DIY- Tissue circles and Confetti garlands

The other day I was thinking I don't like how messy confetti is, but I find it quite beautiful when it is contained. I already pick my share of things from the floor every day, and the thought of itsy bitsy pieces of paper everywhere makes me sweat.

I've been thinking about this garland for quite a while, but didn't get around to making them until now. My idea was to hang them by a window so that when the light hits them you can see all the pretty colors. Perfect for blue summer days (if you're lucky enough to get them)!

As you can see it wasn't a very blue day, but still I like the effect. What do you think?

 You will need:

• glue (preferably not a very strong one otherwise it will tear the tissue paper or wrinkle it)
• scissors
• thin thread
• clear tape 
• paper confetti
• white tissue paper (one big piece makes 4 garlands, each garland has 7 circles)
• you can use a punch hole for the circles if you're aiming at a more consistent look

Cut the circles or any other shape you prefer, and put glue on one side. I found the rougher side of the tissue paper much better than the smooth part for the glue.

Place a thin layer of the paper confetti on the side you just glued and then put glue on the other side, and simply sandwich them together trying to smooth the paper out. Make sure you let it dry on an appropriate place so it won't stick - tissue paper is very delicate.

Then simply cut a piece of thread and place the confetti circles how you want them to look. I used a very thin piece of clear tape.


Some suggestions:

• the more the merrier, meaning garlands look great when there are a whole bunch of them
• perfect to send to your pen pals and a perfect addition to the flat project
• you can always get just one or two colors of paper confetti, for example blue or red for tomorrow's 4th of July celebration, or red or green for Christmas
• place a plastic under before putting the glue, as it bleeds through the tissue paper
• use them to decorate your gifts or parties
• for many more garland ideas go here

**I just wanted to say sorry for not showing up on Monday, but a bunch of books and the World Cup are keeping me quite busy.

Until next week. Wishing you a happy weekend and lots of fireworks on the 4th!!
Giova

Paper Doilies Garlands

I knew I was missing a very important garland for my collection.  Hand dyed paper doilies, of course! As usual, it is quite easy to make, and you need nothing more than a bit of patience.

What you'll need:

• paper doilies
• thread and needle
• food coloring

Tips:

• Don't let the doilies in the water too long otherwise they tear
• Don't dry them flat otherwise they get too wrinkled
• I dried them on top of a heater in the shapes you see, but please be careful
• If you don't want purple looking fingers, wear gloves
• I added a lot of food coloring!!

Wouldn't an entire wall filled with paper doilies garlands look incredible?? Or a hanging from a tree for a summer party? Or for a wedding?

I can dream, can't I? Unfortunately my stash of small paper doilies is running very, very low, and I couldn't make more (insert sad face here).

Have a very crafty day, and don't forget that a most wonderful surprise snail mail GIVEAWAY is going on!
Giova

A Year of Paper Crafts

Time does go by so fast. It has taken me this week to realize that the year is almost over. I've done a round up of my favorite crafts of the year. Some which were quite popular, others which were not but I loved how they turn out.

I liked "sending tea" because of how a simple thing can make a gift look so much better, and I just love doilies.

The accordion envelope using paper bags was one of the most popular posts of the year. I really liked how they turned out.

Again doilies, only this time I enjoyed adding words and neon paint. They also make excellent gifts and they look great anywhere.

If I had to pick a favorite between all the strings I've made this year, this one would be it. I like this string a lot!

The crafts using old books was also really nice to create. I had never tried to destroy an old book before, but it turned out I really could!

Last but not least, the nesting envelopes where a "cool" project where I not only got the chance to make many envelopes but figure out how they could actually fit and look together.

Do you have a favorite craft of the year?? Doesn't have to be from this blog, I would love to know.

Have a wonderful Monday.
Giova.