Make // Paper Punch Card

It's been awhile since I've worked on a project, so when my sister-in-law's birthday rolled around, it was the perfect opportunity to create a pretty and simple card.

I used this technique a few years ago for the cover of my journal, and it's one of my favorite projects-- Simple with a little flair.

click "Read more" for the tutorial

Year in Review // My Favorite Posts in 2013

Yesterday I pulled together the most read, most liked, most popular posts in 2013 by you, the reader. Today, er... Tonight, I'm sharing MY favorite posts of 2013.

instagram photo heart

After 9 months of deciding where to hang this, I finally figured it out. It was almost like giving birth... Er, nev'r mind.  It's nice to look at from afar and when I get close, the photos, and the memories that go with them, just suck me in. Slooop!

faux glass glitter & translucent glitter eggs

So pretty and ethereal... Not to mention economical (epson salts & colored chalk). And you should see the eggs when they light up! hint: click the link!

heart-in-hands gloves

This was a Pin It / Make It project that I put together on the cheap-- $1 gloves and a $.25 sheet of craft felt. So much for my Pin It / Make It "series" though... this is the one and only.  :)

cork letter tack board

I still have this hanging in my office (aka that little desk-thing in the kitchen) and it's very good at keeping track of all the little notes that I leave for myself. 'Cause, you know, if I don't write it down... (sigh)

Click "Read more" for the full post

Year in Review // 2013 Most Popular Posts

Why hello there! How was your week? I feel like I was in some sort of time warp and can't account for the last several days. It was Christmas, I blinked, and now we're 2 days into 2014. Whooosh! Crazy how that happens.

Whether you're working or taking time off, I hope that the past week has been a good one. We enjoyed some much needed down time at our place in San Diego. It was nice to unplug for a bit and reflect upon the year gone by.

I always like reading "year in review" posts, so here's ours.

bliss bloom blog's top posts of 2013

#1 milk jug votives

I guess you guys like upcycle/recycle projects? This was a fun one and I'm now dreaming up earth day projects for 2014.

Click "Read more" for the full post

Our Home // Somewhat Spooky Halloween Scene

When it comes to Halloween, I usually don't put up many decorations. Maybe a few pumpkins here and there, a few bats or some ghosts, but nothing too complicated or macabre. But I guess my decorations are so subtle that my kids' asked why I don't decorate for Halloween... So here it is, my attempt at somewhat spooky, not so subtle Halloween decor.

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Make // Decoupaged Butterfly Display Box

After a long delay (four years to be exact), we finally have begun to update our family room decor. New couch- check! Accent chair- check! Coffee table- check! Rug and throw pillows- check! We just need a couple more pieces to finish it off and make it share-worthy.

While I like our new furniture, there's a lot of grey and dark wood and it was starting to look a little too masculine and serious. No-can-do. I need whimsy! I need fun!  Enter the teal chair, bull's-eye pillow and this butterfly display box. 

click "Read more" for the tutorial

Make // Botanic Decoupage Coasters

As a constant crafter and someone who likes to experiment with new techniques and ideas, I'm always on the lookout for quality craft supplies and products. So, when given the opportunity to work with the new Martha Stewart Decoupage line, of course I jumped at the chance!

There are several decoupage formulas available including Fabric-to-Fabric Oil Cloth Finish, Multi-Surface Gloss Finish and Multi-Surface Matte Finish. All formulas are durable, weather resistant, non-toxic and dishwasher safe, all of which are appreciated in my child-centric household. In addition to the decoupage mediums, the line includes a variety of pretty papers and trims that can be used to enhance a multitude of surfaces including glass, ceramic, wood, metal and terra cotta.

I used the Gloss Finish formula and the Butterflies & Ferns decorative paper for this project. The decorative paper is perfect for decoupage-- Thin enough to blend seamlessly into the project, yet strong enough to withstand tearing and bubbling when the medium is applied.

Click "HERE" for the full post

Party // Hexagon Paper Fans

This month we'll be celebrating my oldest son's seventh birthday. He loves sports so we're throwing him a soccer party. He's not into any characters or movies these days and shrugged when I bugged him for input, so I decided to draw inspiration from the humble and wonderfully geometric soccer ball. Not a bad theme actually-- black, white and hexagons would work for many non-kid, non-soccer parties as well.

Since paper medallions (aka paper fans) are a big bang-for-your-buck party staple, I wanted to see if I could come up with something in a hexagon shape.

After a little trial and error, I figured out a way to make Hexagon-shaped Paper Medallions.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Make // Velvet Paper Spring Flowers

I first shared this tutorial at SEI Lifestyle...

Mother's Day is next Sunday! I'm sure it's already on your radar but it always has a way of sneaking up on me. If you're into making things and need tabletop decorations or a gift topper, try these pretty Spring blooms. They'd also be perfect for a bridal shower, girls' birthday party, Teacher Appreciation Day... any event that goes hand-in-hand with flowers.

To create the form, I decided to use plastic eggs leftover from Easter. I've used plastic eggs before (for these fabric pinecones), and they're no-fuss and easy to work with.

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

Make // Mother's Day Gift Boxes

I first shared this tutorial at SEI Lifestyle. 

I have a confession to make-- I am a gift wrap slacker.  I'll buy the gift then set it aside and forget about it. Then the day of the event I'll panic a bit, and stuff the gift into a bag. Sometimes I'll throw in some tissue paper. I'm fancy like that.

So this year I thought I'd be proactive and get a head-start on my Mother's Day gift wrap. Sometimes presentation is key and I think Mother's Day is one of those occasions. I had fun dreaming up these boxes that pretty much scream "Happy Mother's Day!" and "Spring is here!".

click "Read more" for the tutorial

bliss bloom blog // Favorite Projects

A compilation of some of my favorite projects...

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[Make] Matryoshka Nesting Eggs // Part 2

So when we last left off, we had covered plastic eggs in pretty paper using the japanese washi technique. See Part 1 to find out how we got this far.

They're pretty on their own, but I think it's time to give them a little personality!

Click "Read more" for the full post.

[Make] An A-MAZE-ING Valentine

Is it amazing?  Well... no, not really. But it has a maze... bah-dah-dum.   :)

These are the class valentines that I made for my 1st grader. It was a bit of a last-minute thing, but I think it works. I had something else in mind, but waited too long and couldn't find what I needed in our local stores. Bummer! Ah well... next year I'll plan better. Thank goodness he's not too picky about these kind of things.

Click "Read more" for the free printable

[Make] Fish Bowl Valentine's Card

Valentine's Day... It's a love/hate thing for me. Love the plethora of hearts. Love the romance. Love the Valentine's Day parties. What do I hate? The candy! Some candy is fine  (preferably a smooth dark chocolate), but a bag full of processed sugar? Add in two small boys... Eh, no thanks. I know I can't prevent it, but this year I decided not to join the sugar brigade.

Since 4 year old Happy Vee loves fish-- he got a betta for his 4th birthday-- I thought a fish bowl valentine would be perfect. And since he also has a palate for goldfish crackers... 

it even stands up by itself!

Click "Read more" for the free download and tutorial

[Make] Decorative Heart Box #2

Last week I shared the tutorial for the 3-dimensional heart box. Next up is this brass chevron heart box. I really wanted something modern, clean... and shiny. I think this hits all points. 

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Make] Decorative Heart Box #1

While browsing the aisles of a craft store (my favorite past-time) I found some papier mache heart boxes. They are sturdy and just the right size to hold a small gift (Valentine's teacher's gift perhaps?) or to use as a trinket box. I purposely tried to make them timeless so, although Valentine's Day is looming, no pink or red on these hearts!

I get fidgety when I have to make the same thing twice, so they are all quite different. After pondering a few of my favorite things-- shiny metallics, wood, geometric shapes, burlap, succulents-- here's what I ended up with...

First up is this 3-dimensional heart box:

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Make] Stamped Wrapping Paper

Instead of buying a bunch of wrapping paper, this year I decided to invest in a bolt of craft paper-- A ginormous bolt that will literally last a lifetime.  I kept it simple and used stamps, fun tags, twine and pompom yarn to keep it interesting.

I usually dread wrapping presents, but this is kinda fun!

Click "Read more" for the details

[Round-Up] Holiday & Christmas Projects

Christmas is 10 days away.  Say it with me "What??!!!".  I think I say this every year, but this year seems EXTRA crazy! Self-imposed crazy, of course, but still enough to keep me chugging along late into the night. Anyhow, I thought it would be a good time to do a round-up of my past and present Holiday projects. After all, there are still 10 more days to create!! :)

Hope you're having an awesome weekend!

Pretty Card & Thoughtful Gift

I had to share this pretty card that my dear friend Jen made for my birthday...

yes, the card coordinates with the wrapping paper and i love that little flower cabochon!

Jen and I have known each other for over 7 years and she has known the Mister since their college days at UCSB-- according to my hubby, she does an awesome "running man"!  :) We've shared a lot over the years-- We were pregnant at the same time and went to birthing classes together.  In fact our oldest kids were born a mere 3 days apart in the same hospital... She was walking the halls in labor when I was just about ready to check-out!  And our youngest kids are just a few months apart.  We went through all the baby stuff together-- Little Gym, Mommy & Me, as well as many, many play dates and visits to the park.  

Another thing we share is our love of crafts and handmade things!   It's always nice to be able to share "crafty" ideas that our other friends don't quite understand.  Why did you stay up so late?  You do what?  What's a blog?  I'm pretty sure that she's the only person that I know in real life who knows what washi tape is. :)  I always look forward to receiving her beautiful hand-crafted cards. Having tried my hand at card-making back in the day, I know how much effort and creativity goes into each one.

Jen's also one of a handful of friends and family that reads my blog regularly. Remember when I was "complaining" about my parched and neglected hands?  

[Make] Paper Flower Pin Ornament

Look familiar? I've used this technique before, but for pretty floral Easter Eggs.  This time around I thought I'd make an eye-catching ornament. I decided to use the colors of my Christmas decorations-- silver, white & natural brown, but any combination of colors would be lovely.  I love the outcome, but since this is a time consuming project, next time I'll definitely be making some smaller ornaments!

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Make] Gilded Brown Paper Bag Pumpkin

When we last left off, I showed you how I made this brown paper bag pumpkin.  Now comes the fun part-- Adding some glimmer and shine to that plain ol' paper pumpkin!

I wanted my paper pumpkin to fit in with my pumpkin collection, so metallic paint to the rescue!

Click "Read more" for more details