Saturday, May 22, 2010

What I've been doing

I think I mentioned a couple posts back that I bought myself a mothers day present.  Ever since I started following Anne Martin's blog, All things paper, I've been wanting to give quilling a try. My gift to myself was a beginners quilling kit.
This one to be exact.
Now I have to say, had I not been doing some research and finding out all about this, I more than likely would have been lost when this kit came in the mail. All the supplies you need to get started are in the box, including directions, but like I said had I not already looked into it, I don't think I would have really understood them.

Well of course I pulled everything out and started playing around. This was the first flower I made.
 Then I got this great, in my opinion, idea. Since I've been on that cardboard kick, I thought making flowers with brown paper grocery bags would look cool. I brought home a bag from work yesterday and started cutting it in to strips. I was originally going to glue this on to plain cardboard but I already had a small piece that I had painted so I used that instead.
 I call this my perfectly imperfect first project. I think I'm going to put a quote on the right hand side then finish it off with a magnet on the back.
I may not have the technique perfected yet but I'm really enjoying doing this. 

33 comments:

BeadedTail said...

Your first attempts look pretty perfect to me! That also looks like fun! I've seen that before but didn't know it was called quilling.

Out on the prairie said...

Nice effect, will have to look it up and try.Is the kit a good start or can one fold and press to create on my own? Think you could place pressed blooms with quilled stems.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Wow Ann, you did great! I love the brown paper on the pretty background! Isn't Anne Martin's blog great! I subscribed to her emails and they are full of the most amazing stuff!

Please tell Duke I said Hi!

Reeni said...

These turned out great! I never saw anything like this before. It looks fun!

June Coe Harris said...

Hi, Ann! Good to see I have another fellow quiller on my blog..... I also love quilling. I have been quilling now for about three years, and I have done numerous projects. I give all of my projects away, and have none of my work in my home proudly displayed, but I enjoy doing it and giving it away. It is such a unique gift, and everyone that sees it has a fit over it! Most of them have never seen it. Anyway, you did a great job, if these were your first projects. Look out, it can be very addicting! By the way, I saw your photos too- the Brenda Photo Challenge- I got mine up today too! Enjoy!!! June

tahtimbo said...

That looks terrific! You are so talented! I have to admit that the only thing I can do with a paper bag is fold it and even then it sometimes doesn't work out.
Now,I need to go and find out what quilling is.
I hope you're having a great weekend :)

Anonymous said...

Very pretty...

Rick (Ratty) said...

This is the first time I've heard of quilling. It looks very interesting. You've made some beautiful artwork with this technique.

June Zach said...

You did very well with your first project. We will expecting more to come! A blessed Sunday! ^_^

Ebie said...

Hi Ann, I adore your craftsmanship. It is so delicate!

gayle said...

oh wow those look really hard to make!! Very pretty!!

Swapna said...

Is that really a first attempt? looks like you have had years of practice..Guess you have found another great hobby

Anonymous said...

send some for me to scrapbook with mom!

Duni said...

You seem to be a natural at paper crafting! Those quilled flowers are beautiful!

Ann said...

Beaded tail thanks, did you know you can also use these for making jewelry? Little quilled cat earrings might be pretty darn cute...lol

out on the prairie, I think if you do enough searching online you can find all the directions you need to get started doing this. I've even seen people who have made their own quilling tool or used a toothpick to roll the coils. I don't know why you couldn't mix pressed blooms with quilled ones. Sort of a mixed media type of thing.

LDH I really liked the way the bag strips looked. not as colorful but still a nice look. I love Anne's blog, it's very inspiring.

Cinnamon girl I'm finding it a little addicting...lol

June I'm already thinking Christmas gifts...lol I give a lot of the crafty items I make away also. Thanks for the warning on the addictiveness but it's too late :)

tahtimbo it's also known as paper filigree basically it boils down to rolling strips of paper and shaping them and gluing them together.

Grace thanks

Ratty it's been around for a long time but for some reason isn't all that popular. Even the local craft stores don't carry supplies for it. I had to order on line. I've seen some amazing pieces made from this.

Junezach I'm sure that there will be much more to come in the future

Ebie thank you very much.

Gayle actually it's surprisingly easy. And I see it as being a rather inexpensive craft as well.

Swapna yes first try. In comparison to what they should look like mine are a little rough but I'm getting there :)

Amanda What? you like something I made? I usually get the "uh huh, nice" comment from you...lol

Duni, thanks, I have a real fascination for anything that's paper.

vickie said...

I love your quilled flowers ... one craft I never tried. Looks like fun though.

Unknown said...

Did you enlist Duke to help you chase down the porcupine, or are you using a different kind of quills?

CraftCrave said...

Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [23 May 02:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria

Unknown said...

Ann, those are great!! It looks like you are a natural!

Bossy Betty said...

Very cool! I will have to try this!

Joanne Olivieri said...

Ann, wow! these certainly look perfect to me and I love what you did with the brown paper bag, it's amazing. I wish I had your talent.

Theresa said...

I can't imagine my first attempts to be as good as yours. Wow you did a great job Ann.

VanillaSeven said...

I love your first attempt Ann! They look so pro!

Ann said...

Vickie I've been wanting to try it for a while now finally got around to ordering that kit. I find it very fun, my husband asked me why I would want to do that....lol

FishHawk No Duke sat quietly under the table while I worked an entirely different type of quill. I hadn't thought of using a porcupine

DKMiller well I don't know about that but anything crafty is my cup of tea :)

bossy betty I'm finding it a little addicting

poetic shutterbug the brown bag was the thrifty side of me kicking in :)

Theresa it's really not as difficult as it looks.

Marg said...

Never heard of quilling but it looks like great fun and that would make great presents. We think your first attempt is terrific. Just don't glue Duke to a page.
Have a great day

Leeuna said...

Ann these are beautiful. You are so creative. I like the brown flowers too. They look great with that background. I'd give you an A+ for your first project.

Jen said...

You GO girl! You did a great job on both projects (and I love quilling too, it's lots of fun :o)

Philippa said...

You made a great start, Ann, and you'll soon be addicted like the rest of us!

Sharkbytes said...

I have a friend who has done a number of really intricate and lovely quilling projects. I'm sure your creativity will take you far!

Anne said...

That is really cool. My daughter is very artistic and she would love it. Although, you comment that you would have been lost without doing a lot of research is a little frightening.

Ann said...

Marg, I'm finding it very fun and I've considered using these for gifts. I could make a little quilled Duke to glue down...lol

Leeuna I've always wanted to be an A+ student. :)

Jen I'm really enjoying it. I haven't done a ton of it yet but so far I do like it lots

Philippa I think I'm already on my way :)

Sharkbytes some of the things I've seen are incredible. I think I'll just stick to other people's patterns for now...lol

Anne It's probably not as bad as I made it sound. I was reading through the directions right after I got home from work so that could be the reason for all of my confusion..lol

Ann Martin said...

Hey Ann, you're off to a great start!! I'm so glad you're giving quilling a try... I had a feeling you would be a natural and love that you're thinking outside the box already and working with grocery bag paper. It truly can be a very inexpensive hobby. Thanks so much for the link to my blog.

Ann said...

Ann, I'm glad I found your blog and found out about this wonderful thing called quilling. I actually find rolling the coils to be quite relaxing :) Thank you for inspiring me to give it a try.

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