DIY Name Charms {and other Mother's Day ideas}

 May is nearly here! What? I know! Are you all freaking out like I am? Where is this year going? I need to find a way to slow time down... (and then make my kids stop growing) So with May here Mother's day is just around the corner. I thought it was time for some gift ideas. Lets start with a simple and quick name charm. They are great for necklaces or bracelets, or key rings, you name it a great little reminder of the joys that make you a mother. right?

To start I found these little charms that had a rim around the edge. I found them in the bead section of the craft store.

 Then I measured the circle and printed and then cut out little circles with my kids names on them. (a circle punch would work great)

 Next put a drop of glue in the center of the charms.

 Stick the circles in place so that the names are inline with the side loops. Then I used Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. This stuff is awesome! Found at the craft store by all the glue.

 Simply fill the base of the charms to the rim. (careful not to go over the rim)

 See the bubble? Sweet right? Let it dry for several hours or overnight.

 Then you have your charms. Which paired up with some other beads can make a great necklace.

Of course you could use pictures, dates of important events, or anything else that strikes your fancy for a quick and easy Mother's Day gift. 

Need some more ideas? Check out the fantastic things our sponsors have to offer:

1. Birds nest Necklace from Jacaranda Designs

2. Make yummy waffle bites

3. Heart Locket Necklace from Jacaranda Designs

4. Lovely Felted wool Pillow from Joy and Delight

5. Fabric bundle from Fabric Envy

6.Floral Embroidered "MOM" sachet from Dolce Dreams

7.Hand embroidered Lavender Sachet from Dolce Dreams

8. Floral Coffee Cozy from Joy and Delight

Tissue Paper Flowers

So in my church I am in charge of leading a group of girls from the ages 8-11 (sort of like girl scouts but sadly no cookies :) We plan a big party each quarter which is a ton of fun! (I seriously love these girls) So since I am in charge this quarter we are having a craft day (whoop whoop) The girls are all super pumped, and so am I. I am also in charge of all the decorations. Since it is spring time and a craft day I thought what better than to "craft" a bunch of large flowers to use as decorations. I know I know I am not the first person in to ever craft a tissue paper flower, this is not some ground breaking tutorial, this is just how I made these flowers. 

 Which by the way they make great and quick little photo props. (since Abbey saw the growing "garden" of paper flowers and just had to have one.) So here is how I made these.

 You will need floral tape, tissue paper in whatever colors you like, and floral stems. (I just took the tops off some fake flowers I had lying around)

 Then with several layers of the tissue stacked together cut out a petal shape. For the yellow flower I used more pointed petals, but I also made some with very round petals and you can make them in any size.

 Also cut one long strip. This will be the center.

 Using a hot glue gun I put a dab of glue on the end of the stem. Then wrap the strip around the stem. Twist the strip as you wrap it. (like you are making a fabric rosette)

 When you get to the end secure the flap with a dab of glue. See cute little rosebud looking center.

 Next take your petals and pinch them in the bottom. Then add a dab of glue.

 Stick them to the base of the flower spreading them out as you go.

 Continue layering the petals on until they are to the size and fullness you want.

 Next wrap the base of the flower and the step with the floral tape. Thats all there is to it.

 You can layer the colors and sizes of the petals for different looks.

That way each flower has it's own unique look. It's feeling like spring around here with my craft area being overtaken by fluffy tissue paper flowers. I just love it.

Entry Way Labels

 Remember how this summer we bought a new (old) house. Well we are still working our way through project after project. Trying to make each room feel more like us. We have this little entry way. Right when you walk in the front door. Most people who have visited think we should knock down the coat closet to open the entry way up more. I am just not sure what we would do with all the coats and shoes we keep in the closet if we got rid of it. (not to mention all the other stuff we are storing in there) So I am embracing it instead.

 You see it is not a very big area. (never mind the little one who didn't want to leave my side)

 The closet is just so nice to have there, and the living room is really open and bright so it's not like you are walking into a cave.

 So here is the closet, we started by painting it white since it was a lovely shade of 70's orange wood. (if you have seen it you know what I am talking about)

 Then since they kind of reminded me of lockers I thought it would be fun to label them. So I cut out words for Coats...

 And Shoes using the silhouette and some cool faux leather vinyl I found at home depot.

 Then the doors had a little something fun.

While I was at it I made a little Hello Goodbye for the door. I kind of love it.
Sorry no full blown tutorial today, I am working like crazy on some big projects, so they will come...

A Monogram Plaque

 Do you want to know the worst part about Christmas being over? Taking down the holiday decorations. Christmas is the only holiday (besides a few pumpkins for fall) that I decorate for. Then when it is over and I have to take it all down my shelves and house always look so bare and plain, and I find that it is time for a new look. So over the next little while I will be posting a few decor items here and there until things are finally put together. The first one is the easiest one. You see I was a little spoiled this christmas, and I got the Silhouette Cameo. Let me tell you this machine is everything I hoped for and more. I am in love with it. I love that the machine can do things I always wanted to do but failed, like cutting my own vinyl letters... epic fail, cutting detailed freezer paper stencils... fail. Making my own detailed art pieces... yeah I am just not that good. So I love that I can do those types of projects now (and more) For example I love ornate looking frames. You know all of those swirly details. Well I can never find one like everyone else can at some thrift store for a buck. I can however cut out the shape with the Silhouette, so that's what I did.

 I started with a plain wood plaque I got at the craft store. Any piece of wood would do just fine really. I painted mine white. Then instead of using vinyl I just cut my designs out using a piece of textured card stock. I used a frame I got from the online store from silhouette and then I added a W. Since I like to combine traditional and modern, I went with a modern looking W for the ornate frame. You could of course print out a template and cut out your own design with scissors.

 Then I wanted the paper to have a 3D effect off the wood so I used foam stickies to stick it down.

 Just place a few to secure the corners.

 I did the same for the W

 Then stick them on to the plaque.

 See how they have the raised effect from the wood? I also love the texture on the card stock.

So there you have it a really quick and easy project. Now I just have to get the rest of the shelves ready.

DIY Ranunculus Flower Clips

 Ok these flowers are everywhere. So before we start let me just say that I did not "make them up" I have just seen them for sale, but I am cheap so I make my own. When I saw the pretty Ranunculus flowers at the craft store I knew it was time to make some with them. So incase you have never made some and wanted to know how I will show you how I made them. I even added my new love (if you remember when I confessed my love a while back) They add a cute little pop in the middle but you could use a regular button or jewel, or anything you can hot glue in the middle really.

 So here are the ranunculus I found in the floral section of the craft store. Pretty and vibrant orange. I also picked up red and regret not getting the plum purple. (I guess I have to go back)

 First you will want to pop the flower off the stem. Then remove the little green piece.

 Then you will pull the petals off the stem I pull a whole group of them all at once, just stop when you get to the little plastic pieces that wrap around the center.

 Then just peel off layer by layer until you have the petals you want to use. Discard all the plastic pieces.

 Then to make the the fabric covered button grab your button making kit. (can be found at any craft store by the snaps)
1. cut your circle according to the package.
2. put the fabric face down in the mold. then put the dome piece down into the mold. press the fabric into the center of the mold.
3. press the button piece down on top.

 Then pop your button down in the middle of the flower. I hot glue them all in place. Then you can glue the flower onto a hair clip, or a broach clip to make a cute broach. The perfect gift for the friends on your list.

Especially when it is easy to make a bunch of them. I am making a hair clip for each of the girls in my achievement day class (it's a group in my church that is basically boy scouts for the girls and I think they will all be thrilled to have a cute hair piece.)

Customized Plant Pots

 The first gift of the season is done. As it should be since it was super easy. I will likely be making several more. The perfect gift for the green thumb on your list, or as shown above with just a fake flower it can be a cute decor item. I am so making a set as a gift bundled along with some seeds for a fresh herb garden. The perfect addition to any kitchen window sill that will provide fragrant and yummy herbs.

 I snagged up these clay plant pots at Joanns (or any craft or garden center) they were 75 cents a piece. I like the tan clay color, but you could easily spray paint them to be any color you wanted.

 I also bought a stencil since it is plastic so re-usable and that means I can make them over and over again. Some black acrylic craft paint, and some cream colored linen. You could use any fabric or even burlap if you wanted.

 I cut the linen in strips that would fit around the base of the pot. Then I lined the stencil up in the center of the strip and painted the letter. The paint will bleed through so be sure to paint on top of something. (like a Jo-anns add minus the coupons of course)

 Then when the paint dries (about 30 min) I used a hot glue gun to add a blob in the center of the pot. Then I first glued the letter in place so that it would be nice and even.

 Then pull each side to the back and hot glue in place. Make sure you pull nice and tight so it has a snug fit. Glue both sides and you are done.

 You could spell anything you wanted, like someone's last name, LOVE, HERBS, initials like S+R for a couple, you could easily do anything.

 You can plant a fake flower if you want it to be easy to care for. Just use some tissue paper wadded up in the bottom to center the flower.

That's it. Super easy gift. With tons of possibilities. (there may be more ideas coming :)