Tutorial: Crepe Paper Rose Bouquet

Some good ideas started off with a bad one. 

Last year, I was in charge of creating trophies for the ministry award night.  At first, I thought I could perform some DIY magic.  So I purchased 6 foam balls, a few bottles of gold and black paints and got to work.  Well, it was an experiment gone bad.  The trophy looked ridiculously cheap homemade (see picture on the left).  In my last minute desperation, I had to call for professional help (pictures on the right). 

Though I was spared from embarrassment, I was still left with those foam balls (and paint).  Then, came my “aha” moment.  Since it’s the end of the school term, I could make something for the teachers!  

Here's how I made the crepe paper rose bouquet:

For the vessel, use a porcelain flower pot or a mug.  Be sure to try out for size ahead of time.

Note: For photo shooting purposes, I used purple crepe paper for this tutorial.

1. Cut a 30" long crepe paper.

2. Fold the crepe paper lengthwise down about 1".  As you fold,       stretch the paper gently. 

3. To begin rolling the rose, fold width wise 1/4" twice or three times.

4. Start rolling as you pinch the bottom of the rose along.

5. (top view)

6. Roll and roll and roll...until you come to the end of the paper.

7. (bottom view) don't worry about the uneven bottom.  It will be trimmed later.

8. Add a dab of hot glue to secure the paper end.

9. Trim the bottom of the rose off so it's flat.

10. Apply LOTS of hot glue at the bottom of rose.

11. Attach the rose to your foam ball.  Press firmly with your palm.

12. This is what it looks like from the side.  

I made 17 pink roses for my bouquet.  Then, I hot glued the Easter grass to fill the space right under the bottom row of roses.  Hot glued the finished foam ball to a flower pot or a mug.  

Happy crafting!

While I was busy with the paper roses, JJ came up with her own crepe paper creation as well.  =)

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Understanding God's Word

Today's Bible memory verse is from 1 Corinthians 1:18: 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

I asked JJ if she understood the verse.  She answered me: "Only a part of it."  She said, "People who do not love and believe God are perishing."  

Then I asked Z the same question.  He said, "The Word of God means nothing to those who choose not to believe."  

Praise the Lord that He gave each child the ability to internalize His word.  I continue to pray that Z, F and JJ will grow in complete knowledge and understanding of the message of the cross as it is the power of God to them.

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JJ Dance Picture

JJ took her tap dance pictures this morning.  When we arrived at the dance studio, I saw many young girls all dressed up with complete make up.  I mean they had on red lipsticks, rough, eye shadows, and mascaras.  For one second, I thought I was at one of the junior beauty pageants.  And for one second, I thought JJ’s figures looked washed out amongst her peers and regretted not putting anything on JJ’s face.  But when I turned to look at her little face, I knew I would not want to take away that innocent look by covering it up. 

I took some pictures of her outside the studio and embraced her beauty created by God. 

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JJ's Paper Lantern

     JJ loves to craft.  Unfortunately, I do not always have time to sit down with her, especially in the evening when I need to prep for dinner.  This is one of the crafts JJ could manage herself.  She would spend extra time to decorate her lanterns by drawing on them or put stickers/sequins/glitters on them.  Once she made a "lantern family" with different size and different color papers.  By the time she's done, I am most likely done with my prep in the kitchen, too, and could join her lantern party. =)

    Here's how JJ does it: (follow pictures from top right)

    1.    Fold the construction paper in half lengthwise.

   2.   Cut a 1” wide strip as the handle.  Set it aside for later.

   3.   With the remaining paper, start from the fold, draw lines           1”-1½” apart, leaving 3-4” inches of space on top.

   4.   Cut those lines.

   5.    Open it up and glue the two long sides together.   

   6.   Glue the handle to the 2 sides of the top of the lantern.

   7.   Smile for the camera!

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Pack II

hot pack? cold pack? knee pack.
This knee hot/cold pack was my first customer-order!  When G asked me to make it for her mother-in-law, I was so thrilled.  I’ve never thought what I made was worthy enough to be “on the market”.  A big thank you goes to G for trusting me with this project.  Since she wanted this pack mainly for the knee, I made it twice as long as the last pack.  To ensure the flex seeds don't crowd in one corner, I stitched right in the middle of the pack to have even distribution of the seeds.  The case was given two long ribbons at each end so it could be tied around the knee.

What’s the price?  It’s too good to be true.  G and I traded “services”.  I was eager to learn some Korean dishes from her, but could not pass the wonderful offer of a date night with hubby while she helps me with the kids.  What a deal!  Or should I say "what a steal"?

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Tutorial: Donut Key chain

Here's how I made the other donut key chains:

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Mother's Day Tribute

This Mother’s Day post is dedicated to the two most graceful ladies who have taught me so much in life.  I call them, mom.

 My lovely mother-in-law is one of a kind.  Being smart, classy, gracious, gentle, kind, loving and full of wisdom, she’s the best mother-in-law any woman could ask for.  She has taught me everything I need to know in the kitchen.  She’s embraced me with much love, knowing the many weaknesses I have.  She is my role model whom I love and respect.  I am blessed to have the privilege to call her mom.  I'd love to be a kind mother-in-law and a cool grandma, just like her.  

My mom.  Her life was transformed after committing herself to her Savior. Much joy, peace and praise come from the same woman who went through much brokenness after my father's death.  She is a living testimony for the Lord.  She's taught me submission to the Lord and forgiveness that just blew my mind.  Her humility has set the bar for my life.  She's my backbone as she prays for me everyday.  I pray that I'd love the Lord with the same passion and commitment she has and testify God with my life.  I'd love you forever, mom.

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Mother's Day Crafting

H asked how I’d like to spend my Mother’s Day weekend.  He had a list for me to choose from: shopping, spa, manicure,…etc.  I thought hard and knew that one thing I’d love to do was to have some time to craft.   Odd, but true.  Being a mom, I often feel that my chores are so repetitive and never-ending.  I would wash the same dishes three times during day and still see them in the sink by the end of the day.  Amazing!

I am grateful that my wish was granted this year, time to myself to carve my first stamps (out of erasers) .   It felt great to feel productive and to have the finished stamps in my hand as evidences of where my time went.  

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Dollie and Me

I do not have time to shop in the mall.  Period.  When I realized JJ need a new swimming suit, I did not know where to look for one (got her last one at Costco, my one stop shop).  So, JJ and I went to the mall the other day.  It’s funny that although our local mall was quite small, JJ thought it was such a treat to shop there that she wanted to visit every department.  It only took us less than one hour to walk through it.  But by the end of the hour, my feet were hurting. 

Besides completing our mission, we had this great find.  It’s a “Dollie&Me” 3 piece set in JJ’s size.  

The set was adorable.  And the price was unbelievable.  

JJ looks cute.  JJ’s doll, Jimmy, looks even cuter.

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Colonial Week Costume

Is it Colonial week already?  This is THE school event that I dread.  2 years ago, when Z had his Colonial week, I was informed the night before to fry enough Indian blue cornmeal sticks for 60 kids.  I was still in the kitchen at 11pm.  Arrr.

 This year, F was kind enough to tell me what was needed the week before and allowed me to have the full weekend sewing her colonial costume.  Seriously, I’d rather be sewing than cooking.

Luckily, I had a pattern ready.  F will be wearing a black T and my old high school black skirt (which, after so many years, was finally in the donation bag, but rescued for this project).

All I needed to do was to sew the cap, the collar and an apron.  Surprisingly, I was doing some speed sewing and finished in two nights.  

I will make sure to keep this costume so that when JJ’s colonial week comes in a few years, I will be able to relax and sip my tea.

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Why Does Jesus Love The Little Children?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus loves the little children?  My answer is simply, they make Jesus smile.

I overheard JJ and her daddy's conversation the other night.  JJ was curious about what the difference is between CA and DC.  Daddy said, "We visited DC, but we always come home to California."  Then, JJ had her moment to share the spiritual truth she'd learned from her Bible Study class.  JJ: "My real home is not in California.  My real home is in the sky because Jesus lives there.  And I am going to live with Jesus forever."

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