Flower Frame Tutorial

This is one of my favorite quick & fun projects to make. I have had so many requests for the tutorial that I promised ages ago so I finally threw on together today! I love to give these as gifts with an inspirational quote in the center.

Supplies:

unfinished wood frame (I purchased mine for $1 at Michaels)

(1) 12" by 12" piece of patterned card stock (for frame)

(1) piece of card stock for the flowers (solid or print)

cutting mat and x-acto knife

ink pad (i used a copper/gold color)

circle punches, circle cutter or a plain old pair of scissors

sanding block

decoupage glue (i.e. Mod Podge)

3 bead or button (for flower centers)

hot glue gun

clear polyurethane top coat (spray can)

Instructions:

pick out your patterned paper. Please note the pattern shown. The opposite side is blue pods which you will see in the tutorial. *I prefer to use a thick card stock to help prevent bubbling.

Spread a thin layer of decoupage glue on the front side of the unfinished frame. Place the right side of the frame (with glue) onto the wrong side of the paper and press firmly. You can also turn over and rub lightly to be sure to remove any bubbles. Allow glue to set.

Place frame on cutting board and use an x-acto knife to cut around the frame. Don't worry about any small tears, you will be sanding the edges next and imperfections add character to the distressed edges!

Sand the outside and inside edges of the frame

it will look like this:

Now use an ink pad to go along the sanded edges. You are just going along the edge, not the entire depth of the frame. I use the fancy art technique of dipping a finger in ink and rubbing it on the frame to get the inside corners.

Now it should look kind of like this:

Now it is time for your flowers. You will want three "nesting" circles. My largest circle has a 3" diameter. I used a Marvy Uchida circle punches but you could use and circle cutter or even a compass or trace some household objects.

I normally use solid card stock for the flowers but I really like the print on the opposite side of the card stock so I decided to use the excess as my flowers. You will cut out three sets of circles. You need to use a thick card stock to really get a good shape to your flower when "squishing" it
Before squishing, I use a q-tip to color the center of the smallest circle to emulate "pollen"

Now for the fun part, squishing!I layer each flower then put my thumb in the center and "squish" the flower around my thumb. This is not a science and don't be too critical, it is adorable and does not need to be asymmetrical!

Now I ink the edges of each circle. I like to "squish" before I ink so the ink catches in some of the folds and wrinkles!Now you can assemble all three layers of each flower with a small dot of hot glue in the center of each layer.

Then in the center you can hot glue a bead or button. Once done, I like to figure out the placement of each flower. Sometimes I do a cluster, sometimes they all go on top and sometimes on one side. Be creative and see what fit with the design.

Once your flowers are affixed with hot glue you can seal and protect your beautiful frame with two coats of polyurathane. Put a picture or a quote in the center and it is ready to go!

Bridal Shower Gift......to go please

I received an invite to a bridal shower for a friends daughter and at the last minute my schedule cleared up so I am able to go! I refuse to use a registry for a bridal shower since this is a day for the bride and since I don't really know the bride, I was at a loss.

Then it came to me, a cute spunky apron for the soon to be newlywed. I have had this pattern for awhile but had not found the time to use it. This apron is simple yet has a beautiful drop waist and flutter to it. Add a few fabric flower pins and viola, it is ready to go! I hope she loves it and wears it during her first "domesticated" years so it can be a part of her fond memories.

Thursday Thought to Ponder

"When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."

Barbara J. Winter

500 Days of Summer

I have not seen this movie yet but I love the soundtrack! Plus I just adore anything with Indie darling Zooey Deshanel or her big sister. I came across this video she made and can see myself developing quite a crush on Joseph Gordon Levitt.

p.s. I really want her outfit!

I'm Lovin' it Monday

I am doing this I'm Lovin' It Monday while laying in bed recovering from a sinus cold (pity me yet). While surfing the web from my sick bed, I came across this wonderful product that made me smile.......Happy Tape!

The ideas and uses for this product are endless, I must have them all......well, at least a lot!

Another thing I am lovin' is http://shopittome.com/. It is like your personal online shopping bargain hunter. You sign up, pick your favorite brands and sizes, how often you want your "salemail" and you get notified of what items are on sale. My favorite part is that you get a picture of each item so you can just browse through the email to see if there is anything that you must have! Since they only display what is available in your size, there is none of the disappointment of finding a great deal just to discover they only have it in the smallest or largest size available!

Anthropologie Inspired, Ready for Baking!

I fell in love with this apron at Anthropologie and thought......how fun would that be with Amy Butler fabrics?
So here is my interpretation of the Spring Mix Apron. I would change a few details if I ever made another one but I am happy overall with how it came out!

No Peeking Mom

I just thought I'd share one of the fun projects I did yesterday as a birthday present for my mom. I had picked up this adorable turquoise embroidery hoop from JoAnn's ages ago with an idea in mind to use it with my kids hand prints.


So last night I traced my kids hands on to card stock for a template. Next, I used some fusible interfacing on the fabrics for stiffness and durability then I attached them to some white cotton that I put in the hoop with some embroidery floss. For fun, I added the button border this morning and voila, an adorable keepsake stitched with love.....no machine required! Oh, and I almost forgot...I did use a small amount of batting to add some dimension.

An Apple a Day.....I wish

I have a very serious relationship with fashion, just look at my closet that is ready to burst. I love that fashionable modest clothing is getting more and more accessible even when mini's and cleavage are becomin more and more mainstream.

Now for my guilty pleasure, a store to splurge in once in a while, and drool at often.....Shabby Apple . I have decided to share my personal top four picks with you:Broadway Upper East Side

Tuxedo IV
Madison Ave

The Reluctant Blogger

So I have been a bad cyber friend (we are friends, right?). Not only have I not been posting, I have become a lurker.....to lazy to post a comment after being amused by your posts, so rude of me....I know. I promise to do better.


Has it really been a month since I last blogged? I have had the summer lazies accompanied by multiple vacations, teaching three classes for a Super Saturday, and trying to squeeze in some great reads while working on my tan!


I even braved a 14 hour car ride to Idaho with just myself, a five-year old and two two-year-olds. It was worth it to see my good friend Kelli and her family. I love them so much I even tried to tell my husband we might need to move there...... It takes a dear friend to make you want to leave sunny San Diego, even for a moment!


p.s. am I the only one that dreads school starting again?


p.s.s. here are a few shots from the rest of our summer