Capture the Details

map flower wreath

I'm always looking for fun things to create using paper. ( And nine chances out of ten there will be flowers involved somehow! ) This pretty wreath has flowers made from map paper. Just round up an old folding map, assorted large flower punches and a foam wreath and you're good to go!

I doubled my flower layers, mixing up the shapes for a nice blend of assorted flowers. I added flat backed crystal gems to the centers. The gem colors match the map colors and add a bit of bling without being overwhelming.

For a full list of supplies needed and how-to instructions please visit the crafts 'n coffee blog. :-)

 

thank you, Pinterest, for the inspiration

I changed my kitchen chalkboard area for the fall season yesterday. I got my inspiration through Pinterest - oh, how I LOVE that site!!!!!

The felt leaf garland was inspired by Pam Garrison and her post, here. Her garland is beautiful, and much more elaborate than mine. I went with a simplified version... a few less leaf shapes, no acorns and, of course, my colors are different.

The chalkboard art is from this post on the clarendon lane blog. She used an overhead projector but I had to wing it and do mine freehand following her design. Working on a chalkboard is still new to me but I am learning more every time I do a new piece.

It looks pretty, and now I'm set for a few more weeks until I can change it up again. :-)

Deco Mesh Ghost

Ghosts are supposed to be spooky. Scary, even. But this guy just makes me giggle. He's so cute!

I designed a Deco Mesh Ghost using STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam and white Deco Mesh from FloraCraft. If you head on over to the Crafts 'n Coffee blog you can enter for a chance to win the foam balls and mesh needed to make this adorable Halloween decoration. Plus you'll find the full supply list and instructions.

Boooooooo! :-)

ruffled burlap/ribbon Halloween topiaries

I have a few quick Halloween topiaries to share with you today. They all use the same technique - making ruffled layers using either the burlap or ribbon. There are lots of pretty patterns available in craft stores so you can personalize them easily. My designs are featured on the Crafts 'n Coffee blog and you can get the supply list and the instructions on how to make each of these fun topiaries.

The burlap topiaries feature a chevron print. One topiary alternates between orange and black chevron prints and has a raven's nest perched at the top. The other uses the black chevron print and a solid orange ribbon. Creepy, glittery spiders crawl up the cone and are making a web. 

The ribbon topiary uses a leopard print ribbon. It reminded me of something a funky witch would wear, so I added some fun pom pom trim and a witch hat.

Enjoy! :-)

sweater wreath with fabric and burlap flowers

Yesterday, I shared some sweater pumpkins with you. I had some sweater material left over after making the pumpkins, so I designed a wreath using the sleeves from the sweater. I added some rolled fabric and burlap flowers and some twig branches to complete this beautiful autumn-themed wreath.

I used one sleeve , cut it open along the seam and then pinned it to the wreath. It didn't quite make it all the way around, so I used the second sleeve and wrapped it the opposite way around the wreath. This is where I added the flowers, as an accent area. If you look close you can see what I'm talking about.

This is another one of those projects that I just LOVE. So pretty. For a list of supplies needed and the instructions, just visit the Crafts 'n Coffee blog, here. Enjoy! :-)

sweater pumpkins

I've designed quite a few projects using STYROFOAM Brand Foam, and I think this project is my favorite! Maybe it's the real pumpkin stems, or the soft, comfy sweater fabric. I think they are adorable. Take a look at your local thrift shop for pretty, orange, second-hand sweaters. Give them a new life!

For a full list of supplies needed, and the instructions, just visit this post on the Crafts 'n Coffee blog. :-)

flying bats topiary

Looking for a really clever Halloween centerpiece? One that will make you go batty? (ok - pun intended!)

A Flying Bats Topiary that I designed is featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Crafts 'n things magazine on page 23.

It features a cone covered with old book pages, black, glittery bats and a fun pom pom trim.

You will need these materials: • Dow STYROFOAM Brand Foam Cone, 4 7/8" x 11 7/8" • Clay pot, 5" • Wooden dowel, 3/8" diameter, 12" length • Black glittered cardstock • Orange mini pom pom trim • Sheet moss • Black craft wire

You will need these tools: • EK Success Bat Punch • Black acrylic paint • Turkey baster (or item of similar size) • Adhesives: hot glue gun and sticks, Plaid Mod Podge

You will need these basic supplies: • paper trimmer • scissors • ruler • pencil • paintbrush • foam brush • newspaper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint dowel black; let dry.

2. Use glue gun to secure bottom of dowel in pot; hold until glue sets. Fill pot with crumpled newspaper and cover with moss; secure moss with glue gun.

3. Tear old book pages into assorted strips. Adhere to cone using Mod Podge and foam brush; let dry.

4. Carefully slide cone onto dowel, making sure cone is centered and straight. When pleased with height, remove cone, add glue to dowel top, and replace cone.

5. Use glue gun to adhere trim around cone base; trim excess.

6. Punch 13 bats from cardstock. (Note: If back of cardstock is white, paint black and let dry.) Use glue gun to adhere nine bats to cone and one to pot, leaving wings free; let dry. Bend wings to add dimension.

7. Cut three wire lengths and wrap around turkey baster to create spirals. Poke the ends of the wires into the side of the cone at the very top, evenly spacing them. Use the glue gun to adhere remaining bats to wires. bend wings.

It's a fun Halloween decor craft! Give it a try! :-)

fall sweater wreath

I recently did some design work for Sharon over at crafts 'n coffee. She sent me a Styrofoam Brand Foam wreath that she had covered with a pretty striped sweater from a second-hand store. She asked me to finish it up for her,so I added some felt flowers and fall leaves and berries.

I made the felt flowers and then added leaves and berries from a craft store. For a full list of supplies and the instructions on how to make this pretty fall wreath visit this crafts 'n coffee blog post. 

I've been stopping in some local thrift stores to check out the clothing, with crafting in mind. I've never been into a thrift store until recently. I love how the clothes are arranged by color. It makes looking for a particular item easier. You can look through with seasons or holidays in mind and let your imagination have fun with the colors, patterns and textures of the thrifted clothes. Give them a new life in a creative way! :-)

birthday cupcake card

A birthday card that I designed for the Dow Chemical Company using STYROFOAM Brand Foam is featured in this week's Crafts 'n things weekly newsletter.

My card has a three dimensional cupcake that can be made out of some basic foam shapes....

A full list of supplies and instructions can be found here.

You can customize your card by using any cupcake paper, 'icing' color and 'sprinkles'. Maybe you'd like to match a theme, it's easy to do!

Enjoy! :-)

my not-so-little-anymore girl

It's been a while since I posted any pictures of Sarah. Here are a few pictures of her from recent months....

Back in May she went to her school's 8th grade formal dance. We went out shopping for a dress - hitting every store in the mall, some twice. She finally found a dress she liked and when the day came to wear it I confess, I teared up a bit. She is growing up.

This afternoon she asked if I got the mail yet today and I hadn't. So she and Ben ran down to the mailbox for the mail. Her friends were texting her that the school schedules were arriving in the mail. Here is my little girl, walking up the driveway looking at her High School schedule. HIGH SCHOOL! How did THAT happen????

It just blows my mind that she will be starting high school in a few weeks. My not-so-little-anymore girl! :-)