DIY & Crafts Archives - Page 33 of 33

DIY Bathroom Mirror Revamp

Looking for something easy and inexpensive to add a little something extra to your bathroom? This DIY bathroom mirror revamp is the perfect solution. It may be inexpensive but will look like you spent more much than you really did.

The mirror I used was actually part of our living room mantle when we moved into our home. They had built it in horizontally across the top above our fireplace. Well the mirror was one of the first things to go when we moved in. My husband would not have it any other way. He really did despise it. But being the crafter that I am and always trying to find a way to repurpose things, I had him keep it and not trash it. I just knew I could find a good use for a mirror. I had placed it in our master bathroom for a full-length mirror to use when getting dressed.

But something had always been missing. I did not like the color of the wood frame around it the entire time but just dealt with it. I finally decided enough was enough!

I thought I could always stain the wood frame around it or paint it but the frame around it was just blah. So why not get rid of the frame and add something completely different? That’s exactly what I did. I have some marble accessories on my bathroom counter for holding toothbrushes, cotton balls, q-tips, etc. My inspiration came from these to add a matching touch to the style I already had going and loved. I added “marble” look-a-like tiles around the frame and what a difference it made.

The mirror now looked so expensive and not homemade. I was also grateful to find my tiles on clearance at Lowes bringing the cost down even more. I am all about some clearance deals.

You will need:

Mirror

Tiles

Adhesive sealant

Scissors- if needed

You can use any mirror that you would like. As I said before my mirror had a wooden frame around it that was very easy to remove. There were a couple of thick “poster board type” boards on the back that were stapled down.

My husband used a knife to just cut down each side and remove them. Just be careful if using a knife.

Then I popped the mirror right out being careful of course to not break it.

If your mirror does not have any frame, then that is even better. You can just skip all of the above steps.

Now depending on what tiles you choose to use, the backing on them will be different. I had planned to cut down the middle of the tiles between each one to separate them. The tiles easily peeled off of the backing.

As you can see below, there was some backing that was left on each tile. Do not worry. The tiles still stuck to the mirror without any problems.

Because my mirror was not hanging, I layed it down in the bathroom floor before moving on. If your mirror is hanging then you may need to modify the below steps a little bit.

Now before gluing down your tiles, be sure to lay out your tiles around the mirror. If you do not have a lay out first, you may find once you are already gluing that you will not have enough room to finish outlining one side. If your mirror is hanging or attached to the wall and cannot be removed, then measure your tiles and then measure your mirror to figure out where to glue your tiles.

For example, I made the mistake of just immediately gluing tiles to the top border of the mirror without first measuring and laying out all my tiles. I did not notice it being a problem until I got down one side to the bottom and noticed that my last tile would not have enough room to be glued on and would fall off. It was only a small mistake and, I was able to space the rest of the tiles on that side the tiniest bit so it is not noticeable. Plus it is at the bottom and no one would probably even notice it if I did not pick it out. I started stressing so take my advice and be sure to take that extra step. It is worth it. I would hate to have to try to peel off the tiles once the glue is starting to set. What a gooey mess!

Using whatever adhesive sealant you choose, place about a dime size of glue on the back of your tile.

Immediately lay the tile down in the correct position and press it down holding it for several seconds to help the glue adhere. If your mirror is attached to the wall, then you may need to hold the tile in place a little longer to be sure it does not start slipping off and falling.

Continue gluing your tiles on the mirror until the borders are completely covered. If your mirror is hanging or attached to the wall, you may also want to use a strong type of tape such as painters tape or duct tape to place across the tile and onto the wall. This will also help the tiles to stay adhered to the mirror and not slip off especially on the top border.

Let your adhesive sealant or glue completely dry before trying to hang. I let my mirror sit for at least 24 hours before hanging or even standing up. At first I thought my sealant was not going to be strong enough because they wanted to wiggle a little bit when I would press on them. But with some patience, they sealed to the mirror perfectly and weren’t wiggling.

The last part is to just simply hang your mirror if not already hanging. Step back and enjoy a new addition to your bathroom that was simple to make and totally inexpensive. I love the idea of being able to revamp something in my house for very little money but making it look as though it was very expensive.

I use my full-length mirror in the bathroom all the time and love the new look of the marble. You could never buy a mirror like this in the store for as cheap as it was for me to make it. Plus I was able to recycle that old mirror we found when we moved into our house which makes me even happier.

Enjoy your new revamped mirror whether it is in your bathroom or anywhere else in your home, but also don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

June 7, 2014/2 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts

Pom Pom Fabric Necklace

Jewelry is one of my most favorite things and this pom pom fabric necklace is just another great addition to my collection. One of the best things about accessorizing is being able to match my jewelry with each outfit. Making my own necklace is a perfect and very adorable way to do so. No more searching the stores for that perfect necklace to match a particular dress. I will just make it myself. Once you make one of these, I promise you will want to make more in different colors and styles. This necklace is also a great way to use any scrap fabric you may have lying around that you really like but cannot find anything else to do with it because it is too small.

I do want to mention that I first found this idea at Little Miss Momma. I fell in love with the idea and started making my own with my own twist. I hope you enjoy it as well and can add your own personal touch as well.

First you will need:

Fabric- I chose a cotton fabric that I had left over from another project and really loved the design.

Felt- Choose a color that will blend in well with your fabric or match so when you do wear your necklace, the felt on the back does not stand out when you bend over or move around. You want it to be hidden as much as possible. I used one of the single sheets that you can buy individually and it was more than enough.

Necklace chain- Any style will work. Also pearls or a beaded chain may work great.

Jewelry clasp- if desired

Fabric scissors

Ruler

Fabric pencil

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Wire cutters

Let’s get started now so you can soon show off your necklace in style.

First measure your felt with 1 ½” diameter circle and mark with your fabric pencil.

Cut out the circle. Do not worry if your circles are not perfect. It will not matter when you start gluing the fabric on the felt.

I chose a pattern for my necklace that only required 3 circles. I have made another before where I used 5 circles. The number of circles you will need will vary depending on your style and layout.

Using your felt circle as a guide. Cut out circles from your fabric. I first cut out a long strip of fabric and then folded multiple times in order to cut out multiple circles at once. This will definitely help to save some time.

I used about 13 circle of fabric per felt circle.

Now that your circle are all cut out, take one fabric circle at a time and bunch it up in the center as shown below.

Then place a dot of hot glue on the tip and glue the fabric tip to the felt circle.

I found it is easiest to first start gluing your fabric circles in the center and work around to the outside until the felt circle is completely covered.

Once all your felt circles are completely covered with your fabric, lay them out on a piece of felt in order to get an idea of the layout and design for your necklace.

After you are satisfied with your design, glue the center felt circles down to the felt sheet in your layout.

Be sure though to not glue down the end felt circles just yet. These will need to have the chain glued to them first.

Now measure how long you will want your necklace to be in order to know where to cut your chain at. I hung the chain around my neck being sure to leave enough room to be able to slip the necklace over my head with no problem. Leave an extra bit of chain on each side when measuring as well that will be used to glue the chain down. My chain measured about 22 ½ inches. I do have a smaller head though and wanted my necklace to hang down a little farther.

Once your chain is measured, using wire cutters cut your chain to the desired length.

If you want your necklace to be shorter and will not be able to slide over your head to put it on, then use jewelry clasp and attach to your chain in the middle.

Take one felt circle that will be one end of your necklace and glue one end of the chain to the back of the circle. Glue several links in your chain to the back in order to give more support.

Let dry completely before gluing to the felt.

While one end is drying, do the same for the other end of the chain and glue it to the back of your other last felt circle.

Once both chains have dried and are glued securely, glue the felt circles onto the felt sheet beside your other pom poms in the layout of your choice.

Once dried completely, cut the felt around your pom poms to remove your necklace.

I did place some extra glue between each pom pom once it was cut out to add some extra strength and support and to keep the pom poms from twisting and turning when wearing the necklace.

The last thing you need to do is simply wear your necklace and show it off. I have gotten so many compliments on mine. Many people cannot even tell it is homemade and are surprised when I tell them I made it myself.

The black necklace below is also one that I made before and goes with so many different outfits. I love it so much as well!

My favorite part about this necklace is that the possibilities are endless for color and design. I will definitely be trying different size circles and layouts.

I hope you choose to make your own and if you do please share with me and everyone else. I would love to see your creativity. And don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

May 20, 2014/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Home Decor

Photo Coasters

Photo coasters are a beautifully personalized gift for anyone but especially for your mother this Mother’s Day. I do not know one mother that does not love to receive pictures of her children and family as a gift that can be treasured for years to come. After all family is everything. We have nothing without family.

These photo coasters are a great way to display your favorite family photos when having guests over to your house for dinner. They are a great conversation piece and a way to show off your most favorite family photos.

Many mothers are also very diligent about keeping their house clean. That includes keeping those water rings off of her coffee tables. What better way to prevent those nasty rings than with a family photo.

They may be beautiful to look at, but they are also just as simple and inexpensive to make. With a few simple steps, you will have a DIY craft that every mother would love to receive this Mother’s Day. Mothers also love receiving things that their children made for them. Sometimes it is just simply more about the thought that went into a gift than it is the actual dollar amount spent.

Because it is so simple, any age child could make these. You may find that your children would love to make a set for their grandmother with your help a little bit. I also think of women and friends in my life that are special to me that would love to receive these as a gift.

Let’s not waste any time though. Your mother will love opening this special gift this Sunday.

You will need:

Pictures

Scissors or craft paper cutter

Mod podge- There are many different types of mod podge. I had the matte style. It really just depends on what style you really want.

Mod podge clear acrylic sealer- You will not need a lot of the sealant but can definitely use the leftover for any future craft projects. Plus once you make these coasters, you will want to make many more for other occasions.

Foam brush

Tiles- One set is typically complete with 4 tiles. It really is your choice for how many you want to give someone. I chose a tile that was a stone appearance because it matched the décor more of my mother’s living room. Any color or style would work perfect depending on your mother’s home as well.

Felt- I used black. You can really use whatever color you want because it will be going on the bottom side of the tile and will not be seen.

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Ribbon

First you will want to measure your pictures to fit your tile depending on the size you choose. I used a tile that measured 4 inches by 4 inches. I measured my photos to be 3 ½ x 3 ½.

Here is a tip also when selecting your photos. Be sure to choose pictures that are not close up or zoomed in too much.

Once you have marked your photos with the measurement you want, cut them out using either scissors or a craft paper cutter. I find the craft paper cutter is quicker and much easier considering you are pretty much guaranteed a straight line.

You are now ready to attach your photos to the actual tile which will be your coaster. Using your foam brush, paint a layer of mod podge onto the tile and immediately place the photo on the tile before mod podge starts to dry.

Then paint a layer of mod podge directly onto the photo. Do not paint it on too thick but enough to seal the photo in place.

At first it may seem that you have ruined the photo when you first apply the mod podge especially if you have never used it before. Do not worry. The mod podge will dry clear. Just be sure to paint the mod podge in the same direction on the photo.

Let the mod podge layer dry completely before proceeding.

But while you are waiting on the mod podge to dry, you can cut out the felt circles that will be used protect your mother’s coffee table from being scratched or damaged from the tile. Just using scissors, cut out small circles.

I cut out 4 for each tile corner. Place them to the side to use later.

Your mod podge has probably dried now. If you feel that your photo has not adhered to the tile completely, go ahead and add another layer of mod podge, and let it dry as well.

The mod podge clear acrylic sealer is now ready to be sprayed directly on the photo. Follow the instructions on the back of your sealant can depending on the type or brand you choose to purchase. Most will say to shake the can vigorously before applying. This sealant will help the photo to not be ruined from any drink, water rings, or any other liquid. With the sealant applied, you can also wipe the photos off with a damp rag to clean off any water rings as well.

First the first layer of sealant, I sprayed small spurts at a time over each photo being sure to keep a distance some to avoid spraying the sealant to heavy and making it run or clump.

I let the sealant completely dry for about 15 minutes. Once dry go ahead and spray another layer of sealant. But this time, use a sweeping motion from side to side with a constant spray. Be sure to keep a distance once again to avoid spraying too much.

Let sealant dry for another 15 minutes. Two layers of sealant should be sufficient enough. I made some for me and my husband and have not yet had any problems. They have worked perfect for gatherings and parties.

Once sealant is completely dry, flip your coasters upside down and apply a small dot of glue to each tile corner.

Apply a small felt circle that you cut out earlier to each corner. The felt will prevent the tile from scratching the table surface.

Once hot glue has hardened, stack your coasters together and tie a pretty ribbon around them with a bow on top. The coasters are now complete. The ribbon really adds that extra touch to be a homemade gift.

I loved making these coasters because it is so simple but also a great way to display and show off those photos that are probably stored in your phone or camera and just begging to be printed and displayed. I find myself guilty of keeping photos stored in my phone or computer but not actually printing. This is a great way to use those photos as a conversation piece at your next dinner or party.

I hope your mother will enjoy these photo coasters as much as I know my mom will. Happy Mother’s Day to each of you whether you are a mother now or hope to be in the future! And as always, don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Also check out my magnetic chalkboard and magnetic frame board that would also be a great DIY present for Mother’s Day to help her keep the family’s busy schedule organized or just to display the latest school pictures.

May 10, 2014/2 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Upcycling

Magnetic chalkboard

Magnetic chalkboards bring back so many memories from my childhood. At least the chalkboard part does. I remember the mess of the powder from the chalk flying all over my bedroom as a child. So I got to thinking the other day. I need to bring the chalkboard back. What better way to do so then to make mine own! I love a good craft project and especially one that is very affordable, easy to make, and not very time consuming.

The great thing about this particular chalkboard is that it is going to also be multi-functional. You will able to also use it as a magnetic board. I love the idea of being able to write reminders or notes in chalk but also hang a picture or any other note with the magnets.

Let’s get started!

Here is what you will need:

Metal cookie sheet

Spray paint

Chalkboard paint

Foam brush

Magnets

Chalk

Ribbon- if desired

First you will want to clean off your cookie sheet if needed to avoid any dirt or dust being glued onto cookie sheet and showing up in paint. I found mine at a yard sale as I find many other items for different craft projects. I think I bought 3 for very cheap. They were beat up looking and scratched, but it will not matter since you are going to spray paint it anyways.

Spray paint your cookie sheet. I choose to spray the bottom side of the cookie sheet because of the look I wanted when hanging it up on the wall or placing it on a metal stand.

I choose a glossy turquoise blue which I am loving recently. Be sure to cover cookie sheet completely. Allow to dry and spray paint another layer if needed to avoid any metal showing through your spray paint.

Once your cookie sheet is dry, you are now ready to add your chalkboard paint. It just blows my mind that chalkboard can be painted on. I choose a black chalkboard paint that would match well with the turquoise blue. I also saw the dark green chalkboard paint when I was in the craft store for a more traditional look. The dark green would look great too depending on the color you choose for your spray paint.

Be sure to read the paint’s bottle for directions before starting. The brand I bought had specific directions which may be for all chalkboard paint. Also decide where exactly you want to paint the chalkboard. You could do a certain section or in a certain shape. I choose to paint the entire cookie sheet on the bottom side leaving the turquoise blue to still show around the edges.

First paint one layer with your foam brush horizontally across the cookie sheet. You may see some streaks from the brush making it appear the spray paint will show through, but do not worry. Once you paint another layer, it will be covered completely.

Wait one hour before painting another layer to allow the first layer to completely dry. Paint a second layer now being sure to paint vertically this time.

You will start to see the streak marks disappear and the cookie sheet being covered completely.

Once the chalkboard paint has dried, there will be a solid coating that looks smooth. I was concerned when painting mine that the streak marks at first would look tacky but have no fears. The finished product looks great.

Now if you want to buy some cute decorative magnets, then that is fine. I personally always love a good DIY so why not recycle by using certain small objects. I spray painted several items that I found in my desk drawer and around the house. I used a 3M hook, a binder clip, and other decorative magnets that I wanted to match so I spray painted them as well. Be sure to coat the magnets completely especially if you are using other small objects that may have certain pictures that you do not want to show.

Once your objects have completely dried, you will need to add an actual magnet in order to make them magnetic of course. I had some magnets that I just glued to the objects with my hot glue gun. I also had some magnets that had an adhesive on the back of them that are much more easily applied.

My cookie sheet had a hole at the top of it that can be used for hanging on a hook. You can also thread ribbon through the hole and tie a pretty bow for a little something extra. The ribbon is also useful to hang up the magnetic chalkboard as well. I looked for a pretty ribbon at my local craft store to match the turquoise blue I painted on the cookie sheet but did not find one that I particularly liked. I plan to keep looking as I like the appearance of adding the bow. I do suggest though getting a ribbon that is wire edged in order for the bow to hold its shape.

There is still one last step to make this magnetic chalkboard complete. And of course that’s the chalk. Write your family a special note, remind your husband or children of a particular appointment, write down the menu for a special family dinner, or just about anything else you want to say. Depending where you hang your magnetic chalkboard, depends on what your message would say.

One room that I think this magnetic chalkboard would be perfect in is the kitchen. As I mentioned above, writing down a menu for a special family dinner that your family can look forward is a great idea. But along with the menu written down, you can use your magnets to hang the recipe card you will need later that night. This will make it much easier to find helping to get dinner on the table even quicker.

Your children would also love the magnetic chalkboard in their bedroom to draw pictures and play with their friends. I love using mine in my office with inspirational quotes, pictures, etc.

I hope you enjoy your magnetic chalkboard. Also be sure to check out the magnetic frame board I made using a picture frame, sheet metal, and some fabric. You will love it just as much. As always, do not forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

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April 28, 2014/1 Comment/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Home Decor

Magnetic Frame Board

Magnetic frame boards are such a fun way to display just about anything you would like. They are so fun and different from just your ordinary corkboard. The possibilities are endless with the magnets and can be changed for whatever style you like. Magnetic boards are a fun way to use in the office to hang pictures, reminders, etc. They are also great on your vanity or in your bathroom to attach your make-up to for easy access. You would just need to attach a magnet to the back of your mascara, lipstick, powder, etc. These boards are also a great DIY gift idea for any occasion. Mother’s Day is soon approaching. What mother does not like a homemade but also very practical gift from their children? This board is very inexpensive to make and does not take much time at all. Below I will show you how to make the magnetic frame board from which I found the idea from Two Blonde Bloggers.

First gather your supplies that you will need:

Picture frame

Spray paint

Sheet metal- This can be found at your local hardware store.

Metal cutters

Fabric

Iron- if needed

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Magnets- You can either buy decorative magnets or get creative and use other objects as magnets by attaching a small magnet to the back of them. Example: bottle caps, binder clips, wooden knobs.

Let’s get started.

First remove the back of the frame and the glass from your picture frame. The picture frame I am using was found at a yard sale for almost nothing. I just love finding a good bargain.

Now that your frame is by itself, spray paint it being sure to cover completely.

Let dry completely and if needed add an additional coat of paint. As you can see above, mine needed an extra coat of paint especially on one side where the white wood was still trying to peak through.

Any color will work great. I chose gray because I love the way it paired with my fabric. I am sort of on a turquoise blue and gray kick right now.

Also spray paint any of your magnets if needed. I spray painted numerous objects that I found in my craft room. Just start digging through drawers like I did and you are sure to find something that can be used.

I found a metal bottle cap, binder clips, a wooden knob, a 3M plastic hook, and also some decorative magnets that were on clearance at Target but still had not used. I painted my magnets gray as well to match the wooden frame.

While your spray paint is drying, you will need to cut your sheet metal to fit the frame. Use the back of the frame that you removed earlier or the glass piece to measure your sheet metal. I just the glass piece down on the metal and traced around it with a marker. My husband had some metal cutters that I used to cut the sheet metal. I am sure you could also ask someone at your local hardware store and they could assist you with cutting to a certain size.

Also I want to say that while you are handling the sheet metal to be VERY CAREFUL. The edges will be very sharp and could cut you. If your children are helping you with making this project, just be sure to handle the metal yourself.

Lay your sheet metal piece you have just cut on top of your fabric. Cut around the sheet metal about a 1 inch border of your fabric.

My fabric had been folded in a drawer and had some slight creases. I knew it would drive me crazy to leave it and put it in the frame anyways. I went ahead and saved myself much frustration and decided to just heat up the iron and take care of it now. Iron your fabric if needed until you have a nice smooth piece of fabric.

Now you are ready to glue your fabric to the sheet metal. Lay your sheet metal on the back side of your fabric. Be sure the side of the fabric you want to see is facing down. It would be such a drag to have the whole thing glued together and placed in your frame and then you notice it is the wrong side. Such a disappointment.

Start on one side gluing your fabric to the sheet metal with a hot glue gun.

Continue gluing all sides.

When you get to the last two sides, be sure to pull your fabric tightly before gluing down to be sure that there is no slack on the opposite side. You will want a smooth and tight surface. Again be careful with the sheet metal while handling it.

Place your fabric covered sheet metal piece inside your frame once it has dried.

If you spray painted binder clips, wooden knobs, or any other small objects that are not magnetic and will not stick to the sheet metal, then apply a magnet to the back of them.

Place your magnets on the metal sheet and start adding your favorite things. Again display your family photos, sticky note reminders of appointments, new craft ideas you have scribbled down on a notepad, etc. Also attach small magnets to your makeup essentials and attach to the board. Now they are easy to find saving you much needed time in the mornings when you are getting ready and are rummaging through every drawer for that concealer you know you just had in your hand. Another great idea for this magnetic board is to place it on a metal stand and attach your recipe card while fixing your favorite meals. This way your recipe card is not laying on the kitchen counter like mine and getting messy with all the ingredients I somehow seem to spill on it.

I loved making this project as it was easy and not very time consuming. I will probably use mine in my office to display new craft ideas that I am working on and reminders to myself. I hope you enjoy making one as well. Also make one for your girlfriends, sisters, and mothers for Mother’s Day. Hang a special picture of the two of you on it to make that gift even more special.

Hope you are having a great week thus far and as always do not forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

April 25, 2014/2 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

A Beautiful Easter and Spring Wreath

With the beautiful rays of sunshine finally peeking their head around the clouds after a long and cold winter, wondering what you should do to dress up your front porch or front door? Why not brighten up your front door with a beautiful Easter and spring wreath. Wreaths are one of my most favorite décor items to make. They are so much fun to change up every season depending on the holiday, season, or to personalize with your family initial. This particular wreath is versatile and can be reused over and over and over. Another reason why I love making wreaths. Once you have bought the wreath, the rest is so inexpensive to continue decorating for every holiday. Instead of hot gluing your decorations to the wreath, I will show you how to attach them where you will be able to remove and save for the next year while your wreath is still in great condition. Enough chatting, let’s get started creating and decorating.

What you will need:

Grapevine wreath- The size is your preference. I would pick one that is large enough though that will not be overlooked on your front door.

Bird’s nest- I actually found my grapevine wreath and artificial bird’s nest together at a yard sale. Have I mentioned I love yard sales? As a side note of advice, yard sales are a great place to find craft items and other items such as furniture or décor for almost nothing but with a little tender, love, and care can be turned into something wonderful. Most craft stores also carry artificial bird’s nest. I did also think about using an actual bird’s nest that I had on my porch last year. Of course, the birds were no longer living in it.

Artificial moss- I was able to find a variety pack of dark brown and green moss at the Dollar Tree. I also used this same pack of moss with a different color in the bag for my Easter Egg Topiary. You can always find a use for craft supplies which lowers your cost as well for each project.

Small artificial eggs or Easter eggs: I found a pack of petite eggs much smaller than the plastic Easter eggs used for Easter egg hunts at the Dollar Tree.

Glue gun and sticks

Floral wire

Ribbon- Use wire edged ribbon only in order for bow to hold its shape and not collapse and lay flat against the wreath.

Pipe cleaner

Fabric

Thread

Now let’s not waste any time getting started. You will absolutely fall in love with this wreath. I will not want to take it down after Easter but will probably leave it up for most of spring and maybe summer too.

First you will need to glue your artificial moss into the bird’s nest. I used the brighter green moss that was in my pack to add a pop of color. When placing your moss to glue it down, be sure to place around the inside walls and not directly in the middle unless you are needing to build up the bottom of the nest so your eggs do not get hidden down in it. You will be gluing eggs on the inside and do not want to cover up all the colorful moss.

Next start placing your eggs into the nest if you want a particular pattern before gluing down. I placed my eggs in randomly while gluing. I did not really want a perfect look.

Your bird’s nest is now complete and ready to be attached to the wreath. First cut approximately two 12 inch pieces of floral wire. You will use the wire to attach the wreath making it easy to remove the bird’s nest when wanting to reuse your wreath for another holiday. You can use hot glue and glue gun to attach, but you will have major issues when trying to remove in the future.

Thread a piece of the floral wire through the bird’s nest on one side of the back and bend into a “U” shape. Do the same with the other piece of floral wire, and thread through the other back side of the bird’s nest.

Now attach your bird nest to the grapevine wreath by twisting each floral wire around the branches of the wreath being sure to continue twisting the wire around until nest is sturdy on the wreath. You may want to start twisting the wire and then check for placement before twisting completely to make it easier if needing to reposition. I placed my nest at the bottom of the wreath at a diagonal angle. Do not place completely horizontal or it will make it difficult to actually see the bright and colorful eggs. I like the look of the angled nest and not being completely vertical.

Tip: After making my wreath, I did find that it would have probably been easier to attach my bird’s nest first to the wreath before decorating with the eggs to avoid messing up the eggs and moss that were glued down.

Now that your eggs and nest are all nestled in, of course you need a big beautiful bow on top. I choose a ribbon that is similar in color and style to burlap. A bright green, blue, pink, yellow, or any other bright color would also be gorgeous to add that extra pop of brightness. Again just be sure to use wire edged ribbon in order for bow to hold its shape and not just end up lying flat against the wreath.

Be patient with making bows. The more you make them, the easier it will become. Getting used to the correct hand position that works best for you when handling the ribbon will also take time. Below I am including step by step pictures to hopefully make it easier for you.

First measure out about 12 inches of ribbon. This will be one of the tails of your final bow. Therefore if you are wanting a shorter or longer tail on your bow depending on the size of the wreath, now is the time to adjust that measurement. Hold your ribbon up against the wreath to help you know what size will work best for you.

Holding the first 12 inches of ribbon in your left hand, pull another 12 inches of ribbon out and fold over about half of it forming one of your first largest loops.

Where your thumb is now holding your first loop in place, measure another 12 inches of ribbon and fold again half of it to form a loop on the left side.

You will use this same concept of measuring and looping at half way of ribbon until all loops are formed depending on how many you want. For my next loop, I measured about 8 inches and folded over holding the ribbon and loop in place with my left hand. Make same 8 inch measurement for the other side.

Measure about 6 inches and fold over to form loop and hold in left hand to keep loop in place.

Measure the same 6 inches and fold in half to form 3^rd loop on left side.

I wanted 4 loops on each side therefore my last loop was measured at about 4 inches and then folded in half again.

Do the same for the left side of the bow.

Now that all your side loops are formed, make a loop in the center of the loops where your thumb has been holding everything in place.

Place one end of a pipe cleaner directly through the center loop you just formed and bend around the whole center section tightly to keep the loops in place and avoid having your ribbon unravel.

Pull the pipe cleaner tight to bunch up the ribbon in the center and then twist the pipe cleaner around itself to secure it in place. I used a brown pipe cleaner that would blend in well with the grapevine wreath. If you choose to use a bright colored ribbon, consider using the same color pipe cleaner that will blend in well and not be noticed easily.

You can now attach your bow to the top of the wreath.

Fluff your loops to make them full and adjust positioning of loops as needed.

I still wanted more color on my wreath and thought a miniature fabric banner would be just adorable. Start by cutting out about 5 triangles with each side measuring about 2 inches. I used 5 triangles, but you may need more or less depending on the size of your wreath.

I used a bright yellow thread to sew my triangles together that happened to already be loaded on my sewing machine. I used a simple straight stitch as well. Start by sewing several inches of thread before loading any fabric to use to attach the banner to the wreath. Insert the first triangle and then leave a small space before sewing the next triangle. Once all triangles have been stitched together, remember to stitch several more inches of thread on the end to attach the banner to the wreath.

If needing pointers on sewing the triangles together while also leaving a space in between, check out the Easter Egg Paper Garland which also uses the same techniques.

Now tie your banner to the branch of the grapevine wreath of each side above the bird’s nest.

Your Easter wreath is now complete and ready to adorn your front door. Enjoy your wreath during Easter dinners and even after Easter Sunday. I will more than likely leave my wreath up through the spring and just make small changes during the summer.

If you decided to make your own, please share below and let me know with your pictures and any fun ideas you may have for an Easter wreath that everyone can enjoy too. Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Enjoy your Easter festivities this week with special dinners, Easter egg hunts, Easter parties but never forget to enjoy the small things in life nor our Savior who is the real reason we celebrate this Easter holiday.

April 14, 2014/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

Easter Egg Topiary

What a beautiful way to display those gorgeous artificial Easter eggs by making an Easter egg topiary! We always see those pretty eggs in the stores this time of year but never know how to display them in a new and fun way. This topiary is perfect for Easter décor but would also look great to carry over into spring.

Here is what you will need:

Terracotta flower pots: I made two different sizes. My pots were 4.25 inch and 6 inch.
Styrofoam: I used whatever sizes or shapes I could find for the best price. Who knew styrofoam could be so expensive. For the smaller pot, I found a shape that was 3 7/8 x 2 7/8 x 1 15/16 inches at the Dollar Tree. It fit perfectly in the top of the smaller pot. For the larger pot, I used a cube that measured 3 7/8 inches. The cube was also found at the Dollar Tree. I found a 6 pack of styrofoam balls for the topiary part that will hold the eggs that were 3 inches at Hobby Lobby for very affordable price. I recommend shopping around for the best prices if you intend to make more than one or else the styrofoam will be your most expensive item for this project that ends up not even being seen.
Artificial Easter eggs: I found a string of different colored Easter eggs at Hobby Lobby that you would hang as a banner, but I cut the string and took the Easter eggs and used them. The speckled artificial Easter eggs would also be lovely.
½ inch dowel rod
Hot glue gun with hot glue gun sticks
Craft paint: I used blue for my pots that coordinated with the Easter eggs and white for the dowel rod.
Foam brush
Floral moss or paper grass: I also recommend looking at the Dollar Tree for moss which is where I found mine. This can also be an expensive item at most stores. I just love the Dollar Tree because they have the best items to use for crafts but at such a cheaper price. Who doesn’t love a good bargain?
Ribbon-optional: I did not use any ribbon but it can be used as I will explain below.
Sand paper-optional: I was not able to locate my sand paper at the time when I was making this but would be wonderful to add an aged or vintage look to the pots.

Let’s get started making this wonderful addition to your Easter décor this year.

First paint your terracotta pot so it can be drying while you start on the next step. I chose a light blue that matched my Easter eggs.

I love using foam brushes as they cover a large area at once, are very cheap, and clean very easily. You do not need to worry about painting the bottom of the pot as it will not be seen nor the inside of the pot. Just be sure to paint the top rim though.

Next cut your dowel rod into the size you will need depending on the size of your pot. Of course please be careful when cutting your dowel rod if you choose to cut yourself. I had my husband cut mine with a saw which was very helpful. You could also probably ask someone at your local hardware store to cut for you as well.

For the smaller pot, I had him cut an 8 inch piece and for the larger pot, a 14 inch piece.

You will need a small hole dug into the styrofoam pieces in order to insert the dowel rod. Using your scissors very carefully, place the sharp and pointed end into the styrofoam and start turning in a twisting motion to form a round hole. Be careful not to twist a hole down and completely through the styrofoam. Stop after about several inches are dug and you feel it will be enough support to hold up dowel rod. You can also use your dowel rod to place inside once hole is started to make for better size. Also do the same with the styrofoam balls just being sure to not go completely through the ball.

Place your styrofoam pieces into your pots. The cube piece has to be trimmed down in order to fit. I used my scissors to first cut the corners off and then the sides. I just kept placing it inside the pot and then trimming again until it fit inside. Cut your styrofoam over a large piece of newspaper or the trash can because this will make a mess of tiny styrofoam pieces.

Now paint those dowel rods. I used white craft paint and a foam brush to paint which worked the easiest. I loved the white and how it kept the colors more simple. I already have a lot of colors in the eggs and did not want to take away from that. Each end of the dowel rod will be in the styrofoam pieces, so do not worry about not painting it completely and also having to hold it while you paint.

Now you may be wondering, am I going to have to hold this dowel rod until it dries so the paint does not smear? Of course not. We cannot be wasting time but must be efficient crafters. Lol! That is why you will want to already have the holes dug in the sytrofoam in order to stand your dowel rod in it to dry.

Go ahead and plug in your glue gun so it can be heating up while we prepare for the next step.

My artificial eggs as I mentioned above were found at Hobby Lobby on a cord to be used for garland. I knew they would work perfect for this. I just cut the string and removed the eggs. You will need quite a few eggs to completely cover the styrofoam ball which is another reason why I chose the garland. Plastic Easter eggs are definitely more affordable but I did not want the plastic look. I have seen many speckled pastel colored eggs that are also very gorgeous and would be beautiful.

You will want to place your dowel rod inside your styrofoam ball and place some glue around the dowel rod where it meets the ball to secure it in place. Be careful not to burn your fingers when using the glue gun. Do not glue your dowel rod in place in the styrofoam bases that are in the terracotta pots until then end or it will make it difficult for you to glue your eggs on.

Now for the fun part of gluing your eggs on the ball. I did not really use any particular pattern but just placed them in random as I glued each one being sure to not place two of the same color directly next to each other. Continuing gluing each egg on until the ball is completely covered.

At this point, some of the styrofoam will still be shining through but that is there the moss or paper grass will come in handy.

I used dark green paper grass which I also found at the Dollar Tree and placed glue in any hole to cover any exposed styrofoam. The paper grass covers the holes perfectly and really gives that extra touch. Continue gluing the paper grass until you have no more space between the eggs. I found that rolling the paper grass around in the palms of my hands helped to keep the paper grass in more of a “wad” and not pieces flying everywhere as it tends to want to do sometimes. (I know my vocabulary is so brilliant. Lol!)

Once you are happy with the look of the ball, place the dowel rod into the styrofoam base and glue around the edge of the dowel rod where it meets the base to secure in place to prevent the dowel rod from toppling over. As this point with the weight of the eggs on the ball and the dowel rod, you will know if your dowel rod is far enough down in the base. If not stable then continue to “drill” hole down with scissors before gluing in place.

You will now need to cover that styrofoam base and hide it. Placing glue in small sections at a time, place your floral moss over the styrofoam until the base is completely covered.

Do one last check on your base and also the ball to be sure no more extra moss or paper grass is needed.

If you would like to add a bow either around the pot or around the dowel rod directly below the ball, this would also be an option. My eggs had a design and glitter on them and did not need any extra detail.

Also I wanted to use sand paper to lightly sand my pots for an aged or vintage look and not so neat and clean appearance but could not find at the moment. This would also just add that extra touch.

I did have several Easter eggs leftover that I used around the bottom of the dowel rod and glued directly onto the moss. It really added that extra touch of cuteness as if the eggs were lying the grass waiting on some eager child to come and find them.

You are now finished and look at what a beautiful new piece you have to add to your Easter décor. I placed one on each end of my mantel and love the way they look. Also hanging on my mantel is my Easter egg paper garland. Hop over there to learn how to make a simple paper garland that is quick, easy, and adds that extra touch. I love the way the two paired together turned out.

Enjoy your Spring weather, this time of Easter and the real reason for our celebrating which is Jesus Christ and the Resurrection, your Easter topiary, and of course the little things in life!

April 6, 2014/4 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

How to Make an Easter Egg Paper Garland

An Easter egg paper garland is the cutest way to add that extra flair to your mantle or other Easter décor. April truly is one of my favorite months for several reasons. I love the spring weather with flowers starting to bloom and showing their pretty faces. Another reason is because it is my wedding anniversary month. I married my wonderful and loving husband Mark on April 30^th. Love you honey! But perhaps the most important reason for April is celebrating Easter and the resurrection of my Savior. Easter is fun to celebrate with the cute decorations, chocolate bunnies, Easter egg hunts, but we must never forget the real reason for Easter and that is to celebrate that our King of Kings is ALIVE because He rose from the dead and overcame death and the grave!

Along with remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is always fun to enjoy the other traditions of baking sweet treats, dying boiled eggs, hunting eggs, and bringing out that Easter décor. A great addition to your Easter décor this year should include an Easter egg paper garland. Paper garland is very popular and is so simple to make for any occasion. Many are usually made with circles, but the oval paper punches that are available make a great Easter egg.

Below are the supplies that you will need:

2 inch oval lever or paper punch- The size is your choice but I only found the oval paper punch in a 2 inch size at Michaels.

Scrapbook paper- Of course pastels are adorable for Easter or any bright colors would also work great for spring. I will be making an Easter egg topiary to go with my Easter décor and used coordinating paper that would match great with that DIY project.

Thread

Sewing machine

Adhesive roller- if needed

First start punching out your eggs with the oval paper punch.

The colors I choose were pastel yellow, pastel pink, pastel blue, bright green, and bright orange. As I mentioned before, these colors coordinate great with an Easter topiary I am making with the same colored eggs. Some of my paper as well had pastel colored designs that added a little touch. The picture below shows the eggs I am using for the topiary and how the paper will coordinate.

Depending on how long you want your paper garland to be will depend on how many ovals to punch out. I just punched out a bunch of ovals with the paper I had. I actually punched out more than I needed for one garland but had such a blast making it that I used the extras to make a second one that was even longer.

If you want an exact pattern of colors or designs, then I suggest laying out the ovals in the order you prefer before you start sewing. Once you do start sewing, this extra step will make it a lot easier.

I did not use any particular pattern but instead just piled my eggs into stacks with each color or design in one stack. Then when I started sewing, I would pick up different eggs to have a more random look.

Now you are ready to use that sewing machine. Make sure you have thread in your machine that will coordinate with your egg colors. I had black in mine and of course needed to switch. I used bright yellow thread. I also used a stitch pattern that was a basic straight line. You may prefer a zig zag pattern for something extra sassy. Sew several inches of thread through before actually placing the oval paper under the foot. You will need several inches of the thread in order to hang your garland when you are finished.

Start by placing your first egg into the machine under the foot. The machine will guide the paper through very easily to aid in having a straight line.

If you want your eggs to hang directly next to each other and to be touching, then immediately start with the next egg. If you prefer a space, then sew several stitches after one egg before sewing the next one.

I did one garland of each kind and both are really cute. I do think I prefer the look of the eggs with the floating appearance where they are spaced out.

Continue inserting your eggs until you have the desired length of your paper garland. Also as we did at the beginning of the garland, stitch several inches of thread at the end to use to hang it.

Another pointer I want to make that caused a little hiccup when I was making mine, is that if you are not using double-sided paper, then be sure to lay 2 eggs against each other and lined up evenly with the design or colored side on the outside where it can be seen. Go ahead and start sewing then with the 2 together with no problem.

What I had to do with one of mine, because I had forgotten until the first one was complete was to go back and attach an egg to the back side on every egg with glue or I just used an adhesive runner and it worked great. On the 2^nd one, I placed two back to back and sewed them together, and it worked great.

If you do not have a sewing machine, then no worries. Do not cry. You can still make this paper garland, but it will just take you a little longer. Instead of sewing the eggs together, you can lay a ribbon, string, or even thread down the middle of an egg and then glue the other egg on top to seal the thread in between the two eggs. You will still have the same look when it’s hung but just may take a little longer.

No matter which method you choose to use, with either a sewing machine or gluing by hand, you will have made a new and simple Easter décor that can be used every year to add that little extra touch. Plus I have to admit, it was a blast to make. I may just be addicted and have to make for every occasion now. The possibilities are truly endless.

Enjoy your paper garland, and as always don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life!

April 4, 2014/3 Comments/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day Garden Flag

Spring is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the arrival of warm weather than with a fun holiday. It is never hard to find a reason to celebrate no matter what holiday it may be. St. Patrick’s Day has to be one of those that just makes you smile when you see the adorable leprechauns, pots of gold, rainbows, and wearing green. I reminisce as a child going to school and being sure to wear green to avoid getting pinched. My husband actually has some Irish heritage which makes this holiday even more special.

In order to welcome in Spring, it is time to starting sprucing up the yard and garden again. Sometimes plants and trees can become gloomy during the winter with the cold weather and snow, but this bright and colorful garden flag I found at Sew Woodsy is sure to be the cure for those winter blues. St. Patrick’s Day may sometimes seem to be overlooked or hard to find specific décor which is why I always say, “Just make it yourself.” You will start to imagine flowers blooming and sunshine glowing with this adorable shamrock flag.

Let’s get started:

First you will need to gather your supplies.

Burlap- I used green 12”x12” burlap sheets that I found at Michael’s but traditional burlap would also be adorable.

Ruler

Scissors

Iron- if needed to smooth out any wrinkles and flatten burlap

Felt or fabric- I used dark green felt for the shamrocks, but you could also use a mixture of different shades of green.

Thread- I liked the way the dark green thread popped off the lime green burlap but any neutral thread color would match as well.

Straight pins

Sewing machine- If you do not own a sewing machine, you could also stitch by hand. There is not a lot of intricate sewing involved so hand stitching shouldn’t become overwhelming or tiresome.

Shamrock template- I found a template from www.kidzone.ws/. If I had a shamrock template for my Cricut that would also work easier to cut out.

Permanent marker

Now that you have all your supplies together, let’s begin the creation.

First you will start with measuring your burlap. Most standard garden flags are about 17” in length and 12” in width. I am using the 12”x12” green burlap sheets therefore my flag is going to be 18”x12”. You may want to also measure your flag stand before starting to be sure these measurement are accurate for your specific stand.

Because my burlap sheets were only 12” in length, I had to piece two together. Instead of measuring the second sheet to be 6” in length making a total of 18”, be sure to measure about 6.5” in order to have enough burlap to overlap when sewing the two pieces together for then a total of 18”. Once measuring is complete, then cut out the second piece of burlap.

*If you are using standard burlap on a roll, then the measuring and cutting will be much easier, and you will need to skip the next step. The bright green burlap was worth the extra step to me for the color.

Once you have your two pieces of burlap, you are ready to pin them together. Just lay your shorter piece directly on top of the longer piece about 0.5” from the top and pin down to make it easier when sewing together.

Next sew together the two pieces making a seam about 6” from the top of your flag. I used a zig-zag seam, but it is really whatever your preference is. You may be thinking a seam across the flag will appear noticeable and awkward, but once you place the shamrocks it will cover most of the seam. Also once the flag is in your garden, it truly isn’t noticeable at all.

*If you are using traditional burlap, at this time you may want to iron your burlap so it will be flat and easier to work with. Most burlap comes in a roll and will not lay flat.

Now sew around the outside of the entire flag except the top side. Later on you will be folding the top over to make a pocket for your flag to hang and will then sew a seam. You will be moving the burlap around frequently, so if it seems that it is wanting to fray easily, no worries. Wait until the very end and then you can trim up the sides. Once it was trimmed, I personally loved the worn look on the edges. If you are looking for a more clean cut, then certainly you could make a hem around the edges.

Then you are ready to make the pocket at the top that will hold the flag on the stand. Measure 2” from the top of your flag, fold over to make crease, and then pin down. You have created the pocket and are now ready to sew across the flag.

Sew length wise across your flag where you have pinned.

You have now created a pocket. *Be sure not to sew your pocket and then sew around the outside of the flag or you will have closed off the edges of the pocket. Then you will not be able to hang your flag silly!

You are now ready to trace your shamrock template onto green felt and then cut it out. I placed 2 shamrocks on my flag, one larger and one smaller. The creativity is up to you what size you want or how many shamrocks you want. That is the beauty of DIY. Just remember that the smaller and more intricate the shamrock, the more difficult it will be when sewing them onto the flag. My larger shamrock measured 9.5 x 8.5 inches. My smaller shamrock was 5 x 4.5 inches.

Once you have traced and cut out your shamrocks, you are now ready to pin them down on your flag. Feel free to place them where you want. Once you have your design the way you like, pin them down on your flag in the center.

Sew around the edge of each shamrock. I used a straight stitch and dark green thread the same color as my felt because I didn’t want the thread to be noticeable and just blend in.

Once your shamrocks are sewn on, remove your pins and your flag is ready to be flown. I couldn’t wait to hang mine on our flag stand and watch it blow in the Spring air that is soon on its way.

Hope your enjoy your flag as much as I do. I will be sure to make many more flags for each season and holiday in the future. They are simple to make and much more creative than most you will find in the store. Happy St. Patrick’s Day and do not forget to enjoy the little things in life.

March 17, 2014/by Bethany

DIY & Crafts, Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day Banner

Banners are very popular right but actually have been for many years and seem to be making a come back right now. I remember as a child, every birthday there would be a birthday banner hanging downstairs in my family’s living room. The birthday banner was a guarantee for every member of our family on their special day. When the banner started to become worn and not so cute anymore, we didn’t just throw it out but had to get another one to keep the tradition going. I think banners are perfect for not just birthdays but any occasion.

As I may have mentioned before my husband is Irish, or at least part Irish. I figured a banner that says “Kiss Me I’m Irish” would be perfect since that’s exactly what I like to do to him. Wink wink! Now you could make your banner say anything similar like “Luck of the Irish” which is also on a wood sign hanging over our kitchen door. It could even be just as simple as “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.”

Let’s get started and let the celebrating and creativity begin.

You are going to need several supplies:

Cardstock/Scrapbook paper- I used a variety of green patterned paper.

Paper trimmer

Ribbon- Green or I found my adorable ribbon at Joann with a shamrock pattern.

Alphabet punch out letters- Precut letters are simple and cute but I also considered cutting the letters out with my cricut. It is totally your preference.

Adhesive runner- or some other kind of adhesive for gluing letters to banner

Shamrock template- My template was found at http://www.squidoo.com/free-saint-patricks-day-clip-art-images. You may also choose to cut out a shamrock on a cricut if you would like.

Lip template- This template I found was at http://sweetclipart.com/simple-red-lips-design-870.

Scissors

Pencil

Hot glue gun with glue sticks

To begin you will want to measure out your individual flags that make up the actual banner. This is where creativity really places a huge part. It is your creation so whatever design paper and size you would like is your choice. Feel free to cater my particular selections to your own preference.

Each flag is 6” in length and 4” in width. My scrapbook paper measured 12”x12” so out of each piece of paper, I was able to cut out 6 flags. Using your paper trimmer, which usually has a ruler attached, measure your paper and cut out the flags. Because I wanted my flag to say “Kiss Me I’m Irish” with a set of lips and a shamrock as well, I cut out 15 flags total. I used two different patterns of paper to have the flags for the words “Kiss Me” and the set of lips on one color of paper and “I’m Irish” and the shamrock on another design of paper.

Now punch out your letters to spell what you would like. If you are using the alphabet punch-outs, be careful when punching them through to not tear a letter (I learnt this the hard way. Lol.). My letters are all different sizes and fonts which I didn’t mind but thought it made it look a little more fun instead of formal. If you are wanting that uniform look, then choosing the same font and size would be fine as well.

Another great option would be to use a cricut to cut out the letters.

Trace out your shamrock and set of lip templates on scrapbook paper next. Be sure to use paper that will stand out and not blend in once attached to your flag.

Using an adhesive runner, attach your letters and shapes to each individual flag being sure to spell out your particular phrase. Any adhesive would work fine or even using mod podge. I found the adhesive runner is the simplest and quickest method.

You can be finished with your flags at this step or if you are wanting some extra flair, I suggest using a paper punch. I found the one below at Joann.

I punched the bottom side of my flag and absolutely love the design it created. These type of paper punches are especially easy because you can use the design to the left of the actually punch to line up your paper to ensure you are getting an accurate punch and design (See picture above.).

Instead of using a paper punch, another way to add flair to the flags would be to cut an upside down V shape in the bottom causing a point on each side of the flag at the bottom. The possibilities really are endless! That’s what I love about crafts- the pure creativity.

You will now need to add your ribbon to the top of each flag in order to be able to hang it up. I used a hot glue gun which worked great. I was concerned about the glue coming through the ribbon possible or burning myself but the ribbon I had wasn’t thin and didn’t cause a problem. I have used a more transparent ribbon that was thinner on other projects and found the glue was easy to come through the ribbon and burn my fingers. Use caution when using the glue gun.

Go ahead and line up your flags being sure to spell your phrase correctly before actually gluing to ribbon. I left about 4 inches of ribbon before gluing the first flag in order to have room to hang it. Place a dot of hot glue on each corner at the top and one in the middle. Gently press down the ribbon being sure to line it up straight with the flag. Continue adding each flag and gluing the ribbon to each one. I spaced each flag about 1 inch apart.

Because of the location I was hanging my flag in, I decided to break up my phrase into two separate banners. If you prefer one long banner, great! It really all depends on the space you will be using it for.

Last enjoy your creativity and hang your banner in a special place for everyone to see this St. Patrick’s Day.

Mine is actually hanging behind my kitchen table in the dining room over my set of windows. I find this is a common and fun place to hang my banners because my husband and I normally end up eating some kind of fun food for that holiday as well. The banner just seems to add to the festivities. Another great place to hang your banner would also be on a mantle.

As always, do not forget to enjoy the little things in life!

March 16, 2014/by Bethany