Flower Baubles

I just adore a statement ring.  I love when I'm chatting with someone and notice that they have a fabulous chunky ring that catches my eye, I always comment on it!  I've been looking for a way to use some of the fantastic beads I have in my collection and decided to make my own big flower bauble style cocktail ring. Guess what, I wore one today and as I was chatting with the sweet lady at the checkout she said "Ooh, cute ring".  I'm not the only one who loves a cool statement ring :)  I'm thinking of doing a tutorial or adding them to the jewelry class lineup...

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Ruffles and Wine Class

I had such a great time last night teaching a "Poppy Ruffles" class at Simply Beautiful Boutique in dowtown Frederick, MD.  Seriously what could be better...girl time, jewlery making, laughs and wine at a beautiful boutique located in the heart of downtown.  It was really cool.  Here's the necklace and earring set I created while teaching the class, I think I'll wear it tonight!  The class made some beautiful ruffles too, I hope they love them!  We're planning to do more classes and I'm totally ready with some fun new ideas for summer...bling anyone?

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Easy White Chocolate Cherry Oat Biscuits

Baking is not my strong point.  Let's just get that out there, I'm okay with it.  Imagine my delight when I discovered that using Heart Smart Bisquick and throwing in some other goodies can create something so yummy that my family loves!  Yay me :)  Anyway I thought I'd share the recipe for White Chocolate Cherry Oat Biscuits that are quick, easy and pretty good for you too!

Preheat oven to 450- in a bowl mix

*1 1/2 cups of Heart Smart Bisquick

*1/4 cup of quick cook oats

*1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of skim milk

*1/4 cup dries cherries

*1/4 cup white chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients until combined and sticky.  Drop by yummy clumps on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 7-9 minutes (I usually do 7 minutes) Makes 6 biscuits.  Enjoy!

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Gem Cubes

So what do you get when you combine a little polymer clay, a few flatback crystals, pearl x powder and a rainy afternoon?  You guessed it...Gem Cubes!  I love to mix classic beauty and modern design, these little modern cubes of clay frame the classic rhinestone just right.  And they couldn't be simpler to make too.  Just form little balls of clay then pinch them into chubby cubes with your fingers.  Once you have the shape and size you like pick your crystal and smoosh (that is the technical term) it in the center.  Using your finger rub a little shimmer pearl powder all over the clay for add sparkle (if you get any on your gem just lightly brush off with a paint brush).  If you're making a pendant pop in some eye pins or wire.  Now bake @ 275 for 25 mins, let cool then seal with any sealer you choose (I use a paint brush and some matte acrylic varnish). Hot glue to some post earring backs, add your chain and you're ready to shine!

 

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Paper Rosie Hair Pin Tutorial

I just love the idea of whipping up a bunch of cute hair flowers for my friends for no reason at all, just because it makes them smile!  I created this super fun and easy tutorial for the lovely folks over at Crafty Ideas Weekly so you can surprise your friends, party guests or fellow soccer moms with a pretty handmade bloom to brighten their day too. I learned to make these fun little flowers from my mom when I was a little girl and now I'm sharing it with you. Think of all the lovely cardstock papers you could use to make these beauties fit any occasion!

Supplies -

 4x4 inch square cardstock

1.5x3 inch patterned green cardstock

bobby pin

glue gun

Matte acrylic spray sealer (I used Krylon,my favorite)

 

1- gather material

2 - draw a spiral on 4x4 carstock and draw 2 leaf shapes on green cardstock

3 - cut out along lines of spiral starting at the outside point and cut out leaves

4 - begin to tightly roll the spiral working from outside in

5 - keep spiral help tight

6 - let it go to see it uncoil ever so slightly to a natural rose (this always feels like magic for some reason)

7 - hot glue the little nub (it was the very center of your spiral) down to the rolled flower and hold in place for a few seconds

8 - slide bobby pin on to one leaf then place it on top ofthe second leaf and glue to the flower

                                       

Spray the entire paper flower and leaves with the sealer let dry 15 minutes and spray again.  This makes the bloom waterproof and allows you to wear it again and again. 

So sweet!

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Vintage Blooms for a Summer Party...

I am constantly trying to come up with new ways to combine vintage treasures into my fabric flower designs.  Sometimes I use vintage fabrics and vintage rhinestones in my blooms and recently I've been lucky enough to come across some fabulous vintage plastic flowers. I created some pretty fabric flowers with tulle and chiffon then added layers of these vintage flower finds as their centers. These little beauties are so fun and the colors are just perfect for a summer party. I am planning on having a few folks over for the Memorial Day weekend and I will be wearing some of these new flowers as I'm sipping Strawberry Lemonade (or a margarita) in the backyard!

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Paper Flower Earrings

I have several amazing friends that I just adore.  Some of them are super organized while others are a bit more spontaneous shall we say.  One of my quirky spontaeous girlies called me with a fun last minute challenge.  She called at 3:30pm and said she needed 25 party favors for a bridal shower she was throwing the next day (in her defense her original favors weren't delivered on time).  And her budget was "as little as possible please"!  The bride to be is a journalist and loves roses...

Using paper (inspired by her journalist background), pearls and a tiny bit of felt I created these sweet paper rose earrings in all sorts of summer pastel colors matching the theme of the shower.  I sealed them so they are stiff and waterproof and can be worn again and again.  Apparently they were a huge hit and everyone loved them.  Yay :)

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