DIY: Mini Ribbon Flags

I thought today I'd share a quick little DIY on how to make these little flags. One of the things, I feel, my stash is actually lacking in is small embellishments like these which I can use on my scrapbook pages and on cards. They could even act as little cake toppers! I'm sure there are other similar tutorials out there, but this one works for me.

They're really quick and simple, and can be made to suit any colour scheme.

Equipment:

Ribbon

Wooden cocktail sticks

Stapler

Scissors

1) Fold the ribbon to the desired length of your flag. My advice is not to cut this just yet, as if the staple goes wrong (which it did for me a couple of times) you're not wasting any ribbon.

2) Staple the fold of the ribbon at an angle. You want to get the staple close enough so that the cocktail stick can slide into the channel created, but not too large that it will fall straight out again. The angle is to help the cocktail stick remain in place.

3) Test the channel created. The image above shows a staple placement that is pretty much perfect. If your staple isn't quite right, just cut the ribbon off at the staple and try again from step 1.

4) From here you can trim both sides of the flags equally. Flat edges work well, but I prefer the pennants as in the first image. It's all down to personal preference.

I can't wait to use these on my projects!

Red and Gold

This year, I've set myself a challenge. I was only allowed to buy my stash one new thing for all of my Christmas cards. It been pretty tough, but I really like some of the results I've been getting. So I'm going to show you some of the things you can do, and let me know if, like me, you long for your huge pile of craft supplies to diminish (so you have a valid excuse to buy more!).

This one, I hate that the bow is lop-sided, but otherwise I feel it's a rather sophisticated card.

Equipment:

Gold Card Blank

Red Card

Gold patterned vellum (mine says Christmas over it)

Red Ribbon

Red Gems

Double sided tape

Foam Pads

Glue

Scissors

1) Trim the vellum until it measures 9cm X 10cm. Trim the red card to 10cm X 11cm.

2) Matt the vellum onto the red card using double sided tape.

3) Tie a bow with the red ribbon. Use Glue to secure the knot, and cut a pennant into each of the tail ends.

4) Glue the bow to the centre of the vellum piece. Attach this panel to the top of the card using foam pads.

3) Beneath this, glue 3 red gems for detail.

Ta da!

Number of items used from stash: 6

Ribbon,Vellum, Card Blank, Gems

DIY: Decorated Tealights

Earlier this week, I was fortunate to guest post over at Running with a Glue Gun. I thought today I'd share the DIY I prepared here as well.

 I have these decorated tealights to show you, and they make great last minute gifts, just in time for Christmas. Also the colours and decorations are completely customisable,so you each one can be completely individual!

Equipment:

Tealight candles

Ribbon

Double Sided Tape

Optional:

Decoration such as gems, bows etc.

Glue Gun, Glue Dots or Super Glue (depending on strength and size)

Step 1: Check that your ribbon is not taller than your tealight, as this could potentially be a fire hazard.

Step 2: Attach enough double sided tape for the circumference of the tealight to the wrong side of the ribbon. Trim to a straight edge

Step 3: Take off the backing of the tape, and wrap around the tealight, trimming once all of the sides are covered

Optional: Decorate your tealights further using small embellishments, but keep in mind the potential hazard of lots of loose fabric.

Ta da!

DIY: Ribbon Card

This is a card I made months back for my Mum's birthday, with the promise of a tutorial. Here it is!

You will Need:

Base colour card (I used blue)

Reflective card

White card/paper

Vellum, tissue paper, or any other translucent paper by another name

Organza Ribbon

Scissors and/or guillotine

Glue/Foam Pads

1) Fold your base card to create a card blank. Then, cut off half of the card front, as seen above.

2) With the reflective card, trim so that it fits comfortably within the outline of the base colour (my card front was 10x15cm, so the reflective was 5x10cm). Adhere only to the half flap on the front of the card so that it swings freely. The overlap creates the illusion of a full card blank.

3) Centrally, adhere the vellum at the top, and then a white rectangle to cover the adhesive marks.

4) Cut the Organza Ribbon into 3 equal sections. Around a smaller piece of reflective card, tie the ribbon sections, arranging them how you wish.

5) Attach ribbon strip to the white card, and you're finished!

You could use any ribbons. I think those ones were actually off of last year's Christmas Crackers, so there's a good example of recycling...

This card could be used for many things other than Birthdays - invitations, thank you notes, or any occasion, really...

Just a little bit of opulence...



DIY: 5 Minute Thank You

Sometimes, you don't have that much time, and you need to make a card. Fast. This doesn't have to be a Thank You Card, the greeting and colours are interchangeable. I just needed a card to give to my biology teacher, who I would have seen in approximately 3 hours, and I had to leave for school in 10 minutes. 5 minutes to make, 5 minutes to scribble something down in  the back....

This is what I came up with.

Supplies: Card of choice in 2 colours; Co-ordinating ribbon and button; Peel-off  Lines; Greeting.

Equipment: Glue, Tape, Scissors

~Start by making a card blank from your base colour (this should be the one that co-ordinates with the button and ribbon). I choose for mine to be an A6 card (an A5 piece of card in half horizontally).

~Across the centre of the card, parrallel to the fold, position a line peel-off.

~ Cut a smaller card strip from the alternative card. Make sure there is room for your greeting and your button.

~Cut an inch section off of the ribbon and fold it vertically. Cut an inverted triangle towards the fold to create the pennant shape when opened.

~ Using the tape, adhere to the back of the alternate card, positioned to one side.

~Flip the card so that the rough ribbon is at the back, and attach the button above it. On its other side, place your greeting.

~Glue the alternate card to the centre of the card blank, along the horizontal line.

And, Tada! I know it seems like a lot of steps, but it's very simple, and quite effective. If you ever make a card like this following my instructions, please comment and link to tell me.

Toodle Pip!

Craft Review: Weeks 25 & 26: Sunday 10th July - Saturday 23rd July

I seem to be forever apologising here.... But, yet again, I skipped last weeks review and have to bunch it together here.

On the upside, all exams are now finished, I am on leave, the weather is picking up and I have practically nothing to do.

Lots of crafting opportunities.

Week 25, my main craft venture was to make Thank You cards for my favourite teachers. I have always done this, and I felt it necessary to thank and say goodbye to those I have liked the most (so, my french teacher I've pretty much ignored for the past month as I really hated her).

I made Four Cards.

One for my Biology teacher, who is a lovely person, I just hate biology. She's been very supportive, and I think I will miss her most.

One for my Art Teacher, also very supportive, and very kind generally. She's been very helpful the past two years also.

This one is for my English Teacher/Form Tutor. She's a very interesting person, and as crazy as a box of frogs.... instantly likable.

Another thing all three of the above have in common is that they each inspired a character in my story...

Lastly, my Geography Teacher, who was a family friend. She eventually got used to me knowing all of the answers...

This week I added 16 rows to my Ravenclaw scarf. I figured out that that means I have 156 rows left. I should finish before Christmas......

I also cut out from the pattern and sewed the side seams for a skirt... Looking at it now, I realise it looks slightly 1940's schoolgirl-ish. I think it's cool.

Hopefully I'll have a more productive week this week, in my first full week of freedom....

Felt Hearts : Craft Tutorial

These have become a favourite of mine.... I seem to use them for everybody.

I made one for my mum's birthday.

I made one for my Godmother for Mother's day.

And those two above have yet to have a purpose... whether they are a gift or to be sold is currently undecided.

This one is for my sister.

The idea originally came from 'Kirstie Allsopp's Craft', one of the books I got for Christmas. But, I have ended up adapting the pattern slightly. Here's my version.

1) Cut out 2 felt hearts, and cut a matching or contrasting piece of ribbon as such that you can have an equal amount above and below the heart for hanging and tassel. ( I suggest having a loop of about 10cm above the heart, so, add on the double of your hearts' height and add on an extra 10 cm.)

Example: My hearts are 5 cm tall, so require a piece of ribbon about 30cm long.

2) Stitch a contrasting coloured button to the centre of one of the hearts, making sure it's secure.

3) Fold the ribbon in half and pin between the two felt hearts.

4) Using running stitch, stitch around the heart, making sure to catch the ribbon at both the top and the bottom. Stop when you only have room for a small pocket.

5) Unpin and stuff with your favourite stuffing material, or even some dried lavender.

6) Close of the rest of the heart with running stitch.

7) Tie a knot in the loose ribbon ends and taper at an angle so as not to fray.

Ta-da!

They are incredibly versatile and could be used for practically any colour scheme. And, they're quick and simple to make, so it's easy to make a few very quickly.

I hope you enjoy some felt heart love!

Happy Birthday Mummy!

It's My Mummy's Birthday! Yay! And I had lots of fun making things for her.

A Card. With ribbons, shiny card, and her favourite colour.

This lovely Cushion... I think possibly my favourite...

Completed Thought Stars....

And this Felt Heart, which I made earlier in January.

An eclectic mix perhaps, but I spent a lot of time on them, and I hope she loves them as much as I do.

It's Christmas time!!!

Christmas.Now around this time of year, I can just feel the creative juices oozing simply EVERYWHERE. Nice word, oozes.....
And one of the first ways to show people you're Crafting talent, is to make them Christmas cards!

I've been making cards for over 5 years now, and I still believe them to be childish, but I hope they can be an inspiration...

Now these photos are what I would call difficult... they all ended up aligning with the side. I think it calls for a vague multi craft tutorial....  For those that are simple enough.                                                                        For this card, I used a white blank and some die-cut circles, I arranged the circles into a Christmas tree shape (triangle with stalk below) and stuck them on using 3D foam pads.

This one has a complex structure in its make up, but is very simple in decoration. I added a border along the bottom of the front flap, and a tag stuck above it to only the front flap, but so that it over laps onto the second. This restrains the movement, just enough so that it can stand up properly.

On a blank, attach a strip of Red patterned paper, or one of any co-ordinating colour. Find and image to attach centrally, and add a greeting .

To 2/3 of a white  card, starting from the right hand side, attach a piece of patterned paper. add a border that runs vertically down the join. To this join, attach a motif that co-ordinates with the paper. Add some gems in the bottom left corner.

This card incorporates a Hufflepuff version of My Harry Potter House Bookscarf pattern . I cut a 4.5 cm x 0.5 cm slit, 4 cm from the tom of the card to thread the knitting through. Beneath the line, I stitched one row of running stitch in the same yellow wool. I then inked a greeting and slotted the scarf into place.

On a square blank, attach a strip of patterned paper. On top of this, add a square of a different patterned paper. within this, cut a square of the first patterned paper and align with the strip to give the illusion of an aperture. Attach a felt tree and adorn with gems, on the tree, and in each of the four corners.

Separately, attach a purple square of glitter paper to a square of silvered shiny paper. attach a ribbon vertically around them. Adhere to the card blank. Attach a greeting, and a silver Christmas tree  to mirror the base.

Attach One Red square to the card, and layer a patterned one above it. Attach a motif to the centre of the patterned paper. Around the edges of the central point, perform a simple running stitch in a co-ordinating red embroidery thread.

On a piece of yellow card, attach a ribbon vertically. at the central point of this ribbon, create a cluster of other, co-ordinating ribbons, and add a greeting. Attach a motif to  conceal the ends. Adhere the entire section to the card blank.

Attach a Ribbon vertically down the centre of the card. Layer a square of card, and then a frame onto the ribbon. Within the frame, attach your chosen motif.

Attach a piece of coloured card with a ribbon tied around it vertically. Let the ribbon ends fly loose. Attach a tag to the ribbon to make it look like a present, and place a snowflake at the foot of the card.








Edit: I have uploaded a video, showing the variety of cards I created this year to my youtube channel, LikeYodaSpeakI, some of which are not included here. It's not a craft tutorial, just an ideas video.

Georgie's Birthday Presents (shhhhh!)

My friend Georgie's birthday is in November. But, as I like to be prepared, I've already made her presents! (It saves the last minute scrabble for the glue gun)

Georgie wears a lot of these really large Hair-bow-headbands, and I decided to try to make some myself for her. After all, they don't seem to be all too difficult....

This is the first Hairband. It's a turquoise-green colour and has a double bow.

Supplies:

A base headband, preferably in a colour that matches or compliments the bow that is going to be added
50 cm of ribbon about 2.5 cm wide (length and width may vary depending on how large you want your bow to be)
Needle and thread
Fabric Glue
A smaller piece of Ribbon in a similar colour

1. Fold the larger ribbon into thirds. With the first third, fold in half and stitch together at the join of the end to the centre. With the remaining ribbon, fold in half and stitch the other end to the same point as the first.
2. Flatten the two loops that you have created with the stitched part in the centre. stitch a line of running stitch across the middle and gather together. Secure the gather.
3. With the fabric glue, glue the centre of the bow to the hairband.
4. With the smaller Ribbon, wrap it around both the bow and the hairband twice, fastening them together tightly, so the bow won't slip off with the glue. With the ends of the ribbon, tie in a small bow. Paint the ends of the ribbon and the knot with clear nail varnish to secure.

This blue hairband was done in a near identical way, except it had a wide ribbon wrapped around the bow and is secured only by fabric glue. This one is my favourite.





This has a smaller bow, where the ribbon was only folded in half, stitched and gathered. It is secured to the hairband in the same way as the green hairband.
This one also has a small, choker necklace, whereby I used the remnants of the ribbon, attached sticky Velcro to either end and outlined one of the paisley patterns of the design. I think it looks quite effective.



To see my friend Georgie, check out her YouTube channels:
GeorgieGrapeVlogs

http://www.youtube.com/user/GeorgieGrapeVlogs

mybrittonfamily

http://www.youtube.com/user/mybrittonfamily

TheFailedWhale

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFailedWhale