Yummy Suede Mary Jane Hushpuppies, Oh My!

Aren't these yummy!  They come in three different colors & look wonderfully comfortable!

• The classic Mary Jane gets a playful update in suede with embroidered detailing. Check out the Hush Puppies® Nazpar for must-have style!
• Sleek suede upper with buckle closure.
• Embroidered dot detail at the toe for spot on style!
• Breathable leather lining is extra smooth for next-to-skin comfort.
• Lightweight Zero G® technology provides all-day comfort.
• Arch support and memory foam in the heel for enhanced comfort.
• Durable synthetic outsole provides grip on a variety of surfaces.
• 1" heel.
• 7.00 oz.

http://www.zappos.com/hush-puppies-nazpar-dark-brown-suede

Halloween Blog Party is Here!

Today a Fanciful Twist is hosting a Halloween Blog Party! Won't sit a spell and enjoy my offerings.

Won't you please step inside and join us.  I was just brewing up a tasty

concoction for some of our other "guests".

After your snack, we can take a quiet walk and tour the grounds of my facility.

This way, no need to linger in the halls.  You never know who might be lurking in the shadows.

Here in my private laboratory, I am spend my time on research.  Of course I can't tell you what I am working on.  That's a secret.  But, I will say, that some of our more permanent  guests know things they dare not share with any living soul, even if they could.

Won't you make yourself comfy, the couch is calling you.  Could I take you case for your, while you rest?

While you sit awhile, I will finish working on this undertaking I was already engaged in.

Be careful not to touch anything.  Some of these specimens might just bite back.

We don't get very many passersby.  Only stragglers from the down the road.  I see your traveling alone, so perhaps if you decide to stay a spell, no one would miss you.

 

My work cannot be shared with the outside world, for they would never approve. 

If you find you are getting famished, I could whip you up something.  It's no trouble at all.  I am sure I have something tasty in the other room.

Wait! Where are you going? You can't leave! What I mean to say is....once you walk through that door, there is no turning back.  I think you will make a nice addition to my collection, um.... I mean community.

Happy Hauntings! 

Mickey

Eleven Leather Shoes for Children!

These Eleven brand shoes are so adorable! And I love that they are real leather. Might need to pick some of these for Phoebe & Nicholas!

Love Shoes!

Carry On, 

Mickey

Crepe Paper Flower Tutorial

Pretty Posies ~ Crepe Paper Flowers
Step-by-Step Crafting Instructions

Supplies Needed:

Scissors, white glue, ruler

crepe paper, sheets or streamers,

chenille stems, Dresden trim embellishments

1) The posies are made with just two materials:
  a chenille stem or pipe cleaner and a strip of 2"

wide crepe paper. For these instructions, we
show a 6" long strip of single-ply crepe paper,
but you can use any length from 4" to 8" long.

 

These instructions show how to make a medium-fullness posy blossom using a strip of crepe
paper that measures 2" wide by 6" long. To create posy bouquets with a more naturalistic
look, we used 2" wide strips of single-ply crepe paper in three lengths: 4", 6" and 8" long.
And to make flowers of different heights, just vary the cut lengths of the chenille stems.

 

                                              2)  Cut a chenille stem (narrow style, 1/8" wide
                                              stems are best) into 6" long pieces. Bend a hook
                                              at one end that is from 3/4" to 1" high.

                                              3)  Make strips of crepe paper that are 2" wide.
                                             When cutting the strips, it is very important that
                                              the grain of the crepe runs horizontally along the
                                             width. Crepe strips can be from 4" to 8" long.

 

                                             4)  Gather the crepe paper strip in to a "bow tie"
                                             shape. Starting at one end, gather the crepe
                                             paper into accordian-style folds, pinching in at
                                             the center to create the "bow tie."

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                                             5)  Position the gathered crepe paper "bow tie"
                                            so that it nestles tightly up into the hook of the
                                            chenille stem.

 

                                            6)  Twist the end of the chenille stem hook firmly
                                            around the flower stem so that the crepe paper
                                            "bow tie" is held securely in place. Do make sure
                                            that the end of the hook lies flat and doesn't stick
                                            out from the stem, and that the entire length of
                                            the flower stem is nice and straight.

 

                                            7)  Fan open each side of the "bow tie" so that
                                            the sides of each half meet; this will create the
                                            circle shape of the flower. Position the folds so
                                            that they lay in evenly-spaced "petals."

 

                                            8)  Glue the side edges of the flower together,
                                            with the edges of both halves facing down.
                                            This ensures that the top face of the posy will
                                            have a polished appearance. Trim the edges of
                                            the crepe posy so that it makes a neat circle.

                                             9)  Adding a ruffled edge to the flower is easy:
                                             grasp a small section (about 1/4" or so) of the
                                             outer posy edge between your thumb and index
                                             finger, and give the crepe paper a nearly 180°
                                             twist. The more completely "round" the twist is,
                                             the frillier the ruffled edge will be.

 

                                            10)  Twist ruffles all the way around the outer
                                            edge of the flower. Do note that you can always
                                            go back and re-twist sections of the edge if they
                                            aren't ruffled enough to create a posy that has
                                            an evenly circular shape. And while the ruffling
                                            does add a frilly charm to the flower, the posies
                                            can also be enjoyed without this extra step!

 

                                           11)  Add a decorative center to the flower with
                                            a Dresden trim or flower stamens. For the posy
                                            shown above, simply glue a die-cut silver
                                            Dresden star into the center of the flower.

 

                                            12)  The posy can be further finished with the
                                            addition of a crepe paper-covered stem. For the
                                            stem covering, you can use either two-ply crepe
                                            paper or single-ply that is folded in half. Trim the
                                            crepe paper strip so that it is no more than 1/2"
                                            wide. Starting at the top, glue down one end of
                                            the strip, then spin it diagonally down the length
                                            of the stem, pulling the crepe tightly to make a
                                            smooth, even surface, adding glue as needed.

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Pretty Posies ~ Crepe Paper Flowers
Design Tips and Inspiration from our Artists

 

To create your own individualized posies, try using any color of crepe paper, or even printed crepe
streamers to make whimsical blossoms. The posies look best
when finished with the addition of decorative centers. The quickest and easiest way to add this focal
point is by using Dresden trim stars and buttons. For the fancier Dresden "stamen" centers, we layered
graduated pieces in contrasting colors to achieve a fancier effect. If you want to create more realistic
looking posies, you can glue on wired-together bundles of millinery flower stamen. And to add leaves
to the flowers, we used our double-sided crepe paper because of its thicker, sturdier weight. Fold
the crepe paper in half (with the grain running lengthwise), then cut out any leaf shape you desire.

Our easy-to-make flowers can be customize to suit any holiday or special occasion with just
a few extra touches. These pretty posies can be enjoyed as a single stem, gathered into dainty
nosegays or elaborate bouquets, and can also be worn as jaunty boutonnières by gentlemen!

------------------------

 

 

 

My favorite place to get Dresden stars and other yummy items, like vintage trims and tinsel, is from the Blumchen Crafts Company.  You can also find lots of great, easy holiday ideas there as well!

Go be creative!

Mickey

Halloween Blog Party!

Yea!  It's my first one and just the inspiration I need to begin Halloween planning!  Take a peek at The Fanciful Twist, she has some fantastic Halloween ideas.  I will be joining her Halloween Blog party this year, and I am dying to get started.  Come back on October 16th to check out my Halloween party and then follow the links from her blog and be prepared to be amazed!

 

Happy Haunting!  

Mickey

Fab Tutorial & Awesome Giveaway!

My favorite crafting twins are back again with a new season.  Kim & Kris over at the DIY Dish are back for Season 2!  They started of the fall with a great video on how to make some super cute owl pin cushions!  These are so easy to make and way adorable.  They are also giving away a Janome serger & Janome embroidery machine!

You can find the link for the free owl download pattern on their site!

Hop on over and check them out!

Mickey

A New Dawn

No, not really.  But, I have been inspired to work/update my blog after nearly a year away.  I haven't felt the pull of my creativity in some time.  And I have no idea, "why now?"  But, everywhere I look, color and texture are speaking to me, and I am eager to get back at it. 

For one thing, I haven't had Photoshop available on my computer for several months.  Now that I do, I want to spend all day editing.....my photos, stock photos, ads...pretty much anything I can find.   My twins spent last weekend in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge, rock climbing for the first time.  The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.  I could have spent all day in the park taking photos. The ones below are my favorite.

Mickey