Colorful Outlined "R"

Hello friends, happy May!

Well, I attempted to quill another project using Quillography and regular 1/4-inch paper strips. I purchased the pattern on Etsy and was happy with the $3.50 price. I am a beginner at using the on-edge, also referred to as outlining, technique. 

I didn't use a large enough piece of cardstock to trace the pattern, but went ahead with it for practice. I will use a wide mat, 2" or so, before framing. I am thinking a teenage girl won't notice my errors. 

(photoshopped frame for show)

I did learn while doing this project (thank you NAQG FB members) that the thicker Quillography strips are primarily for lining, shaping and sculpting, and especially not for loose and open coils. So halfway finished I started using regular quilling strips for the Q-colors that were too thick, some colors did just fine. This is noticeable with the not-so-tight centers.  

Thank you for stopping by and looking.

Have a fun month and be safe.

-Molly 🌼

From the Archives - St. Patrick's Day

March is flying by so quickly. 

I found this in a box and laughed at the order of the rainbow colors. What was I thinking?  😲 This was in one of the NAQG newsletters back when I was doing theme elements, so I looked up the measurements to share here.

Shamrock - Four Leaf Clover: 4" teardrops made into hearts

Pot of Gold: 36" loose circle shaped, 3" handles (wrapped around a dowel and shaped), 3" tight rolls for feet

Gold: 1.5" loose circles

Rainbow: 5" spirals

Clouds: eccentric loose circles, various lengths from 3" (3), 6", 8" (3), 10" and 12"

Have fun and be safe. 💚

-Molly

 The White Rose of Yorkshire

I have my fingers crossed the UK Quilling Guild conference will be held in York, England this year in September. I made this quilled white rose for a friend who will host me if it's not canceled again. The history of the York White Rose goes back to the 14th Century and currently serves as a symbol of the county of Yorkshire. 

I printed out a simple Yorkshire rose in black and white for the pattern. I outlined the pattern using 1/8" black strips and then glued white to the black on the inside; same with the inner circle. The greens and yellow center are traditional quilling shapes and I filled in the rose using the easy (and fast) beehive technique. I use short strips when I do the beehive and add a bit of glue to every other piece as I fill in. There are many videos on YouTube showing how to do the beehive quilling technique and different ways to use it. The black accents are cut out of black paper and glued down last. 

This is about 5-inches wide and I will frame it after putting quilled initials in the corner. Remember to sign and date the back of ALL your quilled projects, whether you keep them, sell them or give away. You don't know who will end up with them one day. 

Have a wonderful day, be well and safe. 

-Molly 

P.S. Enjoy the last few days of February. 🌺

Handmade Layered Paper Flowers

You can make these layered flowers in any size you want. These are 4" flowers with 9-10 layers. You can make as few as three layers. I used them on a background in my booth as an "eye-catcher" to draw people to my display.

I make my circles in increments of 1/4". I prefer handmade to machine made -- but the circles can be cut from a die machine, Silhouette/Cricut type cutting machine, or circle cutter. I started making them by tracing bowls and measuring cups, but now I use an old 8" Coluzzle template. 

These are EASY to make.

Cut your circles in same increments, i.e. increase or decrease the sizes by the same measurement.

4"

3-3/4"

3-1/2"

3-1/4"

3"  etc.

Fold each circle three times.

 If using thicker paper like cardstock, use a bone folder.

The wider you make the petal shape, the wider the individual petals will be. Just don't cut all the way up to the point. Stop at least 1/4" to the top. The point is the center of your petal.

Turn over and repeat the cut starting at bottom center.

You will do this for each folded circle.

Open up all your pieces. They won't be perfect but they are handmade :) 

I shape the tips of each petal slightly upward, with my scissors blade.

This is an optional step. 

Stagger each later and glue at centers. 

I have added a matching fringed flower but any embellishment can be 

used -- a button, large rhinestone, crochet knot, etc.

Many types of paper can be used. This is embossed vellum. 

Solids using two-sided scrapbook paper.

Themes using printed scrapbook papers.

The leaves are oval shapes, folded in half lengthwise and fringed with scissors. 

I bought 12 sheets of bright two-sided paper at Target in the $1 Spot Bin to make these. The best paper I've ever used. My mother used all 12 at a Fiesta theme luncheon.

  

This is what my backboard looked like in 2006.

The next year, I made large 8" flowers as my eye-catchers. 

I submitted this "Locker Hanging" for a magazine project but it wasn't accepted.

The 3" center is where a mirror would be placed.

Matching flower on a purse.

The link to instructions to make this paper clutch is HERE. 

And lastly, a flower on a card.

If you try this flower technique, let me know what you think and how you use it.

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Molly

Quilled Eyeballs from Archives

This is an oldie for my new followers. I ran across these the other day and I am thinking about making them larger (really big) to send to the grandkids next week :-) I will definitely post a photo if I get this done. (Didn't get it done, sigh)

The original 2009 post with instructions for eyeballs and the tiny box is HERE .

Thanks for stopping by!
~Molly

Happy October Festivals & Fun

Happy October!

If you are in the Fayetteville, AR area (home to the University of Arkansas Razorbacks) or know anyone who is, please spread the word. There will be a big harvest festival this Saturday, Oct 4, and admission is free. My jewelry will be at the Suzy's Ozark Wreaths booth. Here is a sample of my jewelry ($5 & $10). 

I will be posting more about Suzy's wreaths, her website and Etsy store after the sale. These are the most gorgeous wreaths I have ever seen. I proudly own two!

Suzy also makes  beautiful table centerpieces. 

For more information about the fall festival on October 4, visit their

Facebook Page

Have a fabulous October, y'all!
-Molly

Happy Fall Y'all

From the archives:

I don't make many cards but this is a favorite autumn card. I used paper from The Autumn Splendor Stack (DCWV). The piece leftover after trimming, fit perfectly as the envelope lining. I used spiced marmalade Distress Ink to cover the core white edges of the card and layer pieces. The message piece is raised.

Both papers have a gold foil print on them.

I also used quilled sticker leaves from my Provo Craft Stand Out line (no longer available). I have project ideas for those exact quilled leaf motifs, 8 different shapes & colors and basic instructions how to make the quilled leaves.

Quilled Fall Leaves

Quilled Leaves Instructions

Have a great week :)
-Molly

Quilled Hats

Happy September!

I am going through boxes and throwing away a lot of things I no longer need. It is so, so difficult. I came across this hat. I sold a ton of these for framing on eBay in 2002 to The Red Hat Society ladies. I realized that I am that age now :o) 

The hat is 2" x 4.5" and made with two crimped loose circles. The bow is 3/16" feather-edged ribbon. The purple paper is faded a bit. Here is a link to my Easy Quilled Hat with specs and instructions.

Thanks for stopping by!
-Molly

Thought for Tuesday

This is not a finished project, only something I am playing around with until I get it right. Thanks to Paula Hogue's encouragement, I learned the "beehive" technique and was able to quickly fill in the rows and black areas. The crown is 7.5" x 6". The lighting was awful when I took the photograph, but you get the idea :o) 

Have a great week!

-Molly

New Items - Quilling Supply Plus

Quilling Supply Plus has so many unique items for quilling and paper crafting. These animal magnet kits made with corrugated paper strips look so fun -- and everything is included in the kit; no tools needed. There are SIX different kits and more! 

Click the link under the photo to go to the New Items page. I love the 3D Star Kits, too! These prices are unbeatable and they ship Internationally!

Quilling Supply Plus - New

Everyone have a fabulous first week of August :o)

Thanks for stopping by.

-Molly xo

Vintage Quilling Kit

I received an email from a crafter in Russia last week. She is young and commented on my 70s vintage quilling. So I decided to look in my box of vintage kits.

I opened this Quill-It kit dated 1976; the photo is very faded. There are two shades of red paper plus many enclosures. The geranium flowers aren't something I would make. 

Also inside was an actual size pattern to slide under "wax paper". A full sheet of quilling information for beginners. Two large pages of green paper for leaves and sheets of black and red cardstock for the flower pot. A booklet, sort of a mini catalog, to order supplies. I am blown away at the $1.75 lap board. I still have mine and the soft board is indestructible -- the best ever made. 

And my favorite item, the corsage pin. This is what I learned to quill with and every kit contained one.

I decided to start making a friend the red snowflakes I promised about three years ago. Her Christmas tree is solid red ornaments and she requested red. The 1/4" wide vintage paper is very thick and easy to work with. 

Just a reminder it's not too early to start making snowflakes. This is a basic 20 piece snowflake design. The 3" center, 3" ribbon holder and six pieces of three different shapes.

Many other patterns are here:  Snowflakes

Thanks for stopping by!
-Molly xo

Simple Quilled Project ~ Keep It Simple

Summer begins on Saturday so I wanted to change out my Spring subway art sign in the entry way. I was looking for something simple on Pinterest because I am out of two printer ink colors. I found this cute, free bicycle printable at The 36th Avenue blog -- three colors are available.

I printed one in black and white. 

I added some pre-made quilling pieces I had left over from another project .. and sort of followed the printed design. 

It is simple, but I like how easy it was and how it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Molly xo

Getting Organized - Boxes for Memory Boxes

I've been making some topless boxes to put in my new boxes and want to share the process. These are so easy to make and fit in a memory box.

This is what I've stored my ring findings and materials in -- forever.

MATERIALS

I didn't photograph my paper trimmer and I used cardstock paper. Also if you have a score board you won't need the ruler/embosser. 

I MADE A TOTAL OF 8 BOXES - 3 LAYERS

BOX SIZES
4 ... 5 x 3.5"  (size of paper before scoring = 7 x 5.5")
2 ... 4 x 6.5"  (size of paper before scoring = 6 x 8.5")
2 ... 7 x 6.5"  (size of paper before scoring = 9 x 7.5")

Score 1" on all four sides and fold.

Make two 1" cuts on both ends & fold in the 1" square tabs.

I used a piece of tape on each corner. Tabs can be on the inside, outside -- however you want them.

I went back and added packaging tape to the ends to make the boxes more sturdy.

DIVIDERS FOR THE LARGER BOXES

Using scraps, I trimmed the length to the same as the width of the box and made a score down the center. My box sides are 1" so I scored 7/8" on both sides of the center score line and made a valley fold. I added glue and tape runner as shown.

After it was glued in the box, I added a piece of packaging tape on both sides to secure it better.

This is the middle layer. I didn't take a pic of the bottom layer (four boxes-see pic above). It only contains notes, some business cards and info where I buy my findings.

This is the top layer and there is room for my ring mandrel.

Better organized and in a larger container with room to grow.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Molly xo