Everyday Celebrating

DIY: Strawberry tree in urn

Last week, I posted a picture of the strawberry tree centerpieces I had at my 2003 wedding.

This week, here's a different version of the strawberry tree.  Chocolate covered AND in an urn.  

Here's how you create it:

First, let me say that this is not a dessert that is easily transported.  This would be something you'd want to either serve at your home or assemble after you arrive at your destination.

You'll need:

 - one styrofoam cone.  Use styrofoam, not floral cone.  The floral oasis isn't as sturdy. 

 - toothpicks

 - 3 lbs of strawberries to cover a 9X4 cone

 - chocolate melt

 - a block of styrofoam

 - one urn

 - hot glue/gun

 - kale

You'll want to dip your strawberries first.  Wash and cut the green off each strawberry and dip it into melted chocolate.  Stick all the strawberries into the freezer so a) the chocolate can set and b) the strawberries get hard.  A harder strawberry is easier to work with in getting a secure fit.

Next, you'll want to fill up the urn.  You have two ways of achieving this. You can either get a larger cone that will go to the bottom of the urn (shaving off the sides to make it fit) or you can stick a piece of styrofoam in the bottom and glue the cone on top.

In the photo above, I filled the urn with styrofoam and newspaper. I then covered the entire top of the urn in kale.  I did this by using toothpicks and gluing the kale down.

From here, break toothpicks in half and start working your way up from the bottom.  You want to put your largest strawberries on the bottom and work your way up in sizes.  There may be places where the strawberries don't meet.  For those places, you can stick in a few pieces of kale or sprigs of mint to cover the styrofoam.

 

Finally, you can decorate your urn with a ribbon or other festive ornament.   Easy and makes a great centerpiece for your dessert table!

This dessert is great for other occasions too like July 4th, showers, Valentine's Day, etc.

DIY: Layered Ribbon tree

We all remember the coffee filter trees that were the craze last year.  Well... here's another fun DIY tree that you can make with ribbon.

These fab trees are from Sparkle and she gives a tutorial on how to create them. 

While she suggest uses styrofoam bases, remember that you can roll poster board for the same affect.  Styrofoam is expensive if you're creating several of these trees.  Here's where I talk about creating cones out of poster board.  2 sheets for $1 at the Dollar Tree and... you can create any size you need depending on how you cut/roll it.

 

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?

For the new mom: Hospital survival kit!

I love this idea from My Own Road!  

When you're pregnant and even in the hospital, everyone brings gifts for the BABY!  But what about the MOTHER?   Whether you have a traditional birth or a c-section, the Mom is exhausted after and while the new baby is totally worthy of all the fuss, it's so nice for the MOM to receive some pampering as well.

Jennifer of My Own Road created some fabulous printables to attach to gift bags.  Create your own hospital survival kit for the new Mom.  While most Moms have a hospital bag packed, fill this bag with some things they may not think of or just a few pampering items like these things that Jennifer recommends:

Visit her site to read the descriptions.

As someone who had a c-section and stayed in the hospital for 4 days, I can tell you that this would have been a VERY welcomed gift!  

Jennifer has created those printables in both pink AND blue.  Save them for your next visit to the new Mommy!

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!

DIY/Tutorial: Embroidery floss Easter eggs

This is still one of my most popular posts even 2 years later.  It gets tons of traffic all year long.  Bumping it to the top just in time for Easter.

Creative take on the easter egg "ornament" from Crafts for all Seasons
Here's how to make them:

• small balloons
• embroidery floss
• scissors
• pin
• a fabric stiffener such as Stiffy
• string

How to:

1.  Blow up balloons and tie off.  Make them small to realistically resemble eggs.

2.  Cut your floss in long lengths.  About 2 feet. 

3.  Pour the stiffener into a small bowl.

4.  Dip the floss into the stiffener and soak. Pull each length out and get rid of the excess by running the floss through your fingers.

5.  Wrap the floss around the egg.  Make crisscross patterns and cover it until it looks how you'd like. Don't be afraid to use different colors on one egg.

6.  Tie the string to the knot.  Hang them to dry overnight.  They need to be thoroughly dry.

7.  After it is completely dry, pop the balloon with the pin.  Gently pull the balloon out through an opening in the floss.

Eggs can be hung or displayed in baskets, centerpieces, etc.

DIY/Tutorial: Easter bunny craft project

A repost of an archive post ...a great craft project, just in time for Easter....

Kim Vallee of At Home with Kim Vallee posted these adorable felt bunnies she was planning on using for her upcoming Easter celebration.  Problem being, a retailer couldn't be found for the bunnies that are produced by Daft.  Kim sent out the call for someone to help create a template and how-to for these simple bunnies.

Enter Everyday Celebrating!
I was thrilled to jump in and design the template to make these bunnies come to life!

It only takes 2 pieces of craft foam or felt per bunny... plus scissors!  That's it!

Visit Kim's site for the downloadable template - compliments of Everyday Celebrating and At Home with Kim Vallee!

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: How to make Chocolate BUTTER

Chocolate BUTTER?

YUMMY! 

Would make a great gift, even!

Find out how to whip up some over on one of my fave blogs, Giver's Log.