Easy fabric flower broaches

I'm right in the middle of making a ton of fabric flowers for our baby reveal party and am pretty pleased with how they are turning out. Using a rather inexpensive fabric, I was able to whip these up in almost no time...the hardest part is the beading. The plan for these is to have my family pick between a flower or bow tie to wear before the husband and I make the big announcement...hopefully the bow ties come out just as fun.

If you would like to make up a few fabric flowers for yourself they are pretty simple and straight forward. I have used this style of flower for packaging on bridal gifts and they are perfect to pin back those loose strands of hair with a little flair. 

To make the flowers simply cut your fabric into several different size strips. I used 2", 3" and 4" pieces to make the different size petals. Once you have the basic rectangle shape roughly cut each piece into a leaf like shape. Don't worry about being too perfect, I managed to cut 3 or 4 petals at once.

Once you have the shape, hover the fabric over an open flame {I used a candle} until the edges begin to curl. Be careful not to hold too close to the fire as it may catch on fire or shrivel up completely. 

Now comes the creative part, using a fabric glue {I used Fabri-tac} start with the biggest petals first and work your way around to create a flower shape. Each flower took about 15-18 petals depending on the size, shape and placement of each petal. 

To make the centers, I used glass beads found at Joann's in the jewelry section. They are super tiny! Now the glue might have made your fabric a bit hard so give it a few bends and pulls to loosen it up otherwise you will be like me and break two needles...though I'm sure it was because I was being impatient and using a thimble to just push it through. Since I switched to the loosening technique I've been on the same needle. 

Easy peasy! Now on to the bow ties. 

images by our designed life

Start your crafting engines

Today its all about crafting. Along with helping my lovely cousin pull together ideas and making things for her upcoming wedding, I decided to plan a small get together for my family for a gender reveal of the baby. The husband and I are finding out next week {!} if the baby will be a little man or little lady and thought it would be fun to get our close family members in on the guessing action. I'm making little paper flower broaches and bow ties for them to pick which team they are on...I have a feeling its a boy, the husband is still undecided. Its always fun to make a guess, but come next week we will finally know - assuming our little one isn't super shy. So off to the craft store I go for a few supplies, I mean, a girl can never have to much paper.

images via you are my fave, the brides cafe, martha stewart

Create: custom goody bags

Sometimes you just need to jazz up those plain old paper bags and with a little washi tape and a few stamps I now have personal bags for one special grad. The plan is for party goers to have their way with a few of the grads favorite sweet treats and I must say I like how they turned out. Simple yet festive.

images via our designed life

Create: lots of lines

Sometimes when I'm out of ideas for projects I simply look around the house for objects to use and something usually comes to me, like this little wooden art piece. With a mixture of acrylic paint and pencil I grabbed a piece of plywood we had laying around and started doodling. And you know what, I really like it. Simple patterns and lines make this a modern piece yet super simple, perfect for adding a personal touch to your walls. If you have a spare hour I would highly recommend walking around your place in search of creating something truly unique.

image by our designed life

Creative challenge: No 1- making art, No 2 - hand painted flowers, No. 3- making space, No. 4- beaded necklace, No. 5- jazzing up ceramics, No. 6- creating fun.

Making knots {on purpose}

Not sure about you but on rainy and grey days I want nothing more then to create things with my hands and these nautical bracelets from Rent the runway are the perfect amount of easy and colorful, not to mention a great accessory to add to my summer accessories. I've always been a fan of knotting and it doesn't get any simpler then this...though I'll admit, I don't actually know how to knot anything {on purpose that is}. These simple beauties reminded me of the jersey bracelets I just had to make last year but never actually got around to it, perhaps if I start now I will have a decent collection by summer.

found via craft, photos via rent the runway

Feeling crafty

You may have seen this recycled sweater turned purse tutorial over on Pinterest, its making its rounds, but for those of you still not pinning {seriously guys, its going to change your visual life} I didn't want you to miss out. A lemon squeezy home shared this seemingly simple purse sewing project last year with us and with Christie's great photos and instructions, you too could be turning all those old sweaters into fun bags, its really a ah ha moment if you ask me. I just love to reuse materials, last year while visiting my younger cousin she brought me a pair of jeans and asked for a purse. An hour later she had an adorable denim handbag. So break out your old winter ware {or even swing by your local thrift shop} for the perfect purse and get sewing.

photo via a lemon squeezy home

DIY crafts

I was recently browsing Design Sponge's archives and came across this super easy and oh so good looking craft, I had a 'I need to do this' moment.  Paper wrapped pencils and lids are perfect for adding small touches to any desk, just think of all the corresponding capabilities.  I'm thinking a little crafting hour is in order, just need to find the perfect paper first.  And for those of you that have a ton of paper scraps like me, these are perfect to de-clutter your stash.

photos via design sponge