Pipe Cleaner

11.25.

Tissue Paper Pom Pom

When I was in Catholic school, I was a Cheerleader.

It was actually pretty fun. Except for the fact that it was a CATHOLIC school! I really loved my school. However, instead of having sassy short skirts, we had knee length ones.

Instead of having really cool sleeveless tank style tops, we had sweaters. Have you ever seen a hot sweaty girl who’s cheeks get really flushed on a regular basis without even having to move…………. try to cheer in a hot itchy sweater? Let me just tell you………… It ain’t pretty!

Plus, I’m pretty sure I was still rockin my “waved” bangs and sides. (*Don’t even try to lie and act like you didn’t ! You know you were right there with me……… PLEASE say you were right there with me.)

*SIDEBAR: They got the cool uniforms the year AFTER I cheered. I still harbor resentment.

*Well, fast forward to 2013 and I am not talking about the pom poms that come with a skirt…….. or a sweater for that matter.

I’m talking about the fun, cute ones you make for parties. They take about 5 minutes TOPS and would be adorable at the next little birthday party you throw for a loved one. They also double as cute room decorations. Just group them with a few others at different lengths hanging from the ceiling and instant CHEAP accessory!

Here is what you need to do:

You will need a pack of tissue paper, one pipe cleaner (or something sturdy to fasten the middle of the pom pom, and some ribbon to hang it with).

I get the packs that have 8 sheets, but you can always buy one with more. It would just be fuller. This pack only cost $ .99 at Walmart. I already had the pipe cleaner and ribbon, so it only cost me the amount of the tissue paper.

Unfold the tissue paper and leave all the sheets still stacked on top of each other.

Start to fold the tissue paper in an accordion style. Fold one way, then the opposite way. Do this until you have folded the entire stack.

Since the paper comes folded already, you will have somewhat of a template to follow. However, I fold mine slightly smaller than the width they have.

Like so…..

When gathered in the middle, this is what it should look like.

Now, gather in the middle and secure a pipe cleaner to the middle of the folded tissue paper.

Either cut off the excess pipe cleaner or wrap the extra around like I did.

Now, one by one, starting pulling back the individual sheets on each side. Be careful not to rip the sheets. They are fragile.

I like to pull one on each side, working my way towards the middle until all of them have been done.

This is what it should look like when you have completed one side. Now, just repeat the same steps on the other side.

Looking straight through to the middle, this is what it will look like.

Now, take your ribbon and cut the desired length.

Attach around the pipe cleaner in the middle.

Make sure you fluff around where the center is in order to hide the opening.

AND VOILA!

Mix colors and have fun! We did this for the 4 Year Anniversary at my Church a few months back and hung them everywhere. At the end of service, we let all the little kiddies take one home.

Here is a picture of some from the 4 Year Anniversary Party:

Pom Poms

Happy Partying and Happy Decorating!

XOXO,

Esther

Tags: Accordion Fold, Catholic, Cheerleading, Decorating, Kids, Parties, Pipe Cleaner, Pom Pom, Ribbon, Sweaters, Tissue Paper, Tops

12.04.

Dr. Seuss Themed Christmas Tree

I love Dr. Seuss……. ANYTHING!

So, it is probably no surprise to most that I would do a “Dr. Seuss” themed Christmas Tree. Specifically “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”.

I love how in the cartoon and the movie alike, they had random things on the trees. In the cartoon, they even had presents. I couldn’t pull that off, but it gave me the idea to put random things, like silk flowers.

But, not just any silk flowers.

The “loudest” and most “sparkliest” of all flowers.

Most of the ornaments, I have collected over the past few years. However, every year, I add to it a little.

I love ornaments, but picks are what give my tree the look I wanted. I got these in a kit from Sam’s Club this season. They should still have some.

This is as close as I could get to putting actual presents ON my tree instead of UNDER it. I got these from Michael’s craft store three years ago when they went on sale. I think I ended up paying $.89 for them in the end. They also make a great idea as a present topper. One year, I wrapped all my presents in brown paper. I then embellished them with these picks and everyone thought they were so pretty, they didn’t want to open their presents and mess it up.

I also bought these at my local craft store 3 years ago. They haven’t had any since. I have gone back optimistically each year to hopefully buy more, but still get dissapointed. I call these my Peacock feathers!

This is what I found instead this year. The lighting in the photo keeps you from seeing the pretty sparkle these flowers have. I bought these and the blue one at the top from the craft store this season for 50 % off already. They are a little pricey, but are sturdy and worth it in my opinion. They were $5.99 each after the 50% off. Again, at Michael’s.

I bought a set of these, and…………..

these 3 years ago at Target. I think I’m addicted to GLITTER!

These green swirly picks were in the same kit from Sam’s Club and I used them at the top.

These snowflakes were in it too and I felt like it symbolized the Snowflake that Whoville was in.

Last but not least, these are the puffs in the tree. This is new this year for me. I really felt like this made my tree this year. This is a great idea to help hide “holes” in the tree. Picks are too, but these can hide so much more than they can. Plus it just really adds something to your tree. AND! It is ridiculously EASY!

I bought the fabric in a roll of 10 yrds. from Sam’s Club and cut every 1ft. or so. Then I just gathered all four ends and twisted a pipe cleaner I had cut in half to it. Puff it up and stick it in the tree! That’s IT!