Winter paper flower wreath

After seeing this lovely post in the spring from Jones Design Company, and being in the holiday craft spirit, I decided to make a winter paper flower wreath with a little help from Target's dollar section (little ornament balls!)

I purchased a styrofoam wreath form from Joann's for a few bucks. Then I wrapped it in some white chiffon (left over from my wedding dress).

Next, I made the paper flowers using Emily's tutorial. I wanted silver paper, but it is kind of expensive, so I purchased some silver wrapping paper from Target and glued two pieces together so I had silver on both sides since the wrapping paper was silver on one side and white on the other.

I made the chiffon flowers using this tutorial.

Then I just started gluing the flowers (paper and chiffon) onto the wreath. I added the balls as I went.

Since I already had a traditional Christmas wreath, I'm considering this a "winter wreath." It will be on my door through February!

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  Crafty, Scrappy, Happy::Savvy Southern Style

DIY Sequin Pumps!

In case you haven't noticed, sequins are SUPER in style right now. While chatting with some med school friends about our upcoming winter formal dance, we decided it would be awesome to all wear sequins. I thought sequin pumps would be adorable, but they cost $$$, so I decided to make my own, and I LOVE the results!
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Here are the easy steps:

1. Gather your supplies:

old pumps

approximately 12-14 yards of sequin ribbon (Joann's sells it by the yard or on a spool)

hot glue gun

scissors

2. Start at the base of the back of the heel, apply some glue about 3 inches along the base of the shoe, and attach the sequin ribbon. If you find that your glue is drying before you attach your sequins, just work in smaller sections. You'll get better with every row, trust me!

3. Continue gluing all the way around the base of the shoe until you get back to where you started. Then do a second row right on top of the first one and so on and so on.

4.  The tricky part comes when you have no more side of shoe left to sequin, and the top still has unsequined areas. I worked in a triangle, from the outside toward the center of the unsequened area, and then made a little spiral over the very top.

 5. After you finish the top of the shoe, you'll have to finish the back of the heel as well. I cut the sequin ribbon and put a drop of hot glue on the free sequin end to keep it from unraveling. Then I wrapped it around the back of the shoe and cut + glued it on the other side.

6. Repeat this as many times as is necessary to complete the back of your shoe!

7. I left my heel black (mostly because I ran out of sequins), but I may decide to add more sequins or paint it gold at a later date.

 Adorable, right? And, I only spent about $10!




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Heaven on Earth... AKA Priest Lake, Idaho

Over Father's Day weekend, my family went up to Priest Lake to help my grandparents open up their cabin for the summer. We had a great time!

 Lisa exploring the dock

Lisa stretching on the dock

Lisa sitting on the dock

Robin's nest above the boathouse!

old row boat

Potato gun!

I'm pretty excited...

My helper rabbit while I did yard work

Priest Lake sunsets are incredible

Dad, Grandpa, Lisa, and Stuart went out in the rough waters to fix the water line! It was mostly successful :)

The grandkids (my two sisters, Andrew, and Lisa's boyfriend) will be heading back to the lake for the 4th of July weekend. There may be some crafts with Grandma involved... can't wait!