For my birthday, I decided on a "Crazy Hat" theme. As the birthday girl, I thought my perfect hat would be a birthday cake.

I love how it turned out. So funny!



The "cake" is a round paper box from Joann's. The "frosting" is paper that I glazed with Elmer's glue to give it a little texture. The "icing" that I wrote with is puff paint and the trim is just fabric. The "cake" you can see in the cut-out bit is a kitchen sponge. The "plate" is the lid for the box that I covered in foil. I cut an oval hole in the middle of the id, so that hat would sit on my head a bit easier. After I had a few drinks, it became hilarious to find small objects (lip gloss, cupcake, ink pens, car keys) and hide them in my hat.

Action shots:

Aww, you all are too sweet! <blush>

Here are some in-process photos of the cut-but-not-assembled petals, which might help you all:



I wanted to add a bit more color to the petals above, so I painted them a little more and put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to dry...


 I just scrunched/ rolled the bottom of the first petal to make the center and then layered the other petals around as I went. I assembled with hot glue, as I have no patience.

Once I got as many petals on as I wanted, I started at the outside row and rolled/curled the edges of the petals out with my fingers. Through trial and error, I learned that this is a bit easier with paper that you'd crumpled a bit before you glued onto the flower. I think the curled-out edges are what make them look so nice!

Thanks all for your sweet comments! I've never tried coffee filter flowers, but will certainly check them out!

One of my favorite people is graduating with her Ph.D in English Lit in a few weeks, so I wanted to make something special for her. I was flipping through my new Do It Yourself magazine and saw a basic tutorial for turning old book pages into paper flowers and I decided I'd give it a shot. There are lots of little steps, so it's time-consuming, but really fun (and the results are great)!

I'm planning to make her a dozen or so, but here's what I've got done to start.

A couple of the first flowers I made:


I found another tutorial for tiny flowers. I'm thinking about making a few more of the little ones to mix into the bouquet, since they are so cute:


Here they are with some greenery added:


And here's one completely finished:


I'll update this post as I get more done!

If you have any tips for making paper flowers, or links to tutorials for other types of paper flowers, please share! I'd love to make a mixed bouquet!

Thanks for looking, and for your feedback!

I wanted to make something "Floridian" this year, as it feels too weird to put up my snow-themed decorations when its 65* outside- ha! I started with a cheap wreath from Michael's. I hot-glued wire to the back of the shells to attach them to the wreath. It was a quick and fun project, and I think it turned out cute.

EyeofMazikeen & I went to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball and wanted to dress as Gaga for the show. It was such fun!   Here are a few pics of our outfits:


My sunglasses. Bling bling. (Made by EyeOfMazikeen)


My top hat (made of felt, by EyeOfMazikeen).


EyeOfMazikeen scored these shoes for me at a thrift store. I Gaga-ed up the straps a bit. The best part about these shoes: the heels have motion-sensitive LED's, so they light up light rainbows when I walk. LOL! My favorite part of my look, for sure.


My full look! My vest was a plain brown leather vest I scored at a thrift store. We used chrome spray paint topped with clearcoat (to seal) to make it shine. The triangles are fabric-covered cardboard and the squares are mirror tiles.

Her Chainmail Sunglasses


Her Blingin' Shoes


Rings. The blocks are children's ABC blocks covered in bling.


She made the waistband out of soda tabs woven together with feather yarn. The skirt is bubble wrap.


Waistband closeup.


Her "birdcage veil" is a tiny cage stuffed with tissue paper. She put two small LED's in the cage to light it and tied tulle around the edges.


Her head-to-toe look. Awesome, right?

I'd love to see other Gaga-inspired looks!

I found this pattern in Crochet Today (Sept/Oct 2009), but ended up making it somewhat smaller and with a shell trim, instead of the edging from the pattern. I think it's cute, and that my little sis will rock it out (she's WAY into scarves these days!).



detail (I sewed on a button for closure)



Modeling the scarf before shipping it off. 

last year i was a Stepford Wife with my own little remote:

http://www.geocities.com/batfishgirl/IMG_0894.JPG
(sorry about the weird look on my face)

a couple of years ago i was a baby doll. i found a frilly little dress and made lacy socks and panties.

YAY! My package has been eagerly anticipated and I finally got to open it today!!   I LOVE EVERYTHING! Thank you thank you thank you to WitchyBelle- you did a great job.  

And now for the pics:

a beautiful skinny and long scarf:



a bunch of super cute necklaces and bracelets:



close-up of my very favorite necklace- looks like candy  



and *drum roll* the cutest little devil you've ever seen...


(with an awesome mix cd she sent!)

close-up:



action shot:



(can you tell that i LOVE HIM?!  )

great job everyone on this awesome swap! thanks again witchybelle- your gifts made my month! <3

also, i think Hoxierice deserves a round of applause for a job very well done as organizer. thank you! *claps*

YAY! my first craftster tute project is a success!   tell me what ya think, especially on the length. i kind of like it long, esp. since tunic shirts seem to be "in" again, but i'm not sure.

excuse my crazy hair. lol. it's 1:15 and i just finished it.



full length shot

this pic makes it look weird on the edges, but it's an equal thickness all around