Oragami Flower

This is my first craft request! One of my favorite people is getting married in April and she asked Kayleigh and I to figure out how to make these really cool flowers for decorations :)

photo credit: elizabethannedesigns.com P.S. She featured my wedding this summer :)
Great inspiration!

SO, I started googling, as any great crafter would do, and found this tutorial for a Kusudama Flower

what you'll need: Origami Paper, and Glue. I used paper that was 6" x 6" and the finished product ended up being about 5" across. 

After a few tries following the tutorial I got this little guy folded up. Isn't it cute? 

First attempt at the flower doesn't look quite as nice as the tutorial pic, BUT to be fair I was using sketchbook paper which is much thicker than origami paper, and tape which doesn't really hold the flower together very well.... glue would be better. This is what I'd like to call a prototype...

We are going to get together and do a flower tutorial/wine night, so I'll post some pics of the result. If you wait until April maybe I'll let you sneak a peak at the finished wedding decor!

I made a light box! And so can you.

   

One of my goals for 2012 is to re-do my Etsy shop since it's been open for a year now (yay me! Check it out:: www.etsy.com/shop/wearesocrafty )

    The first step was getting new photos of my products in there, so, with the help of my friend Jana (our previous featured seller: Jana's Post ), I created a mini photo studio!

                                                

You can buy something similar from Amazon and Ebay, but it'll cost you around $50! Um... no thanks. I made this one for $17. You can do it for less if you already have the stuff!

You need:
*This WikiHow link with great directions (except use white cotton fabric, NOT tissue paper!):: Wiki How Light Box
*A sturdy cardboard box (mine is 18x16 from the container store)
*Box cutter ($2 at home depot--- WORTH IT)
*White cotton fabric (I used $3 "pillow covers" from Target. Jana used a $5 fitted sheet from Walmart. You can also use whatever you have, as long as its white.
*White poster board
*Light source-- a desk lamp works well. Mine was $6 at Target.
*Camera with tripod

>>Follow the Instructions from WikiHow, then test out your new, fancy light box.<<

       Here are 2 of my trial photos:

  That's my mom's ring from Carolyn Pollack, where she works.

My mood ring!



**Camera Settings that worked best for me with the light box**
F. 7.1

Shutter Speed: 25 (use the tripod)

ISO: 800

White Balance: Incandescent +2

These photos, and the ones in my shop, only needed to be cropped! It's amazing what the right light and right settings can do for your photos.

Embroidery Basics

This will build up to something cool. I just haven't decided what that is yet. maybe this:

Just Kidding.... Baby Steps, people. Baby steps...

what you'll need: for any embroidery you will need an embroidery hoop, fabric, hand sewing needles with medium to large eye, embroidery floss, and scissors
cost: not too much and everything but the thread is re-usable!
difficulty level: practice makes perfect... it's not hard, but it takes time

first thing you need to know is about the embroidery thread itself. You don't want to use too long of a thread (1/2 yard is even a little long and you don't want to tangle up and waste thread) and you rarely use all 6 threads. This depends on how thick your stitch needs to be. Most of the time you will be using 2-3 threads.

SO-Cut your desired length and untwist it so you can easily pull 3 threads out-at the same time, not individually.

Second thing you need to know is that you don't double the thread up and tie a knot at the end like you do when you hand sew a button or a hem. Thread the needle and pull through about 6" or so and leave the end untied

Instead of tying a knot at the back you will leave about an 1"- 1 1/2" tail that you will stitch over and secure as you embroider. Don't ask me why. It's just how I was taught.

First stitch I'm demonstrating is the back stitch. Kayleigh used this one for her "thark you" card. It's basic and great for basic lines.

Take one stitch, then push the needle through to the top again the same length as the first stitch you took.

Now comes the back stitch part... push the needle back through to the bottom right above the first stitch you took. this fills in the space.

Repeat...

Next stitch is a Stem Stitch. Very similar to the back stitch this works well for straight or curved lines and is most commonly used for.... (drum roll please)..... flower stems. Also works well for words and names and things with letters :)

Take one stitch, then push needle up to the top side of hoop at the center of your first stitch to one side... I like the left side...

repeat :).....

Now, this is already a long post, and there are many many more stitches to show you... so you'll have to check back. Sneak preview, because I know you are on the edge of your couch, I will show you a split stitch, chain stitch, french knot, satin stitch, blanket stitch, suture stitch (just making sure you're paying attention... I will not be showing you that)... and many more. 

Note: I am aware that I am a giant nerd and I love embroidery. I do. It's pretty. I hope you like it as much as me and try some fun things