I will be back in a few days with a tutorial for the strawberry mice. Until then, take care.
Aloha,
Monday, March 1, 2010
Giveaway
Just popping in to alert you to a fun giveaway by a wonderful German artist by the name of Janine She is currently celebrating her first year blogiversary on her blog, Join Janine. Her giveaway consists of a beautiful hand painted box filled with felt pens. Her work is inspiring, fresh, and whimsical. I love her painting style and I know that you will too. Besides, she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Please stop by and say hello, take a peek at her beautiful paintings, and enter to win a beautiful keepsake.
I will be back in a few days with a tutorial for the strawberry mice. Until then, take care.
Aloha,
I will be back in a few days with a tutorial for the strawberry mice. Until then, take care.
Aloha,
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Busy!!
I've been so busy that I can't decide whether I'm coming...
...or going.
I am infatuated with these miniature strawberry mice and am currently designing a project to go along with them. The mice are quick and easy to make and best of all, you can't have just one. Before you know it, you'll be building yourself a whole colony. I'm pretty sure of it.
I did want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your encouraging comments and emails. I'm always taken aback by your generous and kind words. I will be back as soon as I tend to a few pressing matters. Until then....take care...be well!
Aloha!
...or going.
I am infatuated with these miniature strawberry mice and am currently designing a project to go along with them. The mice are quick and easy to make and best of all, you can't have just one. Before you know it, you'll be building yourself a whole colony. I'm pretty sure of it.
I did want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your encouraging comments and emails. I'm always taken aback by your generous and kind words. I will be back as soon as I tend to a few pressing matters. Until then....take care...be well!
Aloha!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Fleur de marguerite
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
A bouquet of delicate daisies. Quick and easy to make and oh so pretty to look at.
To create these daisies, you will need scraps of fabric approximately 3" x 6" for the petals and 1-1/2" square for the flower center. You will also need a 3-inch square and a 1-1/2-inch square of Heat 'n Bond Ultra Hold, a 5/8" button, hot glue, floral tape, and floral wire. If you would like to add leaves to your bouquet, you will need green fabric, Heat 'n Bond, white glue, floral wire and floral tape.
Begin by making the following circle templates from cardboard:
Flower Petals--2-3/4"
Flower Center--1-1/4"
Fuse the 3-inch square piece of Heat 'n Bond to the wrong side of the petal fabric. Remove the paper backing.
Fuse the fabric to the wrong side of the remaining petal fabric.
Place the 2-3/4" petal template onto the fabric and trace lightly with a pencil or disappearing ink pen. Cut out the circle along the traced line.
Place the 1-1/4" flower center template onto the non-glue side of the 1-1/2" piece of Heat 'n Bond and trace with a pencil. Fuse to the wrong side of the of flower center fabric. Cut out the circle along the traced line.
Remove the paper backing from the 1-1/4" circle and fuse it to the center of the 2-3/4" circle.
You will be cutting 12 slits evenly around the outer circle. Cut ONE slit all the way to the flower center. Cut and remove completely two sections of petals, one from each side of the slit.
Follow the diagram for cutting.
Trim off a thin sliver on both sides of each slit. The space between the slits should measure between 1/16th and 1/32th of an inch. This will give you a slight separation between the petals. Keep in mind that each petal does not need to look exactly the same. Mother Nature's own work is seldom duplicated.
To create the flower stem, run the floral wire (approx. 18" or whatever size you'd prefer) through the button hole starting at the bottom of the button and back down through the other hole.
Twist the wire securely to keep the button firmly in place.
Place a small glob of glue onto one of the tabs(where the petals were removed).
Bring the tabs together around the stem, overlapping the tabs until the flower petals are close to each other.
Optional: Adding stems of leaves to the bouquet.
To make a simple pattern, start off with a 1" x 2" piece of cardboard. Round off both bottom corners. Cut to a point at the top. Use this pattern to trace onto fused green fabric and cut out on the traced lines.
Glue a 4" piece of floral wire to the underside of each of the leaves. Let dry completely.
Create the stem with a double strand of wire (approximately 12-1/2" or whatever size you'd prefer). Wrap with floral tape, adding leaves as you go around.
Create several stems of leaves to act as filler in your bouquet.
As you can see, the addition of leaves adds fullness and interest to the bouquet.
There you have it, a whimsical bouquet of fleur de marguerite to brighten your day.
This would make a wonderful bouquet for Easter or for Mother's Day or simply to welcome in Spring.
Take care, everyone!
Aloha!
A bouquet of delicate daisies. Quick and easy to make and oh so pretty to look at.
To create these daisies, you will need scraps of fabric approximately 3" x 6" for the petals and 1-1/2" square for the flower center. You will also need a 3-inch square and a 1-1/2-inch square of Heat 'n Bond Ultra Hold, a 5/8" button, hot glue, floral tape, and floral wire. If you would like to add leaves to your bouquet, you will need green fabric, Heat 'n Bond, white glue, floral wire and floral tape.
Begin by making the following circle templates from cardboard:
Flower Petals--2-3/4"
Flower Center--1-1/4"
Fuse the 3-inch square piece of Heat 'n Bond to the wrong side of the petal fabric. Remove the paper backing.
Fuse the fabric to the wrong side of the remaining petal fabric.
Place the 2-3/4" petal template onto the fabric and trace lightly with a pencil or disappearing ink pen. Cut out the circle along the traced line.
Place the 1-1/4" flower center template onto the non-glue side of the 1-1/2" piece of Heat 'n Bond and trace with a pencil. Fuse to the wrong side of the of flower center fabric. Cut out the circle along the traced line.
Remove the paper backing from the 1-1/4" circle and fuse it to the center of the 2-3/4" circle.
You will be cutting 12 slits evenly around the outer circle. Cut ONE slit all the way to the flower center. Cut and remove completely two sections of petals, one from each side of the slit.
Follow the diagram for cutting.
Trim off a thin sliver on both sides of each slit. The space between the slits should measure between 1/16th and 1/32th of an inch. This will give you a slight separation between the petals. Keep in mind that each petal does not need to look exactly the same. Mother Nature's own work is seldom duplicated.
To create the flower stem, run the floral wire (approx. 18" or whatever size you'd prefer) through the button hole starting at the bottom of the button and back down through the other hole.
Twist the wire securely to keep the button firmly in place.
Place a small glob of glue onto one of the tabs(where the petals were removed).
Bring the tabs together around the stem, overlapping the tabs until the flower petals are close to each other.
Optional: Adding stems of leaves to the bouquet.
To make a simple pattern, start off with a 1" x 2" piece of cardboard. Round off both bottom corners. Cut to a point at the top. Use this pattern to trace onto fused green fabric and cut out on the traced lines.
Glue a 4" piece of floral wire to the underside of each of the leaves. Let dry completely.
Create the stem with a double strand of wire (approximately 12-1/2" or whatever size you'd prefer). Wrap with floral tape, adding leaves as you go around.
Create several stems of leaves to act as filler in your bouquet.
As you can see, the addition of leaves adds fullness and interest to the bouquet.
There you have it, a whimsical bouquet of fleur de marguerite to brighten your day.
This would make a wonderful bouquet for Easter or for Mother's Day or simply to welcome in Spring.
Take care, everyone!
Aloha!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Quick 'n Easy Flower Hair Pins
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
Create something sweet for that cute little one in your life.
You will need five 2" X 2" fabric squares, a 5/8" circle of felt, and a bobby pin. You will also need a hot glue gun, two buttons, and a needle and thread.
*To create the petals, place the first fabric square onto an ironing surface, right side facing down.
*Fold one side to the center, press flat.
*Fold the other side to the center, press flat.
*Fold the raw edges together. Do not press. This will make the petals too flat. Repeat with the rest of the petals.
With needle and thread, take a running stitch at the raw edge of the first petal.
Repeat until you have all 5 petals on the thread.
Tie both ends of the thread together to form a circle of petals.
Sew a coordinating stack of buttons to the center of the flower.
Slide the felt round between both prongs of the bobby pin, crinkled side of the pin facing up.
Place a small glob of hot glue onto the center of the felt circle.
Glue the bobby pin to the back of the flower, concealing the raw edges.
There you have it. This is so simple that you'll probably want to make oodles.
Have a wonderful day!
Create something sweet for that cute little one in your life.
You will need five 2" X 2" fabric squares, a 5/8" circle of felt, and a bobby pin. You will also need a hot glue gun, two buttons, and a needle and thread.
*To create the petals, place the first fabric square onto an ironing surface, right side facing down.
*Fold one side to the center, press flat.
*Fold the other side to the center, press flat.
*Fold the raw edges together. Do not press. This will make the petals too flat. Repeat with the rest of the petals.
With needle and thread, take a running stitch at the raw edge of the first petal.
Repeat until you have all 5 petals on the thread.
Tie both ends of the thread together to form a circle of petals.
Sew a coordinating stack of buttons to the center of the flower.
Slide the felt round between both prongs of the bobby pin, crinkled side of the pin facing up.
Place a small glob of hot glue onto the center of the felt circle.
Glue the bobby pin to the back of the flower, concealing the raw edges.
There you have it. This is so simple that you'll probably want to make oodles.
Have a wonderful day!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
'Simply Peppermint' Pincushion
During the process of making my 'Simply Geometric' Pincushion, thoughts of peppermint candy kept bobbling around in my brain.
I found it interesting that the same concept would lend itself perfectly to the swirls found on peppermint candy.
So, I couldn't help myself. I just had to make one.
If you're anything like me, you can never have too many pincushions.
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and leaving me such sweet comments. Y'all warm my heart more than you will ever know.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Aloha!
I found it interesting that the same concept would lend itself perfectly to the swirls found on peppermint candy.
So, I couldn't help myself. I just had to make one.
If you're anything like me, you can never have too many pincushions.
Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and leaving me such sweet comments. Y'all warm my heart more than you will ever know.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Aloha!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
'Simply Geometric' Pincushion
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
What better way to start off the new year than with a pretty new pincushion. Did I just hear a collective sigh of ooh's and ahh's rounded out with a squeal of delight? Oh, never mind, it came from me. What is it about pincushions, anyway? I can never get enough of them.
Here is the pattern. It is made up of circles, squares and triangles. Simply geometric! Please note that this diagram has not been drawn to scale but is for information purposes only.
Cut two 6-1/2" squares for the body of the pincushion.
Cut 8 triangles, 4 lining and 4 from decorative fabric. (I've chosen white for the lining).
For the rosette, cut two 4-inch circles with 1-3/4" circles removed from their centers.
Begin with the triangles. Place one lining and one decorative piece together, right sides facing each other. Pin in place. Sew both of the 4-3/4" sides using 1/4" seams. Trim seams to 1/8" and clip the point to reduce bulk. Turn right side out. Repeat with the remaining triangular pieces.
For the rosette, pin right sides together and sew around the outside perimeter using a 1/4" seam. Trim the seam to 1/8" and turn right side out.
Press all pieces flat with an iron.
Place one 6-1/2" square onto a flat surface, right side facing up. Center each of the triangles along the straight edges, right sides facing down. Machine baste each piece into place to keep it from shifting.
Place both 6-1/2" squares right sides together. Sew around the perimeter using a 1/4" seam. Be sure to leave a 1-1/4" opening for turning. Clip all 4 corners and turn right side out.
Stuff with your preferred stuffing and sew the opening closed.
Bring the 4 triangle points to the center of the pincushion. They should overlap by 1/4". Tack to keep it in place.
To finish off the rosette, take a running stitch along the inside circle. Gather and tie off.
Sew the rosette to the center of the pincushion and top with a coordinating stack of buttons. If you prefer, you can tuft the center by pulling the thread tightly as the buttons are being sewn on.
Here is a version with a double rosette.
I adore this color combination. Brown. Pink. Lavender. Très chic!
Now, load these pretties up with pins and start on that project that you've been procrastinating about. Go. Do it now. I said so. Pretty please. Well, only if you want to.
Have a good day!
Aloha!
What better way to start off the new year than with a pretty new pincushion. Did I just hear a collective sigh of ooh's and ahh's rounded out with a squeal of delight? Oh, never mind, it came from me. What is it about pincushions, anyway? I can never get enough of them.
Here is the pattern. It is made up of circles, squares and triangles. Simply geometric! Please note that this diagram has not been drawn to scale but is for information purposes only.
Cut two 6-1/2" squares for the body of the pincushion.
Cut 8 triangles, 4 lining and 4 from decorative fabric. (I've chosen white for the lining).
For the rosette, cut two 4-inch circles with 1-3/4" circles removed from their centers.
Begin with the triangles. Place one lining and one decorative piece together, right sides facing each other. Pin in place. Sew both of the 4-3/4" sides using 1/4" seams. Trim seams to 1/8" and clip the point to reduce bulk. Turn right side out. Repeat with the remaining triangular pieces.
For the rosette, pin right sides together and sew around the outside perimeter using a 1/4" seam. Trim the seam to 1/8" and turn right side out.
Press all pieces flat with an iron.
Place one 6-1/2" square onto a flat surface, right side facing up. Center each of the triangles along the straight edges, right sides facing down. Machine baste each piece into place to keep it from shifting.
Place both 6-1/2" squares right sides together. Sew around the perimeter using a 1/4" seam. Be sure to leave a 1-1/4" opening for turning. Clip all 4 corners and turn right side out.
Stuff with your preferred stuffing and sew the opening closed.
Bring the 4 triangle points to the center of the pincushion. They should overlap by 1/4". Tack to keep it in place.
To finish off the rosette, take a running stitch along the inside circle. Gather and tie off.
Sew the rosette to the center of the pincushion and top with a coordinating stack of buttons. If you prefer, you can tuft the center by pulling the thread tightly as the buttons are being sewn on.
Here is a version with a double rosette.
I adore this color combination. Brown. Pink. Lavender. Très chic!
Now, load these pretties up with pins and start on that project that you've been procrastinating about. Go. Do it now. I said so. Pretty please. Well, only if you want to.
Have a good day!
Aloha!
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