Everyday Celebrating

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

Still time to: Recognize your friends on Mother's Day

There are only two times per year that I send out a mass mailing of cards.  One is around the Christmas holidays and the second is for Mother's Day.

 How can I have so many mothers, you ask?  

Well, I don't.  I have one.  (Hi, Mom!)  But what I do have are lots of FRIENDS who ARE mothers.  
 And I like to recognize them on Mother's Day each year.

I've been doing this for several years now, long before I had a child of my own.   It began when I joined an online chat and journaling group more than 10 years ago.  Ladies from all over the world were on this site specifically to talk about planning their weddings.  I became close friends with several so much so that we traveled to each other's weddings, went on vacations together, etc.  

As time went by, both my "real life" friends and my online friends were starting families.  Conversations gently swayed towards the ups and downs of motherhood and even before I had a child of my own, I realized that being a mother was one of the hardest and most important jobs ever.  So I began sending them all Mother's Day cards just to remind them of how great they are and what an amazing job they are doing as a mother every single day.

You're probably thinking it's expensive.  Cards are expensive these days.  BUT... the Dollar Tree has Mother's Day cards priced at 2 for $1.00!  So for $10 plus postage, I can have a little smile show up in the mailbox of 20 women on a day that's meant just for them.  

And who doesn't like to be remembered?

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: Ducky Punch

I've seen lots and lots of Ducky showers with ducks in the punchbowl.  BUT.  I've rarely seen the punch that actually looks like suds. 

Very cool sudsy punch and all the how to is over at Tidy Mom.

Bookmark it or throw it on your Pinterest.  This would be really cute at a school party!  Talk about wowing a crowd!

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Want to share/find more ways to create memories like these?  Join us at the Blog Frog Memories in Motion community.  Have a question about an upcoming occasion?  Throw a question up in the community and watch the help flood in!

DIY: Easy Rose cake!

If you have a 1M pastry tip and bag, you can create THIS!  Isn't it beautiful?  And wouldn't it be beautiful for Easter in a pastel?   Or in white for a bridal shower?

I Am Baker gives a photo tutorial of just how it's done.  Definitely one of those amazingly simple things that doesn't have to be perfect to be gorgeous!

DIY: Creating inexpensive present toppers

Join me at Nashville Parent where I show how to add some wow to your presents with inexpensive items from the Dollar store!

Happy wrapping!

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Have more questions about children's birthday parties?  Like how much to spend, trick RSVP situations, whether to stay or not as a parent?  Join us in the Memories in Motion forum.  We're discussing these topics and more.  It's a great way to throw your questions out to other parents!