Ribbon Flower Number 2

Well, the last post on ribbon flowers seems to have gone down really well, so, I've decided to post another type of ribbon flower for you all. Just in case you all think that I can't use anything other than pink, I've made this one in blue.

I did stoop to pink for the thread that I used to gather the ribbon. I did this for a purpose though as it is easier to see in the photographs.

Decide on the number of petals that you want. I used 5. The more petals, the bigger the hole that will be left in the middle to cover up with a button or a stamen of some sort. You'll see what I mean as we progress.If you decide on 5 petals than the length of ribbon used to make each petal should be 2 1/2 times the width of the ribbon. Yes maths!
Made simple
Ribbon = 16mm
Length required for each petal = 40mm
5 petals = 200mm or 20 cm.
Leave an extra cm or 2 for the folding over of the edges. You can always cut off any excess but you can't get it if it isn't there.
So you will need a piece of 16mm ribbon that is about 22 cm long.

Place the ribbon on the table in front of you. The side furthest from you is the inner edge and the one closes to you is the outer edge of the flower.
Mark the ribbon into sections on the inner edge. On a 16mm ribbon these ehould be every 40mm.
Using a running stitch sew along the ribbon as shown in the photograph. Remember to loop the thread over the outer edge of the ribbon when you get to the top of each section. Sew your 5 sections. End with the thread at the outer edge of the ribbon.

Start to pull the thread. You will see the ribbon curl up in front of you. Don't panic. Keep on pulling gently until the petals emerge. The reason for looping the thread over the ribbon is that it pulls the petal into the centre nicelyYou will end up with this curly mess that you see below. Tease it out and you will see the petals. Make sure that the thread is pulled as tightly as possibe without breaking the thread so that the gap in the center is as small as possible. The two inner edges of the flower should be brought together and stitched to hold them in place.

Turn the raw wdges to the back of the flower and stitch in place. Sew a button into the center to cover the unsightly bit.

How Annoying

I can't tell you how annoying Blogger can sometimes be. I tried and tried to post a picture of the card that I make on the video but it simply wouldn't let me so here it is on a separate post.


For details on how to draw the daisies and make the card please watch the video.

How to Draw daisies with calligraphy pens

I've made another video at last and I hope that it is as well received as the last one.

Folded ribbon rose tutorial

A couple of weeks ago I asked if your 'could guess what it is yet?' I thought that I could get on and make a tutorial straight away but I have been so busy that it has taken me until now to do a very straight forward tutorial. So I've decided that I will put you out of your misery straight away, by showing you that the tutorial will be for a folded ribbon rose. The title of the post rather gave it away though. As I told you before you will need the shocking pink 23mm wide grosgrain for this and I used the swiss dot one as I wanted to have the contrast between the plain side and the dotty side. You can make a plain one if you want to but this looks kind of cute.

You will need to start by rolling a short section of the ribbon and securing it with a couple of stitches. Stitching is better than gluing as it will held in place and then, if you want to put it on a garment you can wash it without being afraid that it will fall apart. This roll will be your bud.

Next fold the ribbon at a 90 degree angle to the roll as shown below.Roll the ribbon around the central bud until you get to the end of the folded part. It will be obvious when you do it. Secure the bottom with a couple of stitches. ,Fold and roll again and again. See below. Make sure to put in a couple of stitches as you go.Below is what your rose should look like after you have folded a few times.Now look at the back and you will see how this is coming along, and where to put the stitching. Basically you keep on going until you have as many petals as you want. The cut you r ribbon and tuck the raw wdge under and tack into place. Turn over and your ribbon is done.

Pincushion for a competition

Today, I'm posting a set of instructions to make a pincushion. I am making this as I am going to enter it for a WI competition in the summer. So. as I was going to do it for this, I thought that I might as well do the instructions and blog it as well. Being in posession of a huge choice of ribbons I really had no choice but to use them. All the ribbons that you see here are available from craftfairy.co.uk

Here is the finished cushion. I know that it is really girly and over the top kitch but who cares. I thought that if I was going to go for a domestic goddess kind of thing I might as well go over the top. 1950's at least. I even feel a frilly apron coming on. Perhaps not today though.

So. if you want to make something like this you will need to do some ribbon weaving first. This really is a good way to use up your scraps too as it only requires short lengths. the sort that are usually too short to be used for anything else.

Cut yourself a piece of fuisable interfacing about 2cm larger than the finished size of the pinchshion. E.g. if your pinchshion is to be 50cm x 50cm then cut your square 51cm x 51cm. I used a lightweight interfacing as I wanted the finished cushion to be soft not stiff.

Put the interfacing on the ironing board, fuisable side up. If your don't do it this way your will fuse it to the board. Lay your ribbons out in a pattern and pin to the ironing board over the interfacing.

Cut your lengths of ribbon so that they extend beyond the size of the backing fabric. You will trim them later so don't worry about being too precise. I used a mixture of widths and patterns but to keep the design looking good I used only three harmonizing colours. Pink, blue and a touch of white in the pattern. Lay them vertically over the interfacing.

Now weave the same pattern of ribbon in the horizontal direction as shown.

You should end up with what you see below. Push the ribbons together so that there are no gaps showing and pin in place. You will need to do this or the ribbon will move when you iron it.

Cover the ribbon weaving with a cloth and press with the iron. Do not use steam. This will create enough adhesion to allow you to flip the ribbon weave over and then press again to cause a better adhesion and create your fabric. See below. Now, flip the fabric over, and iron from the back. This will ensure that the ribbons stick to the interfacing really well.

Now, take a length of sewing thread with a knot in one side and sew a running stitch along one edge of the ribbon very close to the edge. When you have reached the end pull the thread to gather it to approximately the length of your 4 sides combined. 40 cm in my case. Secure the end of the thread.

Pin to the right side of the edge of the ribbon fabric. Tack the ribbon in place very near the edge. You will not reallt have a seam allowance on the ribbon. No need to have one really as the ribbon has a sewn edge should not frey. There will be a seam allowance on the ribbon fabric though.

Cut a piece of backing fabric that is the same size as the interfacing. I used a little broiderie anglais that I had in my scraps basket. With right sides together and the ribbon in the middle like a sandwich sew around three sided of the pincushion. I did this by hand as it really is too fiddly to even contemplate sewing on the machine.

When you have done this turn the pincushion around to the right side and fill with kapok or any other stuffing that you have. I had some left over from goodness knows when. Sew the last side into place from the back of the cushion and you have done.

Craft Fairy at Ally Pally

It's that time of year again when Craft Fairy will be at Ally Pally. I have to say that it's out favourite venue. It is all dedicated to paper craft.... no garlic graters anywhere! I exhibit and demo, but I also have a mooch around for things to buy for myself too. Ally Pally is one of those shows that always has something to temp you. Last year I bought some Marianne dies for threding ribbon on to. Well, I would! This year, who knows. One word though, if you're coming and want to buy something from me then please let me know before I leave tomorrow. So many peole come to me and say, 'you have those ....' and unfortunately I've not brought them with me. So mail me please.

How to draw a flower with calligraphy pens

Well, I've finally done it. While at the NEC last week, I told lots of people that I would make a video of flower drawing and this is the result. It's my first effort so be kind. I will make more. By then I will probably have figured out better lighting too!

Can you guess what it is yet?

I thought that for, this post, I would keep you guessing.

If you want to play along with me though you will need a length of swiss dot grosgrain ribbon in 23mm width. I used shocking pink so click here to get it.

Our Stand at Stitches

Putting together a stand for a show is hard enough work at the best of times, but the stand at Stitches was even more difficult as we were aiming for pretty. We wanted to get rid of the awful grey background so we coverd it with fabric bought from Bridgend Fabrics and we chose a spotty one to reflect the packaging that is used for Craft Fairy products.

Off to the Spring Fair

If you're wondering where I am at the moment, I'll enlighten you all. I am still here, but busy with preparations for the Spring Fair (NEC) so i've not had any time at all to blog. I'll get back to it as soon as I can.

Cute little accordion album

This is a first for me again. My first mini book album. As usual I love it. I am easily pleased I know but whan I saw this cute little thing I just had to make one. These mini albums are also a perfecr way to use up scraps and bits and pieces. too. If you don't have any scraps though you can get the ribbons here, I used 3mm lime juice abd dusty rose. Your flowers here.

This is entered for the Do You Stack Up challenge -Pink

Time to Craft Challenge - Spots and Dots

Craft your passion - Two patterned papers.

Valentine will be with us so soon

Here's a little something to get you going for the Valentine season. Fill it with choccies for an irrisistable pressie.You will need

1 A4 sheet of heavy paper

1 piece of white card to stamp the Babe with a Heart

Art and Graphic pens

Stix2 3d foam pads

Double sided sticky tape

Paper raffia

Message stamp of your choice, we have lots at reduced prices but their going fast.

Tag

Glue

Stazon inkpad in Stone Grey

1. Ink up the stamp with the Stazon and stamp it on to a piece of card. Colour the edges with the colour of your choice pen as seen above. Stick to the bag with Stix 2 foam pads.

2. Ink the message stamp and stamp on to a piece of white card.

3. Cut out and stick to the base bag with 3d foam pads as seen.

4. Cut a length of raffia ribbon and stick to the bag with double sided sticky tape. Tie a bow and stick to the ribbon.

5. Now make the matching card. No need to change the layout.

This is entered in the Shabby tea rooms challenge - White plus bright

A different colour for a change

I've managed to stay away from pink again today as I had this beautiful designer paper that I think looks rather like a chackered tablecloth. I picked up the colours of the cloth to colour in the fairy which is from the Baking Fairy set of stamps by Craft Fairy.


I've entered this card in the Craft Your Passion challenge for buttons.

Distressing

Distressing is not something that I do very often. Possibly because I spend most of my life distresses or is that stressed in some way or another, but never one to flinch from a challenge as you may well know by now, I have made a distressed card for the Do you stack up challenge 2 Distress It. I loved it! You never know if you might like a thing until after you've tried it.

For the uninitiated the daisy that I used is just one small stamp which you can get here for just £2.50. A bargain.
To achieve this effect you will need to colour up and stamp the card several times using two shades of blue from the Kuretake range of pens which can be found here. Don't forget that is you vary the colours you will get a different effect.
The flowers that I used at the top of the page are from the range of £1.50 blooms and they were a little to large so I cut them down. Perfect. They can be bought here.
The sentiment is from I Brake for Stamps and can be bought here.
Be warned as I've only got one sheet of these wonderful sentiment left so get in quick if you want one.

Not everyone wants sweet

There has been a rash of beautiful, sweet cards lately and I've not been left out myself, but, not everyone wants sweet. This card, I think is the anthisis of sweet, but it is a card for a man and you can't send sweet to a man.
Apologies for the slightly skewed photograph, I don't know what I'm doing lately. It's all straight on the card, I promise.

He is Hypertension Harold and he comes from the wonderful stamp company, I Brake for Stamps.

If you want him ---- come and get him here.

I've entered this card in the Sketch Saturday challenge 138

Fashion Ladies Rock

Just look at this image on the card below. I bet that she was the 30's version of some of those women in Sex in the City. She jus looks demure. She is lovely though and she will make a fab birthday card for both young and old alike.


I used warm colours this time as I have been making a concerted move away from pink. I know, I know ... not too successful, but this time I've succeeded.
If you love this image and want to get her than you can find her here.

I have entered this card in the Sketch Saturday Week 137 Challenge
Fab n' Funky challenge 55 Let's get warm and toasty
Cute Card Thursday Monochrome

Trying out a new technique

I'm in the middle of making cards from the Flower Power stamps from I Brake for Stamps which is a super versatile set of images. I've made quite a few lately and this one is the latest.

The new technique is to use just a part of the stamp for a different effect. I also rotated the stamp so that it faced in different directions to make the tulips look as if they were growing in differing ways. The stamps were coloured with Art and Graphic pens from Kuretake which are available here.
The sheet of stamps is available here.
The ribbon here.
Happy crafting,
Yvonne

I must be getting better at this lark

I must be getting better at this challeges lark as I have managed to make two cards today. This one is with another glamor girl stamp and she is a fabulous vintage beauty.

I've also manages to combine her with my other love, flowers to create a lovely old fashioned feel card that is bang up to date.
If you want to make this card then the image is available here.
the flowers here
the ribbon here
The card is entered in the Everybody Art Challenge , Sketch 124

Fab and Funky challenge - Anything goes

Tiny Weenie Cupcake Stand

Have you noticed how some of the most expensive cards in shops carry the highest prices? I always think that it's the design that you pay for rather than the quantity of paper and embellishments that are put on the card. So, to help you make an expensive looking card with a teenie weenie price tag I've made this cupcake stand card.

The image is from the Party Fairy set of rubber stamps which can be bought here.
The fabulous ribbon is from our new bubble dot range which is only £1.20 for 3 meteres and can be bought here.
The image is mounted on a ready cut frame which can be bought here.

Daisies always bring a little sunshine

Many of you that heve visited my blog of late have probably noticed a flurry of creative activity. You all, no doubt, know that I'm off to Westpoint in Exeter in a couple of weeks and that I've been making as many samples as possible with stamps and lots and lots of flowers. Today. I've made a card with flowers, but I've stamped them rather than using the mulberry paper ones. I'm using the daisy stamps from the I Brake for Stamps Flower Power sheet today. I felt the need to move on from the Glamour Girls for a little while just in case you thought that I was becoming obsessed. One of the wonderful things about this card is that it's made with very little stash: 2 small stamps available here 1 small saying a scrap of ribbon available here some punched circles The leaves are the holly leaves cut down so if you have any left over fron Christmas then get snipping to make them into something else. Just hope that your friends are not botanically minded. As the ribbon is tied on, I'm entering this card in the Craft Your Passion challenge for something tied on. Tip Top Tuesday Anything Goes

Fancy Folds

I'll start off by admiting that this fancy fold card is not the easiest card on the planet to make. but it is one of the most satisfying. I'm on a mission, as many of you may well know, to make as many new samples as possible for the Craft 4 Crafters show in Exeter at the end of the month and the flowers are on the list so that is why I've chosen is beautiful iris stamp to showcase on this card.


The card is entered in the Allsorts Challenge Fancy Folds which is primarily why I made this card.
The flowers can be bought here.
The stamp which is from, Stampinback, here.
The butterfly here.

Glamour Girl 4?

At least I think that it's 4 in the series that I'm doing at the moment. Luckily a challenge has been thrown down at Phindy's Place for distressing so I've decided to go with that as it stops me from using pink.
I've also entered it in the Create for Fun challenge week 02.
Do You Stack Up? Cute as a button.

Delightful Challenge Buttons


I've used distressed papers and a pointillism image which gives a really good vintage/faded image. The browns and greys add to the distressed feel too.

The stamp is from the Glamour Girls sheet from Time to Stamp and can be bought here.
The ribbon here.

The flowers here.

One of the Best Stamps Ever!

This stamp is one of the best ever. I don't say that lightly as I have lots of good stamps but this one is the one that attracts the best audience when I take it to the shows so here she is in all her glory and I love her to bits. This time I decided to soften the image a little by using pinks and flowers but the sentiment really sums her up. I haven't made a card with her in a long while, but I have now!

I made an easel card for her as I think that she should be seen at all times.
I'm entering her in the Cute Card Thursday's challenge 146 - Out With the Old

Wow.

I can only say this as I've made the top three on Moving Along with the Times Challenge 79 for my Birthdays and Circles card. OOh, I'm so chuffed.

Thank you so much for choosing me.

Pink Party Fairy

I woke up early this morning and so I decided to see what challenges lay in store for me. When I first saw this challenge recipe on Creative Inspirations challenge - 93, I must admit that I thought that it was beyond me and what I had in my stash, but.....I have done it!

CHALLENGE 93 - RECIPE!

This week we want to see you include ALL of the following on your work :

4 PAPERS

3 FLOWERS

2 RIBBONS

1 BUTTON

Just in case anyone is counting, there are 3 patterned papers and one plain one.
I used the sketch from Sunday Sketch and Stamp, Claire's Sketch 44, for the layout as this inspired me to set everything out well.
If you want to make sometning similar then you will be able to get the stamp here,
the flowers here, the ribbon here.

This card is also entered in the Stamping Royalty challenge 53.

Happy crafting

Gardening Fairy

I've been playing around with lots of card designs lately and this is one that I've wanted to make for a while. It's a scene design and one in which I've combined the flower drawing with calligraphy pens to create a garden of flowers for the fairy to water. I really, really hope that you like it.

The fairy stamp and the sentiment can be bought here.
The pens for drawing the flowers here.
The ribbon here.
The butterfly here.
The pens for colouring the fairy here.

The card is entered in the

Double Dutch Challenge - Make a Scene.

My Time to Craft Challenge 122 - Up in the Air.

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes

Rainbow Lady Challenge - Your Choice from 2010. I chose Make a picture

I've really limited myself.

For this card I've really limited myself to only two colours. The challenge on Cupcake Crafts is for White is White. However, they do say that a colour can be used as long as the card is predominantly white. So this is why you see the type of card that I very rarely produce.

The saying is from I Brake for Stamps and Is available here.

The flowers can be bought here.

Happy Crafting!

Fitness Fairy

At this time of the year the shops are full of fitness equipment so I thought that this image for the fitness fairy image from Craft Fairy Stamps.

You can use the message or, in my case, choose to ignore it and carry on eating the chocolates left over from Christmas.

Waste not want not!

The stamp can be bought here.

The flowers are here in abundance.

This card is entered in the Stamp with Fun challenge 92

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Something New

Something New is challenge 50 on Paper Sundaes. This is a wonderful as it makes you use the things that you bought but haven't yet used so my 'Something New' is going to be the Butterfly Fairy from Stampinback and available to buy here.
Tha wonderful flowers and leaves are here.


Mind you, while I'm at it I might as well admit that the paper and the layout.are also new as well.
This card is entered in the
Paper Sundaes challenge 50 - Something New

Glamour in Pink and Black

I think that I'm on a roll with the Glamour Girls Stamps from Time to Stamp so I've made another one that is a bit on the dramatic side. I've noticed that pink and black is a very popular colour combo at the craft fairy so I've decided to go with this for the latest card. I just love the way that the stamp seems to have a sheen especially on the nylons. I bet that some of my younger readers don't even know what they are. Guesses in the comments would be fun.

You can get this wonderful stamp here.
The ribbon here

I've entered this in the Secret Crafter's Challenge 115, Buttons and Bows.
Happy crafting.

Forgotten Stamps 2

The other day I used one of my forgotten, Glamour Girls, stamps when I did a pink, white red challenge. Today, now that I've remembered that they are there I've pulled out another of those wonderful stamps to make this card. My apolgies for the image as it seems to be a bit slanted. It is New Yeard Day after all.

The stamp is from the glamour girls sheet of stamps and can be bought here.
The flowers can be bought here.

I've entered this card in the Saturday Sketch Challenge.