Designer Craft Connection - Bright Floral Decor

This month's theme for the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop is Picnic.  A gathering of artificial flowers glued to a styrofoam ball would add a bright pop of color to your party decor. This grouping, from the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, would be perfect for a Wedding Shower or Tween Birthday party. Add a few butterflies on wires and hang a grouping of three or more with ribbon from a trellis or chandelier.  It would also be a great project to brighten up a corner of your enclosed porch for the summer if you don't have time to care for live plants.

 Make sure you hop forward by clicking on the DCC logo in the column on the right or go directly to the next Designer, here. Have fun!

"When bright flowers bloom
Parchment crumbles, my words fade
The pen has dropped ..."    -  Morpheus

A Crafty Solution to a Complicated Problem

I've been struggling through the last few months with a broken camera.  You know how it goes, too expensive to fix, can't afford a new one right now, trying to use my small "point and shoot" cameras. So frustrating!

Camera "repair" by Cindy Rippe using Glue Dots

I was cleaning off my desk last night and noticed a thumbtack that was about the same size as my broken shutter release. Cool!  Grabbed a few Pop Up Glue Dots and headed to the photo corner to try it out.  Yeah!  It worked!

No, I don't expect to carry it around everywhere like I used to, but I'll be able to use it on the tripod and for still life shots in the photography corner in my studio.  Finally!.....I can get back to posting more often on my blogs and maybe my photos will actually look like the artwork that I'm taking a picture of. 

It's great to be a Designer/Artist with lots of fabulous craft supplies just hanging around waiting for inspiration!  So happy and grateful this morning.  I'm sure my husband will be happy too.  No more complaining about picture problems!

"When the solution is simple, God is answering."                    

Albert Einstein

Join the parties this week at:

Thanksgiving and Autumn Glass Painting Project

The theme for this month at the Designer Crafts Blog Connection is Thanksgiving/Fall.  As usual, I'm sharing a quick and easy project with you.  I like to inspire you with an "I can do that!" attitude.  Hope you like this one as well as the other creative ideas on the 365 Days of Crafts Blog Hop.

I used the new DecoArt Glass Paint Markers, in Brown, to draw the leaves on a white ceramic plate. The charger was originally clear.  I painted the border with a sponge brush to create a blend of orange and yellow with Americana Gloss Enamels.  The swirls were stamped on using Brown Americana Gloss Enamels.

There's a matching glass and a folded napkin technique to come soon, I promise!  Mom's in the hospital and I've been there almost 24/7.  She's doing well and we hope to get her home soon.  Then it's back to posting the rest of my Thanksgiving tablescape ideas.

You might enjoy a few posts from last fall to keep you busy until I get back.
Autumn Napkin Folds - Chocolate Brown
Autumn Napkin Folds - Crown Fold
Autumn Napkins Folds - Cone Fold
Autumn Rose and French Fold Napkins
Thanksgiving Tablescape and Dessert Buffet
Blessed Family Gathering
Pause and Give Thanks

Don't forget to Hop through the rest of the blogs and see what the other Designers have been up to!

[ DC Connection ]
[ hop back ] [ hop forward ]

I'm also hanging out with my friends at:
TABLESCAPE THURSDAY - Between Naps on the Porch

Stop on by and visit!

Hello Kitty Party Projects for PreTeens

 As promised here are the details for the Hello Kitty Projects seen in my previous post.

Hello Kitty Journal - Cindy Rippe

I used the Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors to cut The Duck Brand® Duct Tape Sheets and Tape Rolls and cover the journal.  I folded the tape upon itself to create the tag and attached it to the cover with VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop Fasteners.  A little bit of ribbon trim and a heart charm add just the right amount of whimsey.

Inside Cover of Hello Kitty Journal with Pocket - Cindy Rippe

After covering the inside cover with the printed duct tape, I made a pocket by leaving most of the backing material on the sheet of duct tape (to allow for a non-stick area).  I decorated the top edge with the printed tape and trimmed the backing away on the sides and bottom edge of the pocket to stick it to the book. 

Mini Hello Kitty Pennant - Cindy Rippe

To make the Mini Pennant I just folded pieces of the printed tape over a length of narrow ribbon and trimmed each into a triangle shape.

Hello Kitty Hair Bow made from duct tape - Cindy Rippe

and finally; I made a small bow from the tape and used a hair clip to attach it to the gift bag.  I cut two slits through white card stock topper and the bag using the Westcott Hobby Knife.   Favor bag decoration and a cute hair accessory in one!

Don't forget to add your comments to the WESTCOTT Brand Blog for your chance to win an assortment of cutting tools.

I was provided with samples from Westcott Brand Cutting Tools, Duck Brand Duct Tape and VELCRO Brand Hook and Loop fasteners for this Blog Hop and enjoyed designing with them all.  Thank you to all the participating sponsors and to Marisa Pawelko Craft Designer & Founder of Modern Surrealist for organizing this project.

Westcott Brand is the official sponsor of the October Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! The Non Stick Scissors really did work great with all the adhesives.  I look forward to using them in future projects.  Here's a little information about the Cutting Tools that I used.

Westcott Brand® Scissors are the WORLD’S FAVORITE SCISSORS™ meaning Westcott sells more scissors than any other manufacturer in the world!
Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors are the BEST Non Stick Scissors on the market that never get stuck and can easily cut through Sticky Back VELCRO®, Duck Tape and multiple layers of fabric and other materials!
Titanium bonded blades are 3 times harder than stainless steel and never need sharpening!
Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools have the best performance! The 3” scissors can even cut through 5 layers of fabric!
Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools are ergonomic and come in several different color options!
 
" Life is not a written book you can pick up and read.
It is a journal waiting for you to fill it's pages."  Dana Atkin

 

 

[ DC Connection ]
[ hop back ] [ hop forward ]

Hello Kitty Party for Preteens

Hello Kitty Party - Favors and Decor by Cindy Rippe

October's challenge is sponsored by:  

  AND

I went with a girl's party theme this month since I was inspired by all the pink goodies sent for me to design with. This is perfect for a preteen party. They can create the journal as a party activity.

You'll find the project details in this POST and find out how to get your chance to WIN a fabulous collection of  Westcott Brand™ Cutting Tools.

They are providing a giveaway of a deluxe assortment of Westcott Brand Cutting Tools to a random winner who comments on this post during the month of October. Please also show your support by posting comments about this blog hop their Facebook Fan Page!

*Giveaway winner must provide a valid US street shipping address.

Keep hopping to see what the other Designers have created for you!

[ DC Connection ]
[ hop back ] [ hop forward ]

Baptism Decor using Photos and Clip Art.

I'm a member of the Designer Crafts Connection Blog group and we post projects on the First Monday of each month.  Click the 365 Days of Crafts Logo on the right to see all the creative ideas that we have to share.  To celebrate we also have a giveaway! Read through to the end of the post for information on how to enter.

The theme for the month of September is parties, baby showers, wedding showers, etc., basically anything to do with decorating for a celebration.  I chose to share the quick and easy decorations that I made for my nephew, Cash, at his Baptism party.  This was a picnic and the decor was casual but I still wanted it to be special for Cash and his family.

I saved a small picture of Cash, added wings with Photoshop, and printed a whole sheet of them.  After cutting out circles of glossy blue cardstock, I layered the photos (cut just a bit smaller) and cardstock with Glue Dots. 

I printed a Bible clip art image for some of the flower centers to reinforce the blue and white theme. After all the circles were finished I glued them to the centers of inexpensive daisy flowers with Glue Dots.  The daisies were sold as a bunch and I just popped them into the vases. Light blue twin sheets from Walmart ($4.00 each!) worked perfectly for tablecloths.

I used the same card stock to make the cupcake toppers.  Again, I used Glue Dots to attach the images.  This time I glued them to lollipops after trimming the excess cellophane around the candy.  So cute!  I wish my cupcakes were as tasty as they were beautiful.  I tried to be creative with the recipe and they turned out to be more like heavy brownies than light and fluffy cake.  Lesson learned !  Test and Taste before you serve dessert to a large group of people!

SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY!

We have something special this month - a set of Scrapbook Soup, Series 100 DVDs!  Scrapbook Soup is now airing on your local PBS TV channel.  Check your local listings and if it isn't listed, call the station and request it!  Program managers always like to hear what their viewers want to watch.

TO ENTER: Visit all the Blogs on the DCC Hop and stop at Life in the Craft Lane for the details on entering for a chance to win this wonderful set of DVDs.

I'm joining A Stroll Thru Life: Tabletop Tuesday  and

this week.  Stop by for a visit!

Larkspur - Flower of the Month

Since I love to draw botanicals and birthdays are a reason to entertain, I thought it would be fun to do a series of "Flowers of the Month".  I've been researching the Meaning of Flowers, Birth month Flowers, State Flowers and more for about 10 years.  The Romans were probably the first to include flowers as part of birthday celebrations. The Victorians gathered flowers into Tussy Mussies (a small bouquet) with careful thought as to what each flower meant as they shared the bouquet with friends or enemies. 

Blue Larkspur

The Birthday Flower for July is Larkspur. It's a wildflower and grows in late spring in a variety of colors  I love the Blue, no surprise to those who know me, especially the very pale blue.  It's  also known as delphinium with even more varieties available now.  The name comes from spur of the flower, which reminded some people of the parts of the lark.  The plants have very tall stems with many branches.

The meaning of July's Birth flower is an open heart, levity, lightness and ardent attachment.

There are hidden meanings based on color:

Pink symbolizes fickleness

White is Joyful, happy-go-lucky

Purple - You have such as sweet disposition and first love.

You can find more information about July's Birth Flower at Birthstones.org.  I've taken lots of pictures of Larkspur and Delphinium over the years.  I think I'll start a new sketch!

God has sown his name on the heavens in glittering stars; but on earth he planteth his name by tender flowers.  Jean Paul Richter

Sketching Roses for Surface Design

I've been sketching designs for Wall Art, Dinnerware and Table Linens (future projects).  I'm lucky to have a lush perennial garden with lots flowering trees and bushes to study.  Our climbing rose bush is trained on a large arbor in the back yard and is probably older than me (and that's pretty old!).  It belonged to Lee's Grandma before we bought the house and we've lived here for over 20 years. 

Climbing Roses - Sketch by Cindy Rippe

The fully opened flowers didn't do well this year but I think the buds are pretty interesting. The smell is very sweet and one that I remember long before all the unscented but long blooming hybrids.

This design would look nice on dinnerware or as a border to an inspirational quote.  Whatever it ends up being will make someone happy I hope!

The rose that lives its little hour
Is prized beyond the sculptured flower.
- Bryant

How to repair a Princess Dress

We celebrated the Royal Wedding last month and our Princess is still dressing up each day.  (She has been "all about" Princesses for a long time)  You can see the party in this earlier post. Princess Party to Celebrate the Royal Wedding.

Sometimes the dresses come out of the wash a little worse for the wear.  Yep, did the  gentle cycle, etc, etc, but the seams on this one just shredded away!  Every seam on the top of the dress fell apart.

Repairing a Princess Dress with Fabri-Tac Glue. Cindy Rippe Art in Entertaining

So how can it be fixed?  With LOTS of patience, satin ribbon and my favorite glue - FABRI-TAC by Beacon Adhesives!  Oh....and lots more patience to slowly piece everything back together, one step at a time. The glue actually sets up quickly.  It just that the fabric is so delicate and it took me a while to figure out what part should be glued to another.

There's not enough fabric to sew it back together so I trimmed the threads away, glued and reinforced each seam with Fabri-Tac and then covered the glue and added more strength to the seams by adding a layer of satin ribbon.

Princess Dress shredded fabric on side seams - Cindy Rippe Art in Entertaining

 The ripped seam actually went in three directions for this part.

Side seam of Princess Dress repaired - Cindy Rippe Art in Entertaining

Both shoulders, both side seams were open and part of the waist was open. I glued the tulle on the shoulder seams and the gathered it directly to the edge of the shoulder fabric with no ribbon.

Princess Dress repaired and ready for Princess Isabella - Cindy Rippe Art in Entertaining

Finished!  Ready for another day of imagination and play.  I don't have to worry about the glue holding.  I've used it for years to add trim to tablecloths and napkins.  It dries clear and it's washable.  Now lets see if the rest of the fabric holds up!  :)  (Oh! and no, I didn't get an endorsement for mentioning this product.)

Can you draw Geraniums?

Sure you can! If you have been wondering what I've been up to lately this is a little peek.

Drawing Botanicals Class by Cindy Rippe at the Society of Dec Painters Convention.

I'll be teaching this class at the SDP Convention and look forward to the happy students that will learn techniques to create their own designs or just want to trace mine and finish it with blending and shading tools.

Cindy Rippe's Geraniums ready to be sketched at SDP 2011

What does that have to do with Art in Entertaining and Tablescapes?  Well, since I love to draw botanicals I've been working on a new website with Botanical, Inspirational and Seasonal Decor for the home and entertaining.  There will be projects and finished designs of all types for crafters will all skill levels.

Click FOLLOW on the right side of the page for up to date about the project that YOU can create to personalize your home and table.

"The 'Amen!' of Nature is always a flower."
-  Oliver Wendell Holmes

Easter Egg Tree - Recycle last year's plastic eggs

Here's a fun project that uses the plastic eggs left over after Easter.  The candy's gone, you're tired of picking them up off of the floor and you know you'll want new, shiny and clean ones next year.  Gather up all the pieces and make ornaments for an outdoor Easter Egg Tree!

Larry and Elena's Easter Egg Tree - Cindy Rippe Art in Entertaining

I took this picture of my Brother and Sister In-Law's tree yesterday when we took Isabella by for a visit to "my Uncle Larry".  We always enjoy their Holiday Decorations and beautiful yard.

To make the Easter Egg ornaments for your own tree. You need a needle nosed pliers, wire that's thick enough to stay straight, yet easy to bend by hand and a thick needle or old ice pick and some glue.

Separate the eggs. 
1 - Heat the point of the needle (that you are holding with the pliers) over an open flame for a few seconds and press through the top of the egg to create a hole large enough for the wire to go through.
   - After you test the size, finish making all the holes.
   - Note: If you have a high speed Dremel drill that would work too.

2 - Cut the wire to 12" lengths. (or whatever length you'd like for your type of tree or bushes)

3 - Thread one end of the wire through the hole far enough to easily work on the tip.
   - Use the pliers to twist the end of the wire into a loop large enough to prevent it from slipping back out.     

4 - Bend the other end of the wire into a 2 inch loop and twist it to secure.  (see photo below)

5 - Add a touch of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue to the edge of the egg and snap the bottom piece in to place.  You can mix egg colors or match them as seen in the above photo.

Adjust wire loop as desired to fit tree branch - note that wire comes straight out of the top hole in egg.

The heavier gauge wire helps to prevent the eggs from flipping around and getting caught up in the branches during Spring weather.  The large loops make them easier to hang while you decorate and remove after Easter.

Save the ornaments and keep adding more each year and don't worry if some get separated or broken.  You'll have plenty of spare parts next year for repairs!  This could end up being a family tradition and the kids might not leave them lying around after the candy's gone.  (We'll...we can always hope, right?)

Romantic Homes Show and Tell Friday

I'm also linking to Craft Test Dummies Go Green Link Party,  Today's Cretaive Blog and Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop this week.  Check out all the fun projects!

CRAFT TEST DUMMIES - GO GREEN PARTY

TODAY'S CREATIVE BLOG - GET YOUR CRAFT ON

Painted Wedding Shoes - Wedding Week Part Three

After I painted the Wedding Dress with Dahlias (previous post - Wedding Week Part Two) I decided to paint a pair of matching shoes.  What woman doesn't want a pair of beautiful shoes?  My SIL, Elena, very kindly gave me a pair of shoes to decorate.

Wedding Shoes painted with Dahlias-copyright Cindy Rippe 2011

I used the Pentel Red Gel Roller for Fabric again.  The only problem I had was that after I sketched the flower on the first shoe I had to get the pattern off of it and reverse it for the other shoe.  (Reminder to self: Don't free hand a design on an uneven surface if you need to repeat it.)

I added Black Satin Ribbon and a bow using my favorite glue for fabric -  Beacon Adhesive's Fabri-Tac.  It grabs hold right away and stays on.  Perfect for a pair of shoes that would probably see lots of dancing at the Wedding Reception!

Close up of Dahlia on Dyeable shoes - copyright Cindy Rippe 2011

The music may have stopped but my heart beats to another tune, this rhythm called love.  ~A.C. Van Cherub

[ DC Connection ]
[ Hop back ] [ Hop forward ]

Painted Wedding Dress - Wedding Week Part Two

I decided to continue with Wedding Week for the DESIGNER CRAFTS Blog Connection.  There are so many great ideas.  Don't forget to click on the link below to see them all.

Red is such a strong color trend I thought you'd enjoy seeing a Re-purposed Wedding Dress that I painted.

Ivory Wedding Dress Painted with DecoArt Fabric Paints - copyright Cindy Rippe

I really had fun with this project.  I used DecoArt So Soft Fabric Paints and and a Gel Roller for Fabric Pen by Pentel Arts.  After I sketched the flowers with the pen, I used the fabric paint to add shading and reinforce thick lines.  I also painted few of the flowers on the bodice and made a wide sash to update the look. (one of my few sewing projects)

Close up of Dahlia - copyright Cindy Rippe

Border Close up - copyright Cindy Rippe

This design would be nice for a Bride born in August.  It's the Flower of the August Birth month.

True love stories never have endings.  ~Richard Bach

Follow Me at   FAVECRAFTS - Finished on the 15th
and

[ DC Connection ]
[ Hop back ] [ Hop forward ]

Pistachio Nut Wreath for Valentine's Day.

I love this wreath.  It was a gift from Cindy Wollenzien and hangs in my studio year round.  I brought it home for Valentine's Day.

After removing the dust with my soft vintage brush.

I gave it a coat of spray on sealer.

The wreath is made by hot gluing the whole nuts onto a heart shape (this one is cut from card stock).  I like the way some of the nut meat is popping out of the shells.  Just follow the shape of the heart in rows.

You can see where the glue is peeking out in the back.  Add a layer of felt and a picture hangar (also hot glued) and a pretty shear ribbon.  It would make a pretty, last minute gift for someone you love.