4 Apple Crafts for Autumn Entertaining

Hello crafters! Looking for tips on how to decorate with gorgeous apples? Look no further…check out my blog post at mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com.

Jackie & Jeff’s Spring Wedding

This gallery contains 14 photos.

One of the reasons I love planning and styling weddings is the opportunity to think out of the box and to create unique venues for clients. Fortunately, my clients have allowed a little design craziness. And as expected, some cockamamy ideas … Continue reading →

Birds & Blooms Magazine, Creative Garden Ideas

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Hello crafters!  Check out the August/September issue of Birds & Blooms Magazine. In the issue is a feature story titled, 28 Thrifty, Unique and Creative Garden Ideas. My Garden Hose Doormat project is one of the projects….cool! Thank you Birds & Blooms … Continue reading →

Lynn & Quin’s Mountainside Wedding

This gallery contains 23 photos.

I’m convinced I was a butler in a former life. And like Mr. Carson in the TV show, Downton Abbey, I appreciate and expect order. With proper planning, agendas, and lists what could go wrong, right? For Lynn & Quin’s … Continue reading →

Garden Hose Doormat

Are you wondering how to repurpose a leaky old garden hose?  Well wonder no more.  Check out my latest video.  And, don’t forget to visit Organic Gardening Magazine.  They’re fabulous!  Happy Crafting!

Emily & Dave’s Mountain Resort Wedding

This gallery contains 6 photos.

I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to work with creative clients and Emily and Dave were certainly no exception. Last October, I worked with this beautiful couple to bring their vision of an elegant autumn mountain resort wedding to … Continue reading →

Moss Place Card Holders With Felted Wool

Natural moss is often my inspiration when creating floral arrangements and crafts. It is so incredibly soft and magical in its natural setting. Honestly, a feeling of guilt comes over me when I harvest this green gold. Yes, you can buy it in bags from various sources but it’s never quite the same as a freshly picked batch.

In an effort to recreate nature’s wonder and to tread lightly on Mother Nature, I whipped up these felted wool moss-inspired place card holders.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Felted wool – I used Dimensions Brand Felt Works found at Michaels craft store
• River rocks
• Dish-washing detergent or soap
• Craft glue
• Razor blade
• Card stock paper

With the exception of the dish-washing detergent, you can find all of the craft ingredients at any craft store.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Select the approximate size of the moss cap you want to create by pulling the felt apart.
2. Form it into a ball or oval and add one drop of dish washing liquid onto the felt. Then, while running it under warm water, roll the felt into the shape desired. The dish washing liquid helps form the shape when it dries. Be careful not to add too much soap.
3. Form the wet felt over a rock and let dry overnight.
4. When the felt is dry, remove it from the rock, place glue under the felt and glue it to the rock. Let dry completely.
5. Using a razor blade, create an incision on the top of the felt moss and insert a place card.
6. You’re done!

Here’s to adding magic to your next event or wedding…happy crafting!

Fast Craft Holidays – Craft Paper Gift Bags

It’s the night before Christmas and this creature should not be stirring but alas, here I am wrapping last-minute gifts and of course I ran out of holiday gift wrapping paper. No worries, with a roll of craft paper and a sewing machine, I whipped up these cute little paper gift bags — perfect for anything that will fit into a gift bag! What’s great about these is you can customize the size to the gift and you can use any type of paper — newspaper would look awesome too!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Craft paper or newspaper
• Sewing machine
• Hole punch
• Pinking shears
• Twigs

Here’s how you do it:

1. Cut a section of paper to accommodate the gift it will hold.
2. Then fold the paper in half and using a sewing machine, run a seam up either side.
3. Using a pinking shears, cut a decorative edge where the opening of the bag will be.
4. Make a flap (like an envelope) by folding over the top edge of the bag.
5. Using a hole punch, make two holes directly through the folded over flap. This step allows you to insert the twig which will act as the seal for the gift bag.
6. Adorn with a gift tag, like my men’s necktie holiday tags (follow these instructions) and your done!

It’s easy, original and fast!  Happy Holidays crafters!!!!

 

Fast Craft Holidays – Cardboard Christmas Trees

Looking for a clever and fast way to recycle cardboard boxes? Why not make a forest of Christmas trees. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cardboard
• X-Acto Knife
• Cutting Board
• Ruler
• Hot Glue Gun

Here’s how you do it:

1. Using an X-Acto knife, ruler and cutting board, cut out a triangle.
2. Use the triangle you cut as a pattern to cut out a second shape.
3. Then cut the second triangle in half.
4. Hot glue the two halves to either side of the whole triangle and you’ve got a tree.
5. This step is optional but you can hot glue your trees onto tiny wooden blocks. I found these at AC Moore arts and crafts store.
6. Done!

These recycled beauties look even better painted or use them as gift tags! Write a name on the cardboard and tie it to a package. Perfect!

Happy holidays and happy crafting!

Wacky Wreath Wednesday

This holiday season I wanted to create a holiday wreath that was different from all the other wreaths on the neighborhood front doors. So, I wired bunches of radishes on a store-bought boxwood wreath.

I love the way this project turned out and if the weather stays cool, this wreath will easily last through the holiday season.

To create your own:

1. Buy a pre-made wreath then swing by the grocery store to pick up some radishes. I used nine bunches on mine.
2. Using floral wire, which you can buy at any craft store, wire the bunches of radishes to your wreath.
3. Add a ribbon (optional) and you’re done!

Happy crafting and happy holidays!