On the 3rd day of Christmas... Team Red

Team Red brings us a LOVELY present from the very dear to our heart, Emily.

Here is a message from her...

"When it came time to decide on something small, cute, and meaningful to make as my swappie, I knew nearly right away what I wanted to do. I have been sporting the "flower head" for nearly a year now, and I have had reports from various ELW'ers of being inspired to try out the headband/flower head look for themselves, nearly always with glowing reviews. It was a PERFECT idea. A match made in heaven. Why not give my girls, the ones who make me smile every day, a little bit of "Emily" back?

 

So... I began the quest for the perfect flowers to make for you girls. I first got excited when I saw this Etsy store:

Monkey and Squirrel and her gorgeous stretchy headbands, like this and this. I read that she had "hand singed" the fabric, and I got REALLY intrigued. So I Googled. a LOT. I bookmarked. A LOT. And found these other sites for inspiration:
 EcoKaren: Fabric Flower Tutorial

La-Sha: Fabric Flowers: Here's How!

MaximumRabbit Designs: I've Been Crafting!

Among a zillion other versions, types and styles of fabric flowers. After exploring, reading, and absorbing, I was ready to work. I made each of the flowers with the recipient in mind, both in color and in style. If you got a BIG one, I figured you were wild enough to give it a try. If you got a more demure one, I figured you liked to be a bit more subtle in your flower-wearing. And sometimes, I threw in two opposites, just to give you options.

Oh yeah-- once I got down to making the things, they were so much EASIER than I had anticipated that I felt sheepish giving so little. So I decided you each needed TWO. Then I decided, why not make them interchangeable? So instead of gluing the flowers to the headband, I put an alligator clip on each of them, so you can switch them out, add them to your shirt lapel, whatever floats you boat!

And don't even get me started on the packaging. I found these perfect boxes to put them in, and I couldn't help myself. I had to get them. So you get a pretty little box to go with your flowers!
 Here's the deal: it takes a bit of courage to rock the flower in your hair. I know-- the first time I did it, I was kind of terrified. But... each time I do it now, it is a like a boost of instant confidence and VERVE, and I love that feeling. I know one day I'll look back at the "flower head years" and laugh at myself... I know it'll be hopelessly outdated and lame to recall... But. For now, it is sassy, stylish, and a bit off the beaten path. So go--- rock the flower in your hair. Channel a bit of the "zaynee" in you... 'Cause I know you got it. Go flaunt it! :)

(Love ALL of you... so much! And all you GREENIES too.)
 
Em"
 
Wow Em... so sweet.

  Time for picture sharing!

Here's Eliana wearing her "Emily Original!" Thanks Michelle!!

Here's Beth's Molly too!

So cute!

{the unmarked pictures above are also from Beth... thanks Beth!}

Here are some Lindsay pics.  Thanks Lindsay!!!

So cute!

Here's Miss Misty wearing her "Emily Original"!  Isn't she adorable?!?