Crafty Corner: Fabric Hair Flowers...Round 3!

I have shown you a few ways to make fabric hair flowers in past posts (Flower #1, Flower #2) and I have one more to share! This one is made with felt....who doesn't love felt?

You will first need to create a template using a thick cardboard. Make a 5 petal flower (just do your best to make it fairly symmetrical, but don't stress out. Total perfection is not required). Also cut out a double leaf pattern:

Trace out one leaf and four flowers on whatever colors you desire. I usually go for the standard green for leaves. But if you want to go wild with a different color or a pattern, do it! There is no wrong answer when it comes to the creative process:

Ok, the next step is a little tricky to explain but not actually hard to accomplish. Take one flower and fold it in half:

Fold in half once more:

Do the same again with a second flower and hold the two folded pieces together:

Grab a needle and thread (as close to the same color as the felt) and sew the two touching ends from the center points up about 1/2 inch...and then back to the point. Add another folded flower to an open end and repeat that process:

Add a fourth folded flower and sew just like the others to complete the circle:

Great! Next we will finish it off with a button and the leaf that you cut out earlier. Place the button on the top in the middle of the flower and center the leaf on the middle in the back. Grab some thread that is the same color as your button and sew back and fourth thru the flower to secure the button and leaf:

Once you feel like they are sewn into place, sew once more thru to the back and slip a small circle of felt (the same color as the thread) onto the needle and slide down to the leaf:

Sew all the way around the circle (make sure to get that needle into the actual flower as you sew...you want that circle to be secured down to the flower/leaf all the way around and in the middle). Grab a little glue and your hair clip and tack into place. Make sure to check it every few minutes in the beginning and press it down as it is setting. Once you feel like it is set, let it dry for 24 hours and you are ready to dazzle the world:

Sequins & Sofas: Black Bean Soup

I have to share a favorite recipe of mine. It only takes about 30 minutes to throw together...perfect for a quick and easy meal after a long, hard day at the office (or wherever you just spent your long, hard day). If you like eating beans, you will LOVE it. If you don't, try it anyway....beans are good for you!

A few simple ingredients:

Add 1 can of black beans (drained), 1 can of petite diced tomatoes (undrained), 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa, 1 cup water and a tablespoon of cumin (I tend to add a little more because I love that smoky flavor...so do what you like):

Mix it all together and bring to a boil uncovered:

Once you have it boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it go for 20 minutes...it will reduce a bit and start to slightly thicken:

When the timer goes off, uncover and stir. It's not quite where it should be yet....so 10 more minutes uncovered with a little higher heat and we are good to go. Keep stirring occasionally and wait until the soup takes on a slightly darker color and it thickens to your liking. Add a side of chips, avocado and lime and enjoy:

Toddler Talk: Say Cheese!

I made a fun little paper project for the kids a few weeks ago. You see for weeks before, they were turning all kinds of toys into cameras....holding flat-ish rectangular things up to their face and yelling, "Say Monkey!!" and "Say Cheese!"

I expanded on this idea to supply them with a more 'realistic' version of what they had created on their own. Now I know, you may say, "Why don't you just put some old, non functioning real cameras in the room for them to explore?"

Well, the answer is that I didn't have any of those. But I did have paper, scissors, ribbon and a laminator:

Sequins & Sofas: 5 Things

I took a little break from posting any legit content over the holidays (although I hope you enjoyed the cute Christmas snapshot of the best family in the whole world, mine!)...It's a new year and it's time to get the ball rolling once again!

Things I like:

1. Fingerless gloves- Now that the Polar Vortex of 2014 seems to be passing, I'm gonna bust these bad boys out! A gift from my bro-in-law, they are better than mittens when the Mercury hits above freezing...you can text (not while driving), tie your shoe, peel a banana...the possibilities are endless. Thanks Special K!

2. Avocados- That's all...just avocados. I LOVE THEM! You should love them too.

3. Arbonne CC Cream- I hosted a party awhile back and thought I would give this product a try. After all, the description said it was a 10-in-1 cream. 10-in-1!

I have to say, I have been using it for about 6 weeks and my skin has really improved! Arbonne products are pretty great...natural ingredients that actually help your skin instead of just covering up the imperfections. My friend Amy Van Akkeren is a consultant- and she is GREAT! If you are looking to try some product for yourself or want to host a party, look her up on Arbonne.com.You will not be sorry!

4. Origami Owl Jewelry- Ok, I am not some crazy 'in-home party products' lady. I swear. But this stuff is so cute! Somehow I found myself at another party and simply had to make a necklace of my very own. So....you choose little charms and trinkets to put into a see-thru locket, choose a chain and some dangles...all personalized and shiny!

I am planning on hosting a party of my own this February. If you know me, you will probably be getting an invite (so, sorry...or woo hoo- depending on how you feel about jewelry parties). Either way, you'll want to come...if only for the snacks and good company!

5. How I Met Your Mother- One of the best TV series ever created. If you have never watched and are looking for something new to stream, this is a sure fire winner. Ted Mosby, slap bets, a ducky tie, the yellow umbrella, a goat in a bathroom, Marshall and Lily, Robin Sparkles, the 'Bro Code' and Barney. Are you intrigued? It's amazing. Dare I say Legen....wait for it. Dary. Legendary.

Happy New Year!