Bye bye winter...hello Summer Wreath!

Snow snow go away! I'm a fan of snow, don't get me wrong but not in March...I want to be outside drinking cocktails on sun loungers not sat inside with my hood up and a hot water bottle. Come on Summer it's nearly April!!

Channeling the summer and in line with an event at work I set about making a Summer Wreath - a bold take on the Chirstmas classic.

Summer Wreath Tutorial - @GlitteredPink

Here's how to make your own...

1. You will need - polystyrene plates, scissors, cocktail umbrellas and a Stanley knife.

How to make a Summer Wreath

2. Draw a circle template in the middle of your top plate

3. Secure the plates together by using a couple of umbrellas

Summer Wreath tutorial

4. Using the knife cut out the middle circle, repeat through the layers - leaving a hollow centre. Don't worry if it's not completely smooth and even as this won't be seen

5. Now you are ready to fill the ring with umbrellas. Layering on top of each other

Summer Wreath - Step by Step guide

6. Once you have done the top you need to pay attention to the bottom. My wreath was 8 plates deep, meaning that the cocktail sticks poke out the bottom. To allow this to hang right you need to trim.

  

7. Using scissors trim the sticks so they are at the same level of the plate (watch your eyes as the pieces fly everywhere!)

8. Finally - hang - step back and appreciate!

Summer Wreath - made from cocktail umbrellas - Made by @GlitteredPink

 Ta da!!!

I've hatched a plan...

Possibly one of my favourite times of years...why...
a. I love the spring freshness in the air and blossom on the trees
b. The miserable wetness of winter is over
c. Flowers are blooming - favourites being snow drops, daffodils, crocuses, tulips
d. Baby animals are arriving into the word
e. A long 3 day weekend can be enjoyed after Christmas
f. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!!!

This year the plan is to be good and reduce my chocolate intake so the plan is to celebrate Easter with family and friends by sharing my hatched plan of chicks...

Made out of felt these simple chicks are cute and last all year long, unlike the chocolate which lasts all of 5 seconds!

Felt Easter Chicks - by @GlitteredPink

Free felt chick template here....

Felt chicks  @GlitteredPink

Let them eat cake!

Having made lots of felty creations I've got lots of left over scraps of felt in higgled shapes and sizes. I don't believe in wasting so experimenting I set about making a tiny cake.

I started by cutting out the base shape in white, adding a blue case and the piece de resistance a small red cherry on top.
I crafted all the pieces together using chain stitch and voila a tiny baked cake! To finish I added some iron on vilene on the reverse to create a smooth finish, which is not essential but I prefer.

The next step is to share, it's just deciding how....

Special Requests - Heart Pin Board

It's always a proud day when you have your first special request, mine happened around this time last year. 
My manager approached me about making some heart pin board for his two beautiful daughters and loving a challenge I set to it. 

Heart Pin Board - bespoke request

Heart shaped pin board with added badges

Heart Pin Board made by @GlitteredPink

Materials:
- MDF wood cut into hearts by a specialist
- wadding
- fabric, lined with iron on vyleen
- staples
- badges to decorate
The finished size of each of these hearts is approx 1 metre by 1.5 metres.
With his daughters aged 3 and 8 the plan is for these hearts to be filled with badges and pins of places which they have visited, a visual diary. A cute and unique way to remember all the fabulous things you have done as a child. The badges featured are in honor of the 2012 Jubilee and many more special occasions from 2012 - a truly remarkable year for UK history!

I would love to hear if you have any requests which I can help with....

Tweet Tweet...Hello Spring!

Snow in March...who knew! This week has seen the coldest day in March since 1986. Snow I love you and it's fun to make snowmen but I was hoping to put the winter faux fur away and welcome spring which is hopefully around the corner! 

Felt bird made by @GlitteredPink

This spring we have new blue felt birds. Perfect alone or as a pair. 

Felt Blue Birds - made by @GlitteredPink

Like my blog and you want to hear more check out GlitteredPink 
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I dream of...

...Trees!! Random I know so let me explain!

I went to a lovely cafe this weekend called the Leaping Hare in Suffolk. If you ever have chance to go I would highly recommend it. The Eggs Benedict with bacon is scummy and the carrot cake is Devine!

Leaping Hare - Bottle Trees

After a lovely lunch I went for a mooch in the shop and came across this fabulous wooden tree which I thought would be perfect for all my little craft items! Intrigued I asked the shop assistant where I could buy one. She politely informed me that the RRP was £500 a lot more than - a. I can I afford and b. I was expecting.

However not deterred and thanks to the power of the Internet that evening I set about a search and good old Google didn't take long in finding me one for $210 from Raw Space in Australia. A fraction of the price I had been quoted but still a little steep and not to mention on the other side of the world.

So the plan is find someone to make me my very own unique wooded tree...fingers crossed...how hard can that be. In the mean time I have my dreams!

To all the mothers in the world

Happy Mothers Day!

Mother's Day is a special time of year to celebrate how much your mum loves and cares for you and to show her your appreciation for all her kindness.

I have my mum to thank for my art, sewing and craft skill. She taught me at a young age the art of making something unique and personalised.

My mum appreciates anything handmade, especially cards. Knowing this I set about making her a card and its always a pleasure.

1. Set on a design - cutting letters out of felt which will be fixed using double sided tape

Mum

2. Arrange the letters and apply double sided tape

3. Cut out the card. I made my card from scratch using crafting material to make the card body and background

Homemade card - rose print

4. Stick the letters to the card

5. Add a page insert with a personal message:

Mum is such

a special word

the lovelist

I've ever heard

A toast to you

Above all the rest

Mum you're so special

You are simply the best!

 

Mothers Day message

6. Voila!! A homemade card!

Mothers Day card

Mothers Day card @GlitteredPink

A is for...

I believe it's the special unique things which turn a house in to a home.

Pictures, ornaments, photos, crafty trinkets I love them all! Cluttered...I say lived in.
I love that feeling when you walk into a home and you just feel comfortable and right at home, able to kick your shoes off, put your feet up and relax!!

My sister in law to be, Amy (15 years old) has just had her room turned from a little girls room into a teen room with the exciting addition of a double bed!!

To make it that extra bit special I have made her some trinkets to hang from her head board. And guess what she loved them!

Felt Letter - made by @GlitteredPink

Handmade hearts @GlitteredPink

Handmade hearts @GlitteredPink

Lets all do the hop...

...the bunny hop!

Inspired by some little wooden rabbits which I saw at a craft shop in Suffolk I set about making my own Easter friends.

Felt rabbits - Easter

Made from felt, stitched together using blanket stitch and stuffed these bunnies are a perfect gift for Easter and spring.

Make a house a home with these cute finishing touches.

Easter bunny