Circle Garland

I got a few paint chip samples from the store and punched circles to make a garland.

 Each piece of paint chip was cut into about 2" pieces and made about 6 circles.

 The circles were 1.25 & 1.5 inches.

I used thread to tape to the back of the circle pieces.

  

I used it with the DIY Paper Medallions. 

DIY Paper Medallions

I'm getting ready for a cake smash session the day after Thanksgiving... Black Friday? haha j.k. I know what it is but I dare not go out into that chaotic mess!

Anyway, I've been slowly making these and hoping it will all go together well for the backdrop. 

In the past, I've made these without the scoring board but I'm so glad I bought one because it makes the project so much easier and faster!

SUPPLIES:

12x12 Paper
Scissors
Glue or Tape Runner
Scoring Board (Optional but highly recommended) 

INSTRUCTIONS:

I made several different sizes. I will refer to these sizes by the width of the strips. All strips are 12 inches lengthwise. The actual sizes of the medallions will be double the size of the width once put together. For example a 2" strip will make a 4" circle in diameter. 

4" strips = 1 12x12 sheet makes ONE Medallion. Cut into 4" strips for a total of 3 strips.

3" strips = 1 12x12 sheet makes TWO Medallions. Cut into 3" strips for a total of 4 strips. TWO strips make ONE medallion.  

2" strips = 1 12x12 sheet makes FOUR Medallions. Cut into 2" strips for a total of 6 strips. TWO strips make ONE medallion.

For this tutorial. I'm making the medallion using 4" strips. I will need 3 strips. The diameter of this medallion will be 8"

1. Score your paper. I scored every 1/2 inch. 

Scoring your 12x12 paper before cutting them into strips is much easier than cutting it first and then trying to score each strip! As you can see in the above and below photos, I didn't do that. Live and learn! haha.

If you don't have a scoring board, just make the best of it and use your hands to fold about 1/2 inches. 

2. Cut the 12x12 paper to desired size strips. Fold into a fan-like pattern.

Tip: Start the folding in opposite directions so they fit together when gluing.

3. Glue the pieces together. You may need to cut off a flap so they fit nicely. 

I started using a glue runner but ran out so for the remaining of the project, I used a hot glue gun which worked fine. In fact, using the glue gun is better for gluing the circle behind the medallion (step 5)

 4. Stand it up. 
Gather the top (like a teepee or cone shape). 
Push the center down.

5. Using another piece of  paper (I used a puncher to make a little circle from scrap paper). Apply glue (hot glue gun) and place it under the medallion in the center. Hold for a few seconds until glue is dry.

What the back looks like:

You can stack them or leave it as is but I cut more circles and glued it to the front. I find that it makes the medallion more stiff & less floppy.

Here's the little handsome fella using the backdrop

DIY Stickers

I wish I had a larger budget but I don't especially since I'm not working right now. Fortunately I love to make things myself. This is nothing special but it makes me happy. So I guess that's all that matters :)

Recently I posted a tutorial on DIY CD/DVD Sleeves. I decided to print out my watermark and make stickers out of them to put on the CD Sleeves for my holiday minis. 

I printed the watermarks on a word doc. It took a couple of times to get the spacing correct for the heart punch. The heart is the smaller one, 1 1/4 inches. 

Cutting the paper in strips makes it easier to punch. 

Then I ran it through my sticker machine. You don't need to make it a "sticker". You can always just use craft's tape (double sided tape runner), glue dots, glue stick, etc.

Simple but pretty :)

DIY CD/DVD Sleeve

I saw this on Pinterest on several sites and it's so easy , I just remembered how to make it. So... I'm not sure where the actual source of this tutorial came from. Eventually I just looked at this tutorial.

SUPPLIES:

8.5" x 11" Paper

CD/DVD

Twine/Ribbon (if you want to tie it)

Scoring Board (optional) - In the past, I've scored my lines using a ruler and a bone folder but I never really could get it straight! I finally bought a scoring board from JoAnn's (on sale of course).

DIRECTIONS:

Place the CD on top (edge going across half way of CD - largest part of the CD) & measure from sides to mark where you will fold. It should be 1 and 3/4 inches.

Fold the sides in length wise. Again, it should measure 1 and 3/4 inches from each end. 

Then, place CD in the middle and fold the bottom up. It should measure 3 inches from top and bottom.

Open it back up and fold it so it lays flat. The previous crease should line up with the up and down edge (if that makes sense).

Tuck the sides back in (this part holds the CD).

Fold the corners of the top in and tuck into the bottom part.

Tie it with whatever you wish and you're done!

Made a few for my Holiday Mini Sessions! 

Interested in these DIY Stickers? Check out how I made them!

DIY Newborn Tieback Props

Have you seen those cute little headbands on newborn photos? I just love them especially the simple ones. The more I looked at photos of them, the more I realized that I can do it myself! I did a quick search on etsy and they range anywhere from $6-$20. I can understand it being $6 but $20 is a bit much since it really is easy to make yourself. I understand that not everyone wants to make things.. There are some things I rather buy too! 

Anyway, I always wanted a girl but ended up with 3 boys! Unfortunately I will never have a baby girl to make props for but that's okay, I will have plenty of baby girls in the studio ^_^.

A friend of mine in New York is due in January and she's planning to have her daughter's photos taken.. unfortunately she had to settle for a mini session which does not include props due to her budget. I don't blame her. She just got married! We all know how much that can set us back!

I wanted to make her a few tiebacks for her baby's photos. 

For this one. I saw the tutorial here. It's pretty simple. 

1. Cut 2 rectangles of fabric and fray edges.

2. Tie the layered bow in the middle with yarn.

2. Tie another piece of yarn (about 24 inches) onto the back of the bow.

This cute little bow is made using Mohair yarn. 

1. Make the bow by wrapping yarn around your fingers and using a short piece of yarn, tie the middle (tying it while it's still on your fingers is easier).

2. For the headband, I crocheted by chaining until I got to the length of about 24 inches. 

3. Tie the bow to the crocheted piece.

You can also use 3 pieces of yarn and braid it if you don't have crochet hooks. Another option is to just twist a couple of strands together. There's so much you can do...

This one is even simpler. 

1. Cut a piece of fabric (loose knits) and fray the edges.

2. Glue a bead in the center.

3. Glue the yarn in the back.

I made a tiny little flower rosette and glued a bead to it. Then I glued the rosette to the headband. Check out my Updated Lamp Shades where I attached pretty fabric rosettes to the shades!

I actually crocheted this little flower. Sorry I don't have a tutorial for this. For the band, I braided 3 pieces of Mohair yarn. I glued a bead in the center of the flower. 

Check out my other crochet tiebacks here.