Pick Your Plum {Deal of the Day Personalized Ribbon}

Have you noticed a fun new widget on the side of my blog?

I love Pick Your Plum and am so excited to share the site with you. 

Every day a new craft deal. 

Just check my side widget for the daily deal. 

But you have to act quickly, deals go fast. 

I'm warning you now, their site is addictive. 

Just look at today's deal. 

Personalized ribbon. 

Love.

Need.

Want.

Old Mac's Farm Band Playdate {Piggy Bank Parties Crew Challenge}

There's been some smack talking, crafting, baking, photographing, and tutorial writing going on behind the scenes of the Piggy Banks Party crew for the last month. We were divided into two teams and given a Spring challenge: create a shindig for $100 or less using the Barnyard Buddies party collection.

Here's just a peek at what my team, the Sassy Spring Chickens (comprised of Tara of The Shindig Diva, Dorothy of Life is Sweet in Michigan, Maria from Love & Sugar Kisses, and myself) came up with. 

An Old Mac's Farm Band Playdate

Party Highlights:

Barn inspired cake with singing and instrument playing fondant farm animals

Egg shaped Rice Krispy Treats displayed in an egg carton

Farm Animal Cake Pops made by Cuter than Cake 

“Make Your Own Instrument” station

Barnyard Buddies Animal Masks

Head here to see ALL the party pictures!

..............

Stop by Piggy Banks Parties to see what the other team, The Barnyard Babes came up with (it's pretty darn cute!). All week there will be more pictures, great tutorials, giveaways, and a chance for YOU to VOTE for your favorite party!!!

Perfection is going out of style...

There's been many posts written lately about burnout,

depression stemming from unrealistic craft projects, perfectly executed parties, even Pinterest envy. 

Often all readers see on websites are the finished products,

beautiful images that require hours and hours of editing behind the scenes. 

Not the hours of creative time, craft fails, and hot glue gun scars. 

Pressure for perfection seems to be mounting. 

I feel it even here in my little space (self-induced pressure mind you),

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

My last guest post on ediTORIal brought out my first official hater, 

a person quick to judge and express her harsh opinions.

She really didn't like my spray paint project or mail party (yes, used the word garbage)

It was hard to read, but I kept my head up. 

It's the risk you take when you put yourself out there, I tell myself. 

My parties are real.

I bake my own cakes, make my own cake stands. 

I try not to photograph too much of the actual party so we can just enjoy it. 

It's never perfect, but it's me.

I have 2 boys, 2 fish, a husband, and a house to care for. 

Perfection is not my gold standard. 

I love the creative process. I get lost in it. 

I love to share my ideas. 

I get giddy when I hit publish on a post that I think people will really like.

But I will not compare myself to others. 

My parties will never be flawless, fake, or budget busting.

I hope you will not hold yourself to an unreachable level of perfection either. 

I hope you craft, bake, or do whatever your passion is
not to please others, 

but because you love doing so.

And I promise to do the same. 

Image found here

Behind the Scenes {Tablevogue Tablecloths}

I thought I'd share a little behind the scenes tip with you today. 

I always use folding tables and Tablevogue tablecloths at my parties. 

I fluff my Tablevogue tablecloth in the dryer for a few minutes (seriously, no ironing)

and throw it over a folding table.

Voila, instant dessert table!

Disclaimer, I am not getting paid for this. 

I just really LOVE my Tablevogue! 

It's too good not to share with you. 

Pros: 

- Tablevogue tablecloths hang right to the floor (making extra storage under the table!)

- Machine washable

- Corner drop seams provide a tailored look 

- Come in 4 colors (white, black, pink, and red) and 6 sizes (34" card table, 5', 6', 8' folding table, 48" & 60" round covers). 

Insider Tip: I purchased the 8' Tablevogue tablecloth (as seen above) and just pin up the sides to use on my 5' and 6' tables. 

Happy Mother's Day, everyday

I love having an official day to celebrate, but have to admit my favorite Mother's Day moments happen everyday. They are sometimes joyful, sometimes tearful, and always unexpected.

I am thankful for unexpected love notes, 

firm hugs and extra sloppy wet kisses, 

surprise dinners brought home by the hubby, 

peaceful sleepers, 

sandy toes, 

bubble bath hairdos, 

birthdays and milestones, 

stickers stuck to the bottom of my shoes, 

cracker crumbs and cars in my purse, 

bedtime books, 

piggyback rides, 

Tooth fairy visits, 

Christmas morning, 

grass stained knees, 

and unbearably loud car and rocket noises at 6am.

I could not imagine life any other way. 

Wishing you Happy Mother's Day, 

everyday. 

Mail Party {Featured on HWTM}

I have some very fun news to share! Noah's mail party has been featured on Hostess With the Mostess this week!  I hope you will pop over and check out the feature-- including never before seen pictures of the party.  HERE for the full feature

And if you are looking for cuteness in a box mail truck favors, 

they have just been added to the Piggy Bank Parties Market

Seriously adorable.

Happy Mother's Day {Ideas 2012}

Are you ready for Mother's Day?

Here are a few super adorable and f-r-e-e, 

last minute ideas that even you could pull together before Sunday. 

I'm sharing brunch ideas and scone recipe at Bird's Party Blog

Free Mother's Day Print from Eighteen25

Isn't that a great quote?

Free Mother's Day Mother Hen Tags 

for Facebook Fans of Bird's Party

Free 5x7 Print 

Comes in 4 colors (even a mum version- Amy from A Proffitable Life thought of everything!)

Thanks for being a super mom candy bar wrapper

FREE download from the Super Mom collection 

by Lauren McKinsey Designs

Happy Mother's Day!

..............

Don't forget the Shabby Apple Giveaway ends 5/13

You can enter daily by sharing the giveaway on Facebook and Twitter!

Mother's Day Brunch For Queen Mum {& Ham and Cheddar Scone Recipe}

I definitely get my sense of adventure from my mom. We love to travel and explore new places together. One of our most memorable trips was to England. We now both share a love of all things British. 

For Mother's Day, I have planned a brunch fit for my own Queen Mum inspired by Bird's Party Rule Britannia Jubilee Collection. I thought that I would share my brunch menu and scone recipe with you today. 

Recipe for Ham and Cheddar Scones

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup cubed ham

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chives or scallions

2 cups heavy cream

Directions: Start by cutting two 10-inch circles of parchment paper. Use one to line a 10-inch round cake pan and reserve the other piece for later. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a mixing bowl. Add ham, cheese, and scallions and toss together with the dry ingredients until evenly distributed. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the cream to the mixture and stir by hand jut until the batter is evenly moistened. Place the dough in the lined cake pan and press into an even layer. Cover the dough with the second parchment paper circle. Freeze the dough until very firm, at least 2-3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a baking sheet by spraying it lightly with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Thaw the dough for 5 minutes at room temperature. Take the 10" round scone out of the cake pan onto a cutting board. Cut the dough into equal pieces and place the individual pieces on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake until golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Cool the scones on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to cooling racks. Scones can be served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!!!

{Get Your Craft On} Paper Lantern Fishing Bobbers

If you follow me on Facebook or Instragram, you might have seen a sneak peek at my latest project, paper lantern fishing bobbers. They are part of my submission to the Spaceships and Laserbeams Boy Bash on a Budget Challenge. With only $20 to spend on my vintage fishing tablescape, I had to get crafty.

Materials:

$1 Battery Operated Paper Lanterns from the Dollar Tree 

Red Spray Paint

Masking Tape

Newspaper

Directions:

 1. Tape a layer of masking tape around the middle of your paper lantern. Press firmly to seal well. 

2. Cover top half of lantern with newspaper, securing with masking tape. 

3. Spread extra newspaper on the ground. Hold the paper lantern by the hook over the newspaper and evenly spray paint the bottom half of the lantern. Hang by the hook and let dry. Repeat with an additional coat of spray painted if needed. 

4. When dry (15-20 minutes), peel off both layers of masking tape. 

They look great grouped together!

Don't forget to enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway going on right now!

Linking to:
The Celebration Shoppe’s “What I’ve Been Up To Wednesday” link party

Tatertots and Jello 
30 Days Handmade

$50 Shabby Apple Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed!  Lucky #545 Tambra C. is the winner! 

I have a great giveaway for you today from my favorite online shop, Shabby Apple. I own 3 Shabby Apple dresses and love them all! They are super comfortable, classic, and always on trend. Here's a few of my current favorite looks. 

The good news for you is that Shabby Apple wants to help you WIN some new clothes! One lucky reader will win a $50 gift card to spend anything in their store.. from jewelry, to shoes, bags, swimsuits, even maternity clothes!