Thursday, July 29, 2010

: favorite blog for adorble party ideas

Accenttheparty.com  has the BEST ever compilation of adorable, original and totally cute stuff for parties of all kinds.  I have to warn you though, if you start browsing there, you will not be able to stop.  And they have cute free printable cupcake toppers.  


Found this photo and recipe there:




Pink Bikini Recipe:

The recipe makes 10 cups

Ingredients
1 bottle of raspberry lemonade
3/4 cups of coconut rum
1 cup of amaretto liqueur
Preparation
Combine the raspberry lemonade, coconut rum, and amaretto liqueur in a large pitcher.
Stir well, and serve over ice or in half cut coconuts.








Don't you want one?  The really cool part is ... my neighbor has 2 coconut palms in her yard.  First chance I get, I am inviting over my family just so I can serve this lovely drink in coconuts.


This just has to be shared.  It is a tutu desk!  LOOK:



If I lived in Australia I would so have to look at this adorable shop:  Absolutely Beautiful Things      Anna is the owner of that blog and I've followed her for a while- she mixes vintage and modern decor in quite a masterful way, but that tutu desk really takes the cake.  LOVE! 



Photobucket

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

: do not expect anything wonderful....



... to happen to you, unless you are wonderful yourself.

Some people dream and wish and hope for something great to drop into their lives, without ever taking the risks or actually doing the steps that will take them to what it is they are hoping and dreaming for.  Once when I was about 14, I was reading Young Miss magazine (remember that?  or am I dating myself...) and the feature article was about having a boyfriend.  Now, I am old fashioned, even back then, and I strongly feel 14 is TOO YOUNG to have a boyfriend, but I thought I'd read the article so I'd be prepared when the day came.  It said, in part, that if you want a boy to think you are interesting, you have to be interesting. You can't just stand there thinking you're a pretty girl and expect some guy to sweep you off your feet.  ( Although today, it seems like pretty people are getting famous by doing nothing at all... so possibly I'm WAY off base here)  Hmm.  Back to my story:

Well then I needed to get to work because I was a pretty dull individual.  That was the single most helpful bit of advice I'd ever gotten, simple as it is, and has helped make me the less dull individual I am today.  It is absolutely true.  Don't expect wonderful things if you are not wonderful yourself. 

No matter what you're doing in your life, that principle can be applied.  You have to be what it is you want.  And so I wonder what their day is like when someone is rude to me at the grocery store.


That's my commentary for today. 

I leave you with this:




Be nice and smile!


And love.



Bye, and happy Wednesday!  ♥


Photobucket

Friday, July 23, 2010

: just some cute stuff.

Anthropologie aprons.











CUUUUTE Etsy stuff.

[ sugar creek designs ]
omg.  the cutest stuff there.



Little girl looking at the sea.



And that's all for today.  ♥



Photobucket

Sunday, July 18, 2010

: Chic Chick Click Carnival (say that 10 times fast!)



[ This is not simply a linky party, the purpose of the "Chic Click Carnival" is to introduce yourself and one fellow peep you found using the Visit Our Peeps widget. ]

This is my first ever chic click carnival so I'm a little nervous.  Hold on while I imagine all of you sitting in your underwear.
nope.  that doesn't work for me... still nervous.
I suppose I'm a tad on the dorky side but I'm trying to be cool.  I used to be cool, really, before kids.  Is it okay to blame them for everything?  They are the light of my life and cause of my ultimate ruin.  And the reason I do everything I do.  Except make jewelry and scrapbook... those things I selfishly do for me.  I LOVE scrapbooking!  Don't get to do it like I used to, but when I can, oh how fun!  Love it.  Silver jewelry is my other selfish thing, but see the money I make selling fine silver supports my shopping for my kids habit so really that is for them too.  Its a vicious circle.

And even though I talk all the time about how much my beautiful children drive me nuts... this is my favorite post: 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



It is always comforting to find other people that have similar endeavors, desires, problems and issues, which led me to find this fabulous individual and her blog and etsy shop through the "visit our peeps" widget :









I am likely the last person who reads Today's Creative Blog to discover this girl Trisha.   She makes the absolute CUTEST EVAH ruffle bum and monogrammed body suits for babies.  Seriously.  They are amazing.  LOOK: 


three four and under
and here is her shop:  Trisha B Designs





And there you have it.  Now go grab a frosty beverage, get comfy with your computer, have fun at the Chic Chick Click Carnival, and have a lovely and wonderful weekend! 
Photobucket

Thursday, July 15, 2010

: how to make a watercolor painty sky background on canvas

Still working on the little nook from the previous post- the terrarium takes up a bit too much space on the table, since I've found that people actually like sitting there, and even more, it has turned into a sort of internet cafe, which really cracks me up because I've never considered myself advanced in any way as far as technology goes.  Didn't even realize I had wireless capabilities until last week.  But when my sister in law and niece came to visit and brought along their laptops, they ended up sitting at the little table- coffee and all.   Funny how things evolve into what they are in a house.

Anyway I wanted something decorative that didn't take up much space and a canvas fit the bill- here is the project for your consideration, maybe you have a lil cafe in your house?



First simply brush your sky color all over randomly, not trying to get even coverage- random is good.  Messy is good too, don't worry about pooling water.



* I love Luminarte's twinkling H2O watercolors,  Mediterranean is a really pretty color.  A Cherry On Top, Scrapbooking Shoppe is the place to go to get every color under the sun in Luminarte stuff.

Next blot the whole canvas in one fell swoop with an old cotton napkin.  Wrinkles and folds are good.  You'll see the cool effect when you remove the napkin. 

  

Then make 'clouds' by dropping water randomly.


Then its time to get out the Cricut!  I love this machine!  Used the Wall Decor and More cartridge.  It is my favorite cartridge.  Cut out a few images and arrange them on the canvas and Mod Podge it to death. 




Add a banner sticker - this one is from Sassafras Lass.  (I love them!)  And continue Mod Podging.




Add a coffee cup and swirly vine design to look like 'steam' from the cup and a little vintage looking paper scrap and continue the Podge fun.




Little Hambly screenprints birdy sticker in the corner and there you go.



I'll leave you with a lovely image from our trip to the beach yesterday:


Relax!  :o)

Photobucket

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

: before, after, and pink fluffy frosing.

First for the before.  It wasn't awful, just boring.
My wonderfully talented husband built the book shelves, and I love how they turned out.  Felt like I needed something that had a presence, but not overpowering there on the green wall, but wasn't sure just what that would be.
A trip to homegoods would prove to be just what I needed to get some inspiration and cheap yet cute goodies to dress up the area.




I love you homegoods!




 Picked up the clock, table, chairs, tablecloth and garden terrarium for under $100.  It feels sort of french, and is a lovely spot for morning coffee and email checking.



On to the pink fluffy frosting:


First of all I made a bunch of nondescript chocolate globs.  All you do is melt chocolate chips, put them in a baggie and snip one of the corners, then squish out some chocolate to make globs.  I know, I know, my technical talk needs improving.  But I am not a cook or a baker and this is the only way I know to tell you how I did this.


 Then get Betty Crocker Whipped strawberry mist frosting.  Yes, it is fattening and bad for you... but it is soooo good!  It isn't going to do horrible things to have canned frosting once in a while, and this stuff is amazing.  And so just do the same thing with the baggie, spoon your frosting in and then snip a corner and pipe out ribbons onto your cupcakes like this:


Yes, mine is a mess.  But when you pile up the ribbons of whipped frosting and then add a few chocolate globs to the side along with a bit of sprinkles, it looks very sweet.  Easy and sweet.  How can you go wrong?






Linking up to today's creative blog :)
Photobucket