Pink Paper Peppermints - Craft. Create. Celebrate.

31 Crafty Flowers Day Ten - Childhood Memories of Daisy Chains

Day Ten - Let's back it up and do it again!

(ok these are starting to not make sense...that was from a highschool cheer we used to do!  I may have to quit with the rhyming. Really...don't try to stop me...)

This morning I was noticing my neighbors weeds wildflowers behind their fence and I remembered how when I was a little girl we would sit in the grass giggling and talking and making daisy chains from Clover flowers during recess.  Did you ever do that?

Well I thought that would be a fun crafty flower for today!  It may be a short-lived craft, but the memories will last forever!

So here's what you need to get started:

A Patch of Wildflowers!

Step One

First pick a bunch of pretty wildflowers like clovers, dandelions or these buttercups (is that what these are called?).

 

Step Two

 

Next choose the flowers with the thickest stems. 

How many you need will depend on whether you want to make a crown of flowers, a necklace of flowers or a bracelet of flowers. 

We used to always make bracelets so that's what I've made today. 

You need about 8 flowers for a bracelet.

Step Three

Strip off the leaves & any extra buds of your flowers.

Step Four

Make a little slit in the stem of the first flower with your fingernail if you're a little girl (if you're a grown up you can use an exacto knife, but what fun is that?)

Step Five

Place the end of the second stem through the slit and pull the flower down.

Step Six

Keep adding to your chain by making a slit in each successive flower and feeding the next flower through.

When you get the chain long enough, make a slit in the top of the first flower stem and feed the last flower through it to close the chain.

That's it! You have a pretty flower chain to wear now!

If you have little girls they will probably really love this crafty nature fun, but my boys were more interested in all the little bugs that were crawling out of the flowers I picked!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Don't forget today is the last day to vote (*cough* for me) in the Mommyfest photo contest!

Be sure and leave a comment after you vote for a chance to win a 1lb box of chocolate! Yum!

More flowers on Monday!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you..."
-Luke 12:28

31 Crafty Flowers Day Nine - Watercolor Button Garden

Day Nine - And We're Feelin' Fine!

Today's crafty flower was even more fun than I thought it would be! 

My little guy (who's five) really loved this one so if you want something fun to do with the kiddos this is it! 

The perfect mommy & me craft!  Watercolor Button Stamping!

Here's What you'll need to get started:


-Crayola Watercolor Markers
-Cotton Swabs
-Buttons
-Scotch Tape
-Scissors
-Paper Towels
-Watercolor Paper
-Patterned Paper 

Step One

First you'll want to sort through your buttons looking for the ones with the best shapes. 



Buttons with raised rims (like the ones above) make nice circles that you can then fill in with the smaller, flat buttons. 

Just experiment with the buttons you have on hand to see which make the nicest shapes.


Step Two

Once you've selected your buttons you'll want to mount them to something that you can hold on to.

I chose to use cotton swabs so that I could reuse my buttons. 

(For a more permanent solution you can attach a wine cork to the back of the button with a hot glue gun.)

To use the professional q-tip method (heh-heh) just bend the tip up like so:

And use sticky tape to attach it to the back of the button.


You should have a selection of mounted buttons to use now that looks something like this (a mix of rimmed, flat, large and small):



Step Three

Now it's time to apply the watercolor.



Use the watercolor marker to apply color on the button.  In the above photo I'm applying color only to the rim so I can create a circle to fill in.

Step Four



Next dip a cotton swab into some water and let a drop of water fall onto your button.

Swirl the button around so that the water mixes with the color on the button.

Step Five


Now hold the button gently against the paper towel to let the excess water be absorbed by the paper.

Step Six



Next press the button firmly onto your watercolor paper and lift straight up.



You need just the right amount of watercolor ink + water to make this work.

Too much water and your print will be faded and runny, too little and it will be dry and incomplete.

Don't get discouraged if it doesn't come out just right the first time, (especially if you're working with little ones).

You want to practice, practice practice until you get the hang of it, and like the shapes that you're making (encourage little ones to practice and play and enjoy the process - not to look for the "perfect" flower).

See, I practiced first and it was fun!

Continue layering the button stamps until you feel your flower is complete:




 


Step Seven

Once you've stamped your button flowers it's time to cut them out and arrange them on your card or scrapbook page.





Step Eight

I used a piece of patterned paper as the "grass" for my garden, but you could paint watercolor grass.


Step Nine

Next  paint your stems & leaves with green watercolor and your flowers are finished!



Hope you have tons of fun making these!  Send me pics!



Thank you all so much for the sweet emails & comments about the 31 flowers. 

It has been so fun for me and the fact that people from all over the world are having fun with their kids,  friends & families is just a blessing beyond words!

Don't forget to stop in at Mommyfest this week for free workshops and prizes and be sure and vote for my photo in the photo contest here!

See you all tomorrow as we wrap week two of 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days!  Woo-hoo!

His 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

31 Crafty Flowers Day Eight - Ric Rac Flowers

Day Eight - Let's Celebrate!

First of all I want to welcome all my new visitors stopping in from CRAFT magazine's blog!

I have to admit I was pretty excited to see 31 Flowers featured there today! 

If you look in the right sidebar you'll see info for subscribing to Pink Paper Peppermints either in a reader or through your email.

I hope you'll do that and stick around for all the crafty fun we're gonna have this summer!

Now let's get to today's flower made from Ric Rac! 

These are similar to the ribbon geraniums we made on Monday. 

What you'll need to get started:

-Ric Rac in varying colors & sizes
-Needle & thread
-Buttons & Brads
-Scissors

Step One

First cut your ric rac to size. The longer and thicker it is the larger your flower will be.  I make mine anywhere from 3" to 10" long.

Step Two

Next make a running stitch along the points of the ric rac on one side. (I used a contrasting thread so you could see, but you'll want to use a matching thread.)

Step Three

Once you've completed your stitches pull the thread to gather your flower and create petals.  Stitch or glue the end pieces of ric rac together.

Step Four

To create the center of your flower, add a button or paper fastener (brad).

That's it!  You can make lots of different sizes & shapes of flowers by varying the color & size of the ric rac.

These would be so cute sewn on a tote bag, glued on a barrette or used for a scrapbook page or handmade card!  I think they would look especially cute paired with denim!

Have fun making them and send me links & emails so I can add you to our gallery!

Don't forget about Mommyfest going on this week, lots of prizes & giveaways! 

Remember you can vote here (*ahem* for me) everyday in the photo contest and enter to win chocolate!

See you tomorrow!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth..."
-Psalm 46:8  (the message)
 

31 Crafty Flowers Day Seven - Repurposed Magnet Flowers

Day Seven - Flower heaven!

Today's Crafty Flower is a great way to recycle those advertising magnets we all get in the mail! 

This is a such a quick and easy craft for the kiddos to do and makes a great gift. 

While making these I came up with so many ideas for these magnets so look for a post about more crafty uses for magnets soon!

Here's What you need to begin:


-Patterned Paper
-Buttons
-Old advertising magnets
-Adhesive
-Foam brush
-Needle & thread
-Scissors
-Pencil

Step One

Trace the shape of the magnet on the back of your choice of scrapbook paper and cut out the paper. 

This doesn't have to be exact as you'll be cutting your flower out later.

Step Two

Spread glue over magnet with foam brush and attach the paper piece you cut out in step one. 

Let this dry for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step Three

On the back of the now paper covered magnet draw or trace your flower shape.

I have a template flowers and other shapes you could use if you like. 

You'll need to shrink it down quite a bit for it to work for the magnet. 

Click here for the template.

Step Four

Cut the flower shape from the magnet.

Step Five

Trace and cut the leaves the same way you did the flowers.

Step Six

Choose a button for the center and stitch through the button holes *before* attaching with a glue gun or double-sided tape.

That's it! 

Your magnet is complete!

I have to warn you that these don't hold up very much weight, but don't they look prettier than advertising on a fake credit card? 

(and isn't nice to have them making your kitchen pretty instead of taking up space in a landfill?)

Have fun making these! 

I've received some more photos (thanks guys!) so I'm working on getting the gallery set up.!

Don't forget to vote for me in the Mommyfest Photo Contest! (click here to vote)

Grace and Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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Let cities overflow with food and hills be covered with grain, just like Mount Lebanon. Let the people in the cities prosper like wild flowers.
-Psalm  72:16

31 Crafty Flowers Day Six - Ribbon Geraniums

Get  your kicks - on day six!

Welcome to the second week of 31 crafty flowers in 31 days!

Today's crafty flower is so simple you'll be making dozens of these for all kinds of projects!  It's the ribbon geranium.

Here's what you need to begin:

-Pink, Red, and Green ribbon in varying lengths and widths
-Needle and Thread
-Fabric or cardstock to create a project

Step One

Choose the ribbon you want to create your flowers with.

The longer and wider the ribbon the larger the flower you'll have. 

I used 11/2 inch and 2" wide ribbon at about 8-10 inches long for my large flowers and about 11/2 to 2 inches long for the small flowers and leaves.

(Ribbons less than half an inch wide don't work very well for this particular flower)

I'm using a light ribbon and contrasting thread here so that you can see the stitches, but you'll want to choose matching thread for your flowers.

To make the flower take a long, loose gathering stitch down the center of your ribbon.

Step Two

 
When you get to the end, gently pull the thread so the ribbon begins to gather.  Play with the ribbon as you pull to create a shape that you like.

When you're finished your ribbon should look something like this:

Take a quick stitch at the end to hold the ribbon in place.

StepThree

To make the leaves you can use the exact same stitch:

Or for a more rounded leaf you can try this:

Fold your ribbon in half.

Stitch along the bottom (where the two sides meet).

Gather the ribbon into a petal shape.

That's it!

Once you've gathered enough flowers and leaves you can create a pot of geraniums like this!

 
I just used a little piece of gingham fabric and a strip of ribbon to create the pot.  You could sew this to a t-shirt or a tote bag or pillow!

If you're more the paper type you could make the pot from patterned paper and make a gorgeous card or even frame it for a pretty kitchen picture!

Have fun making these and be sure to send me links to your photos if you'd like to be included in the gallery!

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Shameless Plug:

Don't forget to vote for me (Pink Paper Peppermints) in the Mommyfest High Five Photo contest!  Click here to vote.

(It's not just a plug for me you know...you could win chocolates just for voting...see, I'm lookin' out for ya.)

See you tomorrow with more flowers!

♥ 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

m is for the million things she gives me

M is for the million things she gives me
O means only that she's soft to hold
T for the things she tries to teach me
H is for her heart of purest gold
E for her eyes with love light shining
R means right and right she'll always be

Put them all together they spell Mother,
A word that means the world to me.



♥ Melissa-
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"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' "
-Proverbs 31:28-29

ode to a hubby

Today is O-man's birthday.  He is really and truly the most amazing person I've ever known. 

If you are married I am sorry, but you are married to the second-most wonderful man in the world because I got the first most wonderful man. heh-heh

Not a day goes by that he doesn't do or say something kind to/for me and his children.

He is funny beyond words.  (I often come close to spitting out various drinks in laughter - which sounds like a bad thing, but really it's not)

He has taught me about mercy and grace in a way only someone who truly practices it can. 

He loves God, he cherishes his children.  He understands sacrifice and lives it everyday. 

He will not say no to a "play with me" request no matter how tired he is.

He will wash dishes, fold laundry and cook dinner. 

He makes coffee most mornings and holds my hand every night until we fall asleep. 

He is what Paul meant when he said, "love your wife as Christ loves the church".

And I can't imagine what I did to deserve that, so I am just so thankful to the Lord for the grace He has poured into my life by giving me this man to love.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.  I love you!

♥ M~

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"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her..."
-Ephesians 5:25

five mamas

You guys know how much I love a "blog party". 

And I discovered a new one!  It's for Mommies and I think you're gonna have a lot of fun.  There are prizes and special speakers and all kinds of neat stuff! 

So right in the middle of our 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days we're gonna join in the Mommyfest party!  Yee-haw! (pretend I didn't just say yee-haw, would ya?)

One of the first opportunities to win a prize is the "High Five Photo Contest".  You can win a 1lb box of chocolates!!

For a chance to win just head over to the Mommyfest blog on Monday, May 12th and vote for your favorite photo (mine *cough*) or enter a photo of your own (the deadline is tomorrow though so hurry)!  Edited to add:  Go vote here now!

For the photo part of the contest you have to post a picture of "5 somethings" to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mommyfest.

I thought about somehow taking a picture of the 5 lbs I would probably gain if I won that 1 lb box of chocolate, but then that didn't seem too appetizing, or practical...and plus there would be the whole "taking a picture of *5 lbs of me*" (ewwww) and....yeah...that idea went out the window.

Fortunately (for all concerned) I thought of a better idea. 

I decided a photo of five mommies would be appropriate for the Mommyfest 5th anniversary and also since it's almost Mother's Day, I thought it would be a nice tribute to some of the Mamas in my life.



The top center frame holds an enlarged photobooth photo of my mom and me.

 
On the second row, from left to right is a photo of my paternal grandmother (granny) holding my cousin, my maternal great-grandmother (nannie) holding *my* mama and her brother, me with my little-O and finally my maternal grandmother (nannie dusty) with me.

It's kind of neat seeing those all together like that.  (I had to move them from various places to put them together.)

And it's strange to think how fast time passes.

How quickly you go from being a little girl, to a mama, to a grandma, to a great-grandma and then to a treasured memory. 

Makes me want to go hug my boys.

And you know....eat some chocolate.....heh-heh.

Hope your Mother's Day weekend gets off to a great start!

Grace & Peace,

♥ Melissa~
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"I worship you, LORD, just as my mother did, and you have rescued me from the chains of death."
-Psalm 116:16 (contemporary english version)