Louisville Love: Paint Paper Petal

I'm a swooner, admittedly, and I blame Instagram. When I discover beautiful people making beautiful things, my heart swoons as I obsessively look at photos of their work and ooh and ahh and basically double tap the Instagram love endlessly. Such was the case when I came across local Louisville artist Alyson Thiel and her downright gorgeous paper flowers. Alyson showcases her paper flowers on her Instagram Paint Paper Petal and was recently the monthly artist in residence at a local library branch where I was fortunate to attend one of her workshops.

Alyson is a talented artist and a generous teacher. She obviously has a love for sharing her skills and was very encouraging to everyone at her workshop. On this day, participants learned how to make a poppy flower from heavy crepe paper. Most of us are familiar with crepe paper party streamers, but heavy crepe paper is thicker and more substantial. The thickness allows the paper to hold its shape when stretched and manipulated, thus creating nearly realistic-looking flower petals.

Thanks to Alyson's guidance, I am delighted with my paper poppy and I love the vibrant colors and the texture that the crepe paper brings to the petals and stems.

In her own work, Alyson uses various papers and paint to create many designs and textures. Check out her work on her website and Instagram: alysonthiel.com and instagram/paintpaperpetal.

What new-to-you artists have you been swooning over lately?

Happy artist discovering, DIY'ers!

~julee~

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DIY Valentine Bunting

Creating a sweet Valentine bunting is easy and you’ll only need a few supplies to create your own lovely pennant.  Doilies are the perfect accessory to add romance to your Valentine’s Day décor, but instead of using them directly on the bunting, I’m using the pattern in the doily to create a stencil effect on the paper.  So much more fun to use paint!

Supply list: Cardstock, craft paint, brush/sponge, doily, hole punch, string, embellishments, and glue (optional). 

To make: Cut the cardstock to your preferred size.  Use the doily as a stencil and dab the paint on to the cardstock.  To get clean lines, make sure to dab up and down instead of painting in strokes.  Once the paint dries, affix your embellishments.  My letters had an adhesive backing and were easy to attach.  Make holes in the corners of each flag, and thread your string through.  Next, hang and enjoy!

Happy Valentine crafting, DIY’ers!

~julee

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DIY Matchbox Valentine

I am so very in love with these little matchbox Valentine boxes.  With so many ways to embellish them, I think I could sit and make them all day.  Addicting little guys, and so easy to put together.  Perfect for a sweet treat or tiny love note to your sweetheart. 

To make your own, you’ll need a box of strike anywhere matches, and paper to cover the top of the box.  Then, gather some lovely embellishments.  For these, I used Valentine ribbon and heart decals. 

Cut a strip of decorative paper the same size as the top of your box.  Mine was 2x4.  You don’t have to take the top of the box apart to adhere your decorative paper, but I found that doing so gave a tighter and cleaner fit.  Use a glue stick to adhere your paper to the box top and use the folds in the original box to refold and reglue the box together.  If kids are making these, you can definitely let them make these the easy way and just wrap the paper around the box and glue.  Once that’s done, go crazy with the embellishments.

And I prefer my Valentine’s to come with chocolate.  Who’s with me?

So this is my version of matchbox Valentine’s.  How would you decorate your matchboxes?  If you’re in the Louisville area, you can join the D.I.Y. Louisville group on Sunday, February 2nd where we’ll be decorating these little cuties.  See our Facebook event for more details, pricing, and to RSVP.

Happy Valentine making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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DIY Thankful Tree

I have seen many, many versions of thankful trees online lately, and I love them all.  Finding a few bare branches in your yard and placing them in a pretty vase or jar is all it takes to create this personalized décor for your own home.  I used a circular paper punch to create leaves for my tree, but you can also cut leaf shapes from cardstock, or even use silk leaves if you prefer.

This will be perfect as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece and you can have all of your guests add their thanks to the tree.  I especially love to see what kids are thankful for.  My daughter’s thankful list this year included books, light to see, and a bed to sleep in.  Simple gratitudes that we often forget to acknowledge.

What are you thankful for this year?

Happy Thanksgiving, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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DIY Halloween Owl Plaque

Are you ready to deck out your walls with Halloween décor?  This week, I made time to create my first Halloween craft of the season.  Such a sweet little DIY Halloween owl plaque, and so easy to make, too! 

Would you like to make your own Halloween owl?  You’ll need:  a wooden plaque (mine measures 7x7), black paint, Mod Podge, owl template, and assorted scrapbook papers.

First, download the free owl template from Kiki(verde).  Cut out your scrapbook paper in the shapes from the template.  Use stick glue to piece your owl together.  (This is not shown, because this genius idea didn’t come to me until too late, but it’ll make it easier, trust me.)

Paint your wooden plaque black.  After it dries, give it a nice smooth, even, thin coat of Mod Podge.

While the Mod Podge is wet, lay your owl down.  Then, top your owl with a nice, smooth, even, thin layer of Mod Podge.  Not too much or your paper will warp.  Smooth out any air bubbles. 

Once dry, your owl is ready to display amongst your spookiest décor.  Whooooooo!

If you would like to hang your Halloween owl plaque, simply hot glue a ribbon to the back as a hanger. 

D.I.Y. Louisville is having a Halloween party!  If you’re in the Louisville area and would like to join the Crafty Halloween Party, see the full details here.  For only $10 you can join us and we’ll have all the supplies you need to make your own DIY Halloween owl plaque.  Plus, we’ll have refreshments and prizes, too!  Email me at diylouisville@gmail.com if you have any questions!

Happy Halloween crafting, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Video: DIY Patriotic Pinwheels

Yesterday I was invited to WDRB in the Morning to show how to make my Patriotic Pinwheels.  Take a look at the segment and see why adding a bit of glue to your pin before inserting into the stick is a good idea:

Remember, you can watch all of my WDRB segments on my YouTube channel HERE.

Happy 4th of July!

~julee~

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Make It: Patriotic Pinwheels

Who can resist spinning a pinwheel?  Not me.  Especially then they’re this adorable.  Making your own DIY pinwheels is a fun and easy craft, and they’re  perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your 4th of July picnic festivities.  Make them ahead of time and use for table decorations, or set out the supplies and let the kids have a blast making their own.

DIY Pinwheel Tutorial

You’ll need:  Pretty paper (double sided prints look best), scissors, straight pin, lollipop stick or skewer.    1)  Cut your paper in a perfect square.  I used 6x6 for this tutorial.  2) Using a ruler, lightly draw lines from corner to corner of your square.  3)  Cut lines from each corner to the middle of the square, but DO NOT cut all the way up.  Stop at least 1/2-inch from the center.  4) Fold down alternating corners toward the middle of the square.  5)  Use a straight pin to push through all layers to the other side.  6)  Push the pin into the lollipop stick or skewer.  (This takes a little bit of effort, and kids may need help with this part.)  If the pin won’t stay put, add a drop of glue to the tip.

Using the straight pin allows the pinwheel to spin.  Alternately, you can use a brad through the center and glue the stick to the back, but the pinwheel won’t spin. 

Have a safe and festive 4th of July, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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4th of July Party Printables

Looking for an easy to way to spruce up your picnic table for your 4th of July festivities?  Check out these free downloadable 4th of July printables:

These adorable patriotic cupcakes toppers are from Get Party Chic.  Go HERE to download the free file.  To make: print from home on cardstock paper, cut or use a 2-inch paper punch, then glue a toothpick to the back.  Use them to decorate cupcakes or to hold your grilled (veggie?) burgers together.  So cute!

These printable food flags and “celebrate!” cupcake toppers were designed by Kim for D.I.Y. Louisville and will look festive next to your delicious desserts.  Print the free files HERE and HERE.   To make:  Print from home on cardstock paper.  Fold in half and glue around a toothpick or lollipop stick.

Enjoy your 4th of July festivities, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Free Blogger Meet-Up Printables

Emily of The Em Dash designed all of the adorable nametags and signs used throughout the Louisville Blogger Meet and Greet, and she would like to share them with you as a free printable. 

She’s awesome like that. 

Basically, we had so much fun organizing and attending our event that we would like to give you a few tools to make planning your own blogger event as fun and stress-free as possible.  Cool?

Click the link below each picture for the printable PDF.

Blog Name Badges (prints six on a sheet)

Blank Blogger/Business Cards (prints 10 on a sheet)

Business Card Sign (prints as a tent card)

Binder Ring Card (prints as a tent card) Here’s an explanation of binder ring card holder.

Enjoy!  If you use these for your blogger event (or any other event – I’m not picky), please share a link with me.  I would love to see pictures!

~julee~

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Crafting on WDRB: Tissue Paper Flower Favors

I had a great time this week demonstrating the tissue paper flower party favors on WDRB in the Morning.  If you weren’t able to watch the live segment, you can check out the video below.

Thanks so much for tuning in!  Craft E Magee and I will be back on the air on Wednesday, July 3rd with some fun last minute 4th of July crafts. 

As always, you can watch all of my WDRB segment videos on my YouTube channel.

~julee~

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Make It: Tissue Paper Flower Favors Tutorial

I love these tissue flowers from Martha Stewart, but I wanted to give them a bright summer spin.  I think these will be the perfect party favors for a colorful wedding or wedding shower.  They are easy and quite addictive to make.

Summer Tissue Paper Flower Favors Tutorial

1) Supplies needed:  Tissue paper, Martha Stewart template, pencil, scissors, ribbon.  2) Fold two sheets of tissue paper into 4ths and trace the template at the corner fold.  3) Cut the flower shape from the tissue.  4) Open the flower.  5) Rotate the top sheet of tissue so that the petals sit staggered.  6) Choose your center color and wrap your favor it in.  Place your wrapped favor in the center of the flower, and fold up the edges.  7) Tie a ribbon around the base.  8)  Fluff out the petals to create a pretty flower.

I loved playing with the colored paper to create different flowers.  I used yellow petals and a black center for a black-eyed Susan, white petals and a yellow center for a daisy, and blue with a yellow center.  So many pretty combinations!

Happy flower making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Make It: Kentucky Derby Photo Booth Props

Photo booths are the one trend that I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of.  I’m pretty much of the mindset that every party needs one.  Goofy pictures + goofy props = goofy good memories. 

And I’m totally down with that.

The biggest party day in Louisville is right around the corner (that’s Derby Day for my non-local readers), so I’ve created a couple of additional photo props you can add to your mustaches-on-sticks:  A mint julep cup and a derby hat.  Because, right?  No Kentucky Derby party is complete without these.

Kentucky Derby Photo Prop Tutorials

Download the free photo prop template HERE and you’ll receive:  Talk bubble, male derby hat, female derby hat, mustache, bow tie, neck tie, glasses, and mint julep cup.

Cut your talk bubble out of black poster board and you can use chalk to write and erase messages. 

To make the (female) derby hat:  You’ll need hat TEMPLATE, cardstock, scissors, glue, ribbon, silk flowers, feathers or other embellishments, and a stick such as a bamboo skewer or popsicle stick.  1)Download the free template.  Print directly onto heavy cardstock or print then trace and cut from heavy cardstock.  2) Glue on your strip of ribbon.  3)  Glue on feathers.  4) Glue on silk flowers.  5) Glue stick on back.  6) Snap fancy photos.

To make the mint julep:  You’ll need cup and mint leaves TEMPLATE, cardstock, scissors, glue, silver glitter, and a stick such as a bamboo skewer or popsicle stick.  1)Download the free template.  Print directly onto heavy cardstock or print then trace and cut from heavy cardstock.  2) Brush glue over the cup in a very thin layer so your paper doesn’t warp.  3) Sprinkle on glitter.  4) Attach the mint leaves.  5)  Glue stick on back.  6)  Snap outrageous photos.

Happy party planning, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Make It: Last Minute Valentine’s Card

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.  Do your kids have their class cards all ready to go?  Just in case you’re scrambling today to make a batch of last minute cards, I’ve come to your rescue.

Lynn of Good Garbage showed us how to easily turn paper rolls into a heart-shaped stamper at our meet up last week.  This works well with a stamp pad, but I found it worked even better with craft paint.  Besides, paint is always more fun to play with.  Use washable paints and this is a perfect kids craft.

You’ll need:  One paper roll (of the toilet paper sort or paper towel sort), craft paint, cardstock or paper.  Crease the bottom of the paper roll, and then fold in the top to get a heart shape.  Dip in paint and stamp on your paper.  That’s all you need for a cute and simple card in an instant.  Here’s a picture tutorial:

I finished my hearts by adding some sweet nothings with my letter stamps.

Happy last minute Valentine making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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Make It: Popcorn Valentine

I am so excited to have Kim on the blog today to show us these adorable Popcorn Valentine treats she made for her kids’ classes this year.  Read how she put these together, plus she’s sharing her free printables full of “corny” sayings.  (C’mon, you saw that coming.  Am I the only one who loves wacky Valentine puns??)

This year my goal in creating school valentines, was simply to not use candy or sweets. My kids get so much candy from their school parties every year. I thought about what I could do in the way of a treat and finally settled on popcorn, since it’s my kid’s favorite treat. I shopped around and found these mini bags of microwave popcorn at Aldi’s, they come 10 in a pack for 1.99. I then grabbed some scrapbook paper from the dollar spot at Target and threw in some of my own ribbon. Oh, the best part, I designed these free printable tags to be used with the popcorn valentines. There is a more traditional Valentine’s Day colored set with sayings that all involve “pop”, and a more “boy” set that has non-traditional colors. I printed the tags on cardstock.

The first step is to gather your supplies. You’ll need popcorn, scrapbook paper, cutting tool, glue stick or double sided tape, embellishments and your free printable found here and here.

Measure your scrapbook paper to cover the white part of the popcorn bag. You can get about two bags from each piece of 12x12 paper. Trim off about 5 inches from one end of the paper strip.  Wrap the paper tightly around the popcorn and glue the ends or secure with tape.

Next,  add any embellishments you like. On the pink one I added some zebra ribbon and the green one got a strip of orange paper and some polka dot ribbon. Trim your printable tags down to size and glue or secure with tape to the front. I’ll have my kids add their names to the bottom of the tags before they give them to their classmates. I think these would also make great gifts for friends or coworkers too!

You can download the free printable files here and here.

 

Thanks to Kim for sharing this cute idea!  I love the idea of giving something other than candy to classmates.

Happy Valentine making, DIY’ers!

~julee~

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