Festive Felt and Ombre Trees

This week I've been running out of things to do with the kids I nanny for... so we got crafty with felt. This little ombre tree craft is incredibly easy, you just need a few simple supplies:

felt by the yard

styrofoam cones

hot glue gun

a scissor

Joann Fabric had some awesome, speckled, real wool felt; but it was $10 a yard and we weren't trying to get fancy. Therefore, we walked slowwwly by the good stuff to the polyester felt which comes in more colors, is 72" wide, and only $4.99 a yard! WAHOO!! We picked 3 greens and cut 1/2 yard of each which is more than enough for about 6 or more trees. The felt was on promo 40% off so we paid about $1.25 each color. I thought the styro. cones were a little pricey, about $5 each; but we used a coupon, of course!

Next, I traced a faint line lengthwise on my felt, about an inch away from the edge. I freehand cut the scallops but wanted to make sure there was some sort of line to follow bc my scallops can get a little cray. Also, my felt was folded in half to save time (and sanity). Again, cut lengthwise, so your strands are the longest possible, 72 inches in this case.

After cutting scallops from all 3 colors, I started wrapping at the bottom of the cone and wrapping up in a spiral motion. 

**** If using high-heat glue gun, be sure to apply glue to felt, NOT foam, so the form doesn't melt.

When wrapping, we glued on the piece we were glueing down, as opposed to the piece we were glue to, so we didn't have glue accidentally showing.

Unfortunately, the top of the cone is not a point like you would hope... So I started glueing and pinching the fabric together to make a point and just kind of went with it. Maybe you are craftier and can make a point to attach to the top before you start wrapping? 

We cut a little star and Presto! The whole house FELT instantly festive!

What else can we make from felt you ask?? A little preview above... and details next week!

Festival Hoorahs. Bra Optional.

Dress: Free People Boots: Jeffrey Campbell Bag: Gap Jewelry: Michael Kors watch,
Anthropologie wrap bracelet,  handmade Mexican shell bracelet,
Vintage ring, Urban Outfitters earrings Glasses: Forever21

Get your festy on. 

Or at least look like you are in flowy boho dresses, 

huge earrings, and fringe booties. Bra optional.

Extra credit for a dress that twirls.

gettin' springy with it

Spurts of 60 degree weather and tiny flower buds have inspired me to start thinking about spring accessories! (Cannot WAIT until I don't have to bring a jacket and Uggs in my car just incase it starts snowing...)

Sweater: Target Jeans/Clutch/Boots: Gap Watch: Fossil Bracelet: Anthropologie Ring: vintage

Earrings: Free People 

Shirt: Anthropologie Jeans: Gap Necklace: Anthropologie and Forever21 

Scarves (left to right): Anthropologie, The Limited via Buffalo Exchange, and vintage (from my Grandmother)

Bag: Free People Earrings: Urban Outfitters Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack

Earrings: Forever21

{not so} Small Frye

Frye Harness 12R Chocolate love! Photo by: Kelly Ann

I was in Scottsdale the other day with my sister from another mister when a guy came up to me and asked (for his wife who was standing further away, blushing) What kind of boots I was wearing and where they could find some! 

I was so flattered (and shocked because I thought the whole world knew what Frye Harness boots were), and actually started blushing myself (BAHaha, silly me!) 

"Aw, these ol' things?" (I didn't really say that) but I did collect my whits and tell them they are "Frye" brand, the best boot brand EVER, the style is "Harness" ("Harness 12R Chocolate" to be exact), and they sell them at Nordstrom along with tons of other Frye boot/shoe styles. They were so funny, getting all excited, said a quick "Thanks so much!" and walked away, wifey saying "Let's go to Nordstom!" under her breath. My SFAM laughed at me for blushing and said she had never heard of Frye either! WHAT THE HECK! I have to tell everyone!

Side note: Frye doesn't only make boots of all shapes and sizes, they have handbags, wallets, accessories, sneakers, clogs, moccasins, flats, pumps, oxfords, and shoes/boots/accessories for men and kids, too. Here are just a few of my favs!

Frye Paige

Frye Deborah Studded Short

Frye Melissa Trapunto

You can buy The Frye Company almost anywhere.. like: Nordstrom, Belk, Urban Outfitters, Macy's, Anthropologie, and of course online markets like Ebay, Amazon, and Etsy are great places to find good deals. You just have to remember that the awesome Limited (2 year) Warranty is only offered when purchased at  authorized Frye Company retailers.

Don't know the style anymore, sorry! Photo by: oneoakphoto.com

My first pair of Frye boots I bought on Ebay! I was just about to start college and was in desperate need of some awesome classic leather boots to strut around campus and fell in LOVE with a pair that were $400... (damn me and my expensive taste!) Obviously, my Mother refused to buy them so I resorted to Ebay to try to find an affordable pair. What-do-you-know; I found the EXACT ones I had wanted, in my size, (and they were "%100 Authentic" which is the key word for finding non-knock off) listed at $200 "Buy-it-now", so I did. Almost 7 years later I STILL get stopped on the streets and compliments on them.

Fun fact: The Harness boot style looks the exact same as the Harness made in the 70's. I have a friend who wears a pair of Harness boots from the 70's and they look exactly like my new ones. (The wear and tear is hardly even noticeable at all which is so sweeeet!)

Damn, sorry y'all, I talk a lot... Comment for more info!

Smooches!