Spring Flower Arrangement

"A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success."

This saying says a lot what i wanted to write in this Post.Recently i entered a contest and I got the First Prize.Its a wonderful feeling when u win something.Participation is more important than winning but winning makes u feel you're the best,which boosts the confidence level and encourages you to do more.After couple of years of gap from my college life, doing something for yourself and winning is the BEST feeling you can get.I am very thankful to the site who took my entry and awarded me with this certificate.
This is the first time i did some flower arrangement for a contest.Its a simple arrangement.The contest rules was to use just 4 flowers with any amount of side flowers but the main flower should be 4 and others flowers coordinating should not exceed 4.It can be either real or artificial flowers.So I used 4 Mums , 1 Daisy and the rest was some wild flowers and leaves.All were fresh flowers and leaves that I bought the bouquet from a store nearby.Used a bunch of artificial Grapes for decoration in a coffee mug.Is int it a superb idea?Coffee mug can be used once the flowers dry out.

Heart Purse

On a valentines day, girls love to see heart shape in everything,it might be a heart shaped pancakes or heart shaped cookies or wearing a red/pink outfits.To go with those cute dresses there is a cute purse for young girls to carry it.Its a perfect gift on a valentines day.Its a simple project to make and kids can help too.

To make this project we need:

2 colored Stiff Felt Sheets(8.5x11 size)
2 colored 3mm Ribbon
5mm size Punch
Glue
Measuring tape/scale.


First take 1 color Stiff felt of your choice which will be the main body of the purse and cut two(2)
10 inch x 10 inch size using a scale.Fold it into half and cut into heart shape, which will probably be 8 inches of two Heart shaped.With the other colored Stiff felt cut two(2) long strip for handle which measures the size of 15 inches (L)x 1.25 inches(W) size(if u increase the width it will increase the depth of the purse, u can do about 3-5 inches width too).

Now with a marker mark the dots on the edge of the cutout every 1 inch apart about 10 dots on each side on both the hearts.Punch the holes with a paper punch and keep aside.Take the strip handles, measure and mark 1 inch dots about 10 dots on each side of the strip and punch them, keep aside.Measure 12 inches ribbon and cut 4 of each color.So u should have 8 ribbons totally.
Now take the Ribbon 1 and go inside the holes in a zig-zag position sewing the heart 1 to the handle 1 and do with Ribbon 2 the other way and tie a bow in the corner.Repeat the same on all 3 sides.Finally to join the handles u can either staple it or u can punch some holes and tie a knot with ribbon as I have done.In a middle cut two hearts of different color and sizes and glue to secure them and then glue the whole to the big heart.The valentines purse is ready.[Note: Donot pull the Ribbons too hard otherwise the punch holes will tear apart.It has to be soft and gentle.]

Hand Purse

Crochet is my new passion and I always wanted to learn this art.Its a wonderful art and quick to learn than Knitting.Crochet does not need much time to finish a project and anybody can do this.I tried to learn this from a book but did not give much results.Last year when I visited my Sister-in-law she showed me the basics of crochet and I tried to do few projects and this purse is my First Project.I am happy it turned out well and inspired me to do more.It makes a cute collection and also a pretty gift to some one close.

Instructions:
About 4 x 6 in. (10 x 15 cm) after felting

Gauge:
12 single crochet and 15 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) before felting.


Exact gauge is not essential for this project.


Purse: Chain 43.

Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across - 42 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each single crochet across.
Repeat last row until piece measures about 7 1/4 in. (19 cm) from beginning.
Fasten off.

Loop: Join yarn with slip stitch in center of one side. Chain 10, slip stitch in base of chain to form loop. Fasten off.

Finishing: Weave in ends.Add nice button and stitch it in the middle so the loop and be fasten.

Felting: Wash by machine on a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent and several pieces of clothing to agitate. To felt additionally, dry by machine on a regular setting until almost dry. Remove from dryer and pull to about 10 x 6 in. (25.5 x 15 cm).
Fold piece to about 4 x 6 in. (10 x 15 cm), leaving a 2 in. (5 cm) flap. Sew side seams. Sew button opposite loop.

Note: Be sure to check your gauge. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

Marching" Penguins"

Olives contain healthy fats and antioxidants.Turn them into Penguins and kid's will love to eat them.They look so awesome and delicious to eat.Easy to prepare and a good center piece on the table. Try out and see how it comes out and you will be the talk of the day.It is so healthy you can see from the chart below.


The olive is:

• Low in Cholesterol
• High in Dietary Fiber, Iron, Copper (good) and Sodium (not so good)

Eat olives in moderation if you're interested in:

• Weight loss
• Maintaining optimum health
• Weight gain

To make this u need 3 black olive , carrots and cream cheese.

1. Create the body and feet: Slit a V into top of a large pitted black olive and fill with low-fat cream cheese.Cut a V from thin carrot"coin".Add a dab of cream cheese and stand the olive on it.
2. Add the head,a beak and the eyes:Insert carrot V into opening of a smaller olive.Poke two tiny holes in olive with a toothpick and fill with cream cheese.Set smaller olive on larger one as shown.
3. Attach wings:Cut two olive slices and secure with cream cheese to sides.Place olives on a dry coconut/Parmesan-dusted tray.
4. Penguins are ready to march.

Tricycle

My son loves to play with dough clay and it keeps him occupied for hours... but i' am afraid to leave him all alone with it as he might put it into his mouth, they say its safe and is made out of edible items but still i don't want to take any risks.So sitting and playing with him i started to create something while he was busy doing a pizza/something for me out of the dough.I was inspired by his Tricycle, which he has been riding for long time now.He was so happy to see a miniature version of his cycle.Just a smile on his face made me Happy and motivated to do more for him.

Its very easy to make as it is very soft and and can be molded as desired, anybody can do this.So next time give it a try and see how easy and fun it is to make.The brand name is Play-Doh and can be found it any grocery or toy store, they come in lots of colors and sizes.I have used 3 colors in this as u can see... a blue, pink and green.They even have molds to make some extraordinary designs aswell.It can be dried by air drying or by letting it stay for couple of days and it makes a perfect show piece or a gift.

I am sending this post to Valli's "kid's Delight " event.