Such Pretty Things

Pretty Paper Flower Easter Eggs

A number of years ago I published a paper flower Easter egg tutorial, but I thought I would do another version for 2019!

This eggs are even simpler to make!  You will need some faux eggs( I chose wood ones from Target, but you could use plastic, foam, etc...), mini paper flowers (easily found on Etsy, Ebay or at your local craft shop), a scissors, and a glue gun.

You will need to cut off the flower heads in order to glue them to your eggs. Leave a bit if the stem so that the flower head can be securely attached.

Continue until the entire egg is covered with flowers...

I just love these - they are so easy to make and would look so pretty in a centerpiece or a very special Easter basket!

Happy Crafting!

xo

Jessica

 

Pretty Entertaining: Easy Easter Centerpieces

Here is a super easy Easter centerpiece idea!

Here's all you need:  Mini cupcakes (make your own or buy plain iced ones from your favorite bakery), pastel sprinkles, pretty Easter candies. easter grass or paper shred, and a cake pedestal!  I found the pretty sprinkle mix and cake pedestal at my local Homegoods. 

Just place your cupcake on top of the Easter grass and fill in with the candies!  So simple, but it makes quite an impact on your Easter table!

Happy Saturday!

xo

Jessica

Vintage Beaded Easter Baskets

Easter is this Sunday and I always think it's fun to come up with interesting and novel Easter basket ideas.  When I found these kitchy, vintage beaded, safety pin baskets, I knew I absolutely had to use them for Easter baskets this year...

Aren't they fabulous?  I just adore the candy colored beads!

These baskets are likely from the 1950's or 60's and were evidently a very popular craft to make back then. They look super complicated to me! :-)

I filled these beauties with some "ribbon" grass and LOTS of pastel foil-wrapped chocolate eggs.

The best thing about these baskets is that long after the candy is gone, the baskets will still make a a pretty and colorful addition to your home!

XOXO

Jessica

Chocolate Covered Matzoh

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins this Friday night and if you celebrate (or even if you don't!), you might want to try making some chocolate covered matzoh. It's crunchy and sweet with just a little salt for contrast - sort of like a yummy chocolate covered pretzel. And so simple to make- only three ingredients!

Ingredients:

- Matzoh (I used the salted variety)

- Chocolate candy melts (white, milk, dark, etc...)

- Sprinkles, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, etc...

Directions:

Lay your sheets of matzoh on a parchment covered baking sheet. Melt the chocolate according to the manufacturer's directions and spread evenly over the matzoh. I just covered one side, but if you want to make it truly decadent, let one side set up and then turn it over and coat the other side.

Working quickly, sprinkle on the toppings of your choice and allow to completely set up.

Once the chocolate is hardened, break up the matzoh into pieces and serve. Delish! And pretty, too!

Happy Passover!

XOXO

Jessica

DIY Honeycomb Easter Eggs

I have been collecting vintage honeycomb Easter eggs for many years...

I just adore their pastel colors...

But they are becoming harder and harder to find - especially at reasonable prices.  So, I thought it might be fun to try to make some similar ones myself...

I bought some honeycomb paper pads in white. You can find them here.  I just traced half an egg shape onto the pad, being careful to make sure the glue lines were running horizontally (hold the pad up to the light if you are having trouble seeing this). For a fully 3-D egg, I needed to cut two identical pieces for each egg.  Once I cut out one shape, I used it as a template for the others. Then I used a glue stick to join the two halves together and let them dry.

For my egg colors, I wanted to mimic the vintage two-toned ones, but I went for horizontal stripes rather than vertical ones (so much easier!). I used very watered down tempera paints and a light touch with my brush. Some tips: Don't over-do it.  Too much watery paint and it will ruin the delicate tissue paper. Just touch the paint brush to the outer surface and the paint will naturally dip down into the interior spaces. If you are using more than one color like I did, allow the first to dry before starting on the second.

I just love the results and they were so easy and fun to make! Ya gotta try it!

XOXO
Jessica

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We are celebrating with my favorite chocolates (delicious, but the packaging is even better!) and yummy sugar cookies for the girls...

Confetti is always a must no matter what the occasion...

And lots pretty pink roses courtesy of the husband.

Hope you have a lovely day!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Baking: Rice Krispie Caramel Bon-bons

I always like to give home-made sweets to family and friends for the holidays. In addition to the requisite cookies this year, I thought I'd make some Rice Krispie Caramel Bon-bons. These are truly delicious and so simple to make - only five ingredients and no baking required!

Ingredients:

- 8 cups Rice Krispie Cereal

- 3 T melted Butter

- 4 cups Mini Marshmallows (or 10 oz. large marshmallows)

- 8 oz. Caramels (I like Kraft)

- 1 package Chocolate Melts (white, milk, or dark)

- Sprinkles, crushed peppermint candies, nuts, etc... (optional)

- Toothpicks

Directions: Place rice krispie cereal in a large bowl. Melt Marshmallows with butter and stir to combine. Melt caramels according to package directions. Using a large spoon, quickly stir the melted marshmallow mixture and caramel into the cereal. It will be HOT, so be careful! Once it cools to the touch, you may want to use your hands to form the balls.  Try coating them with a little butter or cooking spray to keep the mixture from sticking to your fingers. Once mixed, quickly form little balls (approximately 1-inch in diameter) and place them on a cookies sheet to harden.

Melt chocolate according to directions. Pierce each bon-bon ball with a toothpick and use it to dip the ball in the chocolate. Decorate them immediately with sprinkles, if desired. Then place on a parchment or wax covered cookie sheet. Remove the toothpicks before the chocolate hardens and then allow the balls to set up completely.

Once set, you can present them in pretty boxes or tins.  I love these pretty berry baskets from Shop Sweet Lulu... 

Just fill them with colorful tissue and fill with your bon-bons! Of course, you can also just serve them to your family and guests! These really are yummy - the addition of creamy caramel elevates them (beyond the typical rice krispie treat) to true candy bar status!

Happy (no)baking!

XOXO

Jessica

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving Holiday!

XOXO

Jessica

Target Tuesday: Sparkly Tinsel Wreath

You may have seen the pretty vintage-style wreath at Anthropologie this season...

Sadly, it completely sold out before I could order it.  But thanks to Target and some vintage ornaments, I discovered I could easily make a similar one myself - and for under $10! I found the tinsel covered wreath in the Dollar Spot at Target. At only $3, it was a true bargain!

I love that the tinsel was a combination of silver and gold strands - it gives it more of a vintage-look, don't you think? And the wreath form is already covered with the tinsel - all ready for some decoration!

All I needed to complete the look were some mercury glass ornaments.  There are many reproductions out there, but if you want true vintage (and there really is nothing quite as beautiful), you can find them very inexpensively at yard sales and thrift shops - especially if you look in the off-season. I bought a bag of all the ones seen on my wreath for only $5!

If you can't find vintage, Target also has tubes of adorable mini ornaments - 16 for $1!

To attach the ornaments, you will need some thin jewelry wire - just thread a piece through the ring cap and twist a few times to secure.

You can then use the wire to easily secure the ornaments to the wreath.  Personally, I like to gild the lily, but you could certainly add fewer ornaments and it would still be lovely.

Although I was really disappointed to miss out on the Anthro wreath, I think I may even like mine a little bit better. :-)

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Crafts: Paper Straw Garland

I don't know about you, but I just love paper straws.  And they seem to be available everywhere right now...and in so many pretty colors and patterns!

Well, I have a ton of them left over from previous parties and I have been trying to come up with something fun to do with them. Then I remembered making these as a kid...straw garlands!

If you want to make some, they are sooooo easy!  You will, of course, need some paper straws in your favorite colors and patterns (there are so many choices out there - striped, dotted, floral, chevron, etc...). I find mine primarily on Etsy, but almost every party and craft store carries them these days.

You will also need some string (I like this gold metallic beading thread) and some beads (I chose these because they reminded me of tiny Christmas ornaments)...

All you have to do is cut your straws into similar length pieces.  I just eyeballed it. The smaller the size, the more your garland will be able to curve tightly. You also might want to try varying the lengths for added interest. Alternate straw pieces and beads to make a pattern that you like.  HINT: Make sure your bead diameter is bigger than the opening of your straw or else the beads will not act as separators.

Settle down in front of the TV and in no time, you'll have a pretty, paper straw garland! These are fun to make with the kiddies, too!

XOXO

Jessica