Everyday Celebrating

DIY: Pumpkin door decor

Looking for something for your door that's NOT a wreath?

Here ya go!

All you have to do is get a plastic or foam pumpkin, slice it in half and decorate as you please.

Maybe decoupaging the pumpkins like I did last year?

DIY: Personalized Dinnerware!

So I'm gonna say flat out.  I WILL be doing this.  You know how there are some crafts you come across that makes you just stop in your tracks?  That was me with this.  LOVE!

I stumbled upon this great trick over at Brooklyn Limestone.  And while I've written on plates in the past, this just really stood out to me.  

Basically, she bought inexpensive white dishes.  (Hint: Goodwill or even Dollar Tree)

Then she wrote on them using a Porcelaine 150 pen.  Want to write text like in the photo?  Use painters tape to create the lines.

Want a damask or other design?  Use a stencil.

This opens up unlimited possibilities for holiday dishes.  Write the words to your favorite Christmas Carol!  Write a message to someone on their birthday!  Write the words to your wedding song on your anniversary.  ENDLESS possibilities.

And making a set would make a great gift!

Hop over to her blog and check out the rest of the photos.  

DIY: Photo envelope liners

I absolutely love lined envelopes.  And while I've made my share of liners, I have never made liners that feature a PHOTO!  Brilliant!

Sidenote: Those that are reading this that usually receive a holiday card from me...you may see this idea again in December.  LOL   Maybe.

Paige of  Paiges of Style gives a tutorial on creating lined envelopes.  This fabulous tutorial gives a photo step by step of creating the template and then she goes on to show you how to use a photo.

This tutorial is one to bookmark for sure!

Don't forget, these will work on ANY envelope.  You don't have to save it for a special occasion or invitation.  You can line any envelope!  Birthday, anniversary or graduation cards or just a special note dropped to a friend.  

DIY: Stamped paper plates

Aren't these stamped moustache plates cute?

You can create whatever design you want on your paper plates using a sponge and paste food coloring.

Emily at Remarkable Home gives a full tutorial on the easy process including cutting the sponge into a cute shape.

You have plenty of time to create fun plates for your July 4th gathering.  Stars and stripes, anyone?

DIY: Rainbow crepe paper wreath

Loving this crepe paper wreath from Fiskars.  Visit their site for the full tutorial!  

Make one out of any color combination.  You have plenty of time to get started on a red, white and blue one for July 4th celebrations!

Wordless Wednesday: Paint chip garland

via Grace and Light Studio

April Fools Cupcakes

If you love baking amazing treats and even if you don't, but can appreciate them, you NEED to know Liz at Hoosier Homemade.  

She whips up some of the coolest food I've ever seen.  True fun food that are some serious conversation starters over at our Blog Frog community Memories in Motion.

I thought I'd share some of her April Fools Day cupcakes.  

Nuggets and Fries!

Corn on the cob and hamburgers!

Here are one of my faves.. snowcone cupcakes

Aren't those fun????

And look at THESE.. just in time for the Final Four!  She even has a video showing how to make them. Add Hoosier Homemade to your reader, even if it's just to admire her works of edible art!

DIY: Paper cup wreath

When I first happened upon this wreath by Twig and Thistle, I was flying through my reader and literally came to a screeching halt.

Clean. modern.  simple.  texture.  But what IS it, I thought.

Folds of heavy fabric is what I initially thought.  Or that heavy awesome double satin ribbon you always see on Martha Stewart but have yet to see in actual stores?  LOL

Nope.

Cups.  PAPER CUPS.  The kind of cups you can get at the dollar store in ANY color.  A whole stack for yes, a dollar.

Filing this photo away when I need a little somethin' different to fill a space.  Adds interest and is just the trick.

My cup runneth over.  (sorry... couldn't resist!)

 

Glaming it up for the Oscars!

I've had a few people email in to ask if I have any ideas for Oscar parties.  With the Oscars airing soon, I thought I'd throw out a few ideas I saw that are totally doable.

Family Fun magazine did a spread a couple years ago on several fun Halloween themed parties - one being "Hollywood Halloween".  The party was super cute and creative and some of the ideas would work brilliantly for the Oscars.  Let me show you....

First, you need the coveted Oscar.
Easy!  Goodwill has TONS of barbies.  Go pick up a few, spray paint them gold! 
Then hot glue him to a stand you've painted gold as well.  It will have to be something weighted like a tuna can.  Make sure you buy the lightest male barbie you can find. 

It works beautifully, see?

And see how they used him as a centerpiece by having him hold a ball or roses?
Easily done.  Pick up a ball of floral oasis and stick in flowers that match your color scheme.

Another decoration is the director's clap board.
Grab some black foam core and either draw out the layout with chalk or paint pen and get stick on letters.  Add a foam core hinge with a brad.

Food!
One of the easiest things they showed was using a coffee mug tree to hold pretzels.

Then purchase a used reel, spray paint it gold and use it to hold dips for your pretzels.

A couple things that are more time consuming and detailed would be to wrap up hot dogs in tissue paper tuxedos.

And also dress up your champagne with felt!

A few great ideas to get your mind working on what is doable for your Oscar get together!
If you throw a party, I'd love to show the post photos on the blog!  Contact me!

DIY: Custom stamped plates

Are you addicted to dishes?  One of those people that love to have different dishes for every occasion? 

Yep, me too.

I have a LOT of dishes and to be honest, once I use a specialty set, I don't want to use them again.  I want something new that fits in with the new theme, etc.  

See where this is going? 

Exactly.  Where to put them all when you're finished?   Dishes take up a lot of storage.  Especially if you're just hoarding them and never really reusing them.

Enter this great idea from I'm Topsy Turvy.

Want a great plate or a great design for a special occasion?  Stamp it!   Yep, that's right!

Buy regular stamps and add the color on with food markers such as these Wilton Food Writers:

 

Just color the stamp with the markers and stamp the plate!

You can have fun, custom plates for any occasion!  Add a monogram, a graphic, lines, etc.  Your design is only limited to what types of stamps you can find!   Plus, the food markers are edible and wash off so you have a clean slate (plate) for next time!