The most perfect embellishment for any project in my opinion would have to be flowers! If you are anything like me, you have jars and boxes full of them … most likely coordinated by colors and sizes. But sometimes you can’t find that “perfect” one. Maybe the color isn’t right, or the shapes is all wrong, or … it just plain doesn’t look right. That’s where the trend of creating your own flowers evolved. They are so easy to make and will always coordinate nicely with your project. Whether you decided to create them using scraps of paper, cardboard, fabric, felt, or anything else … it is a great way to “go green”.

She’s Devilish by Tania Willis

Supplies: Paper, Sticker: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Journaling Block: Dude Designs, Chipboard: Scenic Route, Flower: Sassafras Lass, Metal Clip: Making Memories, Other: fabric, fusible webbing.

Design Notes: You can instantly turn your favorite fabric into fabric paper by fusing a craft-weight stabilizer to the wrong side of your fabric with an iron. The brand and type I recommend for scrapbooking is Pellon 808 - Craft Fuse. It is readily available at your local fabric retailer and can be purchased by the yard.

Journaling: Whenever great grandma Pearce is over and you come running around the corner flashing that adorable little grin, grandma always goes into a fit of laughter and she giggles as she says....."she's devilish isn't she."

Delicious Smile by Jenni Hufford

Supplies: Paper: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Paper Studio, Lily Bee Design, Die-Cut: Lily Been Design, Brads: Pink Paislee, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Making Memories, Ink: Tim Holtz, Tools: Punches (Fiskars, Marvy Uchida).

Design Notes: I decided to use their papers not only in my layout, but also to make home-made embellishments. I punched three different sized circles, distressed the edges with a nail file, and inked the edges. I then attached the three circles with a brad- an easy, home-made embellishment!

Journaling: Yes my dear, it's true, your smile is simply delicious. From the first smile you ever flashed at 5 weeks old, and even today, my heart just soars when I see your face light up with that beautiful smile. Your smile has brightened my day more times than I can count , it has made us laugh, and even cry at times. Yes, that smile has blessed our lives more than you can even imagine. Never under-estimate the power of a smile, and the beauty it beholds.  (Photo 2/2009; Journaling 9/2009)

Me @ 3 by Sarah Kimbrel

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket, Cardstock: Bazzill Basic Paper, Rub-Ons: American Crafts, Ink: Clearsnap, Buttons: DMC, Brads, Ribbon: Making Memories, Tools: Punches (EK Success), Circle Cutter (Martha Stewart Crafts), Edge Distresser (Close To My Heart).

Design Notes: To make the lollipop flowers, I cut out various-sized circles using my Martha Stewart circle cutter and distressed the edges with the Close to my Heart edge distresser. I inked the edges to make them stand out more. Then I layered the circles and added a button to the center of each flower. I love making these- it's a great way to mix different prints and use up some of those scraps!

Journaling: This is a photo of me that appeared in our local newspaper in 1992- in the "People You Know" section. I included the interview on the hidden tag. It reads: "Up Close: Sarah, 3, attends Teamon Baptist Church. She will attend pre-school this fall. Family: She is the daughter of Jerry and Betty Kimbrel. She has three brothers, Joshua (7 ½), Adam (5 ½), and Benjamin (1 ½) and cat, Sam. Favorite Friend: Leslie Crowley. Favorite Food: Mashed potatoes. Favorite Place: The store. Hobbies: Shopping and playing with ponies and babies. Pet Peeves: When her brothers mess with her “babies” My Mom Always Says: “I love you.” When I Grow Up I Want To Be: A Mommy. Describe Yourself: (According to her mother) “Shy, sweet, and smart.”