Hey lovelies!
We've been a bit quiet again but I promise we have lots of things in the works. I am working on a new crochet hat pattern/tutorial but I'm lacking the commitment to finish typing up and proofing the pattern to make sure it makes sense to people other than myself! We also have a few food blog posts lined up including Kristy's awesome Carbonara recipe. I have eaten this dish again and again at her house and it seriously delish so look out for that one. But more on that at a later date I am sure.
I'm just back from a wonderful week away at the Valla Rod Run. It was a week of rest, relaxation, rods, rockabilly and just plain fun. And lucky me I get to stay in holiday mode until next week when school goes back, even if I am back home and working my way back into reality. And part of that reality is the countdown the Christmas! Yep it has started already. Just so you know it is only 83 days!! This means it's time for me to get my thinking cap on and my mind into the crafty mindset, as I will be carrying on my tradition started last year of giving handmade gifts. That means that I first have to decide what I am going to make for my family and friends, and this is where Pinterest comes in! I seriously don't remember how I found inspiration, tutorials and patterns before Pinterest but this year I already have an ever expanding board of Christmas gift ideas. Have you started thinking about Christmas yet? I must admit that all this thought about Christmas has gotten me a little excited. I love Christmas, I love the family time we have, I love having everyone gathered around tables for the huge lunch, I love the post lunch lull in the afternoon where everyone is relaxing and I love the games and leftovers of the evening. Tell me what are your favourite parts of Christmas?
But before I start on the Christmas gifts I have a gift swap gift to make and 2 birthday presents for my Mum and Sister in law next week. I still have no idea what I am going to make for 2 of those 3 gifts so I guess I had best get back to searching for ideas!
Oh we also have a new Pinterest account devoted to Sweet Blossoms Handmade, so pop over and follow us.
Xxx
Corinne
Showing posts with label Craft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craft. Show all posts
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Friday, 11 November 2011
Ribbon & Fabric Flowers
Ribbons & buttons, they are my weakness. They are the reason I love craft, homemade goodies & the world of DIY right up there with crocheting. Therefore right after I mastered the art of granny squares, I moved onto ribbon, fabric & button flowers. They are still one of my favourite things to make, especially when I've hit a creative block & have a dozen half finished projects laying around the house. So here are a few quick tutorials for my favourite flowers :)
YoYo Flowers
To make your yoyo flower you will need:
a piece of ribbon, lace or material. The length depends on how full you want your flower (I tend to start with a really long piece or the whole roll & cut it when I am happy with the flower).
Needle and thread
Button or other embellishment
Hot glue gun or craft glue
YoYo Flowers
To make your yoyo flower you will need:
a piece of ribbon, lace or material. The length depends on how full you want your flower (I tend to start with a really long piece or the whole roll & cut it when I am happy with the flower).
Needle and thread
Button or other embellishment
Hot glue gun or craft glue
To start your flower simply create a loose running stitch along one of the long edges of the ribbon (lace or material). The smaller your stitches the more ruffles your flower will have. Don't tie off either end of you thread as you will need both ends loose to finish you flower.
When you have stitched the length of the ribbon gently pull both ends of the thread to gather the ribbon and create a circle. Now simply tie the two ends of thread together securely, making sure both ends of the ribbon are touching, and it is gathered tightly.
Lastly glue you embellishment into the centre using you hot glue gun or craft glue. Depending on what you wish to do with your flower, you may want to glue a small circle of material (or left over ribbon) onto the centre on the other side.
Fabric Rosette
To make your fabric rosette you will need:
A scrap of material or felt
Scissors
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Round object (lid, glass, compass, etc)
Pen
Firstly you need to trace around you round object. Then using the outline as a guide, cut out a circle with a wavy edge.
Now simple cut the circle into a spiral, the thicker your spiral the bigger the 'petals' will be.
Starting with the outer edge of the spiral, roll the fabric until you reach the centre. Using you hot glue gun or craft glue to glue the last piece of the spiral onto the bottom of the rosette, securing the rosette together.
Ta-da!!
Ribbon Flower
To make your ribbon flower you will need:
8 pieces of thin ribbon about 10cm long (you can use thicker ribbon but you will need less pieces)
Needle & thread
Button or embellishment
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Lighter - optional the melt the ends of the ribbon so it doesn't fray
Firstly you need to place each ribbon onto the needle, piercing in the middle of the ribbon.
Next you need to take one end of the top ribbon, fold and place on needle. Do the same with the other end of the ribbon. Repeat until all ribbons are on the needle. It should look like this. (Sorry if that's confusing!! I can't think of how else to explain it!)
Pull the needle all the way through (so all ribbons are now on the thread). Carefully place a stitch through the centre of the flower. Both ends of the thread should now be on the under side of the flower. Tie thread together (I usually do about half a dozen knots) securing the flower together.
Using you hot glue gun or craft glue, glue you button or embellishment onto the centre of the flower & you are done!
These little flowers can be used for any range of things, from headbands or hair clips, to embellish bags, pillows, lampshades or whatever you're little heart desires! I hope you enjoy them :)
Christmas Wreath FTW!
Just FYI it's only 44 days until Christmas *cue jaw drops & scared facial expressions*
So what better time to move house? With only one weeks notice no less! (Yes we are slightly crazy). So what does one do when the house is a right off, we have a week to pack (lucky we are only moving 5 doors up the road! lol) & you have a list of jobs as long as your arm?? You do some Christmas craft of course!
Ok so it wasn't really a spur of the moment decision. I have been planning this creation (and tutorial) for just over a week now, I spent a few days collecting supplies and a few days looking at my supplies and mulling it all over. But here is the finished product. My very own Christmas Wreath :)
So here it is just for you!
Christmas Wreath Tutorial
Ok for your Christmas wreath you will need:
Pool noodle (you can use a foam ring or wreath form but the pool noodles are so much cheaper and work just as well! I got mine for $5 from our local discount shop)
Duct tape
Wool (I chose green but you can use any colour that takes your fancy!)
Scissors
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Materials for you flowers, ie, ribbon, lace, fabric, buttons, needle & thread. You can find the tutorials (& lists of materials) for the flowers I made here :)
Ribbon
The first thing you have to do is turn you pool noodle into a ring, so it looks more wreath like & less like a kids toy! Simply duct tape both ends of you noodle together as neatly as you can.
Ok here is the time consuming part, seriously I had no idea it would take me as long as it did. So be prepared, maybe have a good movie on & some snacks & drinks to keep your energy up...just kidding!! Kind of ;)
Using your wool, neatly wind it around your wreath form until you have covered the entire form.
When you get toward the end, you'll notice that it won't line up perfectly. That's ok, it'll all work out & I just made sure to add my embellishments over that section to cover any imperfections.
When you get to the end you can finish it off any way you like. I used a wool needle to tie the wool off (joining it with the beginning) & then weave the end in, but you might like to simply use your glue to secure then end. This seriously took me about 3 hrs (with several breaks) but if you aren't as ridiculously pedantic as me it probably won't take anywhere near as ling!
Now you have to make you flowers for the wreath. You can make as many or as few as you like, they can be any size or styles. I made a selection of different sized flowers like in our tutorial.
When you have finished making your flowers, simply lay them on your wreath until you are happy with the way it looks. Then simply use you hot glue gun or craft glue to secure the flowers to the wreath.
When I had finished that I looked at my wreath & felt that it was missing something. So using some thin ribbon & my hot glue gun I added some 'writing' to add a little something extra to the wreath.
Lastly I braided a length of wool and tied it around to top of the wreath to use as when hanging it.
And you are done! Hang it on your front door, in your house or anywhere that takes your fancy & admire your great work :)
So what better time to move house? With only one weeks notice no less! (Yes we are slightly crazy). So what does one do when the house is a right off, we have a week to pack (lucky we are only moving 5 doors up the road! lol) & you have a list of jobs as long as your arm?? You do some Christmas craft of course!
Ok so it wasn't really a spur of the moment decision. I have been planning this creation (and tutorial) for just over a week now, I spent a few days collecting supplies and a few days looking at my supplies and mulling it all over. But here is the finished product. My very own Christmas Wreath :)
So here it is just for you!
Christmas Wreath Tutorial
Ok for your Christmas wreath you will need:
Pool noodle (you can use a foam ring or wreath form but the pool noodles are so much cheaper and work just as well! I got mine for $5 from our local discount shop)
Duct tape
Wool (I chose green but you can use any colour that takes your fancy!)
Scissors
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Materials for you flowers, ie, ribbon, lace, fabric, buttons, needle & thread. You can find the tutorials (& lists of materials) for the flowers I made here :)
Ribbon
The first thing you have to do is turn you pool noodle into a ring, so it looks more wreath like & less like a kids toy! Simply duct tape both ends of you noodle together as neatly as you can.
Ok here is the time consuming part, seriously I had no idea it would take me as long as it did. So be prepared, maybe have a good movie on & some snacks & drinks to keep your energy up...just kidding!! Kind of ;)
Using your wool, neatly wind it around your wreath form until you have covered the entire form.
When you get toward the end, you'll notice that it won't line up perfectly. That's ok, it'll all work out & I just made sure to add my embellishments over that section to cover any imperfections.
When you get to the end you can finish it off any way you like. I used a wool needle to tie the wool off (joining it with the beginning) & then weave the end in, but you might like to simply use your glue to secure then end. This seriously took me about 3 hrs (with several breaks) but if you aren't as ridiculously pedantic as me it probably won't take anywhere near as ling!
Now you have to make you flowers for the wreath. You can make as many or as few as you like, they can be any size or styles. I made a selection of different sized flowers like in our tutorial.
When you have finished making your flowers, simply lay them on your wreath until you are happy with the way it looks. Then simply use you hot glue gun or craft glue to secure the flowers to the wreath.
When I had finished that I looked at my wreath & felt that it was missing something. So using some thin ribbon & my hot glue gun I added some 'writing' to add a little something extra to the wreath.
Lastly I braided a length of wool and tied it around to top of the wreath to use as when hanging it.
And you are done! Hang it on your front door, in your house or anywhere that takes your fancy & admire your great work :)
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Christmas Cards & Chaos
After my post about the days left until Christmas (only 59 by the way!!) I got rather inspired! I've been pinning up a storm on Pinterest. There are so many gorgeous Christmas craft ideas out there & my mind is full to the brim with ideas & plans. So I spent Monday morning cruising the second hand & discounts shops (my crafting bread & butter) & arrived home much lighter in the pocket but with a range of ribbons, paper, glues & a million other goodies including a tiny little Christmas tree which I can't wait to decorate. I wonder if since it's only a mini Christmas tree if I can decorate it early? Like in a week? lol
So Tuesday was delegated as CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY! In a matter of about 1 hour I had a total state of chaos overtaking my lounge room & 4 absolutely gorgeous Christmas cards all finished & ready to be sent at the beginning of December. Over eager you say? I prefer to say I am overly organised.Most people who know me may laugh heartily at that comment & then disagree but I maintain they are wrong!
These cards are everything I love about handmade! They have ribbons & buttons, glitter & pretty paper, all artfully smooshed together into lovingly made cards.
Unfortunately four is all I have so far, as just as I was putting the finishing touches on the last card I received a phone call from my Mum. My Pa had been taken to hospital & we had been told to come. Nan & Pa live over 1000km away so this meant a mad rush to get ready & a 12 hr trip, hoping we would get there in time. I've never packed a suitcase so fast in my life! Nothing was folded & I still have no idea what I actually threw in there. But I was packed & about as ready to go as I would ever be, but I was still calm & in control, as I raced out the front door, leaving behind a confused puppy & the utter chaos that was my Christmas cards. I don't think the enormity of the situation really hit me until I sat in the car on my way to tell hubby at work. Then the tears came as I realised that I may not make it in time, what if he died before we could get there. I really thought I was more prepared for this news, after all he has been living with Motor Neurone Disease for 3 years now (Check the link on the side if you want to know more about it). We knew that this would happen most likely sooner rather than later, but nothing prepares you for that phone call. I really don't think Samuel knew what to do when I arrived at his work & promptly burst into hysterical tears. But he coped amazingly.
After explaining the situation to his boss, we headed up to Mum & Dad's who would be taking me with them to see Pa. Then the waiting began. We couldn't leave straight away as Dad had repairs to do at work, we had to pack & my other Pa had to be taken into the nursing home for respite, so Mum could come. So eventually at nearly 4pm (about 6 hrs after I was told to pack) we were on the road, with a 12 hr journey ahead of us. Boy was it a long trip, with lots of food & coffee breaks, including my first ever Red Bull at about 11pm (tasted like Nerds made into a drink, which I have to say I found rather disgusting!), but we made it, with Dad having driven the entire, at about 3:30am. We'd made it!
In the morning (well a reasonable hour of the morning anyway), we were filled in. It was a heart attack but things weren't looking quite as dire now. He's alive & recovering, still so worn down & with even less mobility from when I last saw him 9 weeks ago. But he was here & so was I, as hard as it was & is to watch him & Nan struggle, with not only this but all the other implications which have arisen, I am so thankful that we made it in time. Now we are here to help them through not only the recovery but also the almost certain reality that he won't be coming home but rather moving into full time care. It's hard, goodness knows it's hard, but I'm here, in this chaos (which is so different to the chaos I left behind) & I thank God for that every second of every day.
Xxx
So Tuesday was delegated as CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY! In a matter of about 1 hour I had a total state of chaos overtaking my lounge room & 4 absolutely gorgeous Christmas cards all finished & ready to be sent at the beginning of December. Over eager you say? I prefer to say I am overly organised.
These cards are everything I love about handmade! They have ribbons & buttons, glitter & pretty paper, all artfully smooshed together into lovingly made cards.
Unfortunately four is all I have so far, as just as I was putting the finishing touches on the last card I received a phone call from my Mum. My Pa had been taken to hospital & we had been told to come. Nan & Pa live over 1000km away so this meant a mad rush to get ready & a 12 hr trip, hoping we would get there in time. I've never packed a suitcase so fast in my life! Nothing was folded & I still have no idea what I actually threw in there. But I was packed & about as ready to go as I would ever be, but I was still calm & in control, as I raced out the front door, leaving behind a confused puppy & the utter chaos that was my Christmas cards. I don't think the enormity of the situation really hit me until I sat in the car on my way to tell hubby at work. Then the tears came as I realised that I may not make it in time, what if he died before we could get there. I really thought I was more prepared for this news, after all he has been living with Motor Neurone Disease for 3 years now (Check the link on the side if you want to know more about it). We knew that this would happen most likely sooner rather than later, but nothing prepares you for that phone call. I really don't think Samuel knew what to do when I arrived at his work & promptly burst into hysterical tears. But he coped amazingly.
After explaining the situation to his boss, we headed up to Mum & Dad's who would be taking me with them to see Pa. Then the waiting began. We couldn't leave straight away as Dad had repairs to do at work, we had to pack & my other Pa had to be taken into the nursing home for respite, so Mum could come. So eventually at nearly 4pm (about 6 hrs after I was told to pack) we were on the road, with a 12 hr journey ahead of us. Boy was it a long trip, with lots of food & coffee breaks, including my first ever Red Bull at about 11pm (tasted like Nerds made into a drink, which I have to say I found rather disgusting!), but we made it, with Dad having driven the entire, at about 3:30am. We'd made it!
In the morning (well a reasonable hour of the morning anyway), we were filled in. It was a heart attack but things weren't looking quite as dire now. He's alive & recovering, still so worn down & with even less mobility from when I last saw him 9 weeks ago. But he was here & so was I, as hard as it was & is to watch him & Nan struggle, with not only this but all the other implications which have arisen, I am so thankful that we made it in time. Now we are here to help them through not only the recovery but also the almost certain reality that he won't be coming home but rather moving into full time care. It's hard, goodness knows it's hard, but I'm here, in this chaos (which is so different to the chaos I left behind) & I thank God for that every second of every day.
Xxx
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