Re-post: Paperbag Butterfly Wreath

 

Image source:  http://www.bumpsmitten.com/2011/04/diy-tutorial-butterfly-wreath.html

Isn't this wreath fantastic? It's made from brown paper bags, old book pages and coloured paper. I love it .I love the upcycling of paper bags and old books. For extra credit, select literary quotes and cut the butterfly shapes around the words,so you'll still be able to read them.

For instructions on how to make this wreath, check out the tutorial on Bump Smitten here

I just discovered Bump Smitten-a site dedicated to baby showers. But even if you are not planning a baby shower, there are tons of ideas you can use for any other kind of party. For example-an old fashioned ice cream social. Great theme for birthdays, wedding showers, baby showers, family get togethers, etc.
I'll be adding this site to my list of must read blogs.

Easter Pussy Willow Arrangement

Today's idea comes from my Swedish-Canadian friend who sent me this image of a pussy willow arrangment she made. In Sweden it is traditional to decorate branches-typically willow, birch or pussy willow with easter eggs, brightly coloured feathers and fuzzy yellow chicks to celebrate spring.
She also told me a funny story about tramping through her neighbour's field searching for pussy willows in the recent spring snow storm we had on the weekend. The snow was actually blowing horizontally.

This image is so Swedish to me-with the all white background, the brightly coloured decorations and table runner. I hope you find this image inspirational. For another take on the same theme, check out my version with willow branches, a bird and nest and butterflies.

Easter Eggs

I've come across some very beautiful and interesting egg dying techniques this week, that use common things that are inexpensive. Did you know you can use fruits and vegetables to create dyes? If you want to eat your Easter eggs (I never actually do) natural dyes are great, no worries about possibly ingesting chemicals. I've been doing some research on common things that you can dye with. Add any of these ingredients to boiling hot water, the longer you simmer it, the stronger the dyes. Natural dyes take longer, it seems at least 30 mins, to up to 2 hours, so you have to be patient. Except for the onion skins, add a teaspoon or so of vinegar, it will help set the dye.

• Yellow onion skins=rust orange
• Red onion skins=purple
• Tumeric=golden yellow
• Coffee or tea=beige to brown, depending on how long it sits
• Beets=red or pink
• Red cabbage leaves=blue
• Grape juice=purple

Source: http://bigsislilsis.com/2010/04/02/natural-dye-colored-easter-eggs/

I love these eggs, the rust colour is stunning. The designs are made with flowers and leaves. For information and the instructions on how to do this, check out it out here.

Another tried and true method is to use hot water, food colouring and a teaspoon of vinegar per colour. It's much faster than natural dyes, and you can get really intense colours. Add drops of food colouring to small containers of water until you are happy with the shade. Then add two more. That should be about right.

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/marbelized-eggs#slide_6

 For an interesting marbled effect add some oil to the dye and swirl the eggs around.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/egg-dyeing-101

 To add decoration and patterns, the easiest way to do it is with the wax resist dye method. Draw patterns with a white wax crayon. When you dye the eggs, the dye won't stick to the wax, that part will stay white.
Use the mask method: Try wrapping the eggs with flat dental floss, rubber bands or strips of masking tape. Stickers are great to add words or shapes. If you want to do multiple colours, start with the lightest colour first and gradually add the darker colours. Keep in mind the rules of colour mixing-so you don't end up with grey, brown or muddy colours (unless that was on purpose).

Red+Blue=Purple, Red+Yellow=Orange, Yellow+Blue=Green, But Purple+Orange+Green=Muddy Brown


One last tip-keep the egg carton handy to allow the eggs to dry before handling. Use a spoon to lower the eggs in and out of the dye, so you don't get dye all over your hands.

For more information and ideas, I suggest Martha Stewart's website-tons of inspiration.

Be creative and have fun!

Spring Shopping Spree

This past weekend I did the Winners tour with my oldest sister and scored some pretty sweet deals. Now that spring is here, it's time for colour!

Here's what I scored: a dark teal open front cardigan with rosette appliques, on clearance for $15. Can't really see it in the image, it's the blob on the upper left of the photo.
A fantastic purple Sparrow True handbag marked down to $29 from $59.99.
A scrapbook for $10 and a kirigami craft kit for $5.99.
Pretty sweet deals, huh?  As soon as I got home, I switched from my brown suede handbag to the purple one. Love coloured handbags in the spring/summer. I have been intending to do a scrapbook of vacation photos from Mexico and Cuba and have not found the right cover yet, but this one is perfect. Can't beat the price either. It's a 12x12 format, and I already have tons of scrapbooking paper and doodads.

Here are better images of the cardigan. The colour is a bit off in the photo, but it's close enough. I love the versatility-it can be worn open, tied to the side, or tied in the front. It's casual enough for jeans and ballet flats, or can be dressed up with dress pants and heels. Just because something is on sale, doesn't mean it is always are great deal. I always think about care-it is machine washable, will it wrinkle? And if  I can think of three other things I can wear it with, and at least two places I can wear it to, then I will get it. If not, I don't buy it even if I love it. Otherwise I won't end up wearing it.

 The kirigami kit is really cool, I'd never heard of it before.  Kirigami is related to origami, the Japanese art of folding paper but Kirigami uses cuts as well as folds to create intricate and beautiful designs. The kit includes the instruction booklet, a folding guide, tracing paper, a slew of coloured papers and scissors. All for $6, can't beat that for value. And since I recently broke the handle of my favourite craft scissors, it was too perfect to pass up.

Some of the designs-aren't they neat?

The project guide includes awesome tips and ideas. Both for home decor and entertaining. Here are some of the pages:

I am going to use the designs in my new scrapbook-the tropical floral designs will be the perfect complement to my Mexico images. I also love the photo matte-I'll try that one too. There are so many uses-to add pizazz to basic white dinner ware, string them together for garland. There are a few three dimensional projects too, one is a hanging decoration/mobile, as well as the paper butterflies shown on the cover. Can't wait to start folding and snipping away.

I always start at Winners first when shopping, especially for gifts. I can always find something fantastic at a great price. I suggest going with a friend, filling a cart and trying everything on. You never know until you try it. Rummage through the stationary and home section too, good deals abound.

Happy Shopping!

Craft Project: Spring Tree

 

Spring is finally on it's way! This is the time of year I start craving colour-I add colourful scarves and ballet flats to my winter basics, switch handbags and gravitate towards bright coloured tees and tanks. It's also the time to add pops of colour to your everyday décor. Last night I decided I would whip up a quick spring craft project using some things I already owned and adding a few inexpensive items from the dollar store and craft store. 

Materials:

• opaque vase or flower pot
• florist foam 
• knife and cutting board
• a stick (this one is willow)
• dried moss
• embellishments of your choice-artificial butterflies, birds, nests, eggs etc. 

First, pick a pot. This one I saved from an edible fruit arrangement, I washed it out well and dried it.  You can use any opaque container.

 

Cut the block of florists foam to fit inside the pot. It doesn't have to be perfect, you may have to use multiple small pieces and fit them together. Doesn't matter-the moss will cover it. I used a serrated knife-it cuts though the foam like butter. 

 

Shove the stick into the middle of the foam block and make sure it's sturdy. Cover the foam with dried moss. You could also use decorative stones, artificial grass, shredded paper or anything else you can think of. 

Next, wire on your embellishments. The ones I chose came pre-wired. If they do not come already wired, you will need some thin wire. 

I discovered the butterflies were more delicate than I had anticipated. I broke some wiring them on. So in the end, I only used two. One at the top, and one sitting on top of the moss.

The nest was a bit tricky to balance, so I hung it on a lower branch. You could glue it on if it's wobbly. 

 

I love this little bird. So pretty. When picking out the embellishments, I stayed within one colour theme-orange and pink. There are plenty of options out there, in any colour you can think of. Adjust the items according to your décor or taste. 

 

The finished piece! I love the sculptural element of the branch and the whimsy of the little nest and bird. 

I can think of so many other ways to change this piece according to season or theme. Hang little eggs for Easter, add some artificial flowers in the summer, hang miniature fairy lights at Christmas time. Add orange and red leaves for fall, I can go on and on. 

The only problem-my cat wants to eat this! Yes, I had to battle him three times to save the bird. I finally put this way on the top of  the fridge out of his reach. I am going to my Mom's this weekend, so I'll bring it over there. So, if you have toddler or cats this project might not be for you.

Spring Tablescape Idea

I was flipping through Chatelaine magazine at lunch time today and came across this cute spring table scape/craft idea. I love it for a few reasons: it's easily made from items you already have, can find or purchase cheaply; and my cat can't play with it since it's under glass. The article identities Dollarama as the source for the vase. One of my favourite stores for supplies! I would use gold or blue foil chocolate eggs in the nest.Other suggestions from the article are butterflies, seashells and driftwood or other items. It's very versatile-change it up with the seasons.

 

source: http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/25368--make-a-decorative-diorama-for-a-shelf-or-mantel