Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The effects of hair cutting on creativity...

I had an idea this week to use Crinkle ribbon to create flowers...sometimes my ideas work and sometimes they don't.  Half way through the project today I still didn't know which it would be...but in the end, it worked out quite nicely.

Now I do admit I had to leave the house to get my hair cut right in the middle of the project because I couldn't take my overgrown hair anymore.  I was quite sure it was zapping my mojo, therefore I needed to make it better and cut it.  I grabbed my keys, got in the car, drove to the nearest Fantastic Sam's and said "cut it off"...maybe should I mention here that my favorite hairdresser moved to Arizona...okay, 4 or 5 years ago, but still she moved.

So the girl at Fantastic Sam's cut my hair.  I felt much better and came home and finished what I had intended to do in the first place.

But I digress, on to the project...

To start I made some different colors of Crinkle ribbon using bright colors as well as some browns just because I didn't know what direction I wanted to go with this project.
1. Brushed Corduroy
2. Picked Raspberry and Squeezed Lemonade
3. Worn Lipstick, Ripe Persimmon and a touch of Squeezed Lemonade
4. Gathered Twigs
Here is how I made the variegated ribbon Number 2.
1. Spritz the ribbon with water on a non stick craft sheet.
 2. Pounce Picked Raspberry over ribbon.
 3.  Pounce Squeezed Lemonade leaving some white spots.
 4.  Lightly spritz one more time and dry with heat tool.
Alright, set the ribbon aside for a second while we make a cover for a Worn Journal.  The new Worn Journal is great as is, but I am going to use it as a base for today's project just because it is a great size.  You can use any kind of binder you have on hand just adjust the measurements to fit yours.

I cut a piece of fabric (in my case, classic blue and white ticking) 6" wider than your binder and 1 1/2" taller.  The worn cover is easy to measure since it lays flat when it comes out of the package.
Worn cover - 11" wide x 7" tall
Fabric piece 17" wide x 8 1/2" tall.
Fold each end toward the center 3" (right sides together) and stitch across the top of the 3" sections.  Turn right side out and press flat.
I tried the cover on just to make sure it fit (it did).  Then I used a piece of washi tape to temporarily mark the edge of the front cover so my design stays on the front.  I will just remove the washi tape when I am done.
Using the Crinkle ribbon start making small loops to create flower petals.  I used a needle and thread to tack the top of each loop I made with the ribbon (you can see the ends are not sewn down yet).
Then I went back and tacked the bottom of each loop in place.  This is very forgiving flower making.  NOTE: I pray that my friend Tammy Tutterow, who creates beautiful ribbon embroidery, will skip this post so as not to shudder with angst at my remedial sewing skills.
Now a second one.  I am thinking maybe I should have had them facing the opening of the book rather than the spine, but it's too late now.  What I am liking is how the variegated ribbon looks against the blue ticking. 
I decided to try and use the brown ribbon for the flower center.  This time I cut a small piece of ribbon (about 3") then starting with the two raw end together I start stitching right above the flower.
I tack each layer of the ribbon then add a little more, then tack, then add a little more...
till I created a little pile of ribbon for the flower center.
I figured the flowers needed stems so they weren't just floating on the cover.  I used wool felt, one of my very favorite things to work with, for the stems.  I freehand cut the shapes and used a tiny bit of white glue to keep them in place while I stitched them on.
One of the things I love about wool felt is that there is no wrong way to stitch it.  You can be precised or primitive, whatever your taste.  I decided on a primitive...or whimsical stitching.  Super easy to do.  I used wool thread because I had it, but you could use sewing thread.  The color doesn't even have to match.
Next I added a title for the book using an ornate plate, sticky back canvas and remnant rub words. 
Okay, now I need a way to keep the book closed.
I cut 3/4" strips of Grungepaper and color with Vintage Photo Distress Stain.  Dry it with a Heat it tool.
Stitch edges on the sewing machine.
Add a buckle to one end (super easy to do as it is held in place with a brad).
Add a Plaquette to the belt on the spine of the book (I had to sew two strips of Grungepaper together to go around the book, this is how I hid the seam...see you didn't know, did you?).  I also added Wonder tape to the back portion of the belt so that it stays on the book when the book is opened.
And here is the finished result.  I like the way the flowers turned out.  I think they would look great on a tote bag...might have to try that.
I am working on a few other things things to share this week.  I suppose one of the posts better be the inside pages to this book!

Oh, and about the hair cut...
It has been a few hours now and I think my hair might be a bit shorter on one side than the other...not in a crazy Rosie O'Donnell way, but a bit lopsided just the same...oh, and I may also have a mullet.  So much for Fantastic Sam's. 

cheers for a good week!
paula
(2 weeks to Paris...just had to say it out loud!)



42 comments:

  1. Just LOVE the belt buckle on the grunge paper! Super cute girl...TFS!!
    I'll miss your creative posts while you are in Paris but do have a fabulous time!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. So beautiful!

    Thanks for the tutorial!
    Majo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Paula, you are such a GENIUS with this stuff! I'll be making one of these SOON (while I chomp at the bit waiting for your "look what I saw in Paris" post! LOL!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be taking lots of photos in Paris for sure...I am hoping the weather is as nice as it was when I was last there, as the flowers were blooming and the sun was shining!
      p

      Delete
  4. Love your project and I so understand your hair messing with your mojo.... Don't worry about if it's lopsided... just say I'm an artist... this is a new art form.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boo, this sounds like a perfect answer to the many questions I am sure to get!
      thanks paula

      Delete
  5. Oh my goodness I love what you did!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fabulous flowers and I love that belt!

    ReplyDelete
  7. PAula this is awesome project! Love fabric and flowers adn all details! BARbarayaya

    ReplyDelete
  8. Really liking how the flowers turned out. The book is so cute. And yes those flowers would be excellent on a tote bag. Oh, about the hair that may or may not be a mullet . . . I say let's bring that lady mullet back! I got my haircut the other day and it's dangerously close to being a mullet but I've gotten a lot compliments so I say bring it on, hee, hee. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sharon, you are giving me hope! I figure this too shall pass...lol.
      paula

      Delete
  9. I need a trim. And color! Maybe I could could color my hair with Distress Paint. ;) Actually, while waiting for my fever to break last night, I thought about how nice it might be to color Easter eggs with Distress Paint. Would that be possible? Have fun in Paris! Someday.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol, I might just have to try that. Although I am not sure if they are non-toxic! If you try it I want to see!
      paula

      Delete
    2. This cover is so cute! I especially love the whimsical look of the flowers.I am sure your friend would agree. I think I must try to color some ribbon! The best thing about hair is that it will grow back. It will be the perfect length when you go to Paris. Have fun!

      Delete
  10. Oh my ... what cute flowers! Love the variegated affect !!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, at least the flowers look great! It's tough finding a good hairstylist!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, this looks amazing! Love the flowers and the awesome design! Thanks for sharing and inspiering! Hugs, Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute- you should investigate SILK RIBBON EMBROIDERY and adapt them to your cool- girly-junkie vibe….I see great things…and I have no doubt that Tammy is just as impressed with your work as I am.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the stems & flowers you made.
    They look great attached to the journal.
    Thank you for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I just had to say that I love fabric crafts. And this is just too darn cute! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  16. beautiful book!! can't wait to try the flowers...maybe on the weekend...thanks for always sharing such fun things!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your journal is amazing! I gave up on Fantastic Sam's a long time ago. I can do a better cut with pinking shears (remember THEM?!) and a bowl over my head!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great project ... Sophisticated and simple .... Right up my alley!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really love these flowers, very cleaver idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the cover and how you created the flowers and used the buckle. Can't wait to see what you do inside. Oh, and how about a shot of the haircut :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the cover. I agree the flowers would be great on a tote bag. Now I'm off to color some ribbon. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh, all I read was "two weeks to Paris"! Sigh...I speak French fluently and have been wanting to go there for a long time..one of these days, one of these days!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful project. Love those beautiful flowers !!

    ReplyDelete
  24. You are so funny! I think you should post a picture of the haircut!!!lol I Love that little book and really love the flowers!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh Lynn, it might just be too scary to post that picture. Especially the one side!
      p

      Delete
  25. where did you find the buckle for the belt? fabric store, hobby store?...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that is a Tim Holtz idea-ology product (just called buckles) http://store.scrapbook.com/ch-th93064.html?utm_source=google-shopping-feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google-free-shopping-feed&utm_content=ch-th93064&kw=ch-th93064&cmp=GSHOP&gclid=CImd3cPPgLYCFYpDMgod82UAlQ

      or just google tim holtz buckles and they will come up.
      paula

      Delete
  26. As always very creative and fantastic creation!
    Hugs from Slovenia

    ReplyDelete
  27. Headlines in Paris papers, "American starts new hair trend in Paris!"
    If not, just keep your head tilted on the short side.
    Great looking cover, love, love the blue ticking material and the flowers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret, I love your sense of humor. I have a week and a half before I go so maybe it won't be as noticeable, but I think I will take your advice and in all pictures...tilt my head to the right.
      paula

      Delete
  28. Just worked my way backwards through your fantastic mini journal post, i shall definitely be starting one, your ideas are fantastic. Might just abandon cooking tea thos evening and get stuck in x

    ReplyDelete