Crafting : Owl Wings and Mask tutorial

Here is a list of Halloween costumes I had in mind:

1) Gypsy fortune-teller
2) Geisha
3) Bird / Owl
4) Fairy


I had my heart set on making my fortune teller outfit, I even bought a caftan pattern from Etsy to make my outfit!! Then i chickened out of the pattern :(

But then i found this easy-to-make Owl wings tutorial on Burda Style, and I figured I could easily make an owl mask. So that was decided!






To make the mask, you'll need:

2 pieces of brown felt
Scrap Yellow felt
1 piece of sturdy interfacing
Coordinating colors of embroidery floss
Embroidery needle
Hot glue gun
Head band



1. I drew a template of an owl mask, alternatively you can google owl mask templates,
or get one from the Martha Stewart website

Via

2. Trace the template on the brown felt and on the interfacing
to cut out three owl mask shapes. Like so.





3. Sandwich the three layers so that the interfacing is in between the two pieces of brown felt. Pin the layers together.
Then thread your embroidery floss and blanket stitch the three layers together, all around the edges. I love using the blanket stitch because it a pretty stitch but it binds layers together very well! Functional and aesthetically pleasing.
I also used a running stitch to add a little outlining detail to the mask. You'll want to use a thicker needle and 6-count embroidery floss. Pushing the needle through 3 layers of felt and interfacing and be quite a challenge!





4. Attach the head band to the mask using a hot glue gun.
Press and hold head band in place until the glue dries.
Now, where you place your head band is a matter of personal preference.
I attached my band in the middle of the mask above the eye holes because after playing around with different placements, this was most comfortable for me.
You should experiment too, before permanently attaching the band to the mask.





5. Cut out a diamond shaped beak from the yellow felt. Leave one of the edges slightly rounded or plateaued. Hot glue this piece onto the bottom of the mask where the beak goes. Ta-daaa!! And you're done!









Now go be a HOOT, and take someone under your wing! *guffaws*
(Insert your own owl joke here for laughs)
And I'll be the gypsy fortune teller next year!

On the grapevine...

Our carrots are all harvested. This is the lot.
I feel sad that we've been growing them for so long only to be devoured in ONE sitting.



We shared some with our dragons...



who by the way, is shedding. Verne is, at least.



Then I got busy crafting again, so there're new items in the Etsy! Whoo! This one is my favorite so far!


And i've finally learnt how to play "Dream a Little Dream of Me" on the guitar! Still practising and nursing swollen fingers.


Enjoy your weekend and be productive!

Thrifting: Prints for the home!

Source: design-seeds.com via chuiying on Pinterest

Our walls are looking a tad plain. I think it's about time to dress them up.
Found the above image on designseeds.com, which by the way is a great site for color palette inspirations, go check it out!

My living room walls are a shade of forest green like the first color in the palette above, and the craft room is a pebble gray like the 3rd color.

I was hunting out frames for some pictures/ paintings/photos i already own and found this set at Goodwill today.



I think I love them on the green walls! And I love the gardening theme too! We got a seed catalogue in the mail and they have some lovely full page photos of fruits and vegetables that I might want to cut out, mount and frame. I'm keeping a look out for pictures/photos of birds / mushrooms / plants for the house. Here are some on the wishlist!






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Etsy Pick of the Week :: Teva Gallery ::

This week's Etsy find features my funny feathered friends - birds!
I love the intricate details of the illustrations, and the use of the watercolors. If only i could paint or draw like that! *envious*













Teva Gallery is doing a 2 For 1 Sale on any 8" X 10" print. Make sure you check it out! They make pretty home decor, don't you think? I know I would get them for my home, if I had one to call my own!

Owl Vs. Wicked Step Scissors

VS



I have long been in love with these two pairs of embroidery scissors found on Sublime Stitching. I couldn't decide which one to get. The wicked step scissors is so cute and has such a fun name, but the owl pair is just too adorable! To make things even more difficult, the owl scissors is currently on sale!

Help me decide, which one would you choose?

And more exciting crafting news. Heard on the grapevine ...

Joann Fabric and Craft store is setting up a new branch in Mooresville, just a mere 10minutes drive away!

Yipee!!!

Etsy Pick of the Week :: EARTH LAB ::

Based in Rome, Italy, this talented mother of two uses recycled materials eco felt and upcycled vintage fabrics to make wonderful creations.

Inspired by natural forms, colours, science and materials, Kate Prandy of EarthLab makes beautifully designed homewares such as handmade appliqued pillow and cushion covers, and storage baskets.


I love me some good ol' applique. This one is my all-time favorite. I've featured it in my Treasury List.


Snowy Owl

This one is especially cute for the kids! How can you not love anything RAINBOW?


March of the Rainbow Dinosaurs

I love the colours on this storage basket.


Red and White Stripes Storage Basket

Thank you, Kate for letting me use your pictures!

Love at first sight!

Via Strictly Vintage

Can you believe it?

We will be married TWO years tomorrow!