Tutorial: DIY Frame

So, this one is for those of us that are semi-broke, but really want to get that meaningful gift for that special someone (friend, mom, dad, sister, brother..).

Get an ugly wooden frame from goodwill, transform it and add a picture of the two of you!

This is what I did with a wooden frame I got. I would recomend you find one that is wide, so it's easier to paint  on it.

You will need:

Base color paint

Silver/gold (accent paint)

White paint

Brushes and water

Piece of paper 

and a FRAME!!! (Picture is optional)

Coat it with the base paint (3 coats)

And then add some designs with gold and white paint

I practiced some design ideas on a piece of paper before doing it on the frame

Then, I carefully added some half circles with the gold paint...

Some more circles and curves.. 

And then I addded some white and gold dots

And this is how it turned out!

I love it!!! And I think it goes great with my room 

This frame I kept for myself, but I think it would be great as a gift for Ace or any of my girlfriends

I hope you enjoyed

Yours,
Aranza

Tutorial: DIY Christmas Trees (with fabric flowers)

Soooo, maybe next year I'll get better at posting Christmas decoration DIYs a month before Christmas

Meanwhile, here is a little tutorial for a very inexpensive and easy little Christmas tree. There's actually two versions (as seen in the above picture), but they both start the same way.

You will need:

 Cardstock (as big as you want your cone to be.. Mine are about 8" tall)

Tape

Glue gun and glue

1/4 yard of felt

Some creativity!

You have to make a cone with cardstock paper (like in geometry... Or the lazy and less a accurate way like me). 

Make the top part by cutting a "triangle" with a rounded bottom from a piece of paper, and the joining the edges and securing them with tape (preferifly clear)

Trace around the diameter of the cone like so

 And cut about 1cm around the marked circle

Proceed to cut little triangles out of the edges (like shown in the above picture) and the. Bending the flaps up like so:

Before taping the bottom to the top part of the cone, you can stuff it with newspaper or magazines to make it sturdier, but I didn't have any, so I slept that step..

And tadah! Here is the result for the naked cone

I should note that I used red cardstock to make the naked cones for the red trees so it wouldn't show too much.

The fun part begins now! 

I cut about 60 circles from 1"-2" in diameter and did a cut like shown in the picture below

I then proceeded to make "flowers" by twisting the felt on itself.. Like shown in the above picture.. Here is a close up

I started from the bottom and worked my way around adding different sized florettes making sure it didn't look too even

And I topped it off with a little ball made out of little circles.

For the second tree, I cut about a million and one little circles ranging anywhere from 1"- 2" in diameter and I used this technique to make it look like flowers

And here is the finished product for both!

I'm not gonna lie, the second technique took a looooong time to do (like, 2 hours..) The first one only about 15 minutes! (Once I had everything cut out and stuff)

God bless (And merry Christmas!!),

Aranza

Tutorial: DIY fabric flowers

Today I wanted to share a little tutorial on fabric flowers.

These are the flowers you will be learning how to make. I will be using these in another tutorial (for a garter!!) But I wanted to make a separate post you can reference.

Get your supplies..

Start with a square as big as you want your flowers to be (mine is 2")

Fold in half once

And again

And once more

Once you have your triangle, cut one, 2 or three curves like so..

I did one and two curves to show you the different looks you will get.

Open them up and that's what they look like

Fold them 3 or 4 times and you will get different looks (fullness).

Now just attach them from the corners using glue or a needle and thread (I usually string about 6 petals together, and then secure them in the place with some more stitches).

Here's a few of the ones I made and how I made them

Number 1: It took 5 organza petals (3" squares), and a ruffle of lace underneath. I also added some gold beads

Number 2: 1 small flower of 6 ivory petals (2" square), 3 petals of organza (2.5" squares), 1 layer of lace trim ruffled, 5 petals of ivory fabric (3.5" squares).

Number 3: 10 ivory ruffles (2" squares)

Number 4: 6 ivory ruffles and 4 organza ones (2" squares)

Imagine the endless possiblities for these. You could attach them to a headband for that adorable niece (or for yourself). Think belts, "bows" for christmas presents, brooches..

Stay in tune for another fabric flower tutorial! And a tutorial on how I used these for my garter :)

God bless,

 Aranza

OoTD: Seek the Lord

 

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake  him, he will cast you off forever."

1 Chronicles 28:9-10

 

 

Yesterday I was reminded of how important it is to seek God, not only because He is my Heavenly Father, Creator and Provider but because if I don't seek him, I know I will not "serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind" but rather with an unkind heart and selfish motives.

 

I know the importance of seeking Him daily, yet I constantly fail at bringing myself before Him. However, I will be forever thankful for the bridge He has set for us: Christ.

That is what Christmas is all about.. CHRIST!!

 

Gray Skinny jeans and Black booties/Urban Outfitters, Checkered Button up/JCrew, Wool Sweater, fur Vest/H&M

Thrift store/ DIY blacelets

DIY Rosette Necklace

 

 

 

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas time and that you are constantly reminded how GREAT God's love is for YOU!!

 

Forever yours, Aranza

 

 

P.S. Learn how to make these bracelets here

 

 

OoTD: DIY Lacey Skirt

Hello,

I hope you are having a great day.

I wanted to share with you what I wore to Thanksgiving dinner. This year my whole family and I went to Ace's parent's to celebrate Thanksgivng, and it was a semi-casual affair.

I think I dressed up a bit too much considering most everyone else was wearing jeans and t-shirts.. oh Well!

And in the spirit of thanksgiving, I am thankful for the gift of grace:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

I wore a demin button up with the lace skirt I made in this tutorial.

I had to wear tights beacuse it was too chilly

And I added my favorite pair of black pumps!

I added a rhinestone necklace

Here is a closer look to my shoes (and Ace's foot hehe)

Forever yours,

Aranza