Archive for June, 2009

Another beautiful day lily that has just started blooming.  These blooms are huge and I run out every day to catch a glimpse of their fading glory.

I hope you don’t mind me sharing some of my flowers with you.  I love gardening and usually when I’m pulling the weeds or trimming back the over growth, I’m in deep conversation with God.  Somehow that seems fitting; to be tending to the beautiful things He created and talking with Him.  The only thing that would make it better would be having a cup of coffee at the same time.  Oh yea! I do that too!

Not to0 long ago Paper Wishes (PW) did a webisode on Quilling and ever since that time I have wanted to try my hand at it.

I finally gave into the desire and purchased a few items to help me get started.  Now I used my 40% off coupon at HL on the highest price item and the other items were just $2-$3 a piece.

The cork board with the circles was the most expensive.  It allows you to make loose circles multiple sizes or all the same size.  It also keeps them in place while the glue drys.

I purchased a little kit (it came with the quilling paper and instructions on how to make “Little Critters”).  You need a slotted tool and a pair of needle nose tweezers.  I already had the straight pins and  some glue.

Tip:  You can use a large embroidery needle for the slotted tool and some people just use a needle.  If you use the needle it keeps the center roll tighter than the slotted tool.  Also, you can “lick” your finger to help keep the paper on the needle while you start to roll it. Be sure and use the blunt end of the needle and not the sharp end…I’m just saying some people need more instructions than others.  LOL!

I have been in search of a stamp of a bee for several weeks.  Although I can find them, most of them are too cutesy.  When I couldn’t find what I was looking for I decided to look and see if the “Quilling Bee” more closely resembled what I wanted. Sure enough it did, and  of course, you know that was just enough to justify getting the quilling stuff.

I put yellow Stickles across the back to embellish the bee (I know I can’t leave well enough alone), although it looks right in the picture, when it dries the horizontal line of stickles fades away, so I’ll have to come up with a different way to get the look I’m wanting.  Oh my, I just had an ”aha” moment but I want to try it first and see if it works. 

Hmm, the bee was easy enough, so why not try my hand at the butterfly.  It too was very easy and I think it came out pretty good for my first try.

The center is called a marquis shape and the wings are just loose rolls in different lengths of quilling paper squeezed into tear shapes.  Looks like I might need to cut the antennas down a little bit, but that is really easy to do.

This is the large butterfly that is multi-colored.  Ok, not my best work, but I certainly got the idea of what I was suppose to be trying to do.  You actually glue strips of various colors and various lengths together to make one long strip, then roll the loose circle and pinch into the shape you want.  This is where the cork board with the circle template comes in handy to make sure both wings are the same size.

I put all my Quilling stuff in a 12 x 12 “Stow- N- Go” type container.  This way everything is together and I can just grab it to work on some flowers or “little critters” while I sit and watch TV with my DH.  By the way, I did these late at night but love the idea of being able to be in the same room with DH and make something so cute.

What’s next on the agenda?  I’m going to have to have the Quilling Fringer Tool from PW ($49.99).  Then there is a book called Quilling Idea Book and I love their Quilling Circle Template Board better than the one I bought.  Hmm, I may have to upgrade.  Then their is the Flower Sampler Quilling Kit and oh yea, that Husking Hoops & Loops looks like a must have. 

I wonder if I’ll have time for cards anymore? 

First let me explain about my name, NaeNae.  When my GS was little he named me NaeNae. That is pronouced nay, nay.  My #1 Daughter has been giving me a hard time about how I’m spelling it, but if I spell it Nana, people will think it is nanna.  I tried spelling it NayNay, but she didn’t care for that either so here we are NaeNae.  I originally told her I wanted to be called “Diva” or “Goddess” as a grandmother, but she didn’t like that either.  While they were taking a much needed trip to Italy, Gareth started calling me NaeNae and it stuck.  Besides there is nothing sweeter than your own GC giving you the name he thinks you should have.

 My DGS’s B-day is coming up and I bought him several of the foam hats that M’s has been carrying.

There is a cowboy hat, that I’m going to make him chaps and a vest to wear with it.  I found some black vinyl that will be durable and look like leather.

Then there is the pith helmet that I’m going to make a short sleeve vest with pockets and we have a butterfly net to use with that. 

There is a top hat and I’m planning on making him a black cape so he can do magic tricks like Greg on the Wiggles. 

Finally, there is the hard hat and I’m making a tool belt so he can have something to put his tools in for when he is making his “contraption”.  That’s a mighty big word for a 4 year old.  I also have to get his B-Card made, whew, I’m going to be busy.

I have found some of the patterns for his costumes to go along with his hats.  I’m watching the pattern sales because I don’t want to pay $15.00 for a pattern that I will using one time.  On second thought….I don’t want to pay $15.00 for any pattern.

Then as you can see we can’t leave baby Rylan (that is what he calls his sister) out.  She might be 29″ tall but I think she is fudging on her height.  We are making some little carpi’s and a criss-cross top out of some Hawaiian material and some ric-rack.  I also heard that we might need to make her another criss-cross top out of her favorite Sesame Street character “Elmo” and wouldn’t that be cute with some little ruffled blue denim shorts.

 I need to make a get well card for another friend who is in the hospital.  Oh and by the way I picked up Quilling papers and a kit so I’m going to be playing around with that too.  I also told my #1 Daughter I would help her make some cards for an area Children’s Hospital.

So what does all that mean?  Stay tuned, you are going to be seeing some pretty creative stuff if I don’t get too tired just thinking about it.