Tuesday, May 24, 2011

DIY Summer Snowflake Topper






















SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • cutting mat
  • ruler
  • x-acto knife
  • paper stock (Paper Source's 8.5x11 text in Starstream quartz was used for this project).
  • 38 gauge gold wire
  • glass beads
  • gold twine
SUMMER SNOWFLAKE TOPPER
1. Materials (see above list)
2. Cut wire to arms length and string a bead or two. Fold wire to desired length in half with bead(s) at the top of the fold (as shown)
3. Twist wire to center.
4. Continue folding and twisting in various lengths.
5. You should end up with an 8 point and 7 point snowflake (leave extra wire as shown)
6. Stack snowflakes and wrap together with extra wire.
7. Tuck, securing wire tail into the center.
8. Repeat steps 1 thru 3. To create a fuller center; string 3 to 5 beads together and twist into a petal. Switch between snowflake points (steps 1thru 3) and petals. Continue until you have reached desired fullness (leave extra wire as shown).
9. You now have one 15 point snowflake and center.
10. Stack snowflake and center then wrap together with extra wire.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

DIY Felt Ginger Cookie Ornaments



























1. Gather your supplies. You will need white fabric paint in a squeezable bottle with a fine tip (I used Tulip brand, scissors, embroidery floss, embroidery needle, sequins (optional), and crafting felt (acrylic or wool) in brown tones (you will be able to make around nine ornaments for ever 9” x 12” segment of felt used). Print cookie template onto standard paper or card stock using the link found above or create your own freehand designs.
2. Using your scissors, cut out each printed paper template shape following the dark outer lines.
3. Lay paper templates one at a time on top of a single layer of felt. Carefully cut around each shape.
4. Repeat this process for each of the four template shapes. Once you have cut one of each shape from felt you can use your felt shapes as templates for additional ornaments.
5. Using your white fabric paint, squeeze a design onto your shape. This is how you “ice your cookies” so have fun with it. There is no right or wrong way to decorate your ornaments.
6. (optional) If you’d like you can add some extra sparkle to your cookies by applying sequins to the wet paint. Kids will love this part most of all. The sequins catch the light nicely and look wonderful hanging on a tree. Allow your ornaments to dry (this will take 1+ hours depending on how thick your paint is.
7. Once paint is dry, thread at least 8” of embroidery floss on your needle and stitch it through the top of your ornament once. Knot at the top of your ornament (next to the felt) then pull floss taught and tie ends together (this will form your loop for hanging). Trim the ends so they look neat.
8. Use your ornaments to decorate your tree and home, top gifts, and more. This is a great activity to do with a group of children (adults love it too). To make it user-friendly for all ages, pre-cut all ornament shapes and be sure to have plenty of paint bottles on hand. An adult will need to stitch the loop at the top of each ornament. Supervision should be used with little ones and sequins.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Making Gifts | Favor Bags



























Cut paper strip long enough to encircle box and overlap slightly; round top corners with a craft punch. Wrap strip around box, folding where needed; emboss message.

Use 3/4-inch circle craft punch to cut two "buttons"; use a real button and needle to poke holes. With embroidery floss, sew paper buttons to strip, so they're about 1 inch apart. Wrap the floss around the buttons to close.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Making Gifts | Vanilla Favors
















Materials:

Small Glass Jars
#4 Size Corks
Mini Gingham Ribbon
Sticker Paper
Scissors
X-acto Knife
Homemade Vanilla


Instructions:

1. For the Homemade Vanilla Extract follow the recipe from Elise, Simply Recipe and directions on how to make it.
2. For vanilla labels just like above, download Vanilla Labels here and print onto white sticker paper. Trim out each label. To get nice circles, take your time and use an x-acto knife and self-healing cutting mat - your fingers and table, or u can simply design your own label for it!
3. To get ribbon just like above, cut a 8" long ribbon and wrap around the neck of the bottle crossing in the center. Secure ribbon with a small piece of tape and then apply Vanilla label to the center of the bottle. Finish it off by snipping the ends of ribbon to a point.
4. Once Vanilla is prepared and ready, fill the jars with vanilla using a funnel and cap with a cork.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Making Gifts | Wine Bottle Gift Wrap







































































Materials:

1 old sweater (I scour the thrift stores!)

2″-3″ of Fabric

Sewing Machine, or needle and thread!

Fabric scissors

Ribbon, yarn, gift tags etc… for embellishment
1. Once sweater is washed, start by inserting the wine bottle into the sleeve of the sweater. The sleeve should start just below the top of your wine bottle. Mark the sweater with length of your bottle, pull out the wine and cut the sweater sleeve off.

2. Place your bottle on the small square of fabric and trace a faint circle around the bottle. Give yourself an extra 1/4″-1/2″ outside of the bottle. Cut out this circle.

3. Turn the sleeve inside out and pin your fabric to the cut end of the sleeve. Sew together. Turn right side out and voila!

4. To complete, thread yarn through the sweater, or affix ribbon.