August 20, 2012 1 Comment

how to make a paper airplane video


This summer has been amazing and I’m honestly having a hard time with it coming to a close… but before I tear up, I want to share with you the first of hopefully many The Kid’s Perspective videos that my boys are so super tickled about being a part of.

I was blessed with two boys who love to be in front of the camera. Thank goodness, right! My blog would be much less interesting and have far fewer photos if my boys were camera shy! {grin}

So when I mentioned that I was going to start vlogging myself about various craft projects, they started asking if they could make videos of their projects (they’re always making, building, drawing, creating something) and I thought why not start with them… I mean, they’re cute no matter what so I could save myself some angst and learn the ropes with their videos. That’s not terrible of me is it? {wink}

For the very first installment of The Kid’s Perspective, Alex is sharing how to make a flat nosed paper airplane in celebration of National Aviation Day. My uncle, a pilot (and attorney, he’s a super talented overachiever and we all love him dearly!) shared this design with my boys a few months ago and now they make no other kind of paper airplane. They claim, “Uncle Billy’s fly the best and the farthest!”

Yes, my home is often littered in a paper airplane war… {sigh}, and now yours can be too!

As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake, create and celebrate!

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August 16, 2012 2 Comments

DIY coffee cozy teacher gift


Greet your new teacher this year with a mod apple coffee cozy. I made this one for me! Yes… I know… but I made it with Montia of Sew Jewell and it was just as easy to whip out two as it was one. Or, that’s what I told her! {grin) And since she’s also my mom she let it slide.

But in my defense, I did make one for a wonderful teacher friend of mine too! And what’s better, Amy started her own blog at The Teacher’s Chalkboard just last week. I’m so thrilled for her! Like any new blogger she’s just starting to find her way in this new world, but she has some amazing ideas. Just give her time! You’re gonna love her!

So, how do you sew one of these up for your teacher… or for yourself?! {wink}

Step 1 - Snag a coffee cozy from your favorite coffee shop for a template. {sideways whisper – I’ve had this one for over a year and I’m just now getting to this project!} You’ll want to cut your fabric 1/2″ wider than the cozy.

Step 2 - Select your fabric, weigh down or pin your template and fabric so that it doesn’t shift while you’re cutting (LOVE these little weights Sew Jewell had in her craft room!), and cut. (NOTE: Double your fabric back to back so you cut out both sides at once. Feel free to fussy cut it if you have a more intricate design!)

Step 3 – Select a batting (to insulate your cozy). We suggest an iron-on fusible batting.

Step 4 – Overlay your fabric on the batting, weigh it down and cut again.

Step 5 – Now take to the sewing machine and stitch the edges, making sure your fabric is turned the correct directions as shown above (fabric, batting in center, fabric) leaving a 2″ hole to turn your cozy with a fabric pointer, pushing out the edges. And then iron it flat.

Step 6 - Hand stitch or fabric glue the open end closed.

Step 7 - Now for the button hole, hopefully you have a machine that does it for you, or you could use strong adhesive Velcro dots.

I know what you’re thinking… what about that fun apple design?! Well if you have a monogramming machine like Montia…

you monogram and applique the project before you cut out the cozy. And if you don’t, no worries!

If you want one, but don’t want to make it, Sew Jewell is adding them to her etsy shop today for $15.

Or, if you do want to get creative, there is this fabulous invention called Wonder-Under Fusible Web. Just make the cozy as we’ve shown, cut out a design (e.g., initials, Halloween, Christmas, anything) and then follow the Wonder-Under instructions to attach it/iron it on. Walla! You made your very own applique design! 

You can find all the supplies for this project at craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake, create and celebrate!

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August 14, 2012 11 Comments

back to school teacher gift + printable


Hello there! I’m Deanna, event designer and editor of Mirabelle Creations. I’m so happy to be here at The Celebration Shoppe, sharing a super simple back to school teacher appreciation craft that you can do with your kiddos!

All teachers love a little something at the beginning of the school year and these Edible School “Glue” Sticks, inspired by the traditional Elmer’s Washable Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, and fun “So happy to be stuck with you this year!” free printables are a great way to show your appreciation. Plus, they are easy for little hands because they’re simply filled with York Peppermint Pieces candies! But a warning, make sure you have extras because while making these as many candies went into my helpers’ mouths as did into the containers!

The idea for these Edible School “Glue” Sticks came to me last week while shopping for school supplies with my kids and a school supplies themed craft for the teachers seemed like a great way to start off the school-year.

What you’ll need:

And here are the simple steps:

  1. Fill the bottom of the push-up-pops container with a layer of blue candies, about ½ inch thick. Fill the remainder of the push-up-pops container with white candies.
  2. Tape the top of the push-up-pops container closed.
  3. Cut two pieces of orange ribbon, the length of the circumference of the container.
  4. Fold one piece of ribbon in half, lengthwise, securing it with glue dots. Attach it around the bottom edge of the push-up-pops container using the glue dots.
  5. Wrap the other piece of ribbon around the top of the push-up-pops, securing to the bottom edge of the container lid. The taller ribbon at the top will mimic the cap of the glue stick.
  6. Print the Edible School “Glue” Stick label on a full sheet of white sticker paper or regular paper and attach with tape.
  7. Print the I’m so happy to be “stuck” with you tag on cardstock. Punch out the tag and attach with string or ribbon.

Now you’re all set to show your teachers how excited you are about this new school year! Enjoy!

And as always, we hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create!

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August 4, 2012 1 Comment

old school dinosaur shadow boxes


Do you remember in grade school when you made shadow boxes for art class or for some school project… or just so your Barbies had a place to hang out?! Yes I did! Well… she couldn’t always be in the dream house, or at her pool, or in her convertible…! {smirk}

So my crew hasn’t slowed down much this summer with swim lessons, tennis lessons, baseball, playdates at the zoo… and on and on, but there have been a few days when we’ve just stayed at home and played. I love to get creative with my boys and there isn’t always a plan.

So on one rainy afternoon… okay it stormed big time… we were looking for something to do when I thought about those old school shadow boxes we used to make. And since we don’t have Barbies (except my old ones that I’ve stashed in a box with my mom’s very first Barbie, yep… that baby should be worth something!) we chose to go with dinosaurs. Those we have more than enough of!

The boys loved stealing my shoe boxes, raiding my craft room and getting to use my “good” paper scissors. My little guy even managed to find a use for my Martha Stewart fringe scissors. See the grass; they worked perfectly!

My favorite elements of what they created was the snake on the rock (top image), you see he’s smiling, the drawing of the volcano and the sun.

So if you’re looking for a fun afternoon project that gets the kids thinking prehistoric, or any theme for that matter (we started to make round two boxes with an ocean theme when Dad came home early and interrupted us… at which time I was abandoned because the storm was over and they could play in the remaining drizzle) consider whipping up some of these old school shadow box crafts.

By the way, stop in the shoppe and see our dinosaur birthday party supplies, perfect for your little paleontologist.

As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake, create and celebrate!

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July 23, 2012 No Comments

diy ideas for an Olympic celebration

What better way to celebrate the Olympic Opening Ceremony this Friday than with festivities of your own?! And my talented friend at Bird’s Party has lots of inspiration to get you started!

When I first saw her Olympic-inspired party table, the DIY Olympic rings she created for the backdrop immediately had me wanting to see more. And wow did she not disappoint, taking these traditional elements throughout her crafts and her sweets. 

Bird shares all of her DIY tutorials, super cute printable ticket party invitations and other party printables in the following posts on her blog, Bird’s Party:

And as always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake, create and CELEBRATE!

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July 19, 2012 1 Comment

DIY paper pinwheels

Remember the feature we did on the simple and sweet mason jars from Holly at The Dandy Byrd? Well, she didn’t stop with just one fabulous idea–nope, she crafted the whole party! {grin}

Check out these easy paper pinwheels; what a great way to jazz up a large space with a bit of scrapbook paper and a few other craft store items!

What you’ll need:

  • Scrapbook paper
  • Flower Confetti (or other fun accent)
  • Ribbon (various widths–narrow is better)
  • Glue Gun
  • Small hole punch
  • Scissors

To recreate this eye-catching craft:

  • Fold each square piece of paper over and under like an accordion in roughly 1/2 inch folds. (I suggest using a boning knife for cleaner edges).
  • Then cut the edges of the folds (She rounded the edges)
  • Fold the accordion in half and use the glue gun to secure the exposed edges together.
  • This creates a part of the pinwheel. Repeat this 2-3 times. Combine fans to make 1 pinwheel.
  • Punch a hole about 1/2 inch from ends of pinwheel on each side and connect the pinwheels with ribbon.
  • At the top of the pinwheels, keep the ribbon longer so it can attach to something to hold it up.

Once all the pinwheels are complete, they make an lovely display or background. Holly used hers to create a amazing wall for her baby shower banner. Holly was inspired by a tutorial via The Wedding Chicks, but simplified it quite a bit.

Thanks, again to Holly for sharing her incredible talents. Don’t forget to go see the rest of the adorable baby shower she created for her dear friend.

We hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create!

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July 16, 2012 2 Comments

host a BBQ bash with free printables


Summer is zooming by and I still have so much that I want to do! One of which is have friends over for a big BBQ with a campfire for roasting s’ mores after sunset. It’s on my summer bucket list. {grin}

As I was thinking about decor, I pulled these images out of the archive. I contributed to an article in Mom magazine a few years ago and designed these summer party printables for the shoot.

And of course I’m giving them to you.

DOWNLOAD our FREE BBQ BASH PRINTABLES 

I also made these fun DIY kid aprons for the shoot, the perfect backyard BBQ favor for the little ones.

As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft bake and create! Happy Monday!

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July 11, 2012 2 Comments

burlap & blue baby shower craft

I just love when a simple craft turns out fabulously. Then I can not help but to see it’s possibilites everywhere!

That’s just what Holly from The Dandy Byrd did with these adorable mason jars she whipped up for a baby shower for a dear friend and she’s sharing them with us today!

To make your own mason jar and burlap flower vases you’ll need:

  • small mason jars (approx. 16 oz)
  • burlap ribbon
  • your favorite ribbon — two widths in coordinating colors
  • glue gun

So simple to assemble, here’s how:

  • cut the burlap ribbon (2 inches’ in width)
  • wrap it around each jar and glued at the back, overlapping slightly, as to not show any of the jar underneath
  •  repeat with the larger ribbon (1 inch in width) and the tiny ribbon is wrapped around and tied in a bow at the front of the jar

You could also use the mason jars for your beverages like Holly did for her baby shower. She added a safety pin and a coordinating paper straw with ribbon flag and it was adorable! Plus, after the party is over the hot glue pops right off the jars and they’re ready for your next party!

Notice the sweet wooden stamped circles that accent the jars…yep, Holly created those, too!

She’s a real whiz, but you can create these for yourself, you’ll need:

  • wooden circles small and large
  • paint (colors of your choice, Holly used 3 colors)
  • stamp pad
  • small set of letter stamps
  • baby feet and hand stamps

And here’s how:

  • paint each wooden circle (she used alternating colors),
  • let them dry for about 5-10 minutes,
  • stamp a phrase on each one, along with either a set of feet or hands (Holly advises using black, since it worked best for her), and
  • it’s important you press down firmly with the stamps, because they will fade slightly, absorbing into the wood

A big thanks to Holly of The Dandy Byrd for sharing and as always, we hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create!

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July 9, 2012 1 Comment

stripes + kid room makeover

This collage of images taken with my iPhone and edited in Camera+, PicFix and PicFrame

We’ve been busy this summer with tons of projects around the house: gutting our guest bath downstairs, purging closets, my studio and our basement (I have way too many props for work and baby toys that sadly I’ll never see used again), organizing my craft room… and oh yeah… creating a new “big boy” room for the boys before school starts back up. It’s been a lot of work, but I love an organized house.

And for the bedroom, I have to say, I have an opinionated crew. I know… shocker! {grin} 

Challenge #1 – We talked about themes (whether or not to have one) for months before we got started. The boys just couldn’t agree. We have four bedrooms so they can each have their own, but the boys want to stay in the same one for a few more years — their choice, not mine — but I do have to admit that I love it because you can hear them whispering secrets and reading books to each other. I’m very blessed with two little boys who are also best friends.

So after much debate we decided no theme, just bold color, allowing them to change art and pillows, etc., as their interests change.

Challenge #2 - Color! My oldest loves green and my youngest loves blue. And not those light hues that can easily work together… we’re talking hunter green and aqua blue… you see the problem.

After another month I was able to talk them into blue walls, with a two-tone blue stripe accent wall. But you wonder how did I appease the green lover. Well… the outlets, inset of the window and art will be lime green. I know what you’re thinking. It’s the same thing my husband thought when I asked him to paint it… {snicker}

Challenge #3 – We’ve never painted stripes on the walls before. My hubby is a great painter, carpenter, and all around just clever when it comes to home projects. Whoa girls! He’s taken! {smile}

But even he was a bit nervous about painting stripes. We picked up a few rolls of Scotch Blue and he went to work measuring. That was honestly the toughest part, trying to determine how wide to make the stripes so that there was an even number… oh… and there was the window to consider.

In the end my smart guy figured it out and cut a board to help position a straight line all the way down the wall with the tape and another board the exact length of each stripe so there would be no measuring mishap halfway through the process.  

Surprisingly to him, but not to me of course {so sure of myself… not!}, it’s coming together and looks really great! The Scotch Blue tape pulled away easily and the lines are so clean. One or two small touch ups in the corner, because of imperfections in the wall, and it was done! I think I’ll try my hand at some art prints using it!

I’ll share more as we go and until then, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake… PAINT… and create!

Oh, and if you’re wondering why the first pic says “Day 37,” thats because I’m photojournaling our summer and this was taken on Day 37. (You can follow our adventures on Instagram at TheCelebrationShoppe.)

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And by the way, this is not a sponsored post. I was just impressed with Scotch Blue and wanted to share!

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June 28, 2012 2 Comments

kiwi crates ~ art science imagination

I got to be supermom this week because the boys got to try out a fabulous new activity box from Kiwi Crate.

I love the concept. It’s so genius. You sign up at KiwiCrate.com and each month you receive a new box of activities… and even more fun, you never know the topic until you open the box. It could be arts and crafts, it could be science or it could be imaginative play.

Each box is for kids ages 3-7 and filled to the top with fun. I was honestly amazed at how much was in the box and the quality of the papers and supplies. Well worth the $19.95 per box, which by the way includes shipping!

You get two activities per month and ours was a sibling kit that had enough for two kiddos. And since it was my youngest son’s birthday (bonus to receive some extra goodies on your birthday!), I let him choose which craft to do first. He chose “my bug painting” and off we went!

But I have to tell you that I really wanted to make the “my firefly.” It’s a bottle with lots of goodies to attach. It actually will glow and runs on a zip line! I know… cool! 

You start with a little inspiration booklet that tells you everything involved in the activity with ideas on how to expand your little one’s imagination. You can see a sample booklet on KiwiCrate.com. 

Our kit came with three large coloring sheets, paint, paint brushes, sponges, pencils, paint trays, and

sponges that expand the instant they hit water… the kids thought those were great!

The project asked for each child to embellish their papers with bugs they’d seen in nature and to imagine what they might eat, where they might live and what other bugs they might hang out with to help bring the habitat to life.

Ladybugs and caterpillars were high on our list,

along with bumble bees and butterflies. I loved how my oldest made the stripes on the bee with the edge of a small straight sponge! Clever little guy.

He also used that same sponge to make the legs on a jumping spider. We have way… way… too many spiders around here this summer! {skin crawling}

And he used the pencil to draw on the bug trails. You know the dash lines showing the bug’s path. Oh, and of course to sign his art. {grin}

If you have a creative little one, or you want to spark their creativity, I strongly encourage you to give KiwiCrate.com a look. Their ideas are educational, entertaining and a great excuse for you to get creative with the kiddos. Not to mention there’s no planning on your part since all the supplies come straight to your door every month! LOVE it!

And for the next five days, Kiwi Crate is offering 25% off your first $19.95 crate. Just enter CLEVER25 at checkout!

As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create! Now I’m off to put the final touches on my little guy’s big birthday party. It’s now a short 28 hours away so I best get baking! Happy Thursday!

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This post is sponsored by Kiwi Crate via Clever Girls Collective. But you ladies know me, I only talk about what I like and all opinions are 100% my own.

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