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.

How D' Ya Like Your Eggs In The Morning?

Blogging today about someone else's project which makes me grin. My friend Lucy lives in England and I met her the strangest way; Lucy's husband was flat mates with my friend's sister. Isn't it just amazing how people come into your life! She and I keep up with projects on Pinterest, and we watch the same TV shows, and we talk about kids and crafts and she gives me advice. She. is. so. cool.

I sent her a package while back with some spoons in it, and look what she's done!


The song asks, "How d'ya like your eggs in the morning?" Boiled, fried, over easy... with a kiss. Here it is on You Tube... so cute.



Her brother got some chickens awhile back, and so received many chicken-related Christmas gifts this year :) I wasn't familiar with the song, but it's from the 1951 movie "Rich, Young And Pretty" and is sung by Dean Martin. Great job, Lucy! Hope your brother liked them as much as I do!

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Party Bunting - Lots Of Shapes

It can't be work work work all the time, can it? I was sad to realize it's been at least a month since I've used my sewing machine. An idea came to me last night and I thought I could make it quickly... so here is it!

I know, I know, you're all tired of party bunting- these banners are everywhere! But I wondered if anyone has done a combined shapes party banner? I looked around and didn't see one. So just in case you were wondering, here's what it would look like!

I am not at all precise when I make things like this. I do use a quilting ruler and rotary cutter, but there are no templates and no measuring involved. I took a few basic shapes I've seen made into banners, and made some of each. I kinda like it... what do you think??

While I'm talking about trying new things, I may as well include a picture of these super cool chopsticks I just added to my Etsy store
Now I need to have a sushi party. You're all invited.

**update!**It's funny to find things when you're not looking for them! Just happen to come across this DIY boho bunting.

Beautiful!

Wooden Ice Cream Spoons - Birthday Candles

I rarely post new designs for wooden spoons on this blog, but am so very excited for these "candle" spoons! Aren't they sweet? I hope you'll run over to my Etsy store and take a look around!

It's Just About Time For Presents!

And this year I am shopping at Crate and Barrel. Perhaps exclusively.

Sweater vase!


Fish hotel! Forget the Ritz or the W, this is the coolest hotel I've seen.

I would use these candy stripe bowls year-round. They are so much fun! And I love the way red looks with my aqua walls.

While I'm busy shopping at C&B, I'll take two of these. What about you?

Styling Paper Plates Into A Tiered Cake

Get those paper plates off your table and style them up!

I came across a pin found by the very talented Courtney Spencer of Merriment Events and my eyes just saw it wrong. It's funny sometimes how the mother of invention is just a big accident! I thought that someone had very prettily styled paper plates to look like a tiered cake. Once I realized my mistake, I knew I had to be the one! Surely this exists, since I've seen diapers fashioned into cakes, but I've never seen it.

A quick trip to Target later, armed with plates measuring 6 7/8", 8.5" and 10 3/8" and I have my very own beautiful three tiered plate stack. As for those adooorable spoons also pictured, you can find them in my Etsy store.