Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February 29th


Happy Leap Year 2012!!

Leap Year is that special day that comes once every 4 years! What a great day for the people that were born on February 29th because actually get to celebrate on the date of their birth.

Happy Birthday Leap Year Babies! 

Thanks to the Tip Junkie, here are some "froggy" inspired party games and printables for all ages to keep you leaping all day!




Print this poster out on 4 separate sheets of paper. Then, glue them together onto green posterboard.  Laminate. And play! Click HERE to get started!




Print out these lily pads and tape to the floor.  Play the same rules as musical chairs. 





Print out a bunch of these guys and hide them around your house for the kids to find. 







And lastly...











Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Pillow Roundup

I just love a good throw pillow.  Decorative pillows are my favorite accessory for any room and can really add a lot of bang for hardly any buck! Just $30 will buy you and pillow featured here. Inexpensive, yes, but definitely not cheap-looking!




$29.99
Burlap Love Pillows- worldmarket.com



$19.99
Burnt Orange Black Print Lumbar Pillow- worldmarket.com



$29.99
Gypsy Suzani- worldmarket.com


$19
Dixie Pillow- homedecorators.com


$25.99
Decorative Damask Square Toss Pillow- target.com


$29
Flowing Branch Square Toss Pillow- target.com




$18
Bright Floral Pillow- decorate23.etsy.com


$15
Alphabet Graphic Pillow- sophie01.etsy.com








Monday, February 27, 2012

{TGIM} Vintage Photo Canvas



I LOVE this idea that I saw on Pinterest! (Where else, right?!) Vintage canvas photos! I am so sentimental and love old photographs from my family. This idea was brought to us by thatmomblog.com. This could make for a great gift! Maybe for Mother's Day?? Grab your morning coffee (or tea, in my mother's case) and let me explain the process of this week's truly great idea....


Here's what you will need:

  • Photos! (printed copies-not originals)
  • Canvas (Here- they used (4) 6X6 size canvases but you can use any size you want.)
  • Matte Mod Podge (available at craft stores)
  • Scrapbook Paper
  • Scissors
  • Ink (blank ink pad and/or distressed ink)
  • Paint Brush or Sponge



1. Using your brush or sponge, coat the blank canvases with Mod Podge and let them dry completely.
2. Next, cut all your copied photos 1/8" smaller than their designated canvas.



3. Measure the sides of your canvases and cut strips of scrapbook paper 1/8" smaller. 




4. :Using your brush or sponge again, apply ink to the corners of your canvas.

5. Apply a think layer of Mod Podge onto the canvas and carefully place your picture on top. Smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. Repeat with the sides of your canvas but with the scrapbook paper. Let it dry.  



6. Once it has dried, take your sponge and apply more black ink around the edges until to achieved the desired look. 
7. Finally, take your distressed ink and apply to the edges until you reach your desired finished look.  
8. Lastly, apply the Mod Podge all over your canvas and let dry. 


Now, hang them up and enjoy! Thanks to ThatMomBlog.com for the great inspiration!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Lights, Camera, Oscars!



So, the Oscars are this Sunday and personally, I find them very entertaining. It's all about the glamour! Hollywood's hottest names are America's royalty. Whether or not you personally agree, or respect the work that our movie stars create, you have to admit--that many famous people in one radius of each other is somewhat fascinating! I'm featuring some of my favorite Oscar night ideas, from having a friend or two over to a full blown Oscar watch party! These ideas will definitely have you seeing stars!





Throwing an Oscar party may not have been a high priority for most. But something tells me that this fun activity is about to change all of that. This cleverly crafted version of Bingo is one that will come back year after year.  Download up to twenty different printable templates from How About Orange for free!  Race to see who can get five squares in a row on the big night, scoring points whenever Meryl Streep is spotted, a presenter flubs a line, or when a presenter apologizes for forgetting people. Have a prize for added incentive!






The Oscars are all about movies, which is truly a popcorn moment. How about upgrading your large butter popcorn and coke to some of these tasty treats:

  • caramel popcorn ( if you are a wine drinker, pair it with a Prosecco)
  • cheddar popcorn (paired with a Merlot)




Create a fabulous dramatic moment for your food table! Theme your food around the movies! For Hugo and Midnight In Paris, serve food from France! Such as...canopies, quiches, and macarons.



Canopies




Mini Quiche




French Macarons


For dessert, maybe feature a chocolate pie (The Help), or red velvet "I'll Make You A Star" cakes with cream cheese icing (Marilyn). 












Very few things excite me more than creating an exciting table setting and then setting it for any fabulous event! I love the idea here of using gold confetti sprinkled down the middle for an Oscar party. The gold accents pick up on the golden Oscar statue, himself. So buy gold confetti in bulk and keep it on hand! You never know wheat you can achieve with it.







And lastly, every major movie needs a red carpet moment! Set up a photo booth with a box of props involving funny hats, mustaches, costume jewelry and even celebrity masks! Throw up a drape for a backdrop and your digital camera! You can email guests their party pictures and keep them talking for days!


Happy Oscars!




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

80 Years & Counting...


This is the invitation that I designed for my grandmother's 80th birthday party! I can't wait to share pictures with you from her special day!

Arrgh, Mateys! {Pirate Birthday}

So, I was recently asked to design cupcake toppers, water bottle labels, thank you party tags, and invitations for a birthday party.  Winn just turned 4 and he has been obsessed with pirates for a couple of years now.  It was so fun to design! Having a little girl, I don't get much time in anything boy, so thanks for the opportunity, and Happy Birthday, Winn!









Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A Chevron Valentine's Day {Party Theme}

Who doesn't love a good chevron stripe?! In honor of a day everyone loves to fall in love with, I am featuring this incredibly cute Valentine's Day party by Modern Moments Designs. What an incredibly sweet day!!



















Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Monday, February 13, 2012

{TGIM} Removable Wallpaper

Happy wintry Monday, everyone! It's time for this week's truly great idea...

Removable wallpaper! Yep. I said it. It is also know as "renter's wallpaper." Apparently, you can take it off either when you move, or when you are tired of it and don't want the hassle of regular, peel-off-pieces-at-a-time wallpaper.  Once removed you run a damp cloth or sponge over the wall and voila, no painting necessary! The only downside is that it is apparently time consuming and requires patience. But seriously, I would definitely do it! If you know it is something you want to have for awhile, or are renting an apartment or house for quite awhile, I say go for it! Look at this amazing pattern featured below! Pictures came from Jordan at Oh Happy Day blog.






Removable wallpaper can be found at Sherwin Williams. Pattern shown is pattern #SW8EG5315
So, what do you think? Are you up for trying it?

Happy Papering!!


Friday, February 10, 2012

I Heart Valentine's Day {Party Theme}


I'm so excited to share with you this fabulous children's Valentine party that was featured at Hostess with the Mostess! With Valentine's Day just a few days away, you are sure to find some cute ideas! 

Enjoy!