Blog - Laura Kelly's Inklings

May 20, 2019 by: admin

How to Make Paper Flowers at Home

Spring and summer are great seasons for decorating all the things with bright, cheery and colorful handmade projects like this easy paper flower garland. I made it with scrapbook paper pieces that were leftover from past projects which makes it extra awesome. Anytime I can put these beautiful papers to use for a second (or third) time, it makes my heart so happy. Handmade summer decorations DIY style are a great way to decorate for a party or decorate a room just for fun. This post is sponsored by Xyron (makers of the Creative Station) but the ideas and opinions are my own. I am excited to share with you how to make paper flowers at home!

To create this fabulous garland, you will need the following materials. Keep in mind, scraps of paper work great for this project!

Xyron Creative Station
Scrapbook Papers in a Variety of Colors and Patterns
Chipboard or Cardboard (Back of an Old Memo Pad is Great Here)
Scissors
Hole Punch
Twine

Depending on where your summer decoration idea of a paper flower garland is going to be used will determine how large you want your flowers to be. The one being shared has DIY paper flowers that measure 10 inches in diameter from petal tip to petal tip.

Cut a circle out of chipboard. Run it through the Creative Station to cover one side in a very sticky adhesive coating.

Peel it off when you are ready to create your first DIY paper flower for the DIY summer flower garland.

Add hand-cut petals around the edge of the circle. You can use this FREE downloadable pattern or create a pattern of your own.

The next step is to cut circle centers and run them through the Creative Station.

Next, peel the circles and attache them to the centers of the flowers.

To turn your DIY paper flowers into a garland, punch holes in two petals (side by side) on each flower and string twine through the holes.

There are lots of ways to use this handmade paper flower DIY summer decoration. It is a great garland to attach to a mantle. It is a fun way to decorate a front door or porch. It works great as a party decoration too. If the flowers are made smaller, they are fun for adding to greeting cards and gifts too. The possibilities of DIY paper flowers are endless! When you make paper flowers at home you can use them in so many ways!

Here is another really fun way to use the Creative Station to create summer decorations DIY style. Use the collage technique to make all of the summertime things. I am planning to do this as a popsicle decoration but here it is as a carrot!

Cheers to DIY Paper Flower Making,

Laura

This post contains affiliate links.

May 17, 2019 by: admin

15 Easy Handmade Teacher Gift Ideas

The school year is coming to an end and it’s time to create handmade teacher gifts for the classroom leaders that you love. Handmade teacher gifts show that you care a whole bunch, enough to put your creativity to use and make an original masterpiece as a way to say thank you. I have gathered up over 15 easy DIY teacher gift ideas for you to choose from. Keep in mind that these handmade projects are also great for friends and family members too.

Fearless Crochet Necklace – Stitches n Scraps
Handmade Apple Card – My Creative Life
Crochet Washcloths – Jesse at Home
Planting Seeds Flower Pot Cozy -Moogly
Stenciled Coasters – Ann Butler Designs
Teacher Pennants
Handmade Memo Pads
Felt Boho Container with Apple Wands – Laura Kelly Designs
Scrap Tag Art Journal – Creatively Beth for Tombow
You are My Sunshine Wreath – Creatively Beth for Kunin Felt
Button Teacher Card – A Sweet Berry Designs
Apple Donuts
Thumbprint Bug Magnets on Planter
Teacher Card by Hedgehog Hollow
Teacher Money Machine by Aim Happy

Check out these card ideas from Hedgehog Hollow. They would be great with DIY teacher gifts.

Some of these teacher gift ideas are super easy peasy. Some of them are more difficult. Some teachers are super awesome. Some are just mostly awesome. Different projects are great for different teachers. I think it is really fun that handmade teacher gifts allows for customization that could include school colors and names.

This year I created a gift wrap apple with Oly*Fun. It would be a fun way to wrap any of these handmade teacher gifts.

Kids love to make gifts too. These homemade gift ideas for teachers from students would create a great opportunity for families to work together as makers. Of course some of the projects are too difficult so choose carefully.

Cheers to Teachers!

Laura

May 12, 2019 by: admin

Hand Painted Patriotic Sign for the Porch

Decorating painted decor for the holidays rocks. This hand painted patriotic sign for the porch was made from a big scrap piece of wood that has been in my garage for longer than forever. DecoArt Patio Paints work GREAT on wood and last in the outdoors! It’s amazing the coverage with just ONE coat. Get an ENTIRE SET of the paints on Amazon! The painted patriotic sign is a combination of my favorite patriotic colors and flowers. I mostly love the flower that looks like a flag! This post is sponsored by DecoArt but the ideas and opinions are my own.

To make the painted patriotic sign you will need the following supplies and materials.

DecoArt Patio Paints (Summer Sky Blue, Blue Jay, Geranium Red, Cloud White, Citrus Green)
Paintbrushes
Piece of Wood
18 inches Solder Wire
Industrial Glue

Paint your flowers one step at a time.

I keep a bunch of brushes handy and keep using new ones for new colors then wash them all at the end.

Once the flowers are painted, add a blue background. Mix the lighter of the two blues with a white as you go to get this sky look.

When the blue is dry, add white stems.

Immediately add green to the white stems.

Let the paint dry. Bend solder wire to create a hanger and glue it to the wood. Tie a ribbon on for extra fun to the painted patriotic sign.

Do you love the painted patriotic sign? It could be made in so many sizes. If you enjoy painting, especially patriotic, you might also love to paint these darling rocks! You can get the details on what paint I used and how I created them in another fun creative post HERE.

Cheers to hand painting all the things for making holidays personal, meaningful and festive.

Love,

Laura

PS: DecoArt is having an AWESOME contest! I think you should enter!

May 12, 2019 by: admin

Patriotic Rock Painting

Patriotic rock painting is a fantastic activity for creating festive fun at season parties, cookouts and picnics. It is so simple and requires little prep and few supplies/materials. DecoArt makes Multi-Surface paints that are PERFECT for painting on rocks. Patriotic rock painting works great with the Multi-Surface paints. I will share the colors in a bit. But first, look at these darling rocks.

A few years ago I designed an entire patriotic activity pack. I think these rocks are a perfect activity to go with it. Rock painting is always just so much fun!

I used five colors of DecoArt’s Multi-Surface paints . The rocks were first washed and totally dry.

True Blue
Blue Bird
Lipstick
Cotton Ball
Canary

First I use the darker of the blues on the rocks.

Then I added the lighter blue.

Next I added red.

Then I added white.

After these colors dried a little, I went back and added some details.

This project is a a part of a larger series of patriotic projects that can be done in a small amount of time called Craft Lightning! Check out lots of the other amazing projects!

Cheers to Patriotic Rock Painting!

Laura

PS: If you like painting patriotic projects, you might love this hand painted sign for the porch too!

Oh yeah, you might like this project too! Painting rocks for kindness is always a great idea. It is so fun to make them and to place them around your community for others to find. We once found one at a rest stop and it created so much joy. There is a whole rock painting community out there in this lovely world!

May 8, 2019 by: admin

Lemons to Lemonade Friendship Printable

I created this Lemons to Lemonade Friendship Printable gift tag because I wanted to give something special to some of my friends. Life isn’t always easy peasy. Sometimes it is downright HARD to figure out. I thought this would be a fun way to express my love and appreciation. When someone on Instagram asked if they could buy the printable, I decided to share it here.

So, here is the tag. You can download it FREE!

Tie it on to all things lemon. I added it to little bags with lemonade, lemon taffy and a lemon snack bar.

I used pom-pom trim to tie up the lemonade gift bags because gosh, so cute! You can get the trim from Expo International!

Giving goody bags and treats to others is an easy act of kindness. It feels good to give and it feels good to be given to. It is a total win-win for everyone. There are so many darling lemon themed and flavored items on the market so there are lots of ways to create the bags. What is created for a teacher might be totally different than what is created for friends, neighbors or party attendees. If you make lemon gifts for your friends, I would LOVE to see them. Be sure to tag me on social media @laurakellydesigns

XOXOXO,

Laura

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

May 8, 2019 by: admin

DIY Flower Place Setting Decorations

It is festive and simple to create decorativeDIY flower place setting decorations with Oly*Fun from Fairfield World. Oly*Fun is great to work with because it feels like fabric but cuts and works like paper. I love it because it doesn’t tear and hold up. This morning I shared these place settings on FOX News Denver and I am excited to share them on the blog too, along with a couple of other flower ideas using Oly*Fun. This post is sponsored by Fairfield World but the ideas and opinions are my own.

There are so many AWESOME colors of Oly*Fun!

To make the place settings, you will need Oly*Fun in a variety of colors (preferably 6 different colors for each setting) Cut Oly*Fun into three different sizes of circles. I used my biggest pot, a large plate and a small plate to get a 14 inch, 12 inch and 8 inch variety.

Layer a small on top of a medium on top of a large circle. Pushing a finger in the center from the smallest to the largest, create a gather and wrap it in a rubber band.

Fluff out your flower and cut in toward the center every 3 inches or so apart, about 4 inches into the flower. Create a center by cutting a strip of Oly*Fun (in a fourth color) 2 inches by 12 inches and then fringing it.

Roll it up and glue it shot then attach it in the center of your flower. This goes on the top of your place setting, the salad plate.

To create your place setting, place a large circle on the table first in a fifth color, then place a dinner plate on top of it.

Add a medium circle then a salad plate.

Add your flower to the top and ta da, you have the cutest place setting ever for Mother’s Day!

To make giant flowers, cut giant petals and hot glue them to a dinner paper plate. Add several layers to get your desired look. Glue a salad plate to the center then add the fringe flowers like we made above to the centers. These two came out so darling.

Another fun idea is to use the fringe flowers to create a jar gift. For this one, I cut out a large flower using my Sizzix Die that I designed (part of the calendar collection) and added the fringe flower pieces in the center.

Oly*Fun is sturdy and fabulous but not really made to last outdoors. So, if you use your flower creations outside, be sure to bring them in when you are done. Here are a few photos from ‘Behind The Scenes’ on the news.

Do you want to watch the segment on FOX News. Here you go…

Cheers to Mother’s Day, Flowers and Celebrations!
Laura

April 30, 2019 by: admin

Kentucky Derby Kid Activities

I am a Kentucky girl so thought I would design some Kentucky Derby Kid Activities. Download this darling word search for free and have a ball.

If you want the entire set of activities, you can grab it in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Be sure to check out this darling craft project too. The Kentucky Derby wreath is perfect for the Run for the Roses. The blog post has a great recipe for kiddo mint juleps too.

Cheers to Celebrating All the Things, especially the Kentucky Derby!

Laura

April 29, 2019 by: admin

DIY Kentucky Derby Wreath

I grew up in Kentucky and loved the festivities of the derby season. From lunch parties and hat decorating to mocktails and racing, the weeks leading up to the first Saturday in May were always fun. I am happy to share this darling DIY Kentucky Derby wreath with you. It is a great project that is fairly inexpensive and simple to make, thanks to the awesome Oly*Fun material from Fairfield World. This post is sponsored by Fairfield World but the ideas and opinions are my own.

Let’s start by making roses. Oly*Fun is a great crafting material. It is like a cross between fabric and paper. It cuts like paper but works like fabric. I love it because it is more durable than paper (as in doesn’t tear) and feels like fabric. To make the roses you will need Oly*Fun in red and green, scissors, a circle template and hot glue.

Cut out circles from the red Oly*Fun. The bigger they are, the larger the roses will be.

Cut the circles into spirals starting at the outside and going to the center, leaving about 1/4 inch in the middle uncut.

Start with the outside piece of the spiral and roll it up until you get to the center. Once you are in the center, put a small puddle of hot glue in the center and press the rolled up rose into the glue. Hold it for a few seconds to start drying before putting it down.

Next, add green Oly*Fun leaves to the roses. Add the roses to a horseshoe to create your wreath. I am guessing you don’t have a horseshoe so have created a template for you. You can download and print it free. Use it to cut one out of cardboard. You can then either paint the cardboard or cover it with tinfoil.

Add green Oly*Fun leaves with hot glue first.

Add the roses with hot glue.

Punch holes in the top and tie raffia or ribbon to create a hanger.

The signature drink of the Kentucky Derby is the mint julep. It is sweet and delicious and best with bourbon. However, in the spirit of kids getting to celebrate too, this recipe is for a mint julep mocktail. By using hot glue to attach an Oly*Fun rose to a straw, you get a darling decoration for the Run to the Roses.

Yum

Mint Julep Mocktail

Ingredients

Mint leaves
1 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Water
Fresh Juice from 3 or 4 Large Lemons
4 Cups Sprite or 7 Up
2 Cups Ginger Beer

Instructions

Dissolve sugar in heated water and add lemon juice. Let it cool then add other liquids.
Serve over ice with mint leaves as a garnish. Sugar the rim of the glasses for extra sweetness.

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Run like a racehorse to your local craft store and get the things you need so you can make these darling derby crafts!

Cheers,

Laura

This post contains affiliate links.

April 28, 2019 by: admin

20 Ideas for Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

I am thrilled to share 20 Ideas for Celebrating Cinco De Mayo with you! Some of these ideas are my own but some are ones I am sharing from fellow bloggers. Read to the end to enter to win the Target gift card!

CUPCAKES! This is the way to kick off the celebration. These Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Cointreau Frosting are from The Itsy Bitsy Kitchen.

This margarita has my heart. You can grab the recipe for Frozen Watermelon Margaritas over on Homemade Hooplah!

Check out these pinata cookies from SheKnows.

I made a recipe for guacamole that our family loves too and am sharing it on this FREE printable puzzle.

If you know me then you know that I am gluten free. I am super excited about this recipe for Sweet Mexican Corn Cake from Strength and Sunshine.

How about these Lime Margarita Jello shots from Sparkles to Sprinkles?

I love this Easy Enchilada Casserole from A Night Owl Blog!

Are you looking for a craft for your party? This avocado painting would be super fun for kids of all ages.

Oh my gosh, how darling are these Gluten Free Chips and Guacamole Bites from My Gluten Free Kitchen?

So now that you are super inspired, how about entering a contest to win a $50 Target gift card so you can get ingredients and supplies to do your favorite recipes and projects!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Five Cheers for Cinco De Mayo!

Laura

April 28, 2019 by: admin

Avacados and Guacamole

This post is all about avocados and guacamole, two things I am pretty crazy about. I have created some avacados and guacamole fun for you to share with your kiddos at home, in your Girl Scout troops and at school. Before we get going, here is a little “did you know?” information. Guacamole dates back to the 16^th century and the Aztecs. It comes from this silly sounding word, ahuaca-mulli, which pretty much translates to “avocado sauce”. The original dish was made by mashing tomatoes, onions and avocados into a mushy dip.

Let’s paint an avocado. This is a great project for a group of kiddos. Before you start, set up each station with a canvas (rectangle), paper towels, water cup, brushes and a plate for a pallet. I like a plate for the pallet so they can do a little mixing of the colors. Let the painters add the paint colors as they need them so they don’t get dried up or icky. I used DecoArt Americana paint for this canvas project.

Paint the avocado first with the Sour Apple green.

Add a background with Carousel Pink and White, mixing together as you go and leaving a tiny space between the background and the avocado. Add darker pink spots if desired.

Add a thick border around the avocado with Festive Green.

Add a seed in the center of the bottom part of the avocado with Burnt Umber. It can be made lighter by adding a little white on top of the Burnt Umber while the paint is still wet and mixing while painting.