Pink Paper Peppermints - Craft. Create. Celebrate.

Button Flower Bouquet | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 31

Day Thirty-one and now we're done...

Can you believe it?  It's been 31 days already? (actually if you count weekends it's been 6 weeks!!)

Our final flower tutorial for 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days  is for a beautiful bouquet of button flowers!

 Here's what you need to get started:
 

-Buttons
-Wire (I used 18 gauge)
-Wire cutters
-Pliers 
-Ribbon & jar

Step One

Decide on the length that you want your flower stems to be, cut your wire twice this length and fold in half.

Step Two

Now choose the buttons you want to use for your flowers.

I like to stack mine up and play with shapes, sizes and colors until I'm happy with the look.

Step Three

Now begin to slide your buttons up the wire in the order that you stacked them (top to bottom).

Step Four

Now twist the wire down to where you want the first "leaf".  I used various sizes & shades of green buttons for leaves.

 

 Your flower should look something like this:

Step Five

I also added little wire curly "vines" to my bouquet using a wire curler to twist the wire. 

If you don't have one of these tools you can use a pencil (round without the flat sides) or paintbrush to wrap the wire around.

You can trim the wire to fit exactly in the jar or vase that you are using, but I kind of like how my wire looked all swirled together at the bottom of the jar so I left it!

So that's it for my spring flower celebration!  As you're reading this we are on vacation, so I'm not sure how much posting there will be for the next few days.

I've had lots of questions about the next "31 days" of tutorials and I have some ideas, but those will be  "coming soon".

In the meantime I'll still be posting tutorials and ideas and of course I'll be going back to my regular blogging with ten on tuesdays & stuff so I hope to see you all around!

I have been so excited to meet so many people from all over the world doing this! 

Thank you all for your encouraging emails and comments!

See you soon!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"He sent Me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called "Trees of Justice," planted by the LORD to honor His name."

-Isaiah 61:3

Cupcakes & Recycling Flowers | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 30

 

Day Thirty-We're flower nerdy!

Today I've got some more fabulous flower tutorial links for you!

Cupcake Bouquet!

That's right, a bouquet of cupcake roses! So pretty and yummy!

and

Recycled Newsprint Flowers

Patricia at A Little Hut shows how to make super gorgeous flower artwork with recycled newsprint!

and finally

Recycled Soda Bottle Flowers

Wow, these are neat-O!

Ok have fun with these and I'll see you on Monday for our very last 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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 "The fig trees are producing their early fruit. The flowers on the vines are giving off their sweet smell."
-Song of Solomon 2:13

Felt Flowers | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 29

Day Twenty-Nine-still feelin' fine!

Today's flower tutorial for 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days  is one of my favorites!  Felt flowers!  No matter how you make these they turn out so pretty!

 Here's what you need to get started:
 

-Felt in bright colors
-Needle & embroidery floss or thread
-Scissors
-Buttons

Step One

Cut the felt in in flower shapes. 

Step Two

Layer the shapes.  The more layers the prettier your flower will be. 

You can use a button as the center or embroidery, sequins or beads look pretty too.

Step Three

For a little more complicated felt flower, cut your felt in graduating circles.

Step Four

 

Next, cut thin little triangles out all the way around to create squarish petals.

Step Five
 

Now layer your flowers and take a small stitch with contrasting thread (I used 3 strands of embroidery floss) about a quarter of an inch in on the petal, down over the edge and into the next petal. 

Do this through each layer of petals as shown below.

That's it!  Fun & fast felty flowers!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"At that time the Lord All-Powerful will be like a beautiful crown, like a wonderful crown of flowers for His people"
-Is 28:5

Word Flowers | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 28

Day Twenty-Eight - almost to home plate!

It's a word flower tutorial for today's 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days ! 

 Here's what you need to get started:
 

-Watercolor Paper
-Watercolor Pencils
-Pencil
-Brush & water
-paper, ribbons, bakers twine & flowers (optional - to create card)

Step One

Lightly sketch out your design on watercolor paper.

Step Two

 
Using the watercolor pencils, write the words you want to use on the lines of your flower.  I used the scripture,

"The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our Lord stands forever." -Is 40:8

You could also write poetry, someone's name or just a little love note!

Step Three

With a damp brush go over the watercolor pencil lines to smudge them a little and create a painted look. 

Once the flower is dry you can go in and erase the pencil sketch lines, but I kind of liked how this looked so I left it.

Step Four

  

Cut out your flower and mount it on patterned paper for a handmade card. 

I attached ribbon and silk flowers to some bakery twine to decorate the spine of the card.

Have Fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"He sent Me to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts. They will be called "Trees of Justice," planted by the LORD to honor his name."
-Isaiah 61:3

French Toast Flowers! | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 27

Day Twenty-Seven-We're still in flower heaven!

Today's flower tutorial for 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days  is fun and yummy and a perfect way to celebrate the arrival of summer! 

I think it would be so fun to make these from French Toast, but for simplicity in the tutorial I just used regular toast which is a little quicker and turned out cute too!

 Here's what you need to get started:

-Whole wheat bread
-Butter
-Decorative Sugar
-Flower shaped cookie cutter
-soda bottle cap
-knife
-French toast recipe & ingredients (if making french toast)

Step One

While bread is toasting (or french toast is cooking) cut a 1/4 inch pat of butter for each toast flower you will be making.

Step Two

 

Use your soda cap to make little round pats of butter for the center of your toast flowers. 

This works best if the butter is firm but not rock hard, so let it sit out for a few minutes before beginning.

Step Three

Once your toast is ready, center the cookie cutter over it and press firmly. 

Before you lift the cookie cutter, pull away the scraps of toast on the outside. 

 

Tip:

Don't throw these scraps away!  Throw them in a baggie and store them in the freezer.  The next time you need bread crumbs for a recipe just toss the scraps into the food processor and you've got homemade bread crumbs! (You can do this with the heels of the bread as well.)

Step Four

 

Now add your pat of butter to the center of your toast flower!

Step Five
 

For a special treat, you can sprinkle sanding sugar or decorative sugar on the butter centers.

Step Six

 

Cut freehand leaves with your knife.

Step Seven

 

Now put together your toasty flowers! 

This would make a fun birthday or holiday breakfast treat! 

For dad, on Father's Day, you could use a fish or sports themed cutter!

Have Fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"His cheeks are like beds of spices, with sweet-smelling plants. His lips are like lily flowers giving off drops of perfume."
-Song of Solomon 5:13

Recycled Newspaper Flowers | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 26

Day Twenty-Six and one more flower from my bag of tricks!

Don't throw those newspapers away until you try this!  Today's flower tutorial for 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days  is a perfect summer activity to do with the kids!

 Here's what you need to get started:
 

-Old newspapers
-Acrylic Paints
-Decorative Scissors
-Flower punch or templates or die cut machine (or just freehand your own!)
-Buttons
-Tags
-Ribbon & Bakery Twine
-Medium Grade Sandpaper

Step One

Cut newspaper into pieces small enough to work with.  Choose sheets with solid sections of text or interesting graphics depending on the look you want.

Step Two

 

Pour on a little paint and spread with a foam brush or cotton ball, let dry.

Step Three

Add a piece of cardstock behind the newspaper for stability before punching your shapes (the newspaper tends to crinkle up and get stuck if you don't do this).

Step Four

  

Punch flowers. You can also use a die cut machine or templates for this or just freehand your own designs.

Step Five
 

You can cut decorative elements with your shaped scissors.

Step Six

 

Cut freehand leaves.

Step Seven

Now put together your flower!  I put mine on a tag and sanded it with sand paper to give it a distressed look.

You could also create a really cute handmade card with these, or magnets, bookmarks or even gift wrap!

Have Fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"Look how the wild flowers grow! They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of these flowers."
-Luke 12:27

Office Supplies, Book Pages & Balloon Flowers! | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 25

 

Look Alive it's Day Twenty-five!

Hey today we have some more fabulous flower tutorial links and even a video-Woo-hoo!  Enjoy these!

How About Orange

Flowers + Fabric + Office Supplies = L-O-V-E! 

Okay, if you can only go to one of the links today it has to be this one.  Jessica is one of my very favorite bloggers *ever*! 

She is so full of fun and inspirational ideas and just visiting her blog will make you feel happy! 

Her tutorial on flowery fabric-covered office supplies really will brighten your day!

Reconstructed Shabby Chic Silk Flowers

Here you will find a really neat tutorial on taking apart a silk flower and layering it with lace & glitter & stamping to make one lovely, shabby chic flower!  (Forget what I said about only going to one link!  You can't miss this one either! heh-heh)

Book Page Flowers

Tammy has a tutorial for making gorgeous paper flowers from book pages and stamping ink!  You will love this one! (See the one link only thing will just not work)

Balloon-a-ful!

Just for fun how about learning how to make a balloon flower!  Click play below!  (It looks pretty easy if you don't have the debilitating-fear-of-the-balloon-pop-noise thing going on...heh-heh)

Find more DIY videos

Ok have fun with these this weekend and come back Monday for more 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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 "If you value Wisdom and hold tightly to her, great honors will be yours. It will be like wearing a glorious crown of beautiful flowers." 
-Proverbs 4:8-10

Foam Stamp Flowers! | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 24

Day Twenty-Four and we could open a flower store!

Make your own flower stamp with this foam stamp flower tutorial for today's 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days ! 

 Here's what you need to get started:
 

-Craft Foam
-Pencil
-Scissors
-Adhesive (rubber cement or glue dots)
-Old cd case or acrylic mounting block

Step One

Draw your design on the craft foam.  Look in magazines, and coloring books for ideas for designs.  Simple shapes work best for this type of stamp.

Step Two

 
Cut out your shapes.

Step Three

Mount your design on the cd case with rubber cement or glue dots.

Step Four

  

Ink up your stamp and start stamping! 

You can also try using watercolor markers, fabric paints (for stamping on t-shirts or tote bags) or acrylic paints for a completely different look! 

This is a great summer activity to do with your kids!  Let them find simple designs in their coloring books to trace or have them draw their own designs! 

Have Fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"The entire interior of The Temple was cedar, with carvings of fruits and flowers."
-1 Kings 6:14

Rounded Petal Fabric Flowers | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days- Day 23

Day Twenty-Three and no admission fee!

Today we have another fabric flower tutorial for the 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days ! 

This one is very similar to the fabric flower we made before but instead of pointed petals you get round petals.

 Here's what you need to get started:

-Fabric
-Needle and Thread
-Scissors
-Buttons

Step One

Cut six 3x3 squares of fabric.

Step Two

 
Fold in a triangle shape, wrongs sides together and press.

Step Three

Stitch a loose gathering stitch around the open edges of the triangle.

Step Four

  

Now gather the fabric into a petal shape by pulling the thread through.

Step Five
 

Attach the next petal to the first and then stitch around the edges and gather.  Repeat this for all five petals.

Step Six

 

Once you've finished gathering all your petals attach the last petal to the first petal to form the flower.

Step Seven

Add a button to the center and your pretty fabric flower is finished!

Try putting these on:

-tote bags

-journals

-barrettes

-a brooch

-a scrapbook cover

-a t-shirt

-a bulletin board pin 

Have Fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"He made the flowers, the lamps and their objects of pure gold."
-2 chron 4:21

Punch Flower Ball Garland | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 22

Day Twenty-Two only 9 more flowers before we're through!

Today's flower tutorial for the 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days is a pretty punched flower garland.

 

 Here's what you need to get started:

-Flower Punch (or die cut or trace or draw your own)
-Glue Dots (or other dry adhesive)
-Patterned or plain scrapbook paper  (this would also be cute with recycled paper like yesterday's flower)
-Baker's Twine or other ribbon or string

Step One

Punch flowers in your desired colors. 

You'll need six flowers for each flower ball. 

You'll need about three or four flower balls per foot of garland.

Step Two

 
I've drawn a little face & body on this flower to make the instructions easier to understand. 

You can do the same for the first flower you create to help you get the hang of it, but after that, it probably won't be necessary.

Step Three

Join five flowers together at the "arms" using glue dots or other dry adhesive.

It should look something like this:

Step Four

 

Now put adhesive on all five petals of another flower and join each petal to one of the "faces" on your flowers. 

Then attach the last two "arms".

It should look something like this now:

Step Five

 

Now flip the flower upside down and  you'll see five little pairs of "legs". 

Adhere each "leg" to the one next to it as above.

Your finished flower should look something like this:

 

Step Six

 

Once you've finished all your flowers, string them on bakery twine or ribbon to create the garland.

That's it, now string your garland somewhere summery-ish and enjoy!

You could do this with red,white & blue flowers for a fourth of July barbecue or in bright primary colors for a birthday party too!

Have Fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;"
-Psalm 103:15

3-D Pop Up Recycled Magazine Flowers! | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 21

Day Twenty-One and we're still havin' fun!

Today we're making a super cool pop up flower for the 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days !

I thought it would be fun to make it out of old magazine pages, but of course you could use pretty scrapbook paper, handmade paper, painted watercolor paper or even construction paper if the kiddos are helping to make these fun flowers!

 

Here's what you need to get started:

-9 Magazine pages or 9 sheets of 81/2 x 11 patterned paper (or any other paper)
-Gluestick
-Cardstock
-Scissors

Step One

Fold the first sheet in half.  Don't worry about trimming the torn edges as these will get cut off later.

Step Two

Next fold in half again (to quarter size).

Step Three

Now take the bottom left corner, fold it up to the top edge and crease.

Step Four

Next take the top layer *only* of the fold you just made and fold it back down to the bottom edge and crease.

Step Four

Holding the folded paper (point down) start at the middle and cut upwards creating a petal shape.

When you reach the middle crease, fold the top layer *only* over to the left and use it as a guide to continue cutting.

 

Your folded flower should look something like the photo above.

Step Five

 

Carefully unfold your flower.  You will need to create nine flowers like this one.

Step Six

 

 

Fold a blank piece of cardstock in half and glue the first flower to the cardstock.

Step Seven

Flower A

 

Flower B

Layer each flower over the next alternating the petals you glue with each flower as shown above until you get to the last flower. This is an important step for the flower to open correctly.
 

Step Eight

 

 

 

 

The last petal you will cut in half and glue to stack of petals. 

Then glue alternate petals all the way around the flower as before and fold the card over. 

Place something heavy on it and let set for five or ten minutes (this is the hardest part!).

Step Nine

Time to unfold your finished flower!

This one make take a little practice, but it is so worth the end result!  Kids especially love the big reveal when you open that 3-D Pop Up flower!

Hope you have fun!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"The two doors to the most holy place were made out of olive wood and were decorated with carvings of palm trees, and flowers..."
-1 Kings :31

Hot Dog Flowers, Paper Roses and Computer Monitors! | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 20

 Day Twenty Flowers-a-Plenty!



Today I've got some more fabulous flower tutorial links for you! (my tutorials will be back on Monday)

Today's features are:

Sister Diane from CraftyPod (featured on Fall of Autumn Press)

Diane shows us a super cute way to deck out our computer monitors with flowers and photos!

and

Cooking Cute

Oh my gosh, Hot Dog flowers!  Now I have to say I am morally and ethically against *anyone* eating hot dogs, *but* if you get the non-evil kind from Whole Foods and make these hot dog flowers, well ok then!


and finally one of my favorite artists *ever*:


Rebecca Sower

She has an easy tutorial for some beautiful, glittery paper roses!  (and have a look around her blog because it is so incredibly inspiring!)


Ok have fun with these and I'll see you on Monday for more 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days!


Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
---------------------------------------------------------
 "The fig trees are producing their early fruit. The flowers on the vines are giving off their sweet smell."
-Song of Solomon 2:13

Applique Flower Stationery | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 19

Day Nineteen - Kentucky Wonder Bean.

(no meaning...it's just starting to get hard to rhyme the word teen! heh-heh)

We're using fabric to make appliqué note cards for today's 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days !

This is such a perfect way to use up your scraps of lovely fabric that are too small for anything else! 

I think it would be a great way to repurpose old clothes and linens as well!

Here's what you need to get started:

-Fabric
-Fusible Webbing (like Wonder Under)
-Flower Templates
-Iron
-Cardstock or blank notecards
-Pencil
-Scissors

Step One

First cut a piece of the fusible webbing to the size you'll need for your appliqué and place the rough side on the wrong side of your fabric. 

Press it for 5-8 seconds until fused. 

Now trace your flower pattern onto the paper side of the webbing.

Step Two

Cut out your fabric flower appliqué and leaves if you've made them.

Step Three

Peel the backing paper off your shapes.  Arrange them on your card and press gently for a few seconds until fused.
 
You may want to place a cloth between your card and the iron.

Now you're finished! 

If you want to you can embellish them with beads, buttons, sequins, rubber stamps or even embroidery to spruce them up a bit, but I think they're lovely just like this!

(Now I'm going to go do some housework and try not to worry that they've killed-off Sawyer in LOST tonight!)

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"My beloved is to me a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of En-gedi ..."
-Song of Solomon 1:14

Rubber Stamp Embroidery Pattern | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days - Day 18

Day Eighteen - It's one crafty scene.

Today's crafty flower idea for 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days is to use your flower rubber stamps as patterns for embroidery!

I'm going to make a little felt patch, but you could use any fabric that can be embroidered on or even paper!

DISCLAIMER: Um...this is not an *embroidery* tutorial 'cause...you know...I'm just learning to do that myself so I'm no expert...actually I'm not a stamping expert either so...(heh-heh) just get what ya can out of it, k?

Here's what you need to get started:

-Rubber Stamps
-Marker
-Felt (or Fabric) on which to embroider
-Needle & embroidery thread
-Embroidery Hoop
-Scissors

Step One

Use a light colored marker to ink up your stamp.  I'm using a Zig brush marker (english lavender) here.

I use a marker instead of an ink pad for this technique because I have more control over how much ink is applied and where it is applied.

You want to use a light color because you want it to be just barely visible for your pattern.

Tip:

If you don't have an acrylic block for your acrylic stamps (or if you have several but you can't find *any* of them because your craft table is such a mess *cough*) then you can use an old cd case or the lid of a clear plastic container like I've done here.

Step Two

Press your stamp on to the felt or fabric with even pressure to make your pattern.

Step Three

Place your felt or fabric in an embroidery hoop and embroider! 

If you're embroidering on felt be careful not to pull your stitches too tightly or they will all but disappear in the felt (I found this out the hard way...heh-heh)



Step Four

Once your complete your embroidery you can cut it out and apply it to all sorts of other craft projects.  I'm thinking of putting mine on a felt cell phone cozy for my new phone! (a pink razr- my first upgrade in five years ha! - more on that later.)

 

If you've sent me an email in the last week or so I'm slowly working my way through them and I'll be replying soon!

Have a great Wednesday crafty friends! - See you tomorrow!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"The desert and dry land will become happy; the desert will be glad and will produce flowers. Like a flower, it will have many blooms. It will show its happiness, as if it were shouting with joy."
-Isaiah 35:1

Altered Reusable Grocery Bags! | 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days-Day 17

Day Seventeen - You're a Flower Queen!

It's day 17 of the 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days extravaganza!  Woo-hoo!

Today we're using silk flowers (and a little fabric & buttons) to gussie up those ugly (but important) reusable shopping bags!

(gussie up - that's Texan for make 'em pretty)

I got mine on sale when my Albertson's was going out of business and now I really don't like taking them to other stores because of the big (and mega-ugly) Alberston's logo on them.

I first got the idea of "altering" them at this little blog: ferferly.  She has a wonderful tutorial for creating a pocket to cover the logo.

My bags were different than hers though and I'm not quite as good a seamstress so this is my solution.

(I think you could do this completely with hot glue too if you are not a sewy sew kinda gal.)

Here's what you need to get started:

 

-A reusable shopping bag with an ugly logo (or not)
-Silk flowers (or polyester - the dollar store usually has bunches of them for...well a dollar, heh-heh)
-Fabric Scraps
-Hot Glue gun
-Needle & thread
-Sewing Machine (optional)

Step One

Cut out the the fabric to the size needed to cover the logo. 

Step Two

Layout the flowers in the design/pattern of your choice and pin them to the fabric.

Step Three

I sewed around the edges of my fabric square to make it look sewn-on.  I left raw edges because I like that look, but you could turn the seams under if you prefer a neater look.

In hind-sight I should have done that *before* pinning the flowers on.  It would just be easier.  Now you don't have to make that mistake though.  Aren't I awesome?  I'm always workin' for ya to figure things out. heh-heh.

Step Four

Now select the buttons for your flower centers and sew them on by hand.

Step Five



Attach your fabric square to the bag.  I used hot glue, but you could hand sew it or even hot glue velcro strips to both the bag and the fabric so that the fabric could be removed for washing!

That's it! 

Now you have a pretty bag to take shopping!   

And you can create so many different designs with this idea too! 

You could do a patchwork of different fabrics instead of just one.  You could even use appliqué or embroidery or cross-stitch to decorate the fabric!

You could also hot glue only around three sides to create a pocket (similar to what ferferly did with hers)!

If you don't already have some reusable grocery bags (with mega ugly logos on them) you can get some very nice plain ones to decorate here.


Ok! Go make some fun & flowery shopping bags and say no to plastic!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"At that time the Lord All-Powerful will be like a beautiful crown, like a wonderful crown of flowers for His people."
-Is 28:5