Baubles~

Yes, this blog is primarily a home design blog...but every once in a while I have to get my craft on, and then I have to share my creations with you!! When I saw this fabulous project in the February issue of Martha Stewart Living, I knew I was going to have to try my hand at it.

Photo from Martha Stewart Living


Now, I personally adore the size and sparkle-overload of the brooches, as well as the pale pink ribbon (yum!), that MS Living used for their version of the necklace, but I aim to use what I have - or can get my hands on for free at my mom's house - so for my version I used buttons. Yep, buttons...sparkly, rhinestone-covered buttons. And grey ribbon...because I'm a grey girl.

So, here is my interpretation.



And since no one can give a tutorial like Martha...here's the link.

Edited to add: I've had questions about how to attach the jump rings to the buttons...Martha explains it in her tutorial, but they have to have openwork around the edges. You can't tell that well in this photo, but each of the buttons has open areas around the edge that I could thread the jump rings through. ;-)

Have a great day~

Baby Gift Idea~

We threw a baby shower for a friend of mine on Saturday. She's having a little girl, and I wanted to give her something unique and personal. Here is what I came up with...

I took two of my drawings and printed them onto iron-on transfer sheets, then I added them to some little onesies. Aren't they precious? She adored them.

Then, because presentation is EVERYTHING, I found these fun chinese takeout boxes at Michael's. Filled one with pink tissue and tucked the onesies inside. Added the box to the top of a package of diapers (what expectant mom doesn't LOVE diapers?) and VOILA!

The ladies at the shower went goo-goo for them. (Baby shower, goo-goo, get it?) I just love that my drawings are so well received. I am going to have many products featuring my artwork in my soon-to-open Etsy store (look for it this month - along with a grand-opening giveaway!)

Have a lovely Wednesday~

A Little Bit of Pretty...a tutorial~

So I don't know about all of you, but I felt the need to create something pretty to brighten up these dreary, winter days. I've had this project in the back of my mind for some time, but with an ice storm outside yesterday, and a house full of kiddos, crafting was on the agenda. So after I settled the kiddos in working on their own crafty creations, I set to work making mine.

And since I was making it anyway, I decided to take some photos and make a tutorial for my lovely readers. ( You should all be impressed with this, because I usually don't think about the tutorial thing until AFTER the project is complete...this makes the whole picture taking process somewhat difficult...)

And what are we making today, Wendy, you ask? Why, a button wreath, of course!

What you will need:

• Lightweight cardboard (I like to collect this so I have it around for various projects...things like the cardboard that comes in folded shirts, large tags from clothing etc.)
• Scrapbook paper (ideally this should be the color of the buttons you will be using.)
• Two glasses (or other round objects) one smaller than the other.
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Stick glue
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks (I went through about 2 of these)
• Buttons (lots - I used about 80 or so for my small wreath) I like white vintage buttons best, but you could use any color and you can buy them new - of course.
• Ribbon

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Using the stick glue, start by gluing the scrapbook paper to the cardboard. Remember, stick glue is your friend...be very generous.


2. Using a pencil, trace the rims of the glasses onto the paper. The larger glass outside and the smaller glass inside to create a wreath form.



Cut out the wreath form. If you're the perfectionist-type you can gently sand the edges so they are smooth (using a sanding block), but keep in mind that they will be 90% hidden by the buttons.


Now comes the fun part. Gather your buttons. I like to sort them into sizes before I get started gluing...makes the whole gluing process a little easier.





Start by gluing a layer of large buttons to the form.







Now glue a layer of slightly smaller buttons on top of the larger ones, staggering them to cover the spaces between the larger buttons.
NOTE: I like to play around with where I will put the buttons because I want to vary the shades of the buttons...especially when using white buttons, because it creates more texture and interest.





Continue gluing on buttons using smaller buttons each layer, and filling in the blank open spaces. This will create a rounded effect. Then I go back and add smaller buttons to the empty spaces left on the edge between the large buttons in the first layer. (That description is about as clear as mud, but hopefully, you get what I mean.)





And that's it! Loop a pretty length of grosgrain ribbon around the top and tie with a bow...then hang it somewhere that will make you smile when you look at it.

These wreaths make lovely bridesmaid gifts when tied with a length of tulle or wired ribbon. They also look lovely tied over a mirror (which is actually where I have mine.) And just for fun...imagine one made in a heart shape or with red and pink buttons for Valentine's day. Very sweet! Let me know if any of you make one, I'd love to see your results!

Happy Crafting~

Last Minute Christmas Stuff

This is it! The last weekend before Christmas...put on those running shoes and get movin'! I've actually got all my Christmas gifts done. Amazing. Now for the wrapping...that's the plan this weekend.

But for any of you who are looking for a last minute make-it-yourself gift AND you missed my post about Christmas Tree Topiary thingies...I've got a tutorial for them over at Blissfully Domestic! Come join me. It's a great place to visit.

And in the middle of all of the harried and hurried last minute prep this weekend - let's not forget the Reason for the Season.

PS... I know I promised a pixie tutorial this week...I'm sorry. For those of you who are looking for it...I hope to have it up on Monday. But, you know, it is the last weekend before Christmas.... ;-)

Photo from the Pleated Poppy

Double PS ...I just wanted to say thanks to Lindsey from the Pleated Poppy! I won her giveaway and got myself a darling set of her posy pins! They came on Wednesday and they are so stinkin' cute! I put them on my sweater yesterday and felt very Anthropologie! If you've never visited Lindsey's store...you should hop over there! She is soooo talented. Thanks again Lindsey!

Have a lovely (and productive) weekend~

A Partridge in a Pear Tree~

Y'all are probably getting sick of these little birdies...but I had to share them with you one last time. I decided that I would make a bunch of them to give out as our neighbor/teacher gifts this year.

I just tied a little tag around their necks that said...

"Merry Christmas from our nest to yours!
An old German tradition says that if you find a nest in your Christmas tree you will have a healthy, wealthy and happy new year. Here's a little bird to hang on your tree in hopes that it will build you a nest!"

So simple, but so cute. And because some of you have been asking. Here is a link to the pattern for these little birds.

Have a lovely Wednesday...only 8 days 'til Christmas~