Arboretum Inspiration

I love taking the kids to this beautiful Arboretum.  The Arboretum encompasses 35 acres and contains over 17,000 individual plants.  Such a tranquil and peaceful place to find inspiration. Thought I would share our stroll through the various gardens with you. 

Overlook Pavillion, 

Imagine getting married here? Swoon.

Photo of mommy by J Bugger, thanks kiddo!

Annuals Garden

Lotus Pond

Succulents 

Children's Garden

Thanks for strolling with me!

celebraTORI book signed {Special Moments Captured}

I was so honored to guest post on Tori Spelling's ediTORIal website this Spring right around the time celebraTORI was released. I immediately read the book cover to cover and fell in love with it. I totally could  relate to Tori's passion for parties, crafts, and most importantly a love of the creative process.

I was soooo excited when this arrived on my door step. My own copy, signed from one crafty mama to another. I'm not sure which is more exciting, this...

or this...

Thanks again T. You have made this crafty mama a very happy mama!

Bitty Bags and Balloons

Here's a fun little project that I am sharing over on Whisker Graphics, (and sneak peek behind the scenes of my photo shoot)-- bitty bags and balloons. What a simple and fun way to display favor bags for a party, just clip the bitty bags right to your balloon tassels!

Materials:

36" Round Balloon

Balloon Tassels (a DIY tutorial for balloon tassels found here)

Bitty Bags

Mini clothespins

Party Favors That GROW

For J Bugger's Wall-E Birthday Party guests (yes, even the adults wanted in on this party favor!) took home special "plant samples".
The kids are having a great time watching their samples grow.

After 3 Weeks

Total cost for 20 party favors: $1.50!

Seeing sunflowers pop up all over the neighborhood: PRICELESS!

Let the Games Begin! FREE Olympic Printables and Party by Mirabelle Creations

LET THE GAMES BEGIN in style with this gorgeous Summer Olympics party! Deanna of Mirabelle Creations recently created this bright, fun Summer Olympics dessert table and has graciously allowed me to share her pictures and links to her FREE Olympic Printables at the end of this post!

Deanna's own words:

For the food, I made Go For Gold Pineapple Muffins, Oreo Gold Medals, Watermelon Olympics Rings, and Golden Cherry Cups.  These were all festive desserts that could easily be recreated for a Summer Olympics Party.  The muffins were topped with the free party circles.  I designed the printables to be preppy, clean, and colorful. The stripes were inspired by the USA Olympics Opening Ceremonies outfit design.  Also, I included the word, "Inspire" on the party circles because the slogan for the London Olympics is "Inspire a Generation".  I loved that slogan since I designed this Olympics party for kids, in particular. 

The dessert table also included a free printable Party Sign, which reads, "Let the Games Begin".  For the dessert table backdrop, I found three 8x10 black frames.  I cut out cardboard to fit in the frames, then covered the cardboard with blue and white gingham fabric.  I attached a white cupcake liner to the back of the three Olympics Medals.  I attached a red ribbon and the medals to the fabric covered cardboard to make the Olympic Medals Art.  The gingham fabric was also used as a table runner on the dessert table.  I planned and put together the party in less than 24 hours -- perfectly simple so that it could be easily recreated for a small Olympics party or playdate.  

Gold Medal Oreos, so clever and fun! 

Deanna's tutorial found here

I love all the ideas that Deanna has shared, she has made it super easy for any of us to recreate a Summer Olympics party. Head over to Mirabelle Creations for more party tutorials, recipes, and Deanna's FREE Olympic Party Printables.

You can find more party inspiration from Mirabelle Creations on Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy Shop, and Blog

Instagram Week of Photoshoots

Insta-Graham Cookies image and recipe 

by Bakerella 

It's been a quiet week on the blog as I am prepping and shooting for some Fall magazine features. I've been sharing a few sneaks behind the scenes over on Instagram...

Prep work on backdrop

Party Crafting

New cake plates

Inside of cake

Photo shoot over : (

Can't wait to share more soon! You can follow along on Instagram here:

How to Make Waterproof Water Bottle Labels & Free Printable

I'm over on Oink! today sharing how to make your own waterproof water bottle labels in less than 5 minutes. It is an easy way to make hydrating a little more fun for the kids.

Head over to Oink! for the tutorial and free water bottle printable!

Ahoy, It's a Boy Baby Shower featuring The TomKat Studio and Pottery Barn Free Printables

My super crafty sister-in-law Kat just threw a Nautical inspired baby shower. She not only threw one gorgeous shower, but she did it on a majorly TEENY, TINY budget! I wanted to share her pictures and some of her money saving tips with you. 

PARTY $AVING TIP #1: Use FREE printables! 

Kat used the ultra classic and darling Anchors Away Baby Shower free printable collection created by Kim of The TomKat Studio exclusively for Pottery Barn Kids. Not only did the collection include an invitation, but also flags, circles, favor tags, and garlands. I have to say it again, it was FREE!!!!

Free download available on Pottery Barn Kids

PARTY $AVING TIP #2: DIY Custom Napkins

Kat made her own custom napkins with a $1.50 anchor stamp from Michaels and blue Dollar Store napkins. 

PARTY $AVING TIP #3: Pick a few items to splurge on, then DIY the rest. 

Kat made all the decorations herself, so she was able to splurge on the cake, the navy paper straws, and drink dispenser. 

Hope this inspired the frugal inner party planner in you!

If you are looking for more great nautical party ideas, head to my Nautical Pinterest Board. 

Cake Plate Inspiration & Wish List

Cake Plates are a slight obsession of mine. 

Every gift idea I throw out to my family usually involves some sort of cake plate.

Here are a few on my wish list...

6" Pink Milk Glass Pedestal Cake Stand available at The TomKat Studio

White 3 Tier Martha Stuart Cupcake Stand available at The TomKat Studio

{made of cardboard and under $11!!!}

White Scallop Cake Plate at Pier 1 Imports

Shannon Cake Plate by Delightfully Lovely

Rococo Noir Tall Pedestal available at Sweet Lulu

Square Glass Cake Plate available at Sweet Lulu

Can't find a cake plate to match your party decor? Go ahead and make one!

DIY Cake Plates

This is  my very favorite cake plate (bought at Home Goods), it was a special gift.
The interchangeable ribbon feature makes this the most versatile cake plate I own.

Do you have a favorite cake plate? Leave a link below... it might get added to my growing wish list, lol!

DIY Monogram Middy Bitty Bags

For my latest Whisker Graphics project, I printed monograms directly on chevron middy bitty bags. These personalized bags would be perfect to hold party favors, utensils, or desserts.

Directions:

I created the monogram (Font Engravers, size 72) using the envelope template in Microsoft Word. I then fed my middy bitty bag directly through the printer.