Sunday 24 January 2010

Ever felt too daft to craft???

The other day, I saw a wonderful tutorial for making singed chiffon roses on one of my favourite blogs, Robin's Egg Blues. The tutorial was so good and made it look fairly easy, I just had to try it, just had to.

So I wombled off into town on Friday and bought a couple of bits of chiffon. Saturday, I got out a little tealight candle, pinned my petal templates to the ever-shifting chiffon and cut them out. Lit the candle. Snuffed the candle, because I had of course forgotten to find the long handled tweezers. First aid box raided, I relit the candle, picked up the first petal and singed away! Woohoo, I thought, this is not at all bad. 10 minutes, slightly crisped fingers and lots of singed petals later, I was ready to assemble a flower. Ah, errmm, that turned out to be not quite as easy as I had thought. Chiffon is darned slippery and even with singed edges, it has a life of its own. And don't even think about breathing when you are trying to pile up chiffon petals in a rose shape! The slightest bit of huff puff and they end up everywhere, lol. In the end, I gave up on pre-sewing assembly and pushed the sewing needle through each petal separately, sort of arranging them into a flower shape as I went along.

Hmmm. It looked lopsided. It didn't look much like the gorgeous roses on Robin's Egg Blues' tutorial. I had a close look at my petals, and discovered that I didn't do that good a job of singeing either, sigh. There were many un-singed edges, merrily fraying away, grrr. You don't even have to look very closely at the photographs to see them, lolol -


Undeterred by this dismal failure, I tried again. Ouch, metal gets hot when held over a candle, even long handled tweezers. I was determined not to have any fraying edges on my petals this time though. Good plan. Bad execution. I think I may have overdone the singeing just a tad, lol, my petals are very curly -

So now I am sitting here, looking at this pile of supercurly chiffon petals, trying to tell myself that yes, it is worth assembling them into another flower. I am not convinced, sigh. I really feel daft, I mean, come on, it can't be that difficult to find just the right level of singe, can it? Perhaps I am just overenthusiastic with my singeing. One thing I know though, I need a heck of a lot more practice, lololol. Watch this space.

DON'T FORGET, THE ALTER IT! GIVEAWAY IS CLOSING TODAY, IF YOU HAVEN'T ENTERED YET, DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO TRY OUT SOMETHING NEW.

24 comments:

Floss said...

Oh but you tell it so well, Liz! I'm not sure I would be any better than you, and it has to be admitted that your first rose is absolutely beautiful, even if it's going to fray later... The second set of prawn crackers? Well, it will be interesting to see the result!

Country Nanny said...

I think your chiffon rose is stunning and it's only your first one! I'm waiting to see the others you're going (I hope) to make.
LOL
Elisa

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I think they look great and good on your for attempting them! Practice makes perfect.

Victoria xx

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

That's hysterical Liz! Who cares if it's not all even. That flower you made is absolutely beau-ti-ful!! I'd never have the patience for such fabrics and fiddliness. Go on, you might as well make it up, it may surprise you into being a very pretty little rose.

Marigold Jam said...

I think it's lovely and I like the slightly frayed edges - it all adds to the charm and for a first attempt well...! Rome wasn't built in a day and I am sure you will produce some stunning flowers from those prawn carckers as Floss calls them!

Jane

Michela said...

Definitely gorgeus and so delicate! Go Lizzie, go! xxx

Kim from The Sheep's Nest said...

Lizzie-Liz, You have me on the floor laughing! I think your rose is beautiful and the frayed edges give it an old world charm. Keep making them!! Just wear some fireproof gloves. Know a fireman? Hugs to you! Kim

made with love said...

You really have made me smile tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your little story and could almost see you singing and stacking and holding your breath. Well I think you are being far too critical. Your rose is a stunner and any imperfections have made it more perfect.
I think your "over singed" as you put it petals would look great too.
Ooo, you could try wearing rubber gloves to see if that helps with the slippage. lolololo
Rachael XX

Croap Queen said...

Oh I really must have a word with number 3 son and his camera. Heehee.
Damned fine effort though madam, it looks very nice to me, and well done for being brave enough to try.

Andi's English Attic said...

Well I'm now grinning widely after reading your post. Brilliantly told. I don't think your first rose looks bad at all. Neither a a stingy singe-er or a fire hazard be! xx

Lyn said...

I like the ubsinged edges!
The flowe looks lovely, well done.
Love
Lyn
xxx

Helsie said...

I'm very impressed with your lovely rose - so delicate. I can just see it on a lovely pale, linen Summer dress or jacket- very classy.
Cheers
Helen

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

I THINK YOUR ROSE LOOKS STUNNING, JUST AS IT IS. I WOULD TRY TO MAKE ONE EXCEPT DOING ANYTHING WITH A FLAME SCARES ME. TO ME, YOU ARE VERY BRAVE.

CHEERS, JUDY

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

I think you were very brave to even attempt this! And, I think your results look beautiful! If you wish to try again...I will stand by with the garden hose!
At least you tried something new!
:)

Anita said...

I think it looks fine- quit being so critical...imperfections are part of handmade....if I wanted perfect, I would go to Target....I am impressed with how it looks.

JuanitaTortilla said...

Oh, but they look so nice Lizzie.
I've tried to "burn" the frayed edges off those denim circles? I blew out the idea after a few tries -- not sure if breathing in all that soot was worth it :D

Beki said...

I think it's a wonderful first attempt, so pretty and delicate.

Beki xxx

Anonymous said...

Oooh - I think that you are being just a little hard on yourself! The flower looks great to me.xx

Ruby said...

I was at Robin Eggs Blue. I just love her free graphics. Saw the chiffon tutorial too. Haven't tried it,yet! I think you did a wonderful job. Great post story too! Hilariously funny. Sorry I missed the giveaway. It looks scrumptious.

MarmaladeRose said...

I think its LOVELY! I was reading and reading, waiting for some blackened frazzled lump to be photographed and then there was this beautiful delicate white rose. It made me gasp it was so pretty.

Go on make a whole bunch!

Tallis said...

I wish I had this blog item earlier. I did a lot of bits for my brothers wedding and these would have been fab, well done hun.

Your other 20 minuters look great too, I have to get my head around some of the techincal stuff too.

Barbara Jean said...

I love the flower!! Yes, do another one. =0))

Off to France eh? Well you have a wonderful time and I will see you when you get back!

blessings

barbara jean

*Ulrike* said...

How cool is that?!! I'll have to go check out Robins blog. Thanks for the tip of the long tweezers. With me though come summer my hands usually don't look the greatest with gardening and roses!
Ulrike

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Hi I'm visiting from Linda (Jo's) blog. Your chiffon flowers are really lovely! I do not know how much longer I can wait to give it a whirl!
Happy Spring to you and yours!
oxo