Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Monday, September 2, 2013

Halloween Deco Mesh Wreath

A promise is a promise! That and the fact that I totally knew I was going to be making this today. So go to your local craft store and gather your supplies. It's time to make another wreath!


MATERIALS NEEDED:
&&;; a large floral wire wreath ring
&&;; one large roll of deco mesh and one small roll of deco mesh in a corresponding color
&&;; chenille stems or pipe cleaners in a color that will blend in to your large deco mesh roll
&&;; scissors
&&;; fall / floral picks (I used some metallic orange pumpkins from the Fall/ Seasonal department and some green and purple curly picks from the Floral department)



First you will need to cut your chenille stems into thirds. You will need to cut about 25-30 of them depending on the size of your wreath frame.


Next you will be tying these pieces of the stems to the wire. I put about 2 per segment, but I did end up adding a few more sporadically as I tied on my deco mesh, so save a few as you go along.


Unroll your large roll of deco mesh a little bit and fold it over and into itself so that the edges and corners will be hidden and use any one of the chenille stem segments to tie the mesh to the wire wreath frame. DO NOT be afraid to stick the stem through the holes of the the mesh. It is a very forgiving material. It is soft/ yet firm at the same time which makes it really easy to use.


Once all the edges are where you want them to be, hidden yet secure, you can start tying down the rest of the mesh. I suggest pulling and puffing little bits at a time so that you can get the volume you want all the way around. Work in small segments and secure as you go along. If you need to you can also slide your chenille stem segments around the wreath so that you can make areas of the wreath look more voluminous. Again, feel free to add in more chenille stems as you need them.


Once you are done with that kind-of time consuming process, look the wreath over, puff anything out that needs it and make your minor adjustments before adding your second roll of mesh.


Unroll that second roll of mesh and secure one end of the mesh to the back side of your wreath. Loop, wrap and secure the mesh as you go along. you can puff it like you did with the first roll of mesh of you can kind of wrap and secure like I did:


If you have extra mesh from the second roll, cut it off and make a bow (that's a tutorial for another time! Shoot your browser on over to YouTube if you need to know how to do this now! I'll try to make one around Christmas time).



Once the bow is secure (use more chenille stems to secure it!) It's time to decorate. Picks are easy to use because you can weave the stick/wire piece around the wire wreath and they are usually pretty secure on their own.


Once everything is where you like it, slap a wreath holder on your door and put that bad boy up to proudly display. I may need to add a few more pumpkins to mine, but I am very happy with how it turned out!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

What I Love Wednesday 8.28.13

I cannot believe how quickly Wednesdays come and go! Here is what I am loving this week:


PicMonkey Photo Editing


Since I have moved, some of my things have obviously gotten lost in transit. This includes my Paint Shop Pro X CD which I use to edit all of my photos, and that of course includes the pictures I take for the shop that I use to advertise my items. Upon browsing several forums for which *free* photo editing website was the best, I found PicMonkey. They haven't let me down yet!


Creepy Doll Head Garland


You all remember how I said I was into creepy things? This would be one of these things. I desperately want to get one of these garlands for the Halloween party we're going to be hosting in two months, but it is soooo expensive because it is handmade. Also, it is not long enough. I am hoping that maybe I can replicate one in time. I'm just not sure where to start with this without getting the other people I would need to be involved, creeped out.

Puffy Food Stickers


What? Yes, this is what I've been spending a lot of time looking at. For a few good reasons though. I have a small Ball Jointed Doll which these would make the cutest picture stories and posters for if I used them and for resin making (I would put these inside). Needless to say I have been favoriting these left and right. They're so cute!

Gargoyles

I think that growing up with the cartoon series Gargoyles on Disney Channel as well as the animated Hunchback of Notre Dame  had something to do with my continuing fascination with these creepy creatures. I have always wanted to put them in my future garden rather than some silly little garden gnomes. Maybe Halloween will be a good excuse to invest in one then I will just casually leave him sitting outside. Heh heh.


ModCloth Lace Bowling Shirt


This final item is the one item on ModCloth I keep returning to (aside from the shoes on there, that's another story entirely). I am obsessed with the way this shirt is made. How it looks like a man's bowling league shirt, but it's lacy and feminine and fun. I may have to add it to the virtual cart of no return next payday.


That's five! I am so sorry the crafty posts have subsided! I promise I'll be posting something tomorrow!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

SSS (Stylish Smithereens Shop) Update and Future Plans


I haven't really done anything tutorial or review related all week, but do have a nail art tutorial coming soon. I thought I'd take this opportunity to update you all on my shop and what the future holds for it.

First of all, I have been making jewelry like a fiend. I will spend my day off secluded in the craft/game room and design and create jewelry and other goodies with YouTube blasting for... hours. That's almost sad to say, but I find it nice to listen to music, watch my favorites, or learn something while my hands are busy.

Here are a few pictures of my most recent creations:

Polymer Clay Cookie Necklaces

Sailing Ship Beaded Bracelet

Caged Pearls Dangling Earrings

Elegant Lady Skeleton Cell Phone Charm Dust Plug

Beaded White Dream Catcher w/ Mixed Feathers

Various 4 Packs of Ribbon Elastic Hair Ties

These are just a few of the items I have been working on (click on the massive orange banner on the right to purchase...erm, I mean, support me!). I have other projects coming soon as well which include an upcycled military jacket, lots of knitted goodies (just in time for fall/winter!), more dream catchers, and some upcycled vintage items. I look forward to working on all of these things this month!