Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Protea Flower DIY - Pinterest Challenge

     , , , ,  20 comments

Welcome to the May Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop, hosted by My Pinterventures.  If you aren't familiar with the Pinterest Challenge, it's a monthly event that challenges us and you, too,  not just be pin hoarders, but to make it happen!

This post contains links to products, if you purchase something after clicking on my link I may earn a small commission to help with my craft expenses (at no extra cost to you).Thank you!

This month, I chose to create a Protea Flower.  If you follow my craft posts you know I love making all sorts of flowers out of different materials.  So naturally, I'm always on the lookout for interesting types to re-create! One such flower is the Protea. I was really taken with it's beauty and uniqueness. 

Here are a few fun facts why this flower is so interesting: First and foremost, the protea flower is from South Africa and dates back millions of years. It is considered to be among the oldest families of flowering plants on the planet. Protea plants come in different colors, shapes and sizes. The flower earned its' name after Proteus, the son of Poseidon and the striking petals that resemble a colorful crown. It is composed of many flowers grouped together inside a set of surrounding petals called bracts which actually serve to protect the true flower in the center - tepals and stamen fused together. The leaves are leathery and thick. Some commonly agreed upon meanings for the protea flower is that it represents change and hope and also symbolizes diversity and courage! Can you see why this is such a fascinating flower?

There are plenty of beautiful proteas that have been pinned. Not too many are handmade though - just a few in paper and felt. Here's a lovely pin that's handcrafted and inspired me to try my hand at creating one.


I love using foam sheets and thought this material would be perfect to make a protea flower!



Begin by gathering:

6" Foam egg
White and green foam sheets
Scissors
Soft pastel chalk 
Acrylic paints/paint brush
Paper towel sheets
Hot plate/iron
Tacky glue
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Large faux floral stem
Protea petal and leaf templates

For the center protea flower, cut a piece of foam sheet long enough to wrap around a foam egg and also to cover the height. Next, cut narrow strips from end to end, leaving a border.

 To color, I started with soft pastels that I blended together using deep red and purple and a damp paper towel, but that took too long so I switched to acrylic paints for the rest of the pieces.

Next, place the strip ends on a medium hot plate or iron for a few seconds until they curl.
 Spread tacky glue over the foam egg and wrap the fringed strip around, shaping the curved ends up and over the pointed egg end. Let dry.
You can probably draw simple petals and leaves to cut out and paint, but here's a shortcut for you to try: Copy, paste, and enlarge the template in Word. Print and cut out pattern. Then trace outline on white foam sheets and cut out petals.  
Paint petals with acrylic colors, quickly wiping off using a damp paper towel for a shading effect.,Add extra color to tip and edges.

 Once the petals are dry, place on a medium hot plate or iron for a few seconds until petals curve naturally.
 Glue on petals using hot glue beginning with the longest length around the center flower, evenly around the base .  .  .

staggering the petal lengths in graduated sizes - long to short, filling in gaps.
Next, copy, paste and enlarge the leaf pattern in Word. Print and cut out  .  .  .
Trace pattern on green foam sheet and cut out.
 Using the tip of a narrow pen, draw on impressions of leaf lines.
 Then crumple and twist leaves with hands to flex and shape.
Hot glue leaf to base of protea flower. Push the tip of scissors through the leaf into the foam flower in the middle and twist around to make a hole. Add hot glue and insert the faux floral stem for the finished flower.

I'm loving this look!
 Really makes a bold statement .  .  . in any décor!
Thanks for stopping by!

 To join next month's #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ June Pinterest Challenge.

Now let's see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!

Erlene - My Pinterventures • Lauren - Mom Home Guide
Debbee Debbee's Buzz • Laurie - My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
Marie - DIY Adulation • Julie - Sum of their Stories
Marie - The Inspiration Vault • T'onna - Sew Crafty Crochet
Pili - My Sweet Things • Debra - Shoppe No. 5
Roseann - This Autoimmune Life • Terri - Our Good Life 
Marci - Stone Cottage Adventures Leslie - Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Kelley - Simply Inspired Meals • Joanne - Our Unschooling Journey
Jenny - Cookies Coffee and Crafts • Gail - Purple Hues and Me
Rebecca - Hello Central Avenue • Sam - Raggedy Bits
Beverly - Across the Boulevard • Tyler - Just Enough Blush
Kristie - Teadoddles • Shirley - Intelligent Domestications
Kelli - The Olympic Nest • Lydia - Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen
Cherryl - Farm Girl Reformed • Ola - J'adore Le Decor
Rebecca - Simple Practical Beautiful • Gwen - Geez, Gwen!
Michelle - Our Crafty Mom • Emily - Domestic Deadline
Megan - C'mon Get Crafty • Micah - Home Faith Family
Chelc - Inside The Fox Den


An InLinkz Link-up




Related Products:
       
    

Monday, May 14, 2018

An Easy to Make Handcrafted Rhinestone Mesh Bow Necklace

     2 comments



Everyone loves handcrafted jewelry - especially those made for a special occasion. For your big day, create your own wedding jewelry with this gorgeous DIY idea using a Mini Bowdabra.  Your day will be extra special with a handcrafted rhinestone mesh bow necklace made by you! Just perfect for the bride, bridal party, and even as a gift!

I'm over on Bowdabrablog sharing this brand new tutorial on making a rhinestone mesh bow necklace! Stop by to see how easy it is to create this adorable piece of jewelry! And the best part is the necklace can also be worn after the big day! It's a great project using your Mini Bowdabra that can be made anytime, for anyone!


Thanks for stopping by

and take a little time to enjoy,

Happy Crafting!

Triple Berry Angel Food Cake Roll - Favorite Family Recipe

       9 comments





Welcome friends to our monthly Challenge Blog Hop!

On the second Monday of each month, I've joined a group of talented and creative bloggers to share themed creations of  either Upcycling, Favorite Family Recipes or Dollar Store Crafts.    The theme for May is Old or New Favorite Family Recipes.

Please visit the co-hosts' blogs below for more awesome recipes:


The first time I saw this recipe was on a FaceBook video feed that I quickly saved and shared on my FB Purple Hues and Me page! I'm sure many of you have seen it, too! I fell in love with it because of all the fresh berries (especially the strawberries) and the homemade whipped cream frosting - both inside and out! And also, it's made with an Angel Food cake mix - no making a cake from scratch! Yay! It didn't take me long to make this for my family and they fell in love with it, too, and is now a favorite family dessert! It's absolutely delicious! The triple berry angel food cake roll was all that I imagine it would be! And the best part is, you won't believe how easy it is to make!!!!  
A big Thank You to Ashley @The Recipe Rebel for sharing this wonderful, mouth watering dessert! 

I'm going to give you a condensed version of Ashley's recipe and hope you drop by her site to view her video, and her complete recipe with tips!  

Triple Berry Angel Food Cake Roll
Ingredients:
  • 1 Angel Food cake mix 
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese room temp
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries diced
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
*Since I love homemade whipped cream, I doubled Ashley's recipe for the ingredients for extra toppings!
 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line the bottom of a 10x15x1" rimmed ungreased baking sheet with parchment paper (make sure that it lays flat on the bottom).
  2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 20 minutes, until the top is golden.  
  3. Loosen cake from the edges of the pan while it's still warm. Spread out a clean kitchen towel and sprinkle evenly with ¼ cup powdered sugar. Flip warm cake out onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper and immediately roll up starting at the short end, WITH the towel inside. Let cool completely (at room temperature for 1-2 hours or pop it in the fridge to cool in less time.
  4. *In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add 3/4 cup powdered sugar, vanilla and cream and beat on low until combined, then on high for 3-4 minutes until fluffy and stiff peaks form.
  5. Unroll cooled cake (you can leave it on the towel) and spread with half of the whipped cream filling and top with half of the berries.


                                                                                                            
6. Carefully roll back up (without the towel). As you get closer to the end, push the berries in, as they'll have a tendency to push out while rolling. Place on a serving plate to frost. 
7. Spread top and sides with whipped cream filling and top with remaining berries. 


8. Serve immediately or within a few hours! The fresh fruit won't hold up past 24 hours! 


The last time I made this, I wrapped the rolled cake in cling wrap until the next day and then added the whipped cream top layer and fruit just before serving. It was still very fresh and tasty! It's the perfect spring and summer recipe to serve and wow guests!!!  A very impressive cake, indeed!


Be sure to stop by and visit my co-hosts for their delicious favorite family recipes, too! You won't be disappointed!


And don't for get to come back next month for our


Dollar Store Craft Challenge Blog  Hop - everyone's favorite!

Thanks for stopping by


and take a little time to enjoy,


Happy Crafting!