Mad As A Hatter

Do you know where this term originated? One possible explanation is Mercury used to be used in the making of hats.  This was known to have affected the nervous system of hatters, causing them to tremble and appear insane. Science tells us: "Mercury exposure can cause aggressiveness, mood swings, and anti-social behaviour.", so this explanation is entirely plausible although there's only circumstantial evidence to support it :-)

Anyhoo - The fabulous Twiddleybitz have designed a gorgeous Off The Page Item that is none other than a Top Hat!!  I have been dying to complete one for a while but wanted to wait a little bit to get it 'just right' LOL  As many of you know - I love my hats and I wanted to do this one properly!

These hats are not listed on the website currently and must be requested by retailers, HOWEVER - they will be for sale at Melbourne's Paperific Show, August 31- September 2.  Based on the way the sold out in Brisbane after day1, I suggest you make the Twiddleybitz stall your first stop - and a Top Hat your first purchase!!

***These hats are available at My2Angels for only $16.99!!!!  Click HERE to go shopping!***

I can never seem to get the red to show true in photos :-(  BUT you get the idea!

• Paint the Brim and top of the hat and assemble as per the instructions enclosed with your kit.
• Paint the cubby hole area and back panel
• Ink all panels of the curved front red using your inkpad direct to the chippy
• Ink flourishes, gates, border, and clock using the same technique
• Place tape over 2 panels - bend along the score and carefully slice the washi tape along the score line, skip a panel and cover the next panel in the off-cut of washi tape.  Repeat until all alternating panels are covered in washi tape.  any places you miss due to wonky cutting, just colour in with your black pen :-)

• Add the pearls to the clock and use the pen to define the clock hands. Place all decorations inside the cubby hole.  Be aware the cutout is smaller than the hole and it is almost impossible to glue in and decorate after the front panel is attached.
• Attach the panelled piece to the top hat as per the instructions
• Attach the gates, and beads on chain - wrap the tassel in a little of the washi tape offcuts to compliment the hat design, and attach the tassel to the gates

• Attach the border, the ric rac and the chipboard flourishes
• Add the Chloe Pearl Flourishes
• Add the feathers and Manorhouse Creations flowers
• Finish by adding the custom-made bead pins.

Ingredients:

Twiddleybitz Top Hat
Twiddleybitz Swirl Flourish Vine (FLOR024)
Twiddleybitz Hearts Wrought Iron Border (BOR016)
Twiddleybitz Ornate Hanging Clock (OHC001)
Twiddleybitz Opening Gates (GAT002) used without the surround
Mont Marte acrylic paint - black
Stazon Ink - Black

Ranger Distress Ink - Black soot & Festive Berries
Sawyer's Place Washi Tape - Black and White Ophelia Insanity Script
Flourish With A Bling - Chloe Pearl Flourish BlackFlourish With A Bling - Chloe Pearl Flourish Red
Flourish With A Bling - Adhesive Pearls Black
Flourish With A Bling - Adhesive Pearls Red
Manorhouse Creations - Flowers, Ballroom Tango (BFTANGO)
Crochet By Kim - Bead Pins, Red n Black custom-made
My2Angels - Black Tassel
My2Angels - Red Velvet RicRac
Stampin Up Stamp n Write Marker - Basic Black
Miscellaneous Feathers; and beads on chain

And some shots from the sides...

I hope you are inspired to try your hand at 'hat -making' or millinery :-)  please leave a comment and a link if you do so I can see your lovely creations!  All the information above can also be found in the Twiddleybitz Ning community in the tutorials section.

Thanks for stopping by

Jen

:-)