Baby Valentine

Oh Christmas Tree

No time for blogging today, but here are some of the Christmas Cards and Gift Bags I've been making.  Either design can be used on a card or a bag, just watch the videos, and they're SO simple you actually have time to make them before Christmas even though it's less than a week away.  Merry Christmas!

Ribbon and Tulle Christmas Tree Design

Gift Bag with Ribbon and Tulle Design

Ribbon Christmas Tree Design

Flower and Feather Fascinator

I mentioned in my last post that I'm playing with ideas for some type of hair piece featuring my beaded flowers. Here's one that (although I do love it) will not be in my wedding, so it's okay to post it online.  When I do come up with something for my wedding, it won't be on here until after I'm married (can't be too careful when it comes to a snooping fiancee).  I think showing the veil or hair accessories is right up there with letting him see the dress before the wedding.  I may not be the most traditional bride to ever walk the aisle, but some traditions must be upheld!
This fascinator is fairly simple with a single flower.  Since feathers are in right now, it has plenty of feathers.  It would look dramatic and amazing with a birdcage veil.  Or it could also be made in black or in color for a non wedding, unique hair accessory.  Whether you're hearing wedding bells or just want to try a fun look, this is a great project to try:

 

Wedding Bells and Pretty Flowers!

Almost immediately after getting engaged, I went dress shopping.  Three stores, a lot more than three websites and countless dresses later, I found my dress.  Since the wedding wouldn't be until almost two years later, what was my hurry?  Pregnancy.  Back then I was fairly thin.  Right now I'm the size of a house (my excuse: I, like a house, do have a person living inside me).  And when I get married I will be thin again.  I have to be.  I'm too frugal to buy a dress and not wear it.  So the dress is more than just a dress, it's my inspiration to get back to my original size. 
Seeing as this is not a blog about weight loss, you may be wondering what my little story has to do with anything.  Well here's the connection, my dress is perfect... almost.  It's fitted in some spots and flowy in others, the perfect mix of modern and princessy.  It's just so me.   But there's this one thing I just don't love -   A flower (I guess) embellishment that just doesn't seem to go with the rest of the dress.  I wanted something bigger, more dramatic, more in line with the look of the dress and most importantly more ME.  How to make it more me?  Make it myself of course.  And that is why I came of with this hand beaded Swarovski crystal flower made from breezy chiffon, sparkling tulle and organza.

 

It took a little patience to come up with something I really liked.  The first flowers ended up in the trash, but I kept trying until I had something worthy of making my almost perfect dress into my prefect dress.  Now that I have the method down, I've been using these flowers for other projects as well.  I made two smaller ones to embellish my shoes (which will alsohave Swarovski crystals on them).  I've been experimenting with hair pieces, clips, fascinators, combs etc.  I haven't chosen a veil style yet, so right now I'm just having fun with different ideas.  

Anyway they don't have to be wedding flowers.  Use it as a DIY decoration in your home, make colored ones for your hair.  You could even decorate your Christmas tree with all red ones.  Use your imagination and get creative.  Here's how to get started:

 

I Love You THIS Much (w/ Video)

Here it is... Isla's video on how to make a card (with a little help from Mama) like the one she made for her Daddy.

This one is definitely not a nap time craft.  In fact you can't make this one without your child.  Sometimes it's more fun to do a project together and I just LOVE how much Isla gets into it.  She really loves painting.  "I want to do it again... again... AGAIN!"  So much fun!  So if you have a little cutie who loves to help out with all your projects, why not try it together?

 

"DIS Much!"

We have a little saying around here, especially at bedtime, but it's good anytime.  "I love you THIS much!"  And we stretch our arms out as far as we can to show how much.  It all started at bedtime.  When I put Isla to bed, I would say that to her.  One night, to my surprise (and delight!), she said "Mama, waffuu DEES much!"  Now she says it (along with everything else) much more clearly.  "I wuv you DIS much!" in her sweet little voice is one of my favorite things to hear.  We all say it to each other, and Isla totally melted my heart when she said it to my belly, "Baby Sister, I wuv you dis much!!!" accompanied by a kiss.  Sooooo cute!  So when Scott asked where it came from, I told him I started saying it to her, and she picked it up.  Then I realized, it didn't start with me at all.  It started with this little guy.

Or one that looked a lot like him.  He used to be on my parents dresser, and I always thought he was cute.  I guess his cute little saying just stuck in my head.  Isla was the first person I ever said it to, and now it's our little saying.  I'm sure we'll teach it to Baby Sister too when she gets here.  I can't wait!
So what does this have to do with my craft blog?  Well I told you from the beginning, I might include some adorable Isla stories, so I could just leave it at that, but this one actually does have a craft to go with it - a simple fun do-it-with-your-child paper craft.   Isla and I made something for her Daddy, and it all came from our little saying.  Coming this Friday (11/18/11), a video showing you our newest and possibly cutest craft ever, so easy too.  It's something you could make for Father's Day, Mother's Day, Grandparents Day, Christmas, Valentines Day, a birthday or just because.  Make it with your child.  It's so much fun spending the time together, and if your child is anything like Isla, she will be so proud to make something for someone she loves... DIS MUCH!
Don't forget to check back Friday to see the video starring (of course) Isla!

Etched Glass Wine Bottle

If you read my last post on glass etching, you know I love it!  It's a fun way to personalize anything... well anything made of glass anyway.  So as I was sitting at my computer blogging away, staring directly into my kitchen one nice nap time, I noticed a bottle of wine... the white muscadine grape wine we bought on our summer vacation.  It sounded delightful, so refreshing.  But I'm pregnant, so drinking it was out of the question.. And that's how the idea came to me.  A bottle of wine is a nice gift, but what could be better?  Wine in a personalized bottle.  You could add a wedding date and initials, "Cheers" and the year on New Years Eve, a name, a simple picture... anything really.  Etching just adds a special touch.  And that's what I decided to do.

 

 

Happy Etching!