Upcycled loopy style felt flower brooch - Tutorial

When I first saw a picture of this style of brooch I thought "wow!", but you'll be very pleased to know that they are very simple to make. Here's how...

First you'll need some upcycled felt. You know that woollen jumper you accidentally shrunk? Get that out and ready to upcycle! Or, if you have a tired looking 100% wool item, follow this link to how to felt a woollen garment.

So, now you've got that sorted, here we go...

You will need a rectangle piece of felt, approximately 30cm by 10cm.

Next, you need to fold the felt piece in half, lengthways...

Now, get some fabric scissors and make cuts along the folded edge, about 1cm apart...

Once you've cut along the entire length of the piece of rectangular felt, it should look like this:

So...fold it back to how it was and get your needle and thread ready to go! You are going to create a spiral by rolling up the rectangle, sewing as you go. Start at one end and fold over the end (it doesn't matter which end you start with- I start on the right and hold it in my left hand so I can sew with my right hand)...

Secure the end with a knot, then you're ready to go! Just roll and sew - remembering to sew through a few layers at a time to make sure each loop will be secure in the final brooch. Also, keep the un-loopy edge of the piece of felt straight... the spiral WILL naturally dip in the centre...LET IT! This will give the finished flower the more domed look.

Finished! Now make a knot to secure and turn over to reveal your creation!

Now...you have a choice. You could leave as is and add a circle of felt to the back and attach a brooch pin. Or, you could add some leaves...

Here's how...

Start with two rectangles of felt (approx 5cm by 10cm ...but size of leaf is optional!)

Now, scissors to the ready and cut leaf shapes as so:

I like to sew mine together first before adding them to the flower - just seems a bit less fiddly. I like to add some stitching detail to the leaves (this can be done on a sewing maching or by hand)...

Right, now to sew the leaves onto the flower...

You want to make sure you sew through the leaves and the flower, all the way around the circular base of the flower...

Finally, tie a knot to secure and you're done! Now just sew a brooch pin to the back and give to a friend as a very special handmade gift...or just keep for yourself! ;-)

Get creative and have fun upcycling! :-)

Lots more photos for inspiration on my Facebook page, also flower brooches available to buy.

Thanks for stopping by! :-)

Diamond Jubilee Crowns

We have enjoyed watching some of the celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on the tv over the long weekend. My boys are on holiday from school this week, but last week did lots of activities at school in the run-up to the big event.

* learning the National Anthem in class

* All week the school lunch menu was 'Jubilee' themed (British and Commonwealth meals)

* An afternoon tea party with scones and tea (fruit juice!)

* Making crowns at home to wear to the tea party...that's what I'll be sharing with you today.

They were so excited to make their crowns, bless them, but I have to admit that I did leave them to rather the last minute because I have been so tired just recently with pregnancy number 4 (22 weeks now - very exciting!).

I would have loved for them to have more of a part in the making process but they were still just as happy to tell me their designs and for me to make them while they slept. Plus...it was a lovely surprise for them to come down the next morning and find them!



When I set about making them, I did the usual thing of searching in the recycling box for materials ...only to find we had just one cereal box...eek! Well, that just added to the challenge - make three crowns in one evening, from one cereal box! Here's how I did it...

First I opened up the cereal box so it was flat then cut it into 3 equal strips (so I then had 3 long strips).

Then, while the boys were eating their dinner, I held a strip around each of their heads and stapled in place to create a snug fit (ha ha, that sounds like I stapled to their heads!! Be assured that I didn't). I tried to remember to have the flat side of the staple on the inside of the crowns to make sure the sharp side didn't scratch on their heads.

I then had three circlular bands of card, ready to become crowns.



This was the easiest and quickest to make. He wanted points and curves alternating all the way around. I started by doing points all the way around and then cutting every other point into a curve (or semi circle).

Daddy then took the crown to the end of the garden and sprayed it silver...I know, not the most environmentally friendly choice, but we had it in the house and, as always when making things, I try to use things we already have to hand and not buy anything extra if we don't need to.

Oh, I should also add that I made sure all 3 crowns had the coloured side of the cereal box on the inside and the plain side on the outside so that the paint would stick easier.



The other 2 crowns were made by keeping the original strip of card as it was and adding 2 thinner, long strips of cereal box card (which I salvaged from the flap off-cuts and stapled together). I just laid each strip over the crown to make it curve and then stapled each end to the crown base band and then stapled where they overlapped in the middle, to keep in place. These then got sprayed silver by Daddy too.



By the time all excitement of the silver spraying was done and the crowns were dry, it was off to bed for my three little Kings. The making fairy (aka a very tired Mummy) got to work at the finishing details.

I had been given some remnants of red, white and blue fleece blankets a while ago that someone had already used for a project, so these became the perfect choice to embelish the crowns. Also, as you may already know, I LOVE using fleece or felt to work with because it doesn't fray!

WHITE - I cut strips and used this as the fur edging, using little black rectangles of fleece too. This was stapled on.

RED - Quite tricky, but I cut larger sqaures of fleece and stapled them to the inside of the crowns.

BLUE - Small squares of fleece with some squares of silver card on the top, stapled on.

That's pretty much it!

1 cereal box + 3 enthusiastic and excited boys + 1 tired Mummy maker = 3 crowns to wear while munching on a Jubilee tea party!



What I used:

* 1 cereal box

* Silver spray paint

* Stapler and staples (LOTS!)

* Scissors

* Red, white, blue and black fleece

* Silver card (tin foil would have worked just as well)

How about making a crown from that cereal box you're about to recycle? After all, who says the Jubilee celebrations have to end already?!

Upcycled Phone Cover and Brooch Giveaway!!

To celebrate reaching over 200 likes on my facebook page, I am doing a giveaway!

I am giving away an upcycled phone cover and an upcycled brooch.

Both are upcycled, so are made using items that people don't need or want any more. I take these pre-loved items and make them into new, lovable things!



The brooch in this giveaway has been made from jumpers that I have rescued, washed, felted, cut, hand sewn, embellished - ending with a new item. It will brighten up a winter coat, hat, bag, or shawl.

Upcycled beige rose with dark purple leaf. 100%wool. Usually £6.50. Rose 6cm across, 8.5cm from leaf tip.



The other item in the giveaway is an Upcycled phone cover- to keep your phone cosy and warm!



I am giving away this one...



Dark brown ribbed with autumnal coloured striped leaf detail and deep red circle and 'rescued' button with stitching detail. 100% wool.

This has been made for Blackberry phones but fits iphones too with a bit more room at the sides. Measurements: 9.5-10cm wide, 12cm high (when closed). Usually £10 each.

Spot wash with a damp cloth or hand wash in warm water and dry flat. Not suitable for children under 36 months due to small parts.

Back:


Inside:


How to enter:

Leave a comment below to enter your name into the draw - That's it!...just one will do :)

Also, please don't leave an anonymous comment, or I won't be able to contact you if your name is picked when the draw takes place.

Why not follow Upcycled Creatively by email (see option on the right)? Then, when the winner of the draw for the giveaway is announced, you won't miss it! Plus, you'll be sure to see all future upcycling ideas and tutorials too!

This Giveaway draw closes on Friday 17th February at 12 o'clock UK time and the winner will be chosen randomly and announced later that day. The phone cover and brooch will be sent out as soon as possible after that.

If you don't win this giveaway, don't fret! Keep a look out for more in the future and also remember to take a peek in my facebook page and etsy shop, for the opportunity to buy some Upcycled Creatively items :)

Thank you again to all my 200 plus followers and I hope you enjoy being part of my upcycling!

Naomi :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Thank you to all 18 of you who entered :)

I have used www.random.org to pick a number from 1-18 at random.

Here is the winning number:



NUMBER 9!

So, the person who made the 9th comment...Abi!

Congratulations Abi!!

Please message me your address and I can get the brooch and phone cover in the post for you asap :) naomijanecreatively@gmail.com

Thank you again to all who entered and who are following my pages...look out for more giveaways in the future :)

Upcycled felt rose tutorial.

This tutorial started out life as the 'crayon roll' variety but had to change to a 'felt rose' type instead. The reason? My sewing machine was poorly and now has stopped working :( . So, while sitting with my feet up this morning (I've hurt my knee), I thought you might like to let me show you how to make these:



I had seen photos of them before but never attempted to make any until recently. They really are VERY easy, can be made from small pieces of material and brighten up a coat, hat, bag, dress, cushion etc etc...

I can't remember where I first saw how to make them but quite liked the idea of doing my own tute here. Here goes!

First you will need a square of felt. I don't think I will give measurements - if you want a larger rose you need to use a larger piece of felt :)



I have used a piece of scarf - follow this link to learn how to felt a garment.

Next, cut the corners off your square to make a circle...



I told you it was simple! Next start cutting the circle into a spiral, starting from the outside edge...









You'll be left with something like this...



Right...your instincts will be telling you to start with the inside (mine do!), but you need to pick up the outside end of the spiral now...



Now, start wrapping the spiral of felt around the end you are holding. This always makes me smile because I think the little end sticking out looks like a cute little tortoise/turtle tail...anyway! Back to the job in hand...



Keep wrapping until you reach the end/middle of the spiral...





You will then find that the middle of the spiral you started with fits perfectly over the base of your rose and finishes it off nicely!



Turn over...



Trim if needed...



Voila!



You can glue your rose - I've seen that suggested before- but, personally, I prefer to sew mine. Make sure you sew through the 'turtle's tail' so it won't unravel!...











Now, if you want, you can add a leaf and brooch pin, or just sew directly onto something like a cushion. Maybe you could make a brooch for a friend's birthday, to give to someone special for Valentines day or ready for Mothers day...or for yourself!

I have some upcycled brooches for sale in my Etsy shop. I'd love for you to pop over, take a look and maybe buy :) Or, pop over to my Facebook page and look at my upcycled brooch photos for inspiration :)

Have fun upcycling!