Monday Morning Quick Craft

Today's craft was a paper bag flower.  Made basically like the standard tissue paper flowers these are just smaller versions.  There are tons of possibilities with these little cuties and they are so easy you'll want to make a bunch.  Here's what you'll need:

• Small brown lunch bag
• Scissors
• Twine
• Markers or crayons optional
• Scrapbook decorative scissors optional

Start by cutting down the seam of the bag.  I used the fancy edged scissors but regular scissor will work fine too.

Next cut off the bottom of the bag.

Cut off the remaining piece of the seam.  Don't worry if you forget this step it will still work out just fine.

Now just scribble away, this is a good thing for little kids to help with.  You can do one side or both with any colors and designs you'd like.  I just did a multi-colored scribble on one side.  Once you're done, cut the bag into 4 even pieces.  In other words cut it in half and then cut those in half again.  Again,I used my decorative scissors but you can use plane ones if you'd like.

Stack the four pieces up and do an accordion fold.  Just like you used to do to make a fan as a child.

When you're done folding tie a piece of twine around the middle.  I like to wrap it twice by first making the knot at the top side of my flower and then bring the twine around and do a double know on the underside of the flower.  

Fan out your flower so that it's pretty much circular.

Gently start pulling the layers apart starting with the top layer.  This will be the center of your flower.  Do both sides of each layer before going on to the next layer.  

When you have pulled all the layers apart gently manipulate the bottom so that it is basically flat.

TA-DA!  Admire your work!

There are lots of things you can do with these.

• Add a stem using wire and florist tape
• Make a bunch and make a wreath
• If you cut your twine long you could use it as a package tie
• Glue them onto a picture frame or mirror
• String some together to make a garland

You get the idea.  Be creative.  I'd love to hear from you, tell me how you used your's.

Item of the Day

This football baby blanket made by yours truly is so soft and cuddly I want one for myself.  Bumpy minky fabric on one side the other is a cotton with a collegiate print.  The blanket measures about 27 inches by 40 inches and sells for $40.00.  This one happens to be Clemson, but USC Gamecock fabric is also available.