| We are not talking taxidermy, we are talking | | | | there aren't any extras hanging out. This hole is to |
| lavender or scented bags in the shape of animals. | | | | stuff the animal. |
| These scented animals are very easy to make | | | | If you have access to a lavender bush, you can |
| and are great to hang in the wardrobe, push into | | | | collect all the dead lavender flowers and leave |
| drawers, hang in the car, you can put them | | | | them upside down in a paper bag to dry. You can |
| anywhere that you want to create a nice | | | | use these dries flowers to scent your animal bag. |
| fragrance. | | | | Lightly stuff the animal with packing and add |
| All you need is... | | | | some dried lavender flowers. Similarly you can |
| Felt in assorted shades, PVA glue, thread, stuffing, | | | | scent the animal with potpourri. |
| lavender flowers, potpourri, or scented oils for | | | | If you are using scented oils to fragrance the |
| fragrance. | | | | animal, drop the oil essence onto the packing |
| The basis for any of the scented stuffed animals | | | | before stuffing the animal. The oil can discolour |
| is a circle of fabric. Use a mug to draw around | | | | fabric, so adding it to the stuffing means that it |
| onto a piece of paper to create a pattern piece. | | | | won't spoil the finish of the scented bag. |
| Using the pattern cut out two circles of felt. This | | | | Lightly stuff the animal and then close up the |
| forms the animal's head or body, and also makes | | | | opening. |
| up the main part of the bag. | | | | To finish, cut out eyes and other features from |
| Extras can be slipped between these two circles. | | | | felt and glue them into place. Animal's eyes look |
| Extras may be limbs, ears, horns, tails, or hair. | | | | really good if you cut a triangle out from the pupil. |
| Also tuck a loop of ribbon between the two | | | | It gives the animal character. |
| circles to be used for hanging the scented bag up. | | | | These animals are delightful, you could make your |
| Pin the ribbon and the extras into place so that | | | | favourite animals, or endangered animals, or |
| the pins point outwards like the spokes of a bike | | | | animals from specific areas such as Africa, |
| wheel. This makes it easier to sew. | | | | Australia, India or the North Pole. |
| Sew a row of small stitches around the edge of | | | | I'm sure you will have a lot of ideas for making |
| the circle, making sure that the needle passes | | | | scented stuffed animals, and I bet you have a lot |
| through all the layers of fabric. Leave an opening | | | | of fun making them too. |
| at some point on the circle, preferably where | | | | |