Marquee DIY Made For Hanukkah

I've always been a fan of Oh Happy Day's vintage marquee and finally had the perfect excuse to make one! I was asked by Houzz.com to style a Hanukkah dessert table, and I knew the marquee would be just the thing to brighten it up. Here is how my sign turned out:

I made my sign say "SPIN", but love that I can rearrange the letters and use it for other things... I think "SIP" would be so cute to have at a cocktail party.

Here is how you do it in 10 easy steps!

Supply list:
2 foam core boards (one for the letters and one for the background) // paper to cover the background foam core // poster board // spray paint // glue gun // globe lights // cutting board, pen knife & ruler // compas cutter like this:

The compass cutter isn't completely necessary, but it only cost $6 and really sped up this process!
Simple steps:
Step 1: Draw or trace letters onto the foam core, and cut them out using the pen knife.
Step 2: Cut several 1" strips of poster board and set them aside for later.
Step 3: Measure and mark on your letters where you want your lights to go.
Step 4: Use a compass cutter to cut circles for lights in the letters.

Step 5: Position your letters on top of the foam board where you'd like them to go, and mark through the holes you've made in your letters onto the background foam board. Step 6: Use spray adhesive to cover your background board with gift wrap, or spray paint it.
Step 7: Cut circles there too - the bulbs will go in front of your letters, and the cord will screw in through the back of the background board like this picture of my layers smooshed together:

*An important note about the size of your holes!
Before you cut all of your holes, test your bulb to make sure it will fit through the letter. Also, test the piece from the electrical cord to be sure it will fit through the backing. The bulb piece is smaller than the electrical cord, so I made the holes on my backing slightly larger, as you can see here:

Step 8: Use a hot glue gun to attach the 1" strips of poster board to the outside of your letters.
Step 9: Spray paint your letters.
Step 10: Put it all together!
When you are done screwing them in the back will look so messy! Which is why the board backing makes your marquee easier to display.

(messy back.)

How long did this take? One little afternoon, for something my family and friends will enjoy for years to come.

"spin" photo on table by Bernella Gooseberry

Vintage Ice Cream Cups- Remade by Sucre Shop

Introducing Sucre Shop's newest ice cream cups!

I have always been a big fan of vintage designs and styling, but let's be honest, an old food container isn't always a great idea. I wanted to design a cup with all of the charm of a vintage ice cream cup, and none of the yellowed paper. Erika and I worked together to find a great mix of color and pattern. She created the ice cream icons (including ice cream spoons!)and I think we were really able to create something consistent with the vintage style we love. Hope you love them too! They are available here and also for wholesale. Wholesale inquiries please contact me at info@sucreshop.com

Thin Mints - All Grown Up & Back In The Day Bakery

I got a new cook book a week ago, and have made more recipes from it more quickly than any other cookbook I've ever purchased. It's eye candy. It's recipes are bananas. It makes me feel happy! I first heard of Back In The Day Bakery from the talented Lilly Lui who I am lucky enough to work with every day. Lilly went to SCAD and I love hearing stories of her beloved Savannah. I happened across this cookbook one day at Barnes & Noble and knew Cheryl and Griffith Day are my kinda people. I bake often, but still needed a shopping list when I got this cookbook. Somehow I've made it my whole life never having ground cardamom, mace and sea salt in my pantry. I also restocked on strawberries and buttermilk. First go-round I made the most insanely delicious fresh strawberry cupcakes with fresh strawberry icing. It tastes like the most delicious berries and cream I've ever eaten. Like, unbelievably good. Then I made the Buttermilk Biscones - a biscuit scone good for breakfast lunch and dinner. Every time I make something from this cookbook I think it gets better and better. My most recent baking adventure was the Chocolate Mint Cookie - like Thin Mints for adults. The best cookie sandwich ever made.

This is not a paid endorsement, just a glowing little review of a cookbook full of the best recipes and tips for at-home bakers! And, I want to go to Savannah asap.