Purse?

I hate carrying around a big purse (stuffing it into the stroller then having to wrestle with it as I try to get it back out in order to buy my groceries- everybody behind me sighing a little too loudly as my kids start to cry because I won't let them have the $5 miniature doll with rubber clothes or all the candy they've managed to pilfer while I struggle to get at my stupid PURSE!!!-ahem...I'm fine, I promise. I love purses...just not while I already have so much to juggle)

However, I think I've lost my debit card a total of three times {this month alone}...it's time to get something to keep my debit card/ phone and maybe even a diaper in. I found this on Etsy...so fun!! I wonder if I could make it...

Vintage Hem DIY

Have you ever had a skirt that you absolutely LoVe but it's just a tad bit too short {so you're constantly tugging at it, worried that you might accidentally moon some unsuspecting person as you bend down down pick up your baby}? Well, I went to Sensibly Styled where she featured an amazing website called Vintage Hem. They sell slips that have beautiful, fun fabric sewn to the bottom to make your dresses a little bit longer! Love the concept, but as you know, I'm way too cheap. So, I went to Hobby Lobby, found some beautiful lace {that was 50% off!!} and sewed it to the bottom of an old slip I had. Ta-da!





Now ladies, don't go and put lace on a miniskirt and call it modest!! You can see through lace...just remember that...

Paper Flower Tutorial

I found this paper flower that I love! I rarely have time to drag out my sewing machine or make layer upon layer of circles or punch out flowers and distress them until they are just right. That's why I love this flower so much: it's is so simple it's ingenious!

I found this tutorial at Ellen Hutson: the CLASSroom

Etsy Find - Lili Swan

I'm new to the world of jewelry (mostly because I'm so picky). Well, I saw these little works of art and let me warn you- even the pickiest of girls might not be able to resist these pieces! So fun, so unique, and so pretty!
Lili Swan





Free shipping and reasonable prices: sold!

Hiccup!

I've found that most often times the best work (when it comes to crafting and decor) comes from mistakes or a hiccup in the original plan. I was planning on redecorating my living room in a blue green color scheme with fuschia and tan accents. Well, my sister is moving and, since she knows how much I can't stand my couches, asked us if we could "store" her beautiful, comfortable red couch. Well, this didn't exactly work with my original color scheme...however, since when do I allow a little thing like color to get in my way? SO, here is some new inspiration!

{love, LoVe, LOVE this bedroom!}

I'm loving the aqua! Now, I do have to be careful with this design. I don't want to use anything too bright and I don't want to put red and aqua everywhere or it will be a tad overwhelming...and by a "tad" I mean extremely.

Just Say "No" to Oatmeal!

I am T.I.R.E.D of all of the beige!! I feel like I'm living in a giant bowl of oatmeal. Yes, being cooped up in a dark, hot, bland space is starting to make me a little stir crazy. Well, to remedy this situation, I've decided to change things up around here...make it more fresh! So, here are a few fabrics that I'm looking at {I can't paint all of my walls...so I have to incorporate the beige, blah}.
So, which fabrics should I use for my pillows, group 1 or 2?


I'm leaning towards the first! Okay, so here is some more of my inspiration:

{No, not the baby..the table}

{pictures courtesy of Becky Higgins Blog}

Metal Satmping

Picture courtesy of Sweet Bead Studio

I've always wanted to learn how to stamp on metal, so....today I googled it! Here are a couple of free classes I found. You can also get all of the tools and supplies you'll need from there as well. I know what I'll be working on for Christmas!

Silver Stamping
Stamp Design

You can find more tools and stamps here. (they have a full alphabet set here that's a pretty good price)

Vintage Rose

{courtesy of VintageRosewraps.blogspot.com}

Okay, all I have to say is THESE THINGS ARE SO STINKIN' CUTE!!!! Okay, I feel much better now. I've seen a couple of people wearing them, but when I saw someone wearing one tonight I had to build up the courage to stop and ask her where she got it. So, because I'm such a wonderful person, I am going to pass on my little secret: Vintage Rose Wraps

There you go, my courage will now benefit you. Feel free to thank me once you have purchased your fabulous find and you receive millions of compliments.

Now, for those of you who are insanely cheap (such as myself) feel free to use Heather Bailey's tutorial on how to make your own headband:
Headband Tutorial

You can then just sew on leaves and then red or pink fabric remnants to look like the rose.

I, however, will be purchasing this..they are just way too cute!

{You can also buy them at Designer Blvd over on Higley and Queen Creek...my all time favorite place in the World to shop}

Shadow Box Scrapbook!

This is something that I am very proud of. About 7 years ago I was working at a scrapbook store and back then mini albums were all the rage. I thought they were super cute, but what in the world were you supposed to do with them all {it was like little bitty albums were taking over my house!}? So, one day, while I was stocking Jolee's Boutique Shadow boxes, I had an epiphany: why not put a scrapbook in a shadow box?? Genius...I know {hahah, j/k!}. I'll show you other ways I've used shadow boxes for scrapbooks, but today I'm going to start with this Melissa Francis Magnetic shadowbox. This makes it a lot easier because the top just comes right off! You simply cut sheet protectors to size {you'll have to re-hole punch them}, then you drill 2 matching holes in the back of the box. Tie it all together with some pretty ribbon and~Voila! It's a mini album! Create your pages, add some matting and you're good to go!

Individual Cupcake Stands

How cute would these itsy bitsy cupcake stands look on a table setting for a baby shower!! Imagine a tablescape lined with numerous pink flowers in various different sizes of vases. You could also add ornate frames filled with pictures of the proud soon-to-be parents.



You just paint a wooden candlestick holder (super cheap!) and glue it (Gorilla Super glue works well) onto any kind of (small!!) plate that suits your fancy. Easy peasy!

Blissful Artwork

I love home decor, but lately it's all seeming so impersonal. I love the idea of taking things that have meaning to you and putting them altogether to create a work of heart. Now instead of a great big picture of tulips on my living room wall, this greets me every morning, making me smile every time I see it. I love it!

Happy Easter!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter!
You Can Make This

Chiffon Flowers {Flower Week}

Here's instructions to make chiffon flowers from Calamity Kim:

Frayed Rosette {Flower Week}

Is anyone else in love with all of the different varieties of fun fabric flowers there are out there? Well, today I'm going to start with my personal favorite, the frayed rosette! You can make necklaces, brooches, hair clips or headbands, pins for any accessory....the list goes on and on! And what's even better? Here is a free tutorial on how to make them!

Frayed Rosette Tutorial

Kiss Me, I'm Irish! - St. Patrick's Day Craft

Here's a fun little craft to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
{Now you can give out kisses without puckering up}

Click on image- it will take you to Photobucket
Click on "download" (in the gray area above the picture...where it says "zoom in, risize" etc.)
Then once it's downloaded to your computer, print it, cut the little circles out, and attach them to the Hershey kisses (I used glue dots).

Ballard Designs

When you're renting a house, occasionally you will find that you inherit mail intended for the previous tenant....luckily this was the case for me. I'm sure the rest of the World is fully aware of this little bit of bliss, but I've just discovered it thanks to a former tenant's amazing taste. {I'm pretty sure it's illegal to read other people's mail, but catalogs are okay...right?! Either way, I think it was worth it} So what's a girl to do when faced with a tantalizing home decor magazine beckoning her from the kitchen counter while she looks at all of the things that need to be done {a boutique in which I have absolutely nothing ready, a 3 year old, a 1 year old, playdates, lunch to be made, dinner started, dishes, vacuuming, laundry, dishes, bathrooms to be scrubbed, beds to be made, toys strewn around the floor, popcorn and other various bits of colorful kid snacks smashed into the carpet, preschool lessons, crafts, rinse and repeat this process over and over and OVER} She picks it up and pretends she has a maid. I spent the rest of the day dreaming and droolng over all of the things I want and all of the things I want to try and make. *sigh* one of these days.