Changes Coming

Hi all.

Saturday’s wedding is now over and done and the happy couple are onto honeymoon fun. This is just a short post today, to let you know Artzzle has changes in play.

The Happy Couple

The Happy Couple

A New Look
I’ve acquired lots of new WordPress toys and tools, and will be playing with those often, tweaking Artzzle’s look. It’s EZ software though, you don’t even have to write your own code. Anyone should be able to quickly master it … even me ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m looking forward to “playtime” and collecting comments on what you think about all the changes.

More Contact Options
While I love getting comments, soon you’ll also have a second contact option, where you’ll be able to attach photos you’d like to share.

Silk Flower Tutorial
I promised a little info on how to make the silk boutannaires, so here you go.

1 Rose Bud, 1 Leaf, 1 Small Piece variegated green

1 Rose Bud, 1 Leaf, 1 Small Piece variegated green

When working with silk flowers, I always use hot glue, as you need something to set up instantly. The lower temp glue and guns will work fine.

Glue (front side) of leaf to back of rose, then glue greens at base of (front) of rose

Glue (front side) of leaf to back of rose, then glue greens at base of (front) of rose

Here's what you have now, a bare bout.  Now we need the ribbon jacket

Here’s what you have now, a bare bout. Now we need the ribbon jacket

Before beginning the final step, adding the ribbon, I like to tightly wire-wrap the stems together, to give you a tight end to work with when you wrap the ribbon. I used a 26 gauge floral/craft wire here, as it is thin but still very strong, easy to work with and get very tight.

1 1/2 inch width Ribbon, cut in a  4 inch long piece

1 1/2 inch width Ribbon, cut in a 4 inch long piece

Glue over a  small "hem" on each end of your ribbon.  This gives you a finished look and prevents your ribbon from fraying

Glue over a small “hem” on each end of your ribbon. This gives you a finished look and prevents your ribbon from fraying

My next two pictures aren’t the best but I think you’ll be able to get the idea.

Glue one end of ribbon to the back of your rose, at a bit of a downward angle.

Glue one end of ribbon to the back of your rose, at a bit of a downward angle.

Begin wrapping ribbon around stem, carefully gluing as you go.

Begin wrapping ribbon around stem, carefully gluing as you go.

When your open end is about 1/2 - 3/4 in below the end of your stems, glue and fold it back up onto the stem.  Continue wrapping and gluing remaining ribbon, around end of stem.

When your open end is about 1/2 – 3/4 in below the end of your stems, glue and fold it back up onto the stem. Continue wrapping and gluing remaining ribbon, around end of stem.


These are the finished bouts.  Notice on is different.  This is the groom's bout.  This one was altered a bit after this shot was taken.  The groom felt it was too big, so I simply carefully snipped off the two side rose leaves, and trimmed down the white hydrangea.

These are the finished bouts. Notice the groom’s bout is different. This one was altered a bit after the shot was taken. The groom felt it was too big, so I simply carefully snipped off the two side rose leaves, and trimmed down the white hydrangea. Now it’s still different but a more comfortable size.

I couldn’t close without including some of my gorgeous grandchildren. But I have to note, there are five more that weren’t in attendance.

Until next time, don’t stress too much about it, just start your project.

Thanks for visiting. You’ve just read “Changes Coming” on Artzzle.com. I love comments and questions so send “em” my way. And be sure to spread the word about Artzzle to your friends. The more the merrier!

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Remember, all content on Artzzle, text and photography, is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form, without my expressed permission, or approval from material’s originator(s). You can leave a comment below with any questions on this.

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Pretty Gift Box, E-Z Make-do Project

A bit of ambition and inspiration struck yesterday, so I decided to take on a quick, make-do project. Remember, my make-do ideas are strictly no spending, no store trips. The only shopping done is shopping my house to see what I can come up with.

After making some note cards as a gift for a friend, I needed something to put them in, so the search was on. There were two decent white board boxes, but one was too small and while the perfect size, the lid on the second box was yellowed and had some small dents; not good gift material! All the available decorative bags were winter themed and that was definately out. Any gift paper found was too heavy to wrap the small box lid smoothly. I have lots of wrapping tissue, so chose three bright colors for a collage effect for the box lid.

Adults and kids alike find this a fun, easy application with beautiful results, that can be used in many ways.

The supply list is simple.

Colored tissue wrapping paper, water based glue and plain water. That’s all you need. I use either Elmer’s white glue or as in this case, Tacky glue. Both work well, but Elmer’s is a bit thinner consistency and will dry a little quicker, which is nice for this project, but not a must. Tacky was in my cabinet so that’s what I used here. If you have a flat, synthetic craft brush, it comes in handy, but plain old fingers work fine too (they’re just a little messier ๐Ÿ™‚ ).

1. Tear your tissue into pieces sized for easy work with your object. Here we’re covering the lid of a small box so don’t want very big pieces.

2. Squeeze some glue over a section of your object, then smooth the glue over that portion, adding just a drop or two of water to make a damp glaze.

3. Lay on a piece of paper, then gently pinch at the paper to create wrinkled texture.

4. Continue until the top is well covered, then wet a side of the lid and adhere smaller sized pieces. Work them into the wet top. Leave a dry edge hanging down at the bottom of the box’s sides. DON’T wrap glue and paper into the inside of the lid.

5. Repeat until you get desired look and texture. Let dry, then carefully trim off dry edges.

TIP 1: Tear your tissue rather than cut. Jagged, natural edges are more interesting in this application.
TIP 2: Don’t use a natural bristle brush as glue is difficult to remove completely. Even with synthetic, keep your brush wet when not in use, so that glue isn’t able to dry and damage brush. Wash up with warm water and ordinary dish liquid.
TIP 3: After completed project dries, add one final coating of glue over entire surface, to give a nice sheen to your finished piece.

Finally, I lined the box with tissue, then put the envelopes, more tissue and lastly the cards. This was a set of eight note cards and I always include two extra envelopes.
An inexpensive, quick and easy project that any age will enjoy making OR receiving.

My friend Linda loved her gift!

As always, don’t stress, just start.
Later – Cheryl