Anthro Craft Workshop w/ Look Linger Love

I was at work one afternoon and decided to check my Google Reader. The newest post was up from Chassity Evans of the awesome blog Look Linger Love. (If you're not already following along- you should!).......So, I was reading and saw that the post was about hosting a craft workshop at the new Anthropologie store downtown (it opened at the end of October). There were a limited amount of spots open and I immediately jumped on the opportunity. I was talking with my friend Ashley at the moment and had her join in too :)

The night of the workshop was a dreary, rainy evening and I arrived (barely) on time after driving around trying to find a parking spot. The party was set up in the back of the store. There were yummy cake pops and red velvet cookies along with cider, hot chocolate, and water. We had some time to chat with those around us and then got straight to work on our felt stockings.

I'm in dark green in the middle of the very back row 

and Ashley is to the left of me in pink (picture from LLL)

Despite being a little toasty (ok honestly I was dying of being too warm), we had a really great time!! It was nice to craft with some new people and meet the lovely Chassity. Wish it had been longer than an hour!

our sweet host Chassity

my sweet pal- so glad she could go with me

Definitely looking forward to more Anthro craft workshops!!!
Y'all know I love to craft (proof found here, here, here, and here)
and how much this store inspires all of us.

Coffee Filter Backdrop

The bride (my now SISTER in law!!!!!) wanted a fun backdrop for behind the cake table and we chose this pin as inspiration:

{seen here & the Pinterest Board Mark & Sandy}

Because knowing that fabric can sometimes be expensive, I chose to do something a little different.....I dyed coffee filters and hung them from a tree branch "frame" :) It was funky, neon, and one of my favorite projects! 

If you're interested in how I made this, I've included a quick tutorial:

Supplies:

*Dyed Coffee Filters (6 packs)

Fishing line

Plastic Straws (3 boxes)

Scissors

Needle
Metal Washers (15)
Large Crimp Beads (1 pack)
Pliers
*Backdrop Frame

*I had previously dyed the coffee filters with regular & neon food coloring. It's not too hard to do- I mixed up different color combinations according to the back of the box :) Then, I broke up the coffee filters into large sections, folded them into quarters, dyed them together at one time, and then separated them filter by filter to dry (underneath wax paper and paper towels).
*My husband made the backdrop frame using 3 tree branches.
*The only things I bought were the coffee filters & crimp beads :) This project was under $8

My mama-in-law and friend Allison slaving away :)

Can you see the tree branch frame?

Instructions:

1. You will need to cut your fishing line at least a foot longer than your backdrop stand's height. My stand was 6 ft tall, so I cut each of my lines 7ft in length.

2. Cut your straws into 5-6 pieces each and place in a bowl. I liked using straws that were the same color as my filters :) 

3. Tie a washer to one end of the fishing line. This will act as a weight to keep the strings in place.

4. Using your needle, poke a hole in the center of each filter. I used a large thick needle and did a stack of 10-20 filters at a time. 

5. Alternate back and forth with a straw piece and coffee filter, stringing them along your fishing line. I did each line with the same color.

            

6. Once all your lines are complete and you've used up all your filters, have a friend help you hang them!! Standing on a chair (if you're short like me), loop the string around the branch, pull the line until it's hanging where you want it, then have your friend hold the two strands together. Using your crimp bead, make sure the two strands are inside the indention and squeeze together with your pliers. I did two beads on each line just to be secure.

7. Repeat step 6 until you're done! Then, crinkle all the coffee filters from top to bottom (so you can't see the straws) like they're a flower. Please ignore the one I didn't finish-OOPS!

8. Stand back & enjoy your handiwork! This project would be a lot of fun for a birthday party!

{Here are some photos of the Coffee Filter Backdrop at the wedding reception}

 

Mama Pepin putting the cake together

All the pretty blues and greens

Cutting the Cake        

When they were done, I took this shot of them in front of the backdrop :)

Congrats Mark & Sandy!!!

we love you!

Make sure you check out the other fun wedding crafts I put together!! 

{#1 and #2 and #3}

Dishtowel Knock-Off {Anthropologie}

I saw this -----> 

Country Clothesline Dishtowel

on the Anthro website and loved it, but not it's price tag ($24)!!

So, I decided to make it myself!

What I used:

White flour sackcloth dishtowel (Dollar Tree = $1),

Embroidery Thread (Michaels 36 color pack= $5.99) + 40% off coupon

Embroidery Hoop for centering the design (Michaels= $1.89) 

Fabric scraps for the leaves, bird, & clothes

Scissors

Needle

I just free-handed the design.....& since I only used 9 colors of thread (.10 each), the cost for this project was only $3.80!!

 

 

sorry this one is sideways....

*This dishtowel is being sold for Adding Anna Carson's adoption :)

[See the full list of where I link up] 

Easy Knock-Off Craft {Anthropologie}

I love Anthropologie.
It's true.
I have bought several things from Anthro, but the ONLY things I've ever bought full price was their signature Capri Blue Volcano scented candle and a "M" coffee mug for Matt. I have a "J" mug given to me by my friend Rachel as a Christmas gift one year.

  

My best friend couldn't have explained this love & hate relationship any better than in this post. Although I enjoy seeing the funky and beautiful things they sell, I've gathered up so many ideas with the intention to make them myself..............
Which hasn't happend until now!

I mean- this wreath is $148 whopping bucks!!!! Seriously?! That, I can easily make!
But today's easy knock off is a super cute gift box decoration. Last year, when I got some cute ornaments after the holiday season, I was given a gift box and string to wrap them up in.

Now this is no ordinary string. It was a cool string with little felt circles attached.

The girl at the register demonstrated how to push them all together to make a flower-like decoration.

 
I've saved it all this time because I couldn't decide how to use it. It could be a belt, vase wrapper, gift decoration, easy wreath ribbon, or used as a headband.

Supplies:
String
Felt- 4 different colors (or however many you want)
Scissors
Marker
2 inch Circle Stencil or small circular object

How to make the decoration:
1. Cut string to your desired length (depending on what it's being used for)
2. Use a marker to trace circles onto your felt sheets. You will need to make at least 10.

3. Cut out the circles from inside of the marker line.

4. Fold each circle in half and cut two tiny slits in the center of each felt circle.

5. Slide the string through the slits of each circle.

6. Push the circle together to make your cool Anthropologie knock-off!!!! How fun is that?!

What will you use yours for??