Tag Archives: Flowers

Tutorial: Easy Fleecey Mittens

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Hey all. Good Morning and Happy New Year! I know I’m like a whole week late on that, but it’s been busy ’round these parts. I’ve been cleaning and clearing and decluttering and goal setting and trying my darndest to help make this year a heaping lot better than last. So far, so good.

So. If you’re finding me through Good Things Utah … thanks for coming! I’m so glad you stopped by. Feel free to take your time and look around, sign up for the post feed, or check out some of my other DIY tutorials and crafty ideas. Or you could browse through my photos or favorite posts. If you’re interested in getting the patterns for the other projects featured in today’s segment, just sign up on the mailing list (over there on the right) and an email will be sent out next week with all the instructions.

OH! And if you would like to purchase any of the fleece flower pin embellishments featured on today’s projects, they’re on sale in the shop for a squealin’ deal. Seriously. Squealin’. And they look so stinkin’ cute on hats, sweaters, handbags, headbands, etc. You can totally change it up!

Click Here for the :: Orange Flower Set . Blue Flower Set . Large Single Purple Flower

p.s. a little bird told me there are some really great illustrations (1 & 2) for sale in that shop too. And a custom pendant that was featured in Nie Nie’s Handmade Christmas Gift Guide. You should check those out too.

Now. On to the Easy Fleecey Mittens!

Supplies
A piece of fleece (needs to be big enough to cut 4 pieces that are slightly larger than the wearers hand), sewing machine, thread, embellishments (optional)

Steps
1. Trace your hand (with fingers closed and thumb extended) onto a piece of paper.
2. Use the traced hand as a guide to draw your pattern. Be sure to leave 1/4″ around all sides for the seam and about 1″ at the bottom so that it extends past the wrist when worn. *Also be sure that the opening is large enough to slide a hand in.
3. Cut out 4 pieces of fleece, using the pattern you just made.
4. With wrong sides together, pin 2 fleece pieces together and sew around the edge, leaving the hand opening open.
5. Fold the opening down (towards inside of mitten) 1/4″ and sew close to edge.
6. Turn right side out.
7. Embellish and enjoy!

*Optional step: If the wrist opening is too large and drafty, you can easily add a piece of elastic. Simply increase the fold over in Step 5 to a 1/2″. Sew close to edge, but leave a 1″ opening to insert elastic (cut to wrist size). Sew ends of elastic together and then sew the 1″ opening in seam closed).

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Look Who Came Out to Play

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Every morning I wake up. I drearily, blearily walk downstairs. I go to the kitchen, fill a glass with water, and open the blinds on the window above the sink. The sunlight pours in and I look to see. A new blossom, or two, or three. And I say a quick prayer, thanking God for the wild, unruly poppies in my backyard garden. They remind me … Blooming is possible. And my life is full of wondrous things, just waiting to unfold. Every day.

Tell me: What’s blooming in your life right now?

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Seamstress for Hire: 5 Bridesmaid Dresses Complete

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A couple months ago a darling bride (Kate) hired me to sew her five bridesmaids’ dresses. Well. The dresses are d.u.n. And I’m super pleased with how they turned out. The girls looked so darling in them and the colors just make me happy.

Kate: I hope your wedding weekend is sunny and beautiful and that your life with Garrett is full of joy and love.

Next project: Miss Ella’s Baptism Dress…which I’m super excited about since I’m not only sewing it, I’m designing it! Sketches to follow soon.

Do you need something sewn, designed, or created? Email me. I’d love to help!

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Good Things Utah Appearance: Silk Flower Accessories

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If you missed the show this morning, here’s the video! Enjoy!

Other helpful links:

1. Don’t want to take the time to make them yourself? Just buy ‘em! I’m happy to do the dirty work. Click Here.

2. Step-by-step directions for this tutorial with photos

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Tutorial: Silk Flowers — Great for Headbands, Jewelry, Clothing, etc.

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The most popular item at Island Belle Boutique is by far the silk poppy hair accessories. They’re flirty, feminine, and subtle. Needless to say I wear them all the time … like every day practically. And today, because I’m nice, because I’m especially happy these days, and because the snow has melted (hallelujah!), I’m going to share my trade secret of how to make them today. Once you understand the basic steps of how to create these fabric flowers, you can use them anywhere. They make great gifts for birthdays, Mother’s Day, favors for your luncheons and/or showers, and accessories for yourself (!), friends, and daughters.

And if you’re thinking, “I LOVE these flowers and totally need some, but I SO don’t want to take the time to make my own,” just

CLICK HERE to SHOP

the silk flower line at Island Belle Boutique.

Supplies: Light-weight silk fabric * Scissors * Candle & Matches * Needle & Thread * Beads / Buttons / Pearls / etc. for the center of your flower (it’s up to you!)

Steps

1. Cut circles of varying sizes from your silk (they don’t have to be perfect!)

2. Light candle and singe the edges of your circles. You don’t need to put the fabric directly in the flame. It will melt and seal the edge just by being in close proximity to the flame.

3. Stack circles (your petals) according to your own personal preference. You can make them lopsided or perfectly spaced, sparse or extra full. Just add your own style!

4. Insert needle and thread up through the bottom of flower, thread button or bead onto the needle and insert the needle back down through the flower. Repeat this process until you have sewn on all your beads or buttons. I always recommend using odd numbers for beads, buttons, or pearls.
5. Once you’ve sewn on your last bead, knot the thread at the bottom/base of your flower. All done!

You can now attach it (with fabric glue or more stitching) to a headband

CLICK HERE

or a hair pin,

CLICK HERE

on a purse,

CLICK HERE

on a shirt,

CLICK HERE

or even on a lapel pin (for a modern take on the ever-classy corsage).

CLICK HERE

You could even add these flowers to bracelets, shoe clips, ribbon belts, skirts, throw pillows, bed skirts, napkin rings, garlands, and more!

To see this tutorial demonstrated CLICK HERE for my appearance on Salt Lake City’s morning show, Good Things Utah.

Variations:

1. Use cotton fabric instead of silk. Just skip the step where you singe the edges and let the fabric fray slightly.

2. Use different colors for each layer of the petals.

3. Add tulle between the petal layers.

4. Spray with adhesive glue and sprinkle glitter for a little glam.

5. Add feathers.

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If I Had a Love [Part 2]: A Collection of Valentine’s Day Ideas

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[Part 1]: Garlands

[Part 3]: Dressing the Table

[Part 4]: Music

If I had a love, I’d make a bloomin’ tree for the dinner table.

Here’s how you can too …

Supplies:

White spray paint * Glitter * A ribbon * Tissue Paper * 1 12×12 piece of decorative paper * Tall cylindrical glass vase * Tall branches * miniature birds from craft store * hot glue gun * scissors

1. Spray paint your branches white

2. And then sprinkle with glitter while paint is still wet. I used a turquoise blue glitter.

3. While your branches are drying, cut squares from tissue paper. I cut 8 4×4″ squares and 8 2×2″ squares out of 2 different colors (yield 36).

4. Take one square and squeeze the center, so the corners are all pointing the same direction. Then twist so the finished product looks like a flower bud.

5. Place decorative paper inside vase and cut to vase’s height.

6. Add a ribbon.

7. Place branches in the vase.

8. Plug in your hot glue gun and gather your “buds.” I made white and pink flowers so I can reuse this centerpiece come Easter, but you could really do any color to match your scheme.

9. Glue buds to branches.

10. Ta-da!

11. And finally, don’t forget to add your love birds.

Aren’t they so sweet?

Tips:

a) I taped the scrapbook paper in place inside the vase so it wouldn’t move or slide.

b) I also poured sand into the vase after I had the branches where I wanted them so that they would stay put. The sand also makes the whole arrangement more sturdy.

c) Check out your local thrift store for many of the needed supplies. I picked up my vase ($1) and ribbon ($0.50) while thrifting.

d) Use what you have on hand. I cut the branches from a bush in my backyard, glitter from my craft box, old tissue paper from our used wrapping paper bin, and if I hadn’t wanted to use spray paint, I could’ve easily used the white acrylic craft paint I have in my paint drawer. In total, I bet this centerpiece cost me no more than $10.

Up Next: Dressing the Table