Little Birdie Secrets

Showing posts with label silhouette machine. Show all posts

Saturday, March 9, 2013

spring table centerpiece idea {and a silhouette double-sided adhesive banner}

I am still relatively furniture-less (why am I so indecisive?), so I have been relying on my kitchen table to satisfy my need to decorate with seasonal tablescapes. (Love that word, by the way, if it really is a word. Sometimes I make things up.) Anyway, here are a few ideas to get your creative "tablescaping" juices flowing (now I know I made that word up).

Instead of a tablecloth, which might have fought with the display, I used a long piece of kraft wrapping paper as a table runner. This is one of my favorite ways to dress up a tablescape because it doesn't matter if it gets dirty, and it's waaay cheaper than a good tablecloth!

Next, pull out all those apothecary jars you have left over from that candy centerpiece you did for your last birthday party or shower. I love using these for every season--just fill it with something colorful or symbolic of the time of year. Depending on how many you have, that could be your centerpiece right there. I filled this one with Robin Eggs candy. Dangerous, I know, but so colorful and cute!

I "filled" this apothecary jar with a decorative bird's nest with the sweetest blue robins eggs in it (non-candy variety). I stacked it on a few books to give it some height.

I loved this darling tin tub with burlap and "No. 4" stenciled on it. I found it at Taipan Trading in Utah, but you could easily reproduce it with a tub of your own, a small piece of burlap, a stencil, and a black Sharpe marker! I filled it with faux potted tulips (I added a few more after this photo because it was looking a bit bare, but you get the idea).

I also added a couple of other fresh-looking spring pieces (more silk flowers, a ceramic bird, and a moss-covered bunny), then anchored it with a green wreath in the center. After I had it all put together, I thought the wreath looked a little bare, and I also wanted to make it more of an Easter display rather than simply Spring, so I added an Easter bunting featuring the words "He Is Risen". Here's how to make one:

Cut the pennants out of book pages either by hand or with a die cut machine (I used my Silhouette SD). Next cut the letters out of double-sided adhesive paper (mine is from Silhouette). See this tutorial for more into on this great stuff! Then add silver German glitter glass to the adhesive letters and hang the pennants on some baker's twine.

And, since I"m completely incapable of simplicity, I added a few embellishments, like yellow pom-pom trim. . .

. . .and little paper flowers from Bazzill. But that is entirely up to you and how crazy you personally are.

Ta-da!

Then I hung it on my wreath.

My poor family is getting used to eating at the table but not being able to see each other over the various vases and floral arrangements I've been covering the kitchen table with. I'm just too lazy to move it. Plus it just makes me so happy to look at my little piece of Spring while this winter drags on!

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

silhouette double-sided adhesive paper {tutorial}

Last weekend I attended a fabulous craft retreat called "An Artsy Weekend" with a very dear friend. It was food for my creative soul. It stretched me and inspired me and I learned a few new tricks. Like how to make goat cheese. And how not to stamp letters backwards in leather (sometimes I learn better by experience). Plus I got to hang with some fabulous people you may know like Rhonna Farrer, Margie Romney-Aslett, Jen from Tatertots and Jello, Tausha of Sassy Style Redesign, Shelley from The House of Smiths, Becki from Whippycake, and other fabulous bloggers, artists, and teachers. It was all put together by the darling Marci Welker of Fallow Field Farm, and yes, I hear she will be doing more of these intimate crafting weekends in the near future! I'll be sure to let you know.

Before the retreat we were asked to make ourselves a name tag. I had just received a pack of Silhouette's Double-Sided Adhesive paper in the mail, so I decided to find a way to use it on mine.

If you haven't used this stuff before, be prepared to get glittery. It is hands down the easiest (and least messy) way to adhere glitter, and the best part is that you can use your Silhouette images to cut custom shapes out of it! I wanted my name to stand out, but instead of glitter I ended up going with these silver micro beads. Here's how:

1. Cut your shape with your Silhouette (or any die cut machine) out of the double-sided adhesive paper.

2. My design did not cut completely through (time for a new blade), but I was glad. With most designs, you would simply remove the yellow backing and place your shape in place. But was hoping to keep the letters of my name spaced and in line, so the fact that they were still connected worked for me! Either way, remove the yellow backing and place where you want your design.

3. Peel the white paper off the front of the shape. In my case, I pressed down on the letters a little and weeded the outside and inside of letters out, leaving the letters of my name centered and in line. Woo hoo!

4. Pour your micro beads or glitter (or flocking or what-have-you) on your image. Press down over image to ensure it sticks well. Dump off the excess and there you are--covered in bling.

I did lose a few beads over the course of the weekend, but all-in-all I was surprised at how well they held on to the adhesive!

For more images of our artsy weekend projects and fun, follow me on Instagram (ID: sybrowsky) and check out #anartsyweekend.

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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

framed dresses centerpiece {tutorial}

Last month I was put in charge of centerpieces and other decor for a celebration of our church's women's organization's (Relief Society) 170th birthday. We used a popular theme that has been passed around during the last couple of years. It was based on the children's book The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes, which teaches love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

We also set a goal to collect 100 dresses to donate to the local women's shelter for women entering the workforce. You can find some great ideas here if you want to plan a similar activity for your group. And here are some fun centerpiece ideas that would work for this theme or for a bridal shower, tea party, or little girl's birthday party! These would even be cute in a little girl's room (something I would know nothing about).

I cut this dress out of several patterned papers using my Silhouette machine, then mounted them on a book page (to go with the literary theme). Then I framed them in various frames to use on the tables (this one was on the buffet table).

I made about 30 frames, and I had to do it on the cheap. Enter the $1 Walmart frame.

I had originally planned on having several people loan me frames to use, but I later decided I wanted them to match. In addition to a couple of thrift store finds, I found a couple of sizes of plain black wood frames at Walmart for a buck. But they looked like they cost a buck. Bring on the sand paper and spray paint!

I left some frames plain black and just sanded the edges for a distressed look. I was surprised at how much cuter they looked with just a little distressing!

My colors were aqua, pink, and black. So I sprayed some of the frames aqua and let them dry. Then I took my sandpaper to them as well. I loved how the black showed through a little.

I didn't have a chance to take pictures at the dinner, so use your imagination. We had white tablecloths and each table had a vase of my coffee filter flowers surrounded by 3 of the framed dresses.

In the area where we were collecting dress donations, we hung this cute dress bunting (which I also used as part of my Easter mantel display.

I just hung the leftover dresses from the framing project on a piece of jute with cute mini clothes pins.

And in between dresses I folded a paper doily in half and glued it together. Probably the quickest bunting/banner I've ever put together!

This was such a sweet activity, reminding us of our responsibility as daughters of God to reach out and include others in our circle of friends, not to judge others by appearance or circumstance, to forgive others when they do not show the same kindness, and to show God's love through service. I love that I got to help my sisters in the gospel enjoy a wonderful night together with a few $1 frames and some doilies! Hopefully these simple decorations will inspire you for your next girly get-together!

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

happy thanksgiving {and black friday deals}

I just wanted to ~~take a break from doing dishes~~ take a moment and wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! Jess and I are so thankful that we have so many wonderful readers that allow us to share our ideas and be stay-at-home moms. What an amazing blessing! Thank you for supporting our blog and our sponsors!

Here are my two little turkeys, sporting feather headbands we made while the rolls were baking today. Each feather has something we are thankful for. Believe it or not, my 8-year-old son came up with this crafty idea for us! I am thankful that he loves to craft with me.

Are you heading out for some late night Black Friday shopping? I can't believe the stores keep opening earlier and earlier every year! I'm staying home this year, but you can bet I'll be shopping online. In case your Black Friday plans include shopping online, here are a few amazing deals from our sponsors (and me) that you won't want to miss on Friday!

My NEW Crochet Patterns
I just added my new winter line of crochet patterns to both my Etsy shop and my new Raverly shop! The awesome thing about Raverly is that you don't have to wait for patterns to be e-mailed to you--you can download them instantly! I've loved their site for a while, but I finally got around to loading my patterns for sale after I heard that little tidbit. Here's a sneak peek of my new patterns (click on the picture to see more samples). . .And if you buy any three patterns in my Ravelry shop on Black Friday, you'll get one free! :)

So sweet on little girls from newborn to 4T!

The big girls and adult version of the Annie Cloche--a little more sophisticated.

A great unisex pattern! Without the flower this is an awesome boys' hat, and sizes range from newborn to 10 years!

This is the one all the girls in my family are getting for Christmas this year. This easy crochet scarflette is quick and easy, and you can wear it so many different ways!

Photo Canvas Deal
Another fabulous deal makes a perfect gift for parents, grandparents, a spouse, or yourself! Canvas People are offering their photo canvas prints at the best deal ever: get a FREE 8x10 (just pay shipping), or get $55 off any other size canvas. I bought this one last year and was so glad that I upgraded to a larger size (this is the 11x14).

Silhouette Machine and Accessories
If you've checked out any of our Silhouette projects and wished you had a Silhouette, Black Friday is going to be the best day to buy one. Their new Cameo machine cuts up to 12x12 (whimper--I wish I could upgrade!) for an awesome discount if you use this secret link. And if you use our special coupon code, you can get 40% off the rest of their products on Black Friday! Everyone else is only getting 30% off, but a few select blogs got codes to use for any extra 10% off! Be sure to enter LITTLEBIRDIE at checkout to get the best deal on vinyl, replacement mats, rhinestone sets, etc. And don't forget--all shapes are half off for Black Friday!!

Of course you can't go wrong with a cute apron! And I'm not just talking Christmas gifts--I'm talking for yourself! You're the one doing all that holiday cooking, right? Flirty Aprons' Black Friday deal is 40% off any purchase if you use code BLACKFLIRTY. Hello, that is pretty spectacular! I am loving this new Christmas one--Mistletoe! It comes in green, too!