Saleena: yarn

Here are a few easy steps to make your very own pom pom garland!

Materials:

Fork

yarn

scissors

needle

Directions:

Step One: Wrap yarn around fork and cut yarn. The amount of times you do this will depend on (1) the thickness of your yarn and (2) how big you want your pom pom to be. With this particular yarn, I wrapped it around the fork 35-40 times. With a different yarn (which is pictured below), I wrapped it around the fork about 60-65 times for the same size.

Step Two: cut a piece of string about 8in in length and fold in half.

Step Three: Pull folded string through the two middle prongs.

Step Four: Wrap string around so both ends are on one side of the fork. Tie the string once to hold yarn together, then remove fork and tie once more to make a secure knot.

Step Five: Tie the string once to hold yarn together, then remove fork and tie once more to make a secure knot.

Step Six: Using scissors, cut looped yarn on one side of the knot so it becomes frayed.

Step Seven: Cut looped yarn on the other side of the knot.

Step Eight: Trim your pom pom into a nice ball

Step Nine: Repeat steps 1- 8 until you have reached the desired amount of pom poms. (I made 48 of each kind)

Step Ten: Using needle and yarn, string poms in alternating colors. You can have them right next to one another, like so...

Or you can leave an inch or two between each one.

Step Eleven: Put it on the tree :]

Even though this is time consuming, it doesn't take much thought once you get the hang of it. I often made the poms while watching TV or a movie with the hubby.

<3 Saleena

Tutorial : Fabric Flowers

I first stumbled across this brilliant tutorial when I was wedding planning. I thought it would be great to make fabric flower center pieces (which go wonderfully with the vintage theme) and have them double as favors. This could have been a possibility if 1. I had much longer to plan than four months and 2. lots of people willing to help out. So if you want these to be part of your big day, or just want to add a little something t your home decor, these little treasures are sure to make you swoon.

Materials
Cute Fabric (mismatch or coordinating)
Thread
Sewing Machine
Glue gun
Iron
Fabric Scissors
Sticks (I collected them on the last hike Matt and I went on...don't tell the forest ranger!)
Glass Jar/Vase
Yarn (optional)

1. Cut fabric in 5" x 45" strips.

2. Fold strips in half lengthwise and iron flat. (Your strip is now 2.5" x 45")

3. Open up strip. Sew a gathering stitch along the pressed seam. Fold back into place.

4. To cut the petals, scallop the open ends of the strip. Each scallop is approximately 2-2.5 inches. If you make a small mark at the open end every 2-2.5 inches it will help guide you as you cut.

5. At one end make a tail. It's about one inch wide by at least 4 inches long.

6. To make things easier, use the first one and place it on top of another strip and use it as a pattern to cut the scalloped edge. These don't need to be perfect.