Pinterest Picks – Paper Flowers

I recently posted a gorgeous Paper Flower Bridal Bouquet tutorial
by Lia Griffiths, here.

You see,
I absolutely adore making paper flowers. I have Created a myriad of flowers in my time in many shapes, colours and sizes. I just love using the Creative efforts of others as a spur to try a new technique, medium or manner of display.

BUT,
in the early days of my Blogging,
I would constantly compare my work to that of other Creatives.

A HUGE mistake!

Mark Twain did say,
“Comparison is the death of joy”.

Nowadays, I get such a thrill from seeing
the imaginative constructions of others.

It genuinely inspires me to ‘have a go’ and try my own version
of their beautiful composition.

So feast your eyes on these inspirational fleurs.

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1. Emily’s Board: paper flowers
2. Kathryn Grady: paper flowers
3. Classicly Amber: Paper Flowers
4. Shannon Bell: Paper flowers

 As always, if you do make some of your own spring blossoms,
then share a link in the comments.

I would genuinely love to see what your hands Create.

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I’m Building A New Website

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Over the past five months,
I have been training myself on how to build a website.

You see, I am not exactly flushed with cash and it is a pretty expensive endeavour to start a new business. So many little (& some large) costs that are incurred . . . . branding, postage, online shop, advertising, a website, marketing, stationery, photography, product/service production, social media updates, and so much more!

Hence, I have been scouting out free tutorials anywhere on the Interweb, to try to learn the basics and grow my knowledge base so that the website for my business [Purple Paper House] is totes-awesome!

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And I’m almost there!

So very, very close.

And I wanted to share some of the wonderful tutorials and websites that have brought me so close to creating my own, real and professional website.
I hope you find them as useful as I did.
<3
Pia

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This FREE Udemy by Erine Flynn course was a brilliant way in which to improve my website . . . .

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Katrina from 77webstudio is very generous with her knowledge and her videos are brilliant!

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And what can I say about Marie Forleo?
She is fun, funny, generous and dare I say it – wise.

My Pinterest Picks

As I am a confirmed lover of Paper Crafts, I thought it was highly appropriate that my latest choices for my Pinterest Picks series encouraged this passion.

So please ‘click’ and enjoy.

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1. Robin’s board: Paper Crafts
2. Ghyslaine’s board: Fleur en Papier
3. Lia’s board: I Heart Paper
4. Gee Cecil’s board: Paper Crafts

And there’s always my Paper Crafts board for inspiration, too.

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Rustic Watercolour Flowers

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I have come across the most lovely tutorial for these Watercolour Flowers,
by Liz from Love Grows Wild blog.

Such a simple idea,
that anyone who just wanted to be creative,
could easily create their own masterpiece.

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I can also imagine tables laden with old milk bottles
filled with these flowers
at a Rustic Wedding.

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So as usual, I wanted to try to make my very own.
I really enjoyed it, as compared to so many other tutorials on the Interweb, this tutorial was FAST!
Woo hoo!

So,
follow my simple instructions and make your own lovely version.

And enjoy the process, as when I made mine
– it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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You will need:

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Step One – Tear the paper into rough petal shapes

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Step Two – Adhere the petals onto a waterproof surface area

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Step Three – Ensure that only a little piece at the base of each petal is covered in tape

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Step Four – Water down the paint really well

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Part Five – I applied a dollop of yellow paint down the centre of each petal

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Part Six – Cover the whole petal with watered down pink paint

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Part Seven – Remove tape from petals and set aside to dry a little (not completely)

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Part Eight – Cut wire to roughly 30cm (12″) lengths

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Part Nine – Using small pliers, twist and turn one end of wire to make a stamen – no perfection needed, rough is good

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Step Ten – Group all your petals into fives, ensuring that the petals in each group are roughly the same size as each other

 

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Step Eleven – Towards the base of each petal, use the wire to pierce the petals and thread each petal on to the wire – make sure you thread them UPSIDE DOWN so that they will sit right side up when you are finished

 

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Step Twelve – Arrange petals into a shape of your flower, applying a little dab of glue between each petal

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Step Thirteen – Add a generous dab of glue at the back where the flower meets the wire

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Step Fourteen – Allow all glue to dry thoroughly

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Step Fifteen – Curve petals of the flower

Ta da!

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So are you inspired?

I’d love to see your creations.

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If you make some flowers yourself, I’d love to see them.
Upload a photo in the comments section.

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Pin It Real Good

I am such a fan of Pinterest.

The amazingly wonderful website is used by some for business, others to plan their wedding, some for a craft/fitness/finger nail(?)/cooking/raising children addiction and others to build an in-depth resource for their favourite hobby.

I am on Pinterest because I am passionate.
I am a truly passionate person; I love creating things with my hands.

There is something so incredible with having a vision in my mind  and working towards it’s creation. The mistakes, the trials, the practice and the triumph (& occasionally the failures).

I try a few times a year to go to my Pinterest account and clean it up. Organise any new boards and then check that the ‘pins’ have gone into the correct ‘Board’. It’s quite cathartic .

How many boards do I have?!?!

So what’s your Pinterest passion?
Do you have a particular board that has a special place in your heart
that you just keep adding & adding to?

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Creative Mind Porn

I have just stumbled across the Tumblr Blog of Bella Faye Garden “Lavender Coloured Glasses“,
and I am in total lust.
The images are just incredible.

I love the colours and textures and themes and ‘feel’.

Just gorgeous.

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Am I wrong?

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Ribbon & Fabric Flowers

Cruising the inter web recently,
I came across the following gorgeous tutorial
by the talented Flax & Twine.

Although the techniques and tutorial are originally from Martha Stewart,
I just love how Flax & Twine has laid out the post.
It makes it so easy to follow.

Aren’t they gorgeous?

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Now, I myself, have made these flowers in the past,
and I though it was high time that I showed you my versions,
and my tutorial.

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Now,
as when a new technique is learnt
it means that one must become completely obsessed,
so . . . . . .

3 easy shapes + sizes

I created quite a few.

Spotty ribbon

Blue ribbon

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And then I made a whole canvas with it.

Heart Canvas

You like?

 

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What do you think you will do with your creations?

• Decorate a mirror
• Make a wreath
• A hairclip?

I’d love to see what you create.
Truly :)

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Craft Storage – DIY Of Course ;)

I’m holding a new craft class this month.

Something I have a distinct passion for . . . . cool storage ideas.
Best yet – it’s DIY, so you can alter and adjust them to suit your own needs.

I LOVE having the ability and opportunity
to modify something to make it perfect for my place.

So cool!

I’ll post some pictures of my own choice as soon as I have finished :)

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Other Blogger: Graphic’s Fairy

For a number of years – at least three – I have been a fan of the Graphics Fairy blog.

A massive fan!

Karen (aka The Graphics Fairy) is INCREDIBLY generous with her
digital work and image editing.

The Graphics Fairy

I’ve used one of her images here.

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Do you think I put it to good use?

Today I just had to share one of her latest blog posts:
“10 DIY Pillow Ideas“.
So absolutely cool!

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Do you love these designs as much as I do?

Aren’t they amazing?

How would you use one of Karen’s designs
to create a designer cushion?

I’d love to see a photo if you give it a try :)

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Calligraphy Letters? No Probs Baby

Have you ever wanted to have crack-a-lack at doing calligraphy?

I know that you can get kits and books and heaps of online tutorials.

How would you like a really simple version,
that will get you writing
– yep you read that correctly WRITING –
your own place cards (wedding)
door sign (bedroom door)
or even a title page (homemade recipes)?

Here’s a couple of tutes,
that will show you how just doing it
is all the skills you require.

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Here’s my attempts.

Attempt #1

Attempt #2

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Not so appalling is it?

I panicked,
when trying to think of words to write!

I suppose if I practice a bit
I could actually get good at it.

Will you have a crack?
I’d love to know if you do :D

Sorry just had to share this – it’s just a tad funny!

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