Making a Fun Shred Bow



Do you like to wrap gifts?

 My deep dark secret: I don't.



But this year, I have time and have come up with something fun!

I made all these bows at one sitting and then just tied them on.

I bought nothing. I had everything on hand.



They look cute on everything!
You can change the elements to fit your mood or occasion.
You can have them made up and on hand when you need them.



Before I show you how to do this, a wrapping tip that might make your wrapping chores go a little faster!

First, save your pretty tissue...it may be inexpensive to some people, but if you buy really nice tissue, it is NOT cheap!
As soon as Christmas is over...take each piece and run a hot iron over it. (If it's the heavy waxed tissue, be careful..it may stick, so test first.) But for regular tissue, the iron is your best friend. Turn off "steam".
The pic above is the "before".

This shows how nicely the paper turns out after a few swipes of the iron.
Now, fold the Christmas tissue, put it away to be used next year.
Note: If it's torn, I just toss it.
I am NOT cheap, but I cut costs where I can.

If you will look at the first pic above, you will see a cute little bow that I came up with for my packages.
I was determined not to buy a single wrapping element this year. My "wrapping" box has become
out of control. I have so much paper, ribbon, etc. I decided to wrap everything with only things I had.
Above are the only things you need to make tons of tie on bows.
Curly ribbon (green and red on the spools); paper shred (you need red and white...I only show red);
sparkly red shred (or some other color).
Also note the single silver strand of ribbon. Most important strand of the bunch!
HOW TO's:
1. Cut a piece of ribbon about 12 or 13 inches long that is a different color from all the rest of the elements
 (mine was silver).
This will become the tie for the bow and the way you tie the bow to the package.
*If you use all the same color for this piece, it is too hard to find the "tie on" piece when you are ready to add the bow!
2. Pull some of the long sparkly shred from the package and loop it back and forth until it's a fat little bunch.
Lay it on top of the silver tie piece.
 Make sure it is going the opposite way from the silver.
3. Pull out some paper shreds and pull them so they are longer and no longer bunched up.
Lay them on top of the sparkly red.
4. Make a looped bow using the curly red and green ribbon.
Holding the center of  the looped  red and green bow, carefully lay it on top and then tie the whole thing together with the silver ribbon.

Use the silver ribbon to tie the bow onto the package.

There's tons you could do with this idea.

Add balloons, flowers or other fun elements for birthdays, etc.

Happy Friday!

Baby Oh Baby!

After receiving permission from my PT to branch out a little,

I decided to make a foray to Hobby Lobby for some Christmas ornaments.

That little trek did me in for the rest of the day and most of this one. 

I spent this day just lounging around and crocheting.

Above is the day's turn out.

Baby caps are my latest obsession.

I am trying to figure my sizes....

there's lots of difference in a baby's little head and that of a toddler. 

This is the smallest...about a 14-15" circumference.

(I had forgotten how fun pom poms are to make!)

The bigger the better!!

Fun little cap with a multi-colored band and flower topper.
I need a model...this picture doesn't actually do the little cap justice!

The "hubster's" favorite...a baby maroon and white...as in Mississippi State colors.

Go, Bulldogs! 

A Christmas cap...soft white, bright green, red and hot pink.

Tri-colored flower with green pom pom center!

I didn't use baby yarn...which I think is so soft and wonderful for little ones...

but with a toss in the dryer on no heat and with one dryer sheet, they soften up considerably.

I am not sure how many stitches I've crocheted since June 8, but it must be up in the millions.

(And despite what you've heard, I AM trying to stay cheerful during this trial...but "it ain't easy".)

Can NOT wait to be up and out again,

Happy Happenings & Floppy Flowers

Some HAPPY HAPPENINGS:

1. First, one of my faithful readers commented that after reading the Floppy Flower post she tried the floppy flowers and made a headband for her little baby girl. I asked her to email me pics so I could post her results...below you will see little "SweetCheeks" and her rocking headbands!

How can it get any cuter than this? I'll answer that...it can't!! I bet she has a proud grandmama and aunt! I could pinch those cheeks!



"I can't hold my....eyes...open... another ... minute." Oh, the life of a tiny model! So exhausting! Thanks, MOM, for sending me "SweetCheeks' " pictures! I love it when somebody gets inspired and I get to see the results.

I took a quick cruise to *Tuesday Morning to find other girlie items to embellish. Below you will see the results! This is fun! I might put a floppy on Coach's hat.


Left to right: *Leather Mary Janes with embroidered hearts; *Ultra-suede hat; pink headband and tiny cloth sandals. I added satin flowers in various sizes to each item.

Granddaughter will love wearing this soft suede fur-lined hat. Warm and cute!

Can you think of anything sweeter than these Mary Janes? Nice value at Tues. Morning.

I remembered I had bought several crocheted baskets at HobLob for 68 cents each...unbelievable! So I added three sizes of the floppies to it.

Who could resist this cloth hat (little strap is tucked under for pic)...it was just begging for a floppy...99 cents....Tues. Morning. One more? Little cloth newborn sandals...with white satin floppies! This would be a cute happy! See more Floppy Flowers ideas here.

2. Now this was a Surprise...and I lovvvvve surprises!

I got a BIG surprise, when I opened my email and found that Cindy at Dwellings had honored me with The Versatile Blogger Award! Thank you very much, . You were so kind to think of me. Now everybody go to her blog and VISIT! You will be glad you did!

The Rules For Receiving this award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Answer 10 questions.
3. Pass along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered & enjoy.
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

And the 10 questions are:

1. Why did you create this blog? My mind and heart are full. I love to write, create, share & help others.

2. What kinds of blogs do you follow? Home Decorating, those that inspire, remodeling, nest fluffers.
3. Favorite make-up brand? Beauti Control. (Odd name for a make up.)

4. Favorite clothing brand? Coldwater Creek
5. Indispensable makeup product? Mascara. Isn't that everyone's?

6. Favorite color? I go through "seasons"...right now I'm in the "All shades of green" period. 7. Favorite perfume? Estee Lauder "Beautiful". It's timeless. Can't be beat.

8. Favorite film? Gone With the Wind...sort of dates me, doesn't it?

9. What country would you like to visit and why? Scotland..that's the home of my ancestors.
10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face? Oh, mercy...blush, for sure.

Now the 7 blogs I've recently discovered...drumroll please...oh, my there are sooo many!

Amanda at My Heart's Desire

Michelle at Michelle Leach Art

Hannah at Happy Days

Cathryn at Cathryn & Company

Ginger at 3mckenzies

Mrs. Magpie at The Quintessential Magpie

Megan at Polish the Stars

I hope you will take a few minutes and visit all these blogs...each is unique and I think you will enjoy them all. Please, leave a note to let them know you visited! (Click on names above to go right to their blog.)

I'm linking up with Dittle Dattle's Amaze Me Monday, The House In the Roses and Boogieboard Cottage! See buttons on right. Ya'll, these are two of the nicest ladies in "blogland"... please, visit their sites!

Enjoy the sunshine,

Floppy Flower Container for Baby

Gifts for new babies abound. They are everywhere and are cuter than I ever remember, so when I say I must run pick up a few supplies to make baby gifts for three new arrivals, my husband used to question, "Why don't you just buy something already done? Why do you have to make something?" Good question. Why, indeed? Answer? Because I LIKE making things for people. When I am making something for someone, I am thinking about them the whole time I am crafting...it's just a special action taken for someone in particular. Now, that's out of the way...let's look at the little Cotton Ball and QTip Holders.


I found these simple containers at Big Lots. They were stackable before I put icing on the cake by adding the floppy satin flowers.


I made them using Jones Design Company's directions. Go here for complete tutorial http://jonesdesigncompany.com/. I bought 1/2 yard each of polyester Satin pink and ivory. I cut three size squares (roughly): 3", 2" and 1 1/2".

Using scissors, I rounded off the edges of each square. In her flower, Jones Design Co., used three layers...I used 6 (ever the "over the topper). Then, using tongs, I held each square over a lighted candle until the edges melted and curled. Hold shiny side facing you and be careful. If the fabric burns, catches on fire, or melts too much, let it cool a bit and cut it off and begin again. This only happened once to me. I wouldn't do this with children watching...they might get ideas...

Your petals should look like the picture below after stacking them in place.

I stitched the layers together using a needle and heavy thread and while stitching added little seed pearls in the center. You can make these flowers as large with as many layers as you want. I wanted them slightly floppy for the topper, but not so big that they got in the way of opening the container. I wanted them pretty but practical. Centers could be old jewelry or anything you'd like.



Before adhering the flower to the top with hot glue, I added three small green felt leaves. Then I added a bow made of 4 or 5 different ribbon of varying widths and colors around the neck of the container. I had tiny cards that I tied on and put a sparkly initial and tiny bow for each baby.



Now the containers are filled with cotton balls and Qtips and ready to be used for the everyday tasks of keeping baby clean! When "baby" days are over, the ribbons can be removed and used other ways and the container will still have a floppy flower on top!






I hope the moms enjoy using these gifts as much as I enjoyed making them for their new little cherubs! Wonder what a whole pillow made like this would look like? Hmmm....I see another trip to Hancock's in my future. See more Floppy Flower items here.

I am linking to Dittle Daddle's (Amaze Me Monday) and Boogieboard Cottages (Masterpiece Monday) party...join us by clicking on their button on the right. These are great blogs, check them out!

Blessings and peace to you today,