Coffee Filter Daffodils

 

As promised, another coffee filter flower experiment. These daffodils were very simple to make: coffee filters, floral wire, floral tape, green cardstock, and watercolor paints.

I think they turned out rather nicely. 

I'm thinking about attempting irises next.  I'm sure they're going to be more difficult to construct than the daffodils and the roses, but they're one of my favorite flowers so I have to at least try.

Paper Bowls

This is yet another project designed to use up superfluous paper: the paper bowl.  I really need to get more creative with these names...

Anyway, this is a pretty simple project that I'm sure has been done before countless times.  However, I'm going to put out on the Internet one more tutorial on the subject. The bowls can be used individually but I really liked how they looked with a glass globe nestled inside.  The top picture also shows off the paper cherry blossoms that I've been working on (post pending).

1. The first step involves wrapping your container of choice (a glass globe or vase for instance) in saran wrap.  I tried aluminum foil first but saran wrap was much easier to remove from the finished bowl.

2. Cut out strips of paper, mine were about a centimeter wide and 15 centimeters long. 

3. Brush mod podge on the back of each strip of paper and lay the strip on the saran wrap.  

4. Continue laying the strips of paper in an overlapping pattern.

5. After you finish laying the strips apply a few more coats of glossy mod podge.  Allow the bowl to dry for a few hours. Finally, remove the bowl from the saran wrap lining.

Coffee Filter Roses

Over the last several months I've been experimenting with making paper flowers.  So far I've really only had success with roses, orchids, and cherry blossoms.

While the roses turned out passingly well (I gave my mother a bouquet for her birthday) I've always felt that they could have been done better.

The other day I came across this woman, Cassie Mae Chappell, who makes flowers out of coffee filters. She paints the petals with watercolor paints to produce a really beautiful effect.

I thought I would try my hand at making roses and if they turned out well I would attempt other flowers.

 

My first attempt came out alright. Although, I think the petals look a little splotchy. I'll let you know how future experiments turn out...

Greek Fest 2011

There is no shortage of festivals in New Orleans: French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Seafood Festival, Oktoberfest, Treme Creole Gumbo Festival, Voodoo Fest, and of course, Mardi Gras. There is always something to celebrate in this city.  Last weekend, my boyfriend and I went to Bayou Boogaloo, a smaller, less expensive version of Jazzfest.  I would have posted a separate blog, some of the crafts were pretty neat.  I, however, not only forgot to bring my camera but I also came down with a slight case of heatstroke after about an hour at the festival.  Thus, my memories are a bit on the fuzzy side.

Not to worry, though. If you miss documenting one festival, chances are there is another one right around the corner.  Case in point: Greek Fest.

One of the primary draws of the festival is the food.  I tried the fried calamari, the 'feta fries' (basically fries topped with feta), and the baklava sundae.  My boyfriend had the Greek dinner plate complete with tiropita, spanakopita, pastitsio, meatballs, and a Greek salad with dolma (stuffed grape leaves).  My boyfriend's brother tried the souvlaki.

As far as the crafts are concerned, the selection was pretty small.  There are some good finds though; my boyfriend's sister picked out a lovely pair of earrings for me as a birthday gift. 

Miniature Paper Boxes

Channeling my love for fake food and tiny things, my sister bought me a set of miniature food jewelry for my birthday. While I am planning to write a future post showcasing these adorable creations, this entry focuses solely on their packaging.

One of the items was obtained from PetitPlat, a website the features food art and jewelry by Stephanie Kilgast. The packaging is almost as adorable as the contents.  For my latest craft project I thought that I would try to reproduce the miniature paper boxes. 

Overall, the project was pretty simple. Cut a 3.5 in x 3.5 in square and a 3 in x 3 in square out of cardstock.  The size of the square will obviously determine the final size of the box; however, regardless of the dimensions of the squares, one needs to be at least 1/2 a square inch smaller in size. Then follow the folding pattern outlined in the pictures below with both squares of paper.  

Glue the folded flaps onto the base of the box.  The larger square becomes the lid of the box with the smaller serving as the bottom. Feel free to embellish the final project with ribbons and buttons. 

The finished product

Paper Buttons

 

I mentioned previously that I've been looking for projects to do with my stash of leftover paper.  Last week I found this tutorial from Lynn Pratt on Splitcoaststampers outlining how to make paper buttons.

I used about 8-10 layers of white cardstock and then painted the finished product with acrylic paint.

Pretty cute, right?

Balloons, Babies, and Birthdays

May is such a great month for birthdays.  And I'm not just saying this because mine happens to be next week.   It's the end of school, the start of summer; the weather is warm but not sweltering. There are lilies to pick and strawberries to eat.

May is the perfect time for welcoming new life.

My boyfriend's cousin is giving birth in the next few weeks. It's a boy!  I thought I'd try and make something, however it's too late to start on any major projects.  I might try to knit a baby blanket, but for now I just have this card.

And hey, maybe inspiration will strike and I'll come up with something better.  Then, I guess I'll just give this pop-up card to myself next week.  That's not pathetic or anything....