Friday, December 3, 2010

{ Tutorial } How to make a glittered felt christmas tree

I am so excited to share with you the EASY instructions on how to make this felt glittered tree. I really am super happy with the way they turned out.
Here is what you need:
  • Felt  (I used white)
  • Scissors
  • Glue gun and glue sticks
  • Craft glue
  • Clear glitter
  • Styrofoam cone  (or any cone shaped thing)
Note: I didn't use a Styrofoam cone I used a cone shaped wire tree from Dollar Tree last year, but I think they aren't there any more. You can find foam cones at Dollar Tree or any craft store.
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Step one
Cut felt into large medium and small strips.
 cut 4 large strips (2 in wide)
cut 4 medium strips (1 1/2 in wide)
cut 2 small strips (1 in wide)
 
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Step Two
Cut deep scallops into each strip



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Step three
Glue along scalloped edge of each strip and glitter generously.

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Step four
Hot glue each strip onto the cone starting with the large strips at the bottom and ending with the smallest at the top.

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Step five
Cut a half flower shape (for tip of tree)

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Step six
Glitter and roll the half flower in a cone like shape. Glue this to the top for the tip of tree.
 

trees
That's it! Pretty easy right? If you have any questions just leave it in the comments and I'll answer them there. That way others who might have the same questions can see my answer too. :)

(I like to link up my posts in these link parties)

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Made by you: origami boxes

 I love seeing the things you make from my tutorials!
You are all so creative!! Getting your pretty photos in my in-box is so fun!!
 Alexandra, from Switzerland, made this pretty box using recycled newspaper. I love that she chose a blue page and made matching decorations. :)

My sister, Annie Carie , made these from holiday card-stock. I love how festive and colorful they are.

Janelle, from New Zealand, made these boxes from paper she printed from her computer. I love the retro designs!
Have you made an origami box, a felt flower, or any one of my tutorials?  Please email me your photos, I would love to share them with everyone! :)

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

How to make a doily

The images are pretty self explanatory but here are the steps.
  1. Trace a circle using a cup.
  2. Use large scalloped scissors to cut around the circle.
  3. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in each scallop.
  4. Punch another row above and in between the other holes.
  5. Erase circle or flip it over.
And done! 
boxes
You can use this same technique in a straight line to make a lace strip like I did for the package on the left.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Salt dough christmas cookie ornaments

I made these gingerbread snowflake cookie ornaments out of salt dough last week. They turned out pretty good. I took photos as I made them so a tutorial is on it's way eventually. As soon a I find some more time. :)  Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

a paper mache snowman

Just sharing a little paper mache snowman I made. I am working on another snowman and a girl but who knows how long it will take me to finish them. Recently my husband told me that I have been selling all of my sculptures and keeping none for myself, and he is right, so this one's for us.  The sign says "Jolly Lolly" because my son has been walking around the house singing, "Season to be jolly lolly, la la la la la, la la la la".  It's the cutest thing I've ever heard!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Harry Potter birthday party

With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one coming out, and the fact that my daughter's birthday was three months ago already, I thought it was about time I posted her Harry Potter Hogwarts birthday party. :) 
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I set up a table to look like the Honeydukes Sweets Shop with lollipops, marshmallow wands, Snitch petite fours, and Hedwig owl cupcakes. (I know my fellow Harry Potter fans are disappointed because there aren't any licorice wands, like in the books, but we were on vacation; what can I say?)
Harry Potter birthday party
Of course we decorated with the red and gold colors of my daughter's favorite house. Go! Go! Gryffindor!

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My mom made the owl cupcakes based on the those in the adorable book Hello Cupcake. Since we wanted our owls to look like Hedwig we used butter cream frosting and generic vanilla Oreo's instead of the classic Oreo and chocolate frosting used in the book.

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We set up my mom's party tents and had different Hogwarts classes underneath each tent.
In Potions class my husband taught the kids how to make slime using borax and glue. Super easy to make, you can find the recipe here.  This ended up being a huge hit with the adults as well and the kids.

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In Charms class my sister gave each kid a sparkler and we practiced different incantations and proper wand waving.

For Quidditch class we used pool noodles as brooms. The birthday girl got to be the Seeker and ran around trying to find the Golden Snitch, a little ball that was hidden in the yard. We even had Chasers, Beaters, and Keepers of sorts. We played with a few 3-year-olds who mostly just ran around; the rest of us tried to play as correctly as Muggles can. Confused? Here is how to play.
 (Here is a different version where someone acts as the snitch and runs around trying not to get caught. It looks like a lot of fun).

 My brother-in-law Jon even made us some really yummy home made Butter Beer (a warm butterscotch/ rootbeer type drink). Really, really yummy! Thanks, Jon!
What a fun time we all had. 
Here is a fun little note: While at the grocery store last week my hubby and daughter got free movie tickets!  Seriously! All they did was stare at the Harry Potter display in the store front and the manager came up and offered free movie tickets to the special pre-opening show. He said he could tell that our daughter was a really BIG fan and thought we would appreciate it. And we do! In fact I'd better go and pick up those tickets right now. :)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tis the season...

...for glittered felt Christmas trees. I love these trees so much. I made them last year and they were very affordable to make. They turned out so pretty and magical I plan on giving you a tutorial soon so stay tuned. :) 

Also, check out these adorable origami boxes my sister Merrilee made using my tutorial. :)
  She made them for Halloween and put pumpkin cream pies inside, yum! (Ooh what if for Christmas you made gingerbread cream pies, or chocolate with pepermint cream and added crushed candy canes yummmm!)
I was checking out my stats and she has sent quite a few readers over to my blog ever since she linked to my origami boxes and I wanted to share the love and send all of you over to her blog; Mer Mag. So head on over and prepare to be inspired by her loveliness!

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