Flower Wreath Shadow Box

So, today is my friend's birthday and I wanted to make her something "crafty" for her present.  Years ago,  Martha Stewart's Kids Magazine showed how to make simple felt flowers.  These are really simple to make.  So, courtesy of the Winter/Spring 2003 issue, this is how you make them.  (I tried looking for a link online, but couldn't find it, so I had to take a picture directly from the magazine.)

1. Cut 5 small felt petals as shown.
2. Sew a running stitch through the bottom edge of each petal.
3. Tie the thread ends in a half-knot and pull tight, bringing the petals together and tie again to knot.
4. Sew a small button in the center of the flower!

I thought the best way to present the flowers was in this small shadow box, again courtesy of Martha Stewart.  Unfortunately, I don't think these boxes are available anymore, but I think this could also work on a small frame, just take out the glass.

Trinket Wreath

For years I've collected patches, buttons and little trinkets with every intention to use them in some fabulous craft project.  Well, one of the nice things about starting such a collection is that eventually you have a little treasure trove of stuff to choose from when the time is right. 

So, I started with

1 - 9 1/2" styrofoam ring
5 yards - 1 1/2" ribbon
2 - T pins
Pearl-head pins 

First I attached the ribbon to the wreath with a T-pin and just started tightly wrapping the wreath until the whole thing was covered.  I ended the wrapping by using another T-pin to hold the end of the ribbon tight.  (I wish I took pictures of the whole process...oh well, next time.)

The fun part is pinning little trinket around the wreath with the pearl head pins.  It's kind of an organic craft piece because I can just take down/add stuff whenever I like. Pretty happy with the outcome.