Kitchen Towel Flower

You never know when it will come in handy to have a flower made of kitchen towels lying around ;0} so I wrote up a tutorial on how I made mine!

Supplies for one flower:

One Green Dishcloth

One Dishtowel, any color

One Plastic scrubby for flower center {sponges work great too}

and one dowel about 12" long, mine is 3/8"

You will also need rubber bands and ribbon that matches the dishcloth and towel as well.

I actually found this 9 pack of dishcloths, GREEN-I still can't believe I found them, at Walmart!  They were $2-3.

Lay your dishcloth down on a table.  Take the bottom right corner and fold it up and on top of the top left corner so you have a triangle now instead of a square.  Not lay your dowel on top, so the dowel is in the middle of the dishcloth when you are looking at the top portion.

Now take that bottom left corner and fold it up and to the right, so it rests on top of the top right corner.  

Without upsetting the placement of the dowel, pinch the cloth down on one side of the dowel and wrap a rubber band around it.  Then do the same to the other side.

It should look something like this.  Now slide the leaf portion down a bit to give you room to work with the flower part.

Take your dish towel, any variety of fabric is fine.  Fold it in half, pinch the fabric that will make up the top petal of your flower, then wrap a rubber band around it.

I like to pull the fabric out a little to fluff the petal.  Just pull it out and push it back in until it looks good to you.

This is what it will look like at first.  Next, just pick a side, pinch up about half of the towel that is left on that side and wrap with a rubber band.

It will look like this.

Then wrap up the remainder of the towel on that side with a rubber band and do the last two steps to the other side of the towel.

Your finished flower will look like this.

The way I chose to attach the petal portion was to use the same rubber bands wrapped around those bottom two petals and simply wrap one strand of each rubber band around the dowel. 

This worked fabulously for me.  I was able to make the whole flower and not have to use any glue or sew a stitch!

Now, we still need to attach the plastic scrubby for the flower center. 

Pull the knot on the back of the scrubby out a bit and wrap a rubber band around it.

You will need to push your petal portion over and slide it down the dowel just a bit until you have dowel to attach your scrubby to.

Here is my tree-looking flower just before I put everything back together.

Slide the rubber band from the scrubby over the dowel, then turn the scrubby so it faces front.  

You should have room between the petal ends to push that scrubby knot through the petals to secure them both together.

I like to then slide the dowel up so it is actually inside that top petal.  It seems stronger that way and holds everything snug.

There you go!  You have your flower.

I decided to wrap ribbon over the rubberbands to hide them.  This is the back of the flower.  Even though my ribbon was thin, it did a great job of covering things up.

Here is the back of the leaf portion as well.  So Cute!!!

As a little extra bit of cuteness, I left the ribbon long and tied a little bow at the top of the flower as well.

Cute little bows for the leaves as well.

Now you have a cute little gift with an actual amount of usefulness that you can give to Mom or Grandma on Mother's Day.  These flowers make a great project kids can help make too!

Mother's Day Goofy Gifts

I need to warn you that these are kinda goofy, but that is how I do things ;0)

I was trying to think of what would make a good Mother's Day gift on a very invisible budget.  My mind was not surfacing anything note-worthy.  Finally I started thinking about what I wanted for a gift.  I must have been folding laundry at the time, because I was struck by how tattered my dish towels had become :0)

That was when I decided hand towels would be a great gift.  What mom wouldn't appreciate a fresh towel?  Most women are wiping their dishes down with towels they got from their wedding, right?

Now to come up with a cute way to give those towels....

Flowers!

While I had plans to make this flower a little nicer, here is the strip-down model.  I bought a pack of 3/8" dowels from Hobby Lobby, 12" long.  To make one flower you also need one green dish cloth, one kitchen towel {any color}, and a scrubby for the flower center.  I attached everything with rubber bands, but have every intention of wrapping curling ribbon or something like that around the rubber bands to hide them.  I will try and come back tomorrow to give you the play-by-play instructions, but I figured the picture and shopping list would be a good place to start.

I also made this tag to go with my dish towel flower.  You can download it HERE with Dropbox.  It can be printed by the sheet, or send this image over to be printed as a photo. 

Right along with the same theme is a potholder set, complete with dish scrubber shaped into a heart.

Here is the back.  You can see where I pinned with straight pins to give it that heart shape.

Here is the tag that goes with the pot holder.  This could work for an occasion other than Mother's Day too.  Any of the tags can be downloaded from the same Dropbox file HERE. 

Here is the tag for my next gift idea.  

Same thing with the dishtowels, but you can also give Mom a cute little bowl, or a set of bowls, with anything red on top as the cherry.  I bought my towels from Target, the bowl was $2 at Walmart, and the cherry in this treat is a small bottle of body wash found in the travel section near the beauty products at Target.  I found some adorable yellow bowls at The Dollar Tree {I totally want a set myself!}, but when I opened the door to my trunk after shopping, the bag with the yellow bowl fell to the ground and everything inside shattered :0(

Guess I will have to gently nudge Madison...

My last gift I totally forgot to make up.  

I always had a pack of paper tablets and a bag of pens as a prize at bunco and it was ALWAYS one of the first prizes to go.  Mom's are always hunting around for paper and pen to write with.  That was what inspired this tag, also found HERE with Dropbox. 

I will try and get these ideas all wrapped up so you can see the finished product, but I hope they got your mind going with gift ideas.

They are all a little goofy, but fit into a tight budget while still adding a little fun to what would otherwise be a necessary, but boring gift.

Happy Spring!

Mother's Day Tags

I only have a second, but I wanted to post the Mother's Day tags I made today!  I have some fun gifts that go with them, but I have to run to youth group tonight!!!  I will get those posted when I get back,  so be sure to check back :0}

If you want to download this file, you can get it HERE from Dropbox.

Gifts for Her

{Source}

OK, I am back!  You will NEVER believe how many gift ideas for Mom/Grandma/Auntie/Sister/Girlfriend I came up with!!!  60!  Yep.  I amaze even myself :0)  Just kidding.  I was actually super surprised when I saw blogger uploading 60 photos though.  Hopefully you will find some kind of inspiration here if you are looking.  If you are not, this should make you tired just thinking about making these gifts and send you running to Amazon!

First on my list, 

Chocolate Survival Kit

I really could have stopped there, but decided to give you a few more choices.

Name Necklaces for Mom/Grandma/Auntie/Sister/Girlfriend  :

byHannahDesign

On Etsy

I couldn't find this exact set, but I did find an entire listing of all mother's necklaces available on Etsy.  Just click above to see what I found.

Glass Pendant Tutorial

Super simple to make for either necklaces, charm bracelets, key chains or such.  You can find fabulous pieces to make these and their needed hardware at Hobby Lobby.  If you like these and you are looking for something for Grandma, you will like this one...

Grandma Pendant{Etsy}

Grandma Necklace {Etsy}

I think I want this one for me :0)

Personalized Art Pendant {Etsy}

Super cute and fun!!!  A little pricey for my budget, but is an awesome idea if you have a little more room in yours.

Gamma Key Chain

Photo Bracelet{forSale}

I love charm bracelets!

Cup Holder

I searched these months ago.  You should know that everything on this post is something that I want :0)  

You can find these on Amazon, some listings include free Prime 2-day shipping!

Spoon Holder

I thought these looked very useful.  I hate my spoon caddy on the stove.  You still have to wash something additional.  With one of these, the spoon never has to drip on the stove/plate/spoon rest!

And while we are on the subject of spoons...

Personalized Wooden Spoons

I thought these were super cute!  They are for purchase, but if you have a wood-burning kit, you can just go to town on your own!  Throw in some recipe cards or kitchen towels and you have a sweet little gift.

Spoon Herb Markers

I am not a gardener {we are still trying to figure out how I have kept the children alive for so long} but I find these very charming.  They make me want to try, once again, to plant a herb garden, something small and sweet in my window box.

Garden Pot Wreath

This wreath would be darling on a shed or even deck.  Love!

Super Cute Vintage Book Marks {no link but Pinterest Picture}

I am a sucker for vintage-looking junk.  I wish I had a link to the original post, but these are darling! 

Ipod/Charger Pocket

This tut is in German so be sure to click "translate" at the top of your browser, but AWESOME idea!  I actually should make one of these for Madison!

Ipod Pillow/Stand{for Sale}

While we are talking electronic gadgets, this pillow is super cute and useful for propping up you phone/ipod/mp3 while you are working away at whatever you do.  They are available for sale, but look easy enough to make if you have the time.

Ipad Cover {Etsy}

Again, would probably be decent to make if you have a few hours, or it is available for sale on Etsy.

For the Sew*er:

Patchwork Pin Cushion

Great way to use up your scraps

Pin Cushion Ring

This is darling.  Made from random plastic bottle lids!!!

On-Machine Pin Cushion

I love this one.  It would be SUPeR convenient to have a pincushion on the front of the sewing machine.

Little Letter Needle Book

For the hand-sew*er.  My sweet friend Bobbi made one of these for me, way more detailed {CraZy LaDie} and I LOVe It!

Sewing Caddy

Raise your hand if you could use one of these!  One, two, three...ok, I can't really see you.  Put your hands down.  I can just SeNSe ladies all over the WorLd nodding their heads like "Yeah, I need that!"  Maybe I would spend a little less time looking for my scissors while sewing!

Wanting to Sew*Something:

Gathered Clutch Tutorial

Darling.

Fabric Luggage Tags

Useful.

Ruffled Camera Strap

Need, not Want...Ok, maybe not, but WANT!

Super Cute Ruffled Pillow

Yummy.

Rosette Pillow

Adorable.

Tie-On Dish Towels

Convenient and Simple.

GeoCaching Swag Bag

Creative and FUN.

Super Cute Scarf{Tutorial}

Stylish.

Tohoku Bag {free pattern}

Want!

Home{Made} Heating/Cold Pack

My Back Wants.

Lavender Hot/Cold Pack

Aromatic.

Apron In A Jar

Cute packaging idea.  You could have the apron made, or just cut the fabric and include the pattern for the ladies that love a good project.

CupCake Kit

Go ahead and click on this link.  There was a lot of thought that went into this kit.  It is darling.  

Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

This blogger stands behind this hand scrub as a fabulous way to get craft-residue off your hands.  She says the sugar is a fabulous exfoliator.  Hmmm...I may need to try this myself.  Sounds great!

Peppermint Food Scrub

While we are exfoliating, we should go ahead and cover feet too.

Vamped Up Scissors

Awesome idea.  She modge podged scrapbook paper on to the scissors, then applied a glass effect to make them over the top, but this is a great idea for giving a nice pair of gingers or even just a pack of Walmart-special scissors.  What woman doesn't need another pair around the house???  I may just do this for my girlfriends...but don't hold your breath ladies!

Photo Coasters

While you have the modge podge out, you better crank out a set of these.  They are all over pinterest and everyone I talk to is making them.  Great gift for Moms and Grandmas alike.

Etched Glass Casserole Dish

{or Hotdish Dish :0}

We love you Minnesotans too!

Imagine if you had your name "Etched" in the side of that dish you took to the church potluck.  You would have gotten it back, right?  Now you can give the gift of "getting your dishes back" to your loved ones!  Etching is super easy and addictive.  I would, however, recommend getting a couple ladies together to make these just to share the cost of the etching material.  A little goes a long way and one bottle can make a hundred of these dishes.  As for the casserole {hotdish} dish, you can find them for as low as $5 at Walmart or your local kitchen outlet.

Fork Hook

I don't know who, besides me, would make this, but it is SO CUTE!  Don't feel like making one?  Good news!  They are available for sale.  Check it out!

Grandma's House Block

Cute.

Grandma's Photo Board

Love it!

Snowman LOVeRs:

SnowFamily in Frame

Great idea to use gloves, cut the fingers off, and use them as the snowmen!

Super cute.

SnowMan Pillow{for Sale}

Love this pillow.  I was hoping for a pattern, but they are for sale.  That's ok.  We are running out of time to make something like this anyway!

SnowMan Head

Brrriliant!

For the Eternal Mother:

Quiet Spray

How cheep would that be!  Originally intended for a teacher, but I need this for my kids at home.

Time-Out Bench{$69}

Want!  Come on ladies!  We can make that out of 2 liters and lazy susans, right?  Or we can just buy one.

Prodigal Sock Line

I think this is darling.  Have someone cut the vinyl, then include some jute/ribbon and some modge podged cloths pins.  Cute!

Kids can make:

Mason Jar Pin Cushion

easy.

Binder Clip Picture Holders

I have wanted to make these forever too.  Walmart and the office supply stores sell the binder clips in all different sizes.  The huge ones would be fun, but even the little ones are adorable.

Box of Hugs and Kisses

Great idea and so sweet.  Spring for the truffle kisses for an extra special treat.

Sweet Hanger Sachets

We used to make these all the time as kids.  Its a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving.

Glasses Case from a Pot HOlder

Why didn't I think of that!?!  Find some sassy potholder, fold in half, sew it on two sides...BAM!  Done.

Car Lap Desk

You would probably think of kids for these lap desks, but I could totally use one in my car.  You can make them super cheap too.  The cookie sheets are available at Dollar Tree for only a buck.  Dollar Tree is the only dollar store I found with cookie sheets {that were magnetic} for a buck.  You can even order them online!!!

Gift Wrapping Ideas:

Super cute Wrapping for Her

Sucker for rolled flowers, right here!

Awesome Blossom Gift Wrapping

Random-ly cut paper flowers.  Super easy, cheap way to dress up a package for "Her"

HomeMade Gift Advent for MOmmA :0}

Straight from Martha, and Advent chain for MOM!  Love it!  Wrap each gift individually, then tie each gift to the next.  Give it to her NOW and let her open one each day.  What a great way to be "there" when you have to be apart from you loved one at Christmas time!

I hope you liked the random sampling.  I figure the benefit of being so random is that there has to be something that interests everyone, right?

Good luck with those last minute gifts!!!

Let me know if I missed something fabulous.  I know there is so much more out there.  

Merry Christmas Everyone!