DIY Snow Mobile

While it's no secret that my preferred season is Fall, I do love Winter! The way fresh snow glistens and sparkles. White in color but looks blue in the shade. Snow ball fights. Sleigh rides.Winter crafting with my kids.  Sledding. Making snow men. Baking cookies. The gatherings. Hot coco, and a blanket by a fireplace....Oh the list goes on haha as I'm sure it does for you. Well where I'm going with this is, my best friend is pregnant with their last child and is just shy of 37 weeks right now, and expecting another girl! Being due dead smack in winter leaves for such a inspirational flow! I instantly decided that I wanted to use snowflakes in there. But what to make....I finally chose a mobile, but rather then having one for hanging on the crib, I wanted one that hung from the ceiling-Why you might ask? Well simple- I'm wanting snowflakes {winter} to be the major theme, and more functional when it can be used past the infant years. I wanted to make something that after her first year or so would just be put up until winter arrived the next year. Something to celebrate winter and obviously my sweet niece!
*Before I continue I want to point out now that this tutorial is a bit different then my past ones. Once I get to the 'decorating' I don't take pictures. I did this project in  increments as family life is my #1 and the other part being I want you to make your own project from this. Of course you can do a recreation if you should choose, but projects are fun for us because we put your own touch on it. Change it up a little, make it Younique :) {haha yeah I'm a dork, I know}

Alright so materials:
1 pretty shoelace
2 {or more} colors of ribbon
scissors
1 pack or assorted sized bulbs
Couple different cutout packs. {I chose foam snowflakes and glitter paper cut out shapes.}
Metal ring {I got from Joanns, but can just as easily be bought from Walmart or other stores that carry crafting materials}

Hot glue gun.
*Pictured is blue thread-I decided not use it.

 First take the shoelace and line tips up equally then cut in half, and cut off the tips.

 Take one of the end of the shoelace, line up as such with only a half inch or so

 Hot glue on the end, fold, press and hold for 15-20ish seconds.
Now take the loose end of the attached shoelace and glue it in a similar spot on the other side of the ring. Repeate these steps for the second piece of shoelace.
*HOT GLUE IS HOT* lol.

 Measure two pieces of ribbon to your desired length. {mine were from shoulder to wrist length.} and Tie in a knot together around the two shoelaces.

 see like this :)

 Then I simply took the ribbons and made a hoop and a knot to hold.

 Cut 8 pieces of ribbon {divided up as you see fit. I only went with two colors so I did 4 blue, 4 purple} I went for 8 inches on these, though whatever length you choose would suffice. Tie two pieces of ribbon together as such, and line up behind one of the shoelace ends above the ring.

 Align the knot behind, and tie off. Double knot. You can make a bow here if you choose. I just let the ends hang.

 Now for this part I did not measure the ribbon out, I did assorted lengths. I wanted a assortment of lengths so I did the measuring by eye. Glue ribbon on in the same manner as I did the shoelaces.

 Now once you are at this point-use your imagination and decorate from your eye :) I did not take pictures of assembly after this point until finished. Simply thread ornament on ribbon, tie knot-dab of hot glue to bond, and move on down the ribbon.
***Careful not to put too much decor on one strand of ribbon because you have a lot to go still. Make it thin, and you can always go back in and fill it up to your desire, rather you cant go and remove things once they are glued.

Simple Flower Tutorial

 

☃  Brrr it's awfully chilly here in town. One of those days I wish we still lived on the hill side-so much warmer up there! The last few weeks I have been searching for various fabric, metal, plastic, and paper flowers that I could put my own touch to {for my upcoming Wedding :) } While I found lots of the same version flowers, I decided to just play around with a version I adore {the unfinished flowers!} but being that I'm making these for Prop stash for my Photography's Christmas/Holiday mini sessions, I wanted a real classy, simple flower.

      *On a side note- I took these pictures late at night when on one of my crafting kicks so please don't judge the quality of the picture. The pictures were just to show you all how to make the flowers, not to show off my skills with the camera :)*

Materials needed:
-Felt in desired flower colors
-Thread
-Needle
-Scissors
-Pen

 I used the bottom of my thread spool as my circle pattern.
Granted for White I would have normally just used a piece of paper or a prior cut circle so the ink doesnt show up-but this was for easy tutorial purpose :)
Trace 5 circles.

 5 circles gives you 2 flowers.
Cut the circles.

 Now one circle at a time, fold it in half, and cut.

 Now take 5 half circles and line them up as such. Halfway overlapping. This is how I want you to simple stitch them together.

 Starting with the first semi circle insert your threaded needle, starting in the middle.

 As you come back up ad another semi circle.
Repeat until you have attached your 5th one.

It will look like this now.

 Now bring starting edge to ending edge

 Overlap to follow the same pattern you have been doing.

 Simple stitch until you have attached the pieces together

 Stop sewing once you have reached the knot from your start point.

 Now gently pull both end of the thread {the knot and the end with the attached needle}
and tie off. I triple knotted mine just to be triple sure :}
Then trim off the thread and walla!- a simple classy flower that you can do yourself!

 I made Christmas colored ones, but have not yet made the other flowers I want to go with so I have not attached them, or I would have shown you attaching. However attaching flowers to a headband or hair clip is very easy. For that you need glue {I prefer hot glue because its a faster bond, and very durable} headband and matching color felt to your flowers. Arrange flowers in your desired locations first, until you get them just how you want them to look. One by one pick them up and add glue behind them, and stick them to the headband/hair clip, repeat until you have glued all the flowers/embellishments you desire. Then take the matching piece of felt and trim to fit the backside of the flowers. Grab your headband/hair clip with semi attached flowers, apply glue to felt, and press to the backside of the flower and over the headband. {If your using a clip--make sure to hold the clip oven before attaching the last piece of felt :)
I will post a finished product once I decide placements for everything :)
Happy crafting everyone!