This craft is so easy to put together you barely need directions, but I will give you the details anyway. I really hope that you all enjoy making this project as much as I have. It’s always exciting to experience the process of creating something like this because when you make art from scratch you never really know what the final outcome will be. Will it be a flop? Will it be just “OK”? Or will it be a hit? Who knows, what I know is that I get such an indescribable feeling in my heart when I’ve created something that I think children and all people will love.

So please enjoy and be sure to share your outcome as well!

You’ll need just a few things to get started, first my printables which you can download in this post below the materials list.

Materials:

• My Simba printables, two pages
• Cardboard tube
• White cardstock paper
• Scissors or craft knife
• Glue

Directions:

Step 1. I suggest printing out the files on white cardstock paper, it is stronger and durable. Then cut out all of the shapes with scissors or adults can use a craft knife. Kids can simply cut out the shapes very loosely, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Step 2. Wrap the large rectangular piece around a toilet tube and secure with glue or you can use a stapler.

Step 3. Glue on the details as you like.

And the circle of life is complete! How did your Simba turn out? Isn’t he the cutest? I think so. Let me know how your projects turned out in the comments below!

I’ve also collaborated with the wonderful Trixi Symonds over at colouredbuttons.com for Sew a Softie month! It’s July and it’s time for you to pick up a needle and thread and learn how to make some simple stitches. You can learn a whole lot from Trixi because she’s the expert, check out this link as well... sewasoftie.com. Sew a Softie month is a campaign to encourage kids and their parents or teachers to make more art involving sewing, and for me this will alway be one of my favorites to make with my art classes! The kids really learn a unique skill, it helps them focus, stay on task and become better problem solvers on their own.

So on behalf of Sew a Softie month I’ve put together this pencil pillow tutorial, you’ll be needing a few things including my pencil pattern which you can download in this post below.

Materials:

• Felt
• Embroidery floss
• Needle for embroidery floss
• ​Fiber fill
• Fabric scissors

Step 1. Fist you’ll have to decide how big you’d like your pillow, mine is about 18”x7.25”. My pattern is designed to print on 8.5”x11” paper so you will have to enlarge it if you’d like but it’s a very simple pattern and shouldn’t be an issue to just freehand your own pattern on a large piece of paper.

Step 2. Cut out your pattern and attach it to your felt, I like to just staple it but you can pin it if you like. Then cut out your shapes with fabric scissors they work best. Be sure to cut two layers of the large yellow piece.

Step 3. Next prepare your needle and thread with the embroidery floss. Use a running stitch to attach all of your pieces to the top layer of yellow felt only. Be sure to stitch on the seems that are inside the shape, don’t stitch the edges.

Step 4. Stitch on any other details you’d like, then stitch all around the edges, I used a blanket stitch for this, it’s much stronger and looks nice too. Leave an opening at the end to stuff with fiber fill.

Step 5. Fill your pillow and stitch up the remainder and bam! You have a cute little pencil lumbar pillow!

Have you found everything you wanted from the Target dollar spot? Did you make one of my felt pillow projects? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!