guest tutorial blogger: Dana of MADE

well this gal doesn't really need an introduction.
but i'll do one anyways.
it was last "end of summer" i think, when i contacted dana because i became obsessed with her shirt dress refashion. she inspired me to make katie's skirt dress refashion. and well, since then, we've had countless of emails back and forth (sometimes at 2 and 3 in the morning) been on the phone a few times, have competed (and i lost to) on SYTYC, and yes, (she already said it on her blog), have planned on going to a couple of conferences this year together.
she's amazing at refashion, and well pretty much anything she thinks up! not only that but her pictures are always something to look at. but i probably don't need to tell you that, 'cause you probably already know that for yourself. so i'll just shut up now and give the time over to dana!

Hello fellow V and Co-ers! (if that's we call ourselves?),
It's Dana from the site MADE. I'm happy to be Guesting on Vanessa's blog today! Something I love about Vanessa is her ability to make a home feel so inviting. All the pictures of her home make me want to step inside, have a bite to eat, and just hang out for a while (of course she'd be telling me some hilarious story while I lounged on her new leather couch).

So with that in mind, I thought a home decor project was the perfect thing to share. And since Easter is only TWO weeks away (what? How did that sneak up on us??)......
and if you're planning an Easter morning Brunch,
Don't forget the PEEPS!
Nothing says Easter like a bunch of colorful bunnies.
And since buntings are festive any time of the year, I took a spin on the traditional flag look and mimicked a childhood favorite in our family.....Marshmallow Peeps.
Pick your favorite Peeps color (or make up your own!) Find a similar FELT color at your local craft store.
And let's get bunting!

Skill Level: Any
Needed:
* 1/2 yard or less of felt (doesn't need to be anything fancy)
* brown fabric paint
* pencil (or other round object)
* ribbon/fabric for bunting
* sewing machine

First, cut out your pattern. I've created one here for you. If you don't have a printer, just put a piece of paper up to your computer screen and trace the image right on top!
or.....

You can copy the Bunny Bunting Pattern TWO ways:
1. Click on the image below to enlarge. Then "save as" to you computer. Open it in a Word doc and insert the picture so you can adjust the size for your needs.

2. Grab the PDF pic by clicking HERE.

Okay, with your bunny pattern printed and cut out (I usually print on paper and then trace/cut an additional pattern out of cardstock or from a file folder. MUCH easier to trace around a stiffer bunny over and over again).

Fold your felt in half (because each bunny is a double-layer). You can make them single layered if you want the cheap/easy way. But it's less polished looking and a bit see-through. So I recommend double-layers.
Then trace and cut out as many bunnies as you'd like. The pink bunting has 18 bunnies. The small yellow bunting has 9:
Time to decorate their faces. You'll only be decorating the front bunnies (the back bunnies are left plain). You'll need a pencil eraser or something round. And brown fabric paint. I prefer Tulip brand, Matte, Chocolate. Its cheap, $1.50 at most craft stores.
Dip your pencil eraser in the paint, and dab it right onto each bunny. The beauty of Peeps is that they're far from perfect. If you look at a box, each face is slightly different. So don't worry about being precise or even symmetrical!
Make sure you place a piece of paper under your bunny because paint may seep through to the back.
Starting to see a resemblance......?
Let your bunnies dry for a hour or longer. If you're antsy, you can speed up the process by drying them with a blow dryer, but be careful that they don't fly all over the place!

While you're waiting for the faces to dry, prep your bunting ribbon. You can use fabric, ribbon, rope, colorful twine (THIS stuff is totally cute). My favorite method for making "ribbon" is to cut strips of fabric (I used double-layered white muslin in this case), sew the strips together to make a very long strip, and then I serge the edges. Perfect for wrapping gifts and in this case, for making a bunting. Each finished "ribbon" is about 100 inches long but that was much longer than needed.
Time to sew on your bunnies.
If you want the quick and easy way, grab a bunny back and a bunny front and sew that double-layered bunny to your ribbon and keep on going till you're bunnied out.

But if you want the slightly longer method that I did (it only took a bit longer)...
I sewed each bunny back on to the ribbon while the faces were drying. Just lay one down and sew across the ears:
Then grab the next bunny back and repeat:
Sewing the backs on first makes the bunting a bit stronger, the bunnies are likely to be straighter, and it's more polished. And then you sew the Front Bunnies right on top.

Okay, okay...so I was just bored and couldn't wait to get started while those blasted faces were drying! Either method you use, your bunnies will look great.
Just sew all the way around and continue to the end.
and, you're done!
Enjoy your party!

For more ideas and Tutorials, please visit my blog MADE.
Thanks Vanessa. I love jumping into the V and Co. home!

well dana, you never disappoint that's for sure! thanks so much for being a part of my blog for the day and in showing us such an adorable bunting for easter!! yes please go check out her talent over at her blog!

we'll talk soon! ;)



hey check it! you can now buy fabric at V and Co's uptownjane!