Flower Headbands

Materials

Artificial Flowers

Headbands

Acrylic Jewels

Felt

Hot glue gun and glue

There are a large variety of headbands available so make sure you try a few out and find a style that is comfortable for your head.  Children’s headbands are also available.  I used both plastic and cloth varieties to show you more than one way to utilize the headband that works best for you.

The Basic Headband

Remove all the flowers from the stems.  Keep the leaves as you might want to add them to your headband for more color and volume.  Disassemble the flower pieces removing the hard plastic backing and center piece.  Lay them out in the order you take them off the stem.

Using hot glue secure the layers of the flower to each other starting with the largest petal and working to the smallest.  Glue a jewel to the center of the flower.

Next it is time to glue the flower onto the headband.  Using a mirror determine where you want your flower to sit on your head.  You can put it wherever you think it looks cute.  You may even want it in the center depending on your hair cut.  If you are using a cloth headband the placement is not as important as you can adjust the flower once it is one your head.

Put a large drop of glue on the back of the flower and press it onto the headband.  Hold it for a few seconds so the glue can cool.  DON’T BURN YOURSELF.  Cut a strip of felt to cover the back of the flower.  Place hot glue on the back of the flower which will also cover part of the headband.  Secure the felt to the glue forming a soft flat surface that will sit against your head.

Style your hair, put the headband on, but most importantly have fun and look cute.

Variations:

-For the center of the flower you can use sea beads or buttons

-Spray the flowers with spray paint.  Gold or silver metallic looks pretty and adds more drama.

-Add tulle behind the flower

-Wrap ribbon around the headband.  This trick is handy if you can’t find a specific color headband.

-Using a variety of sizes of flowers add multiple flowers along the side of the headband for a more dramatic effect

-Use snap barrettes instead of a headband

-Use a needle and thread if you don’t want to use hot glue, especially for cloth headbands for babies.

Materials:

Large vase

Small vase (needs to fit inside large vase)

Flowers (real or artificial)

Candy (I used conversation hearts and red hots)

Ribbon

This is a cute idea to bring drama into a centerpiece for Valentine’s Day and is simple to do.  Gather all your materials and have them close at hand.

Place the small vase inside the larger one.  Pour 2 inches of candy into the large vase to make sure the smaller vase is secure.  Place your flowers in the small vase and arrange as you desire.  Continue filling the larger vase with candy up to the brim.  If you have difficulty getting the candy into the vase, roll a sheet of paper to use as a funnel.  To add a finishing touch, use any ribbon to tie a bow around the vase.

Before you begin crafting think through your space and determine where you will craft.  Don’t let a lack of space stop you from starting a project or two.  A card table, kitchen counter, or even the floor will work.  No matter how much space you have, it is important to get organized before you buy any tools or supplies.  Here are a few questions to think about as you get started:

•Where will I store supplies?  This is your first chance to get creative.  If you have one shelf in a linen closet claim the territory with decorative contact paper.  If you have a whole room to work with, divide the space into small work areas.  You can repurpose an old dresser or a desk allowing you to keep organized with multiple drawers.

•How you will stay organized?  Depending on the type of crafts you enjoy, there will always be left over supplies that can be used for your next project.  Don’t be wasteful, be organized.  You will also require some basic tools that will need to be stored.  Use plastic bags, Tupperware, baskets, plastic envelopes, or any other storage containers from around the house to keep supplies in their place.

•What type of crafts will you be doing?  The world of crafting is overwhelming.  There is scrapbooking, knitting, pottery, painting, baking, interior decorating, candles, or even jewelry.  Limit your range of crafts as you start out so you can build your inventory of tools and supplies.  Plan out your projects and build a supply list before you head to the craft list.  You will save time AND money.  Talk with friends to see what crafts they enjoy and exchange craft supplies instead of buying everything new.  It is a big disappointment to invest in a hobby that you are no good at.

Think about a builder’s workshop or a mechanic.  Their job is miserable if they are always looking for tools or they are missing parts.  Crafting is the same.  If you are always looking for glue sticks or ribbon you will get frustrated and give up.  Make a plan and get crafting.

Here is a look into my crafting world.

Key Components:

Closetmaid 9-Cube Organizer with fabric drawers to allow a variety of storage options, magazine files to keep ideas together, and a re-purposed dresser to house all my wrapping supplies.

­­Just like any other hobby, to be a crafter you have to have the right tools and equipment.  Here are a few basics to have on hand no matter what type of crafts you take on.

Writing and Cutting

Acid Free Markers

Sharpies

Paper cutter

Sharp scissors

Pliers

Wire cutters

X-Acto knife

Paper punches

Edging scissors

Ruler and tape measure

Sticky Stuff

Glue gun

Craft glue

Double stick tape

Tape dispenser (scrapping style)

Paper and Paint

Decorative paper

Cardstock

Acrylic paints

Paintbrushes

Extras

Ribbon

Pipe Cleaners (aka chenille stems)

Googly eyes

PomPoms

Here are a few links that you have to check out.  I will add more as I find em.

http://www.bakerella.com: Ideas for cupcake pops (a Bakerella creation), cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and more. You may even find yourself smiling from all the sweetness.  Plus they have adorable shirts.

http://www.bhg.com: Better Homes and Gardens.  So many different ideas for all areas of live.  I love their featured projects for the upcoming holiday.  This site has great pictures for all their ideas.

http://www.blurb.com: Their free software, Blurb BookSmart, allows you to create professional books with just a few clicks of the mouse.  Templates and themes allow you creative control but keep consistency throughout your book.  Upload your finished product to print a professional book and even put it up for sale for others to enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com: the best online photo management and sharing application in the world.  They help people make their content available to the people who matter to them and help you keep your photos and video organized.

http://www.orientaltrading.com: Fun, value-priced products for every occasion.  Find value-priced party supplies novelties, toys, favors, crafts, decorations, treats, and gifts for every season and occasion.

http://picasa.google.com: free photo editing software from Google that makes your pictures look great.
Sharing your best photos with friends and family is as easy as pressing a button!  They also have a online photo album similar to Flickr.

http://wordpress.org: an Open Source project, which means there are hundreds of people all over the world working on it and it is free to you.  WordPress is mostly used for blogs, but the options are endless.  You can find themes to change the look and feel or add widgets providing your site additional functionality.  Craftfullymade is powered by WordPress.  Beware; you will need some IT knowledge or an IT friend

Great Stores to visit for craftspiration:

IKEA         Michaels         Pottery Barn         Pottery Barn Kids         Pier One