Saturday, June 18, 2011

In a Zip–Zipper Flower Tutorial


These cute zipper flowers can me made into a number of accessories by adding different backers such as a pin. I made them into two hair accessories (go figure). So get some supplies and start crafting…you will have your own in a zip!

Supplies:
  • 22” zipper
  • Scissors
  • Glue Gun
  • Felt
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Headband or gator clip
  1. Cut bottom end off of the zipper and remove the sliding “zipper” piece. You will have 2 zipper ribbons, both are used to make the flower.

  2. Using the felt, cut out one 1” round piece and one 1.25” round piece.
  3. Take the 1” round piece of felt and sew the end to the center of the circle.

  4. Take the zipper ribbon and loop it up and around so it looks like fig. 4. The loop should be approximately 2” from end to end. Stitch the loop in place through the center.

  5. Loop the zipper ribbon a second time making a “figure 8” and stitch in place.

  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, moving the ribbon loops to the side of the one you just created. See Figures 6A through 6C. When you get to the end of the first zipper ribbon tie off the thread on the back of the felt but do not cut it.
  7. Take the second zipper ribbon and sew it to the center of the flower.

  8. Loop the second zipper ribbon in a similar fashion to the first but make the loops/petals slightly smaller (approx. 1” to 1.25” long). Try to place the loops in between the larger loops in the back to fill in the gaps.

  9. After you have made 5 loop/petals with the second zipper ribbon secure the loops and tie off the thread. Make sure you have a tail of ribbon left to make the center of the flower. Cut off the thread.

  10. Starting at the end of the un-looped zipper ribbon, start to roll the zipper ribbon unto itself toward the center of the flower making sure to stay stitch the “non tooth” end when necessary (see figs. 10A and 10B).



  11. When the zipper ribbon is completely rolled up, stitch the roll at its base through the center of the flower through to the back of the felt. Come back through (carefully) and repeat this step until you feel the rolled center is secure. When it is secure tie off the thread on the back end.

Your flower is now complete. The following steps show you how I attached the flower to a gator clip and a headband.

Gator clip
Take the 1.25” circle from step one and put 2 slits in the center of the felt so you can slide the gator clip through it. Then simply glue the two felt pieces together with hot glue.



Headband
Pick a spot on the headband where you would like the flower and glue the felt to the top side of the headband. Taking the 1.25” circle of felt from step 1, glue the circle to the other piece of felt sandwiching the headband in between.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday Finds - time for a picnic!

It's the perfect time of year to pack up some delicious treats and take your dinner to a park! You can find all the "ingredients" you need for a perfect picnic on Etsy!


You can whip up some tasty BBQ'd food and season them with this set of spices by Dell Cove Spices.



Of course you'll need something to sit on, so how about this beautiful picnic blanket made from recycled materials by True Finch Studio.



This adorable vintage basket will carry all your picnic essentials! from Tilly Tinkas




And what picnic would be complete without a fantastic dessert? How about organic orange and chocolate chip cookies, by Scrumptulicious.



Go get outside and enjoy the summer air! Picnic away!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

My Three Things

These three seemingly random Etsy items are related in some way. Can you figure out the connection?








Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pile of Craft is coming!



It's almost that time, Baltimore!
Pile of Craft is almost here!

Mark your calendars, folks. This year's Pile of Craft will be taking place on June 25th.
For more information, including a list of all the amazing vendors (so you can start making your shopping list), follow this link to the Charm City Craft Mafia's Pile of Craft page.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

What I'm Working On: Block Party Press

I've been working on a lot of new items for the Spring/Summer Show season. As usual, my ideas have been all over the map ranging from nature inspired items to more quirky fun items. I've added new products, used new color combos and added to current series. Here's a brief photo overview of what I've been working on the last few months:

My new work features fun whimsical flowers in bright colors:


New bracelets:


New additions to my "Tools of the Trade" series (I'm working on creating them in all of the colors of the rainbow):

Bows - Lots and lots of new bows:


And just for fun:

Monday, June 13, 2011

Favorite Etsy Shop-Paintsquare


I love texture and color! When I ran across paintsquare's shop, I was smitten with not only the texture of the images and that they were created with strips of painted wood but with the colors and the fact that they look like scenes from a farm.


Ok, maybe the cow is what made me think farm.


But in the end, the richness of the color pallet is really what got me. The colors are so harmonious even though they have such great variation.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Pillow stencil tutorial


Need new throw pillows to spruce up your living room? Instead of taking a trip to a large home store, visit your craft room instead! These wonderful pillows are not only stylish but personalized. Plus, they would make a wonderful bridal shower present.

This smart Pillow Stencil tutorial by Emily Tagg from The way we live now is easy to follow with clear and concise instructions and photos. To view the Pillow Stencil Tutorial, click here.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Summer Fun Lakefront in Columbia!


Looking for some fun in the sun this weekend?

Come on out to the Lakefront in Columbia for ArtPark.

ArtPark is a juried, invitational art show that showcases more than 65 artisans displaying and selling their one-of-a-kind artwork. With a variety of media including functional and wearable art at a wide range of prices, you are to find something you love!

Enjoy the arts and crafts, and be sure to experience some of Maryland's own fine wines from Berrywine Plantations, Boordy Vineyards, Cygnus Wine Cellars, and Linganore Winecellars.

There is also great food - and admission is FREE!

Not only that, but several of our BEST members will be there: Doxallo Designs,
greenstarstudio & Tarabu... Come on out and say hello!

It's the one show you won't want to miss this summer.

Located along LakeFest grounds
Friday, June 10: 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 11: Noon – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 12: Noon – 7:00 p.m.

More information may be found at the ArtPark website

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Let's Go Out for a Mad Men Picnic

I am a huge Mad Men fan! There is one shocking scene in the first or second season, where the Draper family all go out in their new Cadillac for a picnic. They dawn all of the early 60's regalia: the blanket, the picnic basket, Betty's summer dress, the six pack of pull tab beer. The shocking part was when they lifted their picnic blanket and left all of their trash on the ground,
topped with Don throwing his last beer can out into the lake!

Thankfully the ecology movement of the 60's happened and that poor crying Indian commercial! Here are some lovely items I found on etsy for that Mad Men, yet eco friendly picnic:
50's Picnic Plaid Shirtwaist Dress by the Greedy Seagull
1960s Paint Stripe Blouse in Small Earth Vintage
Green Coleman Cooler by Old Green Canoe

written by jennyjen42