Back to School!

Like the rest of the Texas, my boys went back to school yesterday.

My youngest was super excited about his new "school" shoes.  He was much less excited when he found out that his "school class" was the day care at my gym.  Its tough always being left behind as the youngest!

We gave their teachers polka-dotted hand sanitizer and wished them a happy and healthy new year.

Here's another teacher gift project I recently made thanks to the ideas of Pinterest.  I love these cracker jars that can be found at Walmart.  I think they come in three sizes.  They're so cute and pleasantly inexpensive.  My pantry is full of them.

Hoping this school year is a gem!

Wedding Gifts

Wedding Season appears to be in full tilt around us.  I have more than one friend out of town to visit matrimony bliss.  I never grow tired of weddings. 

 Even though, I am happily married with three sons (no daughters), and thus never expect to plan another wedding (unless I hit the jackpot and get a future daughter in law the begs me for my services...fingers crossed).  And yet, I could spend hours looking at wedding posts on Pinterest.  Picture after picture full of magic and whimsy.  There are some seriously talented brides-to-be out there. 

However, I am lucky enough to get to create custom wedding gifts from time to time.   A couple from this summer turned out well enough to share.  You've already had a sneak peak of the first one...but haven't been properly introduced.  I like to call this little gem, Mr. & Mrs. I love the fonts, simple with a hint of whimsy.

This one brings a lot more drama to the table with its satin bow and detailed monogram.

 It's large enough to be a statement piece on its own.  

 I'm loving the personalized detail.

Both signs will show up in my Etsy shop very soon.   Just in case you know a talented bride-to-be in your neck of the woods.  Wishing those couples a happily ever after!

Noir Halloween

I just love the black and white Halloween decor I've been seeing throughout the blogosphere for the last few years.  I have a little black bench in my entry way and this is how I added my own Noir Halloween touch to it. I taught a class today about the french artist, Henri Mattisse and have french on the brain.My favorite part is the lovely iron scroll tied on with ribbon.  Those scroll handles are impossible to find in Texas.  Fortunately "Pick your Plum" hooked me up!  I made one available on my Etsy shop today.  It's a little late in the season to sell Halloween decor, I know.  But, just getting a jump on next year...or something.

Story Book Baby Shower

Two of my adorable friends are having babies any day now.  In honor of their hard work, I hosted a story book baby shower for them last Saturday.

The event was so much fun to put together.  I had a blast living vicariously through them for a few days!  Most of the decor was made up from found items in my own house.

For example, an old paperback became this wreath.

I never really did like that book anyway.  I won't share which one I mutilated at risk of ticking someone off!

A little close-up!

The same book made its way into my pinwheels.

Obviously, I was going for a grey and yellow theme.  One of the moms to be wanted to keep the gender of her baby a surprise, so things needed to be androgynous.  Beside, yellow and grey just look so chic together!

These bins may have been my favorite part of the whole shebang!

Found them at Lowes near the paint section and then spruced them up with some vinyl and ribbon.

More book pages were used to make the fanned circles for the garland 

and of course, some more pinwheels.

You can't have a baby shower without delicious munchies.  I started by brainstorming some nursery rhyme themed treats (Martha Stewarts web site helped out a bit here).  Several sweet friends of my contributed by offering to bring some of the dishes.  I never could have pulled it off without them!  Seriously, I never could have made multiple dishes by myself, and have them taste good, and have a clean house for every one to party in.  

We had Little Miss Muffets Tuffits.

Little Boy Blueberry Muffins

Humpty Dumpty Deviled Eggs

Mary Quite Contrary's Garden Salad

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Parmesan Stars

Little Bo Peep's Punch

Jack and Jill's Water

And you can't forget...the Dish ran away with the spoon

Another Book wreath acted as a center piece

And mini books and stars were strung as a backdrop

I wanted all the serving trays to be silver but, only had a few.  Thus, I supplemented with a couple  $1.99 plastic ones from Hobby Lobby.  They blended in perfectly.

I loved the flowery table runner down the center.  I saw it at Home Goods and had to take it home.  I'm thinking it might find its way onto my Easter Table next year as well.  The mini star tea light holders added a touch of sparkle.  I found them a couple of years ago at Walmart of all places.

Before my guest left, I made sure each received a bookmark to take home

I made them using bottle caps and jumbo paper clips

That's pretty much a wrap.  We just added some lovely ladies and some terribly fine books and had ourselves a great time.

It was scrumdidillyumptious!

Pantry

I wanted to share a snazzy new decal added just this morning to my Etsy Shop.

Isn't she cute?

Up close and personal


I'm loving the wreath hanging above.  Just a little something from Desert Book store to remind me of my trip to Salt Lake last year.