Friday, April 29, 2011

Wreath Embellishments- As Promised

Ok- so for the most fun and most beautiful part of the project! A few days ago I showed you how to make a burlap wreath.... and today, I will show you the embellishments/ flower instructions.
1. Cut a circle of fabric (does not need to be perfect!)

2. Cut in an inch from the edge and continue around the inside of the circle until you have created a pinwheel effect.
3. Beginning with the very center, pinch the fabric between your fingers and wrap the whole length of fabric around the center piece to form a flower shape.
4. Tack the end piece to the side of the flower with hot glue.
5. Attach to wreath by placing a large amount of glue on the back of the flower.
I made a smaller flower out of a music sheet using this same method. I then cut some leaf shapes from the music sheet and glued those on as well. 

I also folded a sheet of music, accordion style, folded it in half, and attached it as a little fan.


I also made a burlap flower by
1. Cutting a long thin strip of burlap


2. Gathering one end in my fingers and wrapping the rest around the center, twisting as I went
3. Stitching the bottom of the flower together with thread and
4. Gluing it to the wreath
Simply add as many or little embellishments as you like and voila!, you have one cute lil wreath! :)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Simple Burlap Wreath Tutorial

I love all the homemade wreaths that are out right now! And this particular one is the easiest by far out of all I have made! You simply need:
~A straw or foam wreath (I found it less messy to leave the plastic wrapper on my straw wreath although the plastic melted some, it was fine. And the little bit that shows through the loose-weave fabric gives it a hint of sparkle!)
~Burlap fabric
~A hot glue gun
~Paper and fabric for embellishments


1. I began by cutting three wide strips (about 3" in width) the length of the burlap fabric

2. Tack one end of one burlap strip down to the back of the wreath with hot glue

3. Wrap the fabric around the wreath, gluing it to the back of the wreath each time you wrap it around the back


4. Tack the end of each strip to the back of the wreath with hot glue and begin a new strip by gluing it to the back and wrapping around, overlapping existing strip.


5. Once you have completely covered the wreath, tack the end of the last strip to the back.

6. Your wreath is finished! I will post embellishments soon...

:) Happy Crafting!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Damask End Table

Ok so for whatever reason I am lacking the before photo of this piece but trust me when I say it was a nasty, old-fashioned, chipped oak. I saw the damask idea on another site and thought "Hey! I could do that!"  So I began by sanding and priming, then two coats of the famous trim paint we had around. Then I hand drew the designs, looking at a fabric print and clear coated the table and here she is! Sold her on Craigslist...

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Cinnamon Honey Butter :)

Just in time to add to your Easter Dinner Menu!!! Cinnamon Honey Butter. I have made several different flavors of butter and this one is always our favorite. I usually make it to go with my Texas Roadhouse Sweet Rolls. Mmmm.... I promise I'll post that recipe soon! But for today-
Cinnamon Honey Butter
1 cup softened butter (or margarine or Earth Balance buttery spread for those that are interested in health like we are)
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Whip together till nicely blended and serve!



* We have dealt with major health issues and some food allergies and just generally have an interest in health, fitness and eating naturally so in our kitchen, I am always substituting and finding ways to make the normal things we love healthier. As I post recipes, I will include in parenthesis the substitutions I use to make it healthy. In this case, it is Earth Balance (which also takes down the fat content) and organic honey!

I linked up to Today's Creative Blog   

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

A Fun Gift Idea :)

These lovely little rings are fully adjustable and come in many colors.  The necklace chains are 16" long.
 Contact me if you are interested in ordering. Can be shipped anywhere in the US for an additional $2.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

My First Post!

I cannot tell you how excited I am to be joining the wonderful world of blogging!! I have been so inspired in parenting, crafting, decorating, cooking and my walk with God through the little window a blog allows us into other's lives. I do not intend to journal or blog about daily activities and life in our home. I feel that trying to record it all would take away from those sweet little everyday moments that I want to cherish and "live in". :) I DO want a place to share some of our favorite recipes and the many craft and home renovation and furniture projects that my husband and I enjoy. I hope to connect with some of you fellow crafters out there and to inspire you as I am inspired. :)

The projects you see in the coming days and months may be current or previous projects.... For the first, I decided to share my rocker redo from last year....I purchased it from Craigslist for $10 or $15. After ripping off the old fabric, I sanded the wood, primed it and painted it with extra paint from our kitchen cabinet redo. I added a bit of mocha antiquing glaze which I rubbed on and wiped off. I used furniture tacks and a staple gun to attach fabric to the back of the chair and recovered the existing seat cushion with a little extra quilt batting stuffed in. The fabric was leftover from upholstering our dining chairs (which I scored for $2/yd at WalMart!).
Before

After