Simple Fabric Flower DIY

Today I'm sharing one of the easiest DIY crafts you can possible do, but one that has so many possibilities.  These are easy to make fabric 'flowers' that I used on my backyard bbq dessert table.  This simple embellishment can be used to dress up almost anything.  Here's what you need:

• Strips of fabric cut to size with pinking shears
• A button
• Needle & thread

1. Begin layering your strips of fabric in criss cross patterns until you have a full circle.
2. Then place your button in the center and sew a few stitches through it and the fabric to keep it all together.
3. Apply the 'flower' using glue dots, and enjoy!

I can think of dozens of ways to use these to dress up a party: sew them onto a birthday girls tee shirt, attach to the corner of place mats, attach them to apothecary jars, apply them to favor boxes....

You can also add in strips of ribbon, lace, and burlap for more texture.

Do you have some ideas?  Share them here!

Book Invitation DIY

This is the most clever and unique invitation I've ever seen!  A book invitation by You Are My Fave that will have any guest dying to RSVP.  Here's what she did:

1. Use a razor blade (or an exacto knife) to cut out a pocket in the pages of a book found at the thrift store.
2. Attach the invitation details to the bottom and fill up the pocket with confetti.
3. The guests remove the confetti to reveal the information and can keep the book as a "hidden-treasure box".
4. Wrap a band of scrapbook paper around the outside of the book to keep it closed, and the confetti inside.

Such a great project!!

Take away tips:

• Use this for milestone birthdays, college graduation parties, or engagement parties.
• Use children's story books for kids birthday parties (Aesop's Fables, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte's Web).

DIY Meringue And Marshmallow "Mushrooms"

I designed a "Little Outdoorsman" party for Bird's Party E-zine a couple of months ago.  The snack table was filled with treats that went with the theme like gummy worms & fish, trail mix, and these cute and tasty meringue & marshmallow "mushrooms."  They make an adorable presentation when nestled among chocolate "rocks" (from Walmart).  Here's how to make them for your own rustic party theme...

Meringue & Marshmallow "Mushrooms":

1. You will need large marshmallows, chocolate chip meringue cookies, white icing, and cocoa powder.

2. Cut the marshmallow in half, lengthwise. Roll one of the halves between the palm of your hands in order to round it out.

3. Roll the marshmallow in the cocoa powder, and tap off the excess.

4. Spread a dollop of icing onto one end of the marshmallow and top with a meringue cookie.

Display your "mushrooms" in a shallow dish surrounded by chocolate "rocks".

Framed Flower Vases

Thanks to a  lovely email from Katie of Newcomb Home, I found this fantastic DIY frame idea that I felt I had to share with you all.  Beverly of Flamingo Toes has created a stunning focal piece with this bud vase flower display using an old door with chicken wire, frames, and small bottles & vases.  This would be a great addition to hang behind a dessert table, or to use in home decor.  You can see the full tutorial by visiting Flamingo Toes blog.

Easter Peeps Garden Centerpiece DIY

One of the cutest elements (and most commented on) from my Easter Brunch design was the centerpiece for the children's table.  The Peeps garden, or "bunny trail" is simple to make and here's what you need:

A "fence" style planter box from Michael's (or similar)

Craft foam

1 or 2 Faux grass squares from Michael's (or similar)

Bagged moss

Peeps

Skewers

Small wooden sign

Chalkboard paint (and other craft paint is necessary)

Directions:

1. Cut your craft foam to fit inside the box, leaving a bit of room on each side to be filled with the moss.
2. Tuck in some moss to cover the foam for a finished look from the outside.
3. Place the grass patch on top of the foam.  You may need to cut one of the grass squares in order to fill the space you have.
4. Paint small wooden signs from the craft store (these were some I found at Target last year already painted).
5. Once the paint is dry, tape off the borders and paint the center with chalkboard paint.
6. Attach a small wooden skewer to the backside with glue dots.
7. Insert skewers into Peeps.
8. Place Peeps and small sign into the grass patch and foam, and use as your centerpiece.

You can also add tiny flowers, chocolate candy eggs or jelly beans, or other decorative items to dress it up more.

Enjoy!

Easter Special Offers

There are so many ideas for Easter in blog land now I thought I'd share just a few special offers with you.  Visit these sites for more information.

Genevieve of Celebrate Today is offering FREE SHIPPING on her too-cute-for-words Easter Kandy Kones.  These are the coolest things that have hit party land since the dessert table was established!  You don't even need a "party" to use these - kids will love carrying them around filled with sweet treats during your private family gathering.

Amanda of Shindig Parties To Go has created a FREE Easter printable set for Operation Shower.  You've seen me talk about Operation Shower many times, and they are doing great things for military families.  The printable set is free but donations are greatly appreciated.

Bird from Bird's Party is offering a FREE pattern template and tutorial on these super cute plush fabric birdies.  These have so many possibilities - Easter, baby showers, baby gifts, etc.  Find out how to make your own at Bird's Party.  

Just thought you'd like to know!

DIY Yarn Pom Garland

Is this the most fabulous yarn garland or what?!  Found on Sew 4 Home, I had to share this today because I think this would be a fantastic whimsical touch to any child's party or baby shower.  Just choose your color scheme and have fun with it!

1. Begin by gathering your yarn colors and making yarn poms using this tutorial on Project Wedding, or this handy tool.  Leave a 4" tail to tie on to the garland.
2. Next make your garland base by braiding several strands of yarn together using 3-4 yarn pieces per strand.
3. Using a yarn needle with a large eye, thread one tail of a pom through the braided garland strip. Adjust as needed to get your hanging length correct, then loop back through the braid two to three times and knot to secure the tail. Trim off the excess yarn from the tail and repeat this step with the other tail.
4. Create a "V" pattern with the 2 tails and be careful to hang them evenly so the pom hangs straight. 

There, you've just created the cutest yarn pom garland ever!  For more tips you can visit Sew 4 Home.

DIY Chocolate Easter Bowl

I was beside my self when Debbie of Wants and Wishes submitted this Easter Chocolate Bowl tutorial!  I knew right away that you fabulous readers would enjoy this.  Not only does it make for an adorable display, but the fact that it's also edible makes me giddy!  Here are directions from Debbie:

You will need:

•  mini balloons
• dipping chocolate
• shortening
• wax or parchment paper
• peeps! chicks or bunnies (I love these)
• candy eggs (I used speckled jelly beans & chocolate filled egg

1. Melt your chocolate using the microwave, or double boiler, according to package directions.
2. While your chocolate is melting blow up mini balloons and coat the bottom half of the balloons with shortening. (this will help the chocolate not stick to the balloon).  Use a cookie sheet or plate with parchment/wax paper placed on top.
3. Roll the bottom half of the balloon in the chocolate, while holding on at the top half of the balloon. I wanted the chocolate bowl to have a little rough feel to it, since it is suppose to be a basket. No two will be alike and this makes it easier as it not suppose to be perfect. You might have to apply more than one coat. If a small area is a little transparent or you need to smooth a spot out, take the back of a spoon with a little chocolate on it and swirl in the direction of the chocolate
4. With the balloon in your left hand. Place a small circle of chocolate on the plate/cookie sheet with your right hand. Place the balloon on top of the chocolate disk. Place in the freezer to set faster.

When the chocolate is set, pop the balloon with a pin and take out the balloon remains.  Fill with jelly beans, chocolate eggs and other candy. Top with a bunny or chick peep.  You can package them in boxes, cellophane bags or on top of individual platters at each place setting.

Thanks again to Debbie for sharing this great project.  You can find some cute Easter printables to go along with this in her Etsy shop.

  If you have a DIY tutorial you'd like to share, please send me an email with your idea.  Good photos are essential.  Cheers!

Decorating Easter Eggs

I wanted to share this quick Easter Egg Decorating idea before I head out for the day to work on a special project for next week.  This is a great way to decorate your hard boiled Easter eggs for a centerpiece, for hiding, or as a special project for the kids to do during the party.  What's different about these eggs is that they have been painted instead of dyed which gives them a more uniform coverage.  Use ribbon, trims, and adhesive gems to embelish the painted eggs and add some pretty style.

 

Photo from Delish

DIY Ribbon Table Topper

This DIY project from Country Living is so easy but full of impact!  You can create a beautiful and unique table topper for any occasion using several spools of ribbon and just weaving them together - take note that the woven topper is actually laid on top of a solid color table cloth.  This project reminds me of elementary school when we used construction paper to make woven baskets, however the result is much more chic.  The colors and pattern used here are so pretty for Spring birthdays, or Easter gatherings.  Why not stock up on some ribbon this weekend and create your own table topper?! 

 

DIY Airplane Save The Date {Or Invitation}

by contributor Kristi Delfino

Hello my dears!  Do I have a special treat for you today - A Luna and Chloe original design!  Hopefully by the end of this post you will be flying high...he he.  Okay, so I was talking to a friend recently about destination weddings, and it got me thinking...if I was having a destination wedding how would I do my Save the Date announcements.  And in just a matter of seconds it hit me.  I might be dating myself here (eek), but do you remember the balsa wood airplanes, or jet gliders that you would get from the store for $.50 or so?  You would assemble them in seconds, and having them take flight all over the house or yard. 

My brother and I used to fly them down the staircase growing up when we lived in an old victorian home.  However, me being the younger one, I usually was the one that had to go down and get them and bring them back up!  Typical, no?

Anyhow, I put the two together (a destination wedding and jet gliders) and this is what I came up with...

I am OVER THE MOON about how they turned out! I purchased the jet glider for $1.00 at Michaels.  And while it has writing on each side of the pieces, I just flipped them over and used the undersides. There was a small stamp on the underside that said where it was made, but with a little sandpaper it came right off. Ooh, and the sandpaper is fabulous for fixing a mistake if made. Just wait for the ink to dry before you sand off, and don't rub too hard. Now, I know exactly where to get the jet gliders without anything on them (granted they are shaped a little differently), but I couldn't justify spending over $30 and receiving over 30 of them, when I only need 4 for this project.

Here are the supplies that are needed for making a Save The Date plane:

1. Jet Glider
2. Fine sandpaper (optional)
3. Letter and Number stamps
4. Stamp pad

I included some other items in the picture below that I used.  However, you only need the four items above to actual make them.

All you really have to do is stamp...

I made a custom envelope for them, added a piece of chipboard to protect the plane from breaking in the mail, and then added some little details...

And voila!  They are ready for take off...

Yet, don't think I stopped there...oh no!  I tried to think of another, possibly eaiser way to use too.  And here's is another option for you that I came up with...

For the banner you could either print it up (the easy way), or stamp it (a little more time consuming).  Since I started with stamps, I figured I would continue with them! 

I glued the twine and a very thin piece of chipboard that I cut to the back of the banner.  I didn't want the paper to bend or fold, so this gives it some stability.  Also, I glued one piece of twine to the top of the back of the plane and one piece to the bottom to attempt to keep the banner straight when flying through the air. 

In talking with my sister the other day about my idea, which I knew she would love, she was ecstatic to say the least!  She has a little boy (Baby Riley is what I call him, with the most fabulous red hair EVER) that is turning one soon.  Well...guess what?  Oh yes, these are perfect for a boy's birthday party...or a girl's too. 

And even if you aren't having a destination wedding you can still use these if you love to travel, are a pilot of just for the fun of them! 

There are so many ways to customize them too, and you could always use a colored stamp pad instead of black.  And for those of you that love the idea....but don't want to make them yourselves, I am offering custom made Save the Dates or Invitations in my Etsy store if you are interested, as well as the little stitched heart on the tag.  They will be available for purchase in my Etsy store come Monday, February 28th!

 ~ Ciao

...concept, design, styling & photography all by luna and chloe weddings 

*** Both the airplane save the date and the stitched key tags are my ORIGINAL designs. PLEASE do not copy, and pass it off as your own! I am sharing with you how to make the airplane save the dates out of kindness, return the favor. Thank you bunches!

Valentine's Gift Wrap & Paper Flower DIY

After working with Paula from Frog Prince Paperie, on the Queen of Heart Valentine's shoot, I had several printed papers left over from the collection.  I decided I'd create something fun with them using 2 different patterns and a few other crafty embelishments. 

The printable papers make a great gift wrap for small (sparkly?) gifts so I chose to use one pattern for wrapping and another pattern for a heart-shaped flower rosette.

1. What you'll need:  2 patterned papers; paper or fabric flower pieces from scrapbook isle of craft store;  decorative brads; scissors, and hole punch.
2. Make a fold down the side of the paper and cut out half of a heart shape, so that when you open it, it looks like a full heart.  You'll need 5 of these for 1 flower.
3. Layer the hearts on top of one another and punch a small hole at the bottom.
4. Layer a flower piece on top of the heart shapes and push a brad through everything and secure it.  Now fan out the hearts to form a flower and attach it to your package using double sided tape.

I also added one of the straw flags from the collection, as a little "stem" to the flower for extra detail.  What other ways could you use these heart flowers?