The unofficial theme of the week is: What projects and crafties can I do to avoid doing my taxes. Over the weekend, a friend came over to get my help with an embroidery project. She wanted to make sunflowers, so I finally tore open the wrapping of the New Old Stock Bucilla “Studio Twelve” Flower Looms that I bought on ebay, like, 10 years ago. The little sunflower turned out so well that I went on a Bucilla flower-making spree all weekend! So much fun!
What will I do with all of them (and I keep making more!)?
What should I do with them??? Ideas welcome!
I found lots of videos on this youtube channel for making variations.
Looms like this seem to be made new today (I see them on Amazon), but if I buy any more, I will surely go for vintage — there are even squares! — and from a variety of olde companies — all spotted on ebay.
sherree says
Gosh I had forgotten about these! I remember making them with my Mom when I was young, in the early 70’s. Like the other comments, I think they would make a great wreath or embellish a tote bag or purse. Whatever you end up doing with them please share your projects!
Amy says
Funny, just talking with my Dad the other day about these flower looms. I have an afghan made by my paternal grandparents completely of all flowers connected together. Sweet memory and a treasured gift from long ago.
Janicew says
Sew them together into a window valance! Gorgeous
Lynne says
I remember we had a big straw beach bag/market tote. It had flowers like these artfully arranged in a clusters, but the flowers were made of raffia or straw type stuff. But I think you could doll up a shopping tote with yarn ones too.
How about attaching them to hair/pony tail ties?
Maybe onto a throw pillow?
At the thrift store I work at, we get bulky cardigan sweaters with big yarn flowers , but they are sewn in like crewel work. Don’t see why you couldn’t tack them on to sweater or jacket with a few stitches or a safety pin.
Karen says
Cute! I think you should make a pillow with them. Sew them on to a piece of fabric-close together so you don’t see the fabric background. I think you could either make the pillow casing first, then sew them on or put the flowers on first, then finish the pillow.
Also to avoid your taxes-how about doing a crewel embroidery kit? I pick them up at estate sales when I see them. They’re usually pretty cheap. I bought one recently for $1-a bouquet of flowers stamped “Erica Wilson 1971”. I’ve been slowly finishing them and hanging them in my den. The theme for my den is “tacky crewel embroidery”-LOL. I love them.
linda h says
How fun! I would put them on a throw pillow.
cathie says
Very pretty. I’d make a summer door wreath out of them. Just buy a styrofoam form and glue away. You could also do a Christmas wreath with all red and green ones, or a 4th of July with red, white and blue, etc. etc. I’d also do a pillow completely covered in them.
Pam Kueber says
I love the idea of a wreath — plus, I could pin them in, so I could re-use them if I decide to incorporate them into another project. Plus: I have a bunch of styrofoam wreath forms in my stash already. And lots of pins! Gonna start this right away and pin onto the wreath as I go. It’ll keep me going. Thanks for the idea.
P.S. I’ll wrap the wreath in green yarn first!
Carolyn says
HAHAHAHA!!! Girl, you DO KNOW you’re supposed to connect them together SOONER or later into afghans and throw pillows. Didn’t the kit come with ideas? You could probably make a duster-length vest for cooler day tiki bar parties. Ooh! vests for the poor puppies!
Anyways, my advice for purchase would be to buy vintage because even though the plastic is decades old, it was made to last for at least a couple of kids. Now it’s use it a few times and throw it away. Great way to use up little schnibbles of yarn that somehow makes it into your home.
Taxes? sometimes it’s cheaper to just take them in to have someone do them for you, sort of like doing oil changes and tire rotation. Sure you could do it yourself but…why?
Reader Deb says
Wreaths for spring come to mind.
Madeline says
No, Pam, you should not have included links for eBay!!! 😉
I have always contemplated buying these – they look like so much fun!