Oooh... Vintage Lace!

I visited my lovely mum yesterday and she is also very crafty so has oodles and oodles of craft stuff, especially from years ago when she used to make dolls and dresses and other things.

In her Aladdin's Cave of craft goodies she discovered some old lace that had been given to her. I say 'old' - I'm talking 25 years or so ago so not antique, but more vintage! I love vintage!!

She was kind enough to give a carrier bag full of various colours and styles to me! Lucky me!

Here's a picture of the lovely wand I came up with in coffee and cream colours.

And a close up of the detail of the lace...

Would look stunning with a vintage cream coloured wedding dress!!!

 And just a little shout out to a yummy mummy's little guy who is 1 today - Happy Birthday NT!!

XX 

Tutorial Tuesday - Ribbon Wreath.

Here we are again, these days are flying by!!!

As promised this is the tutorial for the lovely initial ribbon wreath made for my daughter's 3rd birthday party.

You will need:

A 25cms Polystyrene wreath base (Mine had a flat back),

lots and lots of co-ordinating ribbon cut into 2.5 inches,

Long pins with heads,

A wooden or Foam medium sized letter or number,

Paint (to paint your letter if unpainted), Newspaper & apron

Couple of long lengths of co-ordinating ribbon to make bow and hanger.

Step 1

Select an initial (or number) to use and paint it, (if unpainted), in a colour to match your ribbon choice. Leave to dry and move on to step 2.

Step 2.

Cut your chosen ribbon into 2.5 inch strips.

Step 3

As before with the table decorations curl over the ribbon strip and where it overlaps push a pin through to the end.

Starting at the top of the wreath push through the ribbon loops, until they sit snugly on top of the polystyrene wreath, I worked in rows downwards, mixing up the colours as I went.

Work your way all the way around - you might want to stop for a cuppa halfway!

Jaffa Cakes optional!!!

Step 4

This is an optional step as I ran out of ribbon right at the end! I had a few inches of white space left, so I decided to get some co-ordinating satin ribbon and wrap it around the wreath. This then became the top of my wreath. You don't have to do this part - you can just keep going with the ribbon loops until completely covered.

This is the view from the back - I just wrapped 2 different colours around and around until the white space was covered and then secured with a couple of the long pins.

Step 5

I then took 2 lengths of paler satin ribbon and twisted together. I pinned one end at the edge of the wrapped ribbon block and the other end at the other side of the wrapped ribbon block.  (You can see in the picture above where it is pinned). This gave me my hanger, to hang on a hook attached to the door. If you missed out the wrapping ribbon section and continued with the loops then just pin the hanger at the back leaving a gap between each end.

Larger view from the back showing wrapped section and hanger.

Step 6

Next heat up that trusty old glue gun!

Take your now dry letter or number and onto the back squeeze a large blob of hot glue and spread it around the lower half. Press the letter firmly onto the wreath making sure it is sticking to the polystyrene not just ribbon (you want it to have a nice firm base and not wriggle around!) I put it on the lower right hand side of the wreath slightly offset. Turn off glue gun!!

Step 7.

To finish off the wreath I made a large satin ribbon bow using the 4 colours I had used in the wreath and pinned it on with a ribbon loop in the middle to tie it all in. (You can miss this part out if you wish - it just finished off the wrapped ribbon section nicely!)

Voila - a gorgeous ribbon wreath to match the ribbon topiary trees from last week that you can make to any colour way or occasion!

Next Tutorial Tuesday I will be doing tissue pom-pom flowers...

1 Week old today! - And a puffball wand giveaway!

My little blog is a week old today, so in celebration of that I will be offering 1 lucky winner a puffball wedding wand in the colour of their choice!

All you have to do is follow my site and leave a comment before 15th September 2011. A random winner will be chosen, make sure you leave a way for me to contact you to discuss your prize!

2 Examples of puffball wands, a lovely peacock-coloured one in greens & blues, with satin dangling ribbons. Also a lovely pale pink / pale blue one with organza, lace and satin dangling ribbons.

Each one is made from 11inches approx of 9mm dowel, wrapped in satin ribbon and topped with 2 organza puffs, with a selection of dangling ribbons.

Perfect for a flowergirl or bridesmaid or just for fun!

Good Luck!!!

...My lovely things have arrived!

Well after all my patient waiting, my lovely ribbon and beautiful organza samples have arrived...now I can get down to business!

And yes - I did sort out that ribbon box!!

That's better! And all colour co-ordinated too!!

...Waiting for the postman!!

I wonder if anyone else is like me. I'm itching to start making some more wands, got some lovely ideas floating around my head, but I can't start them until the postman delivers the white satin wrapping ribbon and the black satin wrapping ribbon I have ordered. It's terrible when your crafting urges are stifled by the royal mail! I have received some gorgeous red organza ribbon though - perfect for the Christmas wands I've got planned!

On the plus side though, it will give me time to sort out my very messy ribbon box...

...I am so ashamed!!!

Tutorial Tuesday - Ribbon Topiary

When I decided to start a blog it was not only to promote my little business it was also to put together party ideas and tutorials. I know when I was searching for ideas for my daughter's latest party that it was hard to find everything in one place. So I thought I would start with a tutorial on one of the table decorations I made.As it is Tuesday, this day of the week shall now be known as 'Tutorial Tuesday'.

Excuse some of the photos, my camera has funny moments now and again!

Finished Article:

You will need:

Newspaper / Old Clothes or pinny

 Terracotta Flowerpot (Mine was 12cm diameter by 10 cm tall),

Oasis for the pot

12 inches of 9mm wooden dowel

Polystyrene Ball

Long Pins with head

Lots and lots of co-ordinating ribbon cut into 2.5 inch strips

Paint (I used a testerpot of blue paint for the flowerpot - great because it comes with a brush! and I used a bit of pink shimmer paint I already had for the dowel)

Glue (I used my trusty hot glue gun!)

Cotton wool puffs (or sweets or glass pebbles) to cover  the oasis in the pot.

Ribbon bow & Jewel to decorate dowel.

Step One

Set out some newspaper and paint your pot and leave to dry, also paint your dowel a co-ordinating colour and leave to dry - I did mine on a lovely sunny day, so could sit outside and enjoy whilst working! Don't get many days like that in Wales!!

Whilst your pot is drying you can move onto to step 2.

Step Two

Choose your ribbon...

...and cut in to 2.5inch approx strips.

Step Three

Heat up that trusty old glue gun! (And maybe have a cup of tea!)

Step Four

Take your now dry dowel and push into the bottom of the styrofoam ball to make a hole, remove, into that hole insert a blob of hot glue and re-insert the dowel. Hold steady until set. Keep your glue gun on for the next bit.

Step Five

Insert your oasis into your now dry pot, making it nice and tight. Push the bottom of the dowel into the centre of the oasis to make a hole, remove. Into that hole put a nice big blob of hot glue (you need your dowel to be nice and secure in there). Push your dowel into the gluey hole and hold steady until set. Turn off your glue gun! (Gentle reminder - I'm forever leaving mine on! Naughty me!!!)

Step Six

Take your strips of ribbon and curl over to make a loop, where the 2 ends overlap insert a pin. Next, starting at the top of your styrofoam ball insert the pin all the way into the ball with the ribbon at the top, carry on using different ribbon in whichever pattern you like. Put them close together so you can't see the styrofoam ball.

Kinda like a curly hairdo!! Keep going until the whole ball is covered.

Step Seven.

Turn your glue gun on. Choose some clean cotton wool puffs or decorative pebbles or whatever you would like to use. Drizzle quite a lot of glue over your oasis and start to stick on your chosen decorative item. Press down firmly and pack in quite tightly, so that no oasis shows. Keep going until completely covered. Leave your glue gun on for the last step.

Step Eight

Make a co-ordinating ribbon bow, press a dab of glue into the centre of the bow and insert a jewel. Put a dab of glue onto the back of the bow and press firmly to the dowel, about halfway up. You could also decorate the pot if you like, I just glued a strip of co-ordinating ribbon around the lip of the pot. (Don't forget to turn that glue gun off!)

Voila... A gorgeous table centrepiece which you can make to match any colour scheme or occasion!

Next Tutorial Tuesday I will be showing you how to make an Initial ribbon wreath to match...

Hope I explained it well and any suggestions for future tutorials greatly received! Thanks!!!

Puffball wands and floaty tutu dresses

Thought I'd share these gorgeous items that I created over the weekend.......

The tutu dress is made in the halter neck style, so ties around the neck in a bow. It has an elasticated top and the dress is made from organza fabric so is really floaty and sheer. Would need leggings or a petticoat underneath. 

The puffs on top of the wand is again made from organza fabric, it also has dangling satin, organza and lace ribbon. Would be perfect for a flower girl or just fun fun.

The wands are available here

I also made a beautiful tutu dress in iridescent green - stunning!!!

How Twinkles, Tutus & Twirls was Born (Enchanted Hollow / Fairy & Elf Party)

This is how Twinkles, Tutus & Twirls was born. My daughter's love of Ben and Holly's little kingdom sparked the idea of having a fairy and elf party for her 3rd birthday. I researched and noted down ideas for months and decided to have a go at making 'no-sew' tutus, they are so easy to make and I was really pleased with the results. I also made a twirling ribbon wand for each little girl attending the party. Hence Tutus & Twirls, the twinkles part comes from my name which means star (I also love anything sparkly)!!!

I love that from a party idea has grown a fun creative business from home. My dream is to combine a party planning and design company with handmade bespoke decorations and costumes. Watch this space!!!

No-sew Tutus and Fairy Wings

And here are the tutus and wings... 

Each one was white and a pastel colour, except for my daughter's which was bright pink and black, she looked very trendy for a 3 year old!

They all looked so cute. The tutus were fun to make and I really enjoyed embellishing the fairy wings to match. Each fairy also had a flower headband to match!

I sell the sets of tutus/wings on ebay to any colour spec.

 Tutus Set

Ribbon Wands - the beginning!

Well, from what started as an idea for my daughter's 3rd birthday fairy and Elf party has really grown into a lovely crafty business from home. The wand on the left is a waving wand, great for weddings guests to wave as the bridal couple goes by and the wand on the right is a twirling wand - which makes gorgeous patterns in the air! The little fairies had a fab time making swirls and twirls. I also made 'elf sticks', so the boys didn't feel left out....

I used more masculine colours, with a felt 'leaf' and tinkling bell.

I am now working on other types of wands, so watch this space. I have some fab ideas for Christmas wands.

My wands can by purchased on ebay to any colour spec.

ribbon wands