La Catrina Ribbon and Floral Headband

My floral headband colors were inspired by the beautiful holiday known as Day of the Dead. This holiday is celebrated every year on November 1st and 2nd. Its a time to honor loved ones who have passed on to the spirit world by having a huge celebration filled with family, festivities, and brightly colored flowers. 

* As a design team member for Gwen Studios,
I am provided with product to work with each month.

I love wearing headbands but not the hard plastic ones.
Here I have created a simple tutorial that I hope you enjoy making as much as I did! 

DIY Bridal Accessories with Gwen Studios

 Weddings don't need to cost a lot of money and there is no need to hire anyone to make your dream a reality. These gorgeous ribbons and trims from Gwen Studios can help you make the most of your day.
From a ribbon boutonniere or small bouquet, to an embellished headband. 
You too can create the perfect Wedding!

As you can see, I received a gorgeous array of fabric, ribbon and fancy trim.
Beautiful soft pinks, lavender and lots of sparkle available exclusively at your
local Walmart and online at Walmart.com!

Making the Boutonniere 

You will need: 

• Gwen Studios 7/8" Ivory Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios 3/8" White Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios Plum Fancy Trim
• Gwen Studios Sagebrush Green Satin Ribbon
• Gwen Studios Mauve Voile Fabric
• Gwen Studios Blush Pink Satin and Rhinestone Trim
• Ruler
• Floral tape
• Floral wire
• Sewing needle and color coordinating threads.
• Beads or charms

Instructions:
Begin by wrapping one end of your ribbon around the ruler and knotting it twice. Wrap the ribbon as shown below, pulling the end through to create a knot.  

Repeat until you have at least 13 knots. The more knots, the bigger the bloom.
Try experimenting with different sized rulers to create a variety of sizes.

Here's a video to better show you how its done: 

Use a needle and thread to secure the knots so they stay aligned.

Stitch a piece of the 7/8" Sagebrush Green Ribbon in place as shown. 

Slide the knotted ribbon off the ruler. Place a length of floral wire at one end as shown.
 (twist a small loop at the top of the wire to attach any beads or charms later later.) 
Use a needle and thread to secure your ribbon as you roll it to form your flower. Taper the bottom of the flower, stitching it shut, then wrap with the floral tape.

See how I made the leaves here: 

When you are finished making your ribbon flowers and leaves, arrange them as desired. Then bind the stems together with floral tape before finishing with a strip of the Mauve Voile and a bit of  Rhinestone Trim.

Making the Headband

You will need: 

• Gwen Studios Plum Fancy Trim
• Gwen Studios Blush Pink Satin and Rhinestone Trim
• ½" - 1" wide headband
• Sewing needle and coordinating thread
• Quick drying adhesive

Instructions: 

Simply layer your desired ribbon and trims. Adhere them with the quick drying adhesive.
Attach the to the headband with a needle and thread.

I was only supposed to share with you one or two projects but I couldn't help myself.
I'm absolutely in love with the Rhinestone Trim!
The whole time I was playing with it, I was singing , "Diamonds are a girls best friend."  

To make the diamond bracelets below, follow the same layering technique as above. Then attach some jewelry findings of your choice. Click here for a quick tutorial. 

The Rhinestone hairclips were super simple to make! Just a bit of adhesive and sparkly trim. To keep the adhesive from gluing your hair clips shut, use a bamboo skewer  to prop open the clips until the glue has set. 

See more DIY Wedding inspiration at 
Designer Crafts Connection.

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post  for Gwen Studios. 
 I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas. 
 The views and opinions are my own. 

Hat with Pink Roses

Everyone loves a good new hat, especially if it has roses on it!

Here's one I made up in minutes!

You will need:

• Joy® iron-on embroidered applique pink roses
• A hat
• Clean dish towel
• Pressing cloth (cotton muslin) 
• Iron 

See the full tutorial here.

Colorful Baseball Cap!

See how I made this colorful baseball cap here!

Boho Bridal Wear with Decorative Trimmings

 

 A handful of DCC designers and I received product from Decorative Trimmings to inspire you in making Wedding themed projects.
 
Decorative Trimmings is a manufacturer of high quality braids, cords, ribbons, fringe and other trim.
Decorative Trimmings are used in bridal wear, Renaissance costumes,Mardi-Gras, masks, hair adornments, hand bags, jewelry and more!


I love anything Boho/Gypsy, so naturally I fell in love with these sequined trims!
I've created 2 headpieces and a garter.

To make the headpieces, I used the following:

 Sedona Rose Hologram Sequin Trim

New Orleans Fushia Trim

1. Measure- starting at your forehead, and continue all the way around. Add a extra ½".
2. Secure ends with a small piece of clear tape to keep the sequins in place.
3. Overlap ends, tape on tape and hand stitch with a thread and needle until secure.
4. Cover stitched  area with a decorative butterfly, either with hot glue or a thread and needle.
5. Wear headpiece across the forehead or as a headband.

So beautiful the way the sequins sparkle in sunlight.
 Perfect for a Bridesmaids, girls night out, a princess party or everyday wear!

 To make this garter, I used the following:
 

 Purple Spot Sequined Trim

2" Purple Chainette Fringe

1. Measure above the knee and cut both trims to be 1" shorter the actual leg circumference.
2. With a thread and needle, hand stitch the purple trim to the fringe as shown. 
3. Open up the fringe by trimming off the bottom. It is stitched for you so the fringe can hold its shape before creating with.
4. Stitch  a 1" piece of like or dark colored elastic to both ends. This is your elastic give.
5. Place on leg, above the knee and give a little "shake"! 

Thanks for coming by, I hope you have enjoyed my Boho Bridal wear!

Please visit the rest of the designers here for more Wedding themed projects using Decorative Trimmings.

Mermaid Inspired Classes I have taught

 

 I have had the honor of being a part of a wonderful event called Seaside Soiree by Charity Wings. for the last 3 years with Elena lai Etcheverry.

 I have been able to work with Amazing known instructors you all know such as,

 Cheryl Waters, Jen Cushman, Alyssa Burke, Suzi Blu, Jennifer Priest 

, Vicky Breslin, Danita Art, Liz Hicks, and Melody Ross.  

The theme of the event is always based around Mermaids. 

In December 2012 I taught the above miniature Mermaid Faerie Garden .

 For those of you that missed this class at the event or could not not make it, I will be selling the complete kits in my etsy shop by mid-April and will have 1/2 of the proceeds donated to Charity Wings.  You can go to my shop and sign up for updates or just follow my blog.

 This way you won't miss out when I list them as they will be a limited amount.

Below is a project you might remember from this blog hop sponsored by : Kool Tak.

This was used in my Silent auction item I created for the Seaside Soiree. Inside I made up a Miniature Faerie Garden kit. Lots of bidding went on and at the end someones daughter was very happy I'm sure. :)

In 2011, I taught this wire beaded Mermaid hair comb/tiara and wand.

 My donation piece for the event was quite popular. I put together a "living" miniature Mermaid garden! Here is a little bird bath nestled in some happy oregano.

 I hand crafted the arbor from wire and added the dangling bead. I planted Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary and a little bit of Irish moss as filler. I made the glittery crown the Mermaid is wearing, the bird bath and gazing ball. I glittered up the Mermaid and her fish friends.

There was a bidding war on this garden and I think it sold for $65, but I could be wrong.
It was so fun to make!
Below is the a beaded Mermaid Crown I taught at my first year for Seaside. 2010.
 I used chicken wire as a base and let the women run wild with their imagination.
 The class was a huge success.

I've have had so much fun over the past 3 years being a part of seaside Soiree.
I have made such amazing new friendships with the instructors and attendee's, I am blessed.
 I still chat with them from time to time on FB, but really cherish seeing them in person at local events.
While I still love to teach at various events and functions, it is a lot of prep to do, and usually I do it myself. This year I hope to fine tune the "art" of making video demos for all to see. I have a slight issue with the sound of my own voice on video, but I hope to overcome this soon so those of you who visit my blog can learn new techniques!
Thanks for coming by!

Faerie Tiara made with Dew drops!

So here's a Tiara I made using a child's plastic toy and some Dew Drops from The Robins Nest!
Please visit their blog to see the rest of this Tiara and a magical Wand to match!

Butterfly Crown Cupcake Holder

 My Birthday was this last weekend, so I made this cupcake liner (above) to match the Tiara I made below for CHA and my Birthday. Don't you just love them both?

If you'd like to see how I made them both, please visit The Robins Nest blog for more information. :)

Seaside Soiree 2011 - recap

Last Saturday, I went for the day to Seaside Soiree, hosted by Charity Wings- a non-profit crafting organization that raises money for charitable causes.

I re-joined old friendships from last year and made some new friends as well. I helped out during the morning and early afternoon and even took a class taught by Cheryl Waters!

This was my make and take for the dinner/silent auction Saturday Night.

This is what I taught last year.



Here I am with the Amazing Jen Cushman!

I wanted to make something special for the silent auction, so I hand crafted some Faerie Garden treasure and paired them with fresh thyme, oregano and rosemary to make a underwater Mermaid garden. It was a hit and sold for quite a bit!

I have been invited to come back again next year and am already dreaming up a new Mermaid herb garden and what I'll be teaching. :)

Please join me at the 2nd annual Sea Side Soiree!

Please join me at another wonderful weekend at

Sea Side Soiree, in beautiful oceanside CA!

Since the theme is always Mermaids,

 I will be teaching everyone how to make this underwater hair comb and magical Mermaid wand.

This event is all inclusive and the fee includes:

•3 days and 2 nights accommodation in a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite with a full kitchen, living room and 3 amazing slumber party mates! (or one bedroom King Suite)

•5 projects and classes from leading artists and designers sponsored by wonderful manufacturers!
•6 amazing meals drinks, and snacks!
•Special handmade goodies to greet you
•Amazing stocked tool kit filled with the special things you will need for creating the weekend away!
•Fairy Fly Bys
•Games & Prizes
•Silent Auction
•Raffles
•And so many special touches you wont want to miss!

Space is limited, so reserve you spot today!

Go here for class and registration info.

See you soon!

~ Michelle Frae Cummings