Paper Leaf Wreath

This year in planning out my fall decor I thought it would be fun to do something non-traditional and go with neutrals rather than the usual yellows & oranges. After searching through my fall decorations I realized this was going to be a near impossible task unless I came up with some inexpensive options or made something myself.

So after a little gathering, and work, this paper wreath was made.

 This wreath is extremely versatile and can easily be changed up by simply choosing a different color of paper.

Materials Needed:

metal wreath form

floral or scotch tape

ribbon

paper

silhouette machine or large maple leaf punch (I found this one online or you could even buy some precut from this Etsy seller)

The first step is to cut all of the leaves. Make sure to use a large leaf pattern, the leaves I used were sized to 4"x4", I used my silhouette machine to do this. If you do not have a silhouette or cameo machine check out the links I listed above for some options.  You will need 50-75 leaves (depending on their size) to make the wreath look full and to hide all open spots.

Attach the stem to the wreath form with floral or scotch tape (I found the Scotch tape to cooperate well and was more durable).

 

Continue to attach the leaves as you work your way around the form.  Fill in any holes once you have made your way around the entire circle.

 

Attach the ribbon to the wreath with a fun bow. I attached the ribbon to the top center of the wreath because I planned to hang it from an old door with the ribbon hanging from the top. It would also look adorable hanging off of the bottom center.

Hang up in your favorite location, and you're done!

It was really fun to see this wreath come to life out of something as simple as an old book. It added just the look I wanted for my fall decor and cost less than $7.00.

If you decide to try your hand at this simple DIY I would love to hear how it went and to see your finished project.

Blessings,
Angie

Happy Birthday, Sweet Alissa!

This summer we celebrated a very special birthday.  Alissa turned 5!  I can not believe how quickly she is growing up. It serves as a very serious reminder to make sure my days count because they are precious and pass by quickly.

Alissa is such a blessing to have in our lives and a constant source of joy in our home.  She loves all things girly:

changing clothes (too many times a day)

painting her nails

wearing my high heel shoes

chocolate

jewelry

and the list goes on and on.

We absolutely love you Alissa and are grateful that God has blessed us with you.  He is so good to us!

For Alissa's birthday we kept things simple and sweet. I tried my hand at a "naked" cake, it was really much easier than I thought it would be. A quick call to my mother-in-law was needed for instruction on how to get the cake out of the pan without tearing it apart, otherwise it went fairly well.

 Alissa and I made a banner for the top of her cake using leftover paper from checkbook covers I have in my shop.  Can you tell which banner she cut out? I was very tempted to remove that piece of paper from the banner.  I am so glad that I didn't! True beauty and joy were found in the process of working together to create something special for her big day...not the end result.

We enjoyed pink lemonade in pretty glass cups that were passed down to me from my grandma.  Although you are not able to see them clearly in these photos, they have a beautiful "P" etched into the glass with a sweet laurel branch around it.

These "pinterest" inspired Minnie Mouse Oreo cookies were a hit - despite my poor icing skills!

All in all we had a wonderful day with family and friends.  We are truly blessed and can't wait to see what the next year holds for our little (but getting bigger every day) girl!

Blessings,

Angie

Nautical Table Number DIY

In keeping with the nautical theme, I thought it would be fun to do a DIY project that you could add to your nautical inspired wedding. This sail boat is sure to make any table setting look great.

Let's gather some materials! You will need:

• Boat - you can find these in the wooden crafts at your local hobby store
• Paint - I used Americana in Navy Blue and Snow White
• Dowel Rod
• Metal Eye Hooks
• White piece of scrap fabric
• Jute twine (not pictured)
• Paint Brushes

First you will want to paint the main hull of the boat and the dowel rod. My boat had some legs attached so that it can stand, I painted those white as well.

Next paint any trim portions of your boat that you would like to be the contrasting color.

 Now it is time to add the eye hooks. This portion was a little hard on my fingers and was probably the hardest part of this project.  You may want to try holding the eye hook with a set of pliers, your fingers will thank you.

 I added 3 eye hooks to the dowel rod and 3 to the boat (one is behind the dowel rod and unable to be seen in this picture). You can position the eye hooks differently depending on where you want your sails positioned and what shape you would like them to have.

Finally you are ready to add your sails. Just take some simple dimensions from eye hook to eye hook and then cut out 2 sails to match those dimensions. Paint in the table number on one of the sails and then attach the sails to the boat. I attached my sails to a piece of jute rope with my sewing machine. If you do not like to sew, that is perfectly fine, you can attach them to the back of the sail with some small dabs of hot glue. Then tie the remaining jute around the eye hooks.

Didn't it turn out completely adorable?  I am sure yours would turn out just as pretty.  If you like the paper roses I used in these pictures you can find the template and instructions on elli.com.

Blessings,

Angie

Paper Flower Pomander DIY

For girls, the dream of a beautiful wedding day begins long before we are an appropriate age to marry.  It starts when we are very young.  When a little girl has the honor of being a flower girl it becomes a highlight of her life, a day she feels important, pretty, and valued.

Here is a simple DIY project you can do for the special little girl you have invited to be a part of your big day.  The fun thing about this paper flower pomander - it is something she can take home with her and play with over and over again.  Just think of the fun she will have as she pretends to walk down the aisle.

To make this project you will need the following supplies:

• 5" Styrofoam Ball
• 7 Sheets of cardstock (I got mine from Hobby Lobby and used 3 Pastel Pink Vellum, 2 Cream Vellum, 2 Fireweed Metallic) 
• 3 packages of 144 count pearl topped corsage pins
• Ribbon (I used pink and ivory from my shop) 

 

Step 1: Cut out your flower shapes.  I downloaded a simple floral pattern onto my silhouette and let it do the cutting for me.  If you do not have a silhouette you can do it yourself by using a paper punch.  I like this Martha Stewart Punch from WalMart.  You will need around 300 flowers.

Step 2: Gently curl the tops of the flower edges.  You can use the edge of a butter knife or a pencil.  Now you have a pretty bowl of petals and all of your materials.  

Step 3: Begin attaching petals to the styrofoam ball. I gently folded mine for some added dimension before attaching.

 

 

Step 4: Attach Ribbon.  Once you have attached 3/4 of the petals it is time to add ribbon.  Take 1 yard of ribbon and fold it in the center.  Measure 6-8 inches from the center loop and attach it to the ball with 2-3 corsage pins.  This will leave you with a 6-8" loop for holding the pomander and 2 streamers with which to make your bow.  After making your bow you will continue adding petals until you have completed the entire ball.

And you are finished!

Now you are able to present it to the special little girl you chose to be a part of your big day.  I am sure it will be a joy to behold as she delights in the special gift you made just for her!

Tin Can Vase Project

Today I'm going to walk you through a DIY project that is sure to add beauty to any wedding, shower, or party.  This is a simple project that is equally inexpensive but adds a lot of charm.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Tin Cans (any size will do, you can even mix and match sizes)

Water Based Acrylic Paint (I used Americana in Sea Glass)

Paint Brush

Ribbons, Doilies, Burlap, or any other trim you would like to use

Masking Tape

Flowers (I used Baby's Breath)

Step 2: Paint the Tin Cans

I found that it was easier to paint them if I put my hand inside the can (be sure that the tin cans have been opened with a can opener that does not leave jagged edges, you don't want to get cut).  With my hand in the can I was able to freely turn it as I painted.  

Step 3: Allow each can to dry completely.

You will want to do at least 2 coats of paint to ensure that the can is evenly covered, I did 3 coats.

Step 4: Embellish the Can

This is the fun part!  There are so many ways you can "decorate" your cans.  I used burlap, linen, doilies, and some ribbon I had from my shop.

 Step 5: Create a grid for your flowers.

This is a great way to make your flowers look full and keeps them from falling over, leaving a bare spot in the center. Just make a grid with masking tape.  Be sure to make the strip of tape long enough to stay but not so long that it runs down the side of the can. 

Fill the can with water.

Step 6: Arrange your flowers and Enjoy!

April

The quote on this {diy} chalboard frame is what first attracted me to this picture.  But, after checking out their blog entry and reading about all of the many ways they have used this little project I am inspired to do one of my own.  I think it would be wonderful in my kitchen!

{via}

Take a look at those rain boots!  Aren't they adorable...  I need to get me a pair for rainy days {I mean weeks}.