DIY Linen Bunny

If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you've probably figured out that I have a very simple, modern, and clean aesthetic. I'm not really big on fussy or frilly design and that often translates into my holiday decor. Sometimes really simple things have a strong impact. Which brings me to my little linen bunnies. So easy. So cute. These make perfect table decor, Easter basket stuffers, sachets, hostess gifts, etc.

What you'll need:

**Linen (a fat quarter should make 2 bunnies)

Fiber fill

Sewing Machine

Scissors, needle, thread

Fabric pen or Sharpie

Dried lavender (optional)

Bunny pattern available here - I actually used my template from this tutorial of mine

**You don't have to use linen for this project. Feel free to use any cotton fabric you like. I think these would be fun in some super bright colors too.

Getting Started:

Cut out the bunny pattern and trace it on to your fabric with a fabric pen or sharpie (be sure your fabric is folded in half so you'll actually be cutting both sides of the bunny at once).

Cut it out.

Pin the pieces together. If you're using a patterned fabric, be sure to pin the right sides facing each other.

With a quarter inch seam, sew the pieces together. Remember to leave a couple of inches open at the bottom. Turn your bunny right side out. It drove me nuts getting those ears turned out but I eventually managed using the flat end of a knitting needle (you can use a knitting needle, scissors, chop stick, etc). Be sure that you don't push too hard so that you push right through the bunny.

Start stuffing your bunny with fiberfill. Again, the ears are a bit of a pain. Use small bits of fiber fill and push them up as far as you can (again, I used my knitting needle for the ears). My ears aren't as stuffed as I'd like but you really can't tell.

I decided to put dried lavender in my bunnies along with the stuffing since I've had a pound of it from the fabulous Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos, CA sitting around for a while. They smell so GOOD! I'm definitely putting some of these bunnies in my smelly boys' baskets.

When your bunny is all stuffed, use a simple whip stitch and stitch the bottom closed.

I had intended to draw little faces on them with a fabric pen but I decided I like them just how they are.

So easy. Right? If you get stuck on a step, comment here and I'll be happy to help.

DIY Felt Bunny Ears

I know you can buy bunny ears at the dollar store or Target for super cheap. But honestly, they aren't nearly as cute as these that you can make yourself. Bust out your own pair of ears for just a few dollars and little bit of time.

What you'll need:

Felt in two different colors (I used wool felt but you can easily use eco-fi felt too)

Thin plastic headband (bought mine at the local drug store)

Wire

Sewing machine *or* embroidery floss and needle

Bunny ear template

Getting Started:

Cut out the bunny ear templates. Pin them to your felt and cut out. You'll need to cut two of the large ones per ear (four total for a headband) and one per ear of the little ones (two total for each headband).

Take the small pieces and pin them to the inside of one large piece. Make sure you pin them at least an inch up from the bottom .

Sew the small inner ear piece to the outer ear. You can either machine sew or hand stitch. I made one pair with my sewing machine and the other pair by hand stitching. Do this for both ears.

Take the other two large pieces and pin them to each of the ears. Machine sew or hand stitch them together. Be sure you DON'T sew the bottom of the ear (as indicated on the template). You need at least an inch at the bottom to wrap around the headband (indicated a few steps below) so keep it open.

Cut a 9" length of your wire. Honestly, I think that even pipe cleaners would probably work for this (although I haven't tried it). With pliers or scissors, make a loop/circle at the top of the wire so it won't poke through your ear.

Place your ear over headband. Then open end of your felt ear should hang over each side of the headband an inch or so.

Wrap the extra length of wire around the headband. It doesn't have to be perfect but it will help hold the ears up and in place.

Now take the flap of felt in the back, fold it up and under the front flap. Sounds confusing but this picture should help. Easy peasy.

Take the remaining flap of felt in the front and wrap it under and around the headband. (If your flaps of felt aren't long enough to wrap around the headband, just take a seam ripper and rip up a few stitches on each side).

At this point, you can either hot glue the flap down or stitch it close with a needle and thread. I stitched it closed.

  

Do all of those steps from the wire on for the second ear and you're finished. This little project goes pretty quick. I made both pairs (one of them was hand stitched) in under 30 minutes. 

And just look how much the boys Finley loved his ears!

I don't blame Oliver for being miffed. What kind of mom makes a kid pose in bunny ears on his 4th birthday?? He eventually came around.

I don't know that I explained the steps very well (I'm kind of in a post 4 year old birthday haze) so feel free to message me or comment here if you get hung up on a step.

Ooey Gooey Goodness

What could be better than some graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows?? Not a whole lot unless you add Peep marshmallows, butter, and vanilla.

My dear friend Laura gave the boys and I a real treat yesterday. Peep S'mores in a jar! She got this super cute and yummy idea from The Gaines Gang blog - check it out for the recipe and details.

My boys were so excited to make these, they could hardly contain themselves as evidenced by Oliver's face in the picture above. I spent part of the morning whipping these up with my little helpers. They had a blast and so did I.

We followed the easy instructions on the jar and had ourselves some ooey gooey goodness just 15 minutes later. Seriously...to. die. for.

Get the recipe here. I promise, you'll be glad you did.