Crepe Paper Chandelier

This project is so dear to my heart. I worked on these flowers this summer while taking care of my mom who just had a stroke. This was my self care when she was sleeping and a way to tune out noise and distractions. I love how creativity can free your mind and soul and give you the space dream.

I made 60 wild roses for this chandelier and used Lia Griffiths double sided paper in two shades. I also cut three different sized roses.

The inside of the chandelier is gauze that I sewed around the smaller hoop so the roses would pop a little more and appear as if they were floating.

I am currently working on a smaller one that will hold darker shades of red roses for my daughter’s kitchen.

Have fun with whatever sparks some creativity and happiness. Give yourself permission to play and take care of you.

Crepe Paper Cafe' Au Lait Dahlia and Celebrating Femininity!

The first part of my creative journey this summer was all about playing with paper and learning to make a new flower.  Back in May before school was out, I purchased Jessica's tutorial on how to make this flower. I anxiously awaited school to release so I could have a little summer of play.  Midway through summer(it's been a busy one for sure), I crafted my Cafe' Olait Dahlia with my own unique style and decided to have a fun photo session to celebrate it.  What I didn't realize was that this was so much more than making a new flower and taking some pictures.  It became a celebration of womanhood, strength, femininity and feeling free and confident in your own skin. 
These photos represent my daughter’s love for life, and confidence while twirling and making silly faces in front of my lens. And yes, I printed every single one of them.

 I realize now, the purpose of this art for me is to really see life with moments of mindfulness and gratitude. It is so much more than an art but a way of life. It's not about the product but the process and journey of it all.

This is a time for us to show ourselves the love and compassion we need to get through the ups and downs in life.  It is a time for us to say beautiful, positive loving phrases to ourselves and encourage growth and happiness. Whatever you are going through today, please know you are not alone.  Remember you are made to add beauty in the world so it is ok to ask for help and to lean on others to help you shine.  

Through my counseling journey I have learned the best tools for resiliency are feeling grateful, mindfully living life and feeling compassion not only for others but more importantly for yourself. I believe creating with your hands can open your mind to the beautiful vulnerability of making mistakes, learning, growing and sharing your gifts. 

So today let's celebrate what we have, who we are and that we are loved unconditionally.  I would like to encourage all of you beautiful women today to take time to create with your hands, dress up and celebrate who God designed you to be: imperfectly perfect!

Crepe paper flower and style

This is me… 48, confident in my sweetly aging skin.

What I have learned… comparing yourself and wanting someone else’s dream is a waste of time. Your dream and story are so much better!

Slowing down and enjoying the little things in life are not a waste of time but feeds your heart, mind and soul.

Gratitude is so good not just for your own mindset but it shines so much light on others around you.

Taking time in your passions is not meaningless, it is necessary to create and constantly learn new things.

Vulnerability is synonymous with courage and bravery and connects us with each other in deep and meaningful ways.

Your style is part of your story and shines out who you are. Don’t second guess it…”feel classy and fabulous” at EVERY age, because you have been designed perfectly you.

Let’s talk style with crepe paper flowers. I love finding fun ways to embellish my outfits with my passion. These little magical flowers look great on a sweet little purse, pinned to your dress, as a belt around your waist… use your imagination and tap into your feminine energy. Of course wearing a little crown of flowers makes you smile instantly too!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating and give this incredible medium a try! I’m here to answer any questions you may have.

I love buying my paper from Rose Mille

The little basket is from Anthropologie.

The little gold vase below is from HEB’s floral dept.

The vintage tulle dress is from Gatherings in Georgetown Tx.

My Love for Crepe Paper

If you have followed me for a while you have seen my obsession with crepe paper and making magical little creations with it.

I have been playing with paper for many years but just in the last year got serious about it. I find it as kind of a relaxation or creative therapy when I need to unwind.

I have many favorite artists and have taken some online courses. My first is Tiffany Turner. She is a large flower installation artist and has an amazing book that I find myself oogling over all the time. She brings such a realness to her creations and really thinks outside of the box.

Her book: The Fine Art of Paper Flowers is a gorgeous book you will want to display on your coffee table and read over and over.

I am also a subscription member to Lia Griffith. If there is a flower you want to make, she has it no doubt. She also sells her papers and supplies on amazon.

My new favorite artist that I have recently taken a Dahlia tutorial from is Jessie Chui from craftedtobloom.com.

Did you know she started a podcast for people like me who are obsessed with making paper flowers? It is called Paper Talk and it is seriously inspirational.

I am 4 weeks out from school being out for the summer and I will be learning and crafting all summer long!

Below is my new Vision Board. As you can see I am adding many inspirational crepe paper photos!

Here is my latest creation for a dear friend who lost her father recently. I added different shades of Pink Peonies, white peonies, apricot and pink roses. I am still learning but this little passion of mine gives me so much purpose and happiness every time I sit down to create a single flower.

In this arrangement I used all Werola German Crepe Paper from Rosemille.com. I used the heavy crepe as well as fine crepe paper to give the arrangement some depth.

Franklin, Tn and the love of photography

This week my hubbie and I got a little getaway to a town called Franklin, right outside Nashville. We moved our family there 16 years ago and we walked down memory lane and took in all of the beauty there. Of course I took my camera and found this magical trail at Natchez Trace.
We have been back for 13 years but we have the sweetest memories there.
Some of our favorites this week:

Cork and Cow for steaks with lemon butter

Emmy2 for amazing burgers

South 55 for gumbo

Loveless cafe for chicken, waffles and has brown casserole

Natchez Trace Bridge and trails for the gorgeous views in these photos!

This beautiful barn is iconic for Franklin, Tn don’t you think? I am going to frame this for my son since he was born there.

Oh man how I wish I had picked up photography back when I lived there. Just walking historic Franklin shopping area, I was looking at all the textured walls and rustic store fronts that are prime for great photos. Even Anthropologie had amazing little nooks you could do amazing senior photos in! Well, someday we will be back and I will dream of a photo shoot there!

Family Bliss and a little Austin, Tx photo session in the woods of Steiner Ranch

I absolutely can’t say enough about the sweet Huerkamp family. They are so blessed to have 5 kiddos surround them with love and laughter daily and they are the most down to earth, humble family I know.

I was honored to take their newborn photos as well as their family photos. We had so much fun with flower crowns adorned with roses and eucalyptus and then 5 months later…a photo session on a trail.

Newborn session:

This was mostly shot in Laney’s bedroom because the light was magical and let’s face it, the room is gorgeous! I mean look at the wallpaper…every photographers dream backdrop for indoor photos.

It’s always nice to capture newborn photos in the bedroom since new mommas and babies spend lots of time napping together and it is an intimate setting for a cozy session.

The headbands (see below) were a cinch to make and much cheaper than having made. You just need a soft headband, hot glue and cut the stems of the flowers so they will lay flat. Always glue the flowers closer together than what you think is natural to allow for space to give when the band is stretched around the head. These little jewels are fun to dry and keep for sentimental reasons.

The Family Session….Let’s talk about the location first….

I have learned you don’t need a fancy background to have a great photo shoot. I struggled with this concept for years, always looking for something unique and different. In the end, the focus is really on the family and how their love connects with the camera.

We found this little trail in our neighborhood and the colors this time of season were perfect for the outfits Laney chose for their photos. I love how the little girls were in one color: Gold and the boys and Laney in variations of the other color: Navy.

Second, let’s talk about bringing in a piece of furniture in the outdoor setting. This is absolutely my favorite way to add dimension and whimsy to a session. It also gives the family a different look than just standing in different poses.

Okay, enough about the set up, let’s look at some gorgeous people!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, who does not change from shifting shadows.”

— James 1:17

The Holiday photo shoot:

This photo of the girls was captured with my Iphone and edited with Light and Airy Presets: Bright.