{Tutorials} Ruffle Fondant Flowers

I first discovered Call Me Cupcake from Kelly of The Party Dress and have been smitten ever since. I am in awe of the sites photography and the blogs gorgeous styling and display of sweets.

Believe it or not, thees ruffle fondant flowers do not seem too hard to make. I am always looking for ways to dress up a store bought cake and this would be a perfect feminine touch! Here are the simple DIY instructions from Call Me Cupcake.

Step One:

Knead and color the fondant

Step Two:

Roll out with a rolling pin.

Step Three:

Use a round cutter of any size.

Step Four:

Frill the edges using the back of a brush. Gently roll it back and forth to create the frill effect.

Step Five:

Scrunch the piece of fondant together from the middle to form a flower.

See, not too difficult?! I can't wait to give these a try someday soon!

{DIY} Pie in a Jar

{image via Paiges of Style}

Lately, I have had an obsession with pies in a jar! I haven't made them yet, but I plan to and just placed an order for these tiny mason jars. The recipes seems easy, just maybe a little time consuming. But so worth it in the end! Take a look at the following DIY Pie in a Jar recipes from some fabulous blogs...

Our Best Bites provides a full tutorial complete with step by step instructions, pictures and a scrumptious basic recipe for any fruit filling.

Green Wedding Shoes shares beautiful photography and a styling idea for the cute pies. They also provide step by step instructions and an easier recipe using store bought pie filling.

Paiges of Style is a favorite blog of mine and I always enjoy her tutorials! Paige shows how easy it is to make pies in a jar and I love the way she packaged the favor!

I'm really looking forward to trying these little goodies out!

Balloon Topiary Tutorial

I hope you enjoyed Audrey's Art Party as much as I did! I love all of the color found in the decor of an art party...so cheerful! Emily Welch of Magnolia Creative is here today to share the how-to on the balloon topiary found at the party!

Step by step instructions as told by Emily...

Supplies:

One 6" Terracotta pot or some other container
One Styrofoam block (cut to fit inside the container)
One 5" Styrofoam ball
One 18" wooden dowel (mine was longer and I had my husband cut it down to this size)
Two packs of greening pins. You really use about 1.5 packs but it's better to have more and not need them than be short.
2 packs of small (around 2.25") multi colored balloons (around 72 qty)
2 packs of larger (around 3") multi colored balloons (around 72 qty)
1 pack of pipe cleaners cut in half
1 pack of shredded tissue paper
Pencil

Step 1:

Cut your styrofoam block to fit inside the terracotta pot. Slide the dowel through the block and then into the ball to form the topiary shape.

Step 2:

Next it's time to add the balloons to the styrofoam ball. I tied one of the smaller balloons around the greening pin (yellow balloon) to help hide it. Behind the yellow balloon I placed one or two of the larger balloons. Push the greening pin into the ball. Do this over and over until the entire ball is covered in balloons.

Step 3:

To add extra texture cut the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap one end around the greening pin to hide the edge. Wrap the other end around a pencil or paintbrush. Pull the pipe cleaner off and stretch it out into the coil shape. Add these sparingly around the ball. You can also add balloons behind the pipe cleaner like in step 3. Continue covering the entire ball with balloons and pipe cleaners.

Step 4:

For added decoration tie some ribbon around the dowel at the base of the styrofoam ball.

Step 5:

To cover your styrofoam block add the shredded tissue on top of it and around the dowel.

Congratulations, you are done! These topiaries make great additions to any table because you can change them up by using different colored balloons to match a theme or holiday, paint the dowel and use interesting ribbons or changing up the containers. You can also just make the ball and hang them from a chandelier or the ceiling using coordinating ribbon. Have fun!

Thank you Emily for sharing this fantastic tutorial with us!

{Tutorials} Felt Wreath

I have another adorable Valentine's tutorial to share with you! Ashley from Him and Her Plus Four is sharing pictures from her latest craft with us! This felt wreath is easy to do and you can work on it for a few nights in front of the TV. Ashley found this idea via Eighteen25 which was originally found on The Idea Room. You can find the instructions below...

Supplies:

* Circular foam wreath OR you can use a heart shaped wreath as seen on The Idea Room

* Felt in your color(s) or choice - Ashley used pink and red

* Straight pins

* Scissors

First, start by making a 3" circle template like the base of a cup. Then, get to cutting!

Take the circle and fold it in half to make a half circle...

Then, fold it in half again.

Next, take a straight pin and pin it through the bottom of the point. Then, stick the pin with the felt into the styrofoam. Be sure to place each folded circle close together and fill in any gaps.

The good news is you do not have to repeat the process on the back side!

For the finishing touch, take a ribbon (about 8") and fold into a loop and pin several times to the back of the wreath.

Isn't it pretty and perfectly dainty for Valentine's Day?! Thank you Ashley for sharing your pictures. You can also visit The Idea Room to see the instructions and see how her wreath turned out as well!

{I just have to add how amazed I am by Ashley! She is a mom of a a 4-year-old and triplets! If she has time to make this wreath, you sure can!}

Budget Friendly Valentine's Party & DIY Heart Garland Tutorial

Valentine's Day is such a fun holiday! It's an excuse to celebrate the ones we love and to host little get togethers full of cuteness! Natalie from The Busy Budgeting Momma sent me this adorable budget friendly party idea using her printable Pretty Paperie Valentine's Day Collection, around the house items and dollar store/clearance aisle finds!

You will just love the DIY heart garland featured throughout the party and the how-to is listed below!

{The beautiful pictures were taken by Christine Marie Fine Art Photography}

HEART GARLAND TUTORIAL

Now on to the how-to for the darling garland as told by Natalie! You can also visit The Busy Budgeting Momma to learn more and see more tutorial pictures.

Supplies:

Scrapbook paper

Craft punches

{Natalie purchased all of the supplies on clearance or already had on hand}

Additional Supplies:

Red and pink heart doilies

Cupcake toppers

Pink thread

* I lined up in front of my sewing machine the hearts in the pattern

i wanted so i could just grab and go!

* When i went to sew, i lined up the heart at a certain line,

so that they wouldn't be top heavy.

*Then i ran them through...letting the machine go a few stitches in between,

before sliding in another heart! You could customize that to get the length you want.

i think i let it go down into the machine 3/4 times...

and then i made up another garland letting it go down 4/5 times.

i liked the variety.

Natalie also created several more garlands using inexpensive heart doilies and extra cupcake toppers!

A big thank you to Natalie for sharing these beautiful photographs by Christine Marie and for the DIY Heart Garland Tutorial!