Paper Quilling: Make Some Hearts + Giveaway

Happy Friday Friends!  Guess what-- I'm offering a giveaway today at the end of this post! 

Have you heard of paper quilling?  I'm so fascinated with it!  It's a craft where you roll, shape, and glue strips of paper into shapes-- and make designs with different combinations of your shapes.  

Here is a chart of some basic shapes used in quilling.  The open heart would be so cute on Valentine's Cards! 

via Martha Stewart

You can attach two teardrop shapes to create a heart! via Martha Stewart

To get started, read Quilling 101 by Ann Martin via Craftzine.com

Follow these simple instructions to make a dozen quilled roses.

Quilling Valentines: Paper Rose via Martha Stewart

You can watch this video to learn how to make quilled roses as well.  

A great tutorial: Roses and Daisies via Craft Ideas for All

You don't even need to buy a quilling tool!  Follow this tutorial to make your own Quilling Tool.

If you're interested-- here is a little about the history of quilling.  I LOVE learning about the history of crafts.  Have you read The Knitting Sutra by Susan Gordon Lydon?  Great read.  I haven't finished it, but it's got me thinking about the many generations of women (and men too) before me who crafted-- some for work, some for pleasure, some for necessity.

Have you tried quilling?  Tell me about your experiences!  I'd love to see pictures of what you have created!  You can leave comments here or tweet me @mistergandme 

And now for the Giveaway!

To celebrate my 20th week blogging anniversary, I'm offering one lucky Mister G and Me reader a $15 Starbucks Gift Card, a $15 Mister G and Me Shop Credit, and a free month Medium Ad space!  

To Enter:

1. Follow Mister G and Me Crafts via email or Google Friend Connect (mandatory entry)

2. Like Mister G and Me on Facebook

3. Follow @MisterGandMe on Twitter

4. Visit the Mister G and Me Etsy Shop and comment on your favorite item

5. Share this giveaway with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog!  Include the link in your comment.  

Please leave a comment for each entry.  Good luck!  The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced next Friday, February 3, 2012.  

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

Ashley

The winner of the Giveaway is #5 Memory!  Congrats!!!

Felting Acorns and a Very Lovable Life Sized Felted Squirrel

I can't think of a better fall craft than the felted acorn!  I really enjoyed making them and I think you will too!  

If you are interested in making a few, check out this tutorial-- or if you're more of a visual learner, click here to watch a video tutorial.  

If you're too busy or you just can't add another new craft to your life-- you can buy some handmade acorns on Etsy.  I especially LOVE these felted acorn earrings by Dianthusa.  Check out her Etsy shop!  Her felt jewelry is just gorgeous and it's handmade in Paris!

Here is a great collection of acorn craft inspirations and some lovely tutorials as well!  

• Lavender Scented Felted Acorns
• Martha's Acorn Crafts
• Tutorial for Making a Felted Acorn Necklace
• Fabric Acorn Tutorial
• Colorful Felted Acorn Ornaments

With all of your new felted acorns and other acorn crafts, it might be nice to have a felted squirrel around!  This amazing life size needle felted squirrel was made by a woman named Barbara and is for sale in her Etsy shop, feltedheirlooms.  Barbara has a lot of really cute felted animals in her shop-- the dogs are my favorite!

Thanks for reading my blog today.  I would love to see your fall crafts!  Send me some pictures of what you're working on!  You can post pictures of your work on Mister G's Facebook fan page or Tweet me @MisterGandMe.

xoxo,
Ashley


Photo Credits:  1 Mister G and Me,   2 and 3  Dianthusa,  4 and 5 Barbara Crowther

Ring Pillows I'm Loving! - great inspiration for your New York Wedding

I'm loving these ring pillows I found on Etsy.

I love this one with the giant silk flower ring bearer pillow on top of a Celadon green pillow.

I am loving this one with the pretty crystal ring bearer pillow, it reminds me of my wedding crystal hair accessory.

And if you are having a destination wedding or Beach themed wedding check out this super sweet coral ring bearer pillow

For a more rustic wedding theme here is a Rustic Birch Bark and Moss ring bearer pillow.

Or this rustic burlap ring bearer pillow is so sweet!

And there is something so beautifully classic about the Irish Linen Ring Bearer Pillow.

xo

The cutest Bridesmaid Gifts ever! - I LOVE Joanna Rutter Jewelry on Etsy

Ok, when I saw these I just died! They are the cutest most fashionable, itty, bitty jewelry I have ever seen! I think it would be the cutest bridesmaid's gift, ever! It would be a perfect thank you for being part of your wedding day. And what girl doesn't like jewelry?

I HEART this cute love bird ring!

And then you can buy the matching earrings! How cute are they?!

And this bow shaped necklace is to die for.

All of Joanna's work begins with sketches and then are rendered into metal by hand.
You can see more of Joanna Rutter's beautiful work on her Etsy shop.

Enjoy!

My Search for The Cutest Cake toppers Ever! by New York Wedding Invitations Designer Lela New York

Ok, I almost died looking at these super cute cake toppers. Take a look!

Penguin Cake Topper Design by: Red Light Studio

Love Bird Cake Topper Design by: Red Light Studio

Design by Rainsend.

Hawaiian Love Bird Cake Topper Design by Rainsend.

Love Bird Cake Topper Design by Emily Friday

Colorful Love Bird Design by Blue Butterfly Design

Enjoy!

My Search for the perfect Wedding Hair accessory

This bride is on the hunt for the perfect wedding hair accessory. Not sure if I want a pretty ivory flower hair pin or a crystal hair pin, but I'm LOVING these awesome designs that I found on Etsy. Check these wedding hair accessories!

Organza and Crystal Flower by Mikiye

Rhinestone Hair comb by Romancing the Bling

Bridal Hair Flower Accessories by Mikiye

Rhinestone Flower with Pearls Comb by JMGJewelDesign

Ivory Feather Flower with Crystal Accessory by Brendas Bridal Veils