The last one.... really

This is going to be the last money flower bouquet I post for a while. I'm in money flower overload. These are for a cousin's high school graduation.

front

right side

left side

back

the money shot (hahaha... pun intended)

And this is just me playing with the "aging" feature on my camera...

old

older

oldest

I Wish There Really Were Flowers That Grew Money...

Making these money flower arrangements is fun! I like the process of walking around my local craft store, looking at my options, and creating something (hopefully) beautiful in my head. What's even better is when I realize I have things at home that would go nicely in the arrangement -- less buying is always good! I tend to walk around in circles when I'm buying materials for a new creation. The people with me probably think I'm crazy .. the store staff probably think I'm crazy ... but that's the only way I can work. I'm constantly building and revising in my head based on the available items and totally block out any irrelevant surroundings. It's a rare, relaxing feeling after multi-tasking most of the day!

Enough self-indulgent babble ... you're here for the pictures!

This arrangement was made for a young lady my husband works with. She is graduating high school this Friday (school colors are black & gold). All the employees chipped in a few dollars and I put together the arrangement. This is my first requested craft (well, requested by someone other than my mom). I REALLY hope they like it.

Front View

Right side

Back

Left side

 

Close up of a money flower

The bow

So I know the bow isn't really all that in the big scheme of things, but as someone who is extremely bow-impaired, I'm very proud of it.

If you're interested, here's my first money flower arrangement. Instructions for the flowers are courtesy of Homemade Gifts Made Easy.

And a big THANK YOU to Michelle who gave me a background to use for my photographs. The improvement over the white towel or my stove top really goes without saying. Now the photographer just needs to improve....

Happy Mother's Day!

Usually, I'm at a loss for what to get my Mom for Mother's Day. This year, however, I have too many things to give her. (Well, that's really not true, she deserves a whole bunch of gifts! Thanks Mom!)

Here's something she's getting from my daughter, Cameron:

 

This idea came from Pinterest. The frame could use work, but it matches one she already has displaying Cameron's artwork. That's a little vintage fabric behind the handprint flowers. [I love the word vintage ... it sounds so much better than old.] I didn't have a mat and the frame was too big so I went digging through fabric scraps for some sort of background. I think it turned out well! Cameron definitely had fun making it. Maybe we can do a bouquet every year (or every other year) so my mom can have a progression of Cam's hands. 

Coffee Filter Flowers

Taking good pictures of flowers made from white coffee filters is really difficult! I need to learn photography type things like white balance. And, just maybe I need a better place to photograph than on my stove top. 

The flowers were super fun to make, and they're quite pretty. I hope the photos do them justice. The vase is still a work in progress. I frosted the bottom portion. I'm happy with how it turned out, but it needs something else. Maybe color (spray paint!!!). The tissue paper shreds are serving as my color for now.

 

I found the instructions for these flowers at Little Birdie Secrets . I used 10 coffee filters (for 1-4 cup coffee makers) instead of the 8 suggested in the instructions. I want to try coloring a few, but haven't gotten to it yet.

It's so nice when a craft that sounds simple actually IS simple AND turns out well!

Furry Flowery Wreath

So I'm not that happy with how this wreath turned out. It was super cute on the website where I found the instructions, and I think my wreath looks like the one on the other site, but I'm just not that satisfied with it.

Maybe I need less flowers? More flowers? Different color ribbon? More fun fur? 

It's That Time of Year Again

So today is my birthday. I'm 39. It's a bit depressing, but definitely better than the alternative. 

I had a nice birthday dinner last night with my Dad and Stepmother, Michelle. She made me the most wonderful birthday cake. There are no calories to worry about with this cake.... it's made of roses!

These photos do not do it justice ... it's simply beautiful. I love it! Thank you, Michelle!

 

 

YouTube instructions for a cake like this can be found here.