Spring Wreaths {Project Pretty}

Welcome to another edition to Project Pretty.

This week’s project was inspired by Chelsey from The Paper Mama. She created a fantastic FREE printable full of does and toadstools in various sizes, along with a floral bunting banner –perfect for adding a bit of whimsy and spring to your home. This project also went perfectly with our Little Red Riding Hood party.
While Chelsey made really cute terrariums, I decided to transform the three wreaths in my hallway bathroom. If you remember, I made these moss wreaths back in December, so all I had to do was add the printable does and swap out the ribbon.

Basically all you need is a wreath form from any local craft store, a package of moss, and a hot glue gun.

• Begin by hot gluing your moss around the wreath form, little by little until your entire wreath looks like a blanket of moss.
• Cut out your printable (I printed two sheets for three wreaths).
• Hot glue toothpicks to the backside (this with be your “floral pick”)
• Click here for The Paper Mama’s detailed instructions. 
• For ribbon, I actually used natural unbleached muslin that I ripped into strips and very loosely tied into floppy knots –this way gives it more of a whimsy, carefree feel. 
• Hang and voila!

Happy Spring and Happy Crafting,

Em

Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf {Project Pretty}

Welcome to another edition of "Project Pretty."

We previously celebrated Krysta and William’s birthday with a “Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf” theme. I loved how all of the decorations transformed our ordinary home into a cozy woodland --perfect for all of our Reds’ and Wolves. While I’m anxious to tell you about our big day, I thought I’d share the break down on how I created various elements of the themed décor.

For Red Riding Hood photos, click here

Here is the overview of the dining area.

I filled this area with moss, wildlife, colorful ribbon, and lots of wood slices.

tablecloth: 4 yards of natural burlap, tied with twine --no sewing needed
terrarium: filled 1/4 with various moss, displayed with woodland creatures
toadstools + blue birds: sculpted from polymer clay. bake at 325ish for around 10-20 minutes.
table wreath: all supplies from Hobby Lobby (tutorial below)
evergreen trees: Hobby Lobby Christmas clearance
table centerpiece: all from Lowes --Dusty Miller planted in tiny clay pots. given to each kid
cupcake + cake display: supplies from Hobby Lobby (tutorial below)
bunting banner: Sweet Pea Fabrics on Etsy (tutorial below) 
mason jars: chocolate cookie mix in a jar. fabric here, recipe here. given to each family. 

 Krysta's Cake

regular vanilla cake mix. I added fresh strawberries to each layer.
cream cheese frosting recipe, here. 


for embellishments, I used a floral bird and butterflies from Hobby Lobby. I added red gingham ribbon at the base of the two layers. cake is displayed on a wood slice.

 

William's Cake

regular chocolate cake mix. I added 3/4 of chocolate chips and one box of chocolate pudding.
cream cheese frosting recipe, here.


for embellishments, I used food coloring to coconut for "grass" and added a blue and white polkadot ribbon at the base. I then added moss balls and a wooden squirrel figurine from Hobby Lobby, all placed on a wood slice.




{Tutorials}

 cupcake stand

use one large wood slice and two smaller slices.
three dowel robs, cut in half to use as your dividers. attach with WOOD GLUE.
with hot glue, place moss around the robs.
for embellishments, you can add butterflies, birds, bees, etc

Bunting Banner

base--

cut fabric into triangles
hot glue yard or ribbon to the FRONT


letters--


with felt, cut out your letters (I printed my letters from my computer to use as a pattern)
thread string around the edges of each letter
hot glue the letter onto each triangle (this will prevent string fly-aways from the back)

 wreath centerpiece

start with an extra large grapevine wreath form, hot glue Spanish moss randomly around the wreath and add berries or flowers.
attach various patterned and colored ribbon to the backside of the wreath.

OPTIONAL: add birds and small decorative items (very lightweight) to hang from the ribbon to add interest.

Front Door Wreath

I love the idea of a themed wreath to greet you at the front door. It helps set the mood of the event.

medium sized grapevine wreath. hot glue reindeer moss partially around the wreath.
add miniature bunting banner made from ribbon and attached with fishing line.
I added a Red Riding Hood (McDonald toy bought from Amazon for $1.50) and a wolf figurine. 


That just about wraps up the how-to's from our Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf birthday party. Come back next week for another "Project Pretty."

Happy Crafting,

Emmie

Love, love

Yesterday it snowed. 

Truth be told, I doubted my weatherman when he said snow was in the forecast --he let me down many times in the past, but now he’s rightfully redeemed. We woke up to a nice thin sheet of white snow --neither fluffy nor powdery, but good enough to get my winter fix.

7:30 hit and we were out the door, sledding down our side hill, sculpting snowballs, and making snow angels.

Oh, how I have missed you.

On the way to school Krysta said, “I miss the snow so much. When are we going back to Alaska?”

With those words, my heart aches. It’s a question that I honestly don’t have an exact answer for, but I do know this… one day, one day we’ll return.

Growing up on the East Coast I’ve always considered myself a beach girl; I lived for the summer; I breathed in the salty air as much as humanly possible; stayed outside until my skin burned from the sun. But over the years I’ve grown to realize, as much as I love the ocean, I’m perfectly content living up North --extreme North-- surrounded by mountains and birch trees and alpine creatures. I now live for Autumn and Winter; I love breathing in fresh crisp air that rolls off of the mountain tops and I’m over-the-moon when snow flurries begin floating down and wildlife perches itself in my front yard. One day, I will live that life again.

All morning, her words weighed heavily on my heart --her longing to be back up North, enjoying life as she once knew. I recognized that the snow would melt and disappear as quickly as it came, so we picked her up from school early to squeeze the bejezus out of any remaining snow patches.

starring wide-eyed with anticipation for more flurries

William was completely smitten. He ran out the door before I could get his shoes on!

********************************************************************************

Today is Valentine’s Day. Love Day.

The kids and I awoke to chocolates and flowers left by my handsome devil. And I may or may not have sent Krysta to school with a sugar buzz…

Instead of purchasing cards and candy, we created our own little Valentine gift baggy for Krysta’s classmates.

Here’s how you make it--

What you’ll need:
Snack ziplocks
Cardstock paper and a printer
Staples and a paper cutter

For the tag:
In Photoshop create a file size 6.5x2
Place your image to the size you’d like, and then add scripty fonts and a message. SAVE
Then create a second file, sized 6.5x4
Copy and paste your SAVED image twice (flipping ONLY your second image horizontally). SAVE
Almost done… create a third file, sized 8.5x11
Copy and paste your 6.5x4 images. You can fit 3 images on one sheet of paper.
PRINT

Now cut and fold your tag.
Fill your baggy and candy of your choice, then staple your tag onto the ziplock.

VOILA, easy heartfelt Valentine’s gifts.

I’m heading off to prep food with a friend, clean my house, and set up a few decorations.... there’s gonna be a baby shower tomorrow!

This month's cup is spilling over the rim in love, love it.

Big Hearts,
em

Felt Heart Garland {Project Pretty}

 Welcome to the very first posting of Project Pretty.

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought it would be perfect to demonstrate an easy craft centered around hearts. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. It brings out a nice burst of color among the dreary haziness of winter.

*First, make your pattern by cutting out a heart on regular paper. Secure your pattern onto the felt with a pin, and cut around it.

*Next, add a drop of glue (I used hot glue) onto the top of the heart and attach your string.

Voila!

Happy Crafting,

Em

Introducing Project Pretty

I'd like to introduce you to, Project Pretty.

The concept of Project Pretty literally came to me over the weekend while working on multiple projects at once. As I was cutting, gluing, sanding, priming --what have you-- I thought, how great would it be to add a solo post dedicated to only my DIY projects and crafts, inspirations and musings, along with how-to tutorials for each project.

My goal is to post one tutorial every Thursday, ranging anywhere from home improvements to hands on crafts for the kids. NO Pressure.

And so today, Project Pretty is born.

I hope to inspire, and in turn, be inspired.

Happy Crafting,

Em

Crafting-ista

This week the creative train came and blew through our home resulting in some hardcore crafting. We’re talking head to toe Christmas Cheer in the highest form of Feliz Navidad. This includes all, but not limited to sparkly glitter and spray paint, Christmas photographs, lace, and all the other pretty little things that makes my heart rapidly beat. So in honor of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and all other holiday celebrations, I’m dedicating this post to all things holiday craftiness.

Here are my very most favorites AND they’re budget friendly:

{Photograph Ornaments} 
Idea from Pintrest

What you’ll need:

4” Glass Ornaments (pack of 4) $7
4x6 photograph $0.24 each
Lace $2/spool

Start by trimming your photograph to size.
Roll your photo and insert it into the top of the bulb.
Cut a piece of lace and hot glue the ends.
Voila! 

{Moss Wreaths}

What you’ll need:

14” wreath form (or any size of your choice) $5
Reindeer Moss $5
Ribbon (optional for hanging)

Lay your wreath form flat on the table. Hot glue the moss onto the wreath form, piece by piece.
One wreath will most likely use the entire package of moss.

I’m going to change the ribbon and reuse these for the spring… I’m envisioning butterflies and robin’s nests.

{Lace Trees}

What you’ll need:

Styrofoam cone $3-$7 depending on the size
Lace (2 spools per cone) $2

Start at the bottom of the tree. Hot glue the lace, row by row. I tried spiraling up the tree, but it doesn’t look as good as gluing each row separately.  

{Noel Wall Art}

What you’ll need:

8x10 canvas $6 for a package of two at Hobby Lobby
8x10 photograph $5
Noel Letters $4
Metallic Gold spray paint $5
Modpodge

Start by spray painting the edges of your canvas and NOEL letters

Modpodge your canvas AND the back of your photo. Place photo on canvas and rub firmly. Then evenly ModPodge the top of your photograph.

Hot Glue your letters onto the canvas.

Picture Perfect! Ready to go under the tree for gift giving!

I hope these easy, budget friendly gift ideas have sparked your creativity!

Happy Crafting,

Em