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!!

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: You {I} can't make just one !!  

  

I told you last week that I found a photo of an Anthro looking flower vase made with a plastic spoon {!} Luckily, I have lots of plastic spoons and had to give this little idea a try.

 I first used a candle to melt my spoons.  It takes just a few seconds for the melting to begin, and once it does, I took it away from the flame and let it curl and cool for a second. Then I would flip it over and heat another section. Just like in nature, they are all different and there is no right way to form the petals. The candle does leave a soot residue, some which wipes off, but some is permanent. It's not a big deal, it covers up with paint.  

 

The little bits are the ends of the spoons and they become the stamens.  With hot glue, I stated forming the flower from the back , one petal at a time, working inward and finishing with the stamens. You have to hold the petal in place until the petal 'sets' because it wants to slide around when it is hot. I blew on the hot glue while holding it to quicken the cooling and setting.   

 

I also experimented with some transparent gray spoons and using my gas stove top. The stovetop eliminates the sooting and has a different more spread out heat which causes a different melting reaction. The gray spoons were more heavy duty and therefore took a bit longer to melt and they were more pliable. You could actually manipulate them a bit with your fingers when they cooled a second.   

 

 

I loved the way the gray ones looked, so I didn't paint them. But all of the other ones got several coats of spray paint, making sure to turn them over and cover all the little grooves and crevices.

 

 

All of these vases came from the Dollar Tree. They also got several coats of spray paint. 

 

 

 

And see the blue guy in the rear? That crazy daisy is actually a spork flower! The forks are really fun to watch melt because they curl and bend slowly.

 

 

 

 

 

And because every little photo shoot ends with my helper making sure everything smells just so, I thought you might enjoy seeing some 'behind the scenes' shots.

 

 

 

These would be great Mother's Day or Graduation Gifts! 

 

*** Update: I have had several concerned readers contact me that plastics release toxic chemicals when heated, including dioxin, benzo(a)pyrene, and polyaromatics hydrocarbons which are known cancer-causing agents. Please make sure that you wear a mask and do this craft outside. Thank-you to everyone who was concerned enough to look out for me and all of my other readers!

 

 

I know we have all seen these cute vases from Anthropologie. I own a few and I still love them as much as when I first spotted them. 

 

But, I just spotted a DIY shared on Emily's blog on how to create these with plastic spoons and a vase from the dollar store!! 

WHAT??

 

{via Less than Perfect} 

Seriously, would you ever guess those are plastic spoons?? Guess what I am attempting this weekend??!!

 

 

 

A few months back, you may remember that I had a little photo shoot at my house. I really wanted a terrarium in the room. And this little terrarium inspiration hit me the night before the crew was to show up. {I'm not going to pretend that this is rare--this is generally how my brain works}  So, I grabbed the glass from Michaels, ran into Lowes, and bought a small plant {don't even know what kind}. I know that you are supposed to have a layer of pebbles and charcoal and good soil and other stuff to make a terrarium the right way. But I didn't have time for correct, I only had time for pretty. I ran out to the back yard next to the creek and pulled a chunk of moss out of the earth. I covered the bottom of the glass with the moss, stuck my finger in to make a hole and stuck the plant through the hole. I watered it a little and closed it up with the lid. Perfect!

 

 

I thought that when it started to croak, I would empty it out and plant it correctly--you know with dirt and all. But, here we are 2 months later and that silly thing couldn't be happier. When I planted it, the plant was about 4" tall, now I have to snip it back because it's too big.  

 

 

 

I take the lid off about once a week for the day to let it get fresh air and to dry out a bit because it is amazing how wet a contained eco-system is!!   

  

 

This sweet 'Jar of Luck' print by Golly Bard inspired Jan at Poppytalk to try her hand at bringing it to life. So, if you want directions on how to make a real terrarium, head over here.

                                                                                                            

 

I'm not going to lie, this week has been bad. Like, worse than the week Justin Bieber has had...and I could use a big ol' Jar of Luck on my table.