Fabric Flower Head Band Tutorial

Since starting my blog I have bookmarked a ridiculous number of websites for recipes, crafts, tutorials and ideas.  Some of my favourite ideas are for flower accessories I posted some of the designs I like the best last year.  When my mum handed me a voile scarf she was given for Christmas and said would never use I had the perfect idea for a quick craft and completed it in an hour.  I liked it so much I had to wear it to work today and my friends all really liked it. 

So here is my very quick tutorial so you can all make your own...

1: Start by gathering everything you need:

Fabric 
(I have seen this done with Voile or Satin but you can experiment)

Scissors

Candle & Lighter

Needle & Thread

Beads

Head Band

2: Cut out rough circles in different sizes from the fabric.  You can do this by eye for a a more rugged look or use a template. The petals will shrink a bit so take this into consideration and don't make the circles too small.

3: Light the candle and very carefully hold the fabric near the flame so it just melts the very edge.  This will stop it fraying and curl the edges up to make the petal.

Be very careful with this step otherwise you may set the fabric alight and end up with a big hole, I have wasted quite a few pieces this way!!

4: Once you have sealed all of the edges of the fabric sew the pieces tightly together through the middle.

5: Add a button or beads to the centre of the flower, this will bunch the fabric a little.

6: Sew the flower on to a head band.  I have attached this flower to a large elastic head band, but you could use a hair band, ribbon or a hair clip.

If you want to link to this tutorial or try it yourself don't forget to comment and let me know how you get on!!

Stocking Shoes

I, like most girls, have a bit of a shoe addiction.  But recently I have shied away from towering heals for fear of falling out of them.  It stems from a very drunken night out in Reading wearing very high sparkly gold shoes and literally hanging on to my friend Scott's arm the whole evening as I was far too wobbly.  It didn't help the shoes were a bit too big for me, ever since I just cant pluck up the courage to wear them, or any other strapless high heel on a night out.

I had the idea a while ago to some how attach a strap to the shoes made form ribbon or elastic to actually hold the shoes to my feet.  But for fear of it looking stupidly tacky I didn't attempt it and my high heels have been put to the pack of the cupboard for safe keeping.

That is until I cam across this blog from P.S. I made this... with a fantastic idea to make shoe straps from a pair of tights and they look awesome!!

I don't have any neutral coloured shoes but I can imagine this working really well with my black heels and black tights. All I need do now is hunt down some sparkly gold ones...

Away for a Week!!

Once again I have fallen behind in my blog, but you can't blame me, I came down with a bad case of tonsillitis which was not fun at all!  Also Graeme had to back to university which is very upsetting, but I am counting down the days now until he is back for good!! It felt like a complete waste of a week and weekend (that's 2 in a row ruined now!). I would have thought being at home would give me lots of time to craft but for 75% of the day I was sleeping and the rest I just didn't have the energy!!  It was only fortunate that I had already taken the photos and drafted my last piece that I managed to post at all last week.  Oh well no point in dwelling on the past better look forward to the next week, and actually try and complete some of the projects I started over the last few months (some things which I was supposed to finish for Christmas but never got around to it!!).

Checklist

Ear warmers

Progress: Cut out shapes from felt. 

I had to go and buy more buttons and fabric to make the flower decorations, and I know I probably could have made use of what I have already but wanted to get something new.  With such a busy Christmas I have only just recently managed to get to the market (which is only open on Fridays and Saturdays) to get all the pieces I need.  So my friends and family will just have to wait a little longer for their presents, it's the thought counts right??

Jewellery Wall Hangings

Progress: De-canvased the wooden frames.  

The staples were almost impossible to get out and even with pliers took ages. I'm ashamed to admit it but I did this whilst I was still ill and later that night I thought my illness had got worse and I was developing a rash all over my hands it wasn't until the next day I realised it was just blisters from the pliers whoops lol!  They really are quite sore!!

Knitted Scarf

Progress: Currently learning to knit.

Before letting myself loose on the posh expensive wool I decided it would be a good idea to actually learn how to knit so took some wool I had left over from a previous project and just started knitting.  I soon realised its a little more complicated than I thought, but my Mum was really helpful and I managed to do a sample piece learning the different stitches.  There are a few dropped stitches and holes and some how I gained 3 extra by the end but for a first attempt after years I think I did pretty well, and it was really all I had energy for this week.

So I'm plodding along at a slow rate, but I have hundreds of new ideas from my new favourite website pinterest.  Which is a fabulous virtual pinboard where you can post collections of things you love from all over the web.  It is the best place to find new blogs that have similar interests to you and is just a fountain of new ideas!!  I have added my name to the waiting list as they are still testing in beta, I hope to get a login soon and start making my own collections!!