This week I created a fast and fun paper flower to set the perfect table as part of the the Faber-Castel Design Memory Craft Mix & Match design team.  Now if you’ve ever been intimidated by paint or combining colors,  Faber-Castel makes it really simple for any level of crafting!

 Supply List:

• White scrapbook paper
• scissors
• paint brush
• thick white glue
• Chenille stems (red )
• Gellato TM (redcherry & coconut)
• Pitt artist pen fine point (Deep Scarlet Red 219***)
• Pitt Artist Pen big brush Stampers pen (Nougat 178***)
• Stick pins with white or yellow pin heads

Step 1:    Randomly cover most of the paper with the red Gellato TM ( however leave some white space unpainted). Next sprits with water then  blend the paint with a paint brush.  Allow to dry.

Step 2:  Cut out 9 large poinsettia petals and 2 or 3 smaller petals to desired size.  Using the Stampers Pen, randomly color the edges and surface of the leaf cut-outs.  Using the fine pen, draw the leaf veins.   If necessary, apply some white Gelato onto areas of the leaf and blend with your finger tip.

Step 3:  Cut a small hole at the base of the each leaf.  Using a chenille stem, bend the stem in half and insert both ends of the stem into the leaf.  Bend the stem to the shape of the leaf .  Assemble all the leafs with stems in a bunch and adjust to shape of a poinsettia flower.  Secure stems by twisting the stems together.   Add a dab of thick glue to the stick pins and insert into the middle of the flower.  Use as a table or gift ornament. 

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

I have so many memories of of my dad—always wearing his khaki pants.   So in remembrance of him, I opted to create this fall fabric  wreath made from a pair of his favorite khakis.   And as part of the Faber-Castel Design Memory Craft Mix & Match design team….I found this project to be good craft therapy plus Faber-Castel makes the medium and color combos a cinch for any level of crafting!

Supply List:

• Stamper’s Big Brush Pens–Nougat 178, Magenta 133
• Gelatos TM Colors— Mango,  Tangerine, Green, Pistachio, Butterscotch, Gold, Lemon, Red, Chocolate
• Scissors
• Pair of old Khaki’s
• Artistic Wire  20-05 Brown
• Wire Cutter
• Round Noise pliers
• Paint brush
• Water spritzer
• Plastic or other protective work surface cover
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue sticks

Step one:  Lay the pants flat on work surface and cut one pant leg off.  Next, cover  your work surface with plastic and lay the cut pant leg flat.  Combine various Gelato TM colors together by rubbing the sticks onto the fabric surface.  NOTE any color combo will work so mix it up to make lots of multi-colored leafs!

  Step two:  Using a water spritser, sprits water over colored areas then blend with a paint brush.  You can always add more Gelato TM colors even if the fabric is wet and re-blend colors if you like.  Let pant leg dry.

 Step three:   Using scissors, randomly cut out leaf shapes approximate 3 x 2 inches each.  Make at least 65 or more leafs  for a 18 inch wreath.  Next, using the Stampers Big Brush Pens, randomly draw leaf veins onto each leaf.  Cut small holes into each end of the leafs then cut wire to the length between the holes for all leafs plus 1/2 inch extra.  Loop one end of the wire then insert into the front side of leaf leading the wire  underneath each leaf then up into the hole on opposite end.  Loop end of wire.  Bend leaf into desired shape then hot glue each leaf onto wreath.

Today ends the 4 week hop with 5 of my favorite man crafters.  Be sure to check out all the clever projects created by Ken Oliver, Mark Montano, Martin Amodo, Suede Baum and Aaron Christisensen using a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner.  Amazing stuff!

Join in the fun here!

Stay inspired!  www.KathyPeterson.com

For a bridal shower a few years ago I desided to get crafty and make some “sweet” little ol’ cookie signs.  You’ll need a sewing machine if you want to sew the words onto card stock.  And it’s worth the effort to make these because it  will look like you spent a lot of money just on signs!    I also made matching paper flowers by cutting out pedal shapes and glued them all together.  To top it all off–I added some pretty ribbon.  Enjoy!

Stay Inspired!

Kathy Peterson www.KathyPeterson.com

I don’t know about you but I’m crazy about sewing and designing things using fabric!  So a few years ago I wrote Sew Simple Squares.  The book is available at www.Amazon.com and each project is made for a square of fabric.  Easy stuff and some nifty ideas for 25 projects which include table decor, pillows, window treatments and more.  Enjoy!

Stay Inspired!

Kathy Peterson  www.KathyPeterson.com

Yeehaw Cowboy!  Here’s a fun project I made several years ago for Carolina Manufacturing bandannas.  And it appears that Cowboy Decor is coming back again!

I had so much fun making this super simple quilt and matching pillows and what little cowboy or cowgirl wouldn’t  just love to have this in their own bedroom!   For the quilt I just quartered the bandannas and pieced together.  The pillows were also very easy to make–just stitch and go–and add some faux leather fringe and ball fringe!

Now giddy up and go get inspired!

Kathy Peterson www.KathyPeterson.com

Today’s Duetica Design is about as easy as can be.  But the key word  (or lettering) here is CUSTOMIZATION with just a few key strokes!   Duetica has made monograming so easy with all their fun and elegant font styles.   This font is called Piper- GOO but look at the other style you can mix and match with the Piper font.

With so many fonts styles to choose from, it makes my job as a designer pretty easy to customize a look!  Keep it simple or add a swirl here or there—it totally up to you! 

Stay Inspired!

www.KathyPeterson.com

Last week I was in Novi, Michigan (Detroit area) guest speaking about creativity at the Michigan International Show!  I stopped by the Flip-Pal booth to say hello—and boy did we have fun.  Jill Evan’s, a fellow designer friend are now Flip-Pal friends forever! 

Then after a long day of speaking,  I bumped into Miss United States Jessica Black.  Jessica was just the sweetest person and as she was MC  for the Ms. Michigan Pageant she gave me a very heart felt intro for being one of the judges at the event!  Plus she stopped by the Flip-Pal booth for a quick photo op!

You meet a lot of fun people when you make scans with the Flip-Pal mobile scanner—here I am with the Fireside Coffee man!

You can scan anything your heart desires!  What fun!   wooo-whooo!

Okay–call me crazy, crafty Kathy!  I couldn’t help myself on this painting project.  I found an old golf bag and just had to give it a new facelift with some colorful paint.  She’s not shy anymore and isn’t she cute!

Stay inspired!

Kathy Peterson  www.KathyPeterson.com

Here’s a simple idea to make for your next celebration– 100th or not! 

Print text on paper that says:  100 (or other #) Glorious Years!  Adhere the paper to a box that will fit into a wine glass and add a ribbon.  I’ll let you decide what to put in the box but candy or a mini photo would work nice! 

Stay inspired!

Kathy Peterson  www.KathyPeterson.com