Elves, Mushrooms and Desktop Backgrounds

I adore screen savers! They play a huge part in my own creative process. A certain composition of colors in a photograph will greet me with each visit to my blog as I mull over how to interpret what I am seeing into a craft.

From Paper Dolly's kitchen composition, the thought came to me that certain things just go together naturally. Every cake has it's cake plate, every whisk it's mixing bowl.

Elves and their go-togethers has become the thought process behind Christmas ornaments. Elves and mushrooms, Elves and reindeer, Elves and wreaths.... you get the screen saver!

I absolutely adore screen savers and save them in a special file to reference.  I will often call my husband close to me to show him the latest; and I will say something like, "I'm going to do a whole vintage camping series of crafts!" He says, "Nice screen saver." and leaves the room.

I am busily making easy as can be Peppermint Elves. I have basted the three main body pieces together before using the button stitch to join them together.

"To hang or not to hang..." I always fold under the tip of any pointed hat before catching my hanger inside. Stuff your elf as you go along. Note the color of thread changes with the color of felt. Make slits in sides of body for pipe stem to slip through for arms. Continue stuffing and closing with button stitches, don't cut thread.

 Button stitch base in place. Pierce base with the tips of pointy scissors to create leg openings. Insert pipe stems, bend to create ankles and feet, trim stems.

Make sleeves and slip onto arm stems. I use a few tacking stitches going from side to side to secure. Nearly done, make your shoes and slip them on stem feet.

Oh my gosh! Are these ever cute Elves!

They are so tiny, and dare I say CUTE once again!

And personality! They are filled with personality! There is not such a thing as a shy Elf. This must be why I adore them so.

So I do hope you give your screen saver another thought to see what it is saying to you creatively. If it's a good one, be sure and share it with me!