Paper Flower Tutorial and a Summer Wreath for > $3

Hey everyone so glad to be back writing  and having something worthy of sharing with you all. Thank you all so much for your patience with me~ On to the new project ...It all started with this little flower! I was playing with some tissue paper making some flowers and made this one and posted on my personal Facebook page. I had just finished making 12 Large multi-color ones for a Fiesta-themed event. 

This Blog is a result of that. My family and friends loved it! And so, I began to make them into bookmarks for them with their Birthday Cards. Fun!  I know many people make paper flowers, from coffee filter, tissue paper and very intricate designs, that still amaze me. These are very simple and easy to make! Just how I like it!! Minimum effort, Maximum output! Always a good thing, right?!  So at the request of many friends, family members and readers, I am attempting this simple tutorial. I hope you like it!

(By the way, I apologize for the lack of a manicure here! Ughh)

So here we go! Are you ready?! First of all, yes, you use normal tissue paper! The Dollar sore has 25 sheets in either Pastels or Bright colors for, let's say it together, $1!!  1st step measure your stacked tissue paper any where from 5-8 inches. You can see the blue one here and it was cut at 6". This is a good size to start with! After you've done a few, you can go smaller or larger, to whatever your taste. Although, I must tell you, I have made alot of these, I think less than 5" and 4 sheets of tissue, is much harder to do. Not that it can't be, but more difficult to not tear your tissue paper, as you separate the layers. I have 6 layers here, which was really 3 sheets that I folded at the 6 inch mark and cut to make 6.

I think almost all of us  have made a paper fan at some point in their life an even made flowers when we were younger!! Well that's all you are going to do here! stack your layers of pre-cut tissue and begin to fan it to the end. Don't be discourage if your fan pleats are not exactly the same, it will still turn out beautiful anyway! I usually try to fold 1/2 to 3/4inch inch folds.


When you are done pleating your stack of tissue it should resemble something like this ---->>>

Now you are ready to create your flowers shape!!

Next step is cutting your petals (or edges) so when you start opening your flower, it will have a point, some people round them, I did for a traditional Fiesta flower, but my personal preference is a point. The flowers above were all done this way. That doesn't mean you can't play with the edges and see what you like best.

This next step is important and one you need to proceed with carefully. With the points at the bottom, you are going to hold your fan together and clip our a small notch(or a "V""), approx. 1/3 inch in the center (This makes your flower look more realistic and hides where you bound it with your pipe cleaner.....Which is what you do next!

Wrap the top inch and a half  of the pipe cleaner ( I know there must be a better craftier name for them, but that's what I remember them as) at the notch you have created and twist to secure. Don't worry about how much of your wire is left right now you can cut it, fold it or use it as a stem later. However, at this point, you need it  to maneuver around as you create your flower.

By the way, you can also pick up a pack of 50 of these @ Dollar store in varying colors, for, you guessed it, $1!

Now you are ready to start, carefully,  begin separating your top layer from the rest. Gently pulling it up and inward, you continue this process until you reach your last sheet. Don't worry if you don't Love it yet, you can play with the appearance after you finish putting it all together.

Be careful during this process, if you tug to hard you will tear your tissue. But, don't be scared  if you get one or 2 small tears, you won't event notice it after your flower is completely opened.

Now you just turn your flower over and smooth out your bottom layer of tissue and then you can gently use your finger tip to adjust your flower anyway that's most pleasing to you!!  That's IT!!!

I quite like this one!

Now you can make one or as many as you like! You can add them to your project for a little touch of pretty if you like!!  As I told you earlier, I often use them with a Birthday card for a little fun bookmark, for your friend or families favorite "girl" book, or the can easily be wrapped around a pen  for  yours or their desk!

     



 I had done so many and also really wanting to make a Springing into Summer Wreath, so I put several different sizes and summer colors together on this wreath, that I have to tell you, was also $1!!  You have to Love that!  This fun tutorial and my New wreath cost me a total of $3 and I'm enjoying it daily!!  I hope you like it!

Here's a little closer look. I did 3 different sizes here with varying sheets of tissue paper. I hope you'll try making some !! Create something fun with them for yourself  or a loved one or  just enjoy what you created!!! 
Have a Blessed week and Thank you again for popping by!!




 I am sharing this post with these lovely Ladies: 

 Marcie @ I Gotta Try That!, 

Christine @ The DIY Dreamer 

 Susan @ Between Naps On the Porch 

Kristin @ Tuesday's Treasures

Marty @ A Stroll Through Life's Inspire Me Tuesday

Heather @ Stringtown Home's Tip, Tricks Tuesday 

Desiree @ The 36th Avenue DIY projects  

Kathryn @ The Dedicated House's, Make It Pretty Monday
Kara @ Creations by Kara's "Look What I Made Party! 
Pamela@ From My Font Porch To Yours' Treasure Hunt Thursday

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Just a quick note to wish you all a very safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend! If you are or have a member of your family that is or was in the Armed Forces, Thank You, for your service, their service and sacrifice. My prayers go out to you all this weekend, both for loss and gratitude. I am the niece and aunt of men and women that served with you and understand your pride and grieve for your loss.
Many Blessings to you all!
Theresa

Spring Harvest Baking~Rustic Strawberry-Rhubarb Galette

Spring Harvest Baking~Rustic Strawberry Rhubarb Galette~

Who could want a better Breakfast?!  Also makes a wonderful dessert and is always a fave at potlucks!

Don’t you just love this time of year, when the beautiful berries and gardens are producing and, finally, the prices have come down? I absolutely love this!! Mornings are still cool enough to bake or do some canning. Yes, I am old school and would prefer to make my own versus buying store-bought. It is the only way I know exactly what is in the food I eat. Well, I am lucky enough to have 2 booming crops of rhubarb with plenty ready now to take advantage of the strawberry sales and get a head start...Yumm.  So I decided this morning to make one of my faves…A Rustic Strawberry-Rhubarb Galette!! 

 I have worked on this recipe over the years, so I am quite pleased with how all the “tweaking” I’ve done turns out. I thought you might enjoy the results of my hard labor…lol.

 1^st of all I made sure I could find strawberries on a great sale, before I decided to go harvest some of my Rhubarb. (Did I mention that since the gophers, in my backyard, killed one of the plants, no to mention a whole summers garden, My Mum has been kind enough to grow it in her yard for me for the last three years?) 


Anyway, I found the strawberries 2/$3.00!! That is an incredible deal where I come from and they are just perfect. I washed and hulled them and slice them to a bake-able size. 

Then I went over to My Mum’s and pulled about 14-15 nice firm stalk of rhubarb… washes and cur the rhubarb up. 

Now here ‘s one of those tricks I’ve discovered after making this recipe over and over ( My family LOVES it, and would have me make one daily, if possible) Because Rhubarb’s density and coking time can vary, I want to make sure that it will cook and be tender in the baking time. And, after several ok tries, with a few too many super tart bites and came up with this trick, putting my cut rhubarb in a Pyrex, lidded  dish , squeezing  the juice of 1 orange over it ( you can use lemon, both work). And Microwaving for approximately 4-5 mins. The rhubarb comes out about half cooked and yet, still holds its form. 

I drain off some of the liquid and put the strawberries and rhubarb in the refrigerator, separately to chill, this prevents your crust from absorbing too much juice from your filling being prepared before the dough is rolled out and the oven is preheated, so you can combine all and put it directly in the oven.

Okay, so now you’re ready to make it!!

I like a very fruity Galette!  More fruit than usual, but it is up to you how you like yours!

Filling:

2 cups cleaned, sliced strawberries, chilled

2 cups par-cooked rhubarb, cooled in the fridge.

1-1/2 cup white cane sugar
1/2 cup flour

¼-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tablespoon of pure Vanilla

Just stir lightly to combine, don’t be to vigorous here.

Crust:

1 cup white flour

½ cup wheat flour

½ cup butter, frozen than cut into cubes

1-1/2 Tblsp. Sugar, white

½ tsp. Salt

Milk

1 Tblsp melted butter

** combine dry ingredients and cut in butter (you know how recipes for pie dough say until it resemble cornmeal? You don’t want that for this dough! Just cut butter in until the pieces of butter are about pea size…you want to see little pieces of butter, this is what will make your crust flakey) 

(I added this photo of the dough so you can see that you will have and want to see little pieces if the butter)

You can use a food processor here, but if you do, I suggest you pulse only you do not want to over work your crust.  Add in enough milk to just make your dough come together. Gently form into a ball and wrap In plastic wrap and place in fridge for about ½ hour.

Preheat your oven to 375F

Prepare your counter. I like to place a large piece of parchment paper on the counter; I will roll my crust out on it and assemble my Galette there, then you can easily slide parchment paper and galette onto your cooking pan. Unwrap your dough and roll out into a large round disk approximately 14-16”

Now drain any liquid off your strawberries and rhubarb and combine them, add flour, sugar cinnamon and Vanilla, just fold mixture 4-6 times and then dump into the center of your dough round, spread out until it is covering all but 2-2-1/2 inches from the side, start pulling sides up and pinching them together all the way around until you meet.. Gently pull your parchment paper with Galette onto a large cookie sheet.  Brush tops of dough with melted butter and lightly sprinkle with sugar, put immediately into your preheated oven. Make sure not to let your fruit filling sit out until you are ready to put it in the oven!! You don't want to see any juices until the baking process, otherwise you risk your pastry getting soggy.

 Cook until fruit is cooked and bubbly, checking the bottom of your Galette for a nice deep golden brown, you don’t want to over do. Juices’ leaking over the sides is normal and Yummy!!

My Dad came over and enjoyed some of this with me!! So happy to see him enjoy it.   I'm off to make two or three more! You can freeze them, raw, wrapped, take out and pop in the oven to enjoy them later in the year!! But, I really don't think much beats fresh!  Enjoy and God Bless!

Today I am sharing this recipe with:

Susan @ Between Naps On the Porch, Stephanie Lynn @ The Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table Dreaming, Linda@ Crafts a la Mode, Sarah @ Making the Scene Monday on Alderberry Hill, Ramona @ Create With Joy's Inspire Me Monday,  Vanessa @ Nifty Thrifty Things, Charlene @ A Pinch Of Joy's Busy Mondays,  Diana @ The Girl Creative's Ready, Set Pin!(Party)and The Weekly Creative Thursday Party , Heather @ Stringtown Home's Sisterhood, Kim @ Made in a Day's "Blog Hop Social",  Marty @ A Stroll Through Life's "Inspire Me Tuesday",  Marcie@ I Gotta Try That!, Christine @ The DIY Dreamer, Katherine @ Katherine's Corner's Thursday Favorite Things, Desiree @ The 36th Avenue, Kelli and Kristi@ Lolly Jane's "The Scoop", Courtney@French Country Cottage's"Feathered Nest Friday", Cindy@ My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday", Beverly@ Beverly's Pink Saturdays, Cathy @ A Peek Into My Paradise

Happy Mother's Day to all!! I pray you all Blessed to be celebrating with your Mother's!  Make it a Beautiful Day!!  I just wanted to share this message with you on this day!
God Bless all the Mother's out there, Including and  especially all the single Dads!! Grandmas and Grandpas that are doing it all over again, the Siblings that have stepped up to help !! The Aunties, Uncles , The Adoptive and Foster Parents!! All Mommies are celebrated today, in whatever shape, size, sex, creed or color they come in!!! God Bless you all for being a child's Mommy!!!

Heather's "Stringtown Home" Mother's Day Extravaganza

Good Morning!! 

This morning I am joining my friend, Heather @ Stringtown Home in honor of Mother’s Day!! Most of you know that this is not my usual “thing” But, I love to support fellow Bloggers, especially one as good and kind as Heather, and well, you see I HAVE the world’s absolute Best Mom!!  Sorry, I know some of you, reading this, may think you do…but, you’d be wrong…Hehe..My Mom cannot be surpassed!!  

I must include this little disclaimer before I continue, I was never Blessed with children of my own, but, and this is a big But, I was superbly Blessed with Nieces and Nephews!! You got it!! I am that hands on, wouldn’t change it a thing for my life, Auntie! My siblings have Blessed me with 8 offspring, 2 Incredible Boy (now wonderful, men) and 6 Beautiful and Intelligent Girls (now also women, well 3 of the girls are on the cusp of womanhood!!) But, it didn’t end their! They have families now, too!! And the Blessing kept coming; on the way of 8 beautiful grand-nieces and nephews!! I am not even counting the step-nieces/nephews! (Who by all rights should be counted, too!) And, if I am a good, Auntie, than My Mother is definitively the worlds Best Nanny to all!! Blood or not! 

Okay, so onto, Heather’s questions: This should be fun!!  (In case you haven’t caught on, quite yet, I will be replacing most of the “Mama’s” with “Auntie’s”

Mother's Day Questionnaire:

1)  What is your favorite "Mama Sayin'"?

2)  What is one thing that your family expects from you - they couldn't do without you?

3)  When do you have "me" time, and what do you do?

4)  What piece of your wardrobe do you think screams, "I'm a mama!"?

5)  Name one funny experience that you've had since you've been a mama.

6)  Do you have a weird habit that you've developed as a mama?

7)  Have you had a moment when you wonder, "How did I get to become a mama?"  (You know... like locking your child in the car with the keys inside?)  What happened?

8)  What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

 1) So I kinda misread this one at first and thought is was like a "You Mama" joke. LOL, after some sweat and thought, I realized that wasn't what Heather would have written but just for fun I came up with a fun "My Mama" quote for me, would absolutely have to be:  My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."  Honestly, the thing about this question is that it is probably the truth, that, in part, I have become my Mother.(She is wonderful and I am not saying this in a negative way at all, I am Blessed to have her)   The funniest is things are to hear myself say things like “not in this house, we don't" or "take some time to think about what you just did/said?" whichever applies. It is odd and instinctive that if I do not call my Mum, she calls me, or when I do call her she says “I was just thinking I hadn't talked to you yet today" (I love you Mom!!)

2)  What is one thing that your family expects from you - they couldn't do without you?

This one is kind of clever and hard to answer!! I would hope that my family would say that they can always count on me, no matter what….However, I bet, they would recall our younger days, and tell you that I was “the professor” because I always new the answer to everything (which should be a good thing, but when you’re the youngest of 5, it was, somehow a blow to me.  I know that they would say I am the one that they would use as a phone a friend” if they ever played “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Yeah, family is special”!! These days, I’m definitely considered more the baker, cook, decorator, “go to” one.

3)  When do you have "me" time, and what do you do?

Oh, Heather, you are funny, “Me Time” what’s that? Seriously, I LOVE “Me” time!! Who doesn’t? I have ‘me’ time in the early morning and late afternoon, usually. I love to put on Beautiful music or “the Oldies but Goodies” and either be tending to my roses, baking something Yummy on a cold morning, just ‘cuz I want to, not because it’s necessary, or sitting on my front porch having a good “friend” visit over coffee or tea) and yes, I have a linen tablecloth on my front porch table, so we sit in style), while we watch the world rush by and be thankful for where we are. (Blessed)

4)  What piece of your wardrobe do you think screams, "I'm a Auntie!"?

I believe, after some consultation, that my nieces and nephews would tell you that it is my “granny-style” nightgowns that scream I’m an Auntie!! I don’t know what to say, I love a good nightgown!! I never could get used to PJ’s. Or, that I actually have and love “house dresses” you know the ones.. You can’t beat the comfort!! And, if absolutely necessary you can run somewhere quickly, if you have to, and “technically” still be considered dressed (That’s must be the vintage lover in me…Ha!!)

5)  Name one funny experience that you've had since you've been an Auntie.

I have had many wonderful and hilarious experiences since becoming an Auntie, however, most of the kids won’t let me put the answers I’d like to up here for that one…so,… have to keep thinking on that one. LOL..

6)  Do you have a weird habit that you've developed as an Auntie?

Weird habits since becoming their Auntie, you mean besides worrying? I guess it’s one that we all do…ie: opening my mouth for them to take a bite, wanting them to put on more clothes because I am, physically cold, just looking at them. Catching myself smiling when they here or do something that only I know makes them happy and/or proud, even if they aren’t smiling at that moment. Hurting for them, when something dashes their dreams and secretly thinking of ways to make their dreams come true, anyway. This one could go on and on…

7)  Have you had a moment when you wonder, "How did I get to become an Auntie?"  (You know... like locking your child in the car with the keys inside?)  What happened?

See answer 6, 5 and 4!!

8)  What is your favorite thing about being an Auntie?

My favorite thing about being their Auntie, has to be all the Love that you give and get that you never knew was possible.  The degrees of joy you didn’t know. The utter and complete pleasure you can get from a simple expression, smile or look… Seeing them succeed at their dreams. Watching them find happiness and becoming wonderful, loving parents themselves. The immense pride I feel for each of their achievements, even though it’s theirs and not mine. Absolute knowledge of How completely Blessed I have been to have them in my life. There is no greater joy!

Shoestring's One Year Anniversary!!

One year ago this week, I shared my very first post with you.  It's hard to believe it was that long ago and yet it seems like yesterday!!

You've come and walked with me through my garden... Encouraged me to tackle projects I loved!

Shown me a wonderful friendship and encouraged me with your wonderful Features and kindest words!

We have done chalk paint projects and had tea together!! Baked some muffins and made thrifty transformations!

Oh what incredible joy you have given me with your kind words and constant encouragement!!

I can't think of anything I would have rather have been doing..It definitely

 is an ongoing learning process...I just last week finally figured out how to make a text link! You would have never seen that back when I was writing about my love for Cielo's House in the Roses which I can  now show you  that you can find her, Here

            

I have shared all my ideas with you! Some of them inspired and some not so  clever, but Always an adventure!!

I've shared prayer time and prayer boxes, for that matter!

You have even slowly watched me transform different parts of my home and the things in it and it has been such fun and a great benefit and Blessing to me!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single person that has popped in to check on what I was up to, or clicked on my thumbnail @ a linky party, followed me from Facebook, or just stumbled upon my little Blog!!  Most of all, Thank you so much for every single comment and follow!! They mean the world and give what I do some small bit of validation...and for that I could never truly express my gratitude. I have had a blast and hope you will journey on with me for awhile longer!!

So here's a few more highlights from the last year here at Shoestring Elegance!! I hope you have been Blessed in some small way!

Remember

this?

  
Thankfully, you all seem to enjoy this centerpiece as much as I still am!!

I like it, too!!

Celebrated Family and church events...

 Fall Favorites

Remember all the things we shared for Christmas?

 

Saying good bye to old friends. 

 And enjoying new finds!

 

Creating Beauty to lift the spirits...

to The Spirit lifting me!

I almost forgot to include your favorite post to date!!! It's still funny to me with what connects people, but in a wonderful way!!

~Blessing Always,  

Theresa.

As always  i am sharing this post with some incredibly talented Bloggers, like~

The Incredible, Bev over @ How Sweet The Sound's Pink Saturday
The Incredibly talented Coutyney!! @ French Country Cottages Feathered Nest Friday
Kathy's Home and Garden over on A Delightsome Life
Another Talented Lady, Karen @ REDOUX
The Wonderful Debra @ Common Ground
The Very Wonderful and Kind, Katie over @ Katherine's Corner 
Jody and Stan over @ Rooted In Thyme 
The Wonderful Cindy @ My Romantic Home
Diana @The Girl Creative

Jamielynn @ I Heart Nap Time
Stephanie Lynn's Beautiful Sunday Showcase Party
Making The Scene Monday with Sarah@ Alderberry Hill
Tiffany over @ Making The World Cuter
Susan's Metamorphosis Monday@  Between Naps On the Porch
Sandy and Holly's Creative Corner Hop @ Cherished Handmade Treasures
Kathy @ The Clever Chick's Blog Hop