Have you ever considered hand-stitching on a layout? It?s a completely original embellishment that adds a personal touch to your layout and is very cost effective. You can embroider many different stitches: cross stitch, blanket stitch, running stitch, feather stitch, back stitch, French knots, chain stitch, herringbone, stem stitch…the list goes on.

All you need is:

• embroidery cotton
• a needle
• a piece of foam or a mouse pad
• a pencil or template (handmade or purchased)
• a pin or a paper piercer

Firstly decide on your design and its placement. You can lightly sketch directly on your layout or use a template.

Use a pin to poke holes evenly along the design. To create a neatly round curve, poke the holes a little closer.

Now thread your needle with 2 strands of embroidery cotton. Decide on the stitch you wish to use on your design. If stitching a design such as a title backstitch is ideal.

Continue until your design is complete.

Add any other embellishments you desire.

Here are a few other hand-stitched designs have created.

I hope you give hand-stitching a go. Feel free to contact me through Scrap with V if you have any queries.

Cheers, Kerry

Hi girls…

What’s better then flowers??… FELT FLOWERS!!!…

Felt embellishments are all the trend at the moment but they can sometimes be a little expensive and also not quite the right colour, style or size. You can pick up A4 felt pieces at most craft/material shops for next to nothing & you can do a LOT with a single piece of felt. So, here’s a few ideas to get you on the way to making you own felt flowers. It’s so easy you can even get the kids making them for you!!!

If you’ve got a die cut machine, a Sizzix for example, & some flower shape dies your in luck.

This is by far the quickest & easiest way to make your own felt flowers. Simply use the felt in the same way that you would use paper & your flowers will come out perfectly. You can use them as they are, or decorate by sewing, layering, stamping etc.

Buttons & brads are as flower centres & to hold your felt pieces together or to your L/O.

When it comes to hand cutting flowers that’s just as easy and much more fun!!

You can use any shape you have as a template, trace around & cut it out. Chipboard shapes, fabric/paper flowers, stamps and lids are just few things that I’ve used to make flowers. You can even make your own designs, layered circles stitched together look fun or experiment with unusual shapes.

You will be amazed at what a square or rectangle piece of felt can be turned into, just cut the square/rectangle a little larger then you want the end flower to be so you have some room to trim it to your desired shape.

Here’s a quick and easy hand cut flower.

Start with a square of felt slightly bigger then you desired flower & trim to make a circle.

To create petals, fold circle in half and cut slits 1/3 in on both sides and repeat on other fold and until you have 8 petal slits in all.

To define petals, trim a small slither of felt from one side of each petal slit.

You can use your flower as it is or layer and decorate.

Use your imagination and have some fun creating your own felt flowers.

Enjoy your scrappin…

Love Kylie x

How many of you have started creating a layout, only to find you dont have the right colour flowers to fill that spot?? Or your doing a challenge where you have to create your own embellishments?? Maybe you just want something different in your layout?? Well, how about giving these folded paper flowers a go?

Layout Sample 1

Layout Sample 2

Layout Sample 3

They can be a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will find them easier and easier to create….
What you will need:

1 strip of patterned paper about 3cm x 30cm

Sewing Machine with thread

Something decorative for the centre either a large brad, button, felt or bling…..

Instructions:

Step 1

Take your strip of paper and fold it concertine style with large folds at your fingers and more spread out folds on the outside..

Step 2

Step 3

Now that you have your flower folded…. we are going to use the sewing machine to hold it all together..

Step 4

Now we are going to add a decorative centre…..

This can be done in a number of ways.. you can use felt, brads, buttons….

These flowers i have used a felt centre…..

These flowers i have used a brad centre…..

Only your imagination is the limit with these folded paper flowers.. so how about you give them a go….

Have a great week full of fun photos and scrapping…

Jodi