Jacque Made: a place to share my creative side.

My daughter was beyond thrilled to be the flower girl for our cousin's wedding. She looked forward to it for months on end! As it got closer to the day, I decided I really wanted to make her a floral headband to wear with her pretty white dress. I chose to use wax flowers and greens I found from a local floral shop and Trader Joe's.  I bought this covered wire to use for the base of the headband. I liked that it was dark brown like my daughter's hair, so it wouldn't stick out at all. I've also used this in lighter colors as well which work nicely for blonde hair.  Making a headband is a labor love - takes a bit of time, but is so lovely when it's done. After measuring how much wire I'd need on my daughter's head, I cut it and then used a glue gun to carefully glue the flowers and greens around the headband.  I glued the flowers and greens so they were facing in towards her face on both sides. Then, in the back, I glued a piece of white ribbo...

I like to give special photo ornaments to friends at Christmastime. I'll usually text them and ask them to send me a few of their favorite photos from the year and then I have them printed. I use mod podge and chipboard, which you can buy at a craft store or online. Then, I usually also buy stickers to put the year on the ornament.   First I line up the photo onto the chipboard and punch holes where I'd like to put the ribbon on it for hanging. Then, I use a foam paint brush and put a layer of mod podge onto the chipboard, and then glue the photo down onto it. Then, I add another layer of the mod podge onto the top of the photo. This seals the photo and protects, it too. I try to use smooth strokes, so the mod podge dries nicely.   Once that is dried, I add the number stickers and then another layer of mod podge over the stickers to seal them down. I add the ribbon once they have completely dried. It's best to leave them out to dry them overnight if possible...

I made this simple wreath and wanted to share it. I simply covered a foam wreath with thick black fabric using a glue gun. Then I added a large orange bow and with clear plastic thread, I added this cute felt bat (a Halloween decor item I found at Target). I love how it looks like the bat is flying, since he's suspended with the clear thread. I always lean more towards cute Halloween décor rather than scary. Having small kids and knowing small kids are trick or treating at my house, I don't want to frighten them. I think this wreath is Halloween-y but adorable, too.

Of all the holidays, Christmas is my favorite to decorate for. I truly believe it is a magical time. Not just because all the kids are excited for their Elf on the Shelf to fly and make mischief while they sleep, and not just because of Santa Claus and his reindeer. I love Christmastime, because I feel a greater sense of love, and peace, and giving all around me. And it feels magical. I guess that's why I love to make my home feel magical, too. For years now, I've decorated in mainly red and green. I love the traditional colors of the holiday and all they represent. But, I fell in love with a few items I saw this year that were a range of colors. I had to get them. These trees from Target were my favorite find. I bought them on sale, and I love them!!  It's hard to see, but I also bought the white ball and jingle bell garland from Target to pin our Christmas cards to. I use small clothespins to pin them on.  And then, I saw the mini trees and had to buy them...