By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey
In Partnership with Cosmic Crisp Apples
Apron: Café Apron in floral linen from Libbie Summers

I’m having my family over for a simple luncheon to celebrate Spring! A Spring Radish and Apple Salad will be the star of the menu so I wanted something equally delicious and “springy” to decorate the sun porch where we’ll be eating. This homespun-chic Paper Apple Blossom Wreath with apple blossom flowers cut from paper scraps and dusted with pink chalk centers along with DELISH Cosmic Crisp apples decorate a grapevine wreath that was purchased at a craft store. Beautiful, made in 30 minutes, and ready for Spring! 

Paper Apple Blossom Wreath
makes 1 (18-inch) wreath

What you need:

5 (8”x10”) sheets of light-weight white card stock paper (slightly heavier than copy paper)
2 (8-inch x10-inch) sheets of light-weight green card stock paper (slightly heavier than copy paper)
1 piece bright pink chalk, smashed to a fine dust (To Do: put chalk into a small zip-top bag and crush with a hammer until fine)
6 feet of natural vine wrapped floral wire (available at most craft stores), can substitute small branches from your yard
1 (18-inch) grapevine wreath (available at most craft stores)
9-15 (3-inch) Floral picks with wire (available at most craft stores), can substitute bamboo skewers cut into 3-inch pieces
3-5 Cosmic Crisp® Apples
Gingham Fabric or Ribbon for hanging (optional)

Equipment:
Pencil, scissors, craft paint brush, glue gun and glue sticks

What to do:
Step 1.  Start Paper Flowers, Buds and Leave: Using your white paper make a template for your flower and flower bud. To make the flower, draw a basic five petal flower about 3-inches in width (you can do it). Cut out. To make the bud template, draw a circle (about the size of a penny) and then draw 12 thin “petals” coming from it that are about 2-inches in length. Cut out. Using your green paper, make a template for your leaf. Draw a simple 2-inch long leaf (about 1-inch wide at its widest part). Cut out. Using your cut templates, trace your flower (about 12-15) and buds (3-5) onto your white paper and cut out. Trace your leaf (20-25) onto the green paper and cut out.

Step 2. Chalk the Center of Your Flowers: Using the craft paint brush (or your finger) brush your crushed chalk into the center and a few of the edges of the flowers (you can also add more chalk later). The buds you will chalk later.

Step 3. Curl the Flowers and Leaves: Using your scissors GENTLY pull them across each petal from the center to the end (like you were curling a curling ribbon) so the petals curl INTO the direction of the pink center of the flower. Do the same to curl the ends of the leaves.

Step 4. Make Branches: Cut two (3-foot) lengths of the natural floral wire and bend each length into a branch with three twigs. They do not need to look alike. Have fun!

Step 5. Glue Flowers, Buds and Leaves to Branches: Make the buds by bringing the opposite petals of the bud cut outs to the center and gluing. Continue around the cut outs until all the petals have been glued to the center. Brush the entire bud with the pink chalk. Buds will grow at the tips of the branch twigs so glue a leaf to the tip of one or two of the branch twigs. Glue a bud on top of the leaves. Now, use the flowers and leaves and glue onto the branches (save a few of each to glue directly onto the wreath).

Step 6. Add Branches and Flowers to the Wreath: Decide where the top (NORTH) of your wreath will be (where you will hang it) and push the bottom of the flowering branches into the wreath on either side (EAST AND WEST). Bend however you like and glue down as needed where the branch meets the wreath to keep in place. Allow the branch to come out toward you. Keep it three dimensional and not just flat against the wreath. You got this!

Step 7. Add Cosmic Crisp® Apples: What’s an apple blossom wreath without apples?! Decide where you would like to place your apples on your wreath (I did three Cosmic Crisp® apples in a cluster in the bottom left corner) and push your floral pics or skewers into the wreath. Glue or wire as necessary so they are secure. You’ll need about three pics to keep each apple in place securely. Push apple into the pics or skewers. Add more pics or skewers as needed to hold. Continue decorating wreath with the remaining flowers and leaves. Brush center of flowers and outside of buds as needed with chalk if some has worn off during handling.

Step 8. Finish Wreath and Hang:Use your piece of gingham fabric or a long piece of ribbon and wrap it around the top (NORTH) of your wreath to make a hanger. Pick a perfect spot to hang a removable hook or nail and hang your wreath. I used extra fabric to make a gingham bow! NOTE: The grapevine wreath will hang fine on its own on a nail.

Have fun doing this? Here are a few more homespun chic wreaths to decorate your space.
•Felt Flower Wreath 

•Cupcake Liner Wreath

•Fun Holiday Wreaths

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

Using twigs found on a walk and leftover scraps of felt from a holiday crafting project Spring came early in the form of this adorable wreath! Sure, the felt flowers are simple and lovely on their own, but grouped together on a homemade wreath they become très chic! Keep for yourself, or gift to a friend who needs a little Spring in their step. 

Felt Flower Wreath
makes one adorable wreath to give or keep

What you need:
9″ x 12″ basic felt sheets in assorted colors (I used a more muted palette found in the French countryside)
1 bunch of twigs (mine were various sizes and widths)
Hot glue and glue gun
Scissors
Small piece of floral wire or ribbon for hanging (optional, it can also hang over a hook just as it is)

What to do:
1. Make the Flower Center: Cut 1 felt sheet into a square. Fold the square in half and glue down. On the fold end, cut thin lines about halfway down. Start at one end and place a dot of glue. Carefully roll the felt and glue at the end. Set aside to dry.

2. Cut and Add Flower Pedals: From a sheet of felt cut 8 to 10 petal shapes. Take the flower center you made in Step 1 and glue the bottom of your petal to the bottom of the flower center. Make sure the folded end of the flower center is at the top. Continue glueing your petals around your flower center until you make it back to the first. Repeat the process a second time around.

3. Cut and Add the Flower Leaves: From another sheet of felt, cut a leaf shape that looks like a ‘+’. Next, cut out an oval shape that is a bit larger. Fold that in half and glue 1/3 of the fold. Glue the ‘+’ shape to the bottom of your flower. Glue the other shape onto the bottom of the ‘+’ shape.

4. Make the Wreath I found twigs in my backyard that are about 6 to 8 inches long and started glueing them together until they resembled a circle and had a few layers (NOTE: This doesn’t need to be a perfect circle, actually less than perfect is best!). Next I glued the bottoms of the flowers to the twigs until the wreath was covered just how you like it (I left some of the wreath exposed). To hang, twist a small piece of floral wire through one of the twigs at the top and hang onto a nail OR hook or wrap a beautiful ribbon around the top OR hang straight from the wreath onto a hook.

Check out these other homespun chic felt crafts! 
•Felt Fortune Cookies
•Tiered Felt Holiday Ornaments
•Felt Gnome Hat
•Felt Ball Garland

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

This year, the holiday season is about all the the heart thumping cozy things that make this time of year special. No big box stores or mall shopping for me (in all honesty, nothing has changed there). This year I’m decorating my tree with homemade bits and bobbles including these Patchwork Ornaments. I’ve been collecting fabric scraps for years from old clothing and family heirlooms (like my grandmother’s bed sheets) that just couldn’t take another wash. Coupled with some of my new favorite fabrics from Rifle Paper and a modern nostalgic craft is born.

Patchwork Ornament
(makes 1)

What you need:
1 smooth finish (not that rough styro) styrofoam ball (any size, I used a 4″ diameter ball)
Craft Brush
Mod Podge Glue Sealer (or make your own by mixing 1 cup white glue with 1/3 cup water)
Cotton fabric scraps cut into small squares (thin cotton is best, I cut mine into 1″ squares for the 4″ diameter ball. The larger the ball the larger the squares)
1 Screw Eye (size will depend on the width of ribbon you are using for hanging)
Ribbon for hanging

What to do: 
1. Brush a thin layer of the Mod Podge glue sealer onto a small area of the ball. Apply one of the fabric squares to that area and coat the top of the fabric square with another layer of the glue sealer. Line up the next fabric square to the last square and top with a coat of the sealer. Continue around only half of the ball…applying the glue sealer to the ball and then topping with the squares and sealer (I only do 1/2 of the ball at a time because it’s easier to hold. The process can get sticky, this keeps your hand free and clean). Allow to dry (2-4 hours).
2. Continue the process with the other side of the ball until the ball is completely covered in squares. Allow to dry overnight.
3. Screw the eye screw into the ball.
4. Thread the ribbon through the eye screw and tie in a knot at the top.

To Use: Hang on a tree, decorate a package, tie on a doorknob or just fill a beautiful bowl with them.

PS Have a bandana collection? Try using bandana fabric

More Holiday Crafting Ideas Here! 
•DIY: FUN HOLIDAY WREATHS

•12 Handmade Ornaments to Trim Your Tree

•6 Unique Handmade Holiday Garlands

•DIY: Pom Pom Tree Skirt

•Handmade Stockings

By Libbie Summers
Photography by Chia Chong (as seen in Country Living Magazine, May 2020)

I like to send off guests at the end of a party with something whimsical, delicious and homemade. Usually the delicousness is found inside a tin and it’s always worthy of a smile. These cheeky and nostalgic animal cookies were packed inside decorated Altoids tins. Perfect for holding 4 small cookies and a note. PRO TIP: Make sure to soak the tins in a cleaning solution first or your cookies will taste and smell like Peppermint…or wintergreen.

The Only Sugar Cookie Recipe You Will Ever Need
(makes 3-9 dozen cookies depending on the cutter size)

What you need: 
3 cups all-purpose flour (more for bench flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup sugar (I use vanilla sugar)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (can substitute 1/4 teaspoon bubblegum extract)
Sprinkles (optional for dough)
Royal Icing (recipe to follow)
Nonpareil sprinkle mix for decorating (I used a mix of pastel colored nonpareils, you only need about 3 tablespoons total)

What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and extracts.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. The dough may be stiff…this is okay! PRO TIP: at this point you can stir in 2-3 tablespoons of sprinkles to your dough.
5. Do not chill the dough, just get right into it! Lightly flour a work surface and cut off enough dough to be workable. Roll out to a 1/4-inch thickness and cut shapes with your cookie cutters. Place on the prepared baking trays and bake for 6-8 minutes.
6. Allow to cool completely before frosting and decorating.

Royal Frosting
(makes 3 cups)

What you need: 
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons warm water
1 tablespoons powdered egg whites (or meringue powder)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring (optional)

What to do:
In a large bowl, stir together sugar, water and meringue powder until completely mixed. Adjust as needed for consistency. Add a bit more water if too thick and a bit more powdered sugar if too thin. Tint with food coloring if desired. Cover until read to use.

Gift Tins
1. Thoroughly wash and soak tins (if you are upcycling an old Altoid’s tin) to get the minty smell out.
2. Cut 2 pieces of scrap paper or paper napkins the size of the lid.
3. Using Rubber Cement or Modge Podge, glue the pieces of paper to the outside and inside lid.
4. Trim edge with any fun trim. I used a wee pom pom trim.
5. Cut a piece of parchment or tissue paper for the inside and fill with your treats!

By Libbie Summers
Assisted by David Dempsey

Tie on a package or holiday tree or my favorite…a Chinese takeout container filled with homemade sprinkle fortune cookies! 

Felt Fortune Cookie Ornaments
makes 1

What you need:
Felt Scrap (6″x 6″), I like to use a heavier weight felt
Ribbon, I used a printed holiday ribbon but you can use a blank ribbon and write your own message on it
Embroidery thread
Adornments like small beads and pom poms
Needle
Scissors
Pencil

Step 1: Cut the felt. 
Using an item that is a 6-inch diameter (I used a bowl), trace around it with a pencil onto the piece of felt. Cut out circle.

Step 2: Cut the ribbon.
Cut a piece of ribbon that is 2-inches larger than the circle.

Step 3: Fold the Fortune Cookie. 
Place the ribbon (fortune) in the middle of the felt circle and fold in half. Hold/pinch the half circle at the top of the arch with two fingers. Use the other hand to push the bottom flat side in toward the top causing a crease and creating the fortune cookie shape. At this point you can hold the two ends together. If you need a more guided tutorial, watch my video HERE at :46.

Step 4: Sew ends together. 
Using the needle and colorful embroidery thread, sew a stitch to keep the ends of the fortune cookie together. At this point, you have officially made a Felt Fortune Cookie! I love this idea for a place card or to use hundreds of them for a fun tablescape!

Step 5: Make it an ornament (if you like). 
Using your needle and thread, knot one end and thread through the top of your fortune cookie. Thread on a bead and pom pom and tie a loop at the top.

Hang your ornament on a holiday tree, tie it on a present or do what I LOVE TO DO and let it adorn a colorful Chinese takeout container that’s filled with easy to make SPRINKLE FORTUNE COOKIES.