Kid Crafts // Make a Pencil Flower Bouquet

The end of the school year always catches me so off-guard. We're busy wrapping up our homeschool, getting ready for evaluations, and prepping to file our paperwork for the next school year. So of course that means that a few days before the end of our co-op I realized that my kids didn't have anything to give their teachers as a thank-you. I wanted to give something practical, and something that the kids could help make.

SUPPLIES.

scrapbook paper
wired floral leaves
unsharpened pencils
scissors
standard hole punch
hot glue gun 

For the leaf, wind the stem of the leaf around the top of the pencil near the eraser. Apply some hot glue to keep the leaf from slipping.

We kept it very simple when it came to flower shapes. I drew outlines on the back of the scrapbook paper, and the kids worked on cutting them out. For each flower we used three layers of paper to give the flower just a little bit of dimension.

 

Use the hole punch to put a hole in the middle of your flower shape (I found that a standard hole punch was just about the right size). Carefully work the layers of petals over the pencil eraser. I put a spot of glue between the bottom and middle layer of the flower to keep it in place and looking nice. 

And there you have it! Make as many as you like (or as many as your kids are willing to cut out). You may want to bend the paper for dimension depending on what shape(s) you choose to make the flowers.

Some fun ways to jazz up your bouquet:

* put them in a pencil holder 
* put them in a mason jar
* add mini erasers (if using a clear jar) to the bottom in fun shapes and sizes
* tie with pretty ribbon

Stylish Gift Wrapping Round-Up on Hand and Seek.

// This is just a sample of the goodness! Read on for image links and complete round-up. //

Hi there! Just popping in to let y'all know that I've put together a round-up of stylish DIY gift wrapping ideas over on the Hand and Seek blog. Hop on over and get wrapping!

Merry Christmas!

Felt & Sequin Snowflake Tutorial

I put this tutorial together last year for Gathered by Mollie Makes. It was actually my first foray into the world of sequins, and it was a lot of fun to play around with something sparkly. Sequins are perfect for catching and playing around with light. As a result, they work well with Christmas lights! You're guaranteed a white Christmas with a couple of these shimmery felt snowflakes floating around on your tree. (Please forgive the dark photos.)

YOU WILL NEED:

-1 sheet, or 4x6 inches, of white felt
-5mm clear AB sequins
-775 DMC embroidery floss
-8 inches of jute twine (or thin ribbon)
-embroidery needle
-scissors
-snowflake template (below)

Step 1:

Cut out two snowflakes from the felt using the template; one for the top and one for the backing.

Step 2:

Attach a sequin to the center of the top snowflake piece using one strand of embroidery floss. (Fold snowflake in half to help locate the exact center- see inset.) Work out from the center to make an “x” shape, alternating sequins with a small straight stitch. 

Step 3:

Fill in the rest of the snowflake. Start from the center sequin and work outward, alternating stitches and sequins in a pleasing pattern.

Step 4:

Layer the snowflake pieces (sequins facing up) and stitch them together using two strands of embroidery floss. Be sure to securely attach the jute twine loop at the top of the snowflake (see inset).

Merry Christmas and happy crafting!  

Hand-stitched Felt Peter Pan Collar Tutorial // As Seen in Gathered by Mollie Makes

Here it is again: time for the trees to start dropping their colorful leaves, time for hayrides, and hot apple cider. Happy Autumn! To celebrate my favorite season I thought I'd share a Peter Pan collar tutorial that I created for Gathered by Mollie Makes last year. This collar is best to make with a more durable felt, so something with wool in it is probably best. (Now, wool can be a wee bit itchy at times, so depending on your preference and skin type, you may want to add some cotton fabric to the back for softness.)

A detachable Peter Pan collar is an easy way to add a feminine touch to a simple top or dress. Studded with glass seed beads, this collar is delightfully understated.

You will need: 2 sheets of wool blend felt (9 x 12 inches), or if
               purchasing by the yard, 9 inches

               28 inches of 1/4 inch wide velvet ribbon
           
               embroidery floss to match felt
  
               embroidery needle
            
               11/0 glass seed beads

               clear beading thread

               beading needle

               scissors

               straight pins

               iron

               template (below)

               cotton fabric (optional)

Step 1: cut two pieces of felt with the "A" template, and two pieces of with the "B" template.

Step 2 : Start at the bottom of an "A" piece, and begin to sew on the seed beads using the beading needle and thread. Start by sewing the seed beads close together, and gradually space them farther apart while working up toward the middle of the collar. Repeat with a "B" piece. Use the same number of beads for a uniform look.

Step 3: Place the right (beaded) sides of "A" and "B" together, and stitch across the narrow end with two strand of embroidery floss, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance (this will be the top of the collar). Repeat with remaining un-beaded "A" and "B" sections (this will be the collar backing).

Step 4: With the wrong side facing up, press the seams flat with an iron to keep them in place. Do this on both the beaded top piece and the backing piece.

Step 5: Pin the top and backing sections of the collar together with the beaded side up, and the pressed seams facing each other.

Step 6: Cut two 14-inch lengths of velvet ribbon. Pin them between the layers of the collar, one on each side of the front opening. (Knot the end of the ribbon ties to prevent fraying and/or heat seal the ribbon.)

Step 7: Stitch around the perimeter of the collar using two strands of embroidery floss. Be sure to secure the ribbon ties well.

NOTE: If you decide to add the optional cotton fabric to the backing portion of the collar you will need to cut it approximately 1/2 inch larger on all sides than the template (cut one "A" piece and one "B" piece). With the wrong side of the cotton facing up, fold over 1/4 inch of fabric on all sides and iron it flat. Sew the collar together with the remaining 1/4 inch of excess cotton fabric folded over the edges of the felt backing pieces, and stitch it so that the raw edges of the cotton are between the layers of felt. 

DIY Spring Twig with Felt Blossoms

We are so blessed to have early Spring flowers in our garden. There is something so exciting about watching those fresh, new leaves push their way up through the ground. It's still a little too soon for them, so to tide myself over I made some faux blossoms for my kitchen.

SUPPLIES:

-salvaged twig or small branch
-bit of felt (I used two shades of yellow)
-scissors
-hot glue gun
-3 templates of varying sizes (large, medium, small) in the shape shown above, they will need to be sized according to the size of the branch  

1. Cut out three petals for each branch tip the twig has. My branch had five tips, so I cut out six large petals to cover two of the tips, and nine medium petals for the other three tips.

2. Put a line of hot glue along the bottom straight edge of the petal and wrap it around a branch tip. Layer the other two petals on in the same fashion to cover the tip of the branch.

 
3. Repeat until all of the branch tips are covered.

4. Cut out a handful of petals from the smallest template to glue along the twig at varying intervals. Check the branch for knots or budding spots- these are natural places to glue these small petals. Place only one petal in these spots.

  
5. Stick the branch in a jar and enjoy it!

This is such a fun and easy project! Literally any color can work for the felt blossoms (choose something that will match your decor). Have fun brightening up your space!

// Felt plants and owl available here; find floral print here.

Hand Stitched Card Tutorial

My husband and I share a birthday. Most years that means he comes home to no home-cooked meal and no cake. You'd think that after 10 years of marriage I'd forget just a little that it's my birthday too, and remember just a little bit more that it's his. I did a better this year, and when he came home from work at bedtime (his work schedule is odd) there was actually dinner, a cake, and a handmade card. Considering that I'm on the mend from a viral cold I was pretty darn proud of myself! Sad, I know. We've just never made much of our birthday (partially I think it's because February is so close to Christmas), but we need to work on that for next year. 

When I decided last minute to make him a card I of course dove right into my felt stash! This project is great for using some of those scraps. Because I had a limited time to complete the card the lettering is a bit crooked. I'll definitely remember to use a ruler the next time before it's too late!

SUPPLIES

cardstock
felt scraps
scissors
embroidery floss
embroidery needle
ruler
pen or pencil
wax paper or parchmet paper
cutting mat (optional)
rotary cutter (optional) 

     

1. Begin by cutting down the card stock to 5 x 7 inches or the desired size.

2. Cut heart shapes out of the felt scraps and arrange on the card in a pleasing pattern. 

3. Remove all but the center heart from the card, carefully keeping them in the same pattern you want on the card (for reference). 

4. Stitch the hearts one by one onto the card. Play around with your stitching style for some variety! NOTE: be careful not to bend or crease the card while you work.

5. Place a piece of wax paper over top of the card in the area where you want the lettering. Apply gentle pressure as you write the phrase you would like on the card. This will give you a guideline to follow. NOTE: now is a great time to grab the ruler. I noticed my lettering was crooked right away, but I was already committed. 

6. Use the needle to gently punch evenly-spaced holes along the lines of your letters. You'll want to do this since half of the time you'll be coming up through the back of the card, and once you punch that hole through the paper you can't un-punch it.

7. Follow the holes to stitch your message using 2 strands of embroidery floss.

8. Feel free to stitch a border around your card or just add a little something to the corners!

Handmade cards are a great way to remind someone that you love them, encourage them to get well soon, or just because! To make this card more sturdy try gluing a piece of cardboard to the back or placing it in a display frame.

Unclutter-the-Refrigerator Display // Bible Verse Display

It is such a comfort to me to have Bible verses displayed in a high travel area at home. If I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed, or even on rare days when I'm not, it's like a breath of fresh air to be able to stop for a moment and read promises from God's word. It makes me feel rejuvenated and hopeful.  I like to keep my refrigerator pretty uncluttered, so I wanted to be able to display Bible verses in a way that was contained, simple, and made it easy to switch out. Of course this display can be used for inspirational quotes, snapshots, or to-do lists as well!

SUPPLIES:     metal wreath frame
          mini clothespins
          kraft tags or index cards
          washi tape (optional)
          fabric scraps (optional)
          scissors (if using washi tape or fabric)
          pretty pen

To create my display I first covered my mini clothespins in washi tape on both sides (if you don't already have washi tape on hand you can easily leave the clothespins uncovered). I then wrote my verses on the kraft tags and index cards, and clipped them around the wreath frame. To soften it up a little bit I added some fabric ties. That's it!

DIY Doily Hoop Art.

When my husband and I were first married almost ten years ago, my Grammy made me a bunch of lovely crochet doilies. There have been some pretty tutorials lately for doily table runners, doily lamps, and doily buntings, but I'm not sure I have quite enough to complete a project like that. Instead, I thought I would take a couple of my doilies that haven't been used yet and display them in embroidery hoops with a bit of colored fabric for contrast.

For this project all you need is a doily (or two or three), an embroidery hoop, enough fabric to stretch in the hoop, a needle and some thread, and scissors. I purchased these vintage metal hoops on Etsy, and I had just enough green fabric on hand to fit in the hoops. To create your own doily wall art, simply stretch the fabric in the hoop, tack down the doily with matching thread, and secure the piece in the hoop.

I wanted to finish the back of the hoops in such a way that I could remove the fabric for cleaning. My friend Sasha from What. No mints? shared a tutorial with me for gathering or cinching the fabric in the back. Keep in mind that this fabric was a scrap, so there wasn't much fabric to gather in some spots but I made it work. It certainly isn't pretty on the back side though!

I think the hoops add a sweet touch to our tiny living room, and the pop of color on the wall is perfect. They are definitely making me smile. Now we just need to get that second coat of paint up on the wall to get rid of that wonky color look!