DIY Halloween Craft Idea

I'm not much of a seasonal decorator. I find that although we moved into a house, we just don't have the space {and honestly, the funds} to change up our decor based on the holiday or season... however, that doesn't mean that I don't like to spruce things up a bit if I can find easy-DIY tutorials for craft projects that are either cheap enough to toss when the season/holiday ends... or it's small enough and easy to store.

I came across these three simple BOO-tastic DIY projects via Better Homes and Gardens and thought I would share with you all, just in case your mentality is like mine when it comes to seasonal decorating.

This craft is quite easy, only needing a foam cone, black and pink {or any color of your choice} silk flowers, and a piece of cardboard for the brim.  For full instructions, head over to Better Homes and Gardens.

Another super easy DIY craft.  You'll need a couple of picture frames, black card stock, the free printables found on Better Homes and Gardens, a printer and some sharp scissors.

This one might be the easiest of the three.  Pick up some standard pillar candles and hot glue beads, pearls, rhinestones or beans into the shapes of the letters, then stack on candlesticks of varying heights. Voila - you've got yourself some BOO-rific candles!

Do you have some fun DIY fall or Halloween projects that you do each year?

DIY: Pom Pom with Cupcake Liners

I love the look the pom poms on a pretty candlestick holder.  I also love a good DIY project that's not too difficult and requires only a few suppliers.  With that said, it's really no wonder why I just adored this DIY tutorial on Kara's Party Ideas for a pomander made using cupcake liners, pins, a styrofoam ball and a hot glue gun {and a pretty little candelabra if you choose to display your pom that way}!




If you're interested in this super easy and inexpensive DIY tutorial, head over to Kara's Party Ideas for the instructions!

DIY: Crafter's Lazy Susan

What do you do when you find an adorable product that you find just a bit too spendy to splurge on - well, find a way to do it yourself!  That's what The Crafters File Box decided to do when she came across a highly priced lazy susan on Pottery Barn Kids - $49 to be exact (I can't link to the photo as the original post was back from 2009 - I don't think PBK carries the item any longer).



This adorable lazy susan from The Crafters File Box cost a mere $11.50 to create, using a lazy susan from Ikea and little pails from Target's dollar section!  To see the full tutorial on making this crafter's must-have product, pop over to The Crafters File Box and check it out!

Fun and Easy DIY Project - Cupcake Flower Toppers

I love anything that is fun and easy and comes out looking fab...  Usually you can't use all of the words together - but I promise, with this project featured on the Icing Designs blog, you can!

I love the idea of using cupcake liners to create a cute little flower. Icing Designs uses these as an alternative for cupcake toppers in their post, but I think they could be used for so much more than that!  These would be perfect for little flowers at a each place setting with a cute little name card, or cute little flowers on a simple dessert table (in lieu of real flowers... or in addition to), or even for a mini garland to display around your party space (anyone else envisioning these to create a mini garland for the guest of honors chair??).  Seriously, there are so many fun little ideas for these - I think of them as mini versions of the tissue paper poms/flowers... everyone needs a little mini in their life sometimes, right??

So are you wondering how to make these little gems?  Head over to the Icing Designs blog to get the directions!

Cute Wedding Idea

I came across this adorable wooden box in BraggingBags' Etsy shop - honestly, how cute would this be for your ring bearer to tote down the aisle instead of the traditional pillow?  This would be especially cute for a smaller, more intimate wedding, and use it again during your reception - turn it into a keepsake box for a non-traditional guest book.  Have guests write their favorite memories with the couple, advice, etc. and have them place their cards in the box - it'd be such a great way to reuse this special keepsake!



Check out BraggingBags other personalized wood items, along with other great stuff at their Etsy shop here!

Adorable DIY Necklace

Have you seen these adorable DIY washer necklaces featured on Not So Idle Hands blog?  OMG - they're so stinkin' cute!  There are so many different ways you could use these cuties, for so many different types of events - favors, drink tags, fundraisers - the ideas are endless!




Head over to the Not So Idle Hands blog here to check out the EASY-PEASY directions on how to create this little gems!  The best part - you really only need a handful of supplies - cheap supplies, too!

Sunday Shopping Day!

Pretty much the only reason I like Sunday is for the new sales to come out (I definitely don't like that it means I have to go to work the next day... and the 4 days following!)! Today there are some great sales at Michaels!! If you own a Cricut, you'll want to head over there PRONTO! I bought the Jasmine font cartridge for $29.99 - that's like 55% off the original price. All of their cartridges are on sale for 55% off - but there are no rain checks so hurry up and get there! All of them are on sale - those that are originally $89.99 and those that are $69.99. They also have a bunch of other things on sale - ribbon, scrapbook paper, paper cutters, vases and of course their leftovers from Easter! Check on their ad online if haven't seen it already.

Target had some great stuff on sale for cooking and decorating. They also have some awesome stuff in their dollar section for cheap party serving ware. I just love their dollar section! There are so many great things in there for party favors, too!

Happy Sunday to you all! :)

Two cute nest ideas for Spring!

FIRST - don't forget to sign up for the Favor Affair giveaway I posted about here!

Have you checked out My Insanity's blog? There is definitely some great ideas on there... I strongly suggest you take a peek! While checking out her (Kendra) site, I came across this super cute idea for little nests - and the best part is they're 100% edible. MMMmmmm!! Curious? I was! Here is how you make these adorable little nests for your Easter gathering or just for a Spring snack!

OK - these are made just like rice krispy treats - only instead of the rice krispies, you use the chow mein noodles. After making your mixture, use a large-sized muffin tin to mold your nests. (Because this can get quite messy, Kendra suggests using some greased plastic bags on your hands.) When you are molding your nests, make sure you make a little divot to place your eggs in! If you work quickly enough, you should be able to take these out of the muffin tins and reshape them to make them look more natural - just make sure they aren't too hard! The last thing to do - add your small egg shaped candies! Seriously... how easy is that? I'm impressed.

How cute would these be for a little garden party, too? Or a birdie-themed shower or party? Garden-themed party? Place cards? There's seriously so many cute ideas that I could go on and on - but I won't!

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OK - so I had to share this idea with you all, too. This idea was found on this other super cute blog, Someday Crafts by guest blogger Stephanie Lynn from Under the Table and Dreaming. This idea is adorable for Spring in general, but to go with our nest theme from above for Easter (and Spring), I thought I'd share the post. This is a super easy projects that shouldn't take you too much time... but turns out adorable.

To make these you will need:

- Yarn

- Fabric stiffener

- Balloon

First, cut your yarn into 6-8 inch strips. You will need many, so it's best to have these pre-cut before starting the project.

Next, blow up your balloon and place it with the tied end down in a bowl (see image below).

Then, pour some of your fabric stiffener (Stephanie Lynn used Plaid "Stiffy" brand, which can be found at your local craft store in the sewing section) into a cup and add about 5-6 pieces of yarn. **Make sure you use enough fabric stiffener to completely cover your yarn strips.** Let the yarn strips sit for a few minutes, to ensure they're completely saturated.

After your yarn strips are completely saturated, place one strand at a time on the top of your balloon, overlapping pieces (See pic below).

Repeat until your balloon is completely covered.

When your yarn is completely dry (Stephanie waited 48 hours), turn your balloon over, takethe bowl off, and gently release the air out of the balloon. If there's any residue from the fabric stiffener left over, Stephanie recommends using spray paint to cover it up.

Your last step - figuring out what decor you want to place inside to show it off! I love the idea of putting candles in it... how cute!

Now, go check out these cool new blogs - I'm sure you'll love them as much as I do!

Happy Sunday to me!

Well, I'm happy to say that I didn't wake up feeling icky today from last night's pink and orange birthday party celebration (post and pics on that to follow....)! I'm also happy to say that I FINALLY got myself a Cricut! I've had my eye on one for a long time, but could never get myself to spend the money. So while I was doing my weekly sales ad check, I came across the BIG sale at Joann Fabrics - a brand new Cricut for $84.99! Wow! They also have cartridges on sale for $34.99... Wow again!

So, if you don't have a Cricut yet, and have been eyeing one up, head over to your nearest Joann Fabrics and pick one up - it's quite a deal! Joann Fabrics also lets you purchase them on their web site, so if you don't have a store near you, buy one off their web sites.

Cricut-owners, do you have some tips and ideas for my new Cricut?! I'd love hear them!