How To Make Wood Round Table Numbers

When we moved into the new house, there were a TON (quite literally) of downed trees and tree dibris. With the doug fir branches that were cut to give us our view of the lake from the house.. We started to cut and chip all of them up, and I thought just maybe I could use these! I asked Wayne to cut a bunch with his chop saw. I put them up in my shop and instantly people wanted them. Rustic themed parties are in these days! So I thought I would show you guys how we do it!

Here is a tip to get you started:
We figured out that young trees are not as tightly bound like the old trees branches. The branches are less grooved and much easier to write on! So go for branches.

Do note that these branches were already dry by the time that we got here. So they will not split. If you are working with green wood. You need a wood stabilizer called Pentacryl to keep them from splitting. This goes for large wood rounds for centerpieces also.

I use Polycrylic as a surface protector. It really isn't necessary though. It helps protect wood surfaces from water damage. I wanted it to kindof glue the moss and reinforce the bark. It gives the wood a semi glossy look.

I drill them, and hang them with twine. The ideas are endless for these little things!

Learning to work with wood is interesting. It is one thing that I never thought that I would be doing, but making wood signs for my shop is my getaway from all of the screen printing! I like doing something different.. I hope you guys enjoy learning along with me! Check out my Etsy shop to see what I have been up to. If it just isn't possible that you can make them on your own I do have them available for purchase in my shop.

Scrapbook Paper Rose Tutorial

Step 1 & 2: Round out the corners of the scrapbooking paper(You can use smaller paper- I wanted the biggest and fullest flowers possible).

Step 3: Cut into the circle. Create a starting point for your spiral.
Step 4: Cut a spiral into the circle. Keep an inch or more from your previous cuts. It does not have to be perfect. I actually encourage you to not make perfect cuts. Imperfections in your cutting will make the flowers look more real!

Step 5: Start rolling your paper inward. If your paper is textured/pearl make sure to roll that side inward. It will end up being exposed when the flowers are complete.
Step 6: Keep rolling, and focus on the base of the flower being tight. The outside can be looser to encourage more 'petals'.

Step 7: The rose is becoming more obvious. Keep the base tight, and extend the rolls on the outside as previously mentioned.
Step 8: When done with rolling. Hold the flower to the base so it does not fall apart.
Step 9: Try to loosen the flowers petals on the outside while holding the center together. This will make the flower bigger, and fuller.

Step 10: Hold the flower upside down in the face of your palm, and lift the bottom off.
Step 11: Cover the bottom with hot glue.
Step 12: Hold the flower tight together- pushing everything to the base so it will get glue on it. I usually leave the flower faced down for a minute or so to dry.

Step 13: Place hot glue on the top of the clothes pin.
Step 14: Push the flower from the top down onto the hot glue, and hold it for 15 seconds. I once again leave them faced down for gravity to do it's job. This makes it so no glue will get on any of your work space.

ALL DONE! Now they are ready to pin to anything! I plan to use these in the trees surrounding my aunt, and her husband-to-be on their wedding day(next month). The colors will make for adorable pictures! Now the REAL project is to make hundreds! Now that I taught you, Will you help me?! :)

DIY Tissue Paper Pom Poms!

I purchased a hand full of different color tissue papers thinking I would come up with some party supplies to fill my Etsy shop with. While playing around with the tissue paper, I decided on making a tissue paper pom pom for my shop photos. I wanted to add a little something to the photos. I learned how to make the Pom Poms from Marth Stewart- See link here. After I made my first tissue paper pom pom.. I was in awe with how easy the process is! It would make a great Craft Party Project. You could whip up tons of these for a future special occasion with multiple people at work. Anything from a baby shower to a wedding! I have even thought of making them for both my young niece, and cousins. You can hang different shades of pom poms in their favorite colors above their beds like a mobile. I have seen people actually use them as mobiles in nurseries. They look adorable. See Pinterest for inspiration here.

So here is how:
I used 12 pieces of 12 x 18 inch tissue paper in this blue pom pom. In the previous pink pom pom- I used 8. Using 8 pieces came out more like a flower. This one with the 12 pieces turned out very full. I like the look of the 8 pieces better. I also held my tissue paper together in the center with a twist tie. You can use anything really.. You wont be able to see it. Also note that you can make much larger poms poms with 20 x 30 inch pieces of tissue paper instead.

Step one: Stack your tissue paper so that they are even on all sides. Then start folding 1 1/2-inch-wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.

Step two: Once the tissue paper is all folded like an accordion, Use what ever you have around the house to hold the center together. My twist ties worked perfectly.

Step three: You can either cut the ends in a rounded shape- for a more petal look, or make them pointy like a sunflower. Turn the tissue paper sideways and spread the paper out like a fan.

Step four: One by one on the top- grab one side of the top tissue paper piece and lift it up. With the other hand hold the others down to easily separate each piece.

Be very careful lifting up each tissue paper. It is very delicate. This second photo below is what the bottom looks like before you pull and separate the tissue on the bottom half. You can leave it this way if you plan on using these on a flat surface like a tabletop decoration.

Now you are all done! crazy how easy this is! They sell these on Etsy for $4.50 a piece for a larger version. 

I am using my tissue paper pom poms to add a little girly touch to my bridal bags in My Etsy Shop!