My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Lost and found snow mittens

If you would like a bit more design inspiration I have a link to the template to craft these mittens in my newsletter this week... I will also include it next week so there is still time to sign up if you want to join in.

Draw the mitten outline on cardboard

Draw the mitten outline on cardboard.

Cut along the outline

Cut along the outline

Match the mittens to that you have a pair

Match the mittens to that you have a pair.

Roll the cardboard from finger tip to wrist

Roll the cardboard from finger tip to wrist...

Then pinch the cardboard all around the edge

Then pinch the cardboard all around the edge to create dimention.

So that the cardboard mittens are puffy

So that the cardboard mittens are puffy when matched back together.

Glue the fingertips together with hot glue

Glue the fingertips together with hot glue...

And glue all around the edge leaving the cuff open

And glue all around the edge leaving the cuff open.

Press the glued edge to create a fold

Press the glued edge to create a fold.

The cardboard mittens are now ready to decorate

The cardboard mittens are now ready to decorate.

Paint the cardboard white

Paint the cardboard white.

Paint the cardboard with thinned wood glue

Paint the cardboard with thinned wood glue...

And sprinkle the mittens with artificial snow

And sprinkle the mittens with artificial snow.

Pat the snow down

Pat the snow down to make sure it adheres to the cardboard and set it aside to dry.

Inspect the mittens to make sure it is covered in snow

Inspect the mittens to make sure it is covered in snow... add more if needed and let dry again.

Take a rolled cotton ball

Take a rolled cotton ball...

And stretch it out to create swirls

And stretch it out to create swirls...

Glue the cotton to the cuff area

Glue the cotton to the cuff area with hot glue...

Meeting at the back

so that the ends meet at the back.

Make a hole in the middle of another cotton ball

Make a hole in the middle of another cotton ball...

And wiggle a hole the size of the mitten cuff opening

And wiggle a hole the size of the mitten cuff opening

Paint the inside of the mitten with glue

Paint the inside of the mitten with wood glue...

... the "why" I switched glue at this point is a bit of a longer conversation so I will explain in detail in this week's email. I also want you to be able to ask questions or make comments if you like. You can sign up below this post if you are not yet subscribed.

And line the inside with the cotton

And line the inside with the cotton.

Tie a ribbon around the mittens

Tie a ribbon around the mittens.

And your cardboard and snow mittens are ready to get lost in your design

And your cardboard and snow mittens are ready to get lost (and found!) in your design.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

2 December 2020 Ice skating pond inspired grid for a winter floral design

Turn the tried and trusted tape over the vase grid idea sticky side out... and adding artificial snow for a Christmas in Winter design solution.

2 April 2014 Turning the sellotape over the vase trick up-side-down for a sticky side out frog

Tape a grid over a vase to keep the floral details in place

7 November 2018 Ripped Flax Mittens

Knot delicate floral mittens from flax.

4 December 2013 Large wax snowflakes

Artificial snow can be very "chemical" and flowers deteriorate quickly when exposed to it. It also dissolves in water. I use candle wax as "snow"

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

6 December 2017 Barely there twig tabletop Christmas tree

Glue curved twig snippets to craft a delicate winter white Christmas tree

27 November 2012 Winter Woodland Chandelier

Wrap vines and twigs around a wire frame to create a decorative woodland chandelier

25 December 2018 Twig Snowflake

Glue twigs into a snowflake twig armature for Christmas trimmings.

6 February 2019 Winter White Twig Screen

Glue twigs to screen delicate flowers for a wintry design.

4 December 2019 Eucalyptus collar for a snow-covered Christmas candle

Not only will your home smell wonderful while crafting this design you will also have a ethereal and long lasting design to enjoy.

1 January 2020 Create a centerpiece foundation with lumber and the cellophane your flowers were wrapped in

A winter themed centerpiece with a secret water source (without a container or floral foam)

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

27 November 2012 Fluff cotton wool for snow

Cotton balls can be unrolled and fluffed to create long garlands of "snow"

11 December 2019 Swirly Twirly Silver Dollar Eucalyptus baubles

Inspired by seedpods... Glue Silver Dollar Eucalyptus leaves into 3 dimensional Christmas decorations.

11 December 2019 Twig and twinkle Christmas Tree

A light as snow twig and Christmas light armature

Related Designs

2 December 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Lost and Found Snow Mittens

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box snow mittens… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...

9 December 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Gyp flurry Snowman

...ok not really that fancy- it’s paper pulp. Cardboard boxes, really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being delivered. My list of...

23 December 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: wired snowball pom pom for a woven grass Christmas tree

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. Some cardboard to wrap the string around… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard...

30 December 2020 All is Calm, All is Bright

An easy to do ahead of time winter wonderland themed design for the calm days just after Christmas but before New Years Eve.

17 November 2021 Ringing in A Very Merry Traditional Christmas… Tradition

A more than just a hint of Christmas tradition design... in a pre-Christmas design.

30 November 2022 Take a bough… it’s Christmas time!

A wool and twig snowflake design (made from candy canes!) that will last the entire Festive Season.

22 November 2023 Gentle transition

There's no need to rush the seasons. Take it slow and enjoy the plant material that are still available even if you are excited about what is to come...

13 November 2024 Fall-a-la-lah!

Transitioning into the Christmas season... gently

11 December 2024 A Very Merry… all elf pass into Santa’s Workshop for a dash of Having Something To Look Forward To

An on-purpose-not-yet-quite-done design to remind us to enjoy the Christmas moments as they unfold.

18 December 2024 A Very Merry… All Elf gliding along pass all the way from Santa’s workshop!

Bark ice skates on a snow covered pond... perfect for capturing Christmas memories!

7 November 2018 Grab your party mittens, flower buds… it’s Book Launch Day!

Celebrating my book launch by knotting floral mittens using the design Tutorial from my book and the template from the free gift template booklet.

25 November 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Santa’s gift bag wreath

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box gift bag wreath… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes...

18 November 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Yule log

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box Yule log… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...

6 December 2017 While I sing of beauty's treasure

Glue the most delicate twig table top Christmas tree

27 November 2012 The glories of Christmases long, long ago…

Weave a wire and twig Christmas chandelier

6 February 2019 Tread softly on winter

A delicate winter twig armature to show off the delicate beauty of these early spring coloured tulips.

6 March 2019 It almost happened today!

Craft snow puddles to keep your flowers upright

4 December 2019 A Very Merry eucalyptus-collar-candle Christmas!

An easy and naturally fragrant winter white candle decoration to bring nature into your house this Christmas.

1 January 2020 How to freeze a wow moment

Create a long lasting winter inspired floral design that looks like it is frozen in time.

11 December 2019 A Very Merry eucalyptus bauble Christmas!

For this year's Christmas tree I wired and glued a wild and wintry twig armature... but... these little eucalyptus baubles are just the cutest!