Masquerade Mask with Crepe Paper Flowers- Tutorial

Disguise your eyes behind a beautiful royal purple mask for Mardi Gras or a New Years party. This tutorial shows you how to decorate a basic mask with handmade crepe paper flowers. Decorating your own mask is an easy way to customize a mask for an event and to get in some craft time for those craftaholics out there.

We decided to embellish a basic paper mache mask with purple crepe paper rosettes for an elegant and ornate mask, at a budget-friendly price. Purple ostrich feathers are an optional addition. 

For this mask, you need: 

(1) Basic Paper Mache Eye Mask in Black (only $2!) 

(1) Purple Crepe Streamer 

Glue (Hot Glue Gun, Craft Glue or Skillet Glue) 

Scissors 

Optional: (2) Purple Ostrich Feathers

These supplies are available at MardiGrasOutlet.com.

STEP 1

Cut about 25 strips of the crepe streamer that range from 10" to 15" long. Don't worry about making each length exact; it is actually easier later on to have rosettes that are smaller and bigger in size. Fold each strip in half lengthwise.

STEP 2

To form a paper flower, start rolling a paper strip at one end, pinching the folded side as shown. As you continue rolling, twist the crepe paper every few turns. Also, add a dab of glue as you are rolling to keep the rosette together. When you have finished twisting, cover the bottom with glue. You need about 25 to cover the mask.

STEP 3

Now you can glue the rosettes to the mask. This basic paper mache mask comes painted black, so that the mask base doesn't show through the edges. If you have a white mask, apply dark purple or black acrylic paint. 

To cover the mask, start at one corner and work your way across the mask. Apply glue to the bottom of each rosette. Pick and choose the smaller or larger rosettes so that they fit together snugly.

OPTIONAL

Glue and poke two purple ostrich feather through and around the rosettes at the corner. The feathers should lean up and to the right.

You're finished! You can also try this in different crepe paper colors; just make sure the feathers coordinate with the mask.

This mask can also be used for table decor, centerpieces and other decorations.

Enjoy!

Gateau de Sirop, a perfect Louisiana Christmas Dessert

Photograph by Brian Finke via Bon Appetit

Sweetened with sugar cane syrup, Gateau de Sirop is the perfect Louisiana Christmas dessert. This classic Cajun cake is sweetened with Steen's sugar cane syrup. Steen's syrup is an original pure food product, produced the same way today as the original, created in 1910 with 100% cane syrup and no preservatives or additives. This simple deep caramel sweetener adds a unique Cajun flavor to Gateau de Sirop.

We hope you have a sweet Christmas filled with delicious goodies like this one!

Gâteau de Sirop

10 Servings

Recipe by John Currence

Reprinted from Bon Appetit

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
• 2 1/4 cup sall-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup Steen's cane syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon grated peeled ginger
• 1/2 cupwarm buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

• Special equipment:

  An 11”-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and flour pan; set on a rimmed baking sheet. Whisk 2 1/4 cups flour and next 6 ingredients in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add sour cream; beat to blend. Add cane syrup and 1/2 cup hot water; beat until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time; blend well between additions. Add ginger. Beat in dry ingredients in 3 additions on low speed. Add buttermilk; beat just to blend. Pour into pan; smooth top.

• Bake until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Cloisonne Louisiana Ornaments for Christmas

 Decorating your home and Christmas tree are all part of the holiday fun!

However, plain Christmas ornaments just aren't personalized enough for our Louisiana and Cajun loving tastes. So, we have found festive and collectable cloisonne ornaments with a Louisiana theme for our tree. Cloisonne ornaments are great gift ideas if you are looking for something special and unique.

They aren't just for the Christmas tree, but make great keepsakes as well. These beautifully detailed Louisiana, Baton Rouge and New Orleans ornaments are genuine handmade cloisonne.

Cloisonne is a process that allows for bright colors and intricate designs, making them very collectable. Copper is formed for the main shape, and a design is formed by copper filaments that create small compartments (cloisons). These are filled with several layers of enamel that are then fired in a kiln. When this is done, the ornament is polished down until the cloisons are exposed. As a last step, the exposed edges of copper are electroplated with 24 karat gold for extra sparkle.

We love this round ball ornament featuring Baton Rouge, Louisiana! It has fleur de lis, pelicans, crawfish and cypress trees all the way around on a blue background.

This New Orleans ornament has colorful river boats, St. Louis Cathedral, crawfish, and Bourbon street signs. Perfect for those who love NOLA!

All of these ornaments and even more designs are available at Mardi Gras Outlet.com.

New Orleans Ornament

New Orleans Food Ornament

Baton Rouge Ornament

Louisiana Ornament

Mardi Gras Ornament

Mardi Gras Mask Ornament

Fleur de Lis Mardi Gras Ornament

Ideas using Deco Mesh: A Video

Poly Deco Mesh is our latest obsession, and this informational video gives you an array of ideas for deco mesh wreaths, garlands and much more. Don't know what deco mesh is? You will learn what styles it comes in, its qualities and see a huge range of examples of this decorative material in use.

From wreaths and garlands to gift wrap and bows, deco mesh can be used in so many ways. The possibilities are endless! Click here to view all of our previous blog post tutorials on deco mesh.

Deco Mesh is a type of soft plastic netting or fabric that comes in rolls and ribbons. It is waterproof and durable enough for the outdoors. Mesh also holds a nice full shape without wired edges, and goes well with work wreath forms. 

We have also featured detailed video tutorials on how to use deco mesh to make bows,  wreaths,  wall trees,  garland, wine bottle packaging and even to decorate a Christmas tree for the holidays.



Here is the informational deco mesh video:

Want more ideas?
To view our complete list of video tutorials, see the Mardi Gras Outlet Channel on Youtube.

Or check out our Pinterest page for lots of inspiring photos of projects using deco mesh. Below is a sample of what you will find.

For a complete selection of poly deco mesh products, shop at Mardi Gras Outlet.com.

Happy crafting. We hope you create the perfect Holiday for your family!

Gift Wrap Ideas with Decorative Wire: Monograms & Stars

Decorative wire monograms and tinsel shapes are a fun way to transform Christmas and holiday gift wrapping from plain to festive. If you are looking for a creative way to wrap your gifts without a traditional bow, these wire accents are a good option. In this tutorial, you will learn the simple steps for transforming pipe cleaners and wired rope into star shapes and monogram letters, perfect for decorating presents.

In the south, we love monograms.  We have found a new place to put our favorite letters- on a gift. Here is how to create this monogrammed gift:

Monogram Gift Wrap Supplies: 

Metallic Tissue or solid colored gift wrap

Wired Glamour Rope (a bendable glittered wire that comes in assorted colors)

White string or ribbon

Pliers/wire cutters                                                                                       

First, wrap the present in metallic tissue or solid colored wrapping paper. Tie string or ribbon around the present as shown. 

To make the letter, cut a short length (about 5 in.) of glamour rope with wire cutters. Glamour rope is a type of  glittered decorative rope that has a wire at the center so it can be shaped and curled. You can find more information on glamour rope, here

With needle nose pliers, bend the glamour rope into the shape of  the letter you want. Curl the ends of the letter to make the shape more whimsical. Look to your favorite fonts for inspiration on the shape of the letter.


Option: colored Aluminum wire will work well for forming letters as well.


Attach the wire monogram letter to the gift with a glue dot or by tying into the ribbon wrapped around the present.

These festive monogram letters make fun gift tags for your presents.

Metallic tinsel pipe cleaners are perfect for creating fun shapes like these three different stars. But don't limit yourself to the stars. This idea will work for any simple shape you like. Here is how to create these shapes:


Star Burst Gift Bag Supplies: 

Tinsel Gold Piper Cleaner Stems 

Scrap cardboard

Gift Bag and Metallic Gold Tissue
Scissors & Pencil 

A glitzy star accents are a great way to spice up a plain brown gift bag. 

To make this open five-pointed star, fold a pipe cleaner four times. This way there are 5 lengths between the folds. Using each bent corner as the star tips, fold the pipe cleaner into a star shape. Twist the two ends to hold the star together. 

To make this second star, start with three pipe cleaners. Twist at the middle to hold them together. Bend each length into thirds, so that it goes over the center and back around to the point. Twist the end a little at each point. For five points, twist one length around another point.

For this solid star, you will need some scrap cardboard. Draw a star on the cardboard and cut out the shape. Now, wrap the star with pipe cleaners. We used about three pipe cleaners for each star. Make sure you cover all of the cardboard by wrapping around each tip. Leave ends tucked in at the back. With this technique, you can cut out any shape you want from the cardboard, so be creative and experiment!

Now you can attach each tinsel star to its own pipe cleaner.

Finally, attach the group to one of the gift bag handles.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas 

from Mardi Gras Outlet!

Gift Ideas: Fleur de Louisianne Products

If you're from Louisiana or have ever lived here, you know that Louisiana loves Fleur de lis. By combining two loves- the Fleur De Lis and our unique culture, Fleur de Louisianne designs created the perfect gift for Louisiana. Whether you need a present for family and friends in Louisiana, visitors to the state, or just someone who has a sweet spot for our culture, these Louisiana themed gifts are sure to please.

"Fleur de Louisianne" is a  product line of gifts, kitchen accessories and stationary that features a hand-drawn fleur de lis design filled with Louisiana and Cajun cultural words and phrases. This pretty graphic includes Louisiana words like: lagniappe, Who's ya mama?, roux, who dat, y'all, Mardi Gras, Cajun, Geaux, boudin, Louisiana,  jazz, creole, gumbo, merci and mais cher.

From the creators of "Fleur de Louisianne":

"Artist, Julie Siracusa has given the fleur de lis, the icon of Louisiana, a fresh look. Siracusa has always believed that keeping drawing alive in design keeps a human element present. By combining beautiful words that are unique to Louisiana in the shape of a fleur de lis the "Fleur de Louisianne" has come to life. Together, Julie Siracusa and Denise Landry have taken the "Fleur de Louisianne" from the drawing table to a great line of products."

The photograph at the top features the Fleur de Louisianne paper drink coasters,  note cards and a gift set which includes a kitchen towel and roux spoon.

For those southern cooks out there, the Fleur de Louisianne product line also includes a platter, oven mitt and kitchen towel, as shown here.

Sculptural metal ornaments of fleur de lis and our boot-shaped state are prefect for the Christmas tree or as accents on a gift. Accent the neck of a nice bottle of wine with these pretty ornaments for two gifts in one- one to keep and one to enjoy!

Joyeaux Noel, cher!

Everything you have seen here is available at MardiGrasOutlet.com or in the links listed below:
Fleur de Louisianne Coasters
Stationary-Note Cards
Roux Spoon Gift Set
Oven Mitt
Kitchen Towel
Round Platter
Louisiana Ornament
Fleur de lis ornament
Louisianne ornament


Looking for even more Louisiana and Cajun themed gifts and party decorations? Click here!

DIY: Wire Christmas Tree Decorations

Perfect holiday decorations represents Christmas, but offer a fun twist on the traditional. These tree shaped wire Christmas trees are exactly that kind of modern and fresh decor. Inspired by the traditional Christmas tree shape, but made with modern gold toned aluminum wire- a new favorite craft product- these trees are easy and fun to make. In this post, you will learn how to quickly create these wire trees in any size and color you choose.  

Supplies:
Aluminum wire -2mm Gold shown here
Cone Shape -12" Styrofoam craft cone shown here
Wire cutters

Aluminum craft wire comes in various colors, millimeters and styles. The 2mm version we used for this wire tree is super easy to bend and cut. It is sturdy enough to hold a shape as well.

To make the wire trees, simply wrap the wire around the cone form. A standard 12" tall Styrofoam cone shape is used here. The form can be used multiple times for this project- so you will only need one cone shape for multiple trees.

Start at the bottom. Wrap the wire around the cone working toward the tip. And then back down again. Continue wrapping until you get the desired look you want for the tree. Make sure to sure to wrap the bottom in even circles so your tree will stand up once the form is removed.

Slide the wire off the top of the cone and adjust the wire/base as needed to make the tree stand up straight.

We created three trees like this-each one a different height- by wrapping just the top portion of the cone form to create the smaller trees.

The 12" tall large tree took approximately 12 yards of wire. The two smaller trees - approximately 3-4 yards each. In total we used less than 2 rolls of the 2mm gold wire, which you can purchase here. A great look for less than $8.00 worth of aluminum wire.

Good luck creating your own Holiday decorations this year!