If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, you may remember Tissue Boxes of Christmas Past: the Dove and the Target characters I stitched in felt. I had such a great time making them, that I was thrilled when I was asked last year to work on a new set of felt appliquéd boxes. Thrilled! I created the following designs for review. They are wrap around designs, meant to cover 2 vertical sides of a cube shaped box and then repeated on the other 2 sides. I worked long and hard on these for many weeks and enjoyed making every stitch.
And although they received much love and appreciation, ultimately the company went with another concept from another artist. I was crushed! I was so looking forward to seeing my new little felty friends out in the world. But it was not meant to be. So I wrapped them up and put them on a shelf, wondering how I could use them in another way.
I recently cleaned my studio and found them sitting patiently on a shelf. I thought about printing and selling them as a set of Holiday cards, but the time/effort/cost equation didn’t add up. I bounced around a few other ideas but ultimately decided that I would share them and my short little story of rejection here with you on the blog instead.
I truly wish this post was about how you could go buy your very own felty illustrated box of tissues at the drug store! But life doesn’t always turn out the way you want it to and things could certainly be worse. Who knows. One stitch leads to another. I’ll keep these in my portfolio of work and maybe someday I’ll find myself illustrating a book with my felt artwork. I can dream! :)
Seeing these has reminded me to get back to my felt tips series, Felt Lore. I’ve got so much to share! More soon, I promise.
Those would be great illustrations for a children’s Christmas story. If you need a writer…
Thanks for being honest. Rejection does suck though.
Thank you for sharing that story and showing us your stitched pictures. I actually think that you telling us about your rejection will bring a lot more joy than the beautiful tissue boxes ever would because it reminds us that even people we look up to can have disappointment and rejection. Sometimes we put those who are further into their design careers on a pedestal and it’s easy to forget that they’re only human with failure and upset just like us. So, thank you for letting us share in that, and thank you for allowing us to see your lovely pictures.
Would there be interest if you retailed them as patterns for others to follow?
Hi Laura in IA,
Perhaps! I’d most likely reformat them into a circle to frame in an embroidery hoop though.
Thanks for the idea!
Betz
These are so cute! Your story was a bit sad, but disappointment hits us all once in a while. I’m sure you’ll come up with a second life for these…they’re too nice to live on a shelf! Wendy
Oh my, those are adorable! I’d buy tissue boxes just for those designs. :-)
They do absolutely look like illustrations for a children’s book. All the details are really, really cute. Nick work!
These are so wonderful!
It is hard to cope with being rejected after so much effort. But these felty guys are so lovely, they will find their purpose in life for sure! Thank you for sharing! I love it!!
Rediculously and adorably cute – what were they thinking?
So gorgeous.
These are absolutely beautiful and adorable! I’m sorry they didn’t end up somewhere. Thank you for sharing them with us and their story. I think a book illustrated with your stitching would be wonderful!
These are so cute ! I loved the ones from last year, too. It must be hard to be rejected, but really, they are beautiful. I would buy a book with just one of those pictures, whatever the content ! Or patterns, for that matter.
Cuanta belleza hay en estas manualidades.
Abrazos.
Truly an early xmas gift, stumbling onto your blog, what beautiful scenes you’ve created! Can’t wait to see more of your creations!
I love them! I noticed them in your previous posts. Your characters have so much personality. Patterns to make them into wall hangings or incorporate them into stockings. Just keep doing what you love. It’s all good!
They are beautiful
oh that is great idea. I am signed for your craftsy class and im glad to see i can use the pattern in 2 D.
I got a question of what Glue do u use for felt.
I tried 3 different glues for felt without much luck as they keep getting unstuck. I tried mod podge, inpex hi-tack fabric glue and UHu.
Hi House of Pinheiro,
The pattern for the 3D Gingerbread House won’t translate directly to the 2D piece of artwork as you see here. Once you watch the Craftsy video you’ll understand why.
I use Aileen’s Tacky Glue in the gold bottle for felt. Works great!
Betz
I love these! I cannot believe that they were not chosen! I guess that’s part of the reason I chose not to pursue a career in design. I hate competing. I just want to do what I love without worrying if tom, dick or jane are doing it better. My fave is the skiing snowman btw!
These are incredible! I have trouble believing they went in another direction..I’d have bought them for sure!
Thanks you guys! I’m so glad you like them and I’m happy to have a place to show them off after all of the hard work that went into them.
I love the snowman on skis going down the hill!
I agree with everyone else who said patterns! Yes, I want a gleeful snowman of my very own!
Don’t let the disapointment get you down. Keep making the things you love and keep putting them out there and people will be screaming for them. Then you’ll have to do a book. i think they are cute as a button and i would buy the pattern of those felt cuties!!! Di
Sorry to hear of your disappointment. I think your scenes absolutely beautiful!
Have followed your blog for a long time; love your site; love your work. You’re an EXCELLENT crafter Betz. Keep up the good work.
:-)
Merry Christmas to you and yours
These are so adorable Betz. Yes, I can totally see them used for a children’s story!
AWWWW…they’re so cute!
I still have the boxes from two years ago – hoarding the tissues!!