Burlap Spiral Flowers Easter Egg Topiary DIY

I first saw a spiral flower (although it was curled wood) on a wreath at Target a few years ago before my days of blogging.  I thought it so unique and very creative.  So did many other crafters as it has become a very popular paper craft item to make.  I've had on my list to make an Easter Egg Topiary out of spiral flowers made with my go to fabric, burlap.  Here's what I used and how I made it:

• Burlap
• mod podge
• circle pattern
• scissors                                                                                     
• hot glue
• paper mache egg
• acrylic paint
• Urn, candle holder for display

I needed to start by "painting" the burlap with mod podge to make it stiff and fray free.  I've tried heat n bond and stich witchery but these made the spiral flowers too thick.

While waiting for the mod podged burlap to dry, I painted a paper mache egg (about 8 inches tall) using Americana Wild Orchid acrylic that matched the burlap.

After drying, I traced approximately 55-60 circles onto the burlap.  (I used a 3 1/4 inch ribbon spool circle as a pattern)

Next, started cutting a spiral circle within the circle, freehand. My cut was like a scallop edge, weaving in and out.  I thought it looked more interesting than a straight edge.  And don't worry about it being perfect.  Once rolled, you can't really see imperfections.

Continue cutting in a spiral circle until reaching the center and have a small circle at the end. 

Now we're ready to start rolling.  I like to dab a little glue on first and  beginning at the narrow pointed tip, rolling the burlap between your fingers following the inside edge, tightly.

When you reach the end, hold the rolled burlap in the palm of your hand and let go, allowing it to uncoil a little, forming a beautiful spiral flower.

 Holding the flower together so it doesn't unravel completely, turn over and dab a bit of glue on the center of the spiral and in the middle of the end circle piece and stick together.

After making  x amount of flowers, begin by hot gluing one to the top and center (narrow end) of the paper mache egg.

 Continue gluing the flowers around the egg.

 As you get closer to the bottom, place the egg onto your urn or candleholder to judge how far down you need to go so that the egg can sit straight and flat, without the flowers interfering.  It might be necessary to hot glue the egg in place.  Mine was able to sit straight without gluing.

  

I love the look using a dark urn and I had a hard time deciding whether to use a light color container like this . . .

or the dark color.

Which one do you prefer?

I love both looks!!!

  

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

 

Happy Easter Egg Banner

It started with a bag of paper mache eggs I got on clearance last year for 50 cents a bag.  I thought I would use them to make birds . . . something I've had on my mind to do.  But, as a crafter, you all know those feelings, the inspiration hasn't come yet to get started with that project.

Since the easter season is upon us, I've joined so many in making yet another simple and easy banner.

Starting with the paper mache eggs, I sponged painted just the front with an easter shade of light purple.

And then got carried away with what I was doing and forgot to take pictures of what I did next.

I printed off the words HAPPY EASTER, cut them out and mod podged the letters onto the eggs. 

Then I knotted strips of twine, added tacky glue and attached with straight pins through the tops of the eggs.

At first I thought I would hang the eggs from a branch (horizontal) of a tree that had spring blossoms.  But then I realized that I didn't have a branch long enough to line up all the eggs and one very important discovery . . .

Do you know how hard it is to get the letters to hang straight in front if tied to a branch? 

Luckily, I had a springy flower painting my mother-in-law had done so I turned it sideways and attached the twine attached eggs. I was able to line up the letters with the support of the canvas.

 Spring sure is bursting out all over  . . . and Easter is almost here!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

Gail

Linking To:



http://www.interiorfrugalista.com/2014/03/diy-sunday-showcase-and-features_29.html



No Sew Loopy Ribbon Flower Burlap TableRunner

It's springtime and I'm getting ready for the wonderful time ahead.  Warmer weather and welcome changes.  Looking for something a bit different I was inspired by seeing a group of colorful ribbon at a local craft store. 

 "Spring flowers" I thought. And in my favorite colors!  I knew I had to whip something up, something simple and inexpensive.  Something decorative, shouting out:  It's Spring!  What, you say would that be?   A tablerunner, that's what.  It's the ultimate expression of the season for décor and entertaining!  You can make one for each:  Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  And you can put a tablerunner together in no time. 

For me, burlap is the ultimate, cheap, go to fabric. And ribbons are so colorful, and plentiful!   Combining the two makes for an awesome showing.  And what a wow factor change!

Here's how I put the burlap and ribbons together:

Since one side of my burlap fabric was already fringed, a quick option would be to make the entire runner fringed all around instead of folding over seams.  Once you've decided on the length and width (including fringe) based on the table or buffet you want to cover, simply pull a thread out of the burlap to get a straight line.  The first time I did this I realized the width I decided on was too wide for my buffet.  Since I had already started the fringe, it was easy to just cut the fringe off evenly and start a new line for the fringe shown in the picture. Pulling the threads away to form the fringe was so easy to do.

Next, I cut out three round burlap disks (1 3/4" in diameter,using the bottom of the glue container as a pattern) and ironed on heat n bond for stability to glue the ribbon to.  Burlap is an open weave and the glue would easily flow to the back of the burlap and I wanted to prevent this.   

I cut 3 1/2 inch strips of ribbon for the first row.  I had additional ribbon in a color that I loved and used it first in the 3, 6. 9. and 12 positions, gluing (hot glue) each strip together to form loops.  I tried to follow the color layout of the purchased ribbon after gluing the initial four ribbons.

 

For the second row, I cut the ribbon into 2 1/2 inch strips and glued them down like the others. 

 

Once that row was complete, I cut out another burlap disk like the first and glued it to the center to cover the ribbon edges and for a neater look.

 

It's beginning to look like a pretty loopy flower, doesn't it?

For the flower stems I measured where I wanted the flowers placed on the runner overhang and then cut out strips of green ribbon. I put a little hot glue on the bottom end of the ribbon next to the fringe just to get started.  Once in place, I glue down the entire ribbon using fabric glue and following the burlap thread for a straight placement. I used fabric glue for a smooth look which I don't think I would have gotten with hot glue on ribbon.  *Remember to place a protector (I used parchment paper) under the burlap for any glue that might seep through.

I love the look of the ribbon flowers on top as well as hanging down.

And finally, repeat the same process for the other end of the runner.

I used two packs of the muti color ribbon @ $1.99 each from AC Moore. The burlap was 3.97 a yard at Jo-Ann and with a 50% off coupon . . . the entire runner was done for less than ten dollars, including all other supplies. 

I do hope you like this Loopy Ribbon Flower TableRunner and are inspired to make one!

Remember, you can make this in any color palette . . .

one that you love!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

Bunny Rabbits Burlap Canvas Craft

Make this cute Easter burlap canvas art featuring burlap carrots, raffia carrot tops and  fleece bunny rabbits with bushy pom pom tails.  These little bunny rabbit silhouettes are just too cute sitting and looking at the bountiful carrots.


Here's what you need to get started:

• Burlap canvas (20x16)
• Orange burlap
• Fusible heat n bond
• Raffia (green or paint)
• White fleece or felt
• Pom poms  (3)
• Carrot template
• Bunny template

To start, you can either draw free hand a carrot and rabbit or locate templates online similar to the ones pictured.  I made slight variations to the ones I found by googling rabbit templates.

You will need to make seven carrots and three rabbits.  For the carrots, I fused heat n bond to two pieces of burlap and cut out 7 carrots, slightly varying the shape, but keeping the same height and width.

Next, I painted raffia green.  After drying, I wrapped the raffia together with cellophane tape to form the carrot tops

I hot glued the carrot top bases to the burlap canvas and then glued the carrots on top.

I then cut out the fleece rabbits and fused heat n bold to the backs (forgot to take pictures of this) and then glued the rabbits on top of the carrots and then the pom poms onto the rabbits.

Don't you just love looking at these pom pom bunny tails?

 The bunnies look like they are ready to pounce on the carrots!

Too cute! 
And the burlap canvas can be framed to compliment your décor.

I'm sure this can stay up all summer long since bunnies tend to visit during that time especially if you have a garden.

 

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Crafting!

Gail

Linking To: