Maybe because Jack has watched me create any and everything his whole life that he doesn't see anything strange about storing a hot glue gun in the kitchen drawer, or glitter containers next to the spices, or maybe it's simply because he is just so incredibly cool... that he tolerates his crafty mothers craftiness and allowed me to create his Prom boutonniere and corsage this year.  

It only takes a little bit of felt to complete and you can find small squares at Michaels or Wal-Mart, or obviously any fabric store. I have collected quite a bit over the years so I had lots of different shades. I like combining different colors of felt in one flower as it looks a little more realistic and adds some depth.

Start by tracing a cup with a pen. Any size will do. Then using either a dime, nickel or quarter, trace it around the interior edge. The different size coins create different size petals. There is no right or wrong so use whichever you like!   

 Cut it out following your lines.

 

 Cut through one of the petals and cut a spiral close to the edge. I like cutting pretty tight to the edge because it makes a shallower flower. For a corsage, I didn't want the flowers sticking 3-4" off of her arm.

 

 

 Starting at the outer petal, began rolling it on itself, keeping the bottom edge lined up.

 

 

If you want to add another color, simply overlap the last petal and keep wrapping. When the flower is the size you like, you can cut it off and with dab of hot glue, tack it in place.

 

 

Using a needle and thread in a matching color, I ran many stitches through as many petal layers in the back as possible. I also went straight up through the center and then back through the bottom. This also creates really cute folds and bends in the petals. Because there is a lot of Prom dancing involved, I made sure that this was stitched really well. Then I hot glued a little piece of round felt {in the same color as the flower} on the back.   

  

 

 Using a sequin elastic, I cut and hot glued it the size of a comfortable wrist fit.

 

 

To create the base, I cut an oval out of a piece of posterboard around 4" long. I cut a piece of felt the same size and glued it on to of the posterboard. {Arrange your flowers to figure out what size to make your base. You really want it to be as small as possible so that you don't see it from up top}  

 

 I first made leaves out of felt, but I felt it looked too crafty for my liking. {yes, it's possible} Instead, I used real rhododendron leaves {you could also use silk leaves if you want it too last}. I hot glued them to the base.  

I dabbed my finger in glitter paint and ran it around the edge of the leaves to give it a little bling.  

 

 

Notice the seal on the paint is still in place. I was too tired to even cut it open or to get a paint brush, which explains why I simply screwed it off and stuck my finger in. You choose you own method..

 

 

These were my practice flowers. I love all of the different shades of reds and pinks together. 

 

 

Finally, I hot glued all of the flowers to the base.

 

 

To make Jacks boutonniere, I used one flower and stitched the top of a florist stick around the top. Then I added some hot glue to really secure it.

 

 

Using 3 small leaves, I laid the stems next to the stick and wrapped it with floral tape.

 

 

Then I wrapped it with a thin blue ribbon. {Sorry, I needed 2 hands for this and didn't get a picture} 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thanks Jack and Kennedy for being such good sports!!

 

 

 

 

As in graphically correct. 

My family is well aware of how my brain works. But, I am sharing this with you, my friends, so that you can better understand me and any other designery friends you have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I now feel a little exposed. 

Once again, Jodi Brown visually explains us arsty types beautifully and hysterically. Hopefully, we are all a little closer now.    

{all images via Coffee with an Architect via Houzz}

 

 

Seriously, it is.

Do you happen to remember back last summer when I did a post on Edie's beautiful digs? {actually, it was my second post, but I don't want to appear stalkerish} 

  

She had just finished her master bedroom and I thought it was so beautifully done and I couldn't wait to feature it on my blog. {Apparently Better Homes and Gardens felt the same way since her house was just featured all over their glossy pages.}

 

 

 

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I got to meet my 'internet friend'. And not just meet, but spend the weekend with Miss Edie {aka Queen of Bean} and several other wonderful bloggers.  

 

{Sheila, Nester, {dar}, Angela, Moi, Edie }

I made a special spoonflower vase for each of these gals. Since I get the privilege of peaking into all of their homes via blogland, I got just the color inspiration I needed to represent each gal.   

 

 

Now, fast forward to today, and Edie's bedroom has changed just a smidge. 

 

Spot the changes?????!!!

let's take a closer look...

 

How cool is this???!! She placed the little spoon flower vase on her bedside table, next to her divine bed. I love it there! 

 

 

Can there be a more special place for a gift to show up other than bedside??? I think not. A bedside table and its contents are the place that starts and finishes your day off. It's such a great place to include personal, meaningful lovelies.   

 

I love using cut flowers or plants {if you're blessed with good sunlight} on a bedside table. Aren't Edie's succulents so pretty? 

 

 

And speaking of lovely bedside styling with plants or flowers, here are a few others that I love.

 

 

 via

via

via

 

 

{shannon berrey design}

 

So tell me, do you keep something special on your bedside table?

 

{images 1-7 via Life in Grace}

 

 

We made it through Prom weekend and we couldn't have asked for worse weather. It rained all weekend. But, like you do, we had been on rain watch all week, so plans were reworked to allow all of our picture taking to be inside. Luckily, we live close to Harrah's Casino in Cherokee and decided that it would be a great spot for pictures of our big group.

  

It's a beautiful facility that has just recently allowed kids under 21 year to visit the 2nd floor, which is full of restaurants and shops and is 'gambling-free'. You may remember that this is the same place we have our big Gala each year {Disco Gala and Here's to Hollywood} . We picked our spot right in front of the big glass lit balls that dropped from the ceiling. They made a pretty cool backdrop.

*It was a bit dark so some of the the pics are a little blurry.

Our lovely ladies looked beautiful from the front..

as well as the back. 

{Tate, Maris, Steph}

These 3 besties were honored to be on the Prom Court. Miss Tate Silver Sequins took the Queen honor.

 

 

Lovely corsages were had by all. Can you guess which one I made???

 

 

 Jack and his friend Kennedy made a darn cute couple.

 

 

 But, I was a bit partial to this couple.

 

For those who are new here, this is my daughter Maris (17) and my son Jack (14). This prom will be the only one in which I will have both of my kiddos in attendance together so it was a real treat to get to tag along for pictures.

 

 

This is Maris' boyfriend, Cal. It has been such fun to witness these 2 grow in their fondness for each other. He's a sweetheart and they are a pretty great couple. Truth is, Cal's not a huge lover of having his picture made 300 times by 40 different parents, but he held up nicely. This can be especially trying when you are with someone who loves nothing more than posing for the paparazzi parent brigade. yep, that would be my kid.

 Those are hurdle jumping legs, ladies and gentlemen.

 

These kids are the best of friends and had such a great last big party together.

And my very favorite image of the night...

 

sweet, sweet times...