Flower Clusters DIY

Have you seen all those beautiful flower clusters people wear in there hair?  I for one love them but not there expense.  Beautiful flowers with frills and feathers.  There are lots of tutorials out there for fabric flowers.  Most of them are pretty much the same so I won't get into that.  But to cluster them together with other things is an art.  After much trial and error I think I have learned a few things I can share so lets get started.

1. Buy satin that 100% polyester. The satin edges will burn to a nicer finish.
2. Burn the edges of your flowers before you sew them together. This gives them a more naturals fuller look.
3. Hand stitch your petals together.  No matter what any one says Hand stitching is better than hot glue.
4. Be brave and play with color combinations. You never know what will catch your eye and look great.

Start with cutting your flower petals. You will need 10 to 12 petals for each flower. Depending on how full you want them. Burn the edges of each petal. This will stop fraying and make them look more like a petal.

 Start to place your petals together. Spread them out like you are holding cards in a game.

If you need to add a stitch to the center.

Continue to add petals until you have a flower shape.  Add a few stitches to the center to secure.

 While you are securing your flower you add some beads to the center of your flower.

After adding your beads decide what you want your finished cluster. Add tulle, ribbon, lace or feathers. Cluster your flowers close together. I like to add my lace or tulle as my base of the flower cluster.  Set your flowers together and play with how you place them. sometimes I cluster my flowers are walk away for a minute to see if I still like it when I come back. Once your ready glue them with hot glue into place.   Add a clip or headband.  

These examples are made with feathers, tulle, and satin. The leaves are made with satin.  Cut in the shape of leaves and the edges are burned.

This one has a base of gathered lace with the flowers on top.  The centers of the flowers are folded satin. with pearls stitched into them. I used this one in with my little miss' Christmas skirt

Sometimes after I have clustered my flowers I like to add vintage buttons or a few extra beads.  Theses examples are a headband and corsage sash I made for a wedding. I used rolled and ruffled flowers. 

Whatever you choose play with color combos and different textures.  You never know what will make your flower clusters perfect.

Masquerade Ball! {Guest Bloggers needed}

I have been  major blog slacker this summer.I apologize.  Kids, summer fun and a couple of BIG Projects. Here is one of them I am so excited about!

I know it is technically still summer but Halloween is just around the corner and coming super fast.  And if your like me your kiddos are going to need costumes.  I've got to get going! I love creating fun costumes for my kids. I know many of you do too. So this year I am hosting a Masquerade Ball / costume contest. Anyone can come and link up their handmade costumes to share with the blogging world {and win a few prizes too!}

More details are coming soon about the event.  Currently I am looking for sponsors and guest bloggers for the event.  If you would like to be a sponsor for the event or do a guest post please contact me: cosettescloset{at}gmail.com.  Sponsor and guest post information will be emailed to all interested.

Tell all your friends and share! I would love for you all to attend. Please add the Masquerade Ball button to your side bar and spread the word.

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Learning Makes the World go round {Printable}

Its that time of year. Back to School! Yeah!! I love summer but I also love the routine school provides for my family.  So this year I made up this back to school printable for your home, mantel, classroom. Wherever you want to  put it. Just right click, save to your computer and print. Prints 8x10.

I made 2 color choices just for you.  Please Print responsibly and remember to follow the guidlines.
For more free printables see my free printables page.

PLEASE follow the following rules for Free Time Frolics printable's:

• I would love for you to become a follower of Free Time Frolics on FB or RSS. More Free Printable's are coming. You don't want to miss out.
• Free Time Frolics printable's are for PERSONAL USE only. You may not re-sell, re-distribute, or claim them as your own.
• If posting on the internet, you MUST post a link back to the original post or this page.
• Freebie printable's are offered "as is" unless otherwise noted. 
• Pin, share, use in your home or as a gift.  Enjoy.

Bloggers Guild Night {Poppy Seed Projects}

During the month of July I attended the first Idaho Bloggers Guild Meeting.  What a fantastic night!  I had so much fun with Holly (My Sister's Suitcase), Ashley (Flats to Flip Flops) and Makenzie (Girl Loves Glam).  I was so excited to meet these ladies.

Our first meeting was a craft night. Poppy Seed Projects sponsored our night.  We were sent a box full of projects goodies, 12x12 bracket boards and Texturizing Cream. So out came the paint, sponge brushes and chocolate of course.

We all had our own ideas for the project.  And they all turned out so different.

Here is my finished project.  

 I started with Poppy Seeds Texture Cream.  Way cool stuff! After drying I used Martha Stewarts Yellow paint as my first layer (2 coats).  Next I applied my Vinyl (cut on my Silhouette). And last I applied 2 coats of Turquoise paint. Once my project was completely dry I removed my vinyl.  Give it a little scrub with some sand paper and your project is complete.  I absolutely love how it turned out. A bright pop of color for my mantel shelf. It matches my summer mantel printable perfect.  I didn't even plan it.

Sharing this night with these lovely ladies was wonderful. I can't wait to do it again.  Do you live in East Idaho??  Shoot me an email and I will add you to our Facebook Group.  We are trying to get together once a month.   We would love to add to our group.

A Big Thank you to Poppy Seed Projects. Please go over and check out there website.  There are so many adorable projects and gift ideas.  Our projects turned out super cute.  I even bought a few extras from Poppy Seed for my future projects.   Stay tuned for more to come.

1 {Skirt} 10 {Ways}–Apron Skirt

If you have been following the series. You know I have made a basic skirt and a basic skirt with a contrasting band. Today we are going to add  a sweet little apron.  Adding something like an apron give this skirt a little personality.  A perfect little skirt to start school.

Start by doing steps  1-4. Measure & cut, sew side seam, Fold hem, iron and stitch.
You next step is to make your apron.  Measure your apron and cut 2 pieces.  Mine for a size 4 was approximately 12x 12. 
Lay one piece right side up.



Lay your ribbons or trip ontop and pin into place. Stitch your ribbons down.




Lay second apron piece down on top of front of apron.  Right sides together.Stitch around 3 sides.



Turn right sides out, top stitch around your 3 sides and embellish.



To finish your  skirt, find center.  Pin the center of the apron to the center of your skirt.  You can either pin this into place or do a basting stitch  to connect the skirt to the apron.



To finish your skirt, fold the top 1/4 inch and press.  Fold over 1 more inch to make a casing.  Stitch around casing leaving a 1 inch hole to add elastic.  Thread elastic through casing. sew elastic ends together  then close casing.  Your skirt is all done.

Add a fun pair of leggings or tight and your little Miss is ready for school.  If you have any questions about this tutorial please don’t hesitate to email me. 

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