March 20, 2013 4 Comments

how to make a wreath

How to make a wreath

It’s time to decorate for spring! Did you see my Mother’s Day brunch post yesterday? This easy to make wreath is a perfect complement for my spring placesetting idea.

Styrofoam balls covered in fabric

Join me for all the easy DIY details over on Red Barn today and make your own wreath!

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

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March 19, 2013 2 Comments

mother’s day brunch placesetting

Mothers Day Brunch

I’m absolutely giddy for Spring. I’m an early riser so I tend to see the sun come up each morning and this time of year that means I also get to hear the birds chirp the day in. It’s my favorite time of day to just think and be creative.

And those little chirps led me to this Mother’s Day brunch, sweet baby shower, or even Spring party placesetting idea.

I picked up these lovely new Easter dishes from Target. I love how girly they are. I’m the only girl in a house of four so sometimes it needs to be a bit about me. {grin}

The malted milk ball candy eggs make this party placesetting perfect for a baby shower…

Mothers Day Brunch

but I chose to craft little baby birds for a Mothers Day brunch. I just thought how sweet to be able to put the number of babies in the nest that each guest has!

As you can see, I have two little birdies in my nest! {proud momma smile}

How to make a paper blue bird

So here’s how you make these sweet paper bluebirds. You’ll need:

  • Blue cardstock
  • Yellow cardstock
  • Paper trimmer
  • Scissors, small and sharp is best
  • Hot glue
  • Stick glue
  • Optional: Sharpie if you’d like to add eyes

How to make a paper blue bird

And here are the easy steps:

  1. For the mother blue bird, trim strips of scrapbook paper in 2″ (body) and 1 3/4″ (head) strips
  2. Curl the paper slightly by running it through your fingers. If you don’t the paper will crease.
  3. Determine your body circle size (based on your nest and plate) and hot glue the ends together trimming off any excess. Repeat for the head, making it slightly smaller.
  4. Trim an oval out of the yellow scrapbook paper, then trim down the sides to a beak shape.
  5. Attach the beak with glue, not hot glue or it might show.
  6. Perch the bird on the nest with a small dot of hot glue and hold 5 seconds until it sets.

Note: Baby birds strips should be 1″ and 3/4″.

Mothers Day Brunch

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

Join The Celebration Shoppe on facebook, sign-up for the daily ideas to come right to your inbox (never miss an idea, giveaway or free printable!), follow us on twitter, pinterest and on instagram at @thecelebrationshoppe. And don’t forget to shop our party store for birthday, baby shower and holiday party supplies!

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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 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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May 16, 2012 2 Comments

baby shower applique activity

Flavia of Fete a Fete is having a little one! She’s already the proud momma of one little boy and now a little brother is on the way. Not wanting to go traditional blue, Flavia chose a sophisticated black, yellow and white color palette for her family celebration.

The day was full of detail, but my very favorite is the activity she set up for her guests — a “laundry-like” area where her friends could customize a shirt or bodysuit with iron-on fabric appliqués! Isn’t it adorable?!

Flavia dressed the table with H&M organic white baby shirts in several sizes, appliqués from Etsy (three resources below), an iron, a small ironing board which she “dressed” with a cute cover found at Barefoot Lake on Etsy, a galvanized bucket, and clothespins she painted yellow with white dots.

She also hosted a lovely brunch! She prepared most of the food herself, even these mini jars of homemade granola (Flavia provides the recipes on her blog).

I love that she used her sonogram image as inspiration and to wrap drink bottles. So sweet.

Hop over to Fete a Fete to see more of Flavia’s party details. And as always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create!

Vendors for iron-on appliqués: The Ladybug Ladies, The Applique Finery and Kinder Cuts

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May 7, 2012 5 Comments

DIY baby shower table numbers

With baby showers on the brain and all these Martha Stewart Crafts and Plaid Paints products from JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores in my craft room, I decided to make a simple craft this weekend: DIY baby shower table numbers for my Special Delivery stork baby shower collection!

The new pearl colors from Martha Stewart Crafts are my favorite. They shimmer! And what girl doesn’t like a little sparkle?! {wink}

You only need a few supplies:

  • hydrangeas (the large leaves are perfect; I used fake, but live would be lovely!),
  • mini glass jars (I used these for my son’s science party),
  • Martha Stewart Crafts fine point paint brush,
  • Martha Stewart Crafts Purple Martin Pearl (#32119),
  • Martha Stewart Crafts Fancy Script Stencil Set,
  • ribbon (available in the $1 section at JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores)

And here are the steps:

  1. Dip the tops of your glasses in the pearl paint, allow the excess to drip off and then dry the jars overnight.
  2. Fill the jar 3/4 with rock salt or sugar (it’s cheap and it sparkles just like the paint).
  3. Determine your placement.
  4. Stencil on each number with a fine point paint brush and finish in the detail if needed.
  5. Allow the leaves to dry and display.

It’s that simple! As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create!

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Product provided by Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. and Plaid Paints. Ideas and opinions are my own.

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April 23, 2012 1 Comment

you’ll BEE in love ~ Sweet Designs

I received an advanced copy of Amy Atlas’ new book Sweet Designs a week or so ago. I knew it was going to be wonderful as Amy is a true creative soul, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s full of lovely photography, crafting ideas, baking tips, styling inspiration and much more.

I’m honestly impressed with the organization and the amount of DIY detail. I’m a DIY girl. Don’t just show me a pretty picture. I want to know how to recreate it. And Amy does just that! Each chapter includes:

  • Bake It: Recipes for making cakes, cookies, pies, mousse, truffles, popsicles, ice cream bars, drinks, and more.
  • Craft It: Instructions and directions for templates to create her signature popcorn cups, candy bar wrappers, paper pinwheels and more.
  • Style It: Designer secrets for arranging sweets, choosing patterns, mixing textures and colors.
  • Shop It: Pick up sweets from the corner store to pair with home-baked desserts.
  • Display It: Serving vessels and display touches to create the whole dessert table or make a single treat stand out.
  • Switch It: Creative ways to swap the desserts, colors, or platters to better suit your needs.

I’m just in love with the honeycomb backdrop for her Honey, I Love You dessert table. It’s adorable and totally doable! You’ll be amazed how simple it is to make and she reveals all the DIY steps right in her “craft it” section.

Oh, and take these little bumble bee favor bags. Yet another, simple and creative idea that will have your guests buzzing!

You can find Amy’s book (352 pages with over 270 never before seen images) in stores tomorrow, April 24th, in the cookbook section and on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And you can read some of Amy’s two-year behind the scenes journey on her blog, Sweet Designs. 

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

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Copyright Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft It, Style It, Hyperion Books 2012
Photography by Johnny Miller

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April 12, 2012 4 Comments

bumble bee wafer cookies

This is a super simple idea, which I love! But not only is it easy, it’s also yummy and pretty. This simple cookie hits all three musts when entertaining!

I made these for a buzzing bee baby shower idea (see my full collection here) I whipped up for Kellogg’s Snackpicks.com. Hop over and visit them for my Dark Chocolate & Coconut Banana Pudding Bites. Now they are something to buzz about!

You’ll just need some Keebler Vanilla Wafers and yellow melting chocolates (found at your local craft or baking supply store in all colors). I also topped a few with candy bumble bees. If you can’t find these, you’ll find other edible sugar creations in the same area as the melting chocolates.

Just melt the chocolate in eight second intervals in a microwave safe bowl, dip and allow to dry on wax paper. If you have candied decorations attach them before the chocolate sets. These cookies are that simple!

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

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April 10, 2012 5 Comments

dark chocolate coconut banana bites

I whipped these dark chocolate coconut banana pudding bites up for my latest post with Kellogg’s Snackpicks.com. And let me tell you, it all sounded yummy in my head and then I made it. Oh my!

This might be the best “sophisticated” dessert I’ve ever created. You did know that putting any dessert in a small tasting glass makes it sophisticated, right? Just wanted to make sure. {wink}

This super simple recipe highlights the new Keebler Chips Deluxe Dark Chocolate Chunk cookie. {YUM!}

And it would be perfect for a bumble bee baby shower or bridal shower (see my full printable party collection), or any kind of tasting party for that matter.

I promise… you won’t be disappointed! It is so delish! You can hop over to Kellogg’s Snackpicks.com for the recipe and how tos. As always, I hope you’re inspired to craft, bake and create!

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February 29, 2012 4 Comments

DIY nautical party cake

I’m so excited this morning to share the first of many easy birthday party cakes decorated with printables designs! I created my first one for my youngest son’s pirate party this past summer (coming in a post soon) and have been thinking up ideas ever since. And just this past week I finally stopped long enough to grab my camera and photograph a few.

This cake is perfect for a nautical inspired baby shower or birthday party and a cake printable party set (as you see here and with the option to have personalized) is available in the shoppe along with the rest of my Little Sailor printable party collection, including invitations, thank you notes, beverage wrappers, cupcake wrappers, dessert tags, banners and more, later today! 

Not a great baker?! No matter. Just visit your local bake shop or grocery store and order up a two layer flat iced buttercream or whipped frosting cake. I picked this one up at Kroger for $14. 

Here’s how you get started. The set comes with both anchor and whale rounds (I suggest using a 2 1/2″ circle punch, available at any craft store) and a sheet of red and white stripe paper.

You’ll also want white lollipop sticks (cut in half), a thin dowel (available in packs of 20 at your craft store for $2), a glue stick and your hot glue gun.

Plus, you’ll want some type of candy filler or edger to hide the base of the cake. I used bright red sixlets. And this cake plate, is the medium square cake plate from the Martha Stewart line at Macy’s.

And here’s how you assemble your printable cake designs.

Port holes for cake sides:

  1. Punch out the whale and anchor rounds
  2. Place a small dot of hot glue on the end of one lollipop stick and attach the whale round to the end, like a flat umbrella, repeat six times

Sailboat mast:

  1. Cut out a mast from the pattern sheet (cut out a rectangle with a straight edge paper trimmer and then using scissors, cut a  slight curve in at the sides)
  2. Cut out a flag (long rectangle, 3/4″ x 5″)
  3. Place glue (glue stick works best) on the back side of your flag and fold it around the top of the dowel starting with the stick at the center of the paper. Sure up your edges the best you can and then trim off any small pieces of white and trim out a triangle on the tip.
  4. Place one dot of hot glue on the dowel where you want the bottom of your mast. Insert the center portion of the paper, holding it straight up, not flat. Allow it to dry for 8-10 seconds. Repeat at the top allowing the paper to bow out as if the wind is blowing.
  5. Add a dot of hot glue to the center of the mast and apply a anchor round.

It’s one of the easiest cakes I ever decorated, especially since I didn’t have to bake or ice! Hop over the shoppe to see my entire Little Sailor printable party collection, including the cake printable set later today! Want to see a few more of my easy to decorate birthday cakes? Visit my post for an art birthday party and dessert table and bugs & butterfly birthday cake with many more to come!

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

Join The Celebration Shoppe on facebook, sign-up for the daily ideas to come right to your inbox (never miss an idea, giveaway or free printable!), follow us on twitter, pinterest and on instagram at @thecelebrationshoppe.

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