Monday, February 28, 2011

Make it Monday! Paper Spring Flower Garland


I've got Spring fever soooo bad this year.  Usually, I love the cold weather, but this year winter has been rough.  I'll be happy to see it go.  I'm looking forward to blue skies, bird singing, getting out in the garden, and planting my flowers.  For now though, with winter hanging around for a few more weeks, at least, I decided to bring a bit of spring indoors with paper flowers.  Not as good as the real thing, but a close second.

For this project you will need:

3 coordinating sheets of patterned cardstock
punches: 2 inch scallop, 1 1/2 circle and 1 inch circle (Or draw your own scallop shape and find something to trace that is 1 1/2 and a 1 inch circle)
glue or double stick tape
ribbon, string or yarn that matches your paper
small hole, hole punch

First step is to determine how long your garland needs to be.  If you're using a 2 inch punch, and you want a garland that is 2 feet long (24 inches), then you will need to punch 12 scallop shapes, 12 -  1 1/2 circles, and 12 - 1 inch circles.  Cut a few from each sheet, so that you have a nice pattern variety.





Lay out your "flowers" and put a 1 1/2 inch circle on top of it in the middle. Then a 1 inch circle on top of that.  The result is a three layer flower. Continue down the line and vary your pattens so that you get a nice mix, each flower should have a different patterned scallop, 1 1/2 circle and 1 inch circle.





Once you have them like you want them, use the glue or double stick tape to stick the 1 1/2 inch circle to the scallop and then the 1 inch circle to the 1 1/2 inch circle.

If using glue, allow to dry before continuing with the next step.

Take each flower and punch a hole on one side, then across from it on the other side.  Repeat with all the flowers.





Cut your ribbon, string or yarn ( I used some white chenille yarn that I had laying around).  Cut into 2 1/2 inch lengths.  Cut a little longer if you plan on connecting the flowers with bows instead of knots.

Slip one end through the second hole on your first flower, and through the first hole on your second flower.  Tie slowly until you get the distance between the two that you want (mine were almost touching), then tie your knot or bow.  Continue with the rest until they are all tied together in a row.





Cut two pieces of ribbon, string or yarn, about 6 inches long. Take one piece and match your cut ends.  Slip both through the first hole on your first flower about half way through. 




Slip the open ends back through the loop that the string made and pull. 



Knot the ends together.  Repeat with the last hole of your garland.




Now the hardest part...trying to figure out where to hang it.  These look so cute hung from mantles, strung along a curtain rod or along a head board.  You can change the theme of these to fit any season.  Use black, orange and purple for halloween; Green, red and white for Christmas; Red, white and blue for 4th of July or even pastel colors for a baby shower. 





Friday, February 25, 2011

Exploring Etsy: Don't Worry...Be Happy























Friday Freebie

It's Friday, which means it's time to start my new addition to my blog. Every Friday check back here for a new printable freebie. This week....recipe cards. Just click on the picture, right click and save to your puter. Print out as many as you want. Have a great weekend!








Thursday, February 24, 2011

Exploring Etsy: If I Can Make It There....

Every once in a while I get nostalgic for a taste of home...a Nathan's hot dog at Coney Island,  a warm pretzel drizzled with mustard, a ride on the A train,  a walk in Central Park, shopping in the Village, a stroll at the South Street Seaport, a game at Shea.  I've lived in Kentucky for eleven years now and adore it; the lovely horse farms, the races and history of Keenland, the glory of Rupp.   Occasionally, I want skyscrappers, I want crowds...I want my city. I want.....New York.























Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Exploring Etsy: Feel Better Soon

Sorry I've missed a couple of posting days. My little boy has been sick, and although I dearly love my readers, I'm mommy first...blogging queen second :)

So, keeping with the my main focus this week, today's Etsy Tribute to the artistic side of  being sick and getting well.