DIY Valentine's day wreath

My free time has been a little lacking lately, so when I had a free day I went to the fabric store and picked up some supplies to make a valentines day wreath.

My supplies I used were:

1/4 yard red felt
1/4 yard light pink felt
White patterned quilt square
Pink patterned quilt square
Fabric stiffener
Pearl embellishments
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Wreath

I started by cutting my felt length wise in about a 2.5" strip. This did not cover my wreath completely, so I aded a red strip at the top to cover it and I liked the look. Depending on the size wreath you want you may need to cut more than one strip of each. I started wrapping my strips together and adding hot glue after every 2-3 times around--always at the back. Once I had my wreath covered cut a small skinny strip of each color, twisted, then hot glued to the back. If I had a third color, I think it would have looked cute braided.
The flowers were the most difficult and time consuming part of this project. I used my Cricut and the Flower Shoppe cartridge to cut them out. If you do not have a Cricut, there are tons of cute flowers available at craft stores, and you would not need the quilt squares or the Pearl embellishments.

I started out by applying  fabric stiffener to my fabric. I like to apply it then microwave it for 30-60 seconds to help it dry, I have also heard of people using a blow dryer to speed up the process. Once it is completely dry, I put it on my mat. Now if you are having problems making your fabric stick you can use masking tape or painters tape on the entire surface or the edges  to help it stay in place. Set your depth to 6, your speed to 1 and your pressure to 6. Cut away! You may need to cut parts that did not cut completely from the Cricut.  I alternated colors but my biggest flower is 3" and they decrease in size by .5" and stop at 1.5" at the center. I assembled my flowers with hot glue and added a pearl embellishment in the center.
I positioned my flowers where I wanted and hot glued them on and my wreath was finished!

DIY: Make your own buttons!

I found this idea, and let me tell you; it blew my mind! I love buttons, and the idea of making my own, as I wanted them...perfect! Instead of posting how I make them or giving my own instructions I'm posting a link to where I found it. This woman does a fantastic job of explaining how she does it and has pictures of her steps. I'd love to see pictures of your buttons if you try this!
Happy crafting!!


http://scissorspaperwok.com/2011/07/18/how-to-make-clothing-buttons-from-shrink-plastic/

"Love Birds" wall hanging how to

Much like many of us, I have succumbed to the fall fashion trends and I am into birds. I love the shapes and all of the different things you can do with birds. I recently made a wall hanging for the living room in my home that is pretty simple.

You need:

A 4”X16” wooden wall hanging

2 bird cutouts

2 small jewel stick on gems

“Love Birds” chip board or letter cutouts

Branch cutout

Buttons

Black paint

Paint brush

Glue

12”X12” paper (yellow luster)

The first thing I did was paint the border of my wall hanging black; then I covered the inside with my 12”X12” paper. I covered the inside with paper because I really liked it, it would probably be easier to paint the inside as well.

After you have your surface finished I added my branches then placed my birds, with jewels as eyes, on. Once I had my birds where I wanted them I added my buttons along the branches. I used different colors and sizes, however they were all mat and fit my color scheme. This is something I played with until I had the right combination and placement. I then placed my “Love Birds” phrase down. Once I knew everything was in place I glued it down.

If you wanted to Mod Podge this wall hanging I would recommend doing it before placing the jewel eyes on your birds and the buttons on.

As a modification, you could also use button as eyes, and even place jewels on top!