Random (Flowery) Thoughts from Kellie's Brain

I'm sure by now you've guessed that I have an obsession a passion for flowers.

I love them, but I also really love to make them. Paper, yarn, fabric, tissue, beads, all flower-making medium is fair game... and this week wool-felt is my textile of choice.

I found this picture through Pinterest, (Go on, CLICK HERE to see the picture and then come back, I'll wait.)

OK... So glad you came back.

Seriously, if those beautifully colored felt dahlia's don't make your heart just swell with happiness, well... I'm worried about you.

Then again, maybe you should worry about me, because that picture made me want to run warp-speed to my studio/office and start making these bold, blooming, blossoms by the dozens.

Yesterday, I did my very best to muster up enough self-control to get two things done: teach some school, and finish up my last crochet project (pics below).

But then, without stopping at Go (or fixing lunch,) I found my wool-felt stash and sat to work.

My first attempt turned out all right. Not quite as neat and tidy as the picture, but give me a couple days and we'll see what happens...

Speaking of blue flowers....

I didn't give too much info on our beach trip. I plan to write more tomorrow but i will say I had forgotten how much I love the sea. I was surprised how blue the Atlantic ocean looked. Especially in the morning, when the sunlight was filtered through marine haze.

I must have been inspired by that azure hue because not only did I come home and make blue flowers, I bought one too.

I'm not really a souvenir type person, but when I saw this bracelet in the hotel gift shop, it was... just waiting there for me to pick it up... sitting there so pretty in all its flowery-blue goodness.

If happy were a wool-felt flower, or a beaded bracelet, this is what it would look like.

I mentioned that I finished my tea cozy project... Here it is.

No matter how hard I tried, I could not get the picture to show the true color red. in the picture it looks very orangey, but in real life its a beautiful blue-red. Mrs. P. This should be living in your kitchen within the next 5 business days! Hooray!

Well, I would love to sit and chat all day... seriously, I would. But I want to try to make one more flower before this afternoon gets away!

Happy Wednesday!

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere - Even In The Spring

 Do you remember in mid January when I said I was going to crochet flowers to keep my heart focused on the spring? Well, my love for flowers spilleth over. I think spring-time has made it ten-times worse. I am a flower-making fool. I have crossed over from "passionate" to "obsessed".

Last week while I was sick I made the Orchid Hat pictured above and (if I say so myself) I L-O-V-E it.

I also made a barrette for The Girl's Easter outfit. The decoration is an old clip-on earring that I was given. I used one in this piece and another in the head band pictured below.

 Then I made a bunch of purple pansies. 

 

This is the headband. I really should take a picture with it on The Girl's head, but she is still sleeping and  she frowns upon being a model for the purposes of a timely blog post.

 I wrapped the headband in some fabric scraps.

These are Strawberry Blossoms...they just make me happy!

Its a crazy week in the La Vida House, so short posts abound...only a few more weeks until summer vacation! Hooray!

Paper Flowers: A Lesson from my Nana

Three days before I went home to Arizona for Christmas, my Nana died.

One of my favorite memories of her was during the time of my 15th birthday.

I had the privilege to celebrate my fifteenth year with a Quincenera.

This is a big celebration in the life a young Latina girl, and its a big deal.

My color theme was yellow. Its my mom's favorite color, and it was perfect for a fall September day in Southern Arizona.

I don't remember the details, but I do remember my Nana coming to the house with tissue paper and white chenille stems (aka - pipe cleaners.)

I remember sitting at our large dining room table and putting our hands to work.

We made a plethora of paper flowers that day, her and I.

I've been making these flowers ever since.

Twenty-three years later the tradition continues...

Grab some supplies and join me around my big (cyber) table...there's plenty of room here...

How to make a Tissue Paper Flowers

Supplies needed:
Tissue paper
Pipe Cleaner (or if you are completely out of pipe cleaners, steal a twisty-tie from the loaf of bread in an act of desperation.)
Scissors
Tape (to affix to present, optional)
Directions:

Take several pieces of tissues paper, and stack them on top of each other. It doesn't matter what size...bigger for large flowers, small for petite flowers. (I used three pieces of a large rectangle and cut them in quarters)

My flower started with a 12 layer stack.

Fold your paper accordion style, starting from the longest side.

Use your twisty-tie, or chenille stem, and place it in the middle.

Fold the sides up toward the middle just a bit.

If you like, you can cut the edges to give your flower a little more personality.

I did a little wave, which will make my flower look a little peony-esque.

Carefully start to pull the tissue, sheet by sheet, toward the middle. Gently twisting and folding paper into place.

Soon it will look like this...

Stick some tape onto the bottom and stick it to a present, or ti anything you want to add some happiness too.

Below is a picture of my Nana, who was probably not much older than I was when she taught me to make these flowers.

For these things, I will always be grateful.

Flowers and Birthdays and Yarn. (Oh My!)

Last week The Girl turned eleven. In my absence several people went out of their way to make the day special. That gorgeous tulip was brought by her BBF (British Best Friend). Actually it was a bouquet of tulips. I am determined to figure out a crochet pattern for this flower...look how amazing it is with all its purple-y, yellowish love.

Speaking of crochet...Yesterday I promised to show you a hat I was commissioned (doesn't that sound fancy!) to make:

This is the Daffodil side....

And this is a (not so good) shot of the Orchid.

You really don't know how long I deliberated over which flowers to place on this hat... as if the whole world depended on it. But I think these are nice and springy and I cannot wait to see a certain Twinkie Girl wearing it.

Also, are you sitting down?

I know some of you have been waiting ever-so-patiently for a certain Tea Cosy Tutorial. Tomorrow is your lucky day! I am finishing up the flower making, photo taking, and pattern baking (it was the only -ing word I could think of) and it will be up by tomorrow. I am so excited to share this with you!

There have been a few of you who have asked if I will have some tea cozy's to sell... At the moment, I'm  only taking custom orders. So if you want something made, email me! I have two crochet orders in the cue right now, and they will be finished by the end of the week. I'm trying to fund a trip to NYC so now is the time to order! ;)

Last, but certainly not least...here is my Girl celebrating 11 wonderful years!

Love. This. Child.