Fab-ric Flowers Tutorial

I recently was browsing around some favorite sites and followed a link to some fabric flowers. (Sorry, I can't find it now!)  I thought maybe I could try that.  I sort of changed a few things and came up with these.

Here is how I did it.

You will need the following items:

*Fabric scraps (I used cottons and cotton blends)

*Thread

*Buttons

*Needle

*Scissors

*Something to use as a circle pattern

*Something to make the pattern (I used some cardboard from a cereal box.)

First I made the circles (1 1/4 inches, 2 1/2, inches and 3 inches)  on the cardboard.  After cutting those out, I used them to trace onto the fabric.

I traced two of each size on three different fabrics.

I then cut these on a double thickness of the fabric.

Some of my circles were quite wrinkled, so I ironed them.  I found this step wasn't necessary for all the circles.

After I had all the circles cut and ironed, I stacked them in the order I wanted to put them together; two of the largest circles, two of the medium-sized circles, and two of the smallest circles.  Next I sewed through the center of all six circles, attaching them to one another.

I then added a button to the center and tied off the thread.  The next step was to cut towards the center on each sized layer.  I alternated were the cuts were so all of the cuts wouldn't be in the same place.

Then, while watching Bonnie and Clyde (again), I picked at all the cut edges to get an unraveled look. 

I really like how these turned out and plan on doing lots of things with them: headbands for The Bean, hair clips for the little girls of friends, lapel brooches.  I even have an idea to turn at least one of them into a bracelet.  I'll show you pics when I get to that.

If you try this, let me know or send pics.  I'd love to see what you come up with.

Primitive Snowman How-to

I know this post is waaaaay after the holidays and I apologize.  It got lost in the drafts.  If you really love it....and who wouldn't? you can always bookmark it.  Or remind me to post it again around the beginning of November.

I have a love for all things primitive and my love for snowmen seems to overwhelm me at this time of year.  I don't live in a part of the country that sees a lot of snowfall.  We are lucky to get an inch every few years at this elevation.  Somehow, in my warped mind I have romanticized snow and blizzards and such.  Trust me... I know that those of you who endure sub-zero temperatures and "snow days" are thinking I'm crazy right about now.  But I have found a way to combine the love of primitive and snowmen in one easy way.

I have been seeing these little fellows all over the place for a while now.  Check out all these cuties.

Timothy from Primitive Home Decors

Primitive Snowgirl

Hand Painted Snowman from HomeBodies on Etsy

Snowballs from ClaystCreations on Etsy

I mean, what's not to love?  So I decided that I would give snowman making a try.  Since I don't have snow, I'll use what  I have.  I have a primitive Raggedy Ann doll I picked up at Ruth's Room.  Isn't she cute?

She became part of the inspiration of how I would make the snowmen. 

First,  I free-handed a basic rectangle with head that would become my snowman.  This was done after lots of fuming and frustration  trial and error. 

I finally got the dimensions I wanted that would allow for a 1/4" to 1/2" seam allowance when I sewed him together. 7" body width, 8" tall from base to shoulders, 13" from base to top of head, and 4 1/2" width of the head. 

I placed my pattern on a double thickness of a cotton duvet cover I had that was at the end of its current life.  It had a nice flowered design woven in and I tea-dyed it to give it an aged look.  That way I would have the front and back all cut at the same time. Then I cut snowmen till I had a blister.  Just kidding, sort of.

Next, I stitched sayings and designs on the body of the snowmen.  Then, I picked out some nice orangey embroidery floss, some buttons, and some black thread.

Voila!  My snowman now had character and personality!  What a face!

I sewed the front (stitched on) piece to the back (plain) piece, right sides together, starting at the bottom.  I sewed the "rice bag" right into the base so I wouldn't have to worry about it.  I sewed all the way around leaving an opening from the "shoulders" up so he could be stuffed with some poly fill.

(sorry I lost the pic somehow)

I used a wooden skewer to poke out the corners and make sure he had plenty of stuffing.  I then hand stitched his head closed and added the final touches; a hat and scarf I created from some felted wool scraps.

I'm so very pleased with the way all my snow friends turned out!  What do you think?  If you make one of your own, let me know.  I would love to see how they come out.  I ended up either selling or giving these all away.  Thankfully, I still have some of the fabric left so I can make some of my own for next time the holidays roll around.

LET IT SNOW!

A Tutorial...Sort of

So, as you may or may not know, Starla and I just completed a 3-day craft show in Eureka at the Runeberg Lodge.  While we didn't do as well as we had hoped, (still trying to come up with the secret to success) we did make some new friends and won some great items. 

One of the new friends we made is Naomi of Merchant of Venus.  She is a hometown girl who makes wonderful and fun knitted items.  Go check out her Etsy shop and give her some love.

One of the new items Starla and I featured at this show was our Rebuttoned Flowers.  They went over fairly well and we sold several.  Here is the tutorial on how to make them.  Starla did a wonderful job of explaining the whole thing.

If you think you can't come up with one of these on your own, try it.  If it still doesn't come out the way you like, give either of us a holler and we will be happy to send one your way at a deal you can't beat.

The Rise of Burlap

I'm noticing burlap everywhere.  Burlap artwork, burlap totes, burlap flowers.  I *heart* burlap!  This burlap craze isn't new though.  Want proof? Go to the lovely Maya's blog, maya*made, and read this post. Maya had burlap items in her etsy shop back in October 2008.  I have an inkling, though, that she had been playing with burlap for some time before that.  Why do I love burlap?  It's natural, so versatile, and just fits in with my love for reusing "stuff".  Just by reading maya*made my love for burlap has grown.  While I haven't had the chance to get my hands on a supply of burlap yet to try out some of her tutorials, look out when I do!  Here are some of my favorite burlap treasures you can find at Maya's blog.

Monogramed Napkin Rings

I think these are absolutely gorgeous and it could easily be adapted to be a flower brooch.

Custom Burlap Banner

You can pick one of these up at Maya's Etsy shop.

Burlap Covered Bulletin Board

I can't wait to make one of these and pin all my ideas and inspirations to it.

I know the love for all things burlap is going to grow.  Just remember that Maya was doing it long before it became the "in" thing.  She is a very talented and inspiring lady and if you're not reading her blog, you really should add it to your faves. 

P.S.  This post was completely unsolicited and I received nothing in return for it except a nice email when I asked Maya if  I could use some of her pictures.  Thanks Maya!

a-crafting we will go....

so...aside from the D-R-A-M-A that took place this weekend, it was a good few days. now i'm about to head downstairs to sit with BunBun and watch t.v. and craft. what will i be crafting you ask? a cute little bird ornament made from felt. i'm making him/her ( i haven't decided which yet) for a swap on swap-bot. if it turns out well, i will post a tutorial. if it doesn't turn out well, i'll be posting pics of a craft disaster. haha. and what will BunBun and i be watching for our viewing pleasure? A docu-drama called "Manson" on the History channel. Doesn't that give you the warm fuzzies? Well, i'm off.... hope little birdie turns out well.

oh and P.S. if you haven't checked out Starla's blog ReFashioned Threads yet, go do it... NOW! she is hosting a fun giveaway.