When Life Gives You Lemons and Melon Balls...

it's time to make delicious mocktails. 😀  

Presentation is key to making your mocktails appealing. Use colorful garnishes like fruit slices, herbs, or edible flowers to enhance the visual impact. 

Choosing the right glassware can also make the drinks attractive. To add a touch of class to your presentation consider using glasses, like a coupe or highball glass. I recently combined many of my etched barware glasses to create a new Collection in my Zazzle Store:

Engraved Glassware and Barware Gifts

Seasonal ingredients can inspire delightful mocktails tailored for different times of the year. In spring and summer, consider using fresh berries, melon balls and herbs to create light, fruity drinks. 

During the fall, apple cider and spices like cinnamon can create warm, comforting mocktails, while winter might call for cozy flavors like peppermint or ginger to warm up those chilly nights. 

I searched Mocktail Recipes and found a lot. 😲 Food Network is the best I could find, names and photos, a quick look at all the drinks listed -- no wading through lists of ingredients unless you click 'get the recipe' button. 

Check out Food Network's list:

34 Mocktails You’ll Want To Mix Up All the Time

Thanks for making it this far -- I hope you found this topic interesting! 🍋

Cheers!

~Molly

P.S. Nonalcoholic tequila was used in the Watermelon-Basil Cooler, #8. Who knew there is such a tequila? 

Turning the Page, a New Chapter

After some time away, I’ve decided it’s time for this blog to grow in a new direction. From here on, I’ll be focusing on my Zazzle products -- practical goods and thoughtful gifts I’ve designed over the years. Creating continues to be a steady part of my life, and it feels good to let this space reflect the work that I enjoy.

Since 2008, this blog has been filled with quilling, crafts, and detailed tutorials. Those projects shaped so many years of creativity and connection. But as quilling and guild activities have evolved, so have my interests.

With health challenges I never expected, my priorities have become me and my family. The me part is designing on Zazzle. I am able to get involved and temporarily don't feel pain or think of worries. It’s become a place where I can create freely. It gives me purpose, and right now, that matters.

If you’ve followed this blog recently or for a long time, I hope you’ll continue to stop by. I appreciate you for helping my blog become a success.

And I always like to share something from time to time from my favorite site. In lieu of a single article, I am linking the "LIFE" section. Choose a topic, and if you scroll down two or four rows, I guarantee there will be an article you will click out of curiosity. 😊

Real Simple Magazine

~Molly

NAQG Annual Conference Reminder

Hello, 😊

I've received this email from the North American Quilling Guild. Remember, non-members are welcome to attend this conference, you only pay a bit more. It's best to join and then come back and register. 

For all the details and forms visit: NAQGCON 2026

    Hello quilling community, we have made it through the holidays and I hope everyone is getting excited about our conference here in Raleigh, NC, on May 15-16th . This is just a reminder that the early-bird registration cutoff is February 16th. After February 16th, the registration fee goes up to $175.00 and for non-members, $190.00.

    The cutoff date for hotel room rate of $169.00/king and $189.00/double is April 24th . Please note that the rates for rooms booked after that date could be much higher. 

Keep warm & stay safe,

~Molly 🌼

No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas...

Hello, there! 👻

I've procrastinated this month, I'm late to the party, but decided to share what I am doing this weekend. The link below shows awesome photos, a list of materials you'll need and instructions for cute DIY decorated pumpkins. 

30 No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas - Real Simple Magazine

04Mummy Pumpkin is one of my favorites.

I'm going to look at Dollar Tree for a big plastic pumpkin. They may have the google eyes and bandage material. Thinking...strips of white t-shirt material will also work. I'll cover less of the pumpkin and show more orange. Not going to attempt to use toilet paper as suggested, mine will be going outside.

🎃

If you, or someone you know, is a diehard traditional pumpkin carver, this link shows easy ways to carve using printed stencils. 

26 Pumpkin Carving Stencils 

If pumpkin decor doesn't interest you 😉, I searched Halloween and came up with 24 articles on the first page...there are five pages. 😀

🎃

Thanks for dropping by. Enjoy what’s left of October and stay safe, especially on Halloween.

~Molly xo 👻

P.S. And this blog post is brought to you by my Halloween Collection at Zazzle:

October Halloween Holiday
by itsMolly

There Are Over 600 Million Blogs in the World

 ...so, thank you for being here and reading mine. 😊

Hello ~

I've returned from England after six months and anxious to get a blog post written to say 'hey I'm still around', but more importantly, sharing a positive wellness article, or three. 

Once again, I’m linking to Real Simple magazine online. If this article is not for you, the site is loaded with something that will be of interest, I guarantee 💯%.

Doctors Say These 9 Habits Can Actually Make You Smarter and More Creative

In my experience, number 09 is spot-on to help increase creative energy and improve a foul mood.

If you don't fancy the creative topic, there are hundreds 😉 of fascinating articles about, what we all have in common, Sleep.

Or 6 Foods You Should Never Eat for Breakfast, According to RDs. Some of these are common grab-and-go favorites... but it’s a good reminder why they might not be the best choices. I have to admit I completely ignored number 06, but that’s just me. 😁

Pass on the kindness.

Soak up what’s left of August ♍ and stay safe.

~Molly xo

August Canna Lilies

Happy Spring to You

🌷 from Yorkshire, England

[from the Archives]

    Happy Spring to you and hello April !

    I've linked a quick YouTube Short (30sec) from Miriam's Quilling. All you need to know is the simple shape. Loose roll (coil), pinch and shape into a teardrop and make two. 

    The leaves are big loose rolls. I use different size medicine bottle caps-lids as templates for big rolls. Roll, then drop it in a cap, after it has released remove with tweezers and glue. Shape into long skinny leaves. Even just one of these tulips would be awesome on a card or gift tag. Remember, make odd numbers of elements for balance.

Making Spring Tulips - YTube Short

    You can make any size for any reason with any width of paper. 

All Miriam's Shorts

Miriam's Quilling

    This tulip is on my craft room wall. I used 1" (25mm) wide, 12" long construction paper strips. I often use a paper crimper on all the strips before rolling, gluing and shaping. There are only seven pieces to this 15" (38.1 cm) quilled tulip.      

  

    I haven't posted this link in a while. Real Simple magazine online is very inspiring, even if you only scroll through and look at the pictures.😄 I hope you will take a look and find something entertaining or helpful or both. It will renew each month.

Real Simple Magazine

    Enjoy the magic of April 🌞 and stay safe.

xo 🌷

~Molly

Life Is Really Simple, but We Insist on Making it Complicated. ~Confucius

 Hello! 

A bit of quilling news first.

The 2024 Annual NAQG Conference "NAQGCON" will be held in Oklahoma City, OK, on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton. This location is only 5 minutes from the Will Rogers World Airport. There is a huge discount on rooms when you book as attending, and for the first time, an "early bird" discount if you register by February 15. There is so much information on the website here North American Quilling Guild.

Positive Daily Affirmations

I haven't posted this link in a while. Real Simple magazine online is very inspiring, even if you only scroll through and look at the pictures.😄 I hope you will take a look and find something entertaining or helpful or both. It will renew each month.

Real Simple Magazine

Enjoy February 💖 and stay safe.

xo 

~Molly

Dreams, Hopes & Happiness

Hello! 😊

Paper To Petal

A short 3:25min video for ideas and inspiration. At :40 seconds, ManuK slows down and shows many how-to shapes she uses for her creations. She has individual videos on her channel for how to quill all these flowers.

Happy crafting or doing what you love. Have a very warm & safe end of the year. 

May the New Year bring you and yours new dreams, hopes and happiness. 

xo 🎉

Molly 

 

November Quickie

Hello there, ☕

I have a few links to share.

This is a longer video than usual but Miriam has added a Playlist in the description. You can click around and find a design you may want to quill and give. 🎁

NEW Christmas simple card ideas (for beginners and advanced) | Paper Quilling

10 Fall Self Care Tips For Stress Relief

Hi there, 👻

Have you ever been looking for something and ended up on a completely irrelevant webpage, but you can't resist taking a look and reading on, clicking on and on? 30 minutes later you are taking some kind of silly test? 

I hope the info below is a small nudge to make more positive me time for you, even if it's only half a day. This is totally unisex. 

Searching for my store, I landed on the article below. It piqued my interest and I skimmed through the 10 suggestions. It made me realize a lot, so I want to share with you. Nope to 8. as I can dance in my own living room for free. 😁

10 Fall Self Care Tips For Stress Relief

Made a few notes, then went back up and clicked on the hygge link I noticed at the beginning. Never heard of the word... clueless to the meaning. 

While reading the history of this hygge lifestyle, I saw an advert and it made my night. Know that blanket people knit with their hands or huge needles with big thick yarn? I've wanted one for years but never made one. Walmart sells them starting at $22, in many colors.  

About an hour later my search came full circle with positive new ideas. 💖

hygge lifestyle link

US link, search Chunky Knit Blankets

Happy Autumn!

xo 🌻

Molly

P.S. Just a thought, 😉 speaking of hygge, head on over to my mug collection.

Paper Quilling is Easy, We Make it Difficult.

Hi there, 👻

I hope you find this video inspiring. Daisy starts at 2:20 mark and is a little more than 4min long.

Miriam's Challenge for Beginners

I love the daisy. She uses regular 1/8" (3mm) wide strips and the coils are loose. I like shaping loose circles. You don't need any of the tools she uses. Put your circles on a flat slick surface to release as you roll them. When you glue them, try to make them the same size. The circles > flower petals do not need to be exact. If you ever do a commission like Miriam is doing, YES make them exact. 😉 Always use odd number of petals 7,9,11... even numbers look unbalanced (unless you are doing a 6-point snowflake).

The center yellow doesn't need to be as big as hers to be awesome. In fact, you can do a tight roll > dome center if you don't want to do the fringing. I noticed she fringes 2 strips at a time.

It looks like she uses a peg to lift the daisy when gluing to the surface. A peg can be 1-3 tight rolls glued on top of each other and then to the back of the flower to prop it up.

To make the tight circle berries, use a round tool to shape them into a dome... be sure to coat inside with glue after shaping and let dry. I use round jewelry and wooden beads, with a toothpick glued in the hole. They work perfectly. Lots of pens and markers have a rounded end. Look around and you'll be surprised what you have.

The green wheatears are quick and easy looping of the paper. Make the number and length you want. It looks like she folded and glued two green strips together and glued on the edge to start. The same with the brown berry stems. 

Happy October!

xo 🌻

Molly

P.S. I think this design would look good using 1/4" wide strips. I may try it. You DO NOT need a slotted tool to quill. I used a slim toothpick and then a hat/corsage needle-- to begin, for 20 years. 😁 If you do try these two tools, lick the end of the paper like you would a thread, and this will make it easier to start rolling. 

TODAY IS, Look at Extraordinary Paper Quilling, MONDAY

I decided to look at Yulia Brodskaya videos for a bit of inspiration... and this one caught my eye, WOW. 😮 A paper quilling portrait of Joanna Gaines of Waco Texas, the Fixer Upper show lady. The Magnolia Empire woman.

Yulia does more folding paper art now, along with a gazillion multicolor tight rolls, and oh my gosh, she is increasingly AMAZING at what she does. 

In the beginning, I noticed it wasn't Yulia's hands, and I saw a different way of rolling 1mm strips, with the same tool I use, for the magnolia flowers. So excited, no more slicing my thumb. 👍

As it turns out, Yulia asked Manuela Koosch to do the gorgeous paper magnolias added to the Joanna portrait.

I went to Manuela's channel and discovered she is ManuK who is a subscriber and was active here years ago. Very HAPPY to find her again. Manuela's quilling is so impressive and inspiring. 

I hope you will enjoy Yulia's short video and visit Manuela's channel Paper to Petal . Tell her I sent you. 😊

Have a fabulous week!

xo 🌻
Molly

P.S.  Yulia's Portfolio 💖

This low-quality screenshot is dated 2011. Yulia had her own MS Browser theme. 

I'm Puzzled About This Craft Trend, UGH.

 A.I. Digital Crafting.

I tried to learn the specifics and benefit of AI, but it's not for me. I grew up in the greatest generation of crafting and did just fine. Only thing I would do different is learned to sew. 👗

The above is listed as No.10 of the top ten craft trends for 2023. Yes, I know, I am a bit behind with this info. 

Number 1 is, are you ready? 🥁

1. Slow Crafting: The Art of Mindful Meditative Crafting

"It is not a craft itself, but slow crafting is set to be the most influential trend in crafting for 2023. If you haven’t heard of slow crafting before, you’re not alone. Think about why you took up your craft or are seeking to take up crafting. If you said to relax, you would not be alone." 

Four others that made the list: Repurposing, Recycling, Upcycling, using Natural materials. IKR? 😉 

Enjoyed doing this recycling in 2010. Using the inside of envelopes with the security print to make things.

I couldn't get into Christmas in July... first time in ages. I started searching for project ideas in June, never found one to post and share. I could've posted 80 in one video, but nah. 

With July gone, hey, Happy August to you! 

Stay safe and take care of yourself. 

xo 🌻
Molly

Changed my mind. 😂 I watched eight. If you have the supplies, these look easy, or maybe give you ideas for craft fairs year-round. 

P.S. 80 AMAZING CHRISTMAS DIY Crafts You Will Want To MAKE NOW - YouTube

March Quickie

Hello, all! 

Happy Spring. 🌷

I mentioned last month, a few details about the NAQG annual conference, May 12-13, 2023.

Registration deadline is Friday, March 31, 2023.

The venue hotel has a new name: Clarion Hotel Airport & Conference Center New Orleans. For reservations, phone (504) 463-7002, before April 11, for the special rate. Every bit of information about the conference is available at the link below.

NAQGCON May 2023

Happy 2023!

Hello there! 🌼 

I have a few links that may be of interest to you. This first one is not paper related. It's more "new year, new you" (good articles on Dry January). I recently began looking at Real Simple online and have found some amazing tips and ideas. I also think it is a good way to keep up with trends (was a pop culture nerd when I was younger). The recipes alone, food and beverages, is worth a look. 

Even though I retired from quilling last May, I continue to look at what Miriam's Quilling is sharing. She gives so many ideas in her videos. What I like is she quills most of the pieces offline, so her videos are brief, and you see her finishing the project. If you notice her using the 1mm wide paper, go ahead and use 1/8" (or even 1/4") to save some frustration. I mentioned a while back where to purchase these papers from Romania. Phew, I plan to try again at some point, but the paper strips kept cutting my fingers while twirling. 

You just need to look at this article-- there's no way to describe it, other than miniature paper cutting to make people and much more. I love miniatures and this is about as tiny as you can get with paper figures. While there, take a look around Ann Martin's awesome, unique paper blog.  

Happy New Year to everyone! Wishing good health, happiness in the year ahead, and all the best to you and yours.

xo🌺

Molly

P.S. Pantone's Color for 2023 is "Viva Magenta". Hex Code #BB2649.

Happy October!

itsMolly Store - Zazzle

Holy Cow this has been a lot of work since March. I want to announce the opening of my Zazzle Store today. I'm finally making my new Collections public. The original 3 quilling themes, 2 new quilling related and 13 new Collections. More on the way. 

Please keep my store in mind for future online browsing and gift needs. My website always lists daily discounts and has a link to the store. Never buy at Zazzle without using a discount coupon.  

Thank you all❣️

~Molly xo

Christmas in July

 

I have been watching the same YT channel every July forever, and I decided to see what else is out there for Christmas in July. This link is filtered for videos this month only, so there are even more if you do your own search without filtering. 

YouTube Christmas in July Crafts

Poinsettia:

Leaves 4" shaped marquise

Petals 3" marquise

Center 2" loose coil

Six Point Snowflake:

Center 3" loose coil, teardrops 2.5", T-shape 2.5", 3" loose coils -- in this order

Open ovals glued to center between each point are 2" wrapped around a dowel, glue end and shape. I cut off one end of a Q-tip and use the stick as a dowel. If the end of the paper you started with sticks out in the open space, just glue it down. This usually happens.

The ring glued to top of snowflake for the ribbon tie, is 2" wrapped around a 6mm diameter dowel. I use the handle of a quilling tool.

If you prefer larger pieces, add in increments of 1/2" in length to these measurements.  All quilling strips are 1/8" wide.

I paid a mint for this bag a while back, I think at Michaels in the wedding section. I looked on Amazon and you can get100pc 3"x4" organza (not mesh) bags for $8, 100pc 4"x6" for $9 and 50pc of the larger bags for around the same price. There are so many choices of colors. 

I purchased the gold edged paper at JJ Quilling in the UK. These gilded edge papers are now available in the U.S. at Quilled Creations. My favorite is the Silver Holofoil on any color paper. This project was for a magazine, and they wanted shiny and gold everywhere.

A nice gift to make early if you know someone expecting. A great selling project too. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Molly xo

Tags. Are they really inexpensive, easy and fun to make?

 YES, I think so. I've decided to start making "all occasion" tags and gifting to my daughter in an organized... something, I haven't decided what.  😃

I made tags 15 or so years ago for my mother, back when I hand-embossed a few and used one of those silver "office" hole punches. They were cut on a trimmer, no die-cuts available. I rounded the bottom corners, tracing a curve with a penny or dime, and fussy cutting.  

I make it easy by using one or three (always odd numbers) quilled elements on a single tag. I know of a guy who had a fit over a small tag with his name, one quilled fish element, and tied around a bottle of wine. It was a dinner-host gift and he enjoys fishing. He showed each guest as they arrived. 

As you know, Etsy, eBay crafters sell tags by the dozen. I think most people don't want, or don't know how, to make tags and it saves them time. Selling online, craft fairs, holiday sales parties-- oh my gosh, Christmas tags are hard to pass up.

Easy. Used punch on the divider cards you get in those craft store photo boxes. Love the lines. You could line cardstock on a printer and do this. No big scalloped punch? Make circles or squares (shape the corners).

Labor intensive 😁, a past thing. I quilled some flowers on the tag to match the gift paper. Retiring the photo.

I have no idea what this was for, but an idea for printing a message or quote instead of stamping. I used this daisy paper a lot with the daisy quilled stickers. Horrible angled corners on top, yikes, don't do this. 😬

I admit, I over-do holiday/winter tags during watching Christmas in July videos, but this is a more simple tag using scraps. I cover front first, then trim and shape corners. I use the backs of tablets mostly and don't stamp To & From. This type of cardboard is easy to use a marker, no bleed-through. 

And the basic quilled element on small folded tag to stick on a card, package (or a bottle of wine 😉).

If you feel creative and don't want to jump into a big project, make a stack of tags using leftover quilling elements (and scraps). When you need one you'll have a selection to look through. 

Stay safe and well.

xo, Molly

Mini Quilled Carrots - Archives

Wow, this post is only 11 years old, and I changed most of the wording since things have changed so much in quilling. These are last minute elements for Easter card/envelope, tags, napkin holders, place cards, scrapbooks, picture frame, Easter thank-you card, etc; three quick carrot styles to make. 



TINY BASKET OF CARROTS

Carrot: 1/8" x 7" tight roll. Shape with a small, pointed dowel and glue inside.

Green leaves: 1/4" x 2.5" strips. Fringe down the edge of the 2.5" strips. Roll around toothpick and glue end. Insert into carrot top halfway and glue. When dry, spread fringe outward with fingertips. 

CARROTS ON MATCHBOX

Carrots: 1/8" x 12" loose roll. Shape in a long teardrop.

Green leaves: 1/8" x 3" pieces. Make three 1/2" loops the same height (accordion folds) and spread out before gluing at bottom. Trim each fold in half lengthwise, making six thin leaves for each carrot. 

FLAT CARROTS

Carrots: 1/8" x 7" tight rolls. Shape with a small, pointed dowel and flatten with fingers.

Green leaves: 1/8" x 1" pieces. Cut slivers of paper at various lengths. Glue ends individually into top of carrot until full.

These are my favorite for the cards because they lay so flat.

Thank you for stopping by.

Have a blessed Easter. 🌷

xo,

Molly

Idea: A small tag with "For You" add three carrots, hang tag with pretty ribbon around a bottle of wine for a hostess... Awesome! Or bring it for the person who arranged a restaurant Easter brunch. If you are like me, and aren't going to a brunch this year, make a tag anyway and who knows what next year will bring. Non-alcoholic Welches Sparkling White Grape Juice is another gift suggestion. 

Quilled Hearts from the Archives

Again, I want to show some simple Valentine's Day cards and link my website hearts for those who are new. The page is very old but still relevant. So many people email me thanking me for the lopsided heart, because they say it helps hide imperfections when the two teardrops don't match up. And I have always said "Imperfection Adds Character".  💟

Hearts are SO simple, fun to quill and they don't always have to be red. Thanks for looking today.