Salvage Yard!

When I lived in New Orleans I loved architectural salvage yards. I love going to this one when I visit my hometown, Roanoke, VA. Black Dog salvage is amazing: rooms of doors, shutters, ceiling tiles, old sinks, fixtures, chandeliers, and claw feet. I could have walked away with a dozen claw feet at $15 each. But before I do, off to pinterest to get some ideas.

More Washi Tape Decor

I like Washi tape. This much is clear. And so does everyone else. Why not? It's an easy inexpensive way to make just about anything look cuter. I love the designs by MT you can get at Cute Tape and yesterday I found some adorable patterns at Dick Blick. I am into all things REVERSIBLE lately, so as I was souping up some of my plain forks and spoons I did a little reversible magic. I just stuck two designs together in the middle like this:

and now I have coordinating designs and on the back and front of my forks!

The cupcake/ice cream toppers are from Hey Yo Yo. They're a new purchase and an instant hit in my house.

Tape & Ice Cream Cup Magic

I have much love for Todd Oldham's book Kid Made Modern. The book came out a few years ago and I picked up a copy. It is full of bright, well designed projects and toys for kids. If you look far enough back in this blog you can see some faces I painted on kitchen spoons after reading about it in Kid Made Modern. I was totally over-the-moon excited when I heard there would be a kid made modern line of crafts for Target. They do not disappoint! Run over and see 'em for yourself! I love love love this amazing set of paper tape, which was only $7. The kids and I had such a great time decorating ice cream cups for an after dinner treat. Look how cute!

Apropos of nothing, this cracks me up. And, yes, this is a craft blog. Sort of. Even so, have to share this amazing knife set that I would LOVE to get my husband for Father's day.

Look, Ma!

I'm a cartoon! I love the new me! Made by the fabulous Lilly Lui.

I DID IT!

No matter what anyone tells you, it is HARD work to be an Etsy seller. There are A LOT of talented people out there and it is not easy to get noticed! I am amazed how far this little idea of mine has gone, and I just hope I can take it further and keep making things other people want to use to make their parties beautiful!

Crawfish Boil 2012

A funny thing happens when you enjoy yourself at your own party... it's a strange way to start blogging about a party, I know. But, this year, for our 8th annual crawfish boil, we had to the party: lots of crawfish, lots of friends, and lots of babysitters. Instead of running around with the camera and taking pictures of all of my decorations (which, of course, were meticulously planned and looked pretty cool), and friends, I just chilled. I actually ate some crawfish. Thankfully, I did remember to take the one traditional photo... Here's what they looked like in one piece! I had a great time, but I do miss looking through the pictures. So, next year, in addition to the friends, crawfish and babysitters, I think I'll hire a photographer too!

NOW I am famous.

I am on Tori Spelling's blog!! Well, not ME, but my hands. And also, some of my craftiness. YEEHAWW! Look here if you don't believe me. How did this happen? It actually comes from being friends with a celeb... Stef Pollack who writes the amazing blog Cupcake Project came over one morning to do some baking while I was working. It was fun! We listened to polka music because there was nothing else on. She needed pictures of her creations, so I got to be her hand model. Here is my hand: Really, it's my hand! Also, her super delish cupcakes were baked in eggshells, and to pretty them up just a little more I made some little flags she stuck in the top. I guess Tori thought they were pretty cute! 410 people repinned that little picture of Stef's adorable cupcakes and my little flags. That makes me happy.

Sniff sniff, goodbye Picnik

What am I going to do without Picnik??

Birthday Brookies

My baby boy is 5! He loves cool cars and Star Wars, and wearing short sleeve shirts over long sleeve shirts. He is so sweet and so... BIG! I did not do too much planning for his karate birthday party, but threw in a few Star Wars things, including this hit: BROOKIES! I love them. Not just because they are named after me. They are simple to make! Ready? Here's how: make some brownie mix and pour some in the bottom of cupcake tins. Refrigerate until cold, then in the center add a pre-made (Oh the shame!! But it makes it sooo easy!) chocolate chip cookie round, the kind that come in the tray next to the roll of cookie dough, and poke it down a little. Bake. Done! These little brookies are amazing when they're a little warm, topped with ice cream. xo

Magic Books

Nash is into magic tricks lately and he's been asking me what kind of magic I can teach him. I am so happy I remembered seeing there instructions for making a magic wallet! I've got a pretty awesome library with books on quilting designs, sewing patterns, paper crafts, invitation making, star wars crafts, 2,000 binding stitches, applique, recycled crafts... you get the point. The book with these instructions is by Esther K. Smith and it's called Paper Crafts and Magic Books. Lots of fun old fashioned "tricks". So you put your business card in the middle of the wallet. Close it. When you reopen it, it looks like... this! And if you close it and reopen it again, then it looks like... this! TA-DA!! It was good enough for my little magician.