tulle pom-poms + garland tutorial

I promised a tutorial after my last post. It took a little longer than anticipated. I ended up having my granddaughter, Madi, spend two whole days with me. I like to give her my full attention when she visits. She's also a talker, so getting anything done is a little difficult. :) She is seriously one of the most hilarious little people I know.

Then I was called to a new position at church. I know. I did not see that coming. I loved my calling as RS Meeting Coordinator and I will miss working with so many wonderful women. More on that later.

Okay, let's get this party started.

 

Because I knew I would use this project often, I made a mini version of all the the pom-pom tutorials I could find. There were about six. I found this method was most simple and created the prettiest *pouf.*

 

SUPPLIES:

• 6" tulle (4 yards for each pom-pom)
• crochet thread (I tried regular thread and fishing line, but found both made it difficult to see my stitches and broke when I pulled them tight. Crochet thread works great.)
• needle with large eye
• scissors
• Fishing line for garland. (I just used what was in the garage, 12 lb. test)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut four yards of tulle and approximately 3 feet of crochet thread. Thread your needle and tie a nice big knot at the end so you don't accidentally lose your gathers.
2. Make a running stitch (up, down, up, down) the full length of the tulle, gathering lightly as you go. Make your stitches about 1/2" and 1/2" inch apart. Don't worry about keeping completely straight, it all works out in the end.
3. Gather the tulle tightly on the string, making sure it's not twisted.
4. Tie a knot with the two ends (pull together tightly), then tie a few more for good measure.
5. Twist and pull on the layers to form a pom-pom.

Yep, it's that simple.

 

To make a garland, simply stitch through the center of each pom-pom with monofilament (fishing line). I use clear 3M hooks to hang mine. We leave the one in Ella's room up all the time. Both Kate and Tayler want to make garlands for their little's rooms after seeing this one. I feel some girls' time coming on. :)

 

MINI POM-POMS

I made mini pom-poms for our spring RS birthday party. I wish I'd known about these pre-cut 3" rolls then, it would have saved me a lot of time and grief. 

The process for mini pom-poms is the same, with one slight difference. Instead of one strip of tulle, you will cut two strips approximately 60" long, and layer them on top of each other before stitching. Gather your tulle tightly and tie the string in multiple knots.

 

Couldn't be more darling. :)

ADDITIONAL IDEAS FOR POM-POMS:

• Use as decor for baby showers, birthday celebrations, weddings, and little (or big) girls' rooms.
• Attach to a dowel and add ribbon for an instant fairy wand.
• Tie mini pom-poms to bare branches for spring decor.
• Use to top a gift in place of a bow. (Totally doing this for birthday parties.)
• Attach to a little girl's headband for a "pouf" of style.

Any other ideas?

SOURCES:

Paper Mart is my go-to source for tulle. The 25 yard rolls at my local craft stores are $4.99. Paper Mart has them for $1.35, and it's the same quality. The garland I made for Ella's room has 12 pom-poms, so it cost me about $3.00 to make. They also have100 yard rolls of tulle, that are a quarter more than the craft store's 25 yard rolls. Even with shipping included, it's a huge savings. (And their shipping is super fast.)

I just noticed Paper Mart has added 12" and 18" pre-cut rolls of tulle. Fabulous! Thinking mega pom-poms for Ella's birthday party would be wonderful. I'll need to play around with the length.

 Premium tulle in 3"-18" wide rolls.

Also check out the polka dot tulle and shimmery tulle.

Happy spring crafting.

a simple surprise: Easter decor

While Ella was at school the other day, I spread some Easter love around her room. She was so surprised and thought it was wonderful! 

 

This little chickie perched on her lamp was her favorite part.

A couple others just wandered around on her dresser. I bought these chicks years ago at Rod Works because I loved that they were made from chenille fabric.

This Easter egg garland couldn't be simpler. I purchased a million bags of plastic eggs on clearance last year for .25 each, so my activity day girls could make garlands for their rooms. Then I got released, and was going to give them to the new activity day leaders. My own girls, Kate (daughter), Ashlee, and Tayler (daughters in law) decided they wanted to make garlands instead. :)

The tulle garland stays up in Ella's room all the time. It's so sweet and girly. I'll share a tutorial on how to make one this week sometime.

Happy spring (finally!).

celebrate | madilyn's fairy party

My granddaughter, Madi, turned four a few weeks ago. Her party was at our house, since she just moved to Idaho and hasn't made many friends there yet. It won't take long though, she's a little jabber jaws and makes friends very easily. :)

After our trip to Disneyland this summer, Madilyn wanted a fairy party. My daughter, Kate, has become quite the little planner and has a knack for finding great deals. We both believe the key to keeping both cost and stress levels down, is planning way in advance. Kate knew she would be moving just weeks before the party, so she had everything done the month before. She's good at delegating too. I was in charge of the cupcakes and a craft.

When the guests arrived, they were adorned with fairy wings, skirts, hair accessories, and glitter make-up.

Madi really wanted a bounce house, so Kate found one to rent in Salt Lake. They're super easy to set up. Even Grandma and Grandpa got in and gave it a try. The girls thought that was hilarious.

I needed a simple fairy-type craft, so I looked through my celebrate board on Pinterest. I loved this little project and cut out the butterflies with my Silhouette. (Go check it out here in all different spring colors--darling! I'm going to use the idea again for Easter.)

Our niece, Jessica, was staying with us while our nephew was in the hospital after a serious accident (he's doing better). She's great at crafts, so I asked her to be in charge of showing the girls what to do.

We had them add sparkly gems to the antennae and painted the wings with glitter glue. (Putting the glitter glue in 2 oz plastic cups with lids and using Q-tips to paint made clean-up a breeze.)

Sweet and sweet.

Kate announced that we were having a special visitor. I love the looks on the girls' faces when the fairy of all fairies, Tinkerbell, "flew" around the corner. (Kate found a killer deal on the Tink costume on Amazon and convinced her friend to play the part. She did great!)

Tink gave each of the girls a little bottle of pixie dust and posed for photos with each of the girls individually.

What's up with the peace sign, Mads? :)

I ordered cupcakes from Dippadee in American Fork, Utah. I had them topped with purple and sparkly sprinkles.

Then Madi's favorite part, unwrapping the gifts.

Happy Birthday, little Madi. Grandma and Pappa love you sooooo much!

P.S. I think I broke the record for the use of the words "sparkly" and "glitter" in a single post. :)

super {simple} saturday 2012

I'm excited to share our collection of projects for Super Saturday 2012. For those of you who don't know, Super Saturday is a sewing/craft day we have each October for the sisters in my ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Yep, I'm a Mormon.) My calling in the Relief Society (women's organization) is the Meeting Coordinator. This event is a great time to socialize, learn new skills, create projects that strengthen our homes and families and be treated to a yummy lunch.

We've focused on simple projects that focus on creating memories and traditions, celebrations, strengthening family and preparedness. Each project has a time element suggestion, so consider whether you want to work on projects at home or finish them at Super Saturday.

*To my ward: see RS announcements for date, time and location.
*I've updated this post with tutorial and download links.

A-FRAME TENT
Taught by: Ruth Dangerfield

What child wouldn't love a special place to play, hide, read or nap? This A-frame tent easily folds up when not in use and can be personalized with your own fabric. Simple straight lines make this a great beginning sewer project. Because we know it will be popular, there is a limit of two per family. (Think Christmas gifts!)

Cost: $6.50
Please bring:
2 1/3 yards of fabric or canvas
matching thread
sewing machine
scissors or rotary cutter and mat

Time element: 1- 1.5 hours
Tutorial here.

FABRIC BUNTING
Taught by: Jen Ostler

all-occasion version

Christmas version

Fabric buntings create instant party decor and can be used over and over. They're also great a touch of color in a child's room, play room or craft room. Jen has designed two styles to choose from: an all occasion version with vintage inspired fabrics or festive Christmas prints for the holidays. These buntings have a layer of quilt batting and are backed with muslin. The edges are cut with pinking sheers or a decorative rotary cutter. Straight stitching makes this a great beginner sewing project.

Cost: $9.50 each

All supplies are provided.
Please bring:
cream thread for the all-occasion bunting or white thread for the Christmas bunting
sewing machine
rotary cutter and board

Time element: 1.5 hours


COOKING CLASS
Taught by: Breanna Smithson

Our own resident foodie, Breanna Smithson, will be sharing some favorite simple pumpkin and squash recipes with us. Yes, there will be taste samples.:) Check out Breanna's blog for more awesome yummy-ness.

No charge
Class will be held after lunch at 1 pm and last approximately 30-45 minutes. Please sign up to attend.


POLYCORD BRACELETS
Taught by: Patti and Bridget Belnap

These bracelets are all the rage! (My son, Patrick, is the manager at an outdoor recreation shop and can't keep the supplies in stock.) Not only do they look cool, but they can unwind to supply 8-10 feet of polycord in an emergency situation. An assortment of colors will be available to choose from (including BYU blue and that OTHER Utah University red :)) These would make great stocking stuffers or a great addition to your 72 hour kits.

Cost: $2.00 each
All supplies are provided.
Please bring: scissors

Time element: 30 minutes
Tutorial here.

FILL-ABLE FRAME PRINTABLES (+ dry erase marker)
designed by: Kim McCrary

Share the love with your spouse and children or countdown to a special day or holiday with these printables specially designed for our Super Saturday. Frame each design (you provide the frame) and use a dry-erase marker (provided with each printable) to fill in the blank right on the glass. Then just wipe off to pen a new message each day. Amazing! These would make great gifts.

great for spouses.

available with pink, green or gray bird.

available in green, blue, red or orange.

Cost: Awesome, Rock, Birdie and Wanted to Say (5x7) $2.00/Countdown (8x10) $3.00

Time element: 1 minute :)
You are Awesome Because
You Rock Because

Sources:
Expo Low Odor Fine Tip Dry Erase Markers 

FABRIC PUMPKINS (set of 3)
Taught by: Marina Jensen

These pumpkins created with designer upholstery fabric will add a touch of style to your fall decor or Thanksgiving table. Real wood stems add an element of texture. You will learn to make two different versions and can mix and match which fabrics to use.  

Cost: $7.00
All supplies provided.
Please bring: scissors

Time element: 1 hour


RIBBON BRACELETS
taught by: Crystal Lindley

available in white, turquoise, pink or black

These sweet little ribbon and pearl bracelets will be a welcome addition to any little (or big) girls' accessory collection. They tie on to the wrist for a comfortable fit and are available in white, turquoise, pink or black.

Cost: $2.00
All supplies provided.
Please bring: scissors

Time element: 30 minutes
Tutorial here.

{Paintable} FRAMES
Taught by: Tracy Burns

Display by Jen @ Tatertots and Jello

Wedding photo {Liza and Will} in Brooklyn frame

Chalkboard in Balboa frame

See Grace frame here.

Imagine of the possibilities of these darling frames that are showing up everywhere! They're perfect for showcasing family photos (think collage) or for weddings too. We will provide black, white and cream paint or you can bring your own vibrant colors. Choose from three different styles: Balboa (bracket shape), Brooklyn (scalloped shape) or Grace (oval center). The price of these unfinished frames is amazing. I purchased a painted one for more than double the cost!

Cost:
4x6 ($5.50)
5x7 ($8.00)
8x10 ($11.50)
11x 14 ($15.50)
16x20 ($22.00)
(other sizes available at Cut It Out.)
All supplies provided (unless you want a different paint color).

Time element: 30 minutes + dry time for distressing edges


OTHER NOTES:

• Please sign up to attend lunch and/or for Breanna's class even if you don't plan on doing projects (so we have a count).
• You are welcome to order kits/supplies to do projects at home with your Young Women, but this event is for the RS Sisters. 
• You must pinky PROMISE you will pick up  your own messes! We had an issue with that last year and I will track you down and Stephanie B. said she'd help me TP your house if you don't! :)
• Bring your other unfinished projects or just come hang out with us.

For Order Form click here or here. (must be accompanied by payment.)

ss tutorial: felt flower hair accessory

As promised, here's the first of our Super Saturday tutorials.

 

SUPPLY LIST:

sheet of felt
hair clips--I like the metal ones with a double prong.
fabric covered button--tutorial here.
glue gun and glue sticks

 

I used the Rainbow brand felt. I picked it up at JoAnne's.

Step 1: Cut six 3" circles and one 2" circle from felt.
Find (or make) some templates and trace circles onto felt with a Sharpie. Cut inside the lines so the ink won't show.

• A 15 oz. can lid is three inches across. (Use the type of can opener that doesn't leave sharp edges!) 
• The other template I used was from a package of magnets. Just look around for something approximately 2" across. 
• I switched things up a bit and used pinking shears instead of regular scissors to cut out the circles for this hair clip. I love the texture it adds.

Step 2a: Fold felt circle in half.

Step 2b: Fold half forward.

Step 2c: Then fold the other half back so you end up with an "S" shape. That's your first petal.

Step 3: Add a drop of glue at the bottom of each fold of the petal (on both sides) to keep it from unfolding. I use an extra clip to keep it together while the glue dries.

Step 4: Center a hair clip on the 2" felt circle.

Step 5: Add a nice pool of glue to the center of the felt circle and adhere petals very close together. Almost done!

Step 6: Adhere a fabric-covered button to the center of the flower and fluff up the petals.  

• Of course you could also add a button or gem to the center of a flower instead of a fabric-covered button. I'm just crazy about them though.
• And instead of a clip, a pin would be nice for attaching to a fabric bag. 
• I'm thinking I might make up a bunch of these to use as bows for gift packages. They're inexpensive to create and would be a gift on a gift. I would just clip them on the ribbon on the package. 

 

As always, it's all about the packaging. :) If you're giving your felt flower as a gift, you can download and attach to these simple cards I designed. I think they look especially nice printed on glossy cardstock. Enjoy!