Archive for the ‘craft’ Category
This guest post was written by photographer + makeup artist Jeanne & and designer Lenna of Enna Anne.
But before I let these lovely ladies break down this diy…I just wanted to mention that this one is near and dear to me for a couple of reasons. Of course the project is amazing, but more importantly than that, it features 2 adorable people from my family (Amanda + Tim). PLUS it was shot by Jeanne Ciasullo, who was the photographer at Jeff and I’s wedding. AND I almost forgot, another friend of ours makes his way into a few of these photos too. Kind of special, huh?
Anyway, I’ll let Jeanne and Lenna get right down to it…
Supplies: 1. Vintage button down collared shirts and vintage scarfs 2. Design Master Spray Paint (Found ours at Michaels) Colors Holiday Red and Raspberry 3. Rubber Bands & Miniature Clear elastic hair bands 4. Straight pens (which can also be spray painted) 5. Assorted Flowers (We love picking up fresh flowers from our local supermarkets but we always go picking from our local area too. Yards, parks & roadsides are some of our favorite spots. You’d be surprised what you can find in super market parking lots! Picking a little bit of the nature around us makes the bouquets look effortless, not perfect. We love that. Just make sure you are not picking on private property!) *We highly recommend using gloves when spray painting. Its a step we often forget because we’re so excited to start the process.
Here’s how you make it: 1. Let your flowers soak for one or two nights in water and flower food so that the flowers are happy and hydrated and the blooms open up.
2. Select a variety of flowers and lightly mist the buds with the spray paint. Slowly build on the color so you do not accidentally over saturate your flowers. A little of the natural flower color showing through is ok, in fact we prefer it!
3. Alternate paint colors to get a variety of results. Experiment with the colors. The paint colors on different colored flowers yield unique results. Have fun! Place wet flowers back in water and let dry.
4. Shirt collar boutonniere & Bouquet. We loved the idea of using a man’s button down shirt as a wrap for both the boutonniere and bouquet because it seemed like a great way to make it more masculine (even though it was pink and red heaven). To do the same, cut the collar off of the button down shirt. Save that for the groom’s boutonnieres. For the bridal bouquet cut the button down shirt down the middle leaving the buttons in the center of the fabric. Cut the remaining fabric into strips. We wanted her bouquet to look like a shirt when it was wrapped.
5. Making the boutonniere. Bundle a group of painted flowers together. We like to use interestingly shaped greenery and small wildflowers. Once arranged secure with a small clear elastic rubber band.
6. Utilizing the shirt collar from step 4, wrap the shirt tightly around the boutonniere and secure with short floral pins.
7. Making the Bouquet. Bundle a group of painted flowers together. We like mixing big blooms with wild flowers and berries. Keep adding flowers until you get your desired bouquet size. Secure with rubber bands
8. Now that the bouquet is arranged we like to step back and see if the color works. If it doesn’t we lightly mist the areas in the bouquet (with gloves!) that need some extra attention/love.
9. Use the shirt fabric from step 4 and place the front buttons of the shirt down the center of the bouquet. It’s easier with an extra set of hands. As one person holds the flowers the other person can tightly wrap the bouquet. Trim the excess fabric and secure with floral pins. Use the fabric strips and wrap the bouquet like a ballet slipper and tie off at the top in a knot and trim.
Using spray paint on flowers was a great way for us to achieve the saturated look that we wanted. We couldn’t find exactly what we were looking for, we wanted over the top color so the flowers would pop in person and in photos. Spray paint was our solution! Whenever we approach a project we always try to think about how we can make it special or unique. We believe that the small unexpected touches make all the difference.
Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial ladies! You are an inspiring duo.
For more photos from this V-Day inspired wedding shoot (there are so many more to take a look at), visit this photo set on Enna Anne now. And if you don’t have a wedding in your future, you can easily translate this project into a tabletop centerpiece for any room of your house.
About the Jeanne and Lenna. ENNA|ANNE is a budding design, photography & makeup company that caters to the west coast of Florida and more. Business partners and childhood friends, Lenna and Jeanne formed the company after years of honing their talents in their respective fields, Lenna in graphic design and Jeanne in photography and makeup. These two ladies combine forces to create amazing projects through collaboration and their strong vision, bringing a fresh perspective for their clients to benefit from.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
For those of us in the four-season states, the temperatures are really starting to drop! I finally broke out my mittens, scarves, hats and other cold-weather accoutrements this week, thus adding a whole new level of accessories to my wardrobe. But, I have to be honest: There are several pieces I acquired years ago that I know aren’t going to see the glint of snow. Just like most women, my tastes change with the seasons, but replacing winter wear always seems a bit more expensive. So instead of browsing online stores, I’ve been hitting the blogsophere for ideas, and these five DIYs are just the ticket for keeping me (and you!) warm, head to toe.
(above) Sew Your Own Mittens by A Beautiful Mess
DIY Leg Warmers by Split the Lark
Snowy Day Hat Pattern by See Kate Sew
Long Pom Pom Cowl via Purl Soho
Yellow Bow Ear Warmer by Delia Creates
(Note that tutorial is for personal, not commercial, use)
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
Okay. I am a fabric girl. And I suspect that you are too.
I collect piles of textiles. I have bins and bins of fabric from my grandmother and thrift stores, and fabric stores, and Etsy, and..well, you get the point. But the (kind of) weird thing is…dun, dun, dun…I don’t sew!
I know, weird, right?
So what do I do with all this fabric I stash in the closets and under the bed? Well, I use it for projects that don’t involve sewing of course, like the bunting from our wedding (yep, that was a no sew project).
But as much fabric as I have on hand, one of the types that I haven’t really tried out is oilcloth. I don’t really know why because it seems quite practical + it’s shiny and fun and easy to clean (bonus!). So I am thinking about giving it a try. And if and when I ever learn to sew, I will be picking up this book, Sewing with Oilcloth, from Kelly McCants…
Is this cover amazing or what?
I HAVE TO learn how to make that chalk runner at the top of this post from the book because I am pretty sure those cream puffs will just magically appear if I do. Yum!
If you are already a sewer, you are one step ahead of me. So kudos to you. And you can get a little sneak peek into Sewing with Oilcloth right here to see if it tickles your fancy.
Kelly has a really awesome selection of oilcloth as well, hence the name of her shop, Oilcloth Addict. So it’s pretty much one-stop shopping. What’s not to like?
Yesterday, Jeff and I strolled down to Barnes and Noble at lunchtime because (surprise!) I’m in the February 2012 issue of Women’s Day magazine. Yay!
Of course, I always get excited about magazine features, but I have to admit it’s partly because I like to send a copy to my grandma every time it happens so she knows I’m legit (she basically has no idea what I do for a living because she has never been on a computer in her life so its kind of difficult to explain it to her. but magazine features she understands).
Anyway, this year is the 75th anniversary of the mag and I am honored to be a part of it. My project for a lacy frosted glass mirror is on page 46. You may remember the original mirror project from the blog a couple of years ago if you’ve been around for a while.
If you’re interested, you can pick up a copy at your local book store or head to the Woman’s Day website and get the full tutorial online to make your own.
Big thanks to Woman’s Day for featuring my project. Really a pleasure to work with them.
I’ve been stocking up on all things organizational this month to plan out my year and one of the things that I’ve been looking at is calendars. Lots of calendars! All types of calendars too. I have already found my big wall calendar for the year, but I want something small to carry around with me wherever I go too. Maybe something like this mini calendar from Ready Go? Isn’t it cool? I really love Ready Go. And actually, I kind of feel like I need to throw a party just so I have an excuse to buy some of the other goodies in this shop - like these printable flags, gold glitter cake bunting, and these gift tags.
Visit Ready Go now to see more.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
For me, the start of 2012 isn’t about resolutions; I’ve made tons over the years and usually forget about them before February rolls around. Instead, I like to look at it as a fresh start, a year brimming with bright, shiny possibilities along with the feeling that anything is within my grasp. As such, I thought it appropriate to bring you some bright and shiny DIYs to inspire you for the new year. The last one isn’t a full-out tutorial, but I know that you have what it takes to recreate it them — you are papernstitch readers after all! Here’s to a year of possibility! 
(above) Gold Chevron Paintings by Makeunder My Life
99 Cent DIY Candles by Emily Henderson
Glittery Gold Bow Clutch by The World Is My Oyster
Metallic Gold Mason Jars by Lovely Little Details
Gold Tree Stump Side Tables via Love Maegan
Have a great weekend!
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
This contributor post was written by Beth of Parsimonia.
A Christmas poem for the DIYer.
Twas nine days before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Were flashes of red,
And the tree, it was doused,
With ornaments, ribbons
And lights hung with care,
But look at the walls;
They’re dreadfully bare!
No sleigh bells or snowmen,
No reindeer in flight,
No wreaths wrapped with berries,
It just isn’t right!
With so little time left
To make my walls festive,
I’m turning to garlands;
They’re oh-so impressive.
(above) Mini Present Garland by Oh Happy Day
Twisted Felt Garland by The Purl Bee + Easy-Peasy Paper Garland by The Happy Home
Festive Felted Garland by The Purl Bee
Holiday Garlands Three Ways by You Are My Fave
Beth is the writer behind Parsimonia: Secondhand With Style, where she blogs about her first love (thrifting) and her second love (cooking), as well as DIY projects, sustainable style and other bits of inspiration. She lives in St. Louis with one husband, one fuzzy dog and lots of dreams, and recently launched an online vintage store.
