Hey, friends! Remember the other day when we made some new sheets for Eli's crib? Since he's going to spend a little more time in this corner, I threw together a mobile for him to watch using stuff we already had around the house.
1. The first step is to make the leaves. Starting with the smallest layer, stack it onto the next layer and sew around the edge with even whip stitches. For each leaf, I stacked 3-5 pieces of felt, ending with a dark green each time.
These leaves used up tons of felt and embroidery floss scraps. (I LOVE using up supplies.)
2. While you are sewing, send the kids outside to find a variety of sticks. My kids found me about 15 sticks, and I ended up only using 6-7 of them. Pick your favorites and paint them. I chose my favorite color scheme--blue, greens, and orange.
By the way, have you seen all those great craft supply organizing ideas on pinterest? Awesome. But my paint stash looks like this.
It probably always will.
3. Start assembling your mobile. The trick to making a balanced mobile is to start at the bottom and work your way up. Start with the bottom stick, sew or tie some leaves to each end, and then balance that stick on your finger. It probably will balance a little off center--that's what you want.
When you find your balancing point, mark it with a pen. Tie a piece of twine (12 inches or so) at the balance point, and hold it from the string. If it still looks balanced, secure with a dot of hot glue.
Repeat this process a couple more times. Then add one or two of these balanced sticks to the ends of another stick. Find it's balance point and use twine and glue to hold it together.
4. Hang your pretty mobile for a little one to enjoy.
I think he likes it!
Want to see some of the other mobiles we've had hanging around?
Here are some links!
Esther's Paper Birds -- Mobile Pattern
