[DIY Paper Craft Decor] Accordion Paper Flowers

I know that the holidays have come and gone and decorations have already been stored away, but you know what? These paper accordion flowers that I made to decorate my walls for Christmas, have not been taken down just yet... I love how pretty they look and think they're great whether or not the seasons change. Besides, I don't mind having to look at them all year round because I love that they are handmade and think it adds a creative touch to my home. This post will show you how I made these accordion flowers. They can be made in so many different sizes, but this project is going to include instructions on how to make a pretty large sized flower that can be used to hang from a ceiling or pinned up to a wall like I have done.

This step by step tutorial is pretty simple and you may use any type of 12x12 paper for this project. I used thick patterned card stock by My Mind's Eye because it continues the theme of my Paper Tree and Paper Wreath that I also created. One thing I do recommend although it is not necessary, is a scoring board. I recently purchased Martha Stewart's Scoring Board and love it because it has the grooves and measuring guides that allow perfect lines and increments. Super convenient. But, if you don't have this tool, no worries. A ruler and a scoring tool will work just fine.

DIY TUTORIAL: ACCORDION FLOWERS [Large Sized]

What you will need:

• 12x12 Solid or Patterned Card Stock - TWO STRIPS CUT OF EITHER ONE OF THESE SIZES: 4'X12', 6'X12', OR 8'X12' INCHES.
• 1 Coordinating card stock with a different color or pattern
• 2 in or bigger round circle or scallop punch
• Scoring Board or Ruler w/Scoring Tool
• Glue Gun
• Stapler or Adhesive strips

1. First step is to score 1 inch increments on each strip of card stock. I decided to use 6 x 12 inch strips for my project, but for different sizes you may try this with 4' x 12' or 8' x 12' inch strips as well.

2. After scoring both strips of 6 inch pieces of paper and folding them accordion style, line up and staple ends together to form one long 24 inch strip.

3. Then take both ends around to form a circle.

4. Staple it together.

5. Push towards the center.

6. It should lay flat and from this circle.

7. Now we need to add a punched circle to the center.

8. Turn accordion flower over and lay it face down on the backside of the punched circle paper. Center it so that the inside circle of the accordion flower is not hanging over the edges of the punched circle. You will need to hold the accordion flower in place to keep its form while the hot glue dries. Be careful, it is hot!

9. Once you know that the hot glue is dry, turn it over and go ahead and add any other embellishments if you'd like. To attach a ribbon or string, I simply stapled it onto the back, close to the edge.

Here is my wall display with the rest of the accordion flowers I created in different sizes. I found that the smaller you create the flowers, the smaller the paper strips and the increment measurements that you'll need to score decreases. These smaller sizes are great for paper crafts such as cards, scrapbook pages, favors, etc.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask!! 

Enjoy!

MY FAVE RECIPE NO.1 | SUSHI BAKE

A few weeks ago, I happened to make this for dinner after hearing from my sister + cousin how easy and delicious it is. I already love sushi, so I knew that it would be such a great recipe to add to my collection if I ever craved for sushi at home. Many have asked me for the recipe, so I'm happy to finally post this and would love for you to leave a comment if you do make it and let me know how it turned out!

Now, it's not your typical sushi where you roll it up and cut into pieces, but I'm sure you could if you felt like being creative and inspired to do so. As for me, this layered dish really gives the flexibility and allows for more creative possibilities beyond imitation crab or shrimp which this recipe calls for. You could definitely add your own twist to it, like shredded cooked tuna or salmon, avocado, etc. and mix and match to come up with your own. But for right now, I am posting the basic recipe which still rocks in my opinion. I actually had to make a separate batch that didn't include shrimp because my poor hubby is allergic to shellfish, but I must say that I personally love it with shrimp because it does add so much more flavor to it.:)

Just a side note, I did google Sushi Bake recipes on the web and only found a few good ones like here and here. However, I did improvise on measurements and eye balled some of the ingredients to my judgement and took note of it. Also added Siracha Hot Chili Sauce per my cousin's suggestion. Surprisingly, it didn't make this too spicy unless you really want it to be, but remember, a little goes a long way. Either way, I'm not sure if you could go wrong with the amount of each ingredient you use, except when making sushi rice which does require exact measurements, otherwise it will end up too mushy or too acidic.

Speaking of making sushi rice, I thought it would be difficult, but actually it isn't so hard. Just remember that it DOES make a difference with the type of rice you use. I was going to use long-grain jasmine since that was what I already had on hand, but found that it is best to not substitute the rice for anything else but Sushi grade rice--short, medium, or variety, which is what I used. You will be so glad you did because it makes up for a great foundation for the whole dish, giving it a really nice texture and flavor as it absorbs the flavors of the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt solution. YUM!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                   

Left to Right: Short/Med/Variety Calrose Rice, Rice Vinegar, Sour Cream,
Mayonnaise, Shrimp, Imitation Crab, Siracha Hot Chili Sauce,
Furikake Rice Seasoning, Roasted Seaweed

YUMMY SUSHI BAKE

3 cups sushi rice (See instructions below)
1 pkg imitation crab, chopped
1 pkg cooked frozen shrimp, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
3-4 dashes of Siracha (hot chili sauce)
2 jars Furikake Seasoning
2-3 pkgs Sushi Nori (roasted seaweed)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sushi rice and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients except Furikake Seasoning and seaweed, until thoroughly combined. You may add more mayo + sour cream if you like it a little more creamier and if you don't mind the extra calories. Then in a 13x9 dish, spread the sushi rice evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. Layer the mixture over the rice evenly as well. Sprinkle the Furikake seasoning generously over the entire top layer. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until nice and hot. Cut up the roasted seaweed into squares. Serve by scooping the sushi bake onto the individual roasted seaweed and enjoy!

SUSHI RICE

3 cups of cooked rice
1/3 cup of rice vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Cook rice in rice cooker or pot according to the package directions. In the meantime, heat up rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan until it all dissolves, just a few minutes. Turn off heat. Now this next step is very important because it is really critical to making great sushi rice. You will need a wooden bowl and must not use a metal bowl or the vinegar will react with the metal. Scoop 3 cups of rice into the wooden bowl and drizzle the vinegar solution over the rice. Mix and fold rice to combine it all together and if you have an extra hand, have someone fan the rice while you're mixing it to give it a nice shiny appearance. Continue to mix until all the vinegar has been absorbed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

There you go!! I am now getting hungry and drooling while typing this. Hopefully, yours will turn out just as yummy as it did for me and my family. This would also be a great potluck dish and will definitely please a crowd which obviously did for my household because it was gone within minutes!

I hope to bring you more of my family favorite recipes on my blog throughout this year, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter (still in the works), join me on facebook, or follow me on twitter.

Happy eating!

HELLO JANUARY!!!

Hello January!

It's a NEW year -- 2011! I know that every year, many of us hold claim to the quote, "Out with the OLD and in with NEW" and that is exactly what I hope to achieve in the month of January. Already, I've set apart so many toys that my boys no longer need or want into a huge box to be donated and my next project is to tackle all the closets in the house--clothes, books, unnecessary junk that may just as well be someone else's treasure:). It will be a while before I can get it all done, but I am SO determined to SIMPLIFY and make more space, not to mention good for the heart + soul. There's something about it that is so liberating when you can let go of all that 'stuff' to keep your house clean + organized or simply put, so that you can give to help others who are in need... 

Also, I am not a resolution type of girl. I already learned my lesson of setting up myself to fail. As a human being, I find it hard to stick to something when I set goals that are way above my standards or if my motives lack the drive and passion to stay committed to it. Some may resolve to get on a diet and lose weight, nothing wrong with that. But, it takes more work than one can expect to follow all these rigid regimes or plans that we hope to commit to than just making it a routine. It takes a change of heart and a strong mindset to really follow through...

I believe in "small steps = big changes". 

So, this year I am doing one SMALL change to my eating habits and that is to drink more water a day. [those who know me, know that this is always a challenge for me] :) In regards to my finances, I'm going to put $30/31 a month = $1/day, away into a jar every month to save and make it a habit to increase it every year. It may not seem much, but it will eventually grow. Think of plant seeds and the amazing growth it brings when harvest is due. According to my faith, I know that the Bible says that even "faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains" which is really the foundation of anything I set out to achieve--is to have a little faith. For me, it's not only to have faith in myself, but most importantly in the Lord who makes all things possible.  Little steps....

Hope you were encouraged and inspired to start out your year in a positive note as I shared my little seeds of faith with you! 

More posts to come! The next one is going to delight your taste buds so come back soon :)

Love + Faith,