Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all moms a very happy Mother's Day!

Beautiful flowers from Seattle's Pike Place Market

The Flower Power of Black and White

Flower accessories are everywhere as well as ideas and tutorials on how to make all kinds of fabric flowers. I've been in love with a lot of the layered flower ideas and loved those made from fabrics like organza and satin, but didn't want to hear from Mr. Chocolate about burning down the house if I tried to do the "burn it over a candle or with a lighter techniques " ( for anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about you can see that HERE ). So I thought maybe my heat gun would work and it did ! Since I wear a ton of black and white, those who know me won't be surprised to see I started with those colors. I made these pins that I can wear alone or even all together on tee-shirts, jackets, whatever! Perfect for a last minute Mother's Day Gift!

• Cut circles (descending in size) from synthetic organza...cut freehand they don't have to be perfect. I did 6. 
• Carefully go around the edges with your heat/embossing gun and as soon as the edge starts to curl turn circle and go all the way around. 
• Layer all completed circles, use button or rhinestone for center and sew together
• Cut small circle of felt for backing and sew pin back

You can find more amazing fabric flower tutorials here at OOPSEY-DAISY

Speaking of black and white, check out this apron from a place appropriately called : FLIRTY APRONS

This one's called "Sassy Black" and I'd actually spend more time in the kitchen just to wear it. I learned about it from one of my favorite hangouts: Tatertots and Jello where there's an opportunity to win one of your choice of Flirty Apron's many cool designs.

Thanks for stopping by today !

Book Page Topiary

I decided to see if I could make a topiary out of some leftover book pages, which I made into layered flowers. Stuck them into a styrofoam ball and used bamboo skewers instead of a dowel. Upcycled a tin can by decoupaging scrapbook paper and another book page and set on a pedestal  from Gwill that I painted and glazed.

Totally Fabulous Tea Wreath from kojodesigns

I saw this on dollarstorecrafts and the tutorial is here from kojodesigns

This is definitely going on my list of projects!

Goodwill Upcycle

Two unrelated orphaned candlesticks, joined together as shabby chic family through paint and glaze. Candles decoupaged with scraps of natural / white wrapping paper and finished with white ribbon.

Keeping Calm With The Dollar Store & Thrift Shop Candlestick Makeover

I'd seen projects done with these dollar store frames and knew I wanted to play with them. So painted one w/ cream acrylic paint ( unintended goodness...the stain from the frame mixed with the paint to give it a pearly finish you can't see in the pic) and rub and buffed ( silver) the raised areas. Painted and glazed a candlestick I was willing to pay a couple of bucks for at a thrift shop but ended up being .82 cents! Glued ( grrr Gorilla glue bubbled but you can't see) a wood plaque I found @ GWill .Painted and did a harlequin design on top.

"C is for Chocolate"

Vinyl monogram on scrap of scrapbook paper and recycled packaging cardboard from the vinyl