2. September 2010

0 Comments

How to Make Ribbon Roses

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to I posted on CraftsUnleashed and thought I’d share it here with you, since September is National Sewing Month.  These little blooms look great on scrapbook pages, wearables, and home decor items. Enjoy!

Today’s post is actually an “Ask Jenny” question I got from a readers’ comment. Someone asked how to make a ribbon flower, so I thought that now would be a great time to show you a great shabby chic rose you can put on cards, gifts, or even make into jewelry. (More on that coming soon!) In the meanwhile, let’s get started!

You’ll need some wire-edged ribbon, (mine is 2 inches wide), and a needle and thread. That’s it!

Cut an 18 inch length of ribbon. Cut an 18 inch length of ribbon.

Pull the wire out from what will be the bottom edge using your fingernail.Pull the wire out from what will be the bottom edge using your fingernail.

Curl the wire into a little knot to secure. Curl the wire into a little knot to secure.

Starting on the other end, pull the wire out along the same edge. Gather the ribbon along the wire, pulling gently as you go. The ribbon will start to curl. Starting on the other end, pull the wire out along the same edge. Gather the ribbon along the wire, pulling gently as you go. The ribbon will start to curl.

Now we're ready to form the flower. Starting with the end with the knot, roll the top edge down to the gathered edge. Take a stitch with needle and thread to secure. Now we’re ready to form the flower. Starting with the end with the knot, roll the top edge down to the gathered edge. Take a stitch with needle and thread to secure.

Turn the ribbon over and loosely coil along the gathered edge secure with few stitches.Turn the ribbon over and loosely coil along the gathered edge, securing with few stitches.

When you get close to the end, tuck the top edge of the ribbon down to the bottom edge, then finish stitching! When you get close to the end, tuck the top edge of the ribbon down to the bottom edge, then finish stitching!

Flip your ribbon over, and clip your threads and wires. You finished flower will be a bit pouffy, so you may want to smash it a little.Flip your ribbon over, and clip your threads and wires. Your finished flower will be a bit pouffy, so you may want to smash it a little.

And that’s it! These are particularly stunning in groupings on fabric covered books, headbands, along the necklines of clothing…really it’s up to you and your imagination to get your garden of fabric roses blooming!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Continue reading...

1. September 2010

0 Comments

Craft Embellisments by Prima: Flowers

When I first learned of Prima Marketing several years ago I fell in love.  They introduced these heavenly mulberry paper flowers in cute little jars and they took off selling like wildfire!  One thing I can tell you about Prima is that are always changing the face of flowers at each trade show.  If you [...]

Continue reading...

31. August 2010

0 Comments

Recycled Zipper Pulls and Luggage Tags

I posted a version of this over on CraftsUnleashed.com- but I have a few extra ideas and pointers for you here! It’s a new school year and new backpacks and jackets have been purchased- but it’s only a matter of time before my kids yank the pulls right off of the zippers! So I’m getting [...]

Continue reading...

30. August 2010

1 Comment

Craft Embellishments by Prima: Crystals

Oh how I love bling!  If you love bling then I am sure you are familiar with Prima Marketing.  This company has all kinds of wonderful sparkly and shiny things for us to use in our crafting.  Swirls, flowers, birds, flourishes, and a host of other lovely things.  The Prima Marketing website really does a great job of [...]

Continue reading...

27. August 2010

1 Comment

How to Make Emboss-Resist Watercolor Cards

I posted this technique over at CraftsUnleashed.com and it’s one I love. It’s so easy to make a stamped and then embossed “resist” that looks amazing with watercolors or shimmer sprays. Have fun! I love stamping and I love watercolors… it’s so soothing to blend those translucent colors on my paper! So today, I’m going [...]

Continue reading...

26. August 2010

1 Comment

Crafting for a Cause: Little Lion Designs

Last July when I was at the Cleveland Craft Coalition Show, I had the pleasure to meet Stephanie of Little Lion Designs. Her fabric collage pieces where colorful and delightful to behold, and when I found out that she uses her artwork to raise awareness, I knew I had to learn more about her and [...]

Continue reading...

25. August 2010

2 Comments

Craft App Review: Lo-Mob Photo App for the iPhone

I love to take pictures. But with my hectic life, I rarely actually pack a camera. Instead, I use my handy-dandy iPhone to take  my everyday photos. With my Lo-Mob app for my iPhone, I alter them into cool, high-art snaps! The Lo-Mob app is easy to download via iTunes, and is only $1.99. This [...]

Continue reading...

24. August 2010

1 Comment

Craft Product Review: StazOn Solvent-Based Stamp Pad

My StazOn solvent-based stamp pad by Tsukineko is one of my absolute essentials in my craft box, and I can’t believe that I haven’t reviewed it for you sooner. If this is a new product for you, get your keys ready. You’re going to want to head out and get some of these amazing stamp [...]

Continue reading...

23. August 2010

0 Comments

Craft Product Review: Upholstery Paint by Simply Spray

Craft Product Review: Upholstery Paint by Simply Spray

While Upholstery Paint is not necessarily at “craft product,” crafty DIY’ers and home decor enthusiasts need to know about this product from Simply Spray. Originally designed for refreshing the upholstery in cars, RV’s, and boats- but I read that it works just as well for cushions, umbrellas, and other water-permeable fabrics. Good thing, too because [...]

Continue reading...

22. August 2010

1 Comment

Crafting Field Trip: Stamplistic in Amherst, OH

Wonder what a CraftTestDummy does on a weekend? Sometimes I make a big mess….and sometimes I go shopping. I took a little field trip to Stamplistic, and wonderful (and sadly my ONLY) semi-local independently-owned scrapbooking and stamping store. What makes Stamplisitic special is that they carry such a marvelous collection of scrapbooking, stamping AND mixed-media [...]

Continue reading...

21. August 2010

0 Comments

Crafting for a Cause: Jason Orpe ALS Mojo Fest

Just found out about this craft-tastic fundraiser via Vicki Howell, and felt moved to pass it along. Watch the video to hear about Jason and Mojo Fest, then do what you can. Craft on!

Continue reading...

20. August 2010

1 Comment

Craft Product Review: Simply Spray

I have done a number of projects now using Simply Spray, and I have to admit I’m a fan. I noticed today, though, that I’d never posted a review here on my blog, even though I’d written one for CraftsUnleashed.com. So I’m re-printing my review here with links out a slew of Simply Spray projects! [...]

Continue reading...

19. August 2010

1 Comment

Visit to the Amercian Folk Art Museum- part one

When I was in NYC a week ago- (geez, it already feels like a MONTH ago I was at Martha Stewart’s Blogger’s Night Out!) I took a quick side trip to the American Folk Art Museum. It was Sunday morning and I had to catch a flight home, and I only had an hour. Not [...]

Continue reading...

18. August 2010

0 Comments

Paper Lantern Summer Party Craft

Paper Lantern Summer Party Craft

Here’s a little goodie I posted over at CraftsUnleashed-blog- and I thought I’d share it here, too. You can whip up one of these beauties just in time for your Labor Day festivities! I have to admit that this wasn’t my original idea- I saw a project on Martha Stewart’s blog that used butterfly punch [...]

Continue reading...

18. August 2010

2 Comments

Winner of ArtTerro Wire and Bead Art Kit

Thanks for all your comments and thoughts about this great kit from ArtTerro. (If you missed it, make sure you read my review.) I also have to make one caveat- I was told by the kit’s creators that there are NO plastic beads at ALL in the Wire and Bead kit. Actually, they are all [...]

Continue reading...