serendipity

Tom's Shoes with a Dash of Bling

"Imagination rules the world." -- Napoleon

 

My first pair of Tom's Shoes.  They are super comfey and perfect for summer.  I opted for a cheerful, cherry red with an eye toward adding a dash of bling.  But with such a perfect blank slate, where do you start?!

I like the look of these iron on decals I made with Tulip Photo Transfer Paper.  I scanned some vintage Victorian paper scraps and trimmed away the excess paper.  Cute, but not quite the look I wanted.

Embroidery would be an excellent option.  A few French knots here and there with a running stitch along the toe band  would add a nautical feel to the shoes.  Still, it wasn't quite the look I wanted.

I had loved the sequin styles at the store, but didn't want that much bling.  I decided to walk the line between polka dots and flashy using white seqins glued into place with Aleene's Jewel-It Embellishing Glue.

To get started squeeze a dot of glue where you want it to go and place a sequin onto it.  I used the back of a ball head pin to push the sequin firmly into the glue.  It will squish around the edges which is okay as the glue dries clear.  Bigger blobs I scrapped away with the tip of the pin. 

For just a bit more bling I used Tulip's Beads in a Bottle in Silver on the heel.  

I'm pleased with the finished product.  My shoes now have a simple, clean, graphic style with just enough bling to get a gal through the day.  

•Note - Allow the glue to dry for a full 24 hours before wearing your newly embellished shoes.   I know it will be a challenge, but this will insure that the sequins stay securely attached.

serendipity: Designer Crafts Connection: First Monday - Quick-n-Ez Jewelry

"Words form the thread on which we string our experiences."  -- Aldous Huxley

This is a quick and easy bangle bracelet to create.  Make one or make several. Each takes less than an hour and may be customized to match any outfit you have in mind.  Go glam with metallic threads or keep it colorful and simple as in the case of this example.  I've been living in my raincoat these last few days, so I chose a water theme.

To get started you need the following:

MATERIALS

wood bangle bracelet - I used one from DIY Bangles that is 1/4" x 3" with a flat exterior shape.

#3 perle cotton  - I chose 4 colors of DMC Perle Cotton in 798, 943, 955, 966

1 large eye needle 

scissors

 

DIRECTIONS

Undo the first skein of floss and cut an 18" length of thread.  If you are right handed, place the tail ontop of the bracelet with the tail facing to the left and held securely by your left hand.  If you are left handed follow these instructions in reverse beginning with the tail facing to the right and held by your right hand.

With the tail securely held, proceed to wrap from right to left over the tail pulling firmly as you go.

Continue wrapping until you have covered a desired amount.

Thread your needle with the remainder and tuck it under the portion you have wrapped.

Pull the needle through and trim away excess thread.  Trim away any tail that may still be seen.

Proceed to the next color repeating the same procedure, beginning with cutting an 18" length of thread.

Continue working in the same manner with each color in sequence.  

I worked a 4 color repeat 4 times.  I didn't concern myself with each wrapped section being equal in length, though you can certainly measure by counting wraps or using a ruler.   

Keep for yourself or gift as a gift.  This bodascious bangle bracelet is a colorful delight.  

For more jewelry ideas, checkout the work in the Designer Crafts Connection webring wherever you see this logo.

Each blog in the hop is written by a designer associated with the Craft and Hobby Assocition.  We each have unique styles, so be sure to hop through to see what each is doing with this month's theme of Quick-n-Ez Jewelry.

free pattern: Dotty Necklace

"Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly."  --  Epictetus

I wanted a colorful accessory, something simple and not fussy - enter Dotty Necklace.  The colors reflect my love for spring, the soft greens of ferns and moss.  Each bead was needle felted following my pancake bead pattern. The directions I provide are for an 18" necklace.    

MATERIALS

16 pancake beads made from Clover's Natural Wool Roving in Chocolate, Mint, Moss Green and Off White

tiger tail or other bead stringing wire

2 silver crimp beads

2 glass beads to match roving

2  silver 5mm jump rings 

1 heart toggle closure

flush cutters

needle nose pliers

milliner's needle

 

DIRECTIONS

Using the milliner's needle, poke a hole through the center of each wool bead.

Cut a 24" piece of tiger tail.

Open one jump ring, slip one half of the toggle clasp onto it and then close the ring.

Thread the tiger tail through one crimp bead and the jump ring and then back through the crimp bead.

Squeeze the crimp bead using your crimp pliers.  Give it a quarter turn to round the bead.

Clip off excess wire.

Add a glass bead to the wire. 

Thread your milliner's needle with the wire and proceed to add the wool beads.

Remove the milliner's needle.

Add the final glass bead.

Attach the other jump ring to the 2nd half of the toggle clasp.

Thread the tiger tail through one crimp bead and the jump ring and then back through the crimp bead.

Squeeze the crimp bead using your crimp pliers.  Give it a quarter turn to round the bead.

Clip off excess wire.

a basic paper daisy

"Earth laughs in flowers." --  Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've been playing with my diecutter, challenging myself to explore paper and form. Could I create an entire prairie of paper flowers?  Here's a basic daisy.

 

MATERIALS

12" x 12" 80lb cardstock (I chose red and a scrap of goldenrod.)

button (size of a nickel)

colored pencil (I chose white.)

16 gauge floral wire

small spool of 26 gauge wire (I chose white.)

paper glue 

spool of green floral tape in green

awl or shape, thick needle

regular pencil

scissors

wire cutters

 

DIRECTIONS

I used my diecutter to cut the basic flower shape. You may either purchase a pre-cut shape or draw your own and cut it out with scissors.  A hand drawn shape will be a bit irregular, but no less charming.

Once you have your shape, use your sharpened colored pencil to draw a running line of dashes approximately 1/4" from the edge of the shape.  

Trace a quarter on some scrap paper for the center circular shape.

Cut out the circle and use the tip of your scissors to snip a fringe around the edge. Your snips should be approximately 1/4" in length.

Glue the circle to the center of the paper shape.  

Place the button in the center of the flower and use your awl to punch holes into the paper through the button holes.

Cut or tear off a piece of the floral tape and wrap it around one piece of the floral wire.

Cut an 8" piece of the 26 gauge wire.

Use the wire to attach the button to the paper.

Cut another piece of 26 gauge wire, this one 12" in length.

Attach the flower to the stem by wrapping the second piece of wire around both the wire of the flower and the stem.  I used a different color, but this isn't necessary.

To finish off your flower, cut or tear off another piece of the floral tape and wrap it around the stem covering all the wire.

Try different color combinations and sizes.  Use different button styles.  Glue on a few sequins or a dash of glitter for a bit more bling.  These flowers are quick and addictive to make.

Easter Egg Bling

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."  --  S.D. Gordon

Mom was always one to plan for holidays months before they arrived.  Christmas started in July with all presents purchased and wrapped by mid-October and the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Easter preparations began on Mardi Gras.  I don't know how she did it as the holidays always seem to catch me by surprise. So when I craft for them, I make items that take only a few hourse to complete.   This blinged out egg is perfect. It adds sparkle to the usual Easter line up and can double at Christmas as an ornament.   I call that the win-win of crafting.

MATERIALS

Stryofoam™ egg

Tissue paper (I used pink scraps leftover from my Peony Tissue Paper Wreath.) 

Collage Pauge® Instant Decoupage™

Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue

sequins, same or similar in color to the tissue paper

2" eye pin

8" of 1/4" satin ribbon

Foam Brush

Scissors

Toothpicks

Foil

 

DIRECTIONS

Cut the tissue paper into 1" squares. 

Pour a puddle of Collage Pauge®  onto the foil.  Using the foam brush dab the Collage Pauge® over a portion of the egg.  Add a few pieces of tissue paper. Dab more Collage Pauge® across the surface of the paper.  Continue to collage in this manner until the entire egg is covered in tissue paper.  Allow to dry.

Once dry, push the 2" eye pin into the center egg's top end.

Apply a thin coat of Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue over a portion of the egg.  Use the side of a toothpick to evenly spread it out.  

With a clean toothpick, lightly dab it into the glue.  This will give the toothpick a slightly tacky surcface for using to pick up and position sequins.  Apply sequins to the egg with the cup side of the sequin facing. (This side is more reflective and will provide maximum blingness.)

Continue adding glue and sequins until the entire surface of the egg is covered.

Slip the ribbon through the eye of the eye pin.  Pull it through so both ends are touching. Tie them together using an overhand knot.

Allow the glue to dry.

Give some Easter Egg Bling as a gift, hang it in the window or display it in your favorite basket.

how to make a peony tissue paper wreath

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!' " --  Robin Williams

Hello sunshine!  Spring is my favorite season, hands down, no question about it.  I thought I would get a head start with it by making a wreath of peonys.  Around Chicago these won't be in bloom until June, so I made mine from tissue paper.  It's a great project to do with children!

MATERIALS
1            pack each of 10 sheets of 20x20 inch tissue paper in red, hot pink, pale pink, white

1            spool of 26 guage green wire or 36 green pipe cleaners (chenilles)

1            18" wire wreath frame

1            1/2 yard of 2" wide green satin ribbon

1            wire cutters

1            scissors

 

DIRECTIONS

Cut 36 12" pieces of wire or set aside 36 pipe cleaners.

Open a tissue paper pack,  flatten it out and cut a straight line down the center vertically.  You will now have 20 sheets of paper, each 10" x 20".

Take the first pile of 10" x 20" paper strips and cut horizotally across the stack every 4".  This will make 100 strips of tissue paper each 4" x 10".  I didn't use a ruler, so some were slightly smaller while others were slightly larger. 

Repeat the previous step until all the paper is cut.

Stack 6-10 strips ontop of each other.  They can be all one color or two-toned. 

Proceed to fold them into accordian pleats.

Once completed, fold in half like a fan.

Slip a wire through the center of the fold and twist together

Cut a semi-circle around the edge of the open end.

Open up one side and smooth it flat as much as possible without tearing the tissue paper.

Pull one sheet at a time gently toward the center.

When you finish one side, repeat the previous step on the other side.

Wrap the wire stem around the frame.  

Continue making flowers and wrapping their stems around the frame until is full.

If you still have tissue paper remaining after making 36 flowers, feel free to make more.  I kept going until my wreath was very "fluffy" and full.  You may like a slightly looser look or want to purchase even more paper to make more flowers.

Once the wreath is full of flowers, slip the ribbon onto the back of the top of your wreath.  Pull it through until folded in half.

Cut a V into the ends of the ribbon and tie them together.

Hang it up and enjoy!

**  To keep it from quickly fading, do not place it in direct sunlight

or where it may get wet.  **

Customized Monogram Sachet

 

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."
--  William Wordsworth

I have monogrammed towels, napkins, handkerchiefs and pillow cases that date back to my great grandmothers.  Some were stitched by them, others were commercially made and all are treasured. 

For my daughter's birthday, I decided to make a monogrammed sachet featuring the initial of her first name.  I flipped through books of typographic counted cross stitch charts, but none were satisfactory for my purpose.  They didn't reflect my own script.  Handwriting is personal and unique to that individual.  With a few simple tools and a little bit of improvisation, I was able to make a sachet that featured my handwriting.

 

MATERIALS

5" x 5" piece         14 count cross stitch canvas - white

5" x 5" piece         cotton cloth to match your floss

1 skein                    6 strand floss in your favorite color

1                                Tulip® Disappearing Ink Pen

1                                tapestry needle, #22

1                                sewing needle

1                                spool of white thread 

1 pr                          scissors

1 ounce                  dried lavender

1                               metal ruler

1                               rotary cutter

1                               rotary matt

iron

sewing machine

 

DIRECTIONS

Measure and cut the cross stitch canvas and backing fabric using your metal ruler, rotary cutter and rotary matt.

Use the Tulip® Disappearing Ink Pen to write the letter you wish to stitch in your fanciest of fancy handwriting.  Be certain to center the letter on the canvas.  Don't worry about making a mistake.  If you do, simply rinse the canvas in water and iron until dry.

Cut a piece of the floss the length of your arm.  Anything longer will likely tangle.  

Divide the floss in half.  You will be working with only 3 strands at a time.

Thread your needle, knot the end and begin.

For my monogram I combined back stitches with cross stitches.  Where the line is thinner, I followed along with back stitches.  As my line grew thicker, I switched to cross stitches.  

I followed the thicker portion of the monogram with one cross stitch working them on the diagonal along the curves and then went back to fill in with another where I felt a bit more fullness was required. The result looks stepped like a staircase when close up.

When I finished the monogram,  I stitched one cross stitch every other space around the perimeter of the letter to act as a frame.

Once finished with the stitched framework, place right sides of both fabrics together.  As this project is small, you won't need pins to hold them together.

Using the straight stitch, machine sew around the edge of your sachet with a 1/4" seam allowance. Be careful to leave a 1" gap at the bottom edge that you don't stitch. 

Trim away the excess fabric.  

Cut the corners close to the edge of your stitched line.

Turn your sachet right side out and lightly press with your iron.

Fill the sachet with lavender.  I found it easier using a spoon rather than a funnel of any kind.

Hand sew the gap closed using the ladder stitch.

Ribbon and Sequin Lavender Sachet

"Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected." -- William Plomer

I love lavender sachets.  You will find one stashed in every drawer of my house, let alone in each yarn bin of my craft closet.  They smell wonderful and are a natural alternative to moth balls.  

Laura Foster Nicholson's Cake ribbon  was the inspiration for my latest.  This is a great afternoon project.  Make one for yourself and another for a friend

Materials 

1 foot                   Laura Foster Nicholson's Cake Ribbon

1 fat quarter     linen or a 24-28 count evenweave cross stitch fabric

1 foot                   1/4" ribbon (I used a vintage pink ribbon from my stash.)

1  package          sequins  (These are a matte finish with a pearlescent coating)

1 bottle               Aleene's® Jewel-It Embellishing glue

1 spool                thread to match 1/4" ribbon

1 spool                thread to match fabric

1 ounce               dried lavender 

1                             rotary cutter

1                             rotary matt

1                             metal ruler

1 pr                       scissors

1                            sewing needle

1 foot                   tin foil

4-5                       pins

sewing machine

Measure and cut two 4 3/4" squares of linen using your ruler, rotary cutter and rotary matt.

Cut your favorite "cake" motif from the ribbon.  This square is roughly 2" x 2" in size.

Pin the ribbon to the center of one piece of linen.

Machine sew it into place using a straight stitch and only 1/8" seam allowance using the thread to match your 1/4" ribbon. Remove pins.

Place the  1/4" ribbon around the edge of the "cake" ribbon covering up your machine stitches.  Pin the border into place, carefully tucking under the ends.

Cut an arm length piece of the same sewing thread.  Thread your needle and knot the end.

Hand stitch the 1/4" ribbon into place with a small running stitch.  You can machine sew it, but I love the look of hand embroidery.

Cover your work surface with tin foil.  Pour a few sequins onto the foil.  Place the embroidered ribbon front of your sachet face up onto the foil and proceed to make small dots of glue around the center image.  

Place one sequin onto each dot of glue.  If you are having trouble picking up the sequins, try tweezers.

Allow to dry.

Once dry, remove the foil from your work surface.  Pin together both squares of linen, face side inward.

Using the straight stitch, machine sew around the edge of your sachet with a 1/4" seam allowance. Be careful to leave a 1" gap at the bottom edge that you don't stitch.

Cut the corners close to the edge of your stitched line.

Turn the fabric rightside out finger pressing the seams flat.

Fill the sachet with lavender.  I found it easier using a spoon rather than a funnel of any kind.

Hand stitch the gap closed using the ladder stitch.

    

Front                                                            Back

Your sachet will retain its scent for 2-3 years before needing to be replenished. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Coasters / Placemat / Decoration

 

 

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love."  --  Albert Einstein

I love Valentine's Day!  All the pink and red.  These quick decorations can be completed in under a 20 minutes each and are great to do with children (7 and older).

Materials 

die cut felt heart (approximately 3" for the small and 5" for the large)

Aleene's® Jewel-It Embellishing Glue

Flat sequins (I chose red, for the red heart)

Tulip® Beads in a Bottle Paint (pearl pink for the red heart, semiprecious gold for the small pink heart and semiprecious silver and gemstone red for the large pink heart)

toothpick

small piece of aluminum foil (3" x 3"

 

 

For the red heart-

 

Squeeze dots of glue around the edge of the heart.

Sqeeze a small amount of glue onto the foil.

Pour out a small amount of sequins near the foil.

Dip the toothpick lightly into the glue.

Use the toothpick to pick up the sequins and position them into place on the heart.  You may need a 2nd toothpick (without any glue on its tip) to push the sequin into place.

Once dry, use the Pearl Pink Beads in a Bottle to squeeze random dots.  If you have a heart with a lacy pattern as those in the sample,  follow along the die cut pattern.

Allow to dry before moving.

 

For the small pink heart - 

 

Use the Semiprecious Gold Beads in a Bottle to squeeze random dot working your way from the interior to exterior of the heart.  If you have a heart with a lacy pattern as those in the sample, follow along the die cut pattern.

Allow to dry before moving.

For the large pink heart - 

Use the Gemstone Red Beads in a Bottle to fill the interior of the heart with random dots.  Use Semiprecious Silver Beads in a Bottle to squeeze random dots along the perimeter.  If you have a heart with a lacy pattern as those in the sample, follow along the die cut pattern.

Allow to dry before moving.

Hang your collection from a chandelier.  Install them on the wall.  I scattered mine throughout the house for use as coasters.   

Pompom Topiary

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses."

 -- Hanna Rion

Topiarys are living sculptures.  They bring delight with their whimsy.  As a child I imagined they were the homes for elves and fairies.  Here is a  delightful popom topiary I designed for that childlike spirit who still believes in magic.

Materials

1    1 3/8" Clover pompom maker

1    1 5/8" Clover pompom maker

1    2 1/2" Clover pompom maker

1    bamboo skewer

1     2" x 1 5/8" miniature wood flower pot

1     6" piece of 1/4" ribbon

1     small bottle of dark green acrylic paint

1    small bottle of brown acrylic paint

1    skein of light green yarn  

1     skein of emerald green yarn

1    paper punch in the shape of a butterfly

1     sheet of gold paper

1     bottle of Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue

1     1"x 1" x 1" piece of styrofoam

1    piece of dark green craft felt

1     scissors

1     piece of white tailors chalk 

 Directions

Paint flower pot with green paint.  Allow to dry.  Paint another coat. Allow to dry.

Paint skewer with brown paint.  Allow to dry.  Paint another coat.  Allow to dry.

Make 1 small, medium and large pompom.  Use both green yarns held together.  Trim any access or long bits.

Turn the flower pot upside down onto the felt.  Trace the circle with a piece of tailor's chalk onto the felt.

Cut out the circle.

Insert the foam into the flowerpot pushing it down firmly so it is secure.

Glue the felt circle onto the top of the styrofoam.

Glue the ribbon along the brim of the flower pot. Trim off access.

Make a gold paper butterfly using your butterfly punch.

Glue the butterfly onto the ribbon at the point where the ends meet, so that the ends of the ribbon are no longer visible.

Stick the skewer into the center of the flowerpot through the felt and styrofoam.  Remove.  Squeeze some glue into the hole, carefully not spilling any onto the felt.  Push the skewer back into the hole.

Thread the pompoms onto the skewer, beginning with the large, then the medium and finally the small pompom.  Spread them evenly across the pompom with the smallest at that top.  

Once you like the positioning of the pompoms, add a little glue to secure them to the skewer.  

Allow to dry before moving.

* This project is perfect for using with yarn leftover from other projects.  Make them white for a winter scene or for use at a wedding table.