DIY Vintage Flowers

Vintage Flowers #2 – Original workshop on May 12, 2011

by Jennifer McCarte       

Supplies:

Synthetic Silky fabric

Scissors

Tea light candle

Additional Supplies:

Needle and thread

Hot glue/glue gun

Buttons, gems or other accessories for center of flower

Clips, pins, headbands or clothing to attach flower

Directions:

1. Cut 5-7 circle patterns out of card stock.
Make the largest one’s diameter about half an inch larger than you want the diameter of the flower, as the petals will end up shrinking a bit. Create 5-7 of these, making each circle a little smaller. End result has smaller petals in the center and larger ones around the outside.

The 5 cuts into the patterns above are to make the petals,
you may cut as many or as few of these to create your desired look.

2. Trace around the pattern onto the silk fabric (using a pen).

3. Take the scissors and cut out the circle and petals.

Cut just inside the drawn lines to make a circle out of the fabric. Carefully cut only about a third of the way into the circles to create the petals. You can do as many or few petals as you would like.  If you choose you can get a different look by not cutting petals at all.
*You can also cut around the pattern and skip the drawing part. Each flower will be different so cutting perfectly on a line is not necessary.



4. Use the lit candle to melt and crinkle the edges.
Be very careful (the candle flame is very HOT), and it is very easy to get burned. Hold the cut petals about one to two inches above the flame, making sure to keep the circle rotating so that it does not overheat and catch fire. Continue to gently melt the edges of each petal until you have gone all the way around. Do this with each layer.

 Note: The candle gets hotter the longer you burn it.

5. Sew (or glue) the petal layers together.
Using a needle and thread, stack the layers (largest to smallest) on the needle.  Once you have your desired look, pull the needle and thread all the way through.  Sew back and forth a few times then knot. To finish the flower, sew (or glue) the button or bead on top.

To attach the flower to the clip, cut a circle out of felt, just smaller than the flower.  Take your clip and use the hot glue gun to attach your flower to the top.  Once that has dried, place hot glue on the felt circle and slide inside the clip.  Close the clip and let dry. This way, the clip is hidden and the felt helps it stay in place when it is on your clothing or in your hair.

Note:  Open the clip and put a piece of waxed paper inside,
This will prevent the clip from being glued closed!

Just remember: every flower will turn out differently and that is part of the beauty!

The best Cooky of 1935-1940

I have to share this Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.  There is something about it, that the cookies always come out perfect.  I have made my share of cookies that come out flat to the pan, and I have tinkered with the ingredients without success. 

However, Betty Crocker seems to get it right!

This book was passed to me from my Mom.

  It is funny how Betty Crocker's recipes have changed from book to book.  However, I still love this recipe, even though it only yields about 3 dozen cookies.

Original print of the recipe!

Chocolate Chip Cookies:

2/3 cup shortening (part butter)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups Flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped nuts (opt.)

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Mix shortening, sugars, egg and vanilla thoroughly.  Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. (*note:  For a softer rounded cookie, add 1/4 cup more flour.)  Stir dry ingredients together; blend in.  Mix in nuts and chocolate chips.

We are nut-free cookie fans!

Bake 8 - 10 minutes.

Until lightly Golden!  Yum, Warm cookies!

My kids tell me "YUM!" when I bake these simple cookies, 

and that is all thanks I need!

SuperDad to the Rescue!

Yes, I like to talk about all the things I can accomplish on one of my Supermom Day's, but today, I have to hand it to my husband of almost 11 years.



SuperDad!

Today our plan was to visit Navy Pier, and the Children's Museum.  All was going well, until we were finishing up the last few things we hadn't seen yet.  One of them being a climbing apparatus, that looked completely harmless and excited 2 of our 3 kids. 

My 3 year old son running though it with no problem.  My 7 year old wouldn't even try.

My 3 year old son climbed up, then excitedly so did my 4 year old daughter.  My son came out, and my daughter "SCREAMED".  She climbed to the top and froze.  I am sad, I don't have a picture of the cylinder net they used to climb up or a picture of my husband climbing up to get her down.

Yes, SuperDad to the rescue!!!

After about 6 minutes of her screaming and us trying to talk her down, my husband went up for her, and had to take her through the rest of the climbing apparatus to get them both out.

(note where my son is, oh yes, and she was still screaming!)

Reassuring the other visitors that she IS our daughter, I had to calm her from this traumatic experience, to which she responded, "Daddy made me do it!"

Oh, and I don't even think I told him that!

The rest of our visit slowly came to an end as our 3 little kids were giving us signs that they had a full day!

But in all it was a fabulous day at the Pier and here are a few photos to prove it!

Mommy & C

The girls putting out a virtual fire!

This is my cutie who was stuck in the climber!

Daddy and C building!

Loving Sisters!

Being a mom is always a journey,

Take time to enjoy the little things!

Who knew my 7 year old Would Request a Spa Party?

My  daughter came to me as we were trying to brainstorm for her party this past May, and said she wanted a Spa Party.  Being a bit  girly myself I was more than excited to plan for this party.  I had just over 6 weeks to plan, but with the help of my new friend Vicki here is how it turned out!

 I was at Joann Fabrics when I saw Martha Stewart's Tissue Pompom kits, and said to myself, my mom taught me how to make these as a kid!

Decorating was so much fun! My friend Vicki at www.laughloudsmilebig.com shared so many great tips to make this party a success, including a lot of the party favors. 

The cupcakes were all me! Swirled the frosting with pink and purple gel and topped with sparkling rings.

Each girl got to take home a make up box! 

i

And fill it up with lotion,

Necklaces, 

 bracelets, rings....

Nail polish and lip gloss.

All girls went home feeling glamorous as each one had their hair, make-up and nails done before leaving the party. 

Our Party Game was a version of musical chairs with nail polish (we only had 2 accidents).  All girls sat in a circle, and they passed bottles of nail polish around the circle until the music stopped.  Whoever had the nail polish when the music stopped got to paint one toe nail, we kept going until all the girls had all ten toes painted.  The fun you ask? was each bottle going around was a different color.

And our Craft idea, came from www.onecharmingparty.com.  Although, our gumball necklaces didn't turn out as perfect as the blog, they were all beautiful and smelled great!

My daughter had a fabulous party, and I was clearly exhausted when it was over.  12 little girls went home with smiling faces, and lots of goodies.  I owe many thanks to all who helped me make this day so memorable for my sweet girl, especially my cousins.  Happy 7th Birthday, Ashlynn!

How to Make a Tutu

Tutu Workshop #1 – Original workshop on April 21, 2011

by Jennifer McCarte     

 

Supplies:

1” non-roll elastic

6 yards of tulle (netting)

Needle and Thread or sewing machine

 Directions:

 

1.      Measure child’s waist or use approximate chart below for sizing:

Age:
1-3 years	18” will stretch to 21”
4-6 years	20” will stretch to 23”
7-9 years	22” will stretch to 25”

2.      Measure elastic and add 1” to allow for stitching waistband.

3.      Make a circle with your elastic and overlap 1”.  Pin or hold to stitch.

4.     Use sewing machine or needle and thread to secure elastic band.

5.      Put aside.

6.     Lay out your tulle (netting) on a hard surface (for ease of cutting keep folded in half).

7.     Cut 4-5” strips from the tulle until you have cut ALL of the tulle.

8.      Now cut each strip on the fold line to make 2 pieces.  You will have a lot of tulle strips.

9.      Now you are ready to assemble your tutu.

10.  Take your elastic band and one tulle strip.  Tie strip onto elastic band with a double knot.

11.  Continue with the next strip, and so on, until you have your desired fullness for your tutu.

12.  Add accent pieces if desired for a one of a kind look.

13.  If needed you may trim the bottom of the tutu so all of the tulle lengths are even.  This I just eyeball, there is no right or wrong way to wear your tutu.

Mommy Poetry says, "I am really NOT perfect!"

Being a mom is unlike any other job out there.  You don't get an hour off for lunch, and your day begins well before 8 and ends much after 5, but seeing the joy in your kids faces that you are there to share the day with them will always be priceless. 

I love using my creativity as a way to get through my day.  Poetry is just one way that I can do that.  It is usually light, and something I can look back on and laugh although at the time I am sure I was not laughing. 

Below are a few poems, back from January when my son was still in diapers.  All poems are original and may not be duplicated or published without my written consent:

Supermom, I am NOT! 
by Jennifer McCarte (1/4/2011)

I always try to start the day right,
But something happens between morning and night.
The calm tone I have, where nothing could go wrong,
Laughing and goofing and singing kid's songs.
But there is something in the day that always changes me,
So on our fridge is a note you will see.
No Screaming, No Yelling, First Count to 10...
But when I am not home, the disasters begin.
Why I challenge myself to be Number ONE,
The best mom in town, who gets everything done.
Like changing a diaper in the car to save time,
But after today it should be a crime.
There was poop all over, kids were screaming my name,
Ran out of wipes, this wasn't a game.
Although you may think I can do it all,
There are many days, I don't stand as tall.
I believe I am not perfect, but in my family's eyes, I will be
'Cause, I'm doing my best as their Wife and Mommy!

A few days later....I write:

Today was a good day!
by Jennifer McCarte (1/8/2011)

Today was a good day,
A rough one, but good,
I didn't get everything done that I should.
But tomorrow is coming,
A new day for me
To be the best mom, that I want to be!


Having fun with words and sharing with others that feel that they are the only ones who have bad days, is really the fun part of Supermom? That's me!  I know I am not perfect, but I try the best I can to be, and we all have things that we are great at.  I just have the need to be great at them all, and sometimes that is just not possible.  There is so much more to come, so please follow my blog, and look for my Supermom? That's me! group on Facebook, and soon to be it's own page.