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Sugar Coating is a brand sold at Hobby Lobby.  They are the only brand to sell Velvet Flock in an array of colors that you can buy in a set.  I purchased my very own set today.  It’s very exciting!

After I purchased the flocking, I hurried to my desk, the only space in the house I deem as MINE!  I brought out a printed card I had been given for Christmas and began to use my Martha Stewart glue so I could get a thin line and outline the flower.

Then I pulled out the white flocking.  Mistake number one, the fan was on.  The flocking was landing everywhere BUT the glue line.  After cutting the fan off, I continued to pour the flocking on the glue.  It took about a half of a bottle to adequately cover.  Now it was time to shake the excess off and pour back in the bottle. Ugh.

The flocking is sticking to the card, where there is no glue, sticking to the excess holder below, and still flying in the air.

Once the snow storm had settled… the flocking had made very little difference.  My excitement fell to disappointment.

I tried couple of other colors, green and pink.  Neither really made an impact, so I went back to Old Faithful, glitter.

Now, I mean to harm to the Sugar Coating brand, for I LOVE their glitter collection.  The flocking in general should be avoided.

My cousin is going to her first prom this spring and she requested a tiara to match her dress. Of course I jumped on the opportunity to make something new and to go shopping. This was my first tiara, so I had to do some research on this project. I pulled out my favorite beading resource (and I have looked at a LOT), The Make Jewellery Collection, by the publishers of MakeJewllery Magazine, edition 2009. If you want fun, modern ideas that won’t break the bank, this is the magazine for you. I purchased it at Barnes & Noble, I recommend a trip there today!

There were several tiaras in the magazine, but since I am not a big fan of tiaras, none hit me. Then I found THE TIARA on page 60. This tiara is modern, fun, and quirky. I had to make it!

Time to go shopping!! I started at Michael’s with list in hand. I bought teal swarovski bicone crystals, 6 mm and 4 mm and AB clear 4 mm crystals, for sparkle. In the bridal section, I had to get real creative on this project, I bought the small, clear combs to attach to the side for stability. I don’t want the poor girl shaking her groove thang and her hair piece falling out!

I also purchased Silver plated, copper wire 20 gauge and 26 gauge. After using this wire, I threw all of my other wire away! It stays shiny and looks new after bending! It comes in a variety of colors and sizes. I was not able to find head bands at Michael’s, hint, hint.

Onward to Hobby Lobby! They had two different types of hand bands, I bought both. For this project, I recommend the flat silver band, which gives stability to the piece. I can’t stress stability enough here.

Time to create. I pulled out my book and briefed the directions. Fairly simple… bend the wire haphazardly to prevent the beads from moving and to give the tiara fullness. Easy enough and it was!!

Cut a piece of 20 gauge wire 6-9 inches long, more than that will just drive you drink. If you are looking for a reason, then go for 20 inches!! I wrapped the wire around the head band a couple of times to secure it. Then placed a bead on the wire and began to bend the wire hapzardly. Tip… flat nosed pilers work well here, two flat nosed pliers are double good, which is bad English, but what do you expect from a Math major?

Also, I recommend being extremely careful to not scratch the wire with pliers. Once you have come to the end of the piece of wire, secure the wire again, 2-3 loops around the head band. Check the endings to ensure there are no sharp edges. Rinse, lather, and repeat until the tiara looks full. Make the tiara the height you want and the fullness you desire! I recommend trying it on several times, while you are working, to ensure you are happy with the results.

Tip… keep in mind the hair type and color of the person for whom you are creating. Curly or thick hair may need a taller tiara to be noticed.

Stability. This step is optional and was not included on page 60, but after shopping on the Bridal aisle, I saw combs were on the pre-made tiaras and thought it was a good idea. I used 26 gauge wire to attach the combs to the back side of the tiara. Again, a 6-9 inch piece of wire will suffice. Wrap the entire comb in the wire firmly attaching it to the band. Check the endings to ensure there are no sharp edges.

This project took about an hour, again I was a newbie at this, but a easy and rewarding project! I hope she has as much fun wearing it as I did making it. That is as mushy as I get!

Here comes the Easter Bunny. This is a very inexpensive project, which is great for beginners or young crafters. I got this idea from my mom this afternoon and I had to go to Hobby Lobby to get felt. Basically, I just look for a reason and it doesn’t take much. Hobby Lobby has patterned felt, glittery felt (which you know I bought), and large sized felt. You can get a ton of it for $5-10.

You will also need batting (again super cheap and found in the quilting section) and thread, which again thanks to my mother, I am well stocked for into the 22nd century. Other items such as buttons and sequins are fun to add.

Design: I began by drawing out a simple shaped bunny. If the shape is very complex, it will be difficult to stuff. Then I used my template to cut two felt bunnies (front and back). A quick plug for scissors. This is an essential for any crafter. You are only as good as your tools. I highly recommend a GOOD set of scissors that give you a variety of sizes. This will be very handy in your creative future.

Details: Using a different pattern felt, I cut out an oval for the tummy and a flower for her ear, basically I needed an excuse to use the $4 of sequins I had to purchase. Shocker. I could have spent WAY more than that. Shiny things get me every time.

Embellishments: That one is for you Mom! Attach the tummy circle to the front side of the bunny using a blanket stitch. If you choose to be inspired by Picasso, you could attach it to the back or his ear. The stitch gives the piece a homemade feel, which if you have my luck you didn’t really need the help. I highly recommend cross stitch floss for several reasons.

Flossing is Recommended: The floss is thick so it can hold the felt together, its cheap (I’m sorry…. inexpensive), and my favorite reason, it comes in every color imaginable (including glittery colors)! How many more reasons do you need?

About Face: I used buttons for the eyes, but you could also use a simple X stitch. I used the X stitch for the nose and created whiskers with white floss, although an iridescent white would have been way cooler. Sigh. Then I attached the flower to the bunny’s ear and used a sequin to give the flower some sparkle.

Tail Spin: The irony of this is I was on the Pom-Pom isle and gazed over all of the wonderful options, but did not have a reason to buy. After deciding to make a bunny and all the craft stores were closed, I decided to improvise. Be afraid, be VERY afraid. I cut out three flowers, the largest about the size of the one on Bunny’s ear.

Attached at the Tail: I stacked the flowers and attached them to the back of Bunny, making it look like either a layered flower or a cotton tail. I am really okay with either, but I will be putting Pom-Poms on my shopping list.

A Stitch in Time: I have no idea how the hell it saves nine. What if there are only eight to save? Time to sew up the bunny. First I recommend you Google blanket stitch and get a visual on how the stitch works. I taught myself tonight, so I assure you it is very simple. However, it can not be explained, only experienced.

Sew Me Up: When you start to sew your bunny, you want leave a hole so you can easily stuff the bunny with batting. I hightly recommend, from personal experience, you stay away from body parts like arms, ears, and feet. Once you have sewn most of the bunny, leave a couple of inches to stuff his guts full of batting. For small areas like the ears, a pencil is a great tool to get the batting packed.

Finish Me Off: Once the stuffing is complete, finish the blanket stitch to close the hole. I knotted the thread twice (and towards the back side of the bunny) then cut very close to the knot. You have to look for it to tell it is there.

Happy Easter! Create this for the little ones in your life for their Easter basket. Let your imagination run wild and create other critters or objects or dolls or automobiles or…. Well, you get the picture.

One more friendly reminder and this will probably be one of my next projects. The pin cushion. Know where you needle is at all times or you will end up like me.

Midnight… contacts are getting blurry… husband laughing… and there you are franticly looking for a damn needle.  I finally found it, in my pajama pants, where I left it.  Sigh.  Luckily I did not end up like my aunt, she found her needle alright… in her foot. Point made, literally.

Question of the Day – “What does a stitch in time saves nine” actually mean??