5 Minute DIY: Fabric Stickers - Part II

As is the case with a lot things in life...I just couldn't leave well enough alone, and continued playing around with yesterday's fabric sticker DIY late into the afternoon. This resulted in four new little spinoff projects following the same simple steps in my first tutorial. Find the original tutorial post here. I hope you'll have fun making one (or all of them). xo Ez

Let's get started! First we have a Sticker Adorned Mini Notebook:

Supplies:

• Medium-weight cotton fabric with a clear decorative print. Print elements should be small enough to fit in your Xyron sticker machine (remember the machines do come in larger sizes if you need).
• Sharp scissors - Don't use your best pair, since they might get adhesive on them.
• Xyron sticker maker with permanent adhesive roll | These are available for a very reasonable price at most craft stores. I used the smallest version (1.5").
• Small hardback notebook, such as the Moleskine variety.

Directions:

1. Follow steps shown in my original post to create your fabric sticker.
2. To prepare fabric, cut around your desired shape leaving a small amount of excess all the way around (this will be trimmed off).
3. After running fabric through machine (following steps in first post) use scissors to carefully cut out around your design (trimming off all excess).
4. Peel paper backing from stickers and apply to your journal. Rub firmly on design to secure.

Next we have Decorative Spice + Jar Labels:

Supplies:

• Medium-weight cotton fabric such as linen.
• Sharp scissors - Don't use your best pair, since they might get adhesive on them.
• Xyron sticker maker with permanent adhesive roll | These are available for a very reasonable price at most craft stores. I used the smallest version (1.5").
• Glass spice jars or other glass bottles, vases, or jars. My spices were purchased from the baking isle at our local SuperTarget. You can buy similar glass jars in bulk here.
• Permanent fine tip marker in chosen color. You could also use stamps and stamp inks to write on your labels.

Directions:

1. Follow steps shown in my original post to create your fabric sticker.
2. To prepare fabric, cut a rectangle from your fabric (if you are making more than one label you can minimize your adhesive use by feeding through one long strip of fabric, which will be cut apart later).
3. After running fabric through machine (following steps in first post) use scissors to trim rectangle(s) to fit your jar. If you made one long strip for multiple labels cut them apart to size.
4. Trim all four corners off of each label.
5. Using your pen create a border around your label (optional) and write any text you'd like in the middle. These would also be great for organization in your craft or laundry room - just secure to containers or shelves (remember that the adhesive is permanent though).
6. Peel paper backing from labels and apply to your jar (or desired surface). Rub firmly to secure.

Then we have these sweet Fabric Dessert Flags:

Supplies:

• Medium-light or medium-weight cotton fabric.
• Sharp scissors - Don't use your best pair, since they might get adhesive on them.
• Xyron sticker maker with permanent adhesive roll | These are available for a very reasonable price at most craft stores. I used the smallest version (1.5").
• Toothpicks - the round style works best. If you can find the type with one rounded end and one pointed end, those are best.

Directions:

1. Follow steps shown in my original post to create your fabric sticker.
2. To prepare fabric, cut a rectangle from your fabric (if you are making more than one label you can minimize your adhesive use by feeding through one long strip of fabric, which will be cut apart later).
3. After running fabric through machine (following steps in first post) use scissors to cut rectangle in half lengthwise (creating two long strips).
4. Cut these strips into around 3" long portions.
5. Fold in half and crease along the fold. Open and carefully peel off paper backing.
6. Place the top of your toothpick in the crease (half way position) of your strip and seal by carefully bringing sticky sides together.
7. Use scissors to trim any irregularities and then notch or trim the end of your flag how you'd like.

And finally we use the same flags as Favor Box Toppers:

Supplies:

• Completed fabric flags
• Small cardboard favor boxes. I purchased these Wilton brand boxes from the baking isle of my local craft store.
• Pin or sharp pointed object (other than your flag)

Directions:

1. Pierce a small hole in the top of your box using your pin.
2. Insert one or more flag into the top.
3. If you are concerned about them falling out, open the lid with flags attached and use a small piece of tape (you could even use picture hanging putty) to secure.
4. Use scissors to cut off tips of picks (optional).

Pinterest Picks: Party Inspiration for Ana + Emma

Last week, reader Ana wrote to ask for a bit of inspirational help for her daughter's upcoming 3rd birthday party. So I decided to put Pinterest to good use and made a little board of ideas for her to use when creating a memorable day for her daughter. Here's the challenge in her own words:

"My daughter is about to turn 3 in July and I have never had a proper party for her. I want this to be intimate and extremely DIY. I've been working like crazy lately but I am willing to put an extra effort to make her a dreamy party. She loves paper, color, cake, hats and is very much in love with kids magazines. The colors I'm using are creamy whites, pale pinks and golds. Could you help me with this?"

Since paper is such a readily available crafting supply with so many possibilities, I would personally choose to create the majority of my decorations using some form of paper craft. Some nice ideas would be: DIY Tissue Paper Pom Poms, DIY Crepe Paper Garlands, DIY Paper Pinwheels, DIY Cupcake Wrapper Garland, or even my tutorial for Coffee Filter Pom Poms. The DIY Floral Headband Party Favors would be a fun craft to do with the party attendees. Just pre-cut all the fabric flowers, set out a tray of buttons and sequins (maybe even some glitter), small bottles of fabric glue, and let the fun begin.

I hope this gives you some good ideas to work with Ana! I know you will create a wonderful day for your daughter! xo Ez

1. DIY Party Decor Inspiration - Lorajean's Magazine | Pinned by Lorajean 2. Clever Cupcake Holders from Real Simple, photographed by Ngoc Minh Ngo | Pinned by Ms Pink 3. Easy Ice Cream Cake - Real Simple, photographed by Marcus Nilsson | Pinned by Royanna 4. Tissue Paper Pom Pom Kit from Pom Tree | Pinned by Me 5. DIY Straw Embellishments by Lisa Storms, seen on Tip Junkie | Pinned by Lorajean 6. DIY Floral Headband Party Favors - Ruffles and Stuff | Pinned by me 7. DIY Fabric Party Hat - Momtastic | pinned by Janet

Friday Link Love

It's the end of the week—woop woop—and I thought it would be nice to leave you all with a few links I've been lovin' from around the web this week. I'll be spending Saturday picking blueberries with my family (all my sisters are in town) and I can't wait! Maybe I'll even have a tasty berry treat or two to share here next week. However you spend it...have a superfabulous weekend! xo Ez

Wilton Edible Stars available in gold or silver | 4 Ingredient Nutella Cookies - A Tasty Kitchen (via Charlie) / adapted with Gluten Free Flour - photo by me | These simple ribbon + lights combo decorations take my breath away, seen on Style me Pretty, Styling by Marianne Caldwell of RiverOaks, Photography by Virgil Bunao (via Solen) | Amazing book design by Allison Colpoys for Penguin Books, seen on The Design Files (via Desi) | Beautiful sentiment and lettering - Kateryna Iaokovlieva | Sweet DIY Fabric Gift Wrap by Casey of Paper + Twine, seen on Unruly Things (via Tif)

Pinterest Picks: A Wedding Board for My Sister

This past Thursday my little sister phoned and giddily told me that she will be getting married this December! Eeeee! Of course we also started talking about her vision for the wedding/reception decor (a casual but romantic DIY and budget-friendly affair) and that quickly prompted me to me start an inspiration board on Pinterest for her big day. I haven't showed it to her yet (I will be later on today), so I hope I'm not too far off track (eep). Regardless, I thought I'd share some of my picks with you. They are a bit Wintry of course, but pretty just the same (at least I think so). You can see all my picks for my sister on my board here and all my past week's Pinterest Picks here. xo Ez

1. Gorgeous Photo by Ana Santos, pinned by me | 2. Cake Flags by Nikole from Forty-Sixth at Grace, via Michelle | 3. Favor Packaging on Style Me Pretty, via Michelle | 4. Wedding Invitations by Unruly Things, pinned by me | 5. , Wedding Decor photographed by Tinywater Photography, seen on Green Wedding Shoes, via Erin.

A New Online Publication: S Magazine

Oooo...I just heard through my inbox that Susana of Wise Up Weddings (gorgeous stationery designs) just launched a brand new online wedding publication, S Magazine. It is translated into both English and Portuguese (a very nice touch) and is filled with beautiful ideas for party planning, inspirational eye candy and more. You can also find a bunch of behind-the-scenes photos and videos on their blog. Such a gorgeous magazine. I can't wait for the next issue! Pop on over and take a look at Issue No. 1 right now (it's free). xo Ez