Kanzashi Flower Makers

I may be a little late to the game with the Kanzashi flower makers. But that doesn't make them any less fun!

These flower makers are tools that use fabric and thread guidelines to create one of six flower designs. The design I have is the Pointed Petal.

By following the guidelines, you would create individual petals on a single thread that can be combined into a multi-petaled flower.

TO MAKE

Ingredients

- Flower maker

- Fabric (not too heavy or slinky; I had the   most success with quilting cotton)

- Thread

Recipe

1. Fold your fabric and press the crease against the folding part of the flower maker. Close the flower maker, snapping it shut.

2. Cut the excess fabric around the flower maker. No seam allowances are needed.

3. Guide your threaded needle through the #1 hole, pushing it out to the other side.

4. Following the groove, guide your needle though the #2 hole, pushing it out to the other side.

5. Repeat step 5 with subsequent holes until you reach the #12 hole.

6. Open the flower maker and take out the threaded fabric.

7. Gently tug both ends of the thread so that the fabric folds itself into a triangle. Slide it to the knotted end of the thread. Do NOT cut the thread.

8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 until you reach your desired number of petals.

9. Push the petals together tautly, which will cause them to accordion.

10. Insert one stitch between the first and last petals. Pull thread taut again, then knot securely.

11. Flatten the petals down, if needed, and shape flower.

12. Embellishments, like a button or felt, can be used to cover the small hole in the center of the flower. Depending on the flower's use, a hot glue gun may suffice. For a stronger bond, E6000 or a washable fabric glue would be your best option.

Notes

- Always work from the side that your needle is on.

- Use the grooves as your guide. Your thread should not be jumping across grooves.

Family Name Wall Plaque

I've always thought that our walls were missing some personalization. We have family pictures up, but nothing that identified who we were. They reminded me a bit of model homes.

This is the wall visitors see when entering our house. Cute family pictures, fabulous growth ruler--but a wide space in between. The wall was begging for a plaque with our family name.

TO MAKE

Ingredients

- Wood plaque(s)

- Acrylic paint

- Scrapbook paper

- Mod Podge (MP)

- Paper or vinyl letters

- Lacquer spray

- Drill/bits

- Cotton twine

- Other embellishments

Recipe

1. If needed, sand and prime wood plaques. Wipe completely free of dust.

2. Paint the plaques. Let dry overnight.

3. Cut the scrapbook paper to size. The flat part of my plaques was about 4" square, so I cut a little larger of a paper square, then lightly sanded the paper's edges to size.

4. Brush thin layers of MP to the plaque and back of the paper, then affix the paper to the plaque. To avoid air bubbles, slightly bend the paper in half and start applying it in the middle of the plaque, then smoothing it to the edges. You'll also have about 10 seconds to slide the paper around before the MP sets. Wait 45 to 60 minutes for MP to dry.

5. Apply letters, then brush a layer of MP over the letters. My letters were two layers of cardstock that didn't lay flat against the plaque. Because I wanted a smooth surface, I brushed on a thick layer of MP, then let dry overnight.

6. Apply any other embellishments that require a coat of MP. Let dry.

7. Repeat layers of MP as needed, allowing time between coats for drying.

8. Drill 2 holes at the top and bottom for all plaques except the last one. The holes need to be large enough for the cotton twine.

9. Sand the tops and sides of plaques to smooth brush marks and MP drips. Wipe off the dust thoroughly. (See Notes below.)

10. Spray laquer sealant on plaques. I did 3 thin coats, then let them dry for about 2 hours.

11. Thread cotton twine through holes, connecting the individual plaques together.

Notes

- I painted the entire plaque since my scrapbook paper is light in color. If your paint is on the light side or if your paper is on the darker side, you can get away with painting the sides and just cutting in the paint across the flat part of the plaque.

- The MP will brush on white, but dry clear.

- Thin MP layers and a foam brush may leave canvas-like brush marks. Sanding and/or a foam roller brush may minimize brush marks. You can also use thicker layers of MP, which will require more drying time.

- Sanding can be done between coats of MP, or it can be done only before the lacquer spray. Use 300- to 400-grit paper to avoid stripping off too much of the MP.

- I cut the letters out of cardstock with my Cricut. Alternatively, you can print/cut letters with your printer, find letter stencils at a craft store, or buy vinyl lettering at hardware stores.

- You can screw in hanging hooks instead of drilling holes into your plaques.

Travertine Tile Coasters

What kind of thank-you gift do you give to Nanas who insist on throwing a second-baby shower? Something that's custom and thoughtful and doesn't stink of mass production?

I knew that DIY was how I wanted to go. And that DIY project landed on stone coasters. A little scrapbook paper, a little Mod Podge, a little sealant, a little rolled cork, and a little time. Well, maybe more than just "a little time" to allow for all the drying steps.

They turned out beautiful!

TO MAKE

Ingredients

- 4" travertine tiles

- Scrapbook paper

- Mod Podge (I used matte because that's what I had, but gloss will also work)

- Foam brush

- Rolled cork

- Spray laquer sealant

Recipe

1. Wash and thoroughly dry the tiles. The tiles are porous, so a post-wash wipe won't suffice. If you're pressed for time or just plain impatient (guilty on both counts!), you can pop them in the oven, 5 minutes @ 200 degrees, to speed up the drying process.

2. Cut scrapbook paper to size. My tiles were a little under 4", so I cut 3.5" paper squares. This allowed for a small border of tile around the edges of the paper.

3. Use the foam brush to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge (MP) to the tile and back of paper.

4. Apply paper to tile. You will have about 30 seconds to slide the paper around as needed before the MP starts to set.

5. Brush another thin layer of MP to the top of paper. Wait 45 to 60 minutes for MP to dry.

6. Apply another thin layer of MP, and wait 45 to 60 for it to dry. Repeat as needed, allowing time between coats for drying.

6. Cut rolled cork to size and apply to bottom of tiles. I used 3.5" squares, but you can also use smaller squares for feet.

7. Sand the tops and sides of tiles to smooth brush marks and MP drips. Wipe off the dust thoroughly. (See Notes below.)

8. Spray laquer sealant on tiles. I did 3 thin coats, then let then dry for about 2 hours.

Notes

- The MP will brush on white, but dry clear.

- The foam brush will leave canvas-like brush marks, which I really liked. After brushing on the first MP layer, I did one final brush horizontally. Then, after brushing on the second MP layer, I did one final brush vertically. Sanding and/or a foam roller brush may minimize brush marks.

- Sanding can be done between coats of MP. I chose to do it as a final step. Use 300- to 400-grit paper to avoid stripping off too much of the MP.