Everyday Celebrating

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!

Easy Nilla wafer Sweet treats!

These have to be some of the most adorable and EASY Valentine's Day treats I've seen. Little girls will swoon!

Flexible Dreams shows you how easy it is!  Dip wafters into candy melt.  Add heart sprinkles for the bows and draw on a face with Wilton Food Writers.

These would be adorable for a girl's tea party or a baby shower as well!

Easy Cherry Tarts

From this...

to this....

Step by step instructions on how to pull off these EASY tarts can be found at The Art of Doing Stuff.

DIY: Heart filled cupcakes!

A love filled surprise inside an unsuspecting cupcake!

Room mothers - this would make a great classroom treat!

Learn the how to, complete with printable recipe, at Alison's Wonder Scraporium! 

Valentine's Day trinkets for GIRLS!

I've over at Nashville Parent magazine talking about these.....

Find out what they are, where to get them and how to use them for an inexpensive Valentine's Day treat for classroom girls.  C'mon over!

I'm over HERE!

Today, I'm over at Nashville Parent magazine sharing a super easy Valentine's Day dinner idea!

C'mon over and visit!

DIY: Cupcake liner topiary

Looking for some easy decor for your Valentine's gatherings?  Make a cupcake liner topiary!

These are perfect for classroom parties or home decor!

Find the tutorial here on Craftomaniac!

Need MORE ideas for Valentine's Day?  Join me on Thursday, January 20 for a Valentine's Day chat over at Blog Frog!  We'll be chatting at 9 EST about all things Valentine's Day!  If you need ideas for food, decor, gifts, treats... c'mon over!

DIY: Snow drift candle holders

I love these snow drift candle holders from Living with Lindsay! 

So easy to make with mod podge, epsom salts and glitter!

Remember, you can get plenty of extra vases at Goodwill!  Even mason jars would be cute or small votive holders! Add in some red and pink glitter for a nice Valentine's Day vase!

Visit Lindsay's site for a full tutorial with photos!

DIY: Ribbon Wall

This year, in one room of my house, I constructed a ribbon wall to use as a backdrop for Candy Cane Christmas.

The frame was built out of 1/2 inch pvc.  After measuring the area I wanted to cover, I ended up with 4  10 ft pvc pieces.  I cut them to roughly 6 ft.  And made a square by using the coordinating T joints. 

From there, just hot glue strips of ribbon onto the top pole.

I'll warn you, you're going to go through quite a bit of ribbon, especially for a 6 ft wall like this was.  I stockpiled ribbon for some time to use for this project - finding ribbon on sale and even scoring big rolls of red velvet ribbon at Goodwill.  Tip:  if you're making one last minute for Christmas or you want to make one for next year, Michaels has their hoilday ribbon 60% off right now!  Plus a 20% off coupon here.

The ribbon lays flat.  Unfortunately, in taking these photos, the heat was blowing and the ribbon is moving. 

Make sure to trim the bottom of the ribbon to the length you need. You want the ribbon to lay flat and straight and not buckle at the bottom.

This ribbon wall concept would work great for other occasions as well, backdrops for birthday parties, showers and weddings.  They would be beautiful outside with the ribbons blowing in the breeze!  This red and white one would even be great for Valentine's Day!

Ribbon walls create a great dimension and texture to a focal point!  Try one!

 

DIY: Creating easy table skirts & Tape giveaway!

 
Thanks to Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape for sponsoring my writing about crafts. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win free sample rolls to help with your upcoming holiday needs.

I thought I'd show you a super easy way to create a quick table skirt.  All you need is a light piece of fabric and this... 

Let's get started!

I have this buffet and I use it as a focal point of holiday decor in one room.  There is a Christmas tree next to it and I usually work with one theme.  This year's theme is candy canes.  So, I want to create a consistent color palette which means covering up the cherry wood.  

I use double sided tape to temporarily wrap the table in fabric for a fitted table skirt.  Now, before you get anxious, yes, I do place the tape on the wood but don't worry... it comes off easily.  That being said, I don't guarantee that the tape will hold for a long time so this tutorial is meant for a quick, one evening table skirt.

The first thing you want to do is measure your fabric.  You do not want excess fabric.  The heavier the fabric, the more it pulls on the tape which means tension on the fabric.  

For the bottom of the fabric, the part that goes to the floor, if you don't sew, cut the fabric a bit longer than needed and tuck under.  Always better to cut longer than shorter.

Also, before you start on the table, make sure your fabric is ironed.  You'll see why I say that later. LOL

Then we're ready to attach!

I start on the side and press the fabric into the tape smoothly and evenly.

When you get to a corner, you fold the fabric like you're wrapping the corner of a present.

Here's the other corner...

Here's what it looks like in the end.  See that lovely crease in the fabric?  Definitely iron your fabric!
I've talked about it before and I'll say it again, a wrinkled tablecloth can ruin any table decor.  Your eye automatically goes straight to the crease. (Believe me, I'll fix this.)  LOL

After the taping is done, Then you can cover the top with a runner or another piece of bunched up fabric for depth.  I placed a candy cane striped fabric on top just to show you.  Next.. start adding your decorative pieces!

Easy, temporary table skirt!  

Please learn more about Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape and other Scotch(R) Products and join the conversation on the Scotch(R) Brand Facebook Page and via Twitter. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

 

WIN A ROLL!!!

EDITED: Thanks to 3M, 10 Everyday Celebrating readers will win 1 roll of Scotch Tape!  Perfect for upcoming holiday crafts or wrapping those presents!

How to Enter:
1. Leave me a comment telling me approximately how many rolls of Scotch tape you go through during the holiday season. 

Extra Entries:
2. Like Everyday Celebrating on Facebook.  Leave me a comment letting me know you became a fan and leave your username.

This giveaway will end on Saturday, November 20th, 2010 at 11:59  PM EST. Winners will be announced on the blog and on Facebook