Bright Floral Backdrop

Hi all. It's been a long time that I had posted something here. I have an announcement to make - 'I'm expecting a baby'. Yes !! That kept me tired for the last few months. I was busy planning, preparing check lists and all. So I couldn't create anything for sometime. However, I got a chance to work on something colourful, creative and challenging for a couple of weeks. We had to plan for a gender neutral baby shower decor and I obviously insisted that the decor be DIY. Today I want to share with you the floral backdrop that I had made for my baby shower.
Below is the whole setting which is about 12 feet wide and 5 feet high.
(Click on the image below to view full size photo)

Challenge

I knew I wanted a floral back drop which is quite bright in color, since there were several restrictions to not tape anything on the walls at the function hall and only hooks which were already present could be used to hang any decor. Also the main wall had 3 large windows over which inevitably should be part of the backdrop.

  How I made it

I had to make some 80 flowers, 50 leaves and several lose petals to make this back drop. I had used the following tutorial @AshandCrafts to make all the flowers required. This tutorial has all the steps, in detail, required for making flowers. For leaves I have used freehand drawn templates. I also used several other petals of different shapes and sizes, which are freehand drawn too. I had scored leaves to add dimension, after they were cut in different sizes and shapes.

I then assembled all the flowers on large cardboard pieces (same as packing boxes), which were cut in the shape of the arch and then hung to the hooks and windows with the help of a balloon ribbon. 

Materials Used

1. Glue Gun 
2. Large Cardboard pieces
3. Color papers - A4 size - 24lbs (brights staples)
4. Balloon ribbon
5. Pencil
6. Marker
7. Scissors
8. Templates to cut petals and leaves
9. Foam for scoring leaves.

 A closer look at paper flowers and leaves of different colors, variety and sizes that I had made through out the setting.

Hope you liked the decor. Thanks for stopping by. Ta-Ta !!

Jewelry Box - Mod podged

Hi all. I have tried something for the first time, which I have wanted to for a long time. :-) I too have modpodged and I loved it!. Alright, so here is a before and after of the box. Ta-Da!

Below is the list of materials that I have used for making this box.

1. ArtMinds wooden box base (can be purchased here.)
2. Modpodge - Gloss-Luster
3. Rub and Buff - Grecian Gold 
4. Paint brushes
5. Arcylic paints of your choice
6. Pattern paper of your choice
7. Water
8. Modpodge Clear acrylic Sealer
9. Paper trimmer
10. Scissors
11. Exacto Knife
12. Measuring tape
13. Clear tape

The Process
Colour the whole box and its interiors with an acrylic colour that matches your pattern paper and allow it to dry for an hour. This will be the base over which we start of adding layers.

Later trim the pattern paper of your choice with trimmer and scissors, according to the measurements of the box. Only the exteriors of the box may be covered with the paper. The thinner the paper the better for modpodge.

Cover all sides of the box with pattern paper and apply modpodge thoroughly and carefully, without tearing the paper. Allow the first coat of modpodge to dry before doing the 2nd coat. Any air bubbles may be punctured with a needle and the paper will flatten out. Add another coat of modpodge if necessary.

Apply sealant all over the box and finish it off by painting the knobs and border in gold or a colour of your choice. 
Tips
The trickiest part for me was with cutting the paper around the knobs. I had used an exacto knife to precisely cut the paper around the knobs carefully, by measuring the knob size.
I had always used a clear tape around the edges, to avoid the gold paint from smudging. This gave me a crisp finish with the gold paint.

I have been using this box for a month, where I have put all my favorite  fancy jewelry in.
Hope you liked this box. Thanks for stopping by.

Spring Home Decor

Hi all. I am so excited to share my latest creation with you guys. I found this white cage wall decor at a store and a spontaneous idea struck my mind. (You could purchase the same here)

I purchased those lovely birds and dragon flies, created a few paper flowers (distress ink was definitely helpful here), and used a few store bought leaf decors and left over floral accents.

I assembled them all for a really long time, hardly using any adhesives. I weaved the leaves and other embellishments through the frame of the cage. Ta-da! This beautiful cage resulted.

How do you like it guys?

Li'll Birdie On The Wall

I could not leave the push pins area where the keys are hung idle. It looked too boring, which is why I left a bird perched on the craft stick. I tied ribbon to the buttons and on the other end stuck the craft stick.
I made this little birdie with craft paper and used foam board stickers for adding more colour.