Paper Crafting Week - Part 4: Paper Garlands

We've all probably used those rolls of crepe paper to quickly decorate for a party, but did you know how versatile they can be? Gather them up with a sewing machine to make a sweet ruffle, twist them around and around to make fabulous flowers, or snip them with scissors and create a unique garland.... the possibilities are many. Just take a look at some of the amazing ideas I've found around the web.....

Ruffled party streamers by How Does She using two layers

of crepe paper and a simple machine stitch.

If you aren't into sewing, you could try this great idea from Oh Happy Day .

It's a no-sew version of party streamers.

Just follow her simple directions below or visit her blog for a step-by-step tutorial.

Grab a good pair of scissors and in no time at all,

you can have these unique party decorations. Soooo easy!

The Gaines Gang shows us how to make another version of a simple,

no-sew crepe paper garland, this one with two layers.

If you don't have time to make a garland yourself, you can always visit Etsy and buy some pre-made. Great shops like Julie Collings have many beautiful ruffled designs to choose from.

And Bake it Pretty sells this tissue paper fringe in a few colorways as well.

If you want something perfect for a spring party, be sure to check out this

easy tutorial from Prudent Baby for a flower shaped tissue paper garland.

I am so inspired! I hope these ideas have brought you some creative inspiration, too.

Paper Crafting Week - Part 3: Paper Flower Decorations

I hope you are loving all the paper crafting ideas this week. There are so many great photos and tutorials, I could actually keep going longer than a week. I get such a thrill from discovering these talented women and their amazing creations. On day three, I'm focusing on paper flowers and how versatile they are as decorations on favors and gifts to stunning party garlands.

We've all seen the tissue paper poms hanging over gorgeous party tables. A simple idea brought back from those 70's style paper flowers I couldn't wait to win at the county fair (yes, I was the goofy kid walking around the fair with an enormous colored flower on a stick!), paper poms have made a comeback in quite a stylish way. They seem to be everywhere on the party scene these days.

The popularity of those poms have led lots of ladies to come up with some really creative ways to use tissue paper and crepe paper to make some truly special party embellishments. Just take a look at one of my favorites.....

Aren't these divine? Pinky Lou Lou Party Girl makes "party blooms" party favors from crepe paper, glitter and a few small accessories.

Aren't they so original and adorable?

What little girl wouldn't love hand these out at her birthday celebration!

Another version of the crepe paper rosette is pictured here from Once Wed.

These were actually place cards for wedding tables, but wouldn't they be a special treat

for a birthday girl with a glittered number of her age in the center?

Or what about making these for prize ribbons to give out to winners of party games?

Love this idea!

Icing Designs shares a tutorial on these super easy tissue paper rosettes

using a single sheet of tissue paper twisted and molded into a large rose. They show us how to make everything from gift toppers to wall hangings to garlands using their simple technique.

Dana Made It makes these divine magnolia blooms from paper napkins.

Pretty realistic, I think. Be sure to check out her website for a full tutorial.

Look how beautiful they are as a garland. These would be lovely for a baby shower

or wedding shower, or even to decorate a little girl's bedroom.

This idea from Today's Fabulous Finds is actually a Valentine's box

for a child to hold her Valentine's cards in, but I just love her idea of

making the flowers from gathered crepe paper streamers.

This sweet flower favor box is made from stamped tissue paper and button embellishments. My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence has a video on their

website of the step-by-step process.

Zakka Life shows us how to make miniature versions of paper flowers which are wonderful to use in bouquets or to decorate gift boxes and favor boxes such as the one below.

Martha Stewart crafts makes a very sweet favor box with a miniature tissue flower.

You can find a great tutorial on creating these flowers at 36th Street Events.

Made by Nicole shares a tutorial on how to make these adorable crepe paper ornaments,

but I'm thinking they would make perfect party accessories as well.

And a similar idea is shared by Little Shabby Shack.

And Obsessed with Cupcakes has an easy tutorial on making these

decorative flower cupcake wraps with crepe paper.

Isn't it sweet with a cupcake inside and a ribbon to dress it up a bit?

These would be so adorable at a little girl's garden or fairy birthday party or even

filled with candy or other goodies and given as a party favor.

I hope you all enjoyed these inspiring ideas --

I've got some awesome ideas for crepe paper garlands tomorrow so stay tuned!

Paper Crafting Week - Part 2: Tissue Paper Birthday Numbers

Welcome to Paper Crafting Week Part 2!

Today's paper crafting idea is a fabulous one for birthday parties and it's extremely easy, too. Doesn't every child long for the day when they are another year older? And wouldn't an adorable and HUGE tissue paper number announcing their big milestone be the perfect party decoration?

This adorable sign from a party on the Coolest Family on the Block

features a large scale "1" sign on little Adaline's dessert table.

Adaline's mom used an artist canvas, covered it with a pink pillow case and glued small bunched up pieces of tissue paper to it in a number 1 shape. Too cute!

And here's another similar idea seen on Hostess with the Mostess from Prudent Baby using flower shaped pieces of tissue paper.

Living Craftily Ever After uses a similar technique for her daughter's 3rd birthday.

She even made a coordinating crown for the princess birthday party

she was hosting for her daughter. How creative!

And here's another cute party using a tissue paper sign from Simply Creative Insanity.

This party is filled with lots of cute ideas so be sure to hop on over for

some "Under the Sea" inspiration.

This is one of those crafts that ANYONE can do. You could even use purchased chipboard or wood numbers or letters from a craft store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels such as the ones above and cover them with tissue paper if you didn't want to make a sign on canvas. These smaller versions could make a simple door hanging or party table centerpiece, too.

Paper Towel Flowers

Take a close look at this fabulous wreath......

What's your best guess on what it's made from? Crepe paper?

No.

Tissue paper?

Not quite.

Amazingly enough, it's paper towels! Paper towels my friends, dyed in beautiful spring colors and fashioned into unique and spectacular paper flowers. I saw this fabulous idea on Made By Nicole and thought you all would enjoy reading about her technique.

Nicole gives us a great tutorial on her blog, showing 2 different ways to make the basic flower forms. From there, it's just a matter of a few found objects around the house (buttons, pearls, burlap, silk flowers, eyelet trim, etc) and some creativity. Nicole even found a use for the mesh bag her grocery store onions came in! (See the mesh under the flowers below?)

I can only imagine how gorgeous these would be as a party garland! If you'd like more details and more information on her flower technique, head on over to Made by Nicole.

Happy Thursday -- only one more day til the weekend - YAY!

Crepe Paper Rosettes

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to get busy with some cute craft projects with my kiddos. And now that my girls are getting a little older, the crafts are taking on a bit more sophisicated flair. I came across these fabulous ideas using crepe paper rolls to make gorgeous flowers and thought these would be a perfect fit. You can't get much cheaper that crepe paper -- 2 rolls for a $1.00 at the Dollar Tree! And lots of colors, too. I just love these little flowers..... it sends my brain into overdrive thinking of all the cute possibilities from embellishing picture frames for the girls' rooms to covering their initials on their bedroom walls and, of course, all the fantastic ways you could use these to decorate party tables..... You know me.... always thinking of parties!

Look at this pretty wreath made of the rosettes in different colors of crepe paper

from Tales from an OC Cottage. She used only a paper plate and the crepe paper

for supplies - cheap and pretty.... just my style!

Aren't these so pretty?

And these pomanders from Momma and Da Boyz would look so pretty hanging in my oldest daughter's room. She would be so proud to make these and display them in her room.

Momma and Da Boyz shows you step-by-step how easy making the roses are using styrofoam balls and a few colors of crepe paper.

After scrunching the rolls up to add a little texture and then laying the paper flat again, she folds one side of the paper roll down about 1/3 of the way. The she starts the rolling and twisting process.




And eventually..... with much more detailed instructions on her blog.... ends up with these little pretties. Wouldn't these be beautiful to use in decorating a Valentine's dinner table? I can see them as napkin rings or tied to the base of a wine glass to add a special "lovey" touch, or even a beautiful bouquet of them as a centerpiece. So sweet!

Enjoy your day today! And don't forget to drop by the Dollar Tree and grab some crepe paper!