I've been busy making flowers using the Big Shot and Sizzix Dies. Once you start making them, they are addictive! I've made mine into pins you can wear on a jacket or a tote bag or even a purse. I've seen smaller versions made into hair accessories for little girls which are too cute! I plan to make some of those soon. I first saw the idea from Shelli Gardner, the Founder of Stampin'Up! She had worn one to the Stampin'Up! Convention last summer. Shelli doesn't usually provide instructions on things she creates, but so many Demonstrators asked her how she made them, she decided to break her own rule just this once for us. She graciously provided directions for us on her blog. They are SO super easy to make. You just need a die or two and the Big Shot, some fabric and you're all set!
This is the first flower I made. Shelli made her flowers using the Flower Folds die, which I didn't have. So I improvised and used my scallop circle dies. I used the largest Scallop Circle as well as the Scallop Circle #2 die. I cut several circles of each size out of my fabric. Then I started folding and layering the Scallops. I used a needle and thread to tack them together as I went. I can't remember how many layers I used in this flower, but it was alot! When I had enough layers sewed together, I washed and dried the flowers in my machines to fray the edges a bit. Then I hot glued a pin back on the backside of the flower and on the front I hot glued a covered button I made using a button kit I purchased at a local sewing goods store. And that was it. Super simple!
For this next flower, I finally got my Flower Folds Die and I cut out lots of flowers in different fabrics. I folded them into quarters and just started layering them in a circle. I again tacked them down with a needle and thread as I went. I only used 1 size of flowers for this pin. Again, I used many layers of flowers. I finished it the same way with the pin on the back and the covered button on the front.
This last flower is the flower that Shelli wore and gave the directions to on her blog. I used 3 different sizes of flowers from the Flower Folds die. These flowers are folded and half and kind of weaved together layer by layer. I still tacked them together as I went. I finished with the pin on the back and the covered button I made on the front. I think this one and the first flower pins are my favorites. I love the first one because I improvised using a different die than what was originally called for. I like that it has a bit more dimension than the other flowers too. I'll definitely be making some more of these little flowers. I want to make some in a much smaller size for little girls and even babies as hair clips. I think they would be adorable!
I'm also about to start making the scallop square quilted purse that Angie Juda has had on her blog. And then onto a real quilt! All with the Big Shot! Who knew it was so versatile and definitely for more than just paper!
Lynda
