WOOOO HOOOOO!!! Thanks for hopping with us on the Zutter Zisters Blog Hop!!! Welcome!

Hellllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooo everybody!!! Thanks so much for joining us on our Zutter Zister's Blog Hop!!! You know the procedure by now I am sure, but just to review, if you post on each of the blogs linked in the blog hop you have lots of chances to win some of the fab-u-looo-soooo new Hang-It-Alls, a lovely pink hammer, and setting tools from Zutter! How cool is that? Pretty stinkin' awesome I think (cause I love all of those things). :) Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this post to hop to the next stop, which is Lynne! :)



Remember, the winners will be selected Monday March 29, 2009 after 7 pm (you can post till 7 pm EST March 29, 2010 to be eligible). PLUS, if you comment on this thread, AND sign up to be a follower of my blog, your name goes in a drawing for an extra little goodie pack from me. The goodie pack from me will include some of my flowers and tags! Here are a few pics of some of the flowers and tags that I make that might be in your goodie pack from me -





Or even some of these, (please excuse the creative mess) :) -



Winners will be announced on Tuesday March 30, 2010. :)

For my Spring Blog Hop project, besides using the oh-so-wonderful pink Bind-It-All, I used some of the white OWires, Gold Rivets, My Zutter Wire Cutters, my favo Zutter Pink Hammer, Pound It All, and Setting Tools, and the AWESOME Hang-It-Alls along with some odds and ends in my scrap stash! I will post complete step by step directions on how to create this little basket next week, so stay tuned. :)

OK, without further ado, here is my spring time project created for the spring blog hop -



Here is is with some "fillings" -



a view from the top -


from another side -



and yet another side -



a close up of the front, featuring the little hanging sign (used the oh-so-fun Hang-It-Alls, ya gotta try these!)-



I love to make flowers to use on different projects, especially projects I make with my Bind-It-All. They add so much dimension, and help finish off the project. I have also started to add some of the OWires to my flowers for an even different look -



It is super easy to do, just cut 5 rings of OWires ( I used 1/2" size), gently squeeze the rings closed, then flatten and stretch them in a flower shape, and add them to your flowers (directions on making layered flowers below)-





Here are a few directions on how I make some of my layered flowers -

First, gather either some flower shaped punches or dies, or just scalloped or circle shapped dies or punches. Use various sizes so you can have lots of lovely layers. You can also just handcut circles or flower shapes in graduated sizes if you don't have dies or punches. I like to use pages torn from old books (pick them up at Goodwill or rummage sales, great way to get older books at very reasonable prices), as well as assorted weights of cardstock or patterned paper. After I have a nice big pile of petals or shapes cut, I usually Glimmer Mist them a bit to add some sparkle. Sometimes I like to wad them up first so they are a bit softer to work with, and to add more demension. Depending on the look I want, I might also wait and fold the shapes a bit after I assemble the flowers. I find it is easier for me to make sure I have a nice large assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes to work with. I also love to add fabric or ribbon to the flowers.

Here is a pic of some f my layers in process -



Here is a picture of a little mini book I did where I wadded up the paper when I created my flowers -



It is easy peasy to make fabric and paper flowers. We will talk about those first. Find some fabric that you like. I find that small prints and monochromatic colors seem to work really well. I cut a little cut on one edge of the fabric, and then about an inch down, cut another slit. Then I tear the fabric into strips. The first strip or two might be really wacky size wise, just save it for another use. Once you have a nice strip about an inch wide, and torn on both sides, fold it into three pieces, and cut it. For instance, if you tear the fabric selvedge to selvedge(usually about 42" wide), you will fold the 42" into thirds, and cut. You should now have three pieces of fabric about 14" long.



Sew a long basting stitch ( use a machine if possible, it is so much faster), and pull the threads together when you are done. Use your own judgment as to how tight to pull the thread. If you make it a bit looser, your flower will be larger, tighter will be smaller. I usually knot the thread, and hot glue them and the ends together (faster to glue than to sew, but do what you like).





Next, layer some paper or cardstock flower layers on top of the fabric. You can also use ribbon flowers. (I make ribbon flowers the same way, just cut a length of ribbon, baste it, pull the threads together, and glue.) Feel free to mix fabric, cardstock or book page shapes with the ribbon, the more texture you add the more interesting your flower will be. You can glue all your layers together when you are happy with how they look. I like to take thin strips of fabric, twist it, and then glue the fabric in a circle to create a rose type shape. This is also fun and easy to do with ribbon.





I also love to make flowers and use the Zutter Rivets to hold them together. First I cut various cardstock shapes, and stack them up. Next I punch a hole in the center, using my lovely pink hammer, setting tools, and the faboo Pound It All. I have to say, I LOVE my little pink hammer!!! I also love the fact that the Pound It All has a foam bottom to protect and cushion my work surface.

Sometimes I use several of the same size flower shape or circle or scallop folded into fourths and stacked together to really get some dimension. This technique works with cardstock, patterened or book paper, or even tissue paper. The thickness of the paper will change the look and dimension of your petals.










Sometimes I also like to crease each petal just a wee bit after the flowers are assembled, or if I use layers of crepe paper, smoosh the layers up a wee bit. Here area few pics of flowers with smooshed or creased layers -







Here are a few additional assembly pics -














Once I have my rivet set, I can glue the paper flower to a fabric flower if I wish. The flower is nice and sturdy and won't fall apart now! If I want to change the look of the rivet, I simply use some Stickles to add a little sparkle.

Once you have created your flowers, feel free to add them to all your scrapbooking projects, and your altered art. They also make nice little embellies for headbands for little girls, or for package toppers!!! There are boatloads of ways to create beautiful flowers, so let your imagination run free.


After you finish here, it will be time to hop on over to Lynne's blog to check out what she has created. Make sure you go in order, and don't miss any stops! Remember, you could win some of the SUPER Hang-It-Alls, a pink Zutter hammer and setting tools on any of the participating blogs. Thanks again for hopping with us everybody!!! Happy Spring, and don't forget to check back for the winners! :)

Here is a list of the participants for the blog hop, make sure you check them all out. :)
Camilla Isaksson - Sweden
Linda Elbourne - UK
Fleur Smith - BC, Canada
Sophie Sim - Australia
Pam Sandy - Michigan, USA (this is me, thanks for stopping in!)
Lynne Forsythe - New Hampshire, USA
Sarah De Guzman - California, USA
Shelley Haganman - Iowa, USA
Nan Paturzo USA