Creative Ways to Arrange Silk Flowers
September 30, 2008
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If you like the look that flowers add to your home but don’t like the fact that real ones die so quickly silk flowers are a great route to go. You don’t have to worry about silk flowers dying, fading or keeping up with them maintenance wise. You can have the warmth of real flowers with no hassle by using silk ones.
photo credit: Robert in Toronto
You can find silk flowers just about anywhere, even at a local Target. You can also find them in gift and flower shops. You’ll find more of a selection in your gift or flower shops than you probably will at Target or a store similar to that. Silk flowers come in many different varieties. You can find a simple daisy or something as elegant as an orchid. No matter what your taste is, you’ll be able to find something that works for you.
To get started making a silk flower arrangement there are a few supplies necessary. They include:
• Floral foam
• Hot glue and hot glue gun (for adhering the foam to the bottom of your vase, basket or container)
• Moss to cover the foam
• U shaped floral pins to adhere the moss to the foam
• If you’re working with a basket as a container, line it with newspaper first so the foam doesn’t fall through the basket weavings.
• Wire clippers
Once you’ve gathered the tools and equipment needed there are a couple simple designs to begin and experiment with.
Triangle arrangements A triangle flower arrangement is probably the most common in floral design. Your flowers will always be taller than they are wide and the final product will resemble a triangle. To begin, start by establishing the width and height with some of your smaller flowers.
The flowers that are larger and have a bigger circumference should be positioned lower. This will create weight and visual focus to the floral arrangement. If you need to fill in space, do so to create the final look you are looking for.
Vertical arrangements When you are creating a vertical arrangement you want to make sure to position your tallest flowers should be three to four times the height of the vase. For example, if you have a vase that is 5 inches tall then your tallest flower needs to be 15 or 20 inches tall. To create the desired effect you are looking for fill in space as needed.
Horizontal arrangements This arrangement will work best with a shallow vase or container. Usually greenery is used to establish the flow of the piece. It should be fairly symmetrical on both sides. Greenery and flowers will be arranged so they droop over the sides while focal flowers are placed in the middle of the arrangement. You will need to fill in the space to create the desired effect. You do not need to add height because this is a horizontal arrangement.
Experts recommend that you follow these rules:
• Keep space between the flowers to avoid an overcrowded effect.
• Use flowers and greenery in all stages of development, from bud to full bloom.
• Gently bend the flowers and open and separate petals and leaves for a more natural look.
If you take proper care of your silk flower arrangement it can last many years. You should use an ozone free aerosol spray cleaner. Not only is this the quickest way to clean a silk flower arrangement it will also help keep the vibrant color.
50 Easy Projects with Silk Flowers & Permanent Botanicals
How to Scale a Knitting Pattern
September 29, 2008
photo credit: Lex in the City
So you found this great knitting pattern, a pullover you know will look great on your sister and a cardigan pattern you love for yourself but the pattern is the wrong size. While most patterns vary in sizes, if you are plus-sized or have unusual proportions finding a pattern that will be a good fit might be a bit difficult at times. There is a solution - scale it to the right size.
Scaling a knitting pattern to fit is simple in principle, requiring only a swatch, a ruler, and some simple math which is explained below. It’s important to remember you have to look at all aspects of the pattern when you put it into practice so you get the best fit possible.
Here are the steps to help you scale a knitting pattern:
1) To resize a pattern correctly, you’ll need to knit a swatch first. This square piece should consist of twelve rows of twelve stitches. This is the only way you can take into account the behavior of the yarn when knitted. Once you’ve completed the swatch, stretch it just enough to straighten the sides, then measure it’s width at the cast-on side. Once measured, you’ll need to figure out how many stitches per inch you’ve gotten. Do this by dividing the number of stitches by the width. Say for example your swatch is 4 inches wide; you’d divide 12 by 4 and get 3.
2) Measure how large you need the piece to be in inches (if that’s the unit you used to measure your swatch, just make sure you use the same unit method). Multiply that by 3 and you get 96. That’s how many stitches you’ll need to do to make it the correct size.
You might have to adjust the number depending on the knitting style you’re using. If you are using a pattern that uses multiple of 4, you will have to round up the next multiple of 4. In this case, no adjustments are necessary, but say you came up with 94, you would have had to go up to 96.
To get a proper fit, you’ll have to repeat this process for each piece. Don’t forget to take into account the finished product such as if it is designed to be shaped. In complex situations such as this one, it’s often easier to simply go ahead and just redraw the entire pattern prior to beginning.
Fiskars Ultimate Craft Trimmer
September 26, 2008
This Fiskars 12” Ultimate Craft Trimmer is a trimmer that is lightweight and cuts straight! Let me tell you, this is a big deal to me! After seeing and testing lots of trimmers that were either too big and heavy to have sitting out on my desk/table or they had problems of cutting straight, I have to admit I am pretty excited to let you in on this! I am like a lot of crafters that end up trying out various trimmers, and this is one I consistently go back to. It is also the oldest trimmer I have.
It’s a trimmer small enough to put in a basket next to my desk so it’s right there easy to quickly grab when I need it. The non-skid feet on the bottom keep the trimmer securely on most surfaces.
There’s a 13 ½ inch measuring surface for full 12 inch cuts with its steady arm in one smooth slice. The rotary blade makes the cut so smooth. Two EZ change Rotary blade Carriages are included. Besides your usual straight edge there is also the carriage for scoring.
The self-leveling ruler swings out and has a paper guide to allow for more precise measuring. It’s easy for a right or a left handed person to align paper for trimming.
The clear fingerprint guard is to help keep fingerprints off papers and pictures while trimming them up. The Fiskars Ultimate Craft Trimmer claims to cut straight, precise cuts of up to five-20 old sheets without tearing, fanning or shifting your paper. And honestly, I have yet to find a piece of paper that it can’t cut smoothly. Cutting smaller pieces of paper/pictures are also simple to cut.
Included with the Ultimate Craft Trimmer are 3 interchangeable face plates. For fine trimming there’s the 1/8 inch guideline. For all of our photos and cards the ½ inch guideline does the trick. And the angle guideline is useful for all of our special shape needs.
This is a great trimmer for the price currently at $31.99. Get your Fiskars 12″ Ultimate Craft Trimmer to help you on your cards, pictures and other craft items today!
Holiday Countdown
September 25, 2008
I mentioned the other day on my craft blog that I wasn’t ready for the holidays yet. I haven’t been feeling very holiday-ish, I don’t have any gifts made or bought, we don’t have any plans, nothing. That really isn’t like me because I am usually very prepared, I’m the type to start preparing, gift wise, in the summer! A great solution came when the Holiday Countdown was announced! I signed up and can’t wait to start getting the tips, they are going to start coming on October 1.
This is a free resource so get over there and sign up! Since I posted about my dilemma about the holidays, my husband and I have talked about gift giving for our family and friends and we did start a list. It is going to be very easy this year, which is good considering all that we have going on.I do wish we had plans but I’m not sure what I’d even want those plans to be, so I’m satisfied for now.
Have you started planning for the holidays? Are you the type that starts preparing in the summer or do you run around at the last minute?
Crafter Cast Show #17
September 24, 2008
Welcome to Crafter Cast Show #17 ~ Memorial Crafting ~ I look at memorial crafting as both crafting that is done to remember someone, and in my case getting ready for a memorial. Traditionally a memorial is done a year after someone passes away and you spend the year preparing for it. If you have read my craft blog you know I’ve had a rough year so I am using this next year to work on getting ready for the memorial.
What kinds of memorial crafts have you created, or what do you think of now? Scrapbooks, photo albums, quilting, prayer shawls and prayer beads come to mind for me. I’m thinking of ways I can help my children with a memorial craft, of what they can do and what would help them cope with a loss. In addition to preparing for my Grandma’s memorial, I plan on creating something for myself and for each of my kids.
Top Referrers
Crafty Round Up
This week I am featuring a few books:
- Bead One, Pray Too: A Guide to Making and Using Prayer Beads
- A String and a Prayer: How to Make and Use Prayer Beads
- The Prayer Shawl Companion: 38 Knitted Designs to Embrace, Inspire, and Celebrate Life
- Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Friendship Shawls
Use What You Buy At Etsy
September 11, 2008
I read a post that mentioned various items the author purchased at etsy.com. Etsy is not without its flaws I know but it is an easy place to shop since there is such a wide variety of items available. I used to be an impulse shopper and the internet doesn’t help but online wish lists help to curb that.
Etsy’s version of a wish list is called “your favorites” and it is very easy to add either a favorite item or a favorite seller, these are in two different spots on your etsy page. Adding an item or seller to your list is as simple as a click so it is easy for the list to get really big really fast. I don’t know what a seller sees - do they get a notice that their item is someones favorite? Either the item or their store.
Etsy Mini featuring some of my favorites
As of this writing, I’ve purchased 22 items on Etsy. Fifteen of the items are jewelry - I’ve worn five, two are for my daughter which she has worn, and five are for gifts later down the road. Two I’ve never worn but I will.
Five of the items are stationary items - notebook, journal, notecards etc. and I’ve used all from the day I got them. Oh not one set because it is a set of cards that I plan on framing and hanging. But the rest I have used and almost used up.
I also have a couple of dolls, a change purse, a regular sized purse, a few zines, coasters, fabric and a few kits for my kids to put together. I’ve used them all. I do have one thing that is more like a display item and that sits on the bookcase in the living room, being seen by all who come into the house.
Of everything I’ve purchased, the only things not used or worn are those couple of jewelry items. I think that is a pretty good percentage compared to others I’ve read about. Take caution in what you buy - don’t buy because it’s popular or you like it at this exact second. You do run the risk of a seller running out of something- keep an eye on if their shop is all unique items or if they restock regularly - but don’t impluse buy because you may end up regretting it.
Crafter Cast Show #16
September 10, 2008
Welcome to Crafter Cast Show #16 ~ What our families have taught us and how we will pass it on.
My Grandma recently passed away and during the drive back to Texas I spent my time thinking about her. She taught me how to bead on a loom, always let me (as a little kid) write on her crossword puzzles, and always explained whatever she was teaching. I’m sure it was my Mom and Grandma who taught me how to sew and embroider. They were never afraid to let me try something out, to use the sewing machine and try it out.
Alice & My Grandma, July 2008
Top Referrers
Crafty Round Up
This week I am featuring scrapbooking items! Scrapbooking is a great way to save your memories of your family, create a scrapbook about what you have learned from your Grandma, Mom, Aunts, Cousins. We have something for everyone - cardstock, ribbon, stickers, even adhesive.
Dishtowel Crafts
September 4, 2008
Dishtowels. Okay so you’re thinking dishtowels equal washing and drying dishes. But wait, put a little imagination into it and I’ll bet you can come up with some great crafts to make with them. Let’s get your creative juices flowing with these five. I’ve always loved the crochet dishtowels one can usually find at a local craft fair.
Make something that is decorative and useful for your kitchen.
Potholder
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Small piece of ribbon
* Needle and thread
Instructions:
1. Fold the dishtowel so that it is the size of a standard potholder.
2. Sew around the edges.
3. Sew the ribbon to a corner or side to use for hanging.
Make your little one feel like mommy with her own little apron you’ve made especially for her.
Child’s Apron
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Iron
* Needle and thread
* Scissors
* 2 yards of narrow ribbon
Instructions:
1. Place the towel face-down, fold the top corners inward to create an apron shape, and use the iron to crease them.
2. Sew a seam about an inch from the edge of each crease.
3. Using a dowel or pencil, thread the ribbon up through one seam and down through the other. Leave a loop for the child’s head, and knot the ends of the ribbon.
4. Fold the bottom up and sew to make pockets if desired.
Let’s think other family members. Try this dishtowel baby bib for your little one.
Baby Bib
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Ribbing
* Needle and thread
Instructions:
1. Cut a hole about 4 inches in diameter in the towel, about one-fourth of the way down.
2. Cut ribbing to fit around the hole, and pin it in place.
3. Sew the ribbing into place.
And who doesn’t like bunnies? You are going to love this dishtowel bunny craft.
Materials:
* A dishtowel
* Two washcloths
* Some ribbon
Instructions:
1. Lay the dishtowel down wrong side up, and fold it in thirds lengthwise. Then fold it in thirds again.
2. Roll one washcloth from the corner inward, stopping at the center. Do the same with the opposite corner, meeting the other roll in the middle.
3. Fold the top of the dishtowel down one-third of the way. Lay the washcloth inside the fold, grab the ends, and pull them up.
4. Use some ribbon to tie a bow on the washcloth, as close as possible to the dishtowel. Tie another bow on the dishtowel, directly under where the bulge created by the washcloth ends.
5. Roll the other washcloth starting at one side and ending at the other.
6. Slide this washcloth up between the back and front of the dishtowel, keeping it centered. Tie a bow on the dishtowel underneath it.
7. Bring the ends of the second washcloth around to the front and tie with ribbon.
And how about a Tote Bag? Another easy dishtowel project.
Tote Bag
Materials:
* Dishtowel
* Scissors
* Needle and thread or sewing machine
Instructions
1. Cut the towel to 14 by 27 inches.
2. Fold the towel in half so that it is wrong side out. Sew from the fold to the top edge on each side.
3. Cut two 2 by 27 inch handles from the excess material. Fold them lengthwise wrong side out and sew the length of the handle. When finished, turn them right side out.
4. Sew one handle to the inside front and one to the inside back of the tote.
So the next time you hear the word dishtowel, don’t think boring, think creative.
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