Ribbon Flower Corsage

I want to thank Tami over at  

YOU HAD ME AT CRAFTS BLOG 

(don't you just love the name of her blog?).

A simple tutorial that creates a really elegant flower, and great on your budget to boot!

And if the tutorial isn't perfect enough, Tami has divine recipes on her blog too! Check her out!

Flower Corsage

This is a super easy flower corsage that I made with ribbon that you can attach to just about anything.  You could sew it on to something or use a pin clasp (or in my case just a safety pin since I ran out of pin clasps.)  All you need is some ribbon and some hot glue!  

Excuse my rotary mat...my son decided that it needed his artistic touch a few years ago.

First cut 12 strips at 2 1/2 inches long and dab small bits of hot glue at the end of your ribbon and fold each corner over a bit.  Put a dab of glue in the center at the top and fold the top over.  Do the same for all 12 petals.

Once you have them all done cut out a small felt circle and start placing them on there with small dabs of hot glue.  I folded the ribbon back on each side too create a pleat or so (see below.)   Glue 6 of the petals on.  Now for the next layer of petals just start gluing them on in the same manner as the first layer but overlaying in between the first layer.   

For the center of the flower just take a strip of ribbon and folded it half.  Run a loose running stitch on the edge of the folded ribbon and gathered it up.  Next start rolling it up to form a bud or small flower in the center and use a needle and thread to stitch the bottom of it to secure it.  Its hard to see in the picture because of the black ribbon.  After you have made your center just apply it to the center of the petals with some hot glue and your flower corsage is ready!

 Here is the finished flower...I attached it to my purse that I made

You could also pin it to a sweater...

You could also attach it to a necklace!  I just ran the small safety pin through the chains and connected them.

ENJOY!
I just keep thinking about the endless possibilities! The colors, the uses, the sizes, the glamor, the envy of my friends...

Fall Topiary's Tutorial

I was on a creative kick one day, and since I've been "holding on" to this idea for some time, I decided that today was the day to 'get 'er done'!
I love the colors of fall, and the beauty of the earth as it prepares to slumber until spring, so I wanted to bring a bit of that indoors...
(My tutorial is linked to It's A Blog Party Fall Get Together hop on over there for fabulous fall idea's, recipes, inspirations and more!)

*My Fall Topiary's*

 

It's a very simple project, so first gather your supplies together. You will need:

• 1- 36" wood dowel
• 2- Styrofoam balls, about 6" in diameter
• 2- terracotta pots
• Crafting foam to place inside pots
• Assorted leaves
• A glue Gun
• Some moss
• Spray paint if desired (I used oil rub bronze that I purchased at my local Lowe's store)

The first thing I did was to spray paint my terracotta pots and the wood dowel.  I then cut the dowel to measure a 12"  piece and a 16" piece.
I had a square piece of crafters foam that I purchased at the dollar store, so I simply took a kitchen knife and cut it to fit inside the 2 pots very snugly.  I then placed the Styrofoam balls on 1 end of a dowel, and then pushed the other end into the foam.  I secured that with a little hot glue.

From there it is just a matter of cutting placing your leaves on the Styrofoam balls, by either gluing them in place or by pushing the wire stems into the foam.  I did a bit of both.

Keep working until you are satisfied with the coverage of the Styrofoam, then go to work on the base.  I simply placed some glue on the Styrofoam and pressed moss onto it (be very careful doing this so that you don't burn you fingers-my lesson learned- I cut a piece from a paper plate and used it to press the moss down).

Then I added a few more leaves and tiny cat tails to the base, and I was finished!!

EASY PEASY!

It took me about an hour to assemble these (not counting spray painting/drying time), and because I had some extra leaves left over from past projects, these cost me approximately $16.00 for the set.
YAY!

 Here are a few pictures of my competed topiary's, and where I've placed them in my home.  The picture hanging above them was taken by my little brother!

Baby's Footprint Plaque Tute

Meg and I have some cute friends who are expecting new family members soon, and so we thought this would be the perfect project to give to them!  We hope all expecting girls like this!!

(And thanks to Ashley Scott for the wonderful tutorial)

Baby Footprint Plaque Tutorial

( From Little Miss Momma )

Supplies:

Wooden Plaque {@ Michael's for about $2 or less}

Your little ones foot print on scrapbook paper

Acrylic Paint {or spray paint}

Mod Podge {I used the matte finish}

Scissors

Paint brush

Sand Paper {not pictured}

STEP ONE:

Use the acrylic paint to get a footprint from your babe.

Good luck getting a decent footprint of your squirmy little bundle of joy.

I got about 20 like this before I got one that was half way decent:

Paint the edges of your plaque the color of your choice {I used black}.  No need to paint the middle of the plaque since it will be covered by the paper.

STEP TWO:

Now you have to cut the scrapbook paper with the footprint on it to be the correct size to mount on your plaque.  This is the tricky part. Because the plaque has a bevelled edge you can't easily trace the outline. 

So here is a helpful technique I have learned.  Flip over the paper with your footprint on it and place it directly onto the spot on the plaque that you want it. Now, grab a crayon and color over all the edges of the plaque.  The EXACT edge of the plaque will show up the darkest in crayon.

Now, cut out your paper along those dark crayon lines for a perfect outline.

STEP THREE:

Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the surface of your plaque and then place your footprint cut out on top. Smooth out all the bubbles.

Notice that the edges won't be perfect and glue may be dripping down the sides.

This is OKAY.

Before applying the top layer of Mod Podge take your sandpaper and sand down the rough edges of paper and dripping glue. 

I also sanded the edges of the plaque to give it a distressed look.

STEP FOUR:

Once you have finished sanding, apply the top layer of Mod Podge to the entire surface of your plaque.  Don't worry if it looks foggy and/or white from the Mod Podge--the Mod Podge will dry clear.

And here you have it:

5 minute Luminary!

When I saw this luminary it was instant love! It's beautiful and simple yet elegant and trendy/

It is inspiring...think of the endless possibilities-Halloween, the Thanksgiving table, Christmas parties, romantic moments. Just imagine... Ok, now I can get on with the actual tutorial-Thank you to Jalinda for posting this creative project, We love it!

Luminary 1-2-3!

I picked up this awesome velum from Michaels.

Once I saw the swirls that was it, I had to have it!

I cut the velum to about 10" high. Then rolled up and simply stapled to keep it closed.

This velum looks great all on its own with it's foggy color, however, I added another thinner piece of velum to give it some additional color.

The second velum doesn't need to be stapled, just roll and drop inside of the first velum roll.

It's not too big of a difference just adds a hint of color.

And then I glued ribbon to the top and bottom ends. This is an extra but not necessary step. I kind of think it looks great without the ribbon, but it's nice to have that option. :)

I'd recommend to use an LED light for this luminary. But if you want a real candle, find a small candle and place inside of a glass holder to keep the flame away from the luminary.

Easy and fun!

Quick Easy how-to for hanging pictures-simply brilliant!

I must say that I think I have found the best helpful hint of the century so far!  I just keep wondering why I didn't know this before I started hanging things on the walls of my new home...I know you will find this helpful too, so we GRATEFULLY thank  Rachelle over at Adventures in Creating!

Quick and Easy Way to Hang Pictures

I was hanging some pictures in Con-Man's room and thought it might be a good technique to share. I learned this back in the day when I worked at the furniture store. We changed up the displays often; so we needed a quick way to hang the pictures that went with the furniture.


Do you hate those picture frames that have the 2 hooks on each end for the nails? I do, I never have picture wire and if I didn't know about this way to hang pictures, mine would come out crooked every time. So, try this next time instead:

Lay the picture you are hanging face down. Take some masking tape or painters tape (anything that is not very tacky so it won't peel the paint off the wall) and lay it over the hooks where the nails will go. Then use a pen to mark where the hooks are.

Close up shot of pen mark. Make the mark at the very upper point of the hook. Most are a triangle shape, you will want your nail to go at the most upper point.

Next peel the tape off the picture frame and tape it on the wall at the height you want your picture to hang. Use a level to make sure it is straight. 

Now just hammer 2 nails in at the points you marked on the tape. After you are finished peel the tape off the wall. You are left with 2 nails in the perfect position on which to hang your picture.

See, quick and easy!

 AMAZING!

Homemade Lip Balm

 Here is another fantastic gift idea, and so simple to do!  This would be a great craft project for a young women's group or girlfriends' sleep over...

Do you often get chapped or dry lips?  Don't reach for store bought products containing parabens and petroleum.  Mineral oils and additives dry out sensitive skin, they are temporarily soothing, but in the end, dry out the skin, leaving you needing more and more of the product to keep lips moisturized.  Instead mix up your own recipe at home.  Would make a nice little gift.

I will share a basic balm recipe and you may customize it to meet your own needs.  This recipe makes about 2 oz. (8-- 1/4oz. containers)

Hand made lip balm
Ingredients:

• 1 oz. (1 tablespoon) Sweet Almond Oil
• 1 oz. (1 tablespoon) Coconut oil or honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax- melted measure
• 1 vitamin E capsule
• 4 drops of lip balm flavoring or any of the following essential oils, sweet orange or peppermint (do not use fragrance oils)

You can find the ingredients at any cosmetic supply store or order online.

Melt oils (except vitamin E), and wax together over low medium heat.  Remove from  heat and add Vitamin E , flavoring and blend well.  Pour into lip balm containers.  Makes about 8- 1/4 oz. containers.

 Tip:

To add color to your balm, add a small piece of inexpensive lipstick to the mix.

 

And here is a link to purchase inexpensive jars...

1/4 .oz. lip balm jars 12ct.

HALLOWEEN DECOR IDEA'S-oh my gosh!

  Fall Festival Link

What an amazing post we found!  I want to make everything here!

Be sure to follow the links I've attached because other blogs are also posting unbelievably great stuff!

Visit the links to see full posts for these fall-lovin' bloggers:

Debbie Doos shares her fall decorating from last year to get you inspired...

 Ideas to embellish you pumpkins at Embellished Bayou...
 
And here are some of my projects from last year... 
Faux mercury glass pumpkins:
Dress up a candle:
Decoupage Letters & funkin:
House # pumpkins with glow in the dark numbers:
Nevermore Tree:

Powder room vignette:
Patio last autumn, decorating with free and natural outdoor treasures:
The dining room is undergoing a transformation at the moment but here it was last year...

Decorating the grape arbor: