Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Happy Birthday to Me!

I know it isn't my birthday yet, but if you love me and want to buy me a present I have some ideas for you.
Last night Coco showed me a great etsy site that has the most wonderful jewelry. Brittany Chavers has necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more made from vintage pieces. Love it all!
Here are a few of my favorites.click on the image to be linked to the etsy item

The best part...there is a sale. Buy 2 get one free! Pool your funds folks and get a girl something nice for her birthday!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Jilly is getting Married this weekend!

This week Saturday, Jill is getting married. Jill is Jodi's assistant for In Any Event and Gwyneth Paige. We have worked together, played together and had some great laughs together. This is going to be a great wedding!
Jill's style is classic and everything is being done right. The details are going to be awesome!
I am honored to play a part in her special day.
As a gift to her, I made a bag for her that encapsulates some of the details into one bag. Ruffles and buttons are big themes for the day. From the dress to the escort cards, there will be something special around every corner.
As usual, I incorporated her new monogram, but this time I accented the panel with buttons! I love how it turned out.
I will share many more details after the wedding, but I don't want to spill any secrets before the big day. Congrats, Jilly! Love you.

4th of July Inspiration Board

Amanda commented on my last post that I should show my ideas before the actual holiday so that she can copy them. I decided that she is probably right. So here is my inspiration board for the 4th of July.
We spend the 4th up at my parents house and celebrate by going to the Greatest Fourth in the North parade, take boat rides, eat a great picnic type lunch and watch the fireworks on the beach.
Every year the girls get new red, white and blue outfits for the parade. This year I picked up some cute ones from Next Direct. They are based out of the UK, but recently launched a US version of their website. Love it! I am going to try and make some headbands or hair clips inspired by this great one from ESKIDivine on etsy. Maybe even one for me.

I picked up glow in the dark necklaces, bracelets, rings and wands from the dollar store. Amazing what you can find there.

The decor idea is from Make and Takes. She has complete instructions and they pack a lot of punch for not a lot of money. Gotta like that.

The cupcakes and strawberries help to tie in the holiday to the menu. Not too many blue foods out there, so work them in where you can. Most likely a dessert or a fruit salad.

So, I hope that gets your juices flowing and helps you to get inspired for a great 4th of July celebration.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Father's Day

Every year I struggle to find something for Jim for Father's Day. We don't spend a lot on these kind of things and I like to get something that looks like I spent more than I actually did.
The pictures that he has on his desk at work are pretty old. I decided to do something to replace them.
I purchased wood letters at Hobby Lobby and covered them with scrapbook paper. Each kid picked a letter and away we went.
These will be printed wallet size and put in one of those frames that is actually 3 small frames hinged together.This one will be a 5x7. I like the way they turned out and I am sure that he will love them.

Monday, June 14, 2010

New Tablecloth

I have been looking for a new tablecloth for awhile. I wanted something in vinyl with a cool pattern and not something that looked like it belonged on a picnic table.
Well, that plan flew out of the window when I saw this beauty. It was on clearance. Yes, clearance at Target. I looked at them the beginning of the week and couldn't find one to fit my table. Then Katy and I made a quick trip on Saturday and I found it on the clearance rack for $15!
I am going to find a clear plastic cover to go over it and save it from all of the strawberry and other stains that I am sure it would be covered with.
Now, if I could only find the perfect curtains for the girls' room on the clearance rack.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

It is Finished and Hanging

Last night I put the finishing touches on the chandelier. Crystal trim and tassels from hobby lobby. Then I left for a meeting. When I came home, Jim had it installed and the girls were sleeping under a new light fixture. They love it! Now we have to pick out a paint color, paint, get window treatments, new comforters.......
Project Total:
Chandelier: $10 on Craigslist
Spray Paint: On Hand
Silver Beads: 1.00 at Dollar Store
Crystal Tassels: $3.00 Hobby Lobby on sale for 50% off this week
Crystal Trim: $7.00 Hobby Lobby after 40% off Coupon

Drum roll please.......$21.00! Not bad if I do say so myself.


Visit thecsiproject.com

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Look Familiar?

We are getting there! I decided to paint the shades. I may add some trim, but the girls love it as it is.

I NEED this!

I know. I say that about a lot of things, but look at this. It is beautiful! I love the font, the wooden handle, I love it all. Enjoy.

Oh, I probably should tell you where you can get me one. Check out Primele.

Critter Barn!

Claire's last field trip for the year was last week. She is actually having her last half day of school today. I was pleasantly surprised by the educational program put on by the Critter Barn. The kids had tons of fun while learning lots of great stuff.Brushing a horse named Legacy
Feeding a goat named LinusHolding a chicken!Best Friend CameronFeeding a baby goat.Swinging on the bag swing

Clarie was very brave and held or pet every animal. The bunnies were so cute. If we didn't have a cat, we would have brought one home.

Let the Transformation Begin!

Last weekend we took apart the girls' bunk bed. Now there are 2 twin beds in the room. Now we need to paint and pretty it up.
Here is one of the pretty things.Well, it will be pretty when I am done with it. It got it's first coat of paint last night. The brass is now all silver. Tonight the cream will become aqua! Then on to shade decorating.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Happy Birthday, girls!

Holy cow! Has it really been a whole month since my last post? I have a few things coming this week, but I will start it off with a review of the birthday party that we had for the girls today.
Inspiration started a long time ago when I came across the "Birthday Chicks" layout by Heather Bailey in Mary Englebright's Home Companion Magazine. I blogged about it in January.
It all started with the invitation. I used the template from Heather's site and then used Photoshop to layer different patterns. That way I could just print them out on a color printer and cut them out once rather than cutting each layer.(I don't have a pic right now. I'll insert it later.)Then I made the bags. I used some of Heather's fabrics and some of Sandi Henderson's. Each one is different, but they all seem to "go." I then stocked the with a feather boa, a big jewel ring, a bird whistle, and a lollipop. They were a hit!I borrowed a lot of stuff to make this happen. 2 chairs are mine. 3 came from my Aunt Judy. and 2 came from Jodi. I also borrowed all of the vintage china from Jodi. The chickens and tea pots came from my mom. The table cloths are mine. Thanks, everyone!The girls made foam crowns when they arrived. Lunch was served. They had finger sandwiches, fruit kabobs, veggies and dip and sparkling lemonade.After lunch they opened gifts and beat the tar out of a pinata. Then cake was served. I made 2 sheet cakes. One chocolate and one yellow and cut it into rounds. Each cake had one of each layer. I then frosted them and added a gum paste flower that I purchased on etsy from Sweet Bouquet. I saw something I wanted and emailed her a picture. She created her version and I am thrilled. They were beautiful and even tasted good (according to the girls).Place settings were great! I used the china from Jodi, a place card based on the same Heather Bailey party. I used the same pattern from the invites and made the chicks. The blocks were purchased from Casey's Wood Products. Always thrilled with my purchases from them.I think that about wraps it up. Oh, you want to see the kids? What? The decor isn't enough?
Ok...
My sister asked if it was worth all of the work. Well, tonight before she went to bed, Lilly said "Thanks for the wonderful birthday party, Mom." So, I guess it was.