From Miss to Mrs.

 My nephew is about to be married...in June.  And, I am about to have a new niece!  Actually, I already feel like she is my niece.  They have been dating for a long time, and she is already an important part of our family.  Yes, we all love her; she is sweet, creative, kind, intelligent, sooo pretty, very funny, and an amazing violinist!  Sarah, welcome, officially, to the family!
We  (the mothers, aunts, sisters-in-laws to be, sister-in-law, cousins, friends, etc.) hosted a wedding shower last week.  It was  a lot of fun; delicious food, beautiful decorations, fun games, amazing gifts, and a great chance to "catch up" with family and friends.

Sarah likes the colors pink and purple, and she also likes polka dots.  Hence, the theme of the shower.  I will show the decorations in a later post.   The buffet included Minestrone Soup, Baked Potato Soup, Pistachio Salad, Halle Berry Salad, Farfalle Chicken Pasta Salad, Caprese skewers, Fruit Ka-bobs, Vegetables and Dip, Rolls, and Cake Pops and Cookies for dessert.  (I may have forgotten a few things on the buffet, it was yummy!)  One of my jobs was to make the decorated cookies, and I had a ball!

 Sarah will be a beautiful June bride..only about 7 weeks to go...

 I made about 40 cookies for approximately 35 guests.  This is one of the platters, the polka dots and flowers were fun to make.  I tried to use some of the wording that was on the banners, made by my very creative daughter. 

 I never know how may cookies to show, but I try to get close enough so that others can see the details if they want to decorate cookies, too.

 Wedding cakes, and more wedding cakes!

 Bridal Gowns!

 Here is a second platter of cookies.  I was a little disappointed with the engagement ring decorations, but I have some new ideas for next time.  They need a little more filigree on the bands!

Sarah and Brad, we hope that your wedding day will be even better than your wedding day dreams! 

 And that you both have a life filled with love, happiness, success, excitement, new adventures, and peace!

 Sarah loves Brad, and Brad loves Sarah!

And I love Brad and Sarah!

Have a wonderful week!  Enjoy the sunshine and rain, we need both!

Sweet, Sweet Babies!

A good friend of mine is about to be a Grandma for the first time.  Recently, she was helping to host a baby shower for her daughter-in-law and asked me to make cookies for the occasion.  I was thrilled and had a "sweet time" making and decorating the baby cookies!  

Since the new Mom and Dad love to travel, the "theme" of the baby shower was based on the Dr. Seuss book, "The Places You Go".  I was tempted to make cookies with the characters from the book, but decided that I better stick with babies.  But, I thought that a set of baby foot prints depicted a baby on the go.  These are baby toes that you really can nibble!

 I made a few baby carriages, you know, "baby transportation!"  Of course, I had to make a few rattles, to keep those babies happy while they are on the road.

 Onesies are a necessity for all babies, and since we don't know the new baby's gender, I tried to cover all the bases.

 What's a baby shower without a few baby chicks? ( a bit of a stretch, but I wanted to make the chicks!)

 More Onesies...MTU- Michigan Technological University the baby's  father's Alma Mater, Higgins Lake- a location dear to the baby's mother, and Frick, the baby to be's last name!

 Onward HO!

 Never enough Onesies!

 And of course the babies.....

And more babies...(thanks to www.sweetsugarbelle.com)

 There he/she goes....

 I decorated a cookie shaped like the state of Michigan and put a heart where the baby will want to travel...Grandma's and Grandpa's, Aunt Julie's, Camp Westminster.....

 Talented babies!

 The cookies disappeared quickly and were a fun addition to the delicious buffet!

There he/she goes again!!

Hope you are all have a nice week...it is a beautiful spring day here..brisk but sunny!  Looking for my first crocus sighting!  

Enjoy!

Spring, where are you?

  Tomorrow is the first day of spring...really??  It sure doesn't look like spring here in Michigan!  I am more than ready....

 I am sorry that I have been so behind with my blogging, I am in the midst of craft heaven.  I am still working on fabric flowers for the wedding reception, I am making a wall pocket organizer for a baby shower, I have cookies to make and decorate for the wedding shower and baby shower, I am sewing up a storm and having the time of my life.  Oh yeah, there is work, too.

Yep, as much as I would like to craft all day, every day, I still need to work.  How else can I pay for my craft supplies?   Yesterday, I was driving to a client's home and the expressway was an ice rink, accidents everywhere....I am ready for spring!

 So, while we are deluged with snow, ice, and cold weather, we await spring.  I will be sharing my crafting with you soon, as soon as I get my pictures organized and I meet my deadlines. 

Until then, we can dream of warmer weather, sunny skies, and lush greens...

 cherry blossoms, and....

lilacs!

Ahhhhhh!

Have a wonderful week and stay warm!

Winter Splendor

This past Saturday, my husband and I headed up north for a family gathering.  It was a cold (1 degree), but beautiful morning.  The sun was out, showcasing the beautiful, frosty trees!  I was frustrated that I didn't bring my camera, but pulled out my cell phone and tried to capture this amazing  site!  I am pretty happy with the results.  Just imagine the magnificence of a whole forest of crystal trees! 

 It seemed like every tree was better than the last!

 Even a frozen creek bed was sparkling!

The beautiful blue sky was the perfect contrast to this winter scene.

Michigan is truly a Winter Wonderland!

Have a great week!

Fun Fabric Flowers

It's very hard to believe,but I started making these fabric flowers almost 33 years ago for my own wedding.  I actually used the same fabric for the flowers that was used for the bridesmaid dresses.  I made a handful of flowers for each table at the reception, and I loved the way they turned out.  Over the years, it seems that weddings had become more "glam", but now a days, each wedding seems to really reflect the aesthetics of the bride and groom.  There are so many choices, from a very formal, evening gown, crystal and chandelier event to an afternoon, informal, "picnic-like wedding."  And, everything in between!   If I were getting married now, I would have a terrible time making a choice!

My nephew is to be married this spring to a wonderful young lady that we all dearly love!  She is sweet, funny, an amazing musician, and best of all, very creative and crafty!  My nephew is very crafty, too, so they have decided to add lots of wonderful, personal touches to their wedding.  Using these fabric flowers as a part of their reception table center pieces, is just one of them!

Since we have a small group of loving relatives to assist in making these flowers, I thought I would prepare a tutorial for them and for the blogging world as well.  Sorry for the zillion pictures, but I truly believe that a pictures is worth a thousand words!


Supplies for making these fabric flowers:
white (fabric/paper?) covered wire
wire cutters
fabric (flowers and leaves)
white crafters glue ( I used Elmer's) 
small sharp scissors
floral tape
long heavier wire for stems (I prefer the covered wire)

Directions:  First you need to decide what type of flower you want to make to determine the shape of each petal.  I chose a round petaled flower, to be used as a focus in the centerpieces.  I also decided to make three different size petals for each flower.  So, as I describe how to make these flowers, please understand that I am only describing how to make these specific flowers. In actuality, the flower type, size, and number of petals per flower are almost limitless!

Making the petal forms:  I decided to make three different size petals, 6 of each size for each flower.  I made an sample petal wire for each size, to make sure that all of the petals and flowers are somewhat uniform.  To protect your scissors, you might want to use a wire cutter to cut the wire.

Since the wire will show on the flowers, I used a cloth/paper (I can't really tell what the wire is covered with) covered white wire. It comes on a spool and is very soft and easy to work with.  I would prefer a sturdier wire, so that the petals wouldn't bend so easily, but the white appears to only come in this strength.  Cut the wire as follows:
(6)  approximately 9" long
(6) approximately  7.5" long
(6) approximately  6" long

Make each petal by forming a loop and twisting the end.  The large loop is approximately 
2  1/2" X 1  3/4",  the medium sized loop is approximately 1  3/4" X 1  1/2", and the small loop is approximately  1 1/2" X 1".  Compare these loops to your sample petal loops to make sure that they are the same size and shape.  Adjust as needed.  Make 6 of each size.

The petal can be shaped at this point.  (no bends, no kinks, etc)

 Keep the different sized petals separate, as they will be added to the flower according to their size.

 Fabric- I like to use cotton, or cotton polyester fabric, but am sure that other types of fabrics would work.  It is VERY important that the fabric is ironed and that there are no creases.  Creases or folds will definitely show in the completed flower.  Lay a petal on the fabric to determine the size of fabric piece you will need for each flower.  Give yourself a bit of room around the wire to make sure that the wire will fit.  Cut the fabric pieces.  Cut enough fabric pieces for all 18 petals.  Any type print, stripe, check, plaid, polka dot, etc., fabric will work and make for fun and interesting flowers.

 Cut 6 pieces of each size fabric

Adhering the fabric to the wire: 
I use a small paint brush and Elmer's Glue (not diluted) to paint glue onto each wire (one side only).  Use the glue liberally, but not to the point where it's dripping or has lumps of glue.

 When the wire has been "painted" with glue, press a fabric piece onto the wire.  You should be able to do this without getting glue on your fingers, or only a smidgen on your fingers.

Let the glue dry.  I have found that the petals don't lay flat very well after gluing, so I lay them on raised surfaces with the stem pointing out so the the petal portion of the wire has a better attachment to the fabric.  In other words, on the edge of a book, box, counter, etc.

Cutting the petals:  This is the part that is a bit time consuming and where a pair of small sharp scissors comes in handy.  Carefully cut around each petal wire, as close to the wire as you can get without cutting the wire.  If you accidentally cut the wire, toss the petal out, it just won't hold it's shape.  You want a clean edge on the petal. When cutting the fabric, you may notice that a portion of fabric is not glued to the wire; just use your small brush and dab a small amount of glue to the wire and re-attach the fabric.  Let it dry before you continue to cut.

 Cut all the way around each petal.

 When you are finished cutting, you should have six large, six medium, and six small petals.  You are now ready to assemble the petals to create a flower.

 You can purchase pre-made flower centers, or make our own.  This is a pre-made center.  Just spread/ fan the anthers apart.

 Cut a medium length of floral tape.

Tightly wrap the flower center in floral tape.l

 Add one small petal at a time wrapping tightly with the floral tape after each petal.  The white wire on the petal should face the flower center.  Add three petals.

Now, add the remaining three small petals (one at a time) so that each one is spaced between the other small petals.  The floral tape should be wrapped tightly so that it adheres to itself.

 Now add three medium sized petals, one at a time wrapping the floral tape tightly.  The white wire on the petals should be facing the small petals.  These medium sized petals should be spaced around the small petals

 Add the remaining medium sized petals in the spaces between the previous medium sized petals.  The petals should be added one at a time, wrapping tightly with the floral tape.  If you run out of floral tape, just cut another piece and wrap the core one time before adding new petals.  All the petals will be pointing up. at this point.

 As you add the large petals, the flower will feel a little crowded.  I tend to bend the petal back a bit as I add the large petals to leave more room for the petals and make the tape wrapping easier. 

 Add three large petals to the flower core, one at a time, spacing them out and wrapping each one to the core with the floral tape.

 Add the last three petals to the flower, making sure that the petals are spaced evenly.

 At this point, the petals are all added, but there is no stem.  To save money, I keep the petal stems short, adding a heavier stem wire to the completed flower.

 

 Hold a heavier stem wire next to the petal stems and wrap the entire length tightly with floral tape.

 Voila!

 Shaping the flower:  Bend all of the petals away from the center, one petal at a time.  Be gentle, the wire is soft and bends and kinks easily!

 Start with the large petals.

Then bend the medium petals away from the center.

 Finally bend the small petals away from the center. If you are making a flower, such as a Black Eyed Susan or a Purple Cone Flower, you are finished.

 But, I wanted a flower such as Lotus.  So, I bent each tip back toward the center, as shown above.  On the left:  Purple Cone Flower shape.  On the right: Lotus flower shape.

 Ta Da!  A pretty blue fabric flower.

 How about a yellow and white striped flower?

 Hot pink anyone?

 Variegated Orange?

Different fabrics, flower types, sizes......the possibilities are endless.  Have fun creating your own fabric flower garden or floral arrangement!

Have a great week!