Supplies:

• crepe paper (http://www.blumchen.com/craft_shop_crepe_paper.html#)
• 24-gauge cloth covered floral wire (available at craft stores like Michaels)
• green floral tape (also Michaels)
• flower templates (click here to download)
• scissors
• quick-setting gel glue (such as Beacon 3-n-1)

Directions:

First, cut out all of your template pieces. Fold crepe paper together so that you have 3 or 4 layers, then place the template on top and cut around it. It’s easier to cut several layers of crepe paper at a time, and if you find it difficult to cut around the template, you can trace around it with a dull pencil and then cut along the traced lines.


For each flower, you’ll need 1 piece for the pistil, 1 piece for the spathe (optional – I skipped the spathe altogether, since the flowers were clustered together), 1 trumpet piece, and 2 sets of petals.

Steps:

1. The idea is to twist the paper tightly, with one end being slightly larger. You’ll have to feel it out a bit, but start at one corner and bring the edge in. If you fold it in on itself, then begin to twist on a diagonal, you’ll get the shape you want. (Use trial and error, but don’t worry too much. The flowers will still look lovely, even if your pistil isn’t perfect.) Put a little glue on the end of the pistil and attach it to the end of a piece of floral wire (if you have a shallow vase, you can cut your floral wire in half to get two stems).

2. Place a little glue along one of the edges of the trumpet shape and fold it over to create a cylinder shape. When the glue has dried (just a few seconds, if you use a quick-setting gel glue and don’t use too much), stretch the top edge of the crepe paper between your fingers. This will create a slightly ruffled edge. Place the cylinder over the floral wire and cinch at the bottom, twisting tightly. Place your finger inside the cylinder to create a cupped shape.

3. Stretch each petal along the middle, so that the petals have a slightly cupped shape. Place a small bit of glue along the bottom edge of the first set of petals and place it around the bottom of the trumpet, spacing the petals evenly.

4. Place a small bit of glue along the bottom edge of the second set of petals and place it over the first set of petals, spacing them so that each petal of the second set falls between the petals on the first layer. If you have made a spathe, crumple the shape in your hand, then unfold it. Put a little glue along the edge and place it just under the petals. Pull it slightly away from the flower. Cut a strip of floral tape and wrap it around the stem, starting at the base of the flower. Stretch the tape as you go, so that it will adhere to itself; trim the excess. Bend the flower head at an angle, just as natural daffodils would hang.

This tutorial was created by our guest blogger, Suzonne Stirling as part of a DIY Springtime Tablescape.
• Click here to learn a little bit more about Suzonne Stirling.
• Click here to view the DIY tutorial on How to make a Daffodil Place Setting

Supplies:

• Fluted cupcake liners, standard size and mini size.
• Scissors (I like fine-tipped scissors best – Fiskars Micro-tip)
• Quick-setting gel glue (I prefer Beacon 3-n-1 adhesive)

Steps
1. Cut a circle in the bottom of the largest cupcake liner (poke scissors in the middle to make a small hole and then cut out as pictured).

2. Using the petal markings on the liners as a guide, cut down, in between the colored areas, to create defined petal shapes.

3. Scrunch up the bottom of the largest cupcake liner just a bit, so that it conforms to the size and shape of the bottom of the smallest cupcake liner. (The small folds and pleats that will occur give the petals more dimension and movement.) Put a little glue on the inside edge of the largest cupcake liner and put the smallest liner in the middle. Press the edges of the largest liner around the smaller one and hold for a few seconds, until the glue sets.

Place the finished flowers in egg cups (or just place them on the table or plate). Fill with small candies.


This tutorial was created by our guest blogger, Suzonne Stirling as part of a DIY Springtime Tablescape.
• Click here to learn a little bit more about Suzonne Stirling.
• Click here to view the DIY tutorial on How to make a Daffodil Crepe Paper Flower Arrangement

You know I’m totally obsessed with Peeps. I used some Peeps for props in my Washi Tape for Entertaining post. I look forward to purchasing a few dozen trays over the course of Easter. There is nothing better than a sugar coated marshmallow! Oh and did you know, they are also very tasty frozen?!


So anyways! When I came across this tutorial from Dana Willard of Made on how to make a Peeps Bunny Bunting I just had to share. Maybe some of your are as obsessed with Peeps as me?!


Click here for the DIY Peeps Bunny Bunting tutorial. When you are there, don’t forget to check out all the other super cool DIY projects Dana has. Her site is chalk full of amazing ideas and information that she has been nice enough to share with us.

Good morning all! I have a confession to make: I haven’t even made one attempt at making the macaroons from my Mowie post. I’ll be honest this project intimidates and overwhelms me! Isn’t that funny?! I mean it’s just baking. I’ve baked cookies before what’s the big deal?! I promise though to tackle my fears and get to the grocery store! Has anyone else made attempt at one of these beautiful creations? Feeling overwhelmed too? We can do this


On to simpler things (or at least for me)! I found this really cute, super easy DIY project from the very talented Jessica Jones over at How about Orange. She does a great job in showing you step-by-step on how to create these decorative thumbtacks. Thanks Jessica!


Click here for directions on how to make these decorative thumbtacks.

I treated myself to a cute little top in a boutique store and they wrapped the top in this really cute tissue paper. I thought, I have to save this and make something with it! So there you go. Busted out the Mod Podge, glue gun, and threw in a little moss and voila a zen moment! Using decorative tissue paper is a great way to spruce up an old frame. And placing the candle in the glass container with the moss really dresses it up. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

I really don’t know where to begin with this post. I can’t decide if I am headover heals in love with these desserts created by Mowie of Mowielicious OR his photograhy (yep that’s right, not only is he an amazing baker he is also a brilliant photographer)! So here is the eyecandy and then maybe you can help me decide which is more amazing! Oh and there are recipes if you dare to join me in baking one of creations

So what did you decide?


Are you ready to join me?
When I first came across Mowie’s Blog I thought wow these desserts are amazing. Amazing to look at and I’m sure even more amazing to try. As I scrolled, I saw the recipes and thought there is no way on this planet I could possibly make something as amazing as this. Then I started to read his blog which is filled with humor and great antidotes. He’s genuine and very open. I’ve been inspired! I will be tackling one of these decadent recipes and see it it’s possible for me to make something as beautiful as this.


How about you? Have you been inspired?
Each of these pictures links to the corresponding recipe on his blog (there are also a ton more recipes on his blog). Select a recipe, I’ve choosen the Chestnut Macarons With Pink Champagne and I will check in a couple of times this week to see how the desserts are progressing.


Can’t wait to hear what everone has selected and see how everything is going!

Congratulations are in order to Mary Beth! She’s won a 5 pack of her choice of Japanese Washi tape from Happy Tape. Thanks so much to everyone for entering! I can’t wait to see what Mary Beth does with her tape! Also, thanks so much to Happy Tape for this generous giveaway!


Need a little Washi tape inspiration?

• - Check out what the mother/daughter duo over at A Spoonful of Sugar have been up to
• - Of course there is the original post on Washi tape + Easter Eggs by Suzonne Stirling which kick started the Washi tape madness
• - DIY project of applying Washi tape to glass vases
• - DIY project of applying Washi Tape to cake stands and platters

Happy Friday Everyone! Okay, I know it’s just two days after St. Patty’s day and it’s my second Easter themed post but I just can’t help it, I love this holiday and I just couldn’t pass up on posting this absolutely adorable DIY project from the super talented, professional crafter, Suzonne Stirling. Suzonne is the one who styled the Easter eggs with Washi tape for the feature in Family Circle magazine (I blame her for my Washi tape addiction!). We will have the honor of having her on as a guest blogger next week. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.

These DIY Mini Easter Basket's from Suzonne Stirling

I love all the little danty details of these mini Easter baskets and I think some peeps would look perfect in these, how about you?


DIY Instructions:
For information on how to make these baskets and learn more about Suzonne Stirling visit her blog, Urban Comfort.

Good morning all! I hope everyone had a great Saint Patty’s Day. Now we can officially roll up our sleeves and get ready for Easter! I just love Easter, the beautiful pastels, spring tulips and all the yummy goodies that go along with it (as you will see below in the pics I have a thing for Peeps:) ). How about you, what’s your favorite part of Easter?


Today’s post is about applying Washi tape to cake stands and serving plates. I absolutely love how it dresses up a simple white serving plate and the cake stands are precious. My theme was Easter but these tapes are perfect for dressing up any serving ware you have for what ever occasion may be around the corner.


Enjoy the photos and at the end I will talk about applications.

Application:


The white serving plates & candy bowl where so super easy and very straight forward to decorate. The thin strips where created by adhering the washi tape to vellum paper and cutting the width in half. If you look closely to the candy bowl you will see that the bottom edge is scalloped. I just used a scalloped edge craft scissors to get that effect.


The cake stands where a little more work. Again, I adhered the washi tape to vellum and then with a craft punch I created the bunny edging effect (the craft punch is made by Martha Stewart and I got it at Michael’s). It was a bit more difficult to take the washi tape off the vellum because of all the detail in the craft punch but you only need a couple of strips so totally worth the end result!


Have you all had a chance to play around with Washi tape? I would love to hear/see what you’ve created.


Oh and don’t forget to enter our Japanese Washi Tape Give Away. Click here for more information.

These pillow cases from Rose Hip’s on Etsy are a slice of heaven. They are so bright and cheery. I think I’ve been romanced. How about you?












Oh and if you have not had a chance to enter, we are having a Japanese Washi Tape Giveaway. Click here for more information.