New Year's is all about celebrating the the passing of an old year, and toasting to a bright future ahead. I wanted to make a fun garland to decorate my apartment as I ring in 2010, one that reflected the bubbly exuberance of the holiday.

Whenever I want to make something fun, bright, and quick I turn to our great selection of 100% wool felt. The wool picks up dye very well so the colors are super saturated. Some colors, like the pink, almost seem to be emanating light! I chose a vivid selection of pinks, oranges, yellows, and greens as well as ecru because they seem hopeful and cheery to me.

This project couldn't be easier or more satisfying to make. You simply trace a bunch of circles from our New Year's Garland Template onto felt, cut them out, and then sew them together in one long seam using ultra strong Invisible Thread. It was so easy that after I was done I wanted to make one in every color: Blues for a boys baby shower, yellows for an Easter party, red, white and blue for the fourth of July, and earth tones for Earth Day! The possibilities are endless!

If you'd like to make your own garland, to ring in the new year (or for any reason at all!), please check out my New Year's Garland Project Journal. --Molly

HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at The Purl Bee!