Tag Archives: crafts

How to Make Fun, Frugal Felt Flowers for Gifts

5 Sep

I am always on the lookout for easy handmade crafts to give as gifts. I thought about making soap, bath bombs, or candy, but the tutorials had too many steps—aka, too many ways for me to fail. Then I saw felt flowers. The tutorials are quick and easy to follow, felt is extremely forgiving, and at .29 cents a sheet, craft felt is very inexpensive.These are my favorite felt flower tutorials:

Craft Snob: Pomela Felt Flower Tutorial

The Purl Bee: Felt Flower Charms

The Fickle Pickle: Mother’s Day Flowers

Admittedly, my first attempt was terrible. It looked like a gummy, flat mess and I gave myself a wicked burn on my thumb. No matter. Felt flowers are still a great choice. I just kept practicing and I am happy with the results.

Felt Mums

Rolled Felt Flowers–Mums

The rolled mums are my favorite, but the folded flowers are fun to make too.

Folded Felt Flowers

Folded Felt Flowers

At first I used hot glue, but now I think it’s easier (and less painful!) to sew the flowers by hand with just a needle and thread.

I’m going to sew pins to the back and give them as Christmas presents. Let me know if you have other felt projects you like to make. And comment below with any other easy crafts to make for gifts.

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Snowed In – Toddler Survival Activities

21 Feb

We are snowed in with over 14 inches of snow. The long winter just got longer. I decided to get creative to cure the girls’ cabin fever.

First stop, wacky attire. C chose a rock and roll ballerina look. I like it.

Rock and Roll Party Queen of the Snow Day

 

Next, we made crowns from paper plates. She was pleased, to say the least.

Crowned

And for the grand finale, a special snow seek and find. I hid toys in buckets (well, a large bowl for the baby and their old baby bathtub for our oldest) and let them dig for treasure. They had a blast and I enjoyed 45 minutes of peace.

Snow Seek and Find

 

Snow is Yummy

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Craft Show Craziness

4 Feb

Crafters Local 612 sent an email blast today announcing cool craft shows.

Johnstock - part of Art-A-Whirl weekend – will be May 21st - 22nd, apply by March 13th to exhibit.

Unglued - in Fargo March 5th. RHR Designs will be there. Bring your mad money and buy some of her whimsical jewelry. 

DIY Festival, presented by the Surface Design Association and Textile Center, is June 10th. To be an exhibitor, apply by April 29!th.

And, Craftstravaganza is April 30th in St. Paul.

Crafters unite!

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Minnie Mouse Ears? Check. Blisters from Hot Glue? Check Check Check.

4 Feb

Tomorrow is C’s 3rd birthday party a la Minnie Mouse. I am nearly done with all the preparations. I just made 30 cupcakes and didn’t even break a sweat. They are chilling out in our freezing garage just waiting to be frosted tomorrow morning. It has been so much fun, but when it comes to making the Minnie Mouse ears can I just say OUCH, OW and OWEEEE!?

I followed Suburban Mom’s directions and I have to say she is an absolute saint (and possibly a sadist) for making 30 pairs of these ears. God bless her. I only made 7 and I almost regret it. These are time consuming and the hot glue hurts like all hell. As I was making the ears for my sweet daughter, I found it ironic that I was swearing like crazy from the hot glue burning my fingers. I got blisters on my thumb. I will think long and hard before attempting another hot glue project again.

Still, they turned out pretty sweet and I think C will be over the moon with her party tomorrow.

Minnie Mouse Ears

One tip. These are so much easier if you can skip the step of covering a headband with the black felt. My first attempt was laughable. Bumpy, lumpy and terrible – glue, bumps and gaps everywhere. I found black headbands at the local dollar store and that made a huge difference.

Tomorrow’s the big party, so I’ll post more pictures tomorrow.

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