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.

Playing catch-up

Just wanted to give my blogger friends a peek at what I've been up to lately.  O.k. lets be honest, it's been A WHILE and these projects took place over a couple of months.  Needless to say, I didn't take any pictures of what I've really been up to.  A.K.A. running after three boys who don't like to wear clothes but do like to make messes.  Anyways, it's nice to post a little progress every once in a while.  So, here it goes.

I revamped my office with some Roman numerals. 

Made a birthday cookie for a cute 2 year old.

Made some fun baby shower gifts.  

Gave our Young Women's Easter lesson at church.  I made these blocks using 1"x2"x7" wood and vinyl.

And showered some teachers with appreciation.  These are some bottle cap magnets packaged on an upside down metal lid.

We love our Momma's

We love our momma's don't we!  Sure, sometimes they drive us crazy.  But, most of the time they're knock-your-socks-off amazing.  This saying pretty much sums up how I feel about my own mom.  She's such a sweet Grandma. 

 Just last week she surprised my boys through Easter Cards in the mail.  They came complete with stickers tucked inside.  She does so many little things that make life special.  


In honor of all the amazing moms out there, I designed these little plaques just in time for the Mother of all holidays (ok, it's really late, sorry).

There's a stack in my Etsy shop waiting to be given to some well deserving MOMs.