Get Your Craft On | Father's Day Golf Wreath Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• styrofoam wreath
• hot glue gun
• Elmer's Extreme Glue stick
• 3'' circle punch
• lolly pop sticks
• mini flag printables
• green tissue paper
• tissue paper grass (reused grass from the April Showers Party)
• Father's Day printables
• miscellaneous golf gear stolen from my hubby's golf bag

Directions: Fold tissue paper in half the long way, glue end to the styrofoam wreath with a glue stick or spray glue and begin wrapping the tissue paper around the wreath until completely covered. If you have tissue paper grass, glue this around the front of the wreath first, then pull back and glue grass ends to the back of the wreath. 

If you do not have artificial tissue grass, no worries you can make your own using tissue paper. 

Directions for making tissue paper grass:

1. Fold tissue paper in half lengthwise, fold again, and one more time. 

2. It should look something like this

3. Now fold in half three more times

4. Make small cuts 3/4 of the way to the top

5. Fan out and fluff

6. Wrap around wreath like this to create grass look, do lots of fluffing

Now the fun part, embellish as you wish. I stole chose:

• Golf Balls
• Golf Tees
• Score cards
• Ball markers
• Father's Day Printables 
• Small pencils
• Flags

Directions for Flags & Father's Day Printables:

I printed and cut out mini flag printables from PaperGlitter. Glued them on lolly pop sticks with my craft glue. I used a 3'' circle punch to cut out my Father's Day circle (use a 2'' if you would like less pattern showing)

Now the fun part! I used my hot glue gun to add golf items on the wreath

Did you notice the adorable Father's Day circle?! You can find them in Pluff Mud Studio's Etsy shop 

How fun is it to raid the house for craft supplies and find that you already have everything you need to make something fabulous?  The golf wreath idea just popped in my head one day. I was a little nervous to create this tutorial because I had no idea how my idea would translate into a craft, but I love it!  Sometimes crafts FAIL, I've had my share of those. No matter what, it's worth the risk when the outcome is something totally unique, creative, and best of all made by you!

Need? Or just want really, really badly?

I have wanted this Zoku Popsicle maker since the day I laid eyes on it.
It only takes 7 minutes to make Popsicles.
But now Williams -Sonoma has stepped up their game and offer a character tool kit.
How can I resist?
Look at their faces.

Get Your Craft On | DIY Pipe Cleaner Bubble Wands

Today's Bubble Party idea is about party favors!  I love this idea on Pinterest and wanted to make my own version. If you read regularly, you probably have figured out that my craft style is cheap, easy, and personalized!

Pipe Cleaner Letter 

Bubble Wands

Here's how I made them:

1. I printed the labels from Merriment Design, there is a great tutorial offered
2. Printed out the letters I wanted to create using Word (font Arial size 200, a wide font is better)
3. Twisted 2 pipe cleaners together and bent them to the size of the bubble wand. I twisted the ends to make sure no pipe cleaner wires were poking out.

4. Trace the shape of the letter with the pipe cleaner with upper portion of pipe cleaner (bottom becomes the wand)

5. Pinch ends together by twisting and making sure no wires poke out

6. Attach to bubble container using string, yarn, or bakers twine.

Most importantly, we tested them to make sure they work. And yes, they really do!  They hold a lot of bubble solution and make nice big bubbles!

Linking to:
Craft-O-Maniac
Running with Glitter
Thirty Handmade Days
Pinkapotamus
Sun Scholars
Funky Polkadot Giraffe

And They Are Off! | Kentucky Derby Party

I am so excited to show you this Kentucky Derby party put together by our giveaway winner Meredith from Mrs. Pregnant in the Low Country. She received the entire Kentucky Derby Printable Party Collection from Pluff Mud Studio and did a fantastic job pulling this party together in less than a week!

The Watering Trough

a great place to make your Mint Juleps

"And They Are Off!" Banner

Tissue Paper Wreath 

Meredith re-purposed her own baby shower wreath, how clever!

She shared that we can find the tutorial on the Pluff Mud Studio Blog

Derby Chicken and Benedictine Sandwiches

{I must start saving wine corks, love that detail}

 Prize Ribbons 

for Trivia, "Best Bet", "Best Dressed", and "Fastest" (aka first to arrive!)

Meredith's Churchill Downs

(I am ready to park my Adirondack chair & Mint Julep in that yard for the afternoon!)

Thank you so much Meredith for sharing your gorgeous house & party with us!  You are one talented momma!

4 Ways to Make Your Bubble Party Invitations POP!

Bubblicious Invitations 

As I mentioned in Part 1 of my Bubble Party Series, summer is coming and it is the perfect time to throw a bubble party.  I wanted to share some ideas with you since I couldn't find many out there when I hosted a bubble party last summer. Warning, don't Google "bubble party" you will be a little shocked at the content of some of the photos, who knew? I love finding fun and unique invitations and can't wait to show you a few fun ideas for the perfect bubble party invite. 

1. My first idea requires a little a lot of bubble blowing and rinsing, but I think it would be worth it!

Start with empty and dry bubble containers (I used 4oz containers).

Wrap outside with cute address labels (I made mine in picnik, let me know if anyone wants a tutorial on this), seal with packing tape. 

Wrap invitation around the bubble wand, tie with string or my favorite baker's twine 

Mail or hand deliver!

2. I spotted this sweet bubble Valentine made by Caroline from Armelle. This could easily be transformed into a fun, 3D bubble party invitation. If you are looking for this size of bubbles, they can be found here.  

If you are thinking that the DIY ideas above are waaaay too much work, then these next 2 might be for you.

3. Jessica from Pen n' Paperflowers created this invitation for a "She's About to POP" baby shower. How adorable would this be for a bubble party?! Jessica's site is full of amazing details from this baby shower that could easily inspire bubble party decor. I will be featuring more ideas from this baby shower next week.

4. Brand new to the Pluff Mud Studio Shop are Bubble DIY Printable Invitations and favor tags!!!  I am so excited that Christina allowed us all a sneak peek! A colorful invitation is the perfect way to let your guests know that this party is going to be seriously FUN!

Next week, a giveaway that you won't want to miss!

• 

Unique Party Ideas | Bubble, Bubbles, and Bubble Parties {Part 1}

The truth is, everyone loves bubbles. Bubbles provide hours & hours of entertainment for little ones and adults. For J Bugger's last birthday, I thought this would be the perfect theme. When I typed bubble party into Google, I got nothing. I knew I was on my own with this one. Since the party was last summer before I started blogging about my parties, my pictures aren't the best (sorry!). 

bubble napkin rings

I gave out big bubble wands as party favors

{and filled a baby pool with bubble solution}

And bottles of bubbles with 

the *secret recipe*

Stay tuned, in Part 2 I will be sharing more bubble party ideas from invitations, to favors & desserts!

5 Signs that Spring Has Sprung with Bugger Boys

5. My rain boots are always pre-filled

4. Shout is bought in large commodities (no I am not paid to say that, it just really works on grass stains)

3. Baseball gear starts sneaking out of the garage and into the house

2. Dandelion bouquets fill my flower vases

Image Source

1. Excitement is building, only ONE more month to go before this. is. finally. here. If you have boys, you know exactly what it is. 

Children's Party Network Party of the Month | Please Vote!!!

Voting is open for Party of the Month (POM) over at the 

Children's Party Network

There are so many amazing parties submitted for April filled with tons of inspiration and brilliant ideas!  If you have a minute and you are a CPN member, please vote for my April Showers Party to be April's PARTY OF THE MONTH!!!  If you are not already a member, you should think about joining, it is a fantastic network to be part of!


Voting is open from April 4-10th!

Take a Little Piece of the Party Home | Party Favor Ideas

First, I want to thank you all for your kind words. 
I love party favors, so let's talk favors.
One of my favorite parts of planning parties. 
It's a little piece of your party that goes home with your guests.

Here are a few that I am swooning over...


Ruffled Cake Favor Set- love, love this idea from Party Starters
Boxes can be pre-filled with cake slices or candy or  left empty for guests to fill themselves
How sweet would these be for a bridal or baby shower?!!

Rocket Soap on a stick, I adore this packaging and those yarn poms from Did Someone Say Party?

This was a wedding favor featured on Martha Stewart. The couple paired a favorite recipe on the outside of the favor with local grits and a custom button. 

Party cones can be made to match any party decor and can be filled with just about anything
I love the way these are displayed on a string of lights!

Source: Pinterest

My Lesson of Loss | Good Things Fall Apart So Better Things Can Fall Together

I debated whether to share such personal news on the blog today. But my hubby did say it was okay to share with friends, and I consider us all friends now. In the spirit of keeping it real, and for you to know me better I am sharing.


A few weeks ago, I found out we were expecting baby #3.
Life was so busy we hadn't stopped to celebrate the news yet. 
So when I started spotting, I didn't think too much of it. 
Until I called the doctor and they wanted to see me immediately. 
Now it was time to finally push all other priorities aside.
The ultrasound didn't look good.
I waited and waited for the doctor to come in. 
He warned me what my weekend plans were about to become.
And this weekend I miscarried at 8 weeks.
I am ok, the body is amazing and is working hard to be ok to.
What is meant to be is meant to be. 
I am thankful for the two beautiful, mischievous little faces that insist we continue playing on.

A fresh start is allowed. 
Some breathing space and new perspective.
I feel more connected to my body.
I feel more connected to my own sisters, friends, and strangers who have lived this loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who need it right now. 
And know that you are not alone. 


I love these words by Marilyn. They speak to me now more than ever before. 

It's Written on the Wall Shop