I haven't blogged in forever. I guess the novelty is wearing off and I need to freshen things up a bit. One of the ways I plan on doing that is by teaching a class at my friend Melany's shop, Project Anthologies. I am going to teach them four fabric flower techniques that they can use on wreaths, headbands, home decor, etc. the goal at the end of the night is for them to leave class with a finished wreath. Here is the prototype.
I will post pictures of the class and add some tutorials.
I have seen stacked pumpkins on Pinterest and wanted to do something like that this year. I don't have a big front porch so I needed to incorporate it into my garden space in the front yard. Last weekend, Eliza and I went to a pumpkin patch with some other families. It was a low profile, pick your own patch. You payed based on the honor system, it's nice to know that there are still trusting souls out there!!
The kids and parents had a blast finding the best ones in the patch. The sizes, shapes, and colors were so varied. We got a couple little ones that Eliza found and then I got two larger ones. We went to a nearby greenhouse to look for mums and white pumpkins. Here's Eliza surrounded by pumpkins sporting her Volunteers t- shirt.
I think she's cuter than a pumpkin. I found two pumpkins for the project, one a nudish color and the other white. To make the topiary, I turned a planter upside down. I stacked the pumpkins and tried to give them a little support with pins, lets hope there aren't severe winds :-). I was having a hard time putting the dried flowers between the pumpkins so I decided to use grapevine. I made two circle wreaths and put it between the pumpkins. This allowed me to secure the dried flowers and clippings. I also put moss between the grapevine and pumpkins, which provided support and made it looked fuller.
I ended up using a lot of clippings from my autumn joy sedum. I really like the way it came together. The neighbors drove by and said they were going to try and make one as well, which was flattering.
I decided to make a wreath with a variety if fabrics and textures. I wrapped strips of various coordinating fabrics around a foam wreath.
I found some packs of pre-cut hexagon shapes at Big Lots. I used them to make some full flowers.
I'm proud to say its hanging in the front window of Project Anthologies!!
Last year at this time I was making tons of fabric pumpkins. I cut fabric in circles and sewed a running stitch around the top, stuffed, added a stem, and tightened. They came out cute but I wanted to try something new this year. I sewed fabric of different sizes, right sides together, to make cylinder shapes. Sewed the bottom with a running stitch, put rice on bottom for some weight, and added stuffing. I like how they came out different sizes like real pumpkins do. I've also been playing around with photo editing apps so here are a few of the pumpkin patch photos.
I will be having fun making a lot more...
My little princess turned 4 and wanted a princess tea party. I had the party the day after Wine and Wishes so things were a bit hectic. I had lots if grandiose plans but was unable to carry them all out. I did buy some tulle and make a flashy wreath for the door to announce her highnesses birthday.
Here's a quick tutorial on how I made it. All you need is some rolls of tulle, which I got at Walmart. I used a green styrofoam wreath. I doubled up on the tulle strips so it looked fuller. They were about 2 ft long.
I alternated colors and kept going until it was full.
Awe, Piper the dog!
I also added a wand from the dollar store, some cute felt butterflies, and an E That I added some paint and glitter to. Now it hangs in the princesses room, eh hum, I mean castle!
So we pulled it off!! My fellow bridesmaid and I pulled off a great engagement party. We had a buffet of appetizers and a variety of specialty cupcakes for dessert. The PB and chocolate cupcakes were to die for!!
I love this quote for them being that it's their second marriage.." Being someone's first love may be great but being their last is perfect" I can't remember what blog I found the printable on, but it was so appropriate.
This is the Wine and Wishes station where people used these lovely note cards designed by Peg to write their wish, seal it, and attach it to the bottle. I was so impressed by Alisha's dad who came prepared with his wish pre-written, so sweet to know the love he put in to it. Here are some more pics of the party.
The happy couple!!
Angie, Alisha and I
My fellow bridesmaid Peg.
A really fun part of the night was a pre-newlywed game where our engaged couple competed against two other couples to see how well they knew each other. I'm proud to say that Alisha and Carl did win!! Here's a picture of them with the sign I made.
I can't wait for the wedding!!
My BFF is getting married!! She is having a brief engagement, only 3 months. We wanted to throw her and her groom to be an engagement party, since we weren't going to do a shower. This is a second marriage for both and they have already combined households. Her other bridesmaid, Peg, and I decided to throw them a Wine and Wishes party. They both love wine and are getting married at a vineyard in the Finger Lakes. The party is next weekend. We sent out invitations requesting that each couple bring their favorite wine and be prepared to write a wish that will be sealed and tied to the bottle. Therefore, when they open a bottle, they can read a wish. I will post pics next week. In the meantime I have been working on some party decor. I used some wooden banner cutouts I acquired from PYP.
Then I cut some vinyl.
Used a beautiful antique mirror frame I squired at Brimfield.
Strung the banner on ribbon and hung it from the frame. I also added some bling to the ring with glitter glue.
I'll take more pics of it when I have it set up at the party.
