Wire and Floss Flowers - How To

While perusing Pinterest, I came across an ancient flower making technique called Ganutell.  This is a craft that originated in Malta, many, many years ago.  The handcrafted flowers are very beautiful - a detailed and elaborate form of artwork.  I discovered a simpler way, for me, of making these beauties and one, I'd like to share with you. 

Gather the follow materials:
Floral Wire - 26 gauge
Stem Wire
DMC Embroidery Floss
Wood Skewer
Wire Cutter
Scissors

• Begin by wrapping wire around a wood skewer stick, reaching a length of about two inches or more depending on the size of petal you want to make.  Cut wire, press coils together and gently slide the wire off stick.

• Cut a piece of heavier stem wire about 5 inches long .   .  .

• And insert into coiled wire.   Fold in half, stretching coils and shaping spiral wire into a petal.  Try to stretch coils evenly and uniformly. Press ends together and twist to close, wrapping the thinner wire around to secure. 

• Take floss thread end and wrap around base of coiled wire petal, tie in knot to secure. 
• Begin to wrap floss across coils (parallel) maintaining snugness (not too loose or too tight) as you wrap. 

• Continue wrapping the floss between the coils until reaching the top end.

• Push floss thread through top middle coil and .  .  .

• Pull floss thread down the center of petal to base, wrap around, knot and cut off excess floss.

• Shape petal by bending near base. Repeat steps for five more petals.

To form the flower: 
Because I planned on attaching the flower to a tin box, I scrunched  aluminum foil into a ball, pressing it flat half way, as a center to attach the petals using hot glue (temporary) and E6000 for a permanent seal.

I decoupaged paper napkins onto a tin can, top and bottom and  .  .  .

attached the wire and floss flower using E6000 glue.

Imagine the possibilities using different colors of floss and wire shapes. 

I'm loving this ancient flower technique and hope you do, too!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

Corrugated Cardboard and Jute Twine Vase DIY

This is truly an upcycle/recycle craft - one, where most of the materials are household items.  A small cardboard box, wood skewers and jute twine.  

Lets begin by cutting off the flaps and peeling off the top paper layer of a small cardboard box to uncover corrugated paper with open ended grooves or ridges. 

It might be a bit time consuming to remove all of the paper especially the little slivers.  I used tweezers to help with the removal and then went over every groove with fine sandpaper.  Doing that did the trick, leaving the corrugated box relatively smooth. 

Next, I took wooden skewers and gently inserted one into every other groove - pushing down to the bottom of the box, around the entire box.  All the sticks should basically be the same height after inserting into the corrugated grooves. 

To make the inside of the box look neater and stronger I glued a piece of cardboard on the bottom.

Once all of the skewers were inserted, starting at the bottom, hot glued the jute twine onto the box, wrapping it around at least five times.

The next step is where I got decorative and started twirling and curling the twine on top of the corrugated grooves, gluing in place.

Once I went around the entire box, adding and gluing on twine designs, I started weaving the twine over and under the wooden sticks, first covering the top edge of the corrugated paper.

  I continued weaving the twine over and under around the box to complete five rows.  After that, I separated the weaving into five or more rows until nearing the top.  Then, I wrapped the twine around each wood skewer, all the way around until reaching the skewer where I started and ended, gluing the twine down inside and cutting off the excess.

Next, I coated the entire vase with mod podge and let it dry for a few hours.

After the twine and corrugated cardboard dried, I cut off the ends and the skewer sticks and filed down any sharp places.

And finally, I coated the inside and outside with a clear paint-on craft varnish.

If you want to display real flowers in this vase, there's enough room to insert a glass container.

For now, I'll stick with a faux fall arrangement.

Looks so earthy and rustic!

What a fun upcycle/recycle project!  I was inspired to make this from a vase I saw at Walmart and one online that I tried to find again but couldn't. 

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

Bowdabra Family Reunion Memories Journal

Today I'm excited to share how to make a  Family Reunion Memories Journal  at Bowdabra.com.  Pop on over to see how.  It's really a great idea for anyone planning a family reunion.

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

Stenciled Dimensional Leaf Mason Jars

Mason jar crafts are here to stay and, I bet, just when you thought you've seen them all, here's another to add to the mix!  Stenciled dimensional leaves on mason jars.  It's so easy to do - all you need is a stencil, DecoArt Dimensional Effects Paste, masking tape, craft stick and a mason jar!

And for the paste (sold at Hobby Lobby), it adheres to most surfaces, and provides a textured 3-D design that cleans up while wet with soap and water! How cool is that! #DecoArtDimensionalEffectsPaste

1.  Position stencil onto mason jar with painter's tape or re-positional spray adhesive.

2.  Spread on the dimensional effects paste over the stencil using a craft stick or palette knife.  Since I didn't have either, I used the back of a plastic spoon and applied the paste in thick layers.

3.  Once all of the stencil is covered, quickly peel the stencil from the jar, revealing an awesome raised leaf.  Wash the paste off of the stencil with water.

I used another leaf pattern stencil on a second jar.

4.  Allow to dry.  Depending on how thick the paste is applied, it could take anywhere from 4-12 hours.  I let mine dry overnight (at least 8 hrs.) since it was very thick in places.

5.  Once dry - the leaves felt firm but rubbery to touch, paint as desire.  I loved the look of the white leaves, but I knew I needed to add some color since leaves are not white .  .  .  although, I guess these could be considered bleached leaves if I added a light beige color.   Anyhow, I dry painted on green, copper and dark red acrylics to add some color.

I love how the jars look, especially, the raised peaks and valleys of the leaves, and how it feels, and I loved using DecoArt Dimensional Effects Paste.  I'm thinking of all the possibilities to use it on projects with the holidays coming up. It's such a great way to add additional interest to a lot of designs!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!