Cotton Curl

Recently I created a new holiday project for work. It was a wreath using some paper ribbon that the PS stores sell. One of my fellow coworkers thought to send it in to Cream City Ribbons, whose paper ribbon I used to create the wreath. They liked it so much they had featured it on their website for the holidays.

 1 roll of Cotton Curl in Red with White Stripes (50 yds)
    enough to make four wreaths
 6" Embroidery Hoop, separated
 scissors
 one yard ribbon to hang wreath

Cut approximately 12 yards, into 8" loops (approx 54 lengths).  Using 1/2 of the embroidery hoop set. Begin to wrap the 8" lengths around the frame with a flip tie, curl both ends with the blade of a scissor. Continue to load until the frame is full, hang with your favorite yard of ribbon.  Simple!

Hang from your kitchen cabinet, or adorn the top of your holiday gift. Can be set along your table, as a base for a candle or clear vase filled with flowers or candies.

April showers bring...

Along with intermittent showers, and bursts of sunshine, Spring is here and flowers are in bloom. In looking for inspiration on the web, I found a pattern for crepe paper sweet peas. The pattern is simple and combined with the paper twist cording they would look adorable hanging in a window or wrapped around a package. Four simple materials are needed for the this DIY project; green paper twist cording, floral tape, crepe paper rounds and waxed twine are all you need to create these floral wraps.

paper fans

Paper fans are easy to make and assorted sizes can be hung for decoration. For this project, I used Midori gift wrap (approx 20 x 29) to construct each fan. The small fans are created with one sheet, folded in half (10" x 29"). Accordian pleat through the length, the pleats are 1 1/2" in width, approx the width of a metal ruler. Secure the middle of the 10" bundle with waxed twine (one yard). Tape or secure ends together as you create your round fan.
To create the large fan, you'll need 4 sheets of Midori paper.
Begin taping 2 sheets together, pleat 1 1/2" through the 29" length. Secure with waxed twine. Repeat with second 2 sheets. Tape the two halves together to finish one large fan.
Punch holes to attach ribbons for hanging, or suspend them with a simple length of waxed twine.

duck prosciutto

I have been culling through all my picasa photos, one in particular, I thought I would share.
A good friend and I frequently get together to try new recipes and have since made several batches of duck prosciutto. I would say the first attempt was the best. In part due to the type of duck breasts selected. Select Magrets or Muscovy breasts which are large and succulent. I purchased eight breasts at the Pike Place market, can't wait. The breasts are immersed in the salt, infused with oranges, shallots, bay leaves, peppers, and various herbs and of course garlic. Rinse after the first 24 hours, pat dry and wrap in cheesecloth. Hang from racks in fridge for 2 weeks. Be sure they are not cramped, or touching. After 2 weeks, check for curing, and enjoy! Slice thin on a salad, or on crostini or just by itself. Bon Appetit!

magnetic gift boxes

In a "I can do that moment", I decided to recreate a previous craft project. I took a set up mailing box, with a little brush and paste glue proceeded to hinged and covered museum boards to create a keepsake gift box. Added magnets for the flap closure. Voila, a decorative box to give, or keep.

celebrate local

A month in planning, the Saturday event with five local vendors came and went. My project for the night before was to take the dressmakers bust and create a paper dress with beautiful Midori papers and ribbon. I felt this was my first project runway task. The paper is durable due to the cotton content and created the gathered skirt with my sewing machine.

lily clusters

I decided to begin a blog, sharing a few of the projects I have created at work. Several weeks ago,
I was asked to create a Spring vignette, featuring materials at work. I was inspired by a photo featured in Martha Stewarts' wedding magasine. The vivid photo depicted real clusters of lilies strung together, similar to a Hawaiian lei, as a backdrop to an actual wedding event. I visualized crepe paper flowers in place of live flowers. Crepe paper,scissors, seam binding ribbon, waxed twine and a paper twist cording created strands of lilies, which would be suspended amist a sea of color. Ahhhh, Spring flowers and Spring showers just in time for Easter.