Still Alive...

Just popping in to let everyone know that I'm still alive and well.  I've been pretty busy working on new patterns and of course the craziness of the Christmas season.  Here are a few pictures just to show you what I've been doing...

I busted out the felt tree that I made last year for the boy...he loves it this year!

I managed to get two new patterns in the shop...My cute Christmas Angel and

my pretty minty snowflake!  You can find both of them here.

I made this Pinterest inspired wreath...

and then had a fun time making it with these lovely ladies!

I hope to get lots done over the next few weeks (yeah right...because I won't be doing anything) and hope to have some new things to show you in the new year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fall...Who's Ready For It?

Alright, it's September.  Bring on the fall weather!  Mind you, we've had a really cool summer here this year and it was great after last summer's inferno.  I just love fall weather though!  It really is the best.  The days are warm enough to get out and have fun, but the nights get nice and cool so you can just snuggle down under your blankets all warm and cozy!  And then there's the food!  Pumpkin bread, apple crisp, hot chocolate, chili...mmmmm. 

Over the holiday weekend, I decided that even though it will be up in the 90s for the next week, I was going to change the home decor and officially make it fall in my house!

Most things I have I've collected over the last couple of years from mainly Wal-Mart and my fav, Target.  I scored those cute shiny pumpkins last year at Target for like three bucks each!  My new favorite thing this year is that cute little hooty owl(he was kind of hard to photograph because he is so shiny and adorable but he's there between the lantern and white candle thing)....Wal-mart, two dollars and change.  I know, right!  

He's super cute and he had a little squirrel and raccoon friend that also had to come to my house.  If you hurry, you might still be able to get one although I know that my Wally was down to just a few raccoons the last time I was there.

I also have put up my fall wreath that I made last year.  I really need to figure out a way to hang it on my front door, but my husband is paranoid that my over the door wreath hanger thing will scratch up the paint on our new front door.  So, for now I guess it will just hang on the wall.

Oooooh, I almost forgot to tell you....I can't show you yet, but I finished my Parrots and Hibiscus cross-stitch!  It looks really good.  You'll have to wait until I get it all framed to see it!

Fall Pinterest Parties!

 It's August, the back-to-school shopping is in full swing,  and that means only one thing...Fall will be here soon!  What's not to love about this season?  The days are warm and the nights are crispy, cool, the hayrides, apple treats, and Halloween!  I'm really looking forward to taking my kids to the pumpkin patch and walking on the bike trails when the leaves turn.

Another thing I'm super excited to share with you are my Fall Pinterest Parties!  Don't know what a Pinterest Party is?  Let me fill you in!

A Pinterest Party is where you invite your friends to come over and bring a recipe that they have pinned for everyone to try.  As everyone is enjoying the treats, I will be there to help your guests create a fun Fall craft that is also from Pinterest!  I will bring everything we need to make an awesome fall decoration, wreath, artwork, etc.  By the end of the party, everyone will have something to take home, a full belly, and a smile on their face!

That's the basics, here are the logistics.  Each guest pays $20 to cover all of the crafting materials that we will need.  I will bring everything that is needed right down to the hot glue guns.  The hostess of the Pinterest party just has to invite her favorite people over and let me know how many are coming.  As an added bonus (aside from being a really cool person that hosts a party for her friends) if you host a party, you get to craft for free!

What will we make?  Well, here is the first Fall craft for a party...Leafy Letters!  These are right on trend with using letters in decor for your home.  They can be used as a welcoming Fall wreath for your front door, or as a decorative monogram on a mantle or shelf.  

To book a party, just send me an email at apetalpusher@gmail.com or send me a private message on the Petal Pusher facebook page!  Get your date reserved early so you can be all ready for fall. 

I will be back later this week with another party craft for Fall!

Patriotic Wreath

I know that I should just be busy working on my cross-stitch project (my deadline to finish the outlines is quickly approaching), but I just had to do something quick and easy to get that instant crafting gratification.

I decided that it was time to retire for the year my Spring wreath with daffodils and peonies and update to something a little more Summery.  I wanted something that would work for a good chunk of the Summer.  Something that was patriotic with out screaming "I'm a flag!!!"

Here's what I used:

• 1 styrofoam wreath form that I got at Salvation Army
• 1 sheet of craft grass paper in blue and silver
• several stars of various sizes
• craft paint in white and silver
• red and white fabric from Wal-Mart

This came together pretty easily.  In fact, I managed to make it during nap-time!  Cut the fabric into strips and wrap around the wreath sticking it down as you go with plenty of hot glue.  I painted all of the stars with craft paint I had around the house.  Glue the big stars to the grass paper and trim to make circles (I just eye-balled it, but you could use something to trace and make a nice circle).  Glue all the stars to the wreath and try not to burn your fingers. 

 Voila!  Your wreath is done!  Now to get back to my stitching...