Tutorials + Diy Ideas | Paper & Stitch

Archive for the ‘tutorials + diy ideas’ Category

05/23/13

20 comments Embossing 101: Geometric Party Bags DIY by papernstitch

I recently bought a heat gun and discovered I have really been missing out, because embossing is addictive and that’s the only thing I’ve been using this heat gun for. If you’re new to embossing, it is similar to regular stamping. Unlike stamping, however, this process actually raises the surface, adding a new dimension to the item you’re embossing. AND it gives the surface a more foiled or metallic look.

So, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been embossing pretty much everything you can think of from gift tags to card stock, with the stamps I already owned. BUT I have been (patiently) waiting for these amazing stamps to arrive in the mail so I could really get crackin’ on some projects. The stamps are finally here (thanks Mom for the b-day present) and I’m ready to roll. Are you with me?

Let’s make some embossed, geometric party bags…

For embossing, you’ll need a few basic materials to get started:

a heat gun
embossing clear ink stamp pad
stamps (any stamp will work – or make your own)
embossing powder
sheet of paper (to catch excess embossing powder)

*And in addition to those materials, you’ll also need small, white paper bags to make the embossed favor bags pictured.

How-To: 1. Press the stamp into your clear ink pad, then gently press the stamp (with even pressure) onto the surface you want to emboss. 2. Next, apply embossing powder generously over the entire surface, and then tap the excess powder back into the jar. 3. Turn on your heating tool and hover over the stamped surface until you see the powder start to turn. You’ll be able to see the change. 4. Continue moving the heating tool over the remainder of the stamped surface until the entire stamp has changed. It will look more like a foil at that point and will be slightly raised. Let it cool. Done.

Fill party favor bags with candy, popcorn, cherries, confetti, etc, and give ‘em to guests as they are leaving to say thanks for coming.

Concept, photography, and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff for Paper & Stitch

Looking for more DIY projects like this one? Click here.

05/20/13

5 comments Make This: Gumball Garland DIY by papernstitch

Remember those bowls of colorful gumballs I was playing around with a while back?

Well, I can finally share what I made with these little, round treats - a DIY gumball garland for One Charming Party.

Want to make one of your own? You can create one of these sweet strands, really easily, for a birthday party or nearly any other (kid-friendly) occasion. But before you get started, I have a few tips for streamlining the process (and making sure the gumballs don’t crack when you puncture them). See the full tutorial, along with my tips and tricks, over on One Charming Party.

For more DIY projects like this one, visit the DIY projects page.

05/17/13

9 comments 6 DIYs to Try this Weekend by papernstitch

I’m actually out of town right now, celebrating my birthday with a long birthday weekend out of town. I’ll be back on Monday for posting as usual, but before you head out to enjoy the sun this weekend, I wanted to leave you with a handful of DIYs to try.

1. leather key fob project by For the Makers

2. mini to maxi skirt DIY by Sincerely Kinsey

3. giant crepe paper roses how-to by Studio DIY

4. beaded summer skewers DIY by Camille Styles

5. geometric cake toppers by Jenny for Minted’s blog, Julep

6. DIY shoe clips by Honestly WTF

I also write for other sites around the web. Here’s where you can find me elsewhere this week…

And if you’re looking for even more DIYs to try, you can check out the DIY page here or my DIY board on Pinterest. Hope you have a great weekend.

-Brittni

05/15/13

20 comments Make This: Edible Confetti DIY by papernstitch

Today is my birthday (I’m officially 29) and it didn’t seem right to let a b-day go by without some yummy sweets to share. That’s the best part of birthdays anyway, right? So I’m branching out, just a little today, with a sweet food related DIY that I hope you’ll enjoy. Learn how to make edible confetti with store-bought chocolate in two easy steps. You can use it for parties, cake & cupcake decorating, and whatever else you can dream up.

Supplies: chocolate bars – I used milk chocolate and cookies and cream // tiny cookie cutters (like these or these)

How-To: Unwrap chocolate bars and let them lay out at room temperature for a few minutes to soften them up a little bit. Push cookie cutter through the chocolate, all the way, and punch the cut chocolate out of the cutter with your finger or a toothpick. Sprinkle or cakes, plates, etc. That’s it. Couldn’t be any easier.

These would be so fun at a kid’s birthday party. You could sprinkle some edible confetti on the cake and cake table, on top of kid’s plates, etc. Note: If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can use fruit leather instead of chocolate. Works great.

Concept, styling, and photography by Brittni Mehlhoff for Paper & Stitch

Want more DIY projects? Click here.

05/14/13

11 comments Make This: Celebrate any day with this Bouquet by papernstitch

Every time I turn around, it feels like another holiday is right around the corner (or a birthday, housewarming, baby shower, random party, etc). I love celebrating all of these things, but sometimes it’s hard to come up with a thoughtful gift that any recipient will be happy about. So what’s a girl to do? Make a bouquet of fresh flowers, of course. And I have a simple recipe for making your own to celebrate any occasion.

Here are the flowers you’ll need: 2 bells of Ireland // 2 purple parrot tulips // 2 stems of white stock// 2 green bouvardia (or 2 small hydrangea clusters) // 3 stems of dusty miller

Other supplies you’ll need: scissors // brown kraft paper // raffia or twine

How-To: I made this bouquet the same way I made this easy spring bouquet. So you can check out the directions and step by step photos here if you need ‘em. *If that method isn’t working for you, follow this method instead – the process is a little different, but the results are the same in the end. Next, add kraft paper and tie it off with raffia. Cut the stems so they are all the same length and store in a vase with 2-3 inches of water until you are headed out the door to deliver these beauties.