Video: An Introduction to Quilling

This is the best video about paper quilling I've found so far. It's been in my favorite links section for a long time, and I thought I'd put it on the blog, too. You might also like other video tutorials in their YouTube channel. Enjoy!

Another award

I received an award from Regina at "Handmade by Regina". Thank you very much, Regina! This is such an honor to be nominated by a great fellow quiller like you. Unfortunately, for me passing awards on requires a lot of time, so I'll do it later some time. Sorry.

Quilled poppies step-by-step, part 3

With this post I'm finishing the three-part tutorial on making quilled poppies. If you haven't seen the previous parts, here's the full list:

1. Instructions for making quilled petals using husking;
2. How to make the centers using the fringed flower technique and assemble the flowers;
3. How to make the foliage (husking) and the dandelion flower (fringed flower).

Quilled poppies step-by-step, part 2

What I like about paper filigree is that it presents almost endless challenges, and I like challenges :) In this project the poppy centers were a challenge, at least to me.

Just to remind you, this is the second part of a three-part tutorial on making quilled poppies:

1. Instructions for making the petals;
2. How to make the centers and assemble the flowers;
3. Making the foliage and the dandelion.

Quilled poppies step-by-step, part 1

My last quilling work, two poppies and a dandelion; its size is about 7 x 7 1/2 inches (17.5 x 19.5 cm) framed. This time I'd like to share with you complete, step-by-step instructions for making it. When I say "complete", I mean that you will see how each and every part of this piece was made. Actually, this will be a series of three tutorials, due to the relatively large number of different elements:

1. Petals of poppy flowers;
2. Flower centers and assembling the poppies;
3. Foliage and dandelion flower.

Spooky spider cake :)

I made this spider cake for one of my kid's birthdays. I thought I'd post it before Halloween, for my readers who celebrate this holiday.

Quilled moth and flowers in a shadowbox

I'm back to quilling flowers. I know it may sound strange, but the starting point for this work has been a black shadowbox frame I bought once. This frame was just begging to be used for quilling. It's a square frame, 9x9 inch (23x23cm), so a circle layout seemed to be a natural choice for the composition. Once again I've got the inspiration from a Helen M. Stivens' book. This time it was "Embroidered Flowers". I used it to create a design of my own, made a sketch, and set to work.

Quilled Rosh Hashanah cards, final

It's time to wrap up making Rosh Hashanah greeting cards for this year. Seems like I've made enough for all friends and family :) This is the third and final set, the previous two can be found here:

• Rosh Hashanah cards with quilling, and
• Quilled Rosh Hashanah cards, continued.

Well, the one at the top isn't too much original. Apples (how to quill apples) with honey are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah eve. Size: 3 1/8 x 3 1/8 inch (8 x 8 cm).

Letter and number cookies

Isn't this an excellent way to learn! Kids have fun making letters and numbers and then... eating them.

Quilled Rosh Hashanah cards, continued

I've been still making Rosh Hashanah greeting cards for this year. Here's another set of cards. The first two cards were made according to the same sketch. Just like with the previous set, I used oil pastels to color the edges and stickers for the lettering. I also added tiny rhinestones at the corners.

Size of the square cards is approximately 3 7/8 x 4 1/8 inches (10 x 10.5 cm).

Blog awards

First off, I must say that I don't like blog awards. They require a great deal of skills in public relations, which I'm not good at. Having said that, I'm sincerely grateful to Juhi, Monica, AlenysWka, Konul and Rina for nominating my blog. Thank you!

Book: Nature Printing

The book "Nature Printing" is not about paper filigree :) This is a wonderful art & craft book and kids' crafts book, though, and I'd like to share with you my impressions of it.