Lolly Garland Tutorial over on A FABULOUS FETE

Hello all! I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday.  It's my favorite time of year...when it's officially time to celebrate Christmas, even though my tree has been up for possibly one or two weeks...ahem. Anyhoo, without further ado...Go get your craft on with a super simple and super cute garland/ornament/cupcake topper tutorial I did for Lauren over on a fabulous fete. Enjoy!

World's Easiest Eggnog Coffee Cake

You might have seen a tweet about a very complicated eggnog coffee cake recipe I was gonna post this morning.  I was kidding.  This is the EASIEST eggnog coffee cake...EVER.  You know I like easy.  This makes some delicious coffee cake with a hint of eggnog flavor.  Yum. 



We just made this again (second time this week) and it's almost gone already...

On your trip to the store today, don't forget to grab...
~one box of Krusteaz Crumb Cake Mix
~Eggnog
~one egg

My very easy directions... Follow the recipe on the back of the box.  Add 2/3 EGGNOG instead of the 2/3 cup water...add egg.  Mix. Pour into 8x8 greased pan. Sprinkle topping. Cook as directed.  Voila! Super yummy eggnog coffee cake that your guests will wonder why it's so decadently scrumptious...and its easy enough that you can whip some up to lure people into the kitchen to help tomorrow with the turkey...

Enjoy and  BEST WISHES for a Happy Thanksgiving for you and yours!

Canvas and Canopy DIY

The Canvas and Canopy blog is amazing. All the gorgeousness that once was ilovelolliblog has been loaded into Canvas and Canopy's archives.  I've been meaning to share this DIY with you!  I was looking over my posts and I saw this little lovely never posted.  About  a month late.  Naughty Jenny. I blame dialup, but you can blame me. Here you go, a little treat for the long weekend!

When Cortnie asked me to do a party goodie tutorial for all of her lovely readers... I shrieked with joy.  I just about fell out of my chair. So here it is! My little lovely cake banner tutorial. Go visit Canvas and Canopy and learn how to make one, too.  Thank you, Cortnie!

Tinsel Word DIY

Hello! So, while we were putting up Christmas decorations this weekend, I ended up with extra garland.  Me? no way... This mini tinsel garland was the perfect antiqued silver color and I had just purchased it at Target.  I was outnumbered by the boys and told there will be NO garland on the tree.  What??? Since this year is the first where the mini men have been big enough to really help decorate the tree, I gave in, after a lot of whining on my side.  So yep.  I'm obsessed with garland...and I have none on my tree.  I'll let it slide this year. But I just couldn't bear to put this cute little tinsel in the attic.  I don't have a mantel...or a staircase...hmmm...

I had just purchased wire for another holiday project and thought about those cheesy hanging decorations made of tinsel...perfect!  Mine is way more chic, no?

So, supply wise, a roll of picture hanging wire (from a hardware store) and about 16 ft of tinsel.  The mini tinsel works best with the thin wire. By all means use the big stuff if you want something huge, just remember to increase the gauge of the wire so it's stronger. 

Before you start, lay out your word/letter/design to check that you have enough tinsel, it would be terrible if you ran out and ended up with "ho"

Use the wire cutter attached to the roll packaging or a pair of wire cutters if you have them. Cut about two foot sections of wire to start.  It is easier to attach two pieces of wire together later.  Also, cut a bunch of little 2 inch pieces of wire.  You will use these to secure the tinsel to the wire.

Now it's time to start wrapping.  Twist the ends of the wire and tinsel to secure it together.  Add a 2 inch piece and twist like a twistie tie.  Wrap the garland around and around to cover the wire.  I did mine kind of loosely, it's certainly not dense, but I needed lots of little pieces twisted on to secure it. It is more a matter of personal preference.

Keep going until you get to the end of the piece of wire.  At the end, twist a new piece of wire to join the new section and continue down the line.  After you have a large length of tinsel covered wire, start forming your letters.  Use the smaller "twistie" pieces to secure the letter formations and any loosened tinsel.  Twist, bend, twist. 

The thin wire is easy to work with, and forms the letters nicely.  The word will still need some support when hanging.  I used about 6 push pins to attach it to my wall, placed in the cross of the h's,on e dead center and two on the ends. I did this quickly, in under an hour.  You could use a heavier gauge wire, but it might be more difficult to work with.

Wouldn't this be cute as initials for a holiday wedding or a baby shower? 

Enjoy and have a fabulous holiday week! Let me know if the pictures are too small to see, I have been having way too much fun with Picasa!

Happy Haul-idays with Chronicle Books

Hello Lovelies! I hope you are having a gorgeous weekend! 

Chronicle Books is my all time favorite publisher.  They have consistanly created beautiful books and gifts.  Eveytime I find a new book I covet...it 99.9% of the time is Chronicle.  I love them dearly.  I wanted to share with you a wishlist I made over on Chronicle Books.  They are having the most amazing contest called Happy Haul-idays.  I post my $500 wishlist of all the books and goodies I love from Chronicle Books and you comment.  If we win this, not only to I get a box of goodies of the WHOLE list...so do ONE of you - just for commenting!! It's a win-win on the merriment scale.  So without further delay... My list of lovelies.

 gorgeous entertaining

By the creators of those gorgeous little cards.  This came out on Tuesday and I'm headed out the door to go get it today.  BTW...I think I am in love with Shauna...
HANDMADE WEDDINGS - SABRINA + EUNICE MOYLE (HELLO!LUCKY), SHAUNA FAUST
I have BABY SHOWERS and WEDDING SHOWERS by this duo of formerly Martha Stewart Staff.  I LOVED them then and still DO now, ten years later (yes, I was crazy for parties in college, too) If this book is anything like the others, I NEED it.
AT HOME WITH FRIENDS - MICHELE ADAMS + GIA RUSSO
I have sucuumbed to that little piece of me that wants to go back to France.  I've even tried to learn French.  Ok, still working on that.  This little lovely shows all the goodie basics that you need to make your own luxe french party.  Simple and pretty, I'm making these party pretties in the poor girl's linen...chunky muslin.
FRENCH GENERAL: HANDMADE SOIREES - KARRI MENG

pretty little crafts

I heart Yee-Haw industries (zombies ring a bell?) and letterpress.  I heart this...
LITTLE BOOK OF LETTERPRESS - CHARLOTTE RIVERS (YEE-HAW INDUSTRIES)
On my list to learn ASAP, what a pretty family portrait this would make. I just love how timeless and modern these look.
SILHOUETTE ART - VANA CHUPP
Everyone around the web has been crazy about this book.  Gotta have it.
PAPER + CRAFT - MINHEE + TRUMAN CHO
I must admit.  This woman can teach you to sew.  Her patterns are the EASIEST I have EVER made.  And to top it off they are cute and not your mama's sewing patterns.  I have made 3 of her purses and her's was the first quilt I ever made from a pattern. I own every other book she's made.  I love when I can get another!
AMY BUTLER'S STYLE STICHES - AMY BUTLER
I want to learn how to applique the right way.  I have tried to teach myself, but its gotta be easier than what I try. 
APPLIQUE YOUR WAY: 35 PRETTY PROJECTS AND PATTERNS - KAYTE TERRY
I've been dying to get my hands on this at my bookstore.  I wanna see I wanna see!
LOTTA JANSDOTTER'S HANDMADE LIVING - LOTTA JANSDOTTER
Love. the end.
FRENCH GENERAL: TREASURED NOTIONS - KAARI MENG
Aren't these just the prettiest little accoutrements ever? I want this so bad.  I would, however, have to force myself to use them on packages to giveaway.  I tend to hoard this stuff.  Oops, did I say that out loud?
CURIOSITIES - (DECORATIVE TOKENS AND EMBELISHMENTS KIT)

yummy deliciousness in directional form

Both Tartine's are so pretty.  If my creations taste as good as these look, I must have this.
TARTINE - ELIZABETH PRUEITT + CHAD ROBERTSON
TARTINE BREAD - CHAD ROBERTSON
My brother says cookies are the next cupcake. Does whoopie pie count?  It's like a cake and cookie had a baby.
WHOOPIE PIES - SARAH BILLINGSLY
I adore a bakery cookbook, this one is so lovely I'd a bought it on the spot if I was in a store.
FLOUR - JOANN CHANG
I have the kid version of this.  It's a diet breaker for sure, but for this much yummy, I don't care.
STICKY, CHEWY, MESSY, GOOEY - JILL O'CONNOR

perfect little goodies

Have you seen the pretty little chalkboard to-do lists?  Get the paper version...
MINI GOALS NOTEPAD - MARY KATE MCDEVITT
Too cool for school...
OLD SCHOOL LETTER SET - PAPER+CUP DESIGNS

these little lovelies I've wanted since last year...

Premade patterns, insert into all kinds of printable goodness? So, I can print my own loveliness? Yes, please.

REPRODEPOT PATTERN BOOK: FOLK - DERBA GOLDFINGER (REPRODEPOT)

REPRODEPOT PATTERN BOOK: FLORA - DERBA GOLDFINGER

DON'T FORGET BOOKS ARE GREAT GIFTS

ORDER EARLY  (NOV. 17 - DEC. 5)

WITH THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY SALE AT CHRONICLE

SAVE  35% AND GET FREE SHIPPING!!

Happy Holiday Hints

Hello, we interrupt our regularly scheduled Wednesday Wonderfulness for an important holiday entertaining message. If you are one of those lovelies that can restrain themselves to decorate until after Thanksgiving, this is especially for you. If you have been decorated for a week or more (Thanksgiving, what Thanksgiving?) then this is still helpful, too. This is a public service announcement for all. There are some things that must be purchased for the holidays NOW. As in yesterday, literally.


Rule number one…anything you like in one of the gorgeous gift spreads in the pretty holiday magazines should be purchased right now. That is if there is still stock left…go check…

I’ll wait right here…

okay, good.

Next, entertaining goodies are a plethora right now. You will have more selection now,than at any other time of the year. If you like to host parties this season or next, you must take advantage of the increased supply of options. Do you have a wedding in spring or summer? In all honesty, this is the easiest time to find mercury glass. Period. I have my eye on this lovely at Ballard Designs. I guarantee you will not be able to find this baby in July, even though I would argue that its beautiful antiqued silver finish would look lovely with red and blue stripes and stars. But really, I have been looking for one of these for-like-ever. Well here it is.
Mercury Pedestal at Ballard Designs

This is also a perfect time to stock up on neutral serveware…aka cake stands and tiered servers. I am a yearlong shopper. I will buy any (and every) reasonably priced option I find in my shopping adventures. I always check sales and to be honest…these sales coming up next week are the best. Had your eye on an 8” cake stand by the lovely Martha at Macys? Well, I just got the square version this weekend for a grand total of $13. Can you say additional % off of the already awesome sale price? Always keep an eye out for great basics that you can get for cheap, like really cheap. You will always use them, and if you have an arsenal, how adorable will those biscuits look at brunch on a pretty little stand?

Why am I telling you this? Because it is a great tip if you are just starting to want to design pretty parties. Because you are at the mall or browsing online anyway. Because if you don’t get certain items now, when you go looking for them the weekend before your holiday fete…the good stuff will be gone and you will be stuck with an overpriced dessert tray with an ugly reindeer on it. Yes, I don’t care if you get servers with reindeer on them…but beware, after next weekend all the cute ones will be gone. Really.

I offer this advice from experience. That, in past years, I have browsed, gone home, debated and in some instances, when I returned the VERY NEXT DAY…my coveted lovelies were gone. Now what’s a girl to do. Shop smarter next year. So, finally today, I will share with you some of my goodies...get it while it’s hot and the shipping is free…

Isn’t this pretty. I found it in the candle section this weekend. How perfect would little macarons or mini meringues be on this? Remember to think outside the box. Pottery Barn Tiered Server

These guys are really hard to find and sell out quick. I can’t tell you how many times my chosen set of Williams Sonoma cookie cutters were gone upon the second trip. Really. And these have little messages you can write. Combine the holiday sayings with the original message cookies…especially the scalloped cutter…too darn cute. Williams Sonoma Cookie Cutters

Dear little tablecloth made of festive tartan, you have eluded me two years running. You can’t hide, I love you and you will be mine. Williams Sonoma Tartan Tablecloth (placemat shown)

This baby is under $15 bucks. I have it in white. This is a perfect neutral and you could even use it at Thanksgiving. Sur La Table Wire Dessert Stand

Cute gift tags are a PAIN to find. Don’t leave wrapping to the last minute. Well, leave the wrapping part. Get your supplies ASAP. I would use these around napkins as place settings. Zinc Tags at terrain.

Got a West Elm catalog in the mail yesterday afternoon. Fell in love with this. What to put on it. Don’t care, just know it would be perfect in the arsenal. This baby is made of porcelain and is NOT on the website. Call to order or visit the stores…West Elm Porcelain Petit Four Stand 16-3096443 (that’s the catalog item number, just in case you heed my warnings…)

Okay, at the very top is a cute basic ruffle edge cake stand I picked up at Pier One. It was $14.99. Nuff said. (Santa is from Target - isn't he cute?)

Finally, don’t walk by ornaments you love just because it’s early…er mid…November. (I might purchase an ornament or two in October, don’t judge me.) They will not be there. Or they will only be online, and who orders just one ornament online? Not me.

So there you have it. My little bit about entertaining goodies and how you can accumulate the good stuff for cheap so it’s there when you need it. Just think, if you follow my advice, you will be able to focus on decorating the cookies and not what you’re going to put them on. A plate with an ugly reindeer on it…for shame, unless you embrace Christmas sweaters, then carry on!

So my little hunters- good luck and best dishes.

xo,

Jenny

I'm over on Honeysuckle Lane!!

I am sure you remember the loveliness that is Simple Joys Paperie?  It was my first ever Wonderful Wednesday post.  Lana's pretty little blog Honeysuckle Lane is filled with gorgeousness, just like her shop.  So today, head on over there to see my little interview and learn a wee bit more about me...like what was the first thing I ever sewed...

A huge THANK YOU to Lana for making me feel so welcome and special on her blog.

Pretty Little Links: weekly roundup and link lovelies

These types of posts I adore, they always seem to happen on Fridays and are a concoction of loveliness that has been found around the web or links to things that posted during the week. I must succumb to the temptation and share with you some of the loveliness that I have found.  There was just too much wonderfulness this week, and I am guessing it will only get better with the holidays quickly approaching.  SO...for the holiday season I am giving you the gift of things that caught my eye...cause I will bet money they catch your eye, too.  I would love it if you shared some others (of your favorite links) in the comment section!

First to begin the series, my favorite Link Loves that I read religiously every weekend:

MAGNOLIA ROUGE
OH HAPPY DAY! (she writes the links for BABBLE.COM but I read them on her blog)

Of course there are more, I will share some with you every week.  Now...for the good stuff. My faves of the week...

simple embroidered napkins diy on design*sponge
fondant bow topper tutorial on the sweets bar
black and white party to die for on a fabulous fete
the gorgeousness and wonderfulness that is elegant decay starts here wth valley & co on bubblerock
a recipe for pretty peppermint goodies that immediately went on my to do list on sweetapolita
paper pretties i just like looking at on ritzy bee
a gingerbread house party of adorableness on garnish
diy canvas placemats that are getting made this weekend on frenchie and flea

Enjoy and happy weekend!!

Hunter's Monsters Printables are UP!

Hello again! Just wanted to let you know I got the monster printies up! I hid them towards the bottom of this morning's post.  I made this guy to match "Monster"  aren't they cute together? Enjoy!

Hunter's Monsters - Yellow Monster Birthday Party

Hello Lovelies! So this weekend we had a teeny party for my littlest, Hunter, who turned 3.  By teeny, I mean, H + H, my brother, the hubby, and me.  Uber teeny.   I just want to let you know...a teeny party is no reason to not have decorations.  This was very the first time I strung garland across the entire living room.  It looked great! It instantly felt festive.

The decor was based on Hunter's favorite color - YELLOW and his favorite thing - MONSTERS.
So I made him a little monster.  Who Hunter appropriately named...wait for it..."Monster."

I made him in a few hours, from fabrics I had around the house, and I can post a pattern if you would like. 

Details from the party:

Vintage yellow invitations were sent out to our teeny extended family found at moxie thrift on Etsy
Yummy Delicious Cookies ordered in shades of yellow to match the party
Handmade Monster Cake – recipe for “Best Birthday Cake” from Smitten Kitchen (if there is only one cake you ever make…OH HEAVEN! this is it) with Jell-O brand vanilla pudding filling and cream cheese icing – Ina Garten via Food Network
The eyes stuck on with toothpicks were leftovers from my zombie party. Don’t worry we did NOT eat them.
The cake pennant was made and embroidered by me (see DIY here on Canvas and Canopy)
Little monster cake bells (adapted from Bakerella's Cake Balls) with candy sugar eyes (Bake It Pretty) and gummy worm horns (couldn't find Runts anywhere, I wanted to use the bananas)
All garlands made by yours truly…didn’t see that one coming did ‘ya?

I also made little monster activity sheets and coloring pages for the party.  I will post those soon (right on this post) - I promise.     Free for personal use and you know I always LOVE links back here!

  

Download these little printies HERE.  This is the VERY first time I've done this...enjoy!

 and please let me know any helpful hints with downloads.

SOURCES:

WHITE PLATTER (w/vanilla shortbread tarts + monster bells) – MARTHA STEWART FOR MACY’S
WHITE PLATTER (w/cookies on it) – TARGET (PAST SEASON)
VINTAGE CLEAR CAKESTAND - ETSY
GUMMY WORMS, YELLOW WRAPPING PAPER - TARGET
PARTY BLOWERS & PARTY PICKS – PIER ONE
YELLOW CANDLES – BAKE IT PRETTY
YELLOW STRIPED TREAT BAGS – FORT AND FIELD
YELLOW BALLOONS (small - garland and 3 foot - not shown) – BALLOONSNMORE via YOU ARE MY FAVE
ZINC “H” - ANTHROPOLOGIE

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY - love the day

This is a special treat. This should be a Wonderful Week of WOW-inducing eyecandy. But today for Wonderful Wednesday I am pleased to bring you Lindi of love the day. I love Lindi, and by the end of this post, you will, too.

Love the day is an incredible design shop on Etsy. She is amazingly talented. Her ready-made designs are fantastic. Her choices of colors, impeccable. “Print, cut, party.” 

 Easy Peasy.

How cute are these little hats??

Pretty.  Easy. Pretty AND easy. (my kind of party)

But there is more.

She does custom…like custom everything. She offers FREE printies around the best spots on the web (which I may or may not stalk…) She styles parties. I die. This one was just released this week. (Disclaimer: yes, my garlands are in it, and she styled them so amazingly I cried…really, but shhh don’t tell anyone or it might ruin my tough gal…er…ok. Nevermind. I cried from the beautiful styling. Out of sheer joy. I love her. But that’s not why she is here.)

Lindi is a wonderful, kind and super sweet lady filled to the brim with many gorgeous talents. This is her daughter’s party. If I had a girl…this is perfect. Heck, I have two boys. It’s still perfect…now to find me a little girl to randomly throw a party for… Hundreds of butterflies. Little lovelies everywhere. Pretty darn perfect.

  

I honestly could write about pages and pages of how amazing this little lady is...Now, for the good stuff...I would love to introduce you to the LOVELY Lindi.

ETSY

BLOG

 

Here are her wonderful answers to my favorite questions.

 

1. As a printable designer, you have a wide range of styles in your portfolio. I love your versatility and ability to pick the perfect “fit” for the event. What 3 things most inspire you?

I find inspiration everywhere, especially from all the other amazingly talented party bloggers! But if I had to choose three things it would be:

funky color palates

unique shapes

and fun patterns

 

2. Not only can you make lovely printies, you are incredible at prop styling. What is your favorite thing to do?

Ahh, thanks Jenny. You are so cute. I am so torn between my love for designing printable party materials and actually styling a party. I love that moment when you find the perfect something to base your party inspiration on. Like the butterflies in the butterfly party. Once I saw those, my mind went crazy with fun ideas! But then again, I love starting with a blank screen and creating a design based on customer needs. I don't know, I love both!

 

3. How/why did you start your shop?

I owe starting my shop to my mom. As a fabric designer, she is always inspiring and encouraging me to take new risk and seek new opportunities. She helped me create Love The Day and is my daily business consultant/manager. I couldn't do it without her!

4. I LOVE your incredible Butterfly Party. It’s so gloriously girly and pretty. What was your inspiration?

It was those butterflies for sure! I found them (500 of them!!) 75% off at a craft store. They were white and just perfect. I knew with a little spray paint, they would look amazing hanging from my daughter's favorite tree. Then pair the butterflies with your ruffle garlands...lovely! I was so excited when I found them.

5. Tell us your FAVORITES…

COLOR? Favorite color! Ahh that's the hardest question so far! I LOVE color and am always inspired by new color combinations. You can ask my mom, I always drove her crazy as a teen because I would come down ready for school in the funkiest colors I could find. Burnt orange defines my High School career. But right now, today.....I'm loving coral.

PARTY GOODIE/DECOR? Why your ruffles of course. I'm not even kidding.

**INSERT ME BLUSHING HERE** See gratuitous garland shot above**

SECRET SOURCE FOR PARTY GOODIES? Don't judge, but I get almost ALL my party goods from the local thrift store. I get this crazy rush from turning something old and not loved into something beautiful and cherished. The butterfly party was 98% thrifted (the linens, china, flowers, etc..).

SOURCES: See more of her party on her blog (and at an increasing number of major blogs on the web)

CAKE – RENE TAKES THE CAKE

RUFFLE GARLAND – HANK AND HUNT

LEMON CURD TARTS, BLUEBERRIE PIES, CUPCAKES, CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, MARSHMALLOWS, DIPPED COOKIES – CITY SWEETS

FAIRY COSTUMES – HALO HEAVEN

FLOWER HEADBANDS – THE LITTLE PEA

PHOTOGRAPHY - JON AND MELISSA SMITH

PRINTABLES AND STYLING - LOVE THE DAY

A big THANK YOU to Lindi for sharing her inspiration and shop with us!

And a GIANT Thank You from me personally for letting me be a part of such a beautiful party.

xo, Jenny