It's true folks. Laura isn't just the writer here at QK—even I have a little crafting creativity in me. For this, my last post, I not only want to prove this fact but also show you my latest QuicKutz craft addiction: making flower hair clips.
Just like Amy said recently, I am totally into cutting fabric right now. When I saw these kinds of clips in style and sold all over the place I got to thinking how easy it would be to make those with some flower nesting dies. I was right. It may take a little trial and error but these are the basic techniques that have worked for me. (Forgive me, I ran out of time and didn't take step-by-step pictures)
1. Choose a fabric. Some experimentation is required here. Certain fabrics will tend to fray after being cut which doesn't bother me actually for this kind of look. If you don't want it to fray, use sturdy fabrics like felt or spray the back with fabric stiffener.
2. Choose a die(s). Obviously dies with a scalloped edge work best to create the flower look so I recommend the Nesting Flowers or the Cookie Cutter Flower Set from the 3D release. I haven't tried anything else but I'm sure you could get creative with this.
3. Cut out fabric. In order to help the dies cut through the fabric, make sure you use a couple of pieces of cardstock for extra shims. Put these shims on top of the cutting mat so you can reuse them for multiple cuts. I suggest cutting out the shape six or seven times depending on how full you want your flower.
4. Put flower together. Once you've cut out all your pieces, fold each one in half twice and staple, yes staple, it together across the bottom point but not the very bottom (It will be shaped like a slice of pie). Once you've done this to each piece, cut out a circle, either by hand or with dies, for the base of the flower and then with a hot glue gun, glue the four folded pieces on top of it like you're using the "slices" to form a whole pie. Take the extra two or three folded pieces and glue them to the center of the flower. You'll need to fluff them with your fingers to make it stand up. You can even glue some of the petals together to keep it looking full. If this method doesn't make sense, feel free to arrange the pieces how it works for you.
5. Attach Clip. You can find a box of clips for cheap at beauty supply stores or even your grocery store. Take one of them and a strip of fabric and hot glue it to the bottom base of the flower with the fabric strip covering the part that is glued to it. Make sure you put the clip on so that the flat part that lays on your head is exposed. Some clips won't stay in your hair the other way.
So there you go. It's really so simple. I have a friend who was trying to make these and it was taking her forever because she was cutting out the scalloped circles by hand. You can imagine how impressed she was when I showed her how fast the Revolution could cut these shapes out, and so symmetrically. She's not a scrapbooker but as soon as she saw this tool, she had to have one! So precious it is to her that she's bringing it to Dubai (where her and her husband will be living for the next couple years). She's become a factory, pumping out these clips for her baby girl and even herself. Look how cute this one is that she made with chiffon!
They even look cool together in a bunch if you're really out there.
Here's one on my cute little red-headed niece. I'm giving one to her older sister who turns 4 this Saturday.
So there you go, the secrets of my trade. Consider it a goodbye present. Thanks again for all your participation and kind words with this blog and best of luck to you all! Go QuicKutz!
Laura
Last week I was up in Seattle looking for a place for my husband and I to dwell (found one by the way). When I got back I found this blocking my cubicle: A giant wall of Relax Gift Set Boxes.
Perhaps they were trying to send me a message, like that I was no longer welcome or something. If that was the case I didn't pick up on it. Instead I was just amazed. A normal person would have probably knocked it down right away and gone about the day's business as usual, but I'm not a normal person. I decided to crawl over from an adjacent cubicle (in a dress no less) in order to preserve the structure. Once inside my cubicle, it felt like being in my own little cocoon and I actually enjoyed the solitude for a couple hours.
The culprit: Jake
After some time though (when I couldn't put off people's questions anymore and they started sending me things through a hole in the wall) I decided to bust out of there. Jake was kind enough to take a few pictures of the event for me.
If that cubicle was a cocoon then I was a very violent butterly...
kablowie!
I'm going to miss this place.