Story Telling Spools; an ornamental tutorial

..........."the house that jack built"





...."into the woods"


"isn't she,... pretty in pink?"


~These ornaments are my story spools. Using small images from storybooks as the focal then bits of mostly "trash treasure" for the trims and embellishments. They use only hot glue so no sewing ! They are so easy and as usual for my tutorials the more you make the more you wanna make and the better they get!!!! I have been stashing sweetly illustrated children's book that have been well loved but are maybe ready to move on to a new life. I spot them at thrift stores or yard sales; always for a quarter or two. The fabric is all scraps from my pile. I especially enjoyed working these in a set of three, but you could do them as singles or in larger sets.

supplies
empty spools any size
hot glue gun
bits of un-used treasures
fabric
felt or burlap
trims
buttons
story pictures on paper
scissors(for paper)

Instructions
1. cut or draw your paper story images. I like 2 have at least three images in each series to work with.
3.Set up your design parameters. I like to make a little inspiration pile around my pictures ,picking out trims and treasures that i will use to cover the spools. Also assign a spool to each image at this point.

4. Cut and attach fabric to spool. Put a line of glue on spool, attach fabric edge firmly wrap the spool overlapping , gluing and trimming to finish

5. Attach your base fabric, and to the top
I used burlap on the base (instead of felt)I like the heavy weight on the bottom.It was one of my favorite parts. The tops I covered used a coordinating woven.
6. Create a second layer of trims. Go ahead and cover the over hangs of the spools if you are gonna.

7. Attach your story . You may need to do some extra trimming on the image to get it just right!


8. Embellish!!!! Go on girl put it on and don't think to much! use up stuff that is otherwise useless..broken buttons, chipping beads, broken jewelry bits ...the endless snaps!
9. Attach loop on top. and cover with more embellishing!!



~I find it easier to find my creative inspiration when I work fearlessly and use what you have on hand! My favorite way to give time to the studio is to sit with some of my multitudes of "raw " materials and some tools of choice and just stay there for at least 2 hours and then see cultivates; Many times after the first 45 min I am like ugh this is all so horrendous...I should be working with a plan. Fifteen more minutes of non language activity and I think "i really like that little thing!"....and I am propelled on. These ornaments are totally made based on this theory of production and from recycled bits!!!!! Have fun and share your creative spirit with those you touch.