Fabric Hearts Bunting

Hello there, on this Snowy Monday!

Today sees the start of my Valentine's week of easy blog-makes. This delightful little project shows you how to make a swag of bunting for your kitchen.

It is not complicated, I promise!! and you could make the padded hearts in an hour or so. For the whole project, all you need are three fabric hearts and four twiggy hearts.

Lella Loves... Valentine's Ideas

The padded hearts are made from an off-cut of fabric and are stuff with recycled polyester filling (washed and saved from old poly-fill pillows).

Lella Loves... Recycling

A good stash of fabric and off-cuts is always a sight to behold!

If you wanted to learn more about recycling centres and how to salvage upholstery samples, please search in my blog's archive for Recycling Arts Clubs or click this link:

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com/2011/11/scrapstores-and-recycling-arts-projects.html

Lella Loves... Fabric Hearts

To make your hearts, simply draw a template and cut out two sides for each heart.

Sew them together with the fabric facing inside out.

Leave an inch gap and then turn the hearts right side out.

Stuff with the filling and then hand-sew the hole using tiny stitches.

Lella Loves... Twiggy Hearts

These are handmade twiggy hearts made from willow. You could make them yourself but to save time this week, they can be found online or in Hobby Craft stores nationwide - £5.99 for 8.

Lella Loves... Valentine's Ideas

To create your heart garland, lay out the three padded hearts and use the twiggy hearts as spacers in between. When you are happy with the look, sew each of the padded hearts and the twiggy hearts together using three or four loopy stitches to hold the two hearts in place. Use invisible thread or microfine fishing wire to hide the joins.

Lella Loves... Heart Bunting

*Tip: Don't make the joining stitches too tight as your garland will buckle. Leave them ever so slightly slack. This will give the garland its natural swag.

I hope you pop back tomorrow for another heart-themed craft project. Do let me know if you make any of this week's blog-makes as I would like to see photos.

Bye for now,

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Beaded Napkin Ties

I made these beaded napkin ties last year and they did look rather lovely on the Christmas table. If you enjoy beading and you wanted to make something similar, why not try these. 

The copper wire is the secret as it allows the beaded ends to be twisted over each other to hold the napkin in place. So simple and easy to do.

Lella Loves... Beading

You will need:

Copper wire

8 large statement beads such as a heart or a flower

8 large stopper beads such as a barrel bead

Allow 8 medium spacer beads per napkin ring

Allow 120 pearlised beads per napkin ring

Lella Loves... Beading

Take a piece of copper wire about 16 inches long and thread on on small spacer bead. Loop the copper back over the bead and twist to secure.

Lella Loves... Beading

Slide one of your statement beads on and then start to thread all your beads. Choose any colour you wish.

Lella Loves... Beading

Always allow equal amounts of beads and the same spacing.

Lella Loves... Beading

When you are happy with the length of your beading, take one of the stopper beads and thread it on. Now take one of each of the smaller beads, thread and re-thread the copper back down through the stopper bead.

Twist the copper to make a little stump and trim the excess.

Lella Loves... Beading

To make eight of these will take about 2 hours as the beading is easy once you have decided on your pattern. All the beads used in this blog-make came from Hobby Craft. Choose hand-blown, lampwork beads if you wanted something extra special.

The fabulous thing about handmade beaded napkin ties is that when you tell your family you made them, be ready for the compliments. They will enjoy using them too.

Have a lovely day.

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Confetti Cones (from Paul McCartney's Wedding)

It is the start of a new week and the start of a happy union for Sir Paul McCartney and the lovely Nancy Shevell.

Today's post shows you how to make confetti cones just like these cones which were used by Barbara Walters and the McCartney family at Sir Paul and Nancy's wedding yesterday.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

The confetti cone and rose petals were gathered from the steps of the registry office of the Old Marylebone town hall in central London yesterday (Sunday, October 9th 2011).

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Here is a link to see the cones at the wedding:

http://news.sky.com/home/showbiz-news/article/16085417

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

The confetti are real rose petals which I have photographed for you. Many fans will be pleased to see the pretty lemon yellow and pink blush petals but please know that they are now 24 hours old and are showing signs of their age.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/third-time-plucky-for-paul-mccartney/story-e6frf96o-1226163377452

The cones from Paul and Nancy's wedding are simple in design. They have that homely chic and are very easy to make.

To make similar cones, you will need:

White paper (20cm x 31cm)

Brown Paper (18cm x 34cm)

Doilies (18cm dia)

Scissors

Sellotape

Confetti (rose petals, rice paper or silk petals)

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Cut your chosen paper into these sizes:

Inner cone (brown paper in this blog-make) should be: 20cm x 31cm

Outer cone (white paper in this blog-make) should be: 18cm x 34cm

You could use beautiful wrapping paper, several layers of tissue or even handmade paper. The choice of paper is the bride's prerogative. The paper doily adds a homespun touch which is so simple yet effective.

If you were organising the bridal shower, why not make it a lovely night in with a combined bridal shower and craft evening. That would be something to remember!

Let's begin. Start by making the inner cone first.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Take the bottom left corner and begin to roll it.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Pinch the bottom while you are forming the cone.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Roll the paper to the right and you will see your cone start to form.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Two and a half turns and you have done it.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Take a piece of tape to secure.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Well Done! You have just made your inner cone.

Now let me show you how to wrap the outer cone.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Lay the outer paper down flat.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Place the inner cone and wrap the sheet around it.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

This might take you two or three attempts but have fun and play with your design until the two corners fold as opposites.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Once you have found the look you prefer, tape it to secure. This is the cone shape you will want to achieve as it symbolises a heart.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

Now all you have to do is to take the pretty doily, cut it in half, wrap around the cone and tape to secure.

Ta Dah! You have created a truly delightful confetti cone and it now just needs filling.

Lella Loves... Confetti Cones

I have photographed mine with silk roses just to give you an idea. They were bought from a fabulous homestyle boutique in North Herts:

http://www.homestansted.co.uk/artificial-silk-flowers-92/shades-of-pink-95/victorian-pink-rose-bouquet-7078.html

Please join me in wishing Sir Paul and his new bride good health and happiness. I do hope you enjoyed seeing these cones as it was their wedding which gave me the blog-make idea.

Bright Blessings,

Lella Loves, Loves Me Do.  xx

Here is another link to Hello Magazine and their picture of the happy couple.

http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/gallery/201110096283/paul-mccartney-wedding-nancy-shevell/13/

For those of you who are wondering how or why I have a confetti cone and rose petals from Paul McCartney's wedding, it is because my husband was standing on the steps as a spectator.

There were several newspaper reporters who didn't know some of the guests' names and it so happens that my husband is an old hand-clapper of rock and roll so he was answering questions from the photographers and advising a few journalists on the who's who. If they asked, he was happy to oblige.

I said on a previous post: knowledge is nothing unless it is shared.

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Wreath (Oak Leaves)

Hello there and leafy greetings to another floral Friday.

I have been looking forward to this blog-make for ages. October is my favourite month as I love pumpkins, the colour orange, pot pourri and candles. And crows! And acorns!

Lella Loves... Wreaths

This is my door wreath for October and I made it using silk leaf garlands and prim decorations which I bought online.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

If you would like to create something similar for your home, you will need:

Large twiggy wreath

3 leaf garlands or 12 similar stems of your choice

Snips or scissors

Prim decorations such as crows, hearts, stars or pumpkins

Cable ties

Wreath hanger

*Tip: Prim is a term for primitive, handmade decorations but they can be found in either resin or wood. You should use anything you like to decorate your wreath such as rusty bells, acorns or berries. Let your creativity flow!

Lella Loves... Wreaths

Firstly, take your wreath and decide which side you are using. Look at it from all angles and make sure it is neither top-heavy or too skinny on one side.

Lella Loves... Silk Flowers

Take your leaf garland and, using tiny cable ties, attach one end to a very wide twig on the back of the wreath.

Lella Loves... Craft Tools

Snip off the excess tie with snips.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

Wind the leaf garland in and out of the twiggy wreath, making sure your spaces are even and the leaves are not bunching.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

Once you have finished your first garland, step back and see how your wreath is looking. If you are happy with it, take several cable ties and fix the garland to the wreath on the back side.

Leave the cable ties uncut as their tails will help you to remember which is the back of the display.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

Take your second garland and continue wrapping the leaves over the wreath.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

During the process, check the side where the cable ties are to help you remember which side is the front.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

You are nearly finished when you have covered the wreath entirely. Nearly finished but not quite.

Check over the wreath and look for leaves which have been squashed by the garland or trapped under the twigs.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

Flick them free as the more leaves, the better the overall look. When you are happy with the wreath, fix all the garlands in place with more cable ties. Snip off the tails once you have finished.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

One of the prettiest things you can do is to add decorations to your wreath. Look for wooden hearts and stars in Hobby Craft or try a cake supply store for small gingerbread cutters.

If you like my particular look, search eBay.com for little crows and stars to add extra texture to your wreath.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

I bought the crow and stars decorations online but if you are handy with modelling clay, you could have a go at making your own using Fimo. 

Simply buy the Fimo ready-dyed and sculpt your preferred shapes. Add a wire loop and bake in the oven.

Lella Loves... Pumpkins

I also bought a few metal pumpkins but there is an unspoken rule of knowing when to stop. However, I am obsessed with pumpkins and I am sure these friendly fellows will find a spot somewhere in Lella Towers.

Lella Loves... Wreaths

And here is my finished wreath. I love it :) I really do.

This is most definitely one of my favourites and would really encourage you to have a go and make your own. The sense of satisfaction is amazing and it will give you that creative outlet you might be looking for.

I want to show that wreaths are not just for Christmas nor should they be considered funeral sentiments.

Wreaths are circles: they represent the circle of life. We speak of family and friends in terms of circles. Our most trusted friends are part of our inner circle. Wedding bands represent the promises and the circle of trust within a marriage.

Enjoy wreaths for their beauty and have fun making your own.

Please feel free to leave me a message as I enjoy reading your comments.

Best wishes and have a lovely day.

Lella Loves... Crows

Caww Caww...

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Handmade Paper

I love handmade paper and although I recovered this lampshade a few years ago, I still wanted to show you just how easy it is to do.

If you have a boring card lampshade which you really detest but it is on a lamp that you really love, simply recover it.

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

This lovely lampshade was previously a plain white card shade which I covered with handmade paper. I chose the most beautiful paper which has flower petals and bits of stem and leaf in the paper. 

Similar papers are detailed below such as paper made from old bank notes, grass cuttings or even elephant poo!

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

TK Maxx is my favourite shop for bargains. Their reducements section is always a mess and I turn that into an opportunity: where people stay away, I dive in! Rummaging the red tickets can unearth a few gems.

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

This variety pack of beautiful handmade papers was only £3 which is an amazing bargain. I hope to use the orange paper to recover a book but that is a blog-make for another day.

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

All I did was take the lampshade off and draw around the bottom section to create a small template. I then cut out three sections, all the same size and I simply glued them onto the original card shade.

Voila! An old lamp with a new look.

If this inspired to to jazz up an old lampshade, look for beautiful handmade paper. One of the best internet shopping sites for really unusual paper is the Exotic Paper Company on 01823 421805

They make highly individual, bespoke papers and many have visible inclusions.

Contact them for samples if you fancy using paper containing:

Sterling (paper including shredded bank notes)

Glitter (paper including holographic slivers)

Grass (paper including grass cuttings)

Wildflower (paper including wildflower seeds)

Lavender (paper including lavender flowers)

Cress Seed (paper including cress seeds)

Straw (paper with a straw fibre content)

Banana (paper with banana skin fibre content)

Moorland (paper containing natural compost)

or try their

Ellie Poo (paper with an elephant dung fibre content)

Rhino Poo (paper with a rhino dung fibre content)

http://www.elliepoopaper.co.uk/

Have fun and do leave me a message if you update a lampshade, cover an old book or simply frame a sheet of rhino poo paper!

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Vases (Test Tube)

Yesterday I wrote a piece on displaying silk flowers and there were lots of them in that lovely garden pot.

However, if you prefer real flowers, today's post is an idea to show you how you can buy a single stem and enjoy it without the need for huge water-filled vases or tubs.

Lella Loves... Vases

I paid 20p for this test tube at a car boot sale and I knew that it would make a handy vase.

Lella Loves... Vases

All you will need to follow this blog-make is a test tube, copper wire and some snips.

Lella Loves... Vases

Simply cut a piece of copper twice the length of the test tube and fold in half.

Lella Loves... Vases

Wrap the copper around the top of the tube and then twist until both wires are together.

Lella Loves... Vases

Now make a hook and fold the wire back around the top of the test tube.

Lella Loves... Vases

All you need to complete your look is a window sucker and a flower head of your choice.

So simple and yet so easy to make. I really enjoyed making it so please feel free to leave a comment if you make you own.

Pop back soon,

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com