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

Old Children's Books

I love old children's books. This delightful book is an early Rupert The Bear annual and I bought it with the intention of cutting it up!  (I think I just heard a few gasps!)

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

The Rupert annual is from just after the second world war c1946 and was at a table-top book sale for £10. The colours are so bright and I adore all the little images. They would look lovely framed up as individual pages.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

However, all that changed whilst watching Wednesday's 'The Antiques Road Trip' on BBC1. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw Charlie Ross haggling over a similar Rupert The Bear annual from the same time - c1946/1947.

The dealer said that the retail price on his Rupert annual was £105.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

I am now rethinking about cutting it up for decoupage. I can't bring myself to do it as this annual might be a collector's dream find.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

The inside front cover has a lovely piece of text, reminding us that after the war the book was produced in line with the economy standards in force at the time.

*******

Another book I picked up last month is the Noddy book.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

This is a much later publication and is most probably c1977.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

On further inspection, this book is also just too lovely to cut up.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

The colours are incredible and would make very pretty toy box liners. But, alas! I cannot bring myself to take scissors to either book.

Lella Loves... Old Children's Books

Have a lovely weekend and don't worry, I promise not to cut them up.

If you have any interesting information on Rupert annuals, please do leave me a comment as knowledge is no use unless it is shared. I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks,

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

Pot Pourri (Cinnamon Sticks)

Today I am sharing the love of cinnamon sticks and, by using a terracotta planter, I will show you how simple it can be to use them in a pot pourri display with a difference.

Pot pourri is something I rarely buy in ready-made bags as I prefer to purchase the individual items and create my own displays. This project takes no more than 15 minutes and is so easy.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

If you wanted to make your own display, you will need:

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

Pot or planter

Cinnamon sticks

Make sure your container is either glass or ceramic as they are best suited for pot pourri. I chose a very heavy terracotta heart planter which is glazed inside.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

To begin, turn your container on its side and start to fill with cinnamon sticks. I chose 4 inch sticks but you should use whichever length suits your pot.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

Continue to layer your sticks and, as you progress, make sure your check each end and stack using cinnamon which is not damaged.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

Whilst you are stacking, continually roll and wiggle the sticks to make them fit in snugly. The aim is to not pack them in too tightly, instead, you want to have a good fit.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

When your container is all but filled, turn it on its back. The cinnamon sticks should be able to stand but are still rather loosely packed.

You are nearly finished so take the last few sticks and fill in to your desired look.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

The smell of cinnamon is lovely and your display is easily refreshed by adding a few - I mean one or two - drops of essential oil every few months.

Lella Loves... Pot Pourri

Please let me know if you follow this easy blog-make as I would love to read your comments.

Have a lovely day.

Lella xx

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http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Framing Up (Cards)

Today's little project is short and sweet. Very sweet! 

If you like to have pretty pictures in frames instead of your great aunt and her cats, why not try framing up a greeting card or a cut-out from a box.

I chose to frame up a lovely card - pink iced biscuits - from a pack of 12 which are only £1.99 in a clearance book store.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

I encourage you to rummage in the reducement section in TK Maxx. Here is a glossy frame I found for £3 last week. The frame's lacquered colour is similar to thick and fruity black cherry yoghurt.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

Don't be afraid of coloured frames as they can look fabulous when matched up with the right image.

If you liked the look of this project, you will need:

Frame

Favourite Greeting Card

Sellotape

To get started, remove the label and slide the back off.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

Do not throw away the inner piece of cardboard as it is a support for the mount.

Select you chosen card.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

You can just see in the photo, at this stage you need to add two pieces of sellotape to the top and bottom of the card. 

*Tip: Stick the sellotape to your clothes first as the layer of clothing fluff will dull the tape's adhesive. If you make a mistake with the mounting, this tip will allow you to reposition without tearing either the mount or the image.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

Now take your mount and, with the card facing up, place the mount over the image and gently press on the sellotape.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

Slide the mount and the cardboard backing into the frame and secure with the backboard.

Lella Loves... Picture Frames

This is how your finished card should look. Choose an image you love looking at. It is fun to frame up your favourite birthday card. I chose biscuits as I want to use this framed image as a book-end for the cookery book shelf.

Keep an eye open for bargain frames and don't worry if the glass is damaged. I have an idea for a frame like that next week.

See you soon

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com