Two Tutorials in Two Days! And a lot of chatting!

Hello friends
It's a 'pop the kettle on' blog post - lots of info and stuff today!

Yes, two tutorials in two days (try saying that fast three times!)
Very pleased you enjoyed yesterday's FDD.

As promised, today how to make a Pom Pom Heart.

Here is the wonderful little contraption made by Clover.
When you open the box there are full instructions inside..I mean 'full'!
But here I have put together step by step photos which I hope makes it a lot easier.

You will see the maker opens out on both sides into four sections -
I will refer to these as 'gates'. 

The starting position should look like this.

The gates together and the heart (see arrow) on both sides matching and upright.

Select your wool, leaving a tail free start wrapping around one side of closed gates.

Tip: have a little tension, this way your pom pom ends up fluffier!

 Do not overwrap - keep it even and now and again check to see if it closes okay.
It seems a little strange to wrapping wool over the 'nobbly bits' but that is all part of the
design.  (You will note the manufactures do not adopt my terminology!)

 In fact you need to have those nobbly bits partially showing.

 You are looking to achieve something like this.
The maker can stand up, one end has a flat base and also note that little section
where I have placed an arrow.

So you can see clearly, I'm using a different colour wool to demonstrate this next step.
You are tying around the outer circumference of the maker.

 Wrap twice and create only one knot. Wrap into that little notch I detailed with the
arrow two pictures above.  Only one knot - you will be untying it again soon.

 Now you can start cutting, using small sharp scissors snip between the
inner nobbly bits on each side of the maker.

 Until it looks something like this.

 You can then start trimming the inner section in line with the maker -
this helps to add shape to your heart.

Un-loop your wool that you tied around with one knot and make it a double knot, 

pull firmly and you will see your heart shrink back into the maker. 

 Open all the gates.

 Turning the maker in your hands you will see in splits into two (held by a metal pin),
gentle ease apart and your pom pom will fall out.

Using the inner section you trimmed earlier as a guide - continue to trim...and trim!  

If you have any hairdressing experience your hearts will be perfect -

if not, like me - your hearts will be cute and rustic!

 

They are fun to make and perfect for bunting, bag adornments and more.

Not bad looking in a fruit bowl either!

I will be stocking Pom Pom Makers, extra small

Medium

and Large

and also the Heart Pom Pom Maker featured today.

They will be arriving very soon and are available to pre-order on my website here
(if you want to be sure that you definitely get your hands on them!)

Okay deep breath - yes more blog post to come!

I am beginning to receive some lovely reviews/emails from shoppers on my website.  

A particular message this week made me beam for hours!  

"I was astonished to find my package waiting for me when I arrived home today! 

I don't think I've ever had anything delivered so quickly. 

Amazing, thank you."

I work on the philosophy that when us crafters order something we NEED it 

immediately so I will always do my best endeavours to get your goods 

out as quickly as possible.

And...one more review (will my head fit through the door?)

Following Tuesday's Coffee and Create I received this email..

 "This was my first class and I thoroughly enjoyed it, you are a very good teacher."

If you've been to one of my classes you will know they are informal, relaxed

and I am a chatter-box, in between I do the teaching!

And talking of classes...
I have received quite a few messages about Coffee and Create

being on a Tuesday.  I understand a lot of you are working and your employers

do not deem a craft morning as a reasonable time off excursion - how dare they!

So, when possible I will be offering Coffee and Create classes on Saturday mornings too.

Keep those eyes peeled on the Classes tab and to see what cake it is..of course!

Well, if you've read this far I think I've probably taken up quite a lot of your time

so without further ado - enjoy your weekend and keep dry if you are still getting this
wet stuff out of the sky - everything is permanently soggy!
Oh yes...stop by tomorrow please - it is exciting stuff!
Take care friends.