{Giveaway} Road To the Final Tchotchke

I am joining this blog hop as a fun way to bring bloggers together and their love of shopping 

in a massive swap of home decor items (aka: tchotchkes) 

...a virtual yard sale, where all items are F R E E

Things we no longer use or need could be perfect in someone else's home...

So, up for grabs is an 

Americana Quilt Bunting w/ Wrought Iron Hanger

18" x 18"

If you are interested in this, leave a comment on THIS post telling me if you had to pick something from your home to swap, what would it be?  If you are not a follower already, please become a follower. 

I will pick a winner randomly on Tuesday, March 29th and mail this beauty out to you. 

If YOU would like to join in the fun and offer your own item to swap, visit here for the details on how to link up. 


Visit the blogs below to check out other items available in the swap!

Chandelier Dilemma, Please Help!

My dining room is begging for a new chandelier. It's just a bit too formal for our taste.

I have narrowed it down to two (I love Ballard Designs).
I can't decide...

A

- or -

B

Please help. Any suggestions?

St. Patrick's Day Dill Rye Dip

If you have leftover corned beef, you must try my award winning (yes, it actually won a contest) Dill Rye Dip!

Wishing you a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Get Your Craft On | Cute as a Button Umbrellas

How to Make Your Own

Personalized Umbrellas

How much would your kids LOVE these?!!!

I am making these as favors for Bugger N's birthday party. They are so easy and cute. I just had to share! 

First, I bought white children's size umbrellas. 

I printed the letters out that I wanted to use (size 350, Times Roman font).   

 Then used a pencil to trace the letter on the umbrella...

Sewed on some cute buttons...

Perfect rainy day project!

***Update: See how the umbrella party favors were displayed at the April Showers party***

Linking to:

A Little Tipsy
Thirty Handmade Days
Funky Polkadot Giraffe
Under the Table and Dreaming
Young Nester
Rook No.17
Elle Belle Creative
Mommas Kinda Crafty
Thirty Days Handmade
Whipper Berry
Nap Time Crafters
Polka Dots on Parade
Lolly Jane Boutique
I Heart Naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes
Craft-O-Maniac
Embellishing Life
Running With Glitter

Inspiration Board | April Showers Birthday

My littlest bugger is turning 3 this April. He loves rain boots and playing in puddles. An April showers birthday is the perfect way to celebrate. Thought I would let you peek at my inspiration board.

Sources Board 1:
Wellies and Poms
Cloud Cookies
Cake
Candy Cups
Umbrella
Garland
Marshmallows
Oreos
Wellies

Dirt Cups
Umbrella Favors
Button Monogram
Rainbow Macaroni

Part of the favors...

Cloudy Love

{ S w o o n }

Main Entry:	swoon
Part of Speech:	verb
Definition:	faint
Synonyms:	be overcome, become unconscious, black out, feel giddy, feel lightheaded, keel over, lose consciousness

Yes, to all of the above. I am so in love...

Tomorrow I will post why I am shopping/swooning over Herriott Grace

Popsicle Brownie Treats

We wanted to make something special for our company tomorrow night, so J Bugger and I got to work making these.

I finally found the PERFECT use for this-- this pan made this super easy. No cutting!

Brownie Pan

We melted the chocolate, guess what color added?

Painted the chocolate on and my assistant added lots of sprinkles

Ten Minute Handmade & Personalized Baby Shower Gift

Remember this post about bookplates?

Well, I love them and knew I wanted to make them as gifts for a twins baby shower next month. Thought I would show you how to make a personalized, handmade gift in less than 10 minutes.

First, I knew I wanted to use these GORGEOUS bookplates from Amanda over at Our Humbled A{Bowe}d. Amanda has an amazing knack for style and design. You must check out her shop and her blog!

I saved them to my computer, opened them in Picnick, and added my text. I could have just added text from Picasa, but I am a bit of a font snob and wanted more choices. I then printed my bookplates on sticker paper (I like Avery full sheet labels).  I added pencil lines as guides to cut out the bookplates. It was such a bonus to have TEN bookplates on each page. Thank you Amanda, genius!

Presentation is everything. So I re (or up?) cycled an old candle box. I added a bookplate to the cover so they could see right away what was inside. I finished the project by wrapping the bookplates in twine around tucking them into some creamy brown tissue paper.

Personalized bookplates & a favorite children's book,

now you have the perfect baby shower gift!

I'm still deciding on a book...  do you have any favorites?

Party Props, Use the Unexpected

I have a confession to make. I have parties on the brain! I plan parties in my head all the time. Whenever I shop, I look at how items would work with different party themes or dessert tables. I can't stop!

I saw this frame at Ikea...
and bought 4!

Tolsby Frame $.99 at Ikea

I was thrilled when I saw Paiges of Style had the same idea 

to use her Ikea frames for her party (can you spot it?)

This party is gorgeous by the way!

Seems like the most fun party tables right now include unexpected, thoughtful displays.
It's amazing how one party prop can change a table

Like this egg rack...

Ceramic Egg Rack

Can be used like this!

Sweep Me Up

Even suitcase make great party props

Buggy and Jellybean


Suitcases can add a vintage feel...

Cupcakes and Cutlery

Photo credit: www.wendyupdegraff.com

Gorgeous!

I'd love to know if you have any items you use at your parties or have seen out shopping!

Crafty Idea | Personalized Placemats

Just wanted to show you a quick and easy way to make personalized placemats. They could also be used as party favors, holiday table decor, educational projects, reusable coloring pages, games, or keepsakes.

First, I printed out my picture from Twisty Noodle.  Love this site. They offer just about every picture possible. My favorite Twisty Noodle feature is that you can add your own text in the worksheet section!  You could also use scrapbook paper or photos... really anything!

I printed two designs for each placemat on heavy card stock, then added an extra piece of cardstock in the middle to make the placemat sturdier.  I tucked all three pieces of paper inside a 9" x 12" laminating pouch and ran it through my laminator on the hottest setting (super on sale from Amazon during the holidays).  SO worth the money because I now can make my own ID and luggage tags as well.


If you do not have access to a laminator, many places sell self-adhesive laminating sheets. 

Ta-Da! Much more fun kids' table now! 

Linking to:

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/03/pity-party-26/