heart Archives - Linda Nelson

ANOTHER HEART IS BORN!

February 10, 2018

In my last post, I shared with you a stab at “hacking the code” with how to make a velvet pumpkin heart, which I initially discovered available for purchase via this company. However, there were no online tutorials to be found for how to make one yourself. These plush beauties are not cheap – a simple five inch heart fetching $39!

Additionally, while I was hacking away, and to my delight, I came up with a variation.

Here it is!

©Linda Nelson 2018

Just like the hack, begin with a rectangle piece of fabric. Fold the fabric in half (nice sides facing each other)so that the two short ends meet. Machine stitch a “V” at the folded edge, then cut off the little triangle shaped ends. Next, trim off each top corner into a curved shape. Now, pull the fabric halves away from each other and turn it right side out. Proceed with the up and down stitching, cinching and stuffing just like in the hack.

©Linda Nelson 2018

This heart design doesn’t lend itself to pumpkin stems or sticks, but buttons and ribbons are perfect for finishing off the look. A little brooch or tassel would work too.

©Linda Nelson 2018

Okay, no more Valentine heart posts for this year – scout’s honor. But, that doesn’t mean I won’t be creative. It never fails that another crafty fixation will pop into my head. Who knows what that will be.

ANOTHER HEART IS BORN! Read More »

OH, MY HACKING HEART

February 5, 2018

Hey there! I bet you’re aware that those gorgeous and very popular velvet pumpkins on display in autumn have a cousin – the velvet heart. Making one of those pumpkins is quite easy to do, and the internet is full of video and instructional tutorials to guide you along. However, the heart… not so much. Seriously, there are no videos or tutorials on how to make these little lovelies. But, guess what? They’re so stinking easy to make that a tutorial is virtually unnecessary, especially if you’ve had past success making the pumpkins. After some mental dissection pondering, I came up with a “heartfelt” hack. I think I’ve cracked the code…… or have come close enough.

What do you think?

©Linda Nelson 2018

So, here’s the “tutorial” –

Linda Nelson 2018

Simply cut a piece of velvet twice the length of its width, “up and down” stitch all the way around the perimeter roughly 3/4″ from the edge, cinch it up, stuff it, cinch it up again as snug as you can get it, tie it secure, then stick a stem in it. That’s it! A 10″x20″ piece of velvet will make a (approx.) 5″h x 7″w heart, not including the stem, of course.

After you’ve completed your little velvety creation, it’s time to move on to some other fabrics.

©Linda Nelson 2018

I also have a variation on these beauties that I will share with you very soon, so stay tuned……….

Now, go get creative!

OH, MY HACKING HEART Read More »

NOT EDIBLE, BUT DEFINITELY SWEET!

January 14, 2018

Here’s a little visually sugar coated sweet post just for you.

Temps in the teens and twenties have a way of keeping me indoors for lengthy bouts of time. I’m known for keeping my hands busy with rakes, shovels and pruners; however, at this time of year, you’ll find me keeping them busy with scissors, glue and all sorts of other crafty paraphernalia.

As you can see, I’ve been spending a lot of time indoors, and, as of late, Cupid has been my muse.

©Linda Nelson 2018

“Sew”, what’s a gal to do with abundant lengths of fabric and trim? Stitch them together, feed them onto wire and bend them into heart shapes!

©Linda Nelson 2018

And, when she’s at the end of her ribbon, she can make “naked” hearts. Copper wire with an aged patina is definitely worthy of showing some skin.

Stay tuned……I have a few more visual sweets that I will be sharing with you very soon!

NOT EDIBLE, BUT DEFINITELY SWEET! Read More »

SOME NEW HANDMADES

December 14, 2017

Hey there! Here’s a little peak at a few more handmade creations I’ve been cranking out.

Last year and the year before that, I was on a colorful felted mushroom kick. This year, it’s trees that mimic the shape and form of the cypress trees I observed in Italy.

And, this heart ornament….. it’s one of a few designs that I came up with using wire from cages landscape nurseries use to ball and burlap their heavy trees and shrubs. The hook is made from turkey fencing wire.

The east end of Long Island, NY, received it’s first honest snowfall today. It wasn’t much, just a few inches. But, it’s cold enough to make cozying up tonight that much more inviting.

Good night.

SOME NEW HANDMADES Read More »