Scrap N Grow

Posts Tagged ‘Flower’

Good morning everyone. How was your weekend? Mine was fair as I found it difficult at times to get motivated due to the weather. It was rather gloomy, windy, and the temperature a bit brisk at times this past weekend here in Minnesota. My fiance and I did manage to complete a few more tasks for our ongoing basement finish project…HVAC is nearly complete and framing should be done later today.

I can hardly believe it is December already.  Where did November go?  Only 22 more days till Christmas! Yikes!!!! Time to kick off this holiday season with December”s Paperie In Bloom, the amaryllis.     For those of  you who are new to Scrap N Grow, Paperie in Bloom is a monthly blog feature where I feature a new bloom each month on or about the first of the month. This month is the amaryllis.  Then throughout the remainder of the month, I sprinkle in additional blog posts that highlight or showcase the bloom.

Amaryllis flowers originate from a bulb and are available in multiple colors. Red, White, and Pink. Red is the most popular selection. Blooms typically appear within 4-6 weeks after the bulb is planted. So if you desire blooms in time or Christmas, one needs to count backwards on a calendar to determine an appropriate planting date.  I typically plant my bulbs the week of Thanksgiving.

If you are a bit impatient to wait 4-6 weeks, then today’s featured tutorial is for you.  After planning, it took me about 4 hours to complete today’s featured amaryllis pot. Enjoy.

Paperie In Bloom: December 2012 Potted Amaryllis Bulb

Paperie In Bloom: December 2012 Close Up of Potted Amaryllis Bloom

Supplies:

Provocraft Cricut Electronic Die Cutting Machine

Provocraft Garden Soup Art Cartridge

Bazzill Classic Red Card Stock

Aged Mahogany Distress Ink

Inkessentials Ink Blending Foam and Tool

Inkessentials Non Stick Craft Sheet

McGill 8mm Ball Stylus

McGill Molding Mat

Quik Kutz Stripes Label Embossing Folder

Inkessentials Glossy Accents

Hot Glue Gun

Decorative Container

Floral Foam

Floral Tape

Awl

Wire and Wire Cutters

Assembly:

1. Die cut 6 Amaryllis petals from the Garden Soup Cricut cartridge. Cut at 3.57 width, real size off.

2. Apply Aged Mahogany Distress Ink using an Inkessentials Ink Blending Foam and Tool to both sides of each petal.

3. Next, stack all 6 petals together and place in embossing folder and run through embossing machine. Note: I embossed all 6 petals at the same time so not to emboss petals too much-just wanted to create a ribbed texture to emulate leaf veins.

4. Then place 1 petal at a time onto a Mc Gill molding mat and use an 8mm ball stylus tool to mold each petal as desired.

5. Cut off approximately the bottom inch off each petal and glue (I used Inkessentials Glossy Accents) 3 petals in a triangular fashion to form the outer layer of petals. I recommend doing this on a non stick craft mat.  Once completed, adhere the last 3 remaining petals offset to the previous layer. Re-manipulate (Fluff) each flower as desired.

6. Next, use an awl to poke a hole through the center of each flower.  This is where you will insert the anthers (reproductive flower organs).

8. Cut 6 approximately 4.5 inch wire lengths using a wire cutters and insert wire lengths through center hole. Wrap with floral tape to secure all lengths together.

9. Place floral foam into base of desired decorative container. I used a chalkboard pot.

10. Cover floral foam with decorative moss.

11. In an effort to save time, I used a floral stem from a silk flower that resembled an amaryllis flower stem.  I adhered amaryllis flowers to each stem using a hot glue gun.  For a decorative accent only, I wrapped a piece of jute string around the base of each bloom.

12.  Lastly, I added a few additional elongated leaves made of paper that were left over from a previous project.

Viola!!! An amaryllis blooming bulb.  No water needed and no need to wait 4-6 weeks for your first bloom.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Stay tuned as I plan to feature a bonus Paperie In Bloom later this month.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. My fiance and I spent Thanksgiving with his family and his mom served a delicious feast. Today’s featured Paperie In Bloom picture frame project is a great gift idea for any occasion.

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Aster Picture Frame

Paperie In Bloom is an ongoing series here on Scrap N Grow.  Each month, I select a bloom, this month is the aster.  I typically reveal each month’s bloom on or about the first of each month. Then throughout the remainder of the month, I showcase different ideas that highlight the chosen bloom. Today’s idea, a picture frame, makes a great gift for any occasion.

Today’s featured 5X7 picture frame was purchased on sale at Michael’s. I chose this frame for its rustic wood and color.  The asters were created using the Heartfelt Creations Delicate Aster Die Set.  I used two different shades of purple Bazzill card stock for each flower.  Each flower center is accented using a Stampin’ Up clear faceted button.  I colored the faceted buttons using Butterscotch Alcohol Ink by Ranger.

I die cut three layers of flower petals and five leaves using the Delicate Asters Die Set.  I used an Ranger Inkessentials Ink Applicator to highlight flower petals with Dusty Concord Distress Ink and Forest Moss Distress Ink for the leaves.  Afterwards, I molded each petal layer and leaf using an 8mm McGill Ball stylus tool on an McGill molding mat to give each flower added dimension.  I then assembled each flower.  I used a thin set of pop dots in between each flower petal layer and fluffed each layer after I adhered flower onto frame using Inkessentials Glossy Accents adhesive. Lastly, I adhered an Stampin’ Up faceted button that was altered using Butterscotch Alcohol Ink by Ranger.  Pictured below is a closeup of the faceted button.

Paperie In Bloom: November 2012 Aster Picture Frame Close Up

I love the simplicity of the frame and the punch of color the Asters provide.  I have a gift ready to give.  Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I will be back on Wednesday with one last Paperie In Bloom project idea.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone. How was your weekend? The weather was unseasonably mild here in MN. We received some (not nearly enough) desperately needed rain on Saturday and reveled in the unseasonably warm 70 degree sunshine on Sunday.  My weekend was productive as I had time to finally wrap up a few projects that have been on my work table.  Today is one of those projects.  Today’s project, a chrysanthemum mirror was inspired by Pinterest. For those unfamiliar with Pinterest, it is an online idea gallery for nearly anything you can think of.  I find and pin (note) great ideas for projects like today’s, recipes, fashion, DIY home projects, travel, etc. The great thing is that the “pin” saves the source of the idea to reference back to later.  For those of you already on Pinterest, I have a link on my sidebar, if you are interested in browsing or following my interests/boards.

Like I stated above, today’s featured project, a chrysanthemum mirror, is another inspiring project for October’s Paperie In Bloom monthly blog feature. If this is your first time visiting, Paperie In Bloom is an ongoing monthly feature where I showcase a different bloom on or about the first of each month.  Then throughout the month, I sprinkle in additional projects that highlight the bloom of the particular month.  This month’s Paperie In Bloom is the chrysanthemum.

Paperie In Bloom: October 2012 Chrysanthemum Mirror

Paperie In Bloom: October 2012 Close Up of Chrysanthemum Mirror

The mirror above is made from 650 cheap, plastic spoons purchased from Walmart. I used a combination of tutorials in order to make mine.  I have provided each of the links below.

http://www.addicted2decorating.com/how-to-make-a-decorative-chrysanthemum-mirror.html

http://totallygreencrafts.com/2012/08/chrysanthemum-decor-with-plastic-spoons/

http://www.littlethingsbringsmiles.com/2012/08/plastic-spoon-mirror-tutorial.html

http://suzyssitcom.com/2012/04/feature-friday-more-chrysanthemum-mirrors.html

Many of the above links include detailed, step by step picture tutorials. For this reason, I did not take pictures of my process.  It took me a few days to make my mirror. One of the tutorials above suggested to break up the steps, and I whole heartedly agree.

I have shared below a list of my variations as well as a few learned tips I encountered while making mine.

** I used my Provocraft Electronic Die Cutting Machine to cut a template.  I used George and Basic Shapes to cut a half circle at 22 inches wide and 11 inches tall.  I cut 2 and taped them together for my template.

**I used foam board to make my mirror only because my fiancé was out of town. If I were to make another, I would use MDF and have had my fiancé cut it with a saw. If you elect to use foam board, apply a width of masking tape around the center ring. This will help provide a clean round finished edge.

** If you use anything other than wood for the base, attach a saw tooth hanger to the backside before you get started.  I did not do this and had to try several ideas before finding one to work.  I ended up having to fish a thin wire between the glued spoons after the fact and it was not an easy task.

**Take time to practice appropriate spacing of outer row of spoons.  I eyeballed it and ended up using double the amount of spoons listed in any of the linked tutorials above. Most tutorials used 300 spoons, I used 650.  This resulted in an extra trip to the store.

** Ensure that you have an ample supply of hot glue sticks ready to go as you will use quite a few.  I think I used 5.  I forgot to rub a bit of Vaseline on the glue gun tip (tip from Pinterest).  It is suppose to prevent glue strings. Because of this, it took some time afterwards to remove them.

** I concur with the tutorial that suggested to break up the process to make a mirror.  My ideal would be: Day One- Purchase and cut spoons. Sand if necessary. Day Two- Adhere spoons, take a break and later, remove any stray glue strings. Day Three- Purchase Plastic Primer and desired color of spray or acrylic paint.  The gentleman working in the paint department at Home Depot recommended to use a white primer for light colors and a gray primer for dark colors.  I used Rustoloeum Gray Plastic Paint Primer and Rustoleum Glossy Cranberry Plastic Spray paint for mine.  I used 1 can primer and 2 cans of color.

** If you elect to spray paint, do yourself a favor, and elevate the mirror to about waist height.  This will prevent you from having to bend over to see if you have amply coated the interior spaces between the spoons.  This also makes it easier to spray the underside outer row of spoons.  Prior to spray painting, I gave the backside a coat of acrylic paint that closely matched my spray paint for a more finished appearance.

**I concur with the tutorials to apply a coat of adhesive to the mirror front and then place surround on top of mirror. I used E6000 adhesive and let mirror adhesive sit overnight to cure.

It cost me about $45 to make my mirror. $12 for spray primer and spray paint, $8 for foam board, $20 for spoons, and $5 for 12 inch mirror.  Would have been cheaper if I had purchased supplies on sale or with a coupon, and if I had shopped a dollar store for foam board and spoons.

Thank you so much for stopping by and for taking time to read this lengthy post.  I would love for you to comment below if you have seen or made a similar project, or perhaps if you would like to make one for yourself or for a gift as the holidays are fast approaching.  Have a great day. I will be back tomorrow with part 2 of my Halloween Blueprint Cards.  Hope you decide to stop back again soon.

Michelle

Good morning everyone.  How was your weekend?  Mine was busy.  My fiance’ and I canned all day on Saturday and Sunday. We made hot sauce, salsa, jam, jelly, and pickled peppers.  I am going to make jar labels for everything this week.  Today, I have an easy note card to share.  The card features one of my favorite stamps from Stampin Up.

Paperie In Bloom: September 2012. Sunflower Note Card

To start, I used various colors of Distress markers to color image.  I then stamped image onto old flower encyclopedia book text. I applied Ranger clear embossing powder and heated until image was embossed.  I love the effect.  The colors of the Distress markers appear more saturated.  Afterwards, I distressed and inked the edges of each card layer using Tim Holtz’s Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I then assembled and adhered card layers together. Lastly, I embellished the card front with a trio of brown pearls.  I typically do not stamp a sentiment on the card’s front or the interior as I prefer to wait till I decide the occasion of the card unless the image is specific to a particular occasion. This card is versatile and could be used for a quick note, a birthday, a get well soon, etc.

Here is another sunflower note card, I featured earlier this spring that features sunflowers. Click here for details.

Sunflower Note Card

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope that you will stop back again soon for more inspiring ideas. Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone!  Hope you weekend was a good one.  I am over the moon excited to share today’s project with you, a hydrangea pillow.

Paperie In Bloom: August 2012 Hydrangea Pillow

Paperie In Bloom: August 2012 Close Up of Flower Petals of Hydrangea Pillow

Paperie In Bloom: August 2012 Close Up of Hydrangea Pillow Leaves

This pillow is part of an ongoing series on my blog called Paperie In Bloom.  Each month, I showcase a bloom crafted from paper, and then throughout the month, showcase additional projects and ideas that further highlight the bloom of the month.  This month, I am highlighting the hydrangea.

Today’s featured pillow features 500 petals that were die cut using the new Borders and Hydrangea Sizzix die. After petals were die cut from wool felt, each petal was hand sewn 2 times in each direction (like a plus sign) in order to pucker each flower petal. Afterwards, I attached each puckered petal with needle and thread to a 14 inch round pillow form covered with muslin. Next, I hand sewed the leaves to a 26X26 pillow form covered with burlap. Lastly, I used a heavy duty thread to attach petal covered 14 inch pillow form to 26X26 pillow.

Supplies Used:

Bloom:

Sizzix Borders and Hydrangea Die (Used my Vagabond to Die cut 3 petals at a time)

14 inch round pillow form for the bloom

.50 yard of muslin to cover 14 inch round pillow form

1.5 yards each of cream and white wool felt for the petals

.25 yard of green wool felt for the leaves

Needle and Thread: White and Green

Pillow:

26×26 pillow form (the bloom is sewn onto this form)

1 yard of burlap for the 26×26 pillow form

Heavy Duty Jute Thread to sew bloom to pillow form

I absolutely love how the pillow turned out!!!! I will outwardly admit that this pillow was time and labor intensive, but so worth it in my opinion.

I have provided links below to previously featured projects in this month’s series below.

Hydrangea bouquet

Hydrangea Note Cards

Hydrangea Picture Frame

Hydrangea Canvas

Hydrangea Vase

Hydrangea Candle

Thank you for stopping by, I would love for you to comment and tell me what you think.  I hope that you stop by again for more inspiring projects and invite you to subscribe to my blog updates if my work inspires you.  Have a great day and see you again soon.

Michelle