The Perfect Beach Buckets!

How great is it that my crafty BFF and I get the opportunity to craft while the kids play at our weekly playgroup!  We usually take turns coming up with different crafts to do each week.  Here are this past week's ideas that she came up with:

 

She purchased these colorful, plastic buckets for $1 each at Michael's.  Using her silhouette Cricut cartridge, we cut out these adorable images out of brown vinyl for my kids' buckets.  She even thought to monogram their shovels!

Oh, and let's not forget the seasonal water bottle labels!  Just perfect!  Shouldn't everyone's refrigerators be stocked with cute "spring" water?

I'm at these fabulous parties!

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Best...Wedding...Ever!

 Last Friday night, my husband and I went to his co-worker's wedding.  Now, let me start off by saying that I have been excited about attending this wedding since the moment the invitation arrived.  Take a look at that invitation...they made it themselves!  Notice the gorgeous, trendy tape they used to accent the sides.  And let's not overlook those fonts...who doesn't love a fabulous font?!  What a beautiful creation they made to get us all excited about their upcoming nuptials!

Now, let's get on to those fabulous wedding details. Get ready to be inspired with creativity!

Lauren, the bride, is a very talented, creative girl who can craft like nobody's business.  So, I was not surprised when we arrived that we were handed this gorgeous handmade program.  It is made from vintage paper overlaid with a coordinating doily.

I didn't take any pictures at the actual ceremony, so you'll just have to imagine it as I narrate.  It takes place in a long, narrow courtyard beside the reception hall.  The courtyard speaks of a vintage era with it's wrought-iron trellises and old facades still standing.  The brick walls are adorned with paper pompoms and paper lanterns.  The chosen music is unexpected, but perfect.  When the bride appears, she is stunning in a fluffy, white, tea-length gown with a bouquet of the most gorgeous mustard-colored, button-type flowers.  The wedding party is small, and the ceremony is intimate.  The couple is married by a close friend in a short, but extremely sweet, ceremony. 

Okay, now that you feel like you attended the wedding, it's time to party!



We were in awe when we entered the reception hall.  I'm pretty sure my husband had to pick my chin off the floor because my jaw dropped.  It was AMAZING!  From the banners to the burlap, this place looked incredible!

These pompoms were hanging from the ceiling all over the reception hall.

  The ceiling was filled with hanging pompoms that were beautiful and delicate.  (Oops! Even Picnik photo-editing could not fix my awful photography in this picture.)



 Look at that beautiful ribbon banner hanging over the bar!

Isn't it just perfect!

Yes, ladies, those are paper straws in those cups.  I know... can it get any better?

 Why, yes it can.  Burlap table runners.  What a great idea!

They opted for a table overflowing with miniature cupcakes rather than one traditional "wedding cake".

Now you don't see this at every wedding...a treat table complete with a pennant banner!

Here's a close-up of the treat bags.  They had a wooden stamp carved with their picture in it and stamped each bag with it.  How clever and perfect!

One more special surprise for the guests...a photo booth!  Best...Idea...Ever!  There was even a vintage suitcase next to it filled with photo props.

We didn't use any of the props, but it was still so fun.  What a great memento for each guest to take home!

Somehow, I managed to leave there without having taken a picture of the happy couple together.  It's a good thing I'm not a professional photographer because I would get fired...oops!  I did, however, get a good one of the bride.  Isn't she gorgeous with that flower in her hair!

A note for the "Just Married" couple:

Lauren and John, congratulations, you are such a great couple with an obvious, intense love for one another.  I wish you all the best in your new life together.  May God bless your lives and your love!

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What a Bouquet!

Take a look at that whopper of a wedding bouquet!  Miranda Lambert sported a spectacular brooch bouquet made by The Ritzy Rose on her wedding day.  Doesn't it make you want to renew your vows just so you can carry one of those? 

By the way, did you know that The Ritzy Rose is an Etsy girl like many of us?  It's true.  It just goes to show you that dreams do come true.  People do look at what you create, and you just never know who's looking.  Maybe you'll be the next gal who's creation is on the cover of a magazine! 

So, the moral of the story is this:

 Grab a Coke and get your creative juices flowing.  People are waiting to see your gorgeous creations!

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His Teacher Helped Him BLOOM.

My oldest just had to give his teacher a little end-of-school gift as a thank-you for making his preschool year so wonderful.  I know this gerbera daisy looks a little puny, but there's a story behind it. 

While we were transporting it home from Lowe's, I asked Grant to hold it while he sat in the backseat.  I suddenly had to make a quick stop (a.k.a slam on the breaks).  Boy did that daisy fly!  When it hit the floorboard, the biggest, reddest daisy snapped right off.  What can you do, right?  We were almost home; so, we just had to use what we had left.  Luckily, there's another bloom on it's way!

Anyhow, let me tell you how we got this pot looking so cute.

Here's where the magic starts.  I painted a plain terracotta pot with chalkboard paint.  To make all the cute dots and his teacher's name, I used a chalk marker.  You might ask why I didn't just use regular chalk.  Well, regular chalk smears, while a chalk marker does not.  However, it can still be wiped off, you just have to use a wet cloth.

For her label, I just wrote something on the computer and printed it out.

I attached the tag to a pencil with a thumb tack and a ribbon.

Of course, we couldn't forget the principal.  She's making it all happen behind the scenes, and let me tell you, this woman is amazing.  She is so patient with all of the students that I think she deserves some sainthood status!  So, for her, we purchased a big cupcake from the local bakery since she is so sweet!

I hope these ideas were a little helpful.  Let me know if you make them. 

Well, I'm taking a much-needed Coke break now!  :)

You can me at these awesome parties!

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Oh, SNAP! How About a Vote!

Hi, All!  There's a special creative blogging and social media conference called SNAP! that's going to be taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 19-21, 2012.  They are giving away an all-inclusive ticket to this conference, and I would absolutely love to win it, and because I'm a list-maker, here's my list of reasons why I would love to be the winner of that ticket:

1.  It would be A-MAZING!

2.  I've never been to a blogging social affair.

3.  I would get to meet, in "real life", all these bloggers I call my friends.

4.  I would take lots and lots of picture to share with you all.

5.  It would be the chance of a lifetime, and I would feel like a total rockstar.

6.  Are you tired of reading all of this, yet?  I could actually go on and on, but I'll spare you the remainder of the list.

So, if you don't mind, it woud be awesome if you would go vote for me here.

Thanks, in advance, for your vote!

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Today I'm doing a guest post at Homemaker in Heels with a super-cute flower tutorial.



If you liked these felt flowers, you're going to love them done in scapbook paper.  Check them out, and let me know what you think.

Time for a Coke break while I head over there!

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A Couple of Firsts and One's a Ponytail!

 We had a couple of "firsts" this past week in our house.  We went to our first graduation for our oldest, albeit preschool, but still a graduation and of monumental importance to us.  We are soooo proud of him and all of his achievements this year.  ABCs and 123s to name just a few.  He is also on his way to graduating from speech therapy- something we thought would never happen.  We're so happy to be hearing every little word our boy wants to tell us.  We've come a long way!  

He works so hard at everything he does and gives it his absolute best.  What an amazing almost-kindergartener we've been blessed with!

Grant-

We love you so much and are so proud of you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

On a lighter and less teary note, our youngest sported her first ponytail- the other first this week.

Now you know I have not forgotten about our younger son.  I didn't have any firsts for him this week, but he'll be sure not to disappoint- like the first time he climbs on top of the swingset, the first time he gets inside the fireplace, the first time he swings from the chandelier.  The list could go on and on.  He is our in-house comedian, and we never know what he's going to say or do at any given time.  He always keeps us on our toes, laughing the whole time.  People always say it's that kind of stuff that "keeps ya young."  I, however, think it's that kind of stuff that "makes ya old."  I'm kidding...just a little...haha!

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How to Add Your Signature Under Each Post!

You may already know and do this, but in case you don't, here's a quick how-to.  I know you probably see all these blogs out there each with it's author's "signature" right underneath each post.  It's almost as though they literally sign it with a pen.  Well, it may seem to be something that would be really complicated, but it's not.  It's a free service that's provided by http://www.mylivesignature.com/.  It is pretty easy to use, too!

Let me tell you how I got my signature:

Step 1.  You need to register.  This is free to do.  Now, it's time to create your signature!  I chose a signature that they provided with the signature creation wizard rather than trying to use my mouse to "write" my name on the screen.  I might as well have let me 5-year-old write my name when I tried it that way!

Step 2.  Once you pick a font and size that you like (now this may take a while because there are over a hundred to choose from), you pick a color and slope.  Mine is black and angled up to the right. 

Step 3. Give your signature a name so that it can be saved.

Okay.  So you've got your saved signature.  Now what do you do with it?  Well, it's very simple.  Here are your next steps to getting that signature under every post that your write!

Step 4.  Go to the top of the site and click on Use Sigs.

Step 5.  Click on Generate HTML code.  I chose the first option on the very next screen.

Step 6.  Select a saved signature and click generate code and copy it.

Step 7.  Go to your blogger account design screen, and click on Setttings, and then Formatting.

Step 8.  Scroll all the way down to the bottom of this screen to where it says Post Template.  Paste the code right in that box and click Save Settings.

You're done!  Now every time you go to New Post to write something new, you will see your signature.  Just click enter a few times to move it down, and start writing! 

Happy Signing!  You deserve a Coke break!

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They've Made It This Far...

 

These two people are my parents, and today is their day.  This day they celebrate 32 years of marriage.  Now that's something that you don't hear about every day.  In fact, it's exactly the opposite of what we hear. 

Today, we accept the dissolution of marriage for any reason under the sun.  The vows are taken too lightly sometimes.  I think we forget that on one's wedding day, a promise is usually made in a church before God "til death do us part."   We might say, "for better or for worse," but oftentimes we really mean, "unless life gets tough and we can't make things work out anymore." 

Well, these two people have made it "for better or for worse," and I applaud and celebrate them today.  They have unconditional love for one another, and it shows.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

I love you.



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Just a Glimpse of Blair Sophia!





You may or may not remember that pile of receipts I had "prepared" for the tax guy a while back.  It was a little obnoxious; I'd like to forget it, too!  Anyhow, they were all from Blair Sophia, my accessories line.

 

I love to create beautiful accessories for girls of all ages.  You're never too old to wear something fabulous in your hair.  You saw the royal wedding.  Those women looked amazing, right? 

This is just one part of my life where I can let my creative juices flow.  When I sit down with my sewing machine, fabric, scissors, and hot glue gun, you just never know what I'm going to come up with.  The possibilites are truly endless. 

My favorite part is when someone sees my designs and wants me to create something special for an event, whether it be for themselves to wear or for a loved one.  I am always truly honored to play a small role in their special day, from birthdays to weddings!

So, here's just a glimpse of why I'm not always able to write as often as I would like.  This is the Spring/Summer 2011 Blair Sophia collection.  I took a few pictures from the last boutique show my mom and I participated in.  We worked for weeks in preparation for this one!

 

Headbands on stretch bands.   They are truly couture designs!

 

Tutu Fabulous.  They were inspired by my daughter's tutus.  How much do you love these headbands?



A closer look at some Tutu Fabulous.  Some are multi-colored with beads sewn into the center!





Overflowing with flower hairclips!  Each with rhinestone in the center.



So many infant strech headbands!

Hairbows galore!

A new take on silk flower headbands.  Amazing!





And, yes, I make rings, too!  One size fits most, of course!  How much do love the navy blue one with the anchor on it in the back?



Holy moly, more gorgeous flowers!



Well, I'm exhausted from just from re-living that day!  Too bad I've got another show coming up in less than two weeks.  I guess I had better grab a Coke and get back to work!

P.S. I'm thinking about doing an Accessory of the Week sale where I'll pick one accessory from the Blair Sophia line each week and offer it up with a Paypal link.  I'll create several ahead of time to accomodate the response.  (I'm definitely putting the cart before the horse on this one..lol!)  What do you think?  I need your input. 

Thanks so much!



I'm partying here:



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