. Insert udder when you are inserting arms and legs. Glue on spots.

Lion:

Sew nose and mouth details on pouch circle first. Sew small circles of felt on for cheeks. On one head piece, glue yarn around edge for mane. Leave these a little long and trim after body parts are sewn together. Pinch ears when inserting into head for a slightly dimensional look.

Bunny:

When done, glue on pom pom for nose and two for cheeks. Run a piece of thread or two behind cheeks for whiskers. Glue white pom pom on back side for tail.

Reindeer:

Make two french knots on pouch circle for nostrils. Cut two small strips for each antler. I inserted a piece of toothpick between and sewed closed. Cut small circles and sew to tops. Insert these along with the ears.

Grinch:

This one is the most time consuming, only because he has more parts. But if you are a fan of the Grinch, the end result is worth the added steps. Of course, this is him after his heart grew.

For head, cut one from head pattern and one from Grinch head pattern with neck. Sew some french knots on pouch circle along with mouth lines. On one head piece, make a couple figure eights with thread for eyebrows. Knot in the middle of each. Snip ends and trim to desired length. His nose is a black wood bead snipped in half. This is glued on at the end along with the eyes. Insert hat and hat trim at an angle into head parts. Stitch closed. Refer to picture, if needed. Lay white neck trim on top of body front. Put both body parts together and insert into head, laying neck on top of white trim. Stitch closed. For each hand, cut one from hoof pattern and one from Grinch hand pattern. When sewing pieces together to make hand, place hoof piece in back. Sew a pom pom on to tip of hat.

Snowman:

Cut small carrot shape from orange felt and sew to top of pouch circle. Sew on black beads at bottom for mouth. Cut two circles for middle of snowman and two more, slightly bigger for bottom. Sew on black beads for buttons. Cut two strips from black felt for hat brim and two squares for hat. If desired, cut two small holly leaves and use red beads for berries; sew to front of hat. The broom is made using a pipe cleaner for the handle and the top is cut just like the tail tips. Insert pipe cleaner and sew top closed. Attach to snowman where Xs are indicated on placement diagram with a few stitches.

By Mary from Palm Coast, FL