Friday 1 July 2011

Let sleeping dogs lie...

Don't you just hate thinking of blog post titles?!?!? I know this one might sound a bit strange, but when you look at my LO I have to share, you'll see where I'm coming from!

So a whole month has zipped by and here we are on the 1st of a brand new month. July is the BESTEST month, and the BESTEST people are born in July ;-)

So, did you enjoy all that June on the Sarah's Cards blog brought to you? We're loving the new system, and we hope you are too. July will be chock-a-block full of beautifulness too, so make sure you come back each day... or at least every few days to see what's ocurrin!

I just loved this photo of my dog taking an afternoon nap on my new jammy dodger cushion (that's what the kids call it). I decided to create a circular LO, and used pink to match the cushion, white dotted Swiss, and a Hambly overlay cut to shape. I picked out a range of patterned papers that matched the turquoise colours of my other cushions. After punching some circles and cutting an oval, I stuck the shapes under the overlay, using the printed design as a guide. Once the photo was stuck in place, I added a couple of border punched strips below, and hand cut some of the lovely peacock feathers from this paper. I decided to delve into my stash from ye olde days of card making!!! I'm sure I'm not the only person who used to be a card maker, and who bought everything they could lay their little hands on, tried everything, often only once, and as a result has a stash of unused supplies!!! Well, I found a quilling tool, and a heap of quilling papers, and thought why not! I kept it really simple and added a few strips of paper stuck on their edges, and a some tightly coiled circles as flowers. Simple but effective, and cute to boot!
Keeping the floral theme going... hey, I have boys... if I get the chance to use flowers in abundance on a LO I take it and run with it! I saw these cute fabric flowers on Pinterest ages ago, and when I saw this fabric swatch book, I just knew I had to have a go at them. And because I'm kind, I took a few step by step photos, so you too can have a go.

Use a template to draw 5 circles on your fabric. I used a 1.5 inch circle for my flowers.

 Cut the circles out. Fold each one in half, and then into quarters.
 With a long length of good quality thread, stitch along the curved edge of each folded circle.
 Once all 5 circles are stitched, pull the two ends of the thread and tie securely. This is why you need good quality thread... I used cheapo stuff the first time and it just snaps at this stage, which is hugely annoying!
 I added buttons to the centres of my flowers, but a smaller circle of contrasting fabric, or a Prima flower centre would work too.
Ta Da!!!! How easy is that?
I can see fabric flowers appearing on LOs throughout galleries and blogs very soon.... and we'd love to see how you use them. Leave us a link to your work in the comments box so we can pop by and have a looksie.

I'll be back tomorrow with another couple of LOs to share.

Bye for now
xxx

13 comments:

yvette said...

wow, so much work on one layout, but wasn't it worth it. I love the colour combo and those flowers are fabulous. Thanks for showing how to make them, I have trillions of bits of fabric so I am going to have a go and make some.

Kate said...

This layout is so cute and I like the flowers, might have to give them a try.

** Kate **

Jimjams said...

Those flowers are amazing - could you share the original link as well please?

Carol said...

Fab LO, love the colours and flowers and the photo is so adorable.

Carol X

Amanda said...

Those flowers are fab def having a go at those thanks for sharing :-)

Nat said...

Was that a birthday plug Stevenson?! For shame! ;) Gorgeous layout, really love the quilling! So unusual to see it on a scrapbook page but it looks fab, will have to give it a go. Thanks for the inspiration xxx

Karen leonard said...

Fabulous layout with so much detail. its really lovely. Thanks for showing how to make the flowers, they don't look too difficult but look amazing on the page.Karen

Lesley said...

Gorgeous layout and thanks for the instructions for making the flowers they are stunning. I'm off to find some nice material to cut up to make some.

Jenga said...

More cool flowers! Love them. So now I have to get messy AND use flowers!!!??!!

Jenga said...

oh and 'tis only people born in the FIRST HALF OF JULY that rock :P :P

Louise said...

Sorry, we don't allow spammers on this blog... shoo, shoo, off with you :p

KraftyKaren said...

I love those flowers, will definitely give those a go as I have so much fabric that I never use.

Eileen said...

Wow, am I actually going to find a use for that quilling tool and the original papers that came with it? To be fair it was a gift, not a purchase, but I too have every bit of stash and every gadget from those days! Love those flowers, they look easily 'doable' unlike some of the ones I've seen. Great LO and lots of great techniques.

Seriously cute dog (and cushion!) too ...