Of Cabbages and Queens, Tutorials and Crepes

Ah, lovely spring break. While it's nice not running the three small humans around to various school activities and appointments, I wonder what I'll actually be able to accomplish with them all home!
One thing I did do with the Crown Princess (my oldest daughter Dana) was to make clay buttons from Ranjini's tutorial over on the Year of Color blog. Very fun and unique buttons and charms! Here they are, still drying on the paint tray. Speaking of tutorials, I myself was fortunate enough to share one of my own for Year of Color (it's still not too late to join!-Hurry if you want to participate in the giveaway. Check out Artsymama's blog for details)

The fabulously shabby nests and blossoms tutorial went up last night.

Since April's theme is polka dot, I had to sneak a few in there. Somehow I did forget to leave this pretty photo out.

Also going up sometime today in my shop will be a few more hand-dyed crepes.

Enjoy your spring, we are expecting snow by Wednesday!

Bombay Flower Tutorial

My first tutorial was very enjoyable, so I'm adding another. This one I call Bombay Flower after the first one I made with it's pretty feathers. Supplies needed: Pretty papers (double sided is nice), adhesive, circle cutters for cutting and tracing, pencil, paper punch, embellishments (I'm using a white flower, green leaves, bit of chalk)

First cut a five inch circle.

Next, trace a 1&1/2 ince circle in the center, this can be drawn on either side of the paper. Here I drew it on the outside, which will then show in the back. On the pink flower I drew it on the back side and it became glued over (probably the better choice).

Cut into your circle only up to the pencil line, tring to keep the "petals" the same width from outside to center.

Turn paper so you are looking at the "inside" of the flower. Placing glue on the pencil line (or just inside the cuts) start to bring the outside of the strips to the line and adhere down. I found it easier to do every other to start with.

Glue remaining strips down.

Punch a coordinating sheet of paper for the center- I chalked mine up a bit.

Using your fingers, press the outside of the petals lightly to "fluff" them up a bit.

Add your embellishments! On the pink I coated the center with glitter, a few buttons, and feathers (they can be ironed if they have too much curl!) . Try layered papers, buttons, felt or whatever is your favorite!

Thanks for letting me share!

Round Flower tutorial

I had posted this pink posy earlier on Scrapshare, and now I'm delighted to present my first blog tutorial! Materials need: two or three different papers (I used scrapping papers here- use what you love!), leaves (with or without wire), paper flower, brad, stamen (the white thingies with the pearly ends), glitter, glue. Circle cutter and paper piercing tools also.

Start by cutting three different size circles. Mine are 3, 2&1/2, and 2 inches.

Next, roll up the sides with your fingers (what, you didn't really think I had wings, did you?). This will be very uneven. If you don't like the rolled look, you could also tear very near the edge to give the circle some texture, or do nothing at all!

Here are all my circles rolled up.

Layer the circles, largest to smallest, and use your piercing tool (or a needle) to puncture the center.

Push the brad through the paper flower, then through all the circles. You may want to loosely fold back the brad ends to help the flower lay flat while you apply the glitter. Don't press them all the way yet.

Using whatever technique you prefer, apply glue to the rolled up portions of the circles (here I chose only to do the smallest and largest circles) and to the paper flower. Then sprinkle on your glitter! (or use Stickles)

Lastly, slightly lift a petal of the paper flower and put on a dollop of glue. Slide your stamen under the petal, and under the brad (this is why you left it a bit loose). Then tighten the brad completely. You could also do this step before you glitter, if you also want to apply the glitter to the stamen.

Depending on what type of leaf you are using, apply to the backside of the posy. On my pink posy I used a wired millinery leaf, wrapping the wires around the brad shank to hold it on. For the yellow flower, I simply used glue dots to apply the leafs (from Prima)

Voila! Use your pretty creation in your scrapbooks, collage works, home decor, and enjoy!