DIY - Silk Poppie

how cute is this silk poppy worn on a belt?! - here's the DIY:

Tools and Materials:

• Fabric scissors
• Silk shantung fabric, one color for petals, another for flower centers (from $22 per yd., bandjfabrics.com)
• Needle and thread
• Buttons (shell and fashion buttons, from $1 each; mjtrim.com)
• Brooch backing or barrette (gold brooch pins, $8.50 for 12; tohoshoji-ny.com)

How to:

1. Cut a rectangle of silk 8 to 12 inches long and 2 to 5 inches wide. Note that the grain of the fabric should run vertically along the width so the fabric's surface looks similar to that of real petals.

2. Using a needle and thread, sew a running stitch along 1 long side of the rectangle (1/4 inch from edge), and then pull thread to tighten the fabric into a bunch. Hand-stitch center, and knot it off.

3. Cut a smaller rectangle of silk 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. This time, cut so the grain runs horizontally. Create a fringed edge by removing a few horizontal threads at the top of the rectangle.

4. Sew a running stitch along 1 long side of the rectangle (1/8 inch from edge). Pull thread to tighten fabric into a bunch. Hand-stitch center, and knot it off. You will have a small rosette.

5. Snip small curved triangular shapes from poppy to create defined petal shapes. (Alternatively, cut fringed petals.)

6. Place a button in the center of the rosette, and then place rosette in center of poppy. Sew button and rosette onto poppy, and knot it off.

7. Hand-stitch flower to brooch backing or barrette.

ANYONE GONNA TRY IT?!?!

such a busy weekend - i woke up today saying to myself "oh it's Friday, just get through today and then 2 days of relaxation" - well big opps to my brain since it's just Monday - but after work i'm hitting up the spa for some 'erika-time' -- this week i'm hosting Girls Night which i'll be prepping for all week -- i'm going to 'try' and set up fondu (one cheese the other chocolate, gonna nix the oil) *fingers crossed* it comes out yummy!