Organza Flower Hair Clips

Organza flowers

Now that my favorite local craft store, Pat Catan’s, has begun selling organza fabric, I have been obsessed with making organza flowers, which look much more complicated than they actually are! There are a million different ways to create these types of flowers, but I simply cut out organza circles in 4-5 different sizes and singed around the edges using a lighter (be careful to not leave on too long, as the fabric will burn!). The circles naturally curl up when singed, creating a flower petal look. Using a needle and thread, I sewed each of the circles together with the large circle on the bottom descending to the smallest circle on the top. I then embellished the flowers by hot-gluing various beads into the center of the flower. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Flowers can be adhered to hair clips, headbands, pins, household decorations, etc. The sky is the limit!

Organza fabric used for this project

Flower Pen Centerpiece/Favors

Looking for some “not your average centerpiece” centerpieces? I created these flower pen bouquets for a bridal shower, not only to serve as cute décor, but also to assist guests in participating in shower games, as each flower is actually a functional pen. Simply wrap floral tape around each pen from just above the pen point to the top so that it is completely covered. Next, take the tops of fake flowers off of their stems and use hot glue to adhere them to the top of each taped pen. Cut a piece floral foam to fit the container that will be holding the pens and place it into the container (I used some really cute, filigreed, bright green Chinese takeout boxes for these particular centerpieces!). The pens can then be stuck into the floral foam and arranged into an adorable centerpiece!



Fabric-flowered, Initial Tote Bag

Monogrammed tote bag

I will be the first to admit that, amongst my many other obsessions, I absolutely adore accumulating bags. While this is not uncommon in females, as far as collecting a large number of purses is concerned, my obsession goes a step further to include tote bags and those reusable bags you can buy at virtually any store on earth. Although I am a big fan of the environment and very much enjoy living in it, my reason for collecting totes and reusables is simply because I like having them and storing anything and everything in them. Last summer, I bought about ten tote bags that I was determined to decorate in some way and give to people as gifts. The monogrammed tote pictured is one example that I decorated for my cousin, Kristin.

I started by using a pencil to write the person's initials, placing the initial for her last name in the middle and making it larger than the other two initials (to the right is the first name initial and to the left is the middle name initial...you know the drill!). Next, I threaded a large needle with 1/4" ribbon and used a basic stitch (that I started on the inside of the bag) to go around each of the letters. I used felt and a glue gun to create the rosettes seen in the picture and VOILA!!! Super easy and personalized!

My cousin, Kristin, on her wedding day, holding her tote with her new initials