Needle felting - coin purses - Navy blue

There is nothing like a bit of needle felting to remove negative feeling.

It is all the stabbing with the needle you see, it is very therapeutic (hehehehe)

So I caught the needle felting bug probably 7 or so years ago but lately it has been put on the back burner since I brought the sewing machine and went a little crazy with my fabric hoarding.....collecting.

I would dabble every now again but only to embellish things but this time I decided I needed a full on needle felting project.

Coin purse.

You can never have too many of them because they are so adorable!  Also it is very handy for small change that I often need for buying milk for the office or sweeties.

I found my inspiration from a youtube video.

And I thought this would it be possible to make them smaller.

Well lucky youtube came through again.

So I picked my colour and picked my poly ball size but I had to order in the purse clasps.  As always eBay comes to the rescue but I had to wait nearly 3 weeks for them to arrive.  

In the meantime, I decided to start my stumpwork embroidery which I have posted and you can read here and here.

Anyway they arrived and like a child in a candy store I made my first felt ball.  Left it over night to dry and then sewed the clasp in.

And Ta-Da here it is

One mini #coin #purse 👛 made from #felt. Although it is very fiddly to make I do enjoy making tiny things.

A post shared by Kitty Kanzashi (@kittykanzashi) on Sep 30, 2017 at 4:54am PDT

Making a Dress - Burgundy Lolita outfit - Designing Stage

With my kimono fabric chosen it was time to think of what to make.

When I received my lolita sewing books I was immediately drawn to the outfit which had a separate bodice and skirt.

This appealed to me in two ways.  One, it will be easier to look after and two, I can create more outfits with two pieces. 

In addition I wanted to make other accessories as well such as a capelet, jabot and some hair accessories like a hat, bow and kanzashi (of course).

Phew that is a lot too do.......I hope I am not being to ambitious here.

After I few days of pondering I settled on the following design.

Bodice

Skirt Front

Skirt Back

There will also be a capelet, a hat and some hair accessories that have yet to be designed but they are in my head.

Today's kanzashi - Ivy Love

“I never thought I'd cry for the love of Ivy”

Green is not the most obvious kanzashi colour you would choose but green is actually a lovely colour. These tiny plum flowers are made from a dark green cotton fabric and have a short fall on each flower to give them the cute factor.

Ivy Love is a one of a kind pair of hairclips as I no longer have any more of this lovely fabric. Each hairclip measures 3 cm wide by 6 cm height by 1 cm depth and the clips are alligator style so will be suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles.

The little red box in the picture is for display purpose only and not for sale. If you would like the little red box with your purchase then convo me and I will give you my prices.

Although I do not have the fabric anymore, I have many other fabrics available for you to choose from so if you found a kanzashi that you like but would like to customise it to your needs, taste or occasion then let me know. I am sure I will be able to create a kanzashi that will meet your expectation.

Wedding Kanzashi - Part Three

For the past week, all I have been thinking about is my wedding. My partner and I have sorted out the reception, menu and guest list. Table decorations have been brought and they are all around my future mother in law house ready to be assembled closer to the date.

Oh and my own mother is constantly changing her mind on the type of cake I'm having. First it had to be a three tier cake because it will look good, then it was mini cakes and one large cake because she saw them in a wedding magazine and thought they look good and now it is back to the three tier cake because she is having trouble finding boxes. Sigh.........I don't need this at all.

So to calm my nerves I decided to make my kanzashi and following my partner's excellent advice, I made the kanzashi that will be used to decorate my hair!

I had trouble deciding on the arrangement because I actually do not know how big my hairdo will be on the big day since it has grown a couple more inches since the wedding hair trial and I'm torn between having flowers all around the bun or just concentrating them on the top.

Therefore the solution is to mount them on individual hairpins which will allow the hairdresser the freedom to arrange them.

The pins I used are 6.5cm which may seem long but my hair bun will be huge so the length will ensure they stay in the hair.

As normal, the pearls are not glued onto the flowers because in the past they have fallen off on my own personal kanzashi. Instead they are attached to the flower and hairpin with a thin wire which keeps them in a stable position.

I am now tempted to make them for my etsy store now.

What do you think?

Wedding Kanzashi - Part two

Playing around with silk dupion is fun but I also got sent some purple lace as well from Bound by Obsession.

I have always wondered what kanzashi would look like made from lace and at first I was a little hesitant to cut up this lovely lace but I bit the bullet.

And now it is time to make the kanzashi.

The flower at the back is not a kanzashi but a rose that I made because it dawned on me that I may need some more substantial flowers in my bouquet.

What do you think?

And so the adventure begins.....

My wedding day is fast approaching and it is time to begin the mountain of kanzashi I have to make for my hair, bouquet and buttonhole flowers for the wedding party.

I though wouldn't it be good to make the flowers from the same fabric that my dress will be made from and I was lucky that Bound by Obsession was kind enough to post me some of the fabric. The fabric is lovely, there is something about dupion silk that I just love the look of.

So as you may have gathered that I couldn't wait to use it and I wanted to take more photos of the process however I got a little carried away and by the time I realised what I have done I have already finished the first batch.

What I can't decide is what to make first?

I could make the buttonhole flowers. This one is for my mother and father to wear.

And this one is for my future husband, his brother/best man and his mother.

Or I can start to arrange my bouquet.

I haven't had a chance to think about my hair ones but it will be very similar to the buttonhole flowers but with something extra.

Merino Needle felt kokeshi doll - Mimi

Hello my name is Mimi the kokeshi doll and I am pleased to see you!

Made from merino wool, I am wearing a gorgeous blue kimono with a purple and black obi.

My hair is styled into casual chignon as I am out for the evening with some friends. I also have a little white obi-dome on my obi-jime for decoration.

I am only 6.5cm tall but I am a feisty doll. I hope you enjoyed my description and see you soon!

Golden Ume-Japanese Bridal Tiara Kanzashi

A bride should always be the centre of attention and this kanzashi certainly make it so.

Made from ivory colour habutae, these delicate ume (plum) blossom have been hand-folded and then decorated with gold bead cap and silver pearl beads. Enhancing the flowers arrangement are 2 decorative strands made from silver wire, gold bead caps and more pearls.

Golden Ume measures 13.5 cm(wide) by 5.5 cm(height) by 4cm (depth) with the metal comb being 4cm (wide) by 3.5cm (height).

This tiara will be truly unique as it is made to order for you and therefore if you have any special request to make regarding this tiara such as colour or fitting then do not hesitate to contact me. Once I have received your order, it will take me 5 working days to be ship your order.

If this one doesn’t quite tickle your fancy then why not browses though my etsy shop or my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittykanzashi_designs. All of my designs can be customisable to your wishes and needs so do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to fulfil your expectations.

Ume Embrace- Japanese Bridal Kanzashi Tiara

This kanzashi just shouts glamour and why shouldn’t every bride feel the same way.

This tiara consists of 5 hand-folded ivory ume (plum) flowers which have been arranged so the tiara will circle your hair bun. Each flower has been decorated with a silver bead cap and ivory pearl bead and 4 decorative strands have been included to provide just a little bit more sparkle to the piece.

Ume Embrace measures 14cm (wide) by 6cm (height) by 6cm (depth) with the metal comb being 4cm (wide) by 3.5cm (height). This tiara is made to order for you and therefore if you have any special request to make regarding this tiara such as colour or fitting then do not hesitate to contact me. Once I have received your order, it will take me 5 working days to be ship your order.

If this one doesn’t quite tickle your fancy then why not browses though my etsy shop or my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittykanzashi_designs. All of my designs can be customisable to your wishes and needs so do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to fulfil your expectations.

Starlight-Japanese Bridal Kanzashi Tiara

This is a unique kanzashi for brides who are looking for something out of the ordinary.

Made from three layers of fabric, these petals are formed using “tsumami” technique and have been carefully attached to a felt base. The star has then been finished with a gold bead cap and ivory coloured pearl.

Adorning the star are 5 decorative strands made from hand-twisted wire, pearl and yellow cracked glass bead. These complement the colour co-ordination of the star.

Starlight measures 8cm in diameter and is attached to a metal comb that measures 3.5cm (height) by 4cm (wide).

This tiara is made to order for you and therefore if you would like to customize this hairpiece (such as the colour or fitting) then do not hesitate to contact me or just drop a note into “message for seller” at checkout with your choices.

Colours that you can choose from are as follows
• Ivory
• White
• Lilac
• Purple
• Royal Blue
• Pale Blue
• Red
• Black
• Baby pink
• Pale Yellow
• Green
• Orange

Fittings choices
• Metal comb
• Plastic clear comb
• Metal hairband
• Hairpin (4 in in length)

Once I have received your order, it will take me 5 working days to be ship your order.

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If this one doesn’t quite tickle your fancy then why not browses though my etsy shop or my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittykanzashi_designs. All of my designs can be customisable to your wishes and needs so do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to fulfil your expectations.

Midnight Beauty-Japanese inspired Kanzashi

There is something of the night in these kanzashi.

These handmade flowers are crafted from a black cotton fabric with a subtle pattern printed on them. Simply but very striking, ideal for someone who is looking to own something feminine rather then girly.

Midnight Beauty is a one of a kind pair of hairclips as I no longer have any more of this lovely fabric. Each hairclip measures 3 cm wide by 3.5 cm height by 1 cm depth and the clips are alligator style so will be suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles.

The little red box in the picture is for display purpose only and not for sale. If you would like the little red box with your purchase then convo me and I will give you my prices.

Although I do not have the fabric anymore, I have many other fabrics available for you to choose from so if you found a kanzashi that you like but would like to customise it to your needs, taste or occasion then let me know. I am sure I will be able to create a kanzashi that will meet your expectation.

Periwinkle Treat-Japanese inspired Kanzashi

Periwinkle Treat-Japanese inspired Kanzashi

“Come on Periwinkle”

Lets see what kanzashi we have for you! Oh a delightful pair of floral hairclips made from a marbled purple coloured cotton fabric that has been moulded into cute blossoms with the “tsumami” technique.

Periwinkle Treat is a one of a kind pair of hairclips as I no longer have any more of this lovely fabric. Each hairclip measures 3 cm wide by 4 cm height by 1 cm depth and the clips are alligator style so will be suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles.

The little red box in the picture is for display purpose only and not for sale. If you would like the little red box with your purchase then convo me and I will give you my prices.

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Although I do not have the fabric anymore, I have many other fabrics available for you to choose from so if you found a kanzashi that you like but would like to customise it to your needs, taste or occasion then let me know. I am sure I will be able to create a kanzashi that will meet your expectation.