Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Hand-made fabric roses

Hello everyone! Thanks to my friend Amanda,  I've recently learned a new craft I'd like to share with you along with some new cards I made to complete an order. I'm currently working on Mother's Day and Graduation, so more to come! Here are some adorable roses I have made:
This one is the perfect size for a card. I hot glued a flat backed pearl for the center.

This lavender one is large enough to use as a corsage. You could still use it on a card, or it would be a beautiful embellishment to a scrapbook page or other crafts.This was my first, and the edges burnt a bit. I took a darker ink pad and ran it around the edges and it covered it up quite nicely. I really think for an old/vintage feel, burnt edges might actually look quite cute with the right embellishments. I'm going to give it a try when I make more this week.  I hot glued a button and a gem for the center.

Here are some in use.


.This rose I cut a slit in each layer with a craft knife and attached with cute brad.

 The poly-satin is repurposed from clothing. (next I have a pair of pajammas that will be repurposed) I have also recently purchased some poly satin from my local craft store in a rainbow of colors, along with some colored tulle, feathers, and other embellishments.


Instructions:

1. Cut circles in increasing sizes. You can add as many layers as you'd like. The circles don't even have to be perfectly round. I cut all mine by hand, not using a template.

2. One circle at a time, very carefully use a lighter to melt the edges and they will curl. It took a couple practices to learn how quickly they curl, and how close to hold the lighter. With these smaller roses, I used long tweezers to hold the fabric. Don't want to burn my digits!

3. Assemble using hot glue, or you can cut a slit in each one and attach with a brad. Embellish as you wish.

4. For larger corsage/pin types, I suggest using a circle of felt, or cardstock to the back to hide all your work and give it a finished look.

I hope you enjoy this, and are inspired to make your own. I'd love your feedback and see your work!

I have also completed an order of sympathy cards for friend:

This one is a classic example that sometimes a mistake can be a beautiful thing-I had no intention of adding the flowers, however, when hot-gluing the chipboard swirls, I had a couple glue blobs. I tried to pull some of the glue away and tore a spot on the paper. Ugh! I didn't want to start over, so I found these flowers and added them to the swirls for cammoflage. I then added the larger flower on the left to give it a cohesive look.


I love my cuttlebug! I used a very pale yellow paper in my embossing folder. I then took a yellow stamp pad and lightly slid it across the embossing. Using Spellbinders Nestabilities dies, I cut out the sentiment. I love the color combo to this card, and think I will do something similiar for a Mother's Day card.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter Cards in a Jiffy.

I admit it.. I'm not much of a blogger. Mainly because I haven't really had much to share. But this weekend I made some quickie Easter cards and thought I'd share them with you.


I found some great 3d stickers at the Dollar Tree a while ago. Also, at least a year or so ago, I had purchased sheets of cross stickers from Oriental Trading Co. There are several colors and designs, and I like that they are clear as well. I embellished each cross with a matching colored gem to add a bit of bling. Framing out each cross with some Spellbinders die cuts really made them pop much better than just sticking them to the card. Add some of these 3d stickers- and voila! Beautiful cards in no time at all. I apologize that the pics aren't very clear. I took them with my cellphone since my digital camera's battery needed charged. I hope everyone had a Great Easter weekend. I will soon be making Mother's Day, Graduation, and Father's Day cards.