Easter Bunny Canvas

I spent a good half hour the other day walking through the Easter aisles at Target.  So many cute things!  I love Easter decor mainly because of the soft colors–really makes you feel like Spring is just around the corner. And so I love the soft colors used in this adorable Easter Bunny canvas from Clean & Scentsible.  The addition of the 3D pom pom tail is great!  You can find the full tutorial here.

Sweet Baby Shower Brunch

Mini chicken and waffles, home style potatoes and more greeted guests for this special shower brunch to welcome the parents-to-be's upcoming bundle, Mila.  Mom-to-be is actually an invitation designer, The Card Lady, and designed the invitation and other decor for the event.  One of my favorite little details is the glitter heart straws.  There were also plenty of games to entertain guests. Enjoy all the details as photographed and submitted by Iliana Morton Photography in California.

 

 

 

 

Wood and Baby Jars Wall Candleholder

Signs of spring are popping up everywhere–including this lovely wall candleholder using baby food jars.  This would be great hanging outside your home, around the patio.  From Make Life Lovely, find the full tutorial here.

DIY Book Page Wreath

I'm hosting a potluck for my book club Friday night.  We're calling it "Cook the Books" - cute, right?  Thanks to the  theme of the night, I have been able to pull off the decorations for less than $10. Yup!  I'm pretty much making all the decorations from a hard cover book I purchased at the Dollar Tree and a scrapbook pad I purchased at Hobby Lobby that was on sale for about $9.

The first thing I made was this wreath for the front door.  You may have seen these around.  I cut a circle from some foam board I had, about 12 inches in diameter.  The tricky part was making the cones.  You start off making a tiny cone in one corner and roll/work your way from there.  As you can see, every time I made a cone it ended up being a different size–but it doesn't seem to matter. Once I had all my cones done, I positioned them around the circle, making the tops of the cones as even as possible, and glued them in place with Tacky Glue.

I used the scrapbook paper and plain white copy paper to create the center.  (I simply traced a bowl to make a perfect circle.  I don't have any of those fancy cutting tools!)  I'm pretty happy with it! You'll have to wait until next week to see how it looks on the front door.

You can use a book page wreath for a vintage or shabby chic themed occasion.  They're so economical to make.  I'll be sharing some other simple DIY projects from the evening, too.

Today's Takeaway: Baby Shower Friend Coupons

If you're looking for a different activity idea for a baby shower you're planning, how about asking guests to donate a "Friend Coupon"?  I spotted this idea in a Cloud-themed shower on On To Baby.  This is such a great idea because it's sometimes those favors and extra help that are much more needed than another tube of Desitin!  From cooking a meal, or babysitting -- guests fill out a coupon and insert it into one of the envelopes.  There are many cute ways you can display this idea--and I bet you the mom-to-be will love it! Find the original post here, with other cute ideas.

Diner Style Birthday

Kick on the jukebox and get ready for an adorable and unique birthday brunch celebration for little Jasper, who turned one.  Diner favorites like baked oatmeal, egg casserole and pies were served.  And everyone got to enjoy personalized Jones sodas and take a home a Jasper's Diner coaster.  This diner style theme is one that is easily enjoyed by big and little kids! Thanks to Leah Fruth in Ohio for capturing and sharing this milestone birthday.

 

Spray Painted Cupcake Liner Flower

A little spray paint sure does the cake good! You can transform an ordinary store-bought cake to something extraordinary with this little tip from The Sweetest Occasion.  Just spray paint a few different sized cupcake liners, glue them together to create a flower and set on top of your cake or cupcake.  Find the full tutorial here.

Energy-Saving Quadra-Fire Pellet Stove + Notebook Giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of QuadraFire. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I saw the QuadraFire Pellet Stoves I immediately got nostalgic!  They so reminded me of the quaint Vermont ski house my husband and I used to stay in while we were just dating-it had one, too.  But, as exemplified by the high-performing Quadra-Fire products, pellet stoves have come a long way since then! 

Pellet Stoves Save Energy: Did you know pellet stoves are a popular heating alternative? To heat your home with a pellet stove costs 44% less than oil, 47% less than electric and 53% less than propane heat??  And because biomass fuels are composed of renewable, carbon-neutral products, they are also an extremely eco-friendly option. Check out the diagram below to see how it all works:

Pellet Stoves Can Save You Tax Dollars: You can get a 10 percent tax credit of up to $300 on a qualifying biomass heating appliance purchased between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013!  And if you visit the QuadraFire Pellet Stoves website now, you'll find ways to save BIG on your actual purchase, too! 

Quadra-Fire Notebook Giveaway! One lucky reader has the chance to win a Quadra-Fire notebook! The notebook is a journal-sized book made from recycled materials, and includes a pen to record all your party planning notes :)  All you need to do is leave a comment as to why you like Quadra-Fire, and I will randomly pick a comment as the winner.  A winner will be selected on February 28, 2013.

Follow Quadra-Fire on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save on energy bills.

Pink Christening Party

Do you ever wonder if other countries enjoy party planning as much as we do here in the States?  They do–as proven in this pink Christening celebration taken in beautiful Porto San Giorgio, Italy.  Mom of the newly Christened child Emilia, is also a wedding and event planner (Officina Stravagante), so it's no surprise that every detail was covered.  Big thanks to photographers A Click For Two for capturing and submitting all the lovely details for us to see.

 

 

 

 

Super Hero Photo Booth

I took the day off yesterday to enjoy Valentines Day: went to the kids' school parties, coffee and lunch with some class moms and then eventually dinner with the family.  It was really nice not having to work! But my Google Reader looks like it's about to explode just from being away one day!  I really didn't realize how many blogs I subscribe to.  I'm slowly getting through them, but had to share this super adorable photo booth idea from Spaceships and Laser Beams.  Not only can you use this as a photo booth idea, but I would even use it as a fun photo card idea or invitation.  Boy or girl--the kids will have so much fun posing!  Find the full tutorial here. 

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you each have a fun Valentine's Day.  I'll be at my girls' school, helping out with their class parties and probably picking up a last minute gift for the hubby :0  Spread a bit of kindness and love today.  Here's a cute printable from crazy little projects to use however you wish: on the mantle, bookshelf, or even as a large card.  Enjoy!

Lush and Airy Valentine's Day Table

The beautiful pink and purple flowers provides the lushness, while the pink tulle table covering gives this table setting an airy quality.  Together, they set a beautiful stage and inspiration for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner, wedding or shower.  Photographed and submitted by Christian Burge Photography.

 

King Cake Cocktail

Happy Fat Tuesday!  Although we're immersed in all things hearts and red for Valentine's Day this week, doesn't mean we can't take a pause to celebrate Fat Tuesday today.  If you don't have a wild night of festivities planned, you can enjoy this yummy cocktail after dinner.  Find the full recipe at Home is Where the Boat is.

Shimmery and Red Valentine's Day Table

It's Valentine's Day week and I have a couple of beautiful table settings to share with you.  This first one, photographed by MickoPhoto in New York got me with its beautiful shimmery table covering.  It's purely exquisite!  The table was photographed in and out of the house--but I totally prefer it outside against the rustic fence.  What a lovely setting for two!

 

 Floral Designer: Makini Regal Designs
Invitation Designer: Noir Style Invites

Inspiration: Lemonade Stand

Lemonade stands are such a classic activity for kids to enjoy over the summer.  And the lemonade stand makes such a cute theme for parties, too.  Here is inspiration for either one with this adorable styled shoot taken and submitted by Brightside Studios in Michigan.  For those of you getting snow this weekend, it may even warm you up a bit! :)