Everyday Celebrating

Special pick me up

One of my good friends recently got a divorce.  And while the divorce was amicable and the process moved fairly quickly, and while my friend was relieved to close that chapter, she was still, understandably, going through the stages of grief.

She moved into her own place and tried to keep her mind off things by decorating and filling up her social life, etc.  

One day, several of her friends (me included) received an email from her requesting we send inspirational cards and messages for a bulletin board that would go in her bedroom.  This would serve as a visual pick me up that she could read in the times when the divorce seemed to be crushing down on her.

So we did.  Below is what I sent.  Just putting it here as an idea for someone that may be looking for an easy and fun idea to cheer up someone you care for.

I pulled out a spool of white satin ribbon, a set of Martha Stewart stamp pads and a set of mini alphabet stamps.

With each letter in a different color, I stamped this quote, letter by letter, onto the ribbon:

"Love is the time and space where I give myself the right to be extraordinary." 

After the ink dried, I rolled it back up onto the spool so that she could read the message as it unrolled.

I glued on a little note so she'd know this was my contribution for her board.
 

 
Wrapped it up in a box... and shipped it off using the printable  "please take me to" envelope wrap.


  
To my dear friend, you are extraordinary.  Every day.  In every way.   Your bravery in being true to yourself and creating the life you want is an inspiration to us all.

No wrapping paper - no problem!

Bargain Hoot shows you how to create a beautiful gift box from spray paint and leaves from your yard.

Very creative!  And a beautiful result! 

 

i heart envelope wraps

I love envelope wraps.  Easy to use and they really stand out in a pile of mail.

This one is in my etsy store.  Stay tuned... I'll soon be adding a chic chandelier wrap. 

Need something special for your next occasion or have an idea for a wrap to use every day?  email me!

 

DIY: Candy Poppers

Got toilet paper rolls, tissue paper, candy, ribbon and paper?   You've got easy candy poppers!
So cute for a shower or a pretty princess birthday party!

A great photo tutorial provided by Style Me Pretty

Easy wrapping touches

This definitely is NOT my best photography.  LOL   BUT.. you still can still get the idea.

I like to add a little somethin' somethin' to my gift wrap.  I've talked previously about adding half of the famous Martha Stewart pom onto gifts.  I love the pop and height they give. This was a baby shower gift and as you can see, I added a name.  That's the baby's name - Karsyn.  These great sparkly rhinestone type letters are available in the scrapbook sections and they are just peel and sticks.  While you have to be extra careful with them because the "stones" are delicately held together, I think they really add to gifts.

Momma to be, Katy, if you're reading... can't wait to see Karsyn in all her fabulousness soon!

Cake in a Can

Anne over at A Party Style showed this great idea of celebrating a friend's birthday by sending them a cake that YOU MADE.  By baking the cake in a tin itself and then decorating, it's able to be shipped securely.

This would work for any occasion, not just birthday.  Graduation, Christmas, wedding or just thinking about someone and they love cake!

I LOVE this one she sent to a friend in New York representing the F train she'd take to go visit if she could. 

Visit Anne on her blog for this and more fabulous celebration ideas!

DIY floral arranging party!

I love this idea!  These ladies are attending a get together/class to learn how to transform flowers you buy at the corner store (or the Bodegas like in NYC).  It's a flower arranging class featuring flowers you can find everyday.

My favorite part?  Two things:  (click on the photo to enlarge)

1.  The kraft paper covered tables with the places of each participant and their names marked.

2.  The packages that await them:  their own pair of scissors and an apron.

 

Results!  See more photos here.

This week: on someone ELSE'S desk

Yesterday was a day to celebrate Administrative Professionals.  I put together this arrangement to celebrate the fabulous woman in our office who answers all the crazy questions and keeps things straight.  The tricycle planter was found at Goodwill and was originally a dark bronze.  I gave it a new coat of paint for a spring look.  Added a green pot to match the flower stems and not take away from the pop of the pink.  Finished it off with pink and white tulips.

The moss was added to hide the lattice work of the floral tape.  I forgot to take a picture of it, but here is a picture I found of what it looks like.  This is how you get flowers like tulips to stand up in a pot or vase. In this case, I used both wet floral foam and created the lattice design with tape.

Here's to celebrating those that help organize the chaos of everyday!

Strawberry Shortcake - To Go!

Martha Stewart does it again with this TO GO strawberry shortcake.  You shows it as a wedding favor, but it would be such a great gesture at many a summertime get together.  A great take home for Memorial Day or July 4th.  Maybe make a red, white and blue sticker for the top, etc? 

 

Cute as a button!

Brandy over at Home Sweet Home made these cute chocolate buttons for a baby shower from molds sold on Bake It Pretty. 

Last week, I came across these note cards at Michaels that would be perfect bag toppers for these favors.

They were on clearance for 50 cents a pack.  Just cut them down to the perfect width of the bag and staple on.  If there are your event colors, these would work perfectly and are great for those not inclined to design something of their own on the computer.