DIY Holiday Tassel Garland

We pretty much love all holiday decor, but when it comes to our favorite, it's gotta come on a string. Garland is the best way to spruce up any room, especially during the holidays. With plaid fabrics popping up more and more this time of year, we couldn't wait to get crafty with it. This DIY does require a bit of handywork, but materials are very inexpensive. Instead of heading out to your local craft store, look in your own home for materials first! You might have an old flannel pillowcase that's missing it's match, or a plaid shirt you've outgrown from last year. And the twine can be replaced with ribbon or fishing line. The best part about this DIY holiday tassel garland? There's no-sewing required!

Drape these tiny tassels over your apartment-sized Christmas tree, or gather them up for a front seat on the mantle. Here's the how-to below!

Materials:

1/2 yard plaid fabric (or an old shirt or pillowcase), 1/8" gold ribbon, jute twine, scissors, ruler (optional)

How to:

Step 1. Cut your fabric into 4" x 6" pieces (This DIY can easily be made bigger! Just cut bigger rectangles of fabric)

Step 2. Cut your ribbon ahead of time. 5" strips is plenty to work with. Set the ribbon aside for later.

Step 3. From each end, cut 5 even slits, 2" long. This part doesn't have to be exact. It just gets rolled up, anyway.

Step 4. Pinch the bottom where the slits on both sides end and roll up.

Step 5. After rolling, pinch the ends of the fringe and fold together.

Step 6. Hold the tassel with one hand while grabbing the ribbon with another. Tie the ribbon around the neck of the tassel in a double knot, leaving a 3/4" loop. Cut any excess ribbon. (Friendly help encouraged here!)

Step 7. String your twine through the loops of your tassels and display!

These mini tassels can be made with any pattern, and can be hung just about anywhere! For more festive DIY ideas, visit our website!

Wunderfaire Photos

We had a lovely time last night at the IDEO Wunderfaire craft show. It was a great warm up for this weekend's Bazaar Bizarre where we will have a booth Saturday and Sunday!

It was great to see our friend Stacy of Pancake & Franks at the show last night.

Some cute kids clothes from Vivi Kids.

We forgot who made these wood necklaces but we loved them!

Some really neat lego jewelry from emiko-o.

Stewey & Heather looking adorable in our booth last night. Visit us this weekend for great deals on wrapping paper, holiday cards, and more! We have a sale bin and we want to empty it! Details for Bazaar Bizarre here.

DIY Color Block Holiday Cards

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving has passed and we're in the home stretch toward the holidays. Over the Thanksgiving weekend we were thankful for down time with family and friends, but itching to get decorating and DIY-ing for what's next. This can be a hectic time of year, so we're all about keeping things simple. This DIY Color Block Holiday Card project is a simple and inexpensive way to send cheer to your loved ones. And, you most likely have the majority of the supplies at home. It was inspired by our Color Block Kids Party Invitation (also available in pinks!) made for the boys' 2nd birthday party earlier this year, but we also have a new Color Block Holiday Photo Card with convenient customization. With some quick snips of colored tissue paper, you can recreate this bold typeface design into a one-of-a-kind Christmas card. Instructions below!

Materials needed:

Tissue Paper - We used green and red, but any combination would work! Just one sheet of each color will be plenty.

Blank Cards or Card Stock paper - Most craft stores sell 5" x 7" blank cards and matching envelopes, or you can cut a 10" x 7" sheet of card stock and fold in half. Use some spare envelopes or buy some from the craft store as well.

Bone Folder - For trouble-free folding!

Glue Stick - Make sure the glue stick is new - or retains its moisture. If it's too sticky you will have trouble working with the tissue. Also be sure it dries clear.

Scissors - The sharper, the better! Cutting tissue paper is tricky because the paper is very delicate. Sharp scissors will make cutting a breeze.

Craft Knife (optional) - Some people are more comfortable cutting small pieces with a craft knife. Just be sure it's super sharp, to get a clean cut of tissue paper.

Step 1: Using just a small corner of tissue, start by cutting your shapes. For "Noel" each vertical line was about 2" x 1/4" and each horizontal line was about 1" x 1/4" but we say, the more imperfections the better.

Step 2: Glue your shapes onto your card, one at a time. This step can be frustrating, so bring on the patience. A nice, new, moist glue stick will be a tremendous help. We suggest using a blank piece of paper as a gluing surface. Gently (and we mean ever-so-softly) apply glue to one side of the tissue <insert frustrations here> It will be ok, just be gentle. Lay your piece of tissue down on the card and smooth with a glue-free finger. What we like best about the look of this DIY is the overlapping of colors. You can just apply glue directly on the card, then lay the tissue on top, but you will see the dried glue surrounding the shapes.

All done! You can get creative with this DIY and come up with any shapes you like. Our Color Block Kids Party Invitation had some fun arrows and scalloped edging, so we definitely wanted to include that in our cards.

We'd love to see the cards you come up with. Be sure to share any pictures on our Facebook page!

Happy crafting!

For more fun DIY ideas, visit our website!

DIY Thanksgiving: 5 Uses for Patterned Papers

Thanksgiving happens to be one of the favorite holidays among our team. Something about the cold air, gathering of families, and cooking together warms our hearts. While it's meant to be a time to reflect and give thanks, sometimes the preoccupation with the perfect holiday decor takes its toll. We're flooded with images of the fanciest table tops and gourmet recipes, but not all of us have the time (or budget!) to go all-out for the big feast. If you are the lucky one hosting Thanksgiving this year and are looking for affordable, simple, and festive decor, our patterned papers are a great go-to. We've come up with 5 uses for patterned papers that you can make in no time, and just in time for your guests to arrive. Shown here is our classic Marquee pattern, but there are lots to choose from!

1. Patterned Paper Jar Lids: You may have to fight for the leftovers, but sending friends and family members home with equal portions is a great way to share. Or, send them home with a hand-made treat as a thanks-for-coming favor. Simply cut a 4.5" square (or 5.5" square for wide-mouth jars) of patterned paper. Place the metal lid cover over the jar, then set your paper square on top. Twist the screw-on cap over the paper and lid to ensure closure. You may need to press hard!

2. Patterned Paper Napkin Rings: The possibilities are endless here. With a starter shape of 1.5" x 7" you can double the napkin ring as a personalized place card by gluing a .5" x 2" piece of paper on top. Or, take a 2.5" x 8" strip, cut out a leaf shape on one end, and trim the other end to 1" wide. Apply glue to 1/2" of one side and seal under the other.

3. Patterned Paper Thankful Chain: Keep the kids busy or adults guessing with this paper Thankful Chain! It's a new twist on the Christmas paper chain, with a whole new meaning. Cut 1.5" x 7" strips of paper and ask your guests write a few things they are thankful for on one side. Glue one end of the strip under the other end and repeat, looping the next strip through your first chain. When assembled, hang above the table for decor or spread around the table. Throughout the meal you (or the kids) can read each strip and reflect - make it a game and guess who said what!

4. Patterned Paper drink flags/stirrers: Every party needs some of these. Celebrate the autumn weather by cutting your flags into leaf shapes. Start with a 1.5" x 5" strip and fold in half. Open it back up, draw your shape on one half of the blank side of the paper, fold in half again, then cut out. Reverse the fold, apply glue to one side, place a skewer or straw in the center then hold to adhere.

5. Patterned Paper Place Card Holders: Thanks to Martha Stewart for this idea, keep things simple with a folded paper place card holder. We scaled ours down to a 3" x 3.75" piece of paper, folded in half, then folded in half again, creating three 3/4" folds. Unfold the paper, and reverse one fold, making an "M" shape. Place your place card inside and voila!

For more pretty patterned paper ideas and DIY crafts, visit our website here!

Customer DIY Envelope Liners

Our customers are loving our new DIY collection! This photo comes from the lovely Stephanie who hand made her own envelope liners from our Love Knot Patterned Paper. Her invitations were printed elsewhere but the patterned paper matched perfectly with her design. We love the cool grey color palette with the whimsical dotted lines. Excellent work Stephanie! Remember, you can make your very own envelope liners using this template!

For more wedding DIY projects, head over to our website here!

The Crafts Department

It's absolutely no secret that we love everything Martha Stewart. Not a day goes by without checking in with the Brides Guide or scoping out a delicious fall recipe. One of our favorite spots to check in is with the Crafts Dept. blog. Not only does the Martha Stewart crafts team post daily inspiration and original craft projects, their rotating blog banner is a work of art in itself! When that day comes and a new banner arrives, a mini celebration is in order. Maybe not the champagne-popping, dance party type of celebration, but it's always a thrill to see what they come up with next. We've kept track of a few of our favorite banners along the way. Keep up the great work crafters!

DIY Autumn Leaf Bowls

As we mentioned before, this is our favorite time of year for DIY decor. The chill is in the air and the leaves are changing color, and there's no better way to preserve the delight than by welcoming it into your home. Yes, the craft stores overflowing with autumn decorations can be intimidating, but there are ways to turn those faux autumn leaves into something beautiful and functional. Below are instructions for your very own autumn leaf bowl, perfect for holding your favorite scented potpourri or tasty Halloween treats.

Materials:

Craft store leaf garland, Mod Podge (matte finish), Foam Brush, Balloon, Scissors, Mixing bowl

*Tip: try to find thin, paper-like leaves for your garland. The thinner the leaves, the better they will mold to the shape of your balloon. Also, avoid any plastic-coated leaves.

How To:

1. Begin by snipping the leaves off the strand of garland. Leave about 1/8" at the base.

2. Carefully rip the entire plastic stem (and all the veins!) off of the faux leaves (See image above). This will help the leaves mold to the shape of the balloon.

3. Fill up your balloon to size. We stuck ours inside a mixing bowl to keep it in place.

4. With your mod podge in a cup near by, gently apply a thin layer on top of your balloon, starting in the middle and working your way out.

5. Lay a leaf on top of the wet mod podge and smooth with your fingers or foam brush. Once it's stuck in place, apply another thin layer of mod podge on top of that leaf. See image below.

6. Repeat, covering any empty spaces with smaller leaves.

7. When you reach about a quarter of the way down the balloon, add one or two leaves to the bottom of the bowl for extra weight and support. Allow to dry at least an hour.

8. When the mod podge is dry, carefully pop your balloon with a pin at the tied end, slowly letting the air out. Don't be alarmed if the leaves shrink down when the balloon deflates, it will return to its original shape after a minute or so. You may find that some of the mod podge will stick to the edges of your leaves, but you can just pick or cut it off.

9. Use your bowl to hold potpourri or little wrapped halloween candies. We love easy ways to liven up your home decor and this colorful DIY does the job well.

**Attention readers! Having trouble getting your leaves to stick? We're here to help. Be sure you remove the plastic "stems" from the faux leaves before trying to adhere them to your balloon. After you apply a layer of Mod Podge to your balloon, wait about 30 seconds or until the paste feels sticky, then gently press on your first leaves. If they start to bend upward, hold the leaves down at the tips with your finger. Keep a moist towel nearby to wipe any glue off your hands. This will help the leaves from sticking to your fingers. Feel free to comment below and ask questions - we'll email you as soon as possible!**

Looking for more DIY projects and free downloads? Head over to our site here.

Studio Craft Night!

We try to use our stock pile of crafting supplies as often as we can around here. And we love it when our employees stay after work to get some crafting done.

This week designers Shayna and Kelly made some amazing paper crafts to decorate our white walls. We're especially loving these paper pinwheels. Our team hot glued buttons to the centers for an extra pop of color. Cute! Want to try your own? Smock has a handy tutorial for making paper pinwheels with patterned paper. They make great table decor or aisle markers at a wedding, too. Match the patterned papers to your invites and you'll have a dream decor.

Happy Halloween! + DIY Skull Cookie Cutters

Are you getting excited for Halloween? We are! We had so much fun creating our DIY Sidewalk Skulls, we couldn't help but recreate them into edible cookie pops.

First we made DIY skull cookie cutters. All you need is a circular cookie cutter (about 4" in diameter) and pliers (optional). Simply pinch the sides with your fingers, or use pliers to create a more defined bend. Using this recipe from Sweetapolita, our sugar cookies were perfectly prepared and held our cookie pops with pride. You can customize your cookies to any color, or get creative to celebrate Dia de los Muertos (November 1st)!

Bake a batch and bring these to work or to Halloween parties! And let us know in the comments if you have any other go-to Halloween recipes you love making.

For more fabulous DIY ideas, visit our website here!

Halloween Craft Roundup

Witch hats, black cats, ghosts and gourds, all these things that represent Halloween make wonderful holiday decorations and crafts. This year we're overwhelmed with inspiration from around the web from sites like Pinterest and Craftgawker, so as Hallow's Eve draws nearer, we can easily keep track of our favorite DIYs. Our Halloween Craft Roundup has projects in multiple categories - from costume ideas to kids activities - and from quirky to sophisticated.

These easy and inexpensive kids craft ideas bring a little spook to your standard DIY. Straw toppers are super versatile and really simple to make. We love the idea of using the bendy straw as a nose. Props to Classic Play for coming up with a great idea for the kiddos. Next are these potato print candy bags by the ever-clever Martha Stewart. Again, this craft can be customized for any shape and it's totally suitable for children.

Grouping ghosts together keeps Halloween decor simple but with a subtle scare. This amazing ghostly cake by A Beautiful Mess is definitely going to make an appearance at our Halloween party. It's made with just cotton balls, cheese cloth, skewers and string (aside from the delicious looking layer cake). So simple and so pretty. Next is the playful ghost light garland by Design, Dining, and Diapers, made with cotton fabric, lantern lights, string, and black sharpie. Almost everyone has a set of string lights, so we are loving the quick and easy transformation into Halloween decor.

You may have noticed our obsession with Halloween costumes (see sketches for the boys this year), so it was hard to pick some favorites. This bat headband by Martha Stewart always comes to mind when thinking of quick adult costume ideas. Simple, spooky, and totally handmade. Just how we like it! Then there's the incredible Operation Incognito seen on mmmcrafts. You can buy the pdf patterns right here and in just a few quick stitches you'll be a whole new person.

We couldn't help but include our DIY Sidewalk Skulls into the roundup. Check out the full instructions here!

And last but not least, perhaps our most favorite DIY this season has to be these pumpkin envelope liners by Studio DIY. It's the perfect touch for sending out our free printable Halloween party invitation and is also easy to customize. We're blown away with all the talented people sharing their brilliant ideas. Halloween is just around the corner so get crafting today!

Creative Bug "I made this" Contest

Our friends over at Creativebug have come up with a genius I Made This! Contest that we're certain our Hello!Lucky readers will enjoy. If you like crafting, and if you like Pinterest, then this contest is definitely up your alley. Creativebug is giving away an incredible list of prizes, from memberships to their online workshops, to complete kits of all your favorite projects. Our team is just one of many participants, so there are tons of ways you can get involved. Below is a full list of instructions and just a glimpse of what you can win, but head over to the Creativebug website for more info and terms. Be sure to share your ideas/comments on our blog or on Twitter and Facebook along the way.

To participate in this contest, you must first be following Creativebug on Pinterest, then create a Pinterest board that includes at least 5 projects you have made, or projects on Creativebug that you would like to make, plus an official contest pin from the Creativebug I made this! Contest Board at http://pinterest.com/creativebuginc/. Call your Pinterest board "I made this!" and then go to Creativebug's blog at http://blog.creativebug.com/i-made-this-contest/and enter the link to your Pinterest board and your email address so they can contact you and tell you when you WIN!

To increase your chances of winning, after you build your Pinterest board you can leave a comment on the Creativebug Blog with just your name and email address. You can also visit the blogs of all the Creativebug instructors, and leave a comment on their Creativebug contest posts. Each comment counts as one more entry! (Limit one comment per blog though.) Here's the list of my participating Creativebug pals:

Improv Sewing http://www.improvdiary.com

Rebecca Ringquist: http://www.drop-cloth.blogspot.com/

Jody Alexander: http://wishiwashistudio.blogspot.com

Liesl Gibson: http://oliverands.com/blog/

Jill Draper: http://jilldraperblogs.blogspot.com/

Cal Patch: http://hodgepodgefarm.net/

Rad Megan: http://radmegan.blogspot.com

Natalie Chanin: http://alabamachanin.com/journal/

Courtney Cerruti: http://www.papermusingsblog.blogspot.com/

Megumi Inouye: http://giftwrapbymegumi.blogspot.com/

Heather Ross: http://heatherross.squarespace.com/journal/

To read the full page o' rules, click here http://blog.creativebug.com/imadethis-terms, but in the meantime, start pinning!

Good luck everyone!

Creative Bug Event Photos

If you follow us on Instagram, then you know how great the turnout was at the Creative Bug Crafts, Cocktails & Cake-toppers event at Chronicle Books last week. There was a fantastic crowd of happy crafters and the handmade cake toppers were adorable. Eunice and Sabrina delivered a stellar performance, giving hands-on instructions for making these versatile decor items. We had a blast getting together with Creative Bug at Chronicle Books and want to extend a special thank you to all who were involved and all who came to enjoy the evening. Here are some of our favorite photos from the event. Don't worry if you missed it, because there is a great online workshop available at Creative Bug right here!

Halloween Costume Sneak Peek!

Halloween is just over the horizon, so it's time, once again, for another possibly overly ambitious halloween costume!  This year's costume is inspired by the boys' various sea creature obsessions - Jude happens to be a big fan of turtles at the moment, and this concept was inspired by a turtle embroidery kit that our mom did back in the 70's.

The idea is to have the shell be made from a piece of patchwork which will then be stuffed with batting for a cool soft sculpture look - I have a feeling Jude's really going to enjoy throwing himself around once he realizes being ensconced in this costume will make him semi-impervious to doing himself bodily harm. The overall costume will have a front and back shell attached to each other with wide bands of fabric and elastic, paired with a green long sleeved tee and leggings. Some cute rosy cheeks, a red sassy bandana, and voilà! Turtle-y goodness!

Of course, Sabrina's twins James and Alex must have coordinating costumes! James loves starfish and suction cups right now, so our plan is to make him a plush starfish costume with suction cups glued all over the front like starfish feet. Possibly a bit of a patchwork look on the back to match Jude's 70's vibe. Still have to sort out the logistics of the neckline - fingers crossed!

Alex is going to be a jelly fish - essentially an organza or other sheer fabric fashioned into a bubble skirt with some tulle for structure, worn decorated with shimmery paillettes and ribbon tentacles. It will be blue so we don't compromise his masculinity TOO much!  Love the idea of a little starfish perched on his head as an homage to James.

We're thinking that the dads will be dressed as fisherman, complete with pipes, yellow hats, and stripey shirts. Sabrina and I are tbd - possibly mermaids (really just an excuse to own a pair of metallic American Apparel leggings) although we are toying with turning Sabrina, who is very pregnant at the moment, into a pufferfish, her belly being perfectly proportioned!

Stay tuned, the crafting begins in full force this week! We'll be sure to post photos of the finished costumes here!

DIY Halloween Sidewalk Skulls

DIY Sidewalk Skulls by Hello!Lucky

It's that time again! The holidays are right around the corner and that means we're gearing up for a season of DIY decor. Halloween is the one holiday in which you can get away with practically anything. And although we love faux spider webs and painted pumpkins, we're more attracted to unique, original designs. Our DIY Sidewalk Skulls are a great way to add spook to your home without too much black and orange. Where's the wow factor? It's a glow in the dark graveyard so each piece glows in the gloomy night of Hallow's Eve.

DIY Sidewalk Skulls by Hello!Lucky

DIY Sidewalk Skulls by Hello!Lucky

Materials: White poster board or card stock, Scissors or craft knife, pencil, glow in the dark acrylic paint (available at craft stores), paintbrush, skewer sticks, masking tape

How To:

1. Print this skull template on your home printer. Cut out with scissors and a craft knife (for the eyes and nose) and trace onto your poster board or card stock. *Tip: for extra strength or to keep your skulls from warping over time, glue two pieces of card stock together before tracing and cutting.

2. Cut out the skull from the poster board or card stock using scissors and a craft knife.

3. Apply three generous layers of glow in the dark paint.

DIY Sidewalk Skulls by Hello!Lucky

4. After the paint is dry, place the skewer stick on the back (pointed side down) and secure with a piece of masking tape.

DIY Sidewalk Skulls by Hello!Lucky

*Tip: We recommend keeping the skulls under a lamp or bright light before displaying for best results. If rain is in the forecast, remove the skulls from the yard to preserve the strength of the paper.

Place skulls along your sidewalk or pathway to light the way for trick-or-treaters! We added bats and bones to the mix, but you can make anything from witch hats to pumpkin heads!

DIY Sidewalk Skulls by Hello!Lucky

Happy Halloween!

For more crafty DIY ideas, visit our website today!

Crafts, Cocktails, and Cake Toppers!

Remember our creativebug Video Shoot? Well after the release of our first two tutorial videos we've felt an enormous out pour of love from our fans and fans of creativebug. That's why we're thrilled to announce the Crafts, Cocktails, and Caketoppers event with creativebug at Chronicle Books! Sabrina and Eunice will be there giving hands on instructions for how to make your own cake topper, perfect for any event. The workshop (Thursday September 27th from 6-8) is totally free but space is limited so click the image above or RSVP here! Bring your friends or family members for a night full of fun with local craft connoisseurs. We'll see you there!

Indoor Tents for Kids

As parents and adults, we encourage creativity and imagination for kids. One of the most treasured activities we remember growing up is building forts. Nothing brought more joy than gathering blankets, pillows, towels, cushions, and any item that could turn the bedroom into a private fortress, much to our parents chagrin. The mess was a handful, but the end product always made great memories. Now our favorite childhood pastime has turned into a sophisticated and trendy home accessory. These talented bloggers and parents have shared images of their own indoor tents and they're pitching a frenzy among crafty moms around the web. The tent above takes teepee to a whole new level. Found via Black Eiffel from Frank Features, those stars are a fun addition to any kids room.

This A-frame tent made by Rubyellen of My Cakies is a simple DIY and can easily be broken down and stored. With elastic bands sewn to the corners and washable fabrics, this tent makes parent playtime a cinch and kids playtime a dream come true.

Tifanie of Noddyboom used thrift store found sweaters and textiles for her whimsical teepee style tent.

This photo of Eva'a red striped tent (found via Spearmint Baby via Happiness is Eva) takes the cake. The structured foundation, the bold stripes, the velcro fasteners, it's all tent perfection. You can get your own tent over at An Angel at my Table.

DIY Gold Leaf Notepads

Lately we've been following a new craze popping up around the web. Gold leaf, historically used as an art medium, has now turned into one of the trendiest decor accessories this year. We've seen it on picture frames, furniture, fingernails, and jewelry, and once we saw Eat Sleep Cuddle use it for handmade notebooks we knew we had to give it a shot. Naturally our taste for nautical design comes into play when coming up with a new project, so these DIY Gold Leaf Notepads fit right in. Inspired by traditional nautical flags, we felt the pop of gold would compliment the classic color palettes seen in the flags. Since school is back in session and notes are to be taken, this DIY project is perfect for daily to-do lists and is the ultimate stylish campus accessory. Read the full instructions below!

Materials:

4" x 6" note cards, Elmer's Glue, Craft Knife, Paint Brush, Gold Leaf Kit, Painters Tape, Foam Brush, Card Stock Paper, Ruler, Bone Folder, Pencil

*Tip - We don't recommend the "peel and stick" gold leaf, as it isn't a guaranteed success. The original sheets are much more reliable. Most kits will include the gold leaf sheets, adhesive, and sealer, but you can also purchase each item separately. We bought ours at Michaels, but they are sold in most craft stores.

How To:

Step 1. Stack your note cards so the edges are even. Score one end of the stack of cards with a craft knife, making small indentations on the paper. This will ensure your glue will stick strongly to the stack of cards.

Step 2. Apply a layer of Elmer's glue to the scored edge of your cards. We recommend using a bulldog clip or rubber band to help keep the paper in place.

Step 3. Once the first layer of glue is dry, add two more layers. Set aside.

Step 4. While the glue is drying, cut your card stock paper to size. You will need to measure the thickness of your stack of note cards. For most sets of 4" x 6" cards, the stack is 3/4" thick. In this case, cut your paper to 12 3/4" long by 4" wide.

Step 5. Measure 6" from each end. Using a ruler and bone folder, create two score lines 6" from each end, creating a center strip which will act as the binding for your notepad.

Step 6. Apply two strips of painters tape to your card stock. We placed ours along the back score line and 1.5" down from the top.

Step 7. Apply a thin layer of metal leaf adhesive using a paintbrush. Avoid any puddles, as this may cause your paper to ripple. Allow to dry at least 2 minutes, or until it feels dry but sticky to the touch. If the adhesive is still wet, the gold leaf will not stick properly.

Step 8. Gently lay a layer of gold leaf on top of the adhesive. Most kits will have detailed directions, and should come with small sheets of wax paper to help smooth the gold leaf down. Then use your foam brush to smooth.

Step 9. Once the gold leaf is set and dried to the adhesive, use your foam brush to wipe away any excess pieces. Save large pieces for later. Trust us, you'll want to do this again!

Step 10. Apply a thin layer of sealer on top of the gold leaf to prevent scratching. Allow to dry.

Step 11. Carefully remove the painters tape from the card stock.

Step 12. Cut triangles out of your card stock to create a flag shape. Or, leave as is!

Step 13. Apply Elmer's glue to the center strip of your card stock. It should already be scored from Step 5. Set your stack of note cards (the side you already glued and dried) on top of the center strip and hold to seal. Voila! You have instant modern notepads that you'll be dying to show off in class or at the office. Happy crafting!

For more paper DIY projects, head over to the DIY section of our website here!

DIY Patterned Papers: Favors

We're feeling a lot of love for our new DIY Collection and one of our most exciting additions is the selection of patterned papers that match your favorite wedding suites. The papers, all 8.5 x 11" and printed on smooth, 80-lb text weight paper are the perfect way to add finishing touches on your big day, from paper drink flags to napkin rings. To add to our series of DIY wedding crafts, we're bringing you easy and adorable paper favors.  These can also be doubled as place cards or escort tags!

These mini paper bags are the simplest way to provide favors for your guests, but there are many ways you can dress them up to match your decor. You can find them in various colors at your local craft supply store, and they come in large and small sizes. They make the perfect grab bag for a casual wedding filled with local treats or handmade gifts. Instructions below!

Mini cardboard boxes may be the most traditional wedding favors around, but they are as versatile as they are practical. We wrapped our patterned paper around them and secured with a label or ribbon to make them match. If you want to get extra crafty, you can even make a favor box out of the patterned paper! Use this favor box template to trace.

And last but not least are these easy tea bag tags. You can wrap them to almost any object, and they can be dressed up or dressed down with some fancy calligraphy or alphabet stamps. Use this favor tag template for easy tracing.

Paper Bags:

Materials: 3.5" x 2" x 6.75" Paper Bags, Patterned Paper, Glue, 1/8" Hole Punch, Ribbon or Twine, Scissors

How To: Cut your patterned paper into 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles. Insert your favor into the bag and fold the top 1.25" down toward the back. Fold your patterned paper in half (the long way - or hot dog style!) Apply some glue to the back side of your patterned paper and stick to both sides of the folded bag. Punch a hole 1.5" from both sides. Loop your ribbon or twine from the back and tie a square knot or bow. Cut the ends of the ribbon at 45 degree angles.

Adhesive Labels:

Materials: 3.5" x 2" x 6.75" Paper Bags, Patterned Paper, Glue, Label Paper, Washi Tape or Stickers

How To: Cut your patterned paper into 2.75" x 3.5" rectangles. Glue to your paper bag. Print a 2.25" x 3" label on label paper and stick on top of your patterned paper. Stuff with a favor and fold 1" from the top. Seal with washi tape or a sticker.

Mini Cardboard Box Wrap:

Materials: 3" x 3" x 2" Boxes, Patterned Paper, Glue or Double-Sided Tape, Label Paper or Ribbon

How To: Cut a 1" x 11" or 1.5" x 11" strip of patterned paper. Wrap around the box and secure with double sided tape or glue. Add a personalized label or piece of ribbon and tie.

Mini Paper Favor Box:

Materials: Patterned Paper, Pencil, Scissors, Glue, Template

How To: Cut out the template with scissors and trace onto the back of your patterned paper. Cut with scissors and fold in places of dotted lines. Apply glue on the two labeled tabs and fold pieces together so the "top" and "bottom" squares are in place.

Tea Bag Tag:

Materials: Patterned Paper, Scissors or Craft Knife, Pencil, Ruler, 1/8" Hole Punch

How To: On the back of your patterned paper, draw a 2" x 3.5" rectangle with a pencil and ruler. Cut out with scissors or craft knife. Cut 1/2" corners off the ends of one side. Punch a hole 1/2" from the top and 1" from the sides to center. Loop with ribbon or twine and tie to your favors! Use this handy template for easy tracing!

Shop all patterned papers here, and to view more paper DIY projects, visit our website!

DIY Gold Confetti Champagne Flutes

Are you preparing a toast this season? Planning a special announcement? These DIY gold confetti champagne flutes are a fabulous way to liven up your glassware, especially for a special event. Or, if you're looking for unique gift ideas they would make a dazzling addition to any china cabinet. We found the inspiration for this DIY over at Radical Possibility. The writer, Zandi, has tons of easy and inexpensive projects, and many are Anthropologie replications, or in her words, "knockoffs." Zandi sure fooled us because her Confetti Tumblers are fantastic!

You can find inexpensive champagne flutes at your local thrift store, or buy new at any department store. Spice them up with customized colors for your wedding and the bridal party will be toasting in style. We love the classic elegance of gold, but a fun neon pink wouldn't bee too shabby either!

Materials: Glass champagne flutes, Gold enamel paint, small brush

How To: Step 1. Wash your glasses very well and dry completely

Step 2. Dip your brush in a bit of gold paint. Starting at the base of the cup, dab the paint on to the glass. We set ours upside down for easy painting.

Step 3. As you fill the bottom part, begin to spread out your dots more and more as you reach about half way.

Step 4. Once the glasses are dry, you can bake them to seal the paint. Read the instructions on your paint bottle in advance. Ours baked for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Tip* be very careful when hand washing. Use cold water and air dry.

For more fabulous DIY ideas, visit our website here!

Creativebug Video Shoot

Earlier this summer we were in and out of the Creativebug studios shooting four different craft video tutorials, the first of which debuts on their site today!

Creativebug is a new website dedicated to online art and craft instruction. They offer high quality video workshops on almost any topic - from pottery to bookbinding. They have some amazing crafty superstars in their lineup already and we're totally honored to have been asked to be instructors. Right now you can take classes from people like Diana Fayt, Natalie Chanin, Debbie Stoller, and others - check out the complete list of instructors here. They're constantly adding new videos and teachers to the site so be sure to check back often.

 Our videos are focused on crafts to make for parties and can be adapted for any size event from a big wedding to a small birthday gathering. We had lots of fun shooting them and we hope you check them out! You can view our trailer and tutorials here.

Thanks to the amazing team at Creativebug for making the experience such a great one. We can't wait to shoot more!