Felt Flower: Christmas Collection

I know a certain someone who has already claimed this first Christmas Bouquet. She's made a pretty good trade offer and if the bouquet doesn't sell this weekend, I will just have to take her up on it. This was the second bouquet I made and it makes me want snow and hot chocolate and my living room to be lit up with Christmas lights (pretty impressive a few felt flowers can do all of that, right?). I used a variety of materials for this bouquet, including vintage buttons, burlap, 1950s tinsel garland, pinecones and yarn. Just makes you feel like turning on some Bing Crosby and snuggling by the fire, right?

For this bouquet, I experimented with some satin fabric I had left over from this dress (which I still have not worn). Turn out to be a nice and lovely addition to the felt. I used lace for the accent pieces and centers of the smaller flowers.  

Some of my flower arrangements are inspired by massive amounts of felt I never use, i.e. greys, blues and purples. You'll never find grey flowers in the real world, but here they look plain pretty! I placed the bouquet in a maple syrup bottle we got for a housewarming present, so you might just get a whiff of that sweet, delicious smell with your bouquet.

Felt Flowers: Spring Collection

The Spring Collection was the hardest for me, and I'm still brainstorming some other color combinations. My grandmother always had daisies growing beside her garage, so I definitely want to make a big daisy bouquet for all the Mothers and Grandmothers in May.

I played around with lavender stems and am pretty happy with them. They would make great housewarming presents, and since they are lightly infused with lavender spray, it's pretty much the real thing.

The great thing about felt flowers is you can have them in any color! In the real world, it's a little hard to come by real baby blue flowers. In the felt world, it's just another day in the studio.

I think these mini bouquets (about five inches tall) would make great Easter gifts for family and friends. The flowers can also be attached to hair clips or elastic headbands and tucked inside Easter eggs. Is it bad I'm already looking forward to the Spring and it's just starting to feel like Autumn? I guess another benefit of felt is I don't have to wait to for a new season to start working on my creations!

Felt Flowers Have Arrived!

The cat's out of the bag! I'm officially making felt flowers, boutonnieres and bouquets. It's something I've always wanted to try and after my successful attempt at the brooches, I figured, why not?! At first, the process was very tedious and, to be honest, a little frustrating. After of a weekend of practicing, trying different wires and strategies, I think I've got a hang of this.

This first bouquet was modeled after one I received on Sunday. Sonia brought me the lovely flowers (right) when the family came over for dinner. As I sat down Monday night thinking of what to make, I looked at the fresh bouquet and decided I would make those.

This would be a great idea for brides who do the traditional 'bouquet toss' at their reception. Instead of having an extra bouquet made, you could have one of these made, and it's also a great memento to the receiver.

The sunflowers are probably my favorite so far. I just love the big, bold presence of them, and they look great on a plain stem without even putting them into a bouquet.

The JMU Flowers...One thing that's difficult for me is not seeing team colors when I'm arranging the flowers. Is that weird? I think it is. Regardless, of your team allegiance, the purple and gold bouquet is quite a statement piece and would be pretty addition to any room.

This is the miniature variation of the Autumn bouquet, consisting of 7 flowers, instead of 13 (not including the leafy garnish). The mini bouquets would make great table centerpieces or lovely accents to a buffet or mantle. As you can see, I've been quite obsessed with this new crafty outlet... I'll be posting more throughout the day, including Christmas and Spring Collections :)

Monday Musebles

Are you ready for another Better Block? You better be, because it's happening this weekend on 35th Street in Norfolk. This time I opted out of a pop-up shop, but have been helping with the marketing efforts...including another MAP! I was making final edits to the map over the weekend and needed some photos of the neighborhood to finish up. I was luckily enough to catch these beautiful clouds after Friday night and Saturday morning's storm. Can't wait to see the Blocks come to life in just a few short days! For all the details, please check out the Facebook page here.

Momentarily Obsessed With...

Honestly, the thing I'm most obsessed with right now is felt flowers! But, I'm saving that for another day and time. These are a few things that have popped up on my Pinterest boards, that I be totally fine owning :)

1. peach dress  I want to look like this everyday. Cute, classic and sporting amazing hair. Is that too much to ask for?

2. original flea  While I wouldn't be taking my $500 bag to the flea market, I do absolutely love the shape, style and purpose of this beauty.

3. golden girls lego people  This might be, handsdown, the best thing I've seen all month. Can I make special requests? Cheers, anyone?

4. colorblock wedges  The shoes that will match every single outfit have arrived. Which means I could rid of all my other heels and just wear these every day from now on. Yeah, probably not.

Thrifty Thursday

I thought it'd be a good change of pace for today's Thrifty Thursday to show some recent clothing purchases. I'm sure you can only handle so many vintage books and paper goods. I visited my beloved DAV Thrift Shop a few weeks back during lunch and walked away with these great finds, all for less than $20. Can't beat that!

Xhiliration Dress from Target, $4

1980s Shift Blouse, $1

Not sure what decade this was from, but it almost looks handmade. Denim/grey color, $5

Shirt is a hand-me-down from a co-worker. Plaid 1960s skirt (with pockets), $2

Teal Satin Old Navy Dress, $7

The Great Halloween (Costume) Debate

Not once in my life has it been three days before The Halloween Party and I haven't had a costume. Not once. Until now. I don't know what it is this year, but I'm just not into it. Crazy, I know. I think it's partly because this is the first time in five years we are hosting the party. It may also be because Halloween is still six days from the party...or that we've been on the go, and we'll be driving home from William & Mary Homecoming right into the party.

Or maybe because the beau ordered a Superman costume without telling me and I'm still grumpy.

Whatever the reason, I still don't have anything to wear and am debating about six options at this point.

A costume that would be warm, comfortable and completely effortless? Plus, it has a bag as a must-have accessory? Quadruple bonus! 

A dead bride. This would be much cuter if I had a dead groom to match. And perhaps a real wedding ring to make the scenario complete ;)

I have wanted to be one of Martha Stewart's adorable lambs for YEARS. However, I have not wanted to sew or make the furry leotard, well, ever. 

I came across this idea just last week and I love it! The trick will be finding a bright yellow dress in October...

Or, just go for the classic witch in my favorite black dress, tights and heels. So, what are your thoughts? What are you dressing up as? Have any other great last minute ideas?