Simple Chores . . .

Saw this on Pinterest, and had a 'duh' moment! What a great idea for when my little princess breaks the rules or wants a new toy . . .

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Simple Scarf Necklace . . .

This is a necklace I've seen from Anthropologie, but how easy would it be to make! It'd be fun to collect the ribbons and choose your own pattern, color, theme . . .

Simply Fluffy Tulle Flowers . . .

Saw this floating around Pinterest and loved it! So cheap, too. Sometimes I can find tulle for $0.50 a yard.

post re-posted from Greedy For Color blog

Well, here it is - a tutorial on how to make a tissue paper flower (with tulle). Good luck and please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section if anything is unclear.

First of all, assemble your stuff - tissue paper (2 colours if desired), tulle, string and scissors.
Cut two rectangles of each colour and two rectangles of tulle. The flower I have made used 38cm x 25.5cm sheets but it doesn't really matter, just so long as the pieces are all rectangular and of the same size.

Lay the six sheets on top of each other. If you are using colours, I tend to put the darker sheets on the bottom, lighter ones in the middle and tulle on top however, living in the creative world we do, don't let me stifle you. Line up their edges and begin to fold them back and forth in a concertina. My folds were about three centimetres wide but once again, don't let me rain on your parade.

Once the folding is complete, bend it in half like a fan and tie it tightly (so that it gathers) in the middle with string

Snip the ends with scissors to make a petal shape.

Fan out one side into a half circle.

Then, delicately begin separating the layers, taking care not to ruin the pleats or tear the tissue paper (when this happens, don't cry... I sort of just shove it back in and hope no one notices).

Continue separating and

Lifting and zshoozshing (an extremely technical term that may or may not have or have originated in 23BC China... or maybe just two minutes ago).

Unfurl the other side and continue in the same way, separating, lifting and zshoozshing.

Finally, use your hands to gently scrunch (I am now just thinking what... use your hands as opposed to your mouth... as though you need advice to prevent you from making your tissue paper soggy and unusable) and zshoozsh to manipulate it into a pleasingly floral shape (but once again, don't let my need for a chaotic symmetry suppress your inner urges - if you want it to sprout in one particular direction, don't let me tell you it is not regular enough).

And then you are done!!!

Now you can go crazy with any colour you like. The above two have eight layers of tissue rather than six... there are all sorts of crazy ways you can go so get folding and have fun.

p.s. Can you tell that I have been at home with two little boys today, none of us very well. Maybe I have been just a little too excited communicating to the outside world, but you know, some days are long and the good bits have to be savoured (the writing and taking photos bit... not the explaining why you can only have antibiotics when it is prescribed to you and it is not favouritism that Archie (bronchitis) gets to have pink liquid and the other one (sore throat) gets to have none. It really doesn't smell very nice anyway.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx

Simple Paper Cubes For Christmas Lights . . .

Saw this on Pinterest. I think the image says it all! How fun!

Simple, Fascinating Doily Wreath . . .

Truly beautiful, here is a step by step!

Step 1

Working on a covered surface, lay a 24-inch wreath form inside a 30-inch one. Attach them with 24-gauge wire at 6 to 8 evenly spaced points.

Step 2

In a ventilated area, coat combined wreath form with white spray paint. Let dry

Step 3

Wrap wreath form with a 20-foot strand of white holiday lights (test lights beforehand), leaving the plug end unwrapped (as much as is needed to plug in).

Step 4

With scissors, widen the center-hole slits slightly in paper bouquet holders (we used 10 8.8-inch ones, 20 6.4-inch ones, 20 4.8-inch ones, and 50 3.2-inch ones). Poke a finger through center hole of each bouquet holder (from front to back) to create openings large enough to accommodate a lightbulb.

Step 5

Beginning with largest ones, place bouquet holders evenly around wreath, slipping a light through each hole so that bulb bases, not bulbs, rest against paper. (From time to time, hang wreath, and step back to ensure that the arrangement is balanced and attractive.)

Step 6

Add remaining bouquet holders in descending size order. Use smallest bouquet holders to cover centers of larger ones and to fill in any gaps. Hang near an outlet. Unplug when unattended.

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Simple, Holiday Lighted Art . . .

Saw this and thought, "How fun!" Buy a canvas, or even a foam board or other white board (I thought it would really look nice if you stretched burlap over a couple frames and arranged them on the wall.) and poke some Christmas lights through! Can be made in any price range, and adds warm light to the room!

Idea From:

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Simple, Delicate Decor . . .

Paper Hydrangeas!

All you need is a flower punch, Styrofoam balls, and some pearl corsage pins. 

1 - 2 - 3!

Use bold fall colors for the season!!

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Simple, Family Photos . . .

Saw this on Pinterest. 

Buy wood plaques at your local craft store and paint, sand, and modge podge your way to a wall of fun family photos. Just think of the possibilities!

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Simple, Make-at-Home Snow Globes . . .

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? I found these on Pinterest and had to share! How easy would that be, and if you're like me with a billion old canning jars hanging around, then even better! I'm always trying to find ways to de-clutter my kitchen glasses (I guess the problem is finding the lids). 

I've deduced that it's a simple matter of finding the materials. Snow globe snow can be ready bought, and the rest is the fun part. Glue to the lid or drop into the jar (Also with glue, unless you're accustomed to floating evergreen trees).

Let it snow,

let it snow,

Let. It. Snow.

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