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3.25.2014

Tutorial: Recycled Paper Daffodils

I love turning scraps into decor items... paper, for example.
Whether it's leftover gift wrap, an old magazine, or a book of vintage sheet music,
I love looking at it and asking myself 
"OK, what can I do with THIS? (besides pitch it into the recycle bin)."

I did that today, and here's what resulted:
Happy Spring Daffodils, 
made from recycled paper!

How about a tutorial, you say? OK!
Materials:
scissors. masking tape . glue stick . bamboo skewers . paper
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 Step by Step:
1. fold sheet of paper (music, construction, magazine page) in thirds as shown.
2. fold in half where the two sides meet in the center.
3. draw half a flower shape with four, five, or six pointed leaves at the double -folded edge of the paper.
4. cut the flower shape out - this will create TWO flowers because of the double fold.
 5. cut a strip of another kind / color of paper - @ 1" wide and 4" long.
6. fold 1/3 of the strip toward the center, lengthwise.
7. unfold the folded third of the strip, and cut slits into it (creating a thick 'fringe').
8. roll the strip over on itself @ the size of your finger, and glue the rolled portion to the flat portion.
9. continue rolling and glue the end of the strip to the roll to secure it.
 10. fold the fringed ends together and glue into place.
11. then add glue to the outside of that end, and 
12. place the rolled section in the center of the cut-out flower shape, with the glue down. 
press to secure.
Now you have a daffodil!
You can glue this to a magnet or card, or shadowbox frame.
To add a stem and leaves, continue....

13. and 14. from the leftover scraps after cutting out the flower shape,
cut a circle about the size of a quarter.
15. secure the back of the daffodil to a bamboo skewer, using a small piece of masking tape.
16. glue the circle you cut out OVER the masking tape, using the glue stick.
 17. cut a leaf-shaped strip from the leftover paper scraps.
18. push the bamboo skewer 'stem' through the paper leaf.
19. put glue on the leaf and wrap it around the bamboo skewer once.
20. wrap the other end of the leaf around a pen or pencil to give it a curling shape, 
like a real daffodil leaf.

 display and enjoy your paper daffodils!
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Here's another method for making them that should remind you of elementary school:
 when you get to step 5
use a cupcake or bonbon paper liner instead of rolled paper for the flower's center!
[ I cut and glued a second circle shape INSIDE the paper cup on this one ]

 using colorful cupcake papers & pages cut from magazines 
results in bright, happy flowers!


3.21.2014

the Gift of Sharing

I'm celebrating my birthday by declaring today
'the Gift of Sharing' Day 
over on the
 HOMEWARDfound facebook page!

Click the green link above to join me there, and
share the links to YOUR favorite facebook pages...
They can be your own page, or a page belonging to a friend
or a page that is a business you love and would like others to know about: 
Shops, shows, events, movies, vacation spots, cafe's, anything at all!
( let's keep it PG-rated, though, okay?!!! )
.
All I ask is that you please don't post the links in your comments here on this blog -
Only on the facebook page.
Thank you!


Click HERE to SHOP HOMEWARDfound!
for more decorating
inspiration for every season of the year,
  visit HOMEWARDfound on these social networking sites:

3.20.2014

Happy Spring!

No matter the weather where you are,
Spring is officially here!
That means the sunshine and flowers aren't far behind...
 [ thanks to Broadway+Thresher Magazine for sharing that quote on facebook! ]

Wishing you a warm, sunny, lovely First of Spring day!

3.19.2014

Re-Purpose a Rain Chain!

A recent visit to my local nursery netted some bedding plants - AND this great idea!
That's a copper 'bucket'-style rain chain, available in their garden tools area...

But they've re-purposed it into a hanging planter for posies!
Each 'bucket' holds soil and a little pansy plant,
creating a charming spill of blooms to hang from your porch or patio roof or posts.

It would also be darling as color-coordinated event & wedding decor!

shared online:

Cupcakes & Crinoline | Project Inspire{d}

One Project Closer | Creativity Unleashed

featured:
I was featured at Creativity Unleashed!

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