I recently purchased my very first DSLR and am smitten!  I took these of my little girl near her birthday:

OK, so my "smitteness" goes in this order: adorable little girl, then camera.  Fun, huh?  I'm still learning but am having a BLAST!!  BTW, the center flower in her headband is my "Ila" fabric flower diy pattern/ tutorial.

My birthday girl was very specific regarding her cake.  It must be a red cherry cake with cherries shaped like hearts:

Yes ma'am!  :)  I made the "stems" with a dowel I cut in half and wrapped in an aqua ribbon.  I then made sculpted leaves... and tied a little bow with saddle stitch ribbon.

She was happy so I guess it was a success!!

For any photogs out there, I purchased a Nikon D5100.  My hubby even built me a backdrop system.  (He's the man.)  I will show you how he made it out of PVC for under $20 soon!!   

What do you get when you mix your favorite homemade Rice Krispie Treats with a funnel and some aluminum foil?

A gigantic "Hershey's Kiss", of course!!  It seems like Pinterest had lots of these going around on Valentines day so I had to give it a try as well, just a few days late.  :)   It was a fun and easy peasy craft!

Tip: Be sure to spray your funnel and the inside of your foil with cooking spray.

Have you entered the Fancy Schmancy Giveaway? You could win Fabric Flower Patterns, Curly Ostrich, and a special piece designed by me (Jeni Brockbank :)).  Enter for your chance to win!  It ends tomorrow....

Have you seen fabric flower statement necklaces around?  Fabric flower jewelry seems to be all the rage!  Admittedly, I have a short neck and can't seem to pull these bib necklaces off, but they are so much fun to make and some people look absolutely stunning while wearing these.  Want to learn how I made this Gray, Pink and Cream necklace?  

Let's first identify your materials and supplies.  I will say that I used fabric flowers from my patterns but I will include how many inches I made each fabric flower so you can make your own or buy some! 

Supplies: 
Glue Gun
Hot Glue (All Purpose)
Good Sharp Scissors
Lighter or Matches

Materials:
2- 1.5" Glory Fabric Flowers
1- 3" Glory Fabric Flower
2- 2" Jessica Fabric Flowers
2- 2.5" Pouting Princess Fabric Flowers
2- 1.25" Eva Fabric Flowers
8" of wide lace (mine was about 4" wide)
1- 2" Bow (I made mine out of lace- it blends in to the picture a bit)
Felt or Fleece: 9" X 6" (fleece is softer on your neck)
3 "Bling" pieces (I used 2 super sparkly buttons that match and one that is a bit larger)
48" of Ribbon (I used a cream double ruffle)

Next, arrange your fabric flowers on your felt/ fleece.  Here's the process I worked with to come up with the arrangement: 

When you like your arrangement, trace around your fabric flowers: 

Tip: I like to trace a little wider then my arrangement and cut it down later just to be safe.

Cut out the shape you traced.

Next, cut your ribbon in half.  Thread your "bling" through one end of each ribbon strand, leaving a few inches of ribbon.   

Glue your ribbon ends to the top corners of your felt/ fleece, then glue your  lace in a rainbow shape between your "bling": 

Tip: Take some of the scraps from your felt/ fleece and press down on the lace to protect your fingers from burns.

Next, place your fabric flowers on your felt/ fleece piece: 

Individually glue each flower down, being careful to not get glue on the tops of  flowers: 

Trim your felt/ fleece so that it can't be seen from the front: 

With your lighter or matches, heat seal the ends of your ribbon: 

Find a great place to glue your bow and..... 

Mmm..... If you've followed the tutorial, your "Majestic" statement necklace should be beautiful!   Don't you just love fabric flower jewelry?

Guess what?!  You can make elegant things!!  Yes. you. can.  What?  The thought intimidates you?  I totally get that.  Let’s start with something small; just a teeny tiny pillow tie. That’s a simple enough craft to make, right?  

Peacock feathers are all the rage lately and my parents were gracious enough to give me the feathers from their peacocks.   (I didn’t even know they have peacocks; It’s time to go home!)

To make this pillow tie you will need the following materials:

1.  1- 3″ Pouting Princess Fabric Flower
2.  4- Jessica Fabric Flowers made to 2″ (approximately)
3.  3 Peacock Feathers (you might want to have a few extras just in case they break while you are learning to curl them) Peacock feathers can be purchased by doing a search on line. I know Etsy has some listings.
4.  Bling (the bling in this tutorial measures 1.5″ but smaller works just fine)
5.  2 yards of coordinating or matching ribbon (you will likely only need 1.5 yards but it is better to be safe than sorry, right?)
6.  a piece of coordinating or matching felt or fleece to cover the back.  Mine measured 4″ by 7″.

Supplies you will need are:

1.  All purpose hot glue
2.  Glue gun
3.  Sharp scissors
4.  Butter knife
5.  Matches, lighter or wood burning tool

Begin by prepping your peacock feathers.  Treat the long/ stray feathers that are around the eye like curling ribbon.  Working in small sections, use your butter knife and pull outward.  (Note: this part might take a little practice.  Do not pull very hard as the stray feathers will break off.)

Continue all the way around your feather: 

(Beautiful, right?) Repeat with the other 2 feathers.

Mark your ribbon in the center. (You can mark it with a pen or simply fold it in half and crease it a few times with your finger and thumb nail.)

Arrange your pieces on top of your felt/ fleece.  Start by laying your ribbon down and then working from the center marking on your ribbon.  Begin first with your feathers:

Then add your other elements:  

Make certain that you like your results and then glue your pieces down.  (Note: Make sure to not glue your ribbon to the felt/ fleece where there are no flowers.)

Place your hand under the Pouting Princess flower and note the space between this flower and your Jessica flowers.  Glue near the base of the Jessica flowers to secure them to the Pouting Princess Flower:

When the glue is cool, turn your piece over and carefully cut away the felt/ fleece:  

Heat seal your ribbon ends by running the raw edge near a match or lighter or directly touching the raw edge with a wood burning tool.

Tie your pillow tie to your pillow: 

(I know it!  That stray feather is bothering me too!!)

Inform your children that this particular pillow is not to be sat on, used for pillow fights, taken to their bedrooms or used to make life comfy while outside.  Maybe add a threat about making them eat brussel sprouts and okra with every meal for 2 weeks.  Just saying!

I hope your pillow turns out gorgeous!  Here's mine: 

Stay tuned and/ or check out my store for more crafts to make!