This, I Celebrate

One my my all-time favorite ladies is Emily from Potter and Butler.  I find her truly inspirational and sweet to boot.  And her fledgling shop o'eyecandy, by the same name, has been all over since it's lovely little debut in October.  I am mildly obsessed with Emily, is it wierd I did a happy dance for her when I heard her Gracious Garlands are in the March issue of Brides?  So, when she asked if I wanted to sponsor a THIS, I CELEBRATE podcast, I said "Heck, yeah!" These podcasts are the words of wisdom, inspiration, and goodness straight from the lovely lips of party extroidinaires. Brilliant and entertaining. So, pop on over (here) and get an awesome discount code for any goodies in the shop and check out the goodie (above) I'm sending to this week's "Celebrator" (is that a word? maybe not, but they have a ton to celebrate) Cineca from Dreamin' N Details.

WIN a Etsy Wedding Treasury - yeah, the WHOLE thing...

www

I've had a busy week or so.  I got the first sets of goodies up in the shop, got a few more DIYs ready for Cyd over on The Sweetest Occasion and I was invited to join an Etsy Team called Etsy Wedding Divas, "the gurus of handcrafts of all things wedding." This is a team with a collection of the best in wedding creatives on Etsy.  I am hugely honored and excited to be working with some of the best handmade lovelies in the industry.  While I am still learning and meeting some of my cohorts, I HAD to tell you about this incredible giveaway they are doing this week, January 31st to February 4th.  Starting today, on Etsy Treasuries, if you go here, you can enter to win an ENTIRE Etsy Wedding Treastury from Etsy Wedding Divas.  Yep.  All of it.  AND it's awesome.   Gorgeous really. It's valued at $1200!! The best thing is that this is only the first of many to come.  So head on over and enter to win, 'cause who doesn't like free stuff? Especially... when it's fabulous!

DIY Braided Garland by Cupcakes and Cutlery

I begged Sharon, of Cupcakes and Cutlery, to give me the tutorial for the adorable little garlands she made me for my birthday.  As a girl that loves parties and plans every single one she can get her hands on, the best present EVER was getting one in the mail. Everything, right down to the snacks

AND balloons - the BIG ones.  **pictures of my party don't do these lovelies justice, taken by me in bad light**

How amazing is that?  I got a super cute birthday party and didn't have to do any of the work. Sharon is tops on my list. So, today I can't wait to share Sharon's super easy DIY garland with you. You are in for a treat, for certain the funniest girl I know. Take it away Sharon...

DIY BRAIDED GARLAND

You will need:

scissors and fabric



I created the fabric braided garland because I wanted Jenny to have cute walls for her birthday without having to sew her own. But, as I lack a working sewing machine, oh, and the skill to create the gorgeous, finished garlands a la Hank and Hunt, I did what I know. My style of crafts is a mix of cute, rough and a little undone. These garlands are stupid easy to make, I mean, it's really just braiding fabric. But in case you can't figure it out on your own, here is how to do it.

Cut your fabric in to 3 approximately equal lengths (try to keep the widths consistent as well, but only get out a ruler if you are planning on rapping someone on the knuckles with it).

Lay the strips on top of each other and tie them into a simple knot leaving a few inches of fabric at the end.

Find something heavy enough to tie it to (a chair rail or small child will work) and braid. I found that a lose braid showed the fabric better and also I was conscious of keeping the printed side showing out (this will make the garlands more colorful - using a solid color fabric? Braid it as haphazardly as you want!).

Braid the length of the fabric and tie off the other end, again leaving a little bit left at the end. Duh.

After I made them for Jenny's little bday in a box, I decided I was going to use them at my son's birthday party as well. I really enjoy the finished look and will probably make them for everything and people will start to tell me they are tired of seeing them and that I need to retire them. I also googled braided garland and found out that one of my fave looks by Ashley Meaders was actually made from braided garlands. Since I think she is an event design genius I geeked out that for a moment, I was on the same wavelength as her. But only for a minute and then I came crashing back to reality. Also check out these braided garlands on  Celebrate at Home by Kristi of Luna and Chloe. Hers are made with yarn and I love how those look too!

And Sharon is taunting me with this...she won't let me see ANY pictures of Mile's party. All we get is this cute little snapshot of the birthday boy.  How cute are those garlands up top?  I NEED more, Sharon!!! 

Thank you sweetie for sending us this little DIY.

xo,

j

Poster-ous of LOVE

Why just get a teeny little card for your lovey when they could look at an amazing declaration everyday.  A few new-ish classics and one with one of the my fave love quotes ever.  I truly love the pirate one from HANDZ, it's sure to put a smile on your face.

SOURCES: (clockwise from top left)
EEEBEE - THIS IS OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

FIELDTRIP - ORIGAMI TYPOGRAPHY POSTER

NICE - FOREVER BANNER


NICOLEGELINAS - FALLEN IN LOVE

HANDZ - PIRATE LOVE LETTERPRESS
SPARKLEPOWER - LA LA LOVE YOU
MINIMOOSHEE - LOVE IS SPOKEN HERE
DEARCOLLEEN - LOVING YOU

Monster Valentines Mini Post

Whilst cruising the aisles at Target...
I ran across this little pack that I snatched up for Henry's preschool party.  The art is by Chris Lench. It's the first batch of store bought v-day cards that have tickled my fancy...ever.

 I love that these double sided cuties don't have envelopes for two reasons...

A. little preschool hands
B. less garbage (I might live in a part of the country where they don't recycle)

SHOP UPDATE - NEW ADDITIONS

Hello! I hope your weekend was wonderful.  I was very productive with only a few set backs.  I might have killed a computer...ok, yeah. I killed it, so I have no new printables for the shop. I almost cried.  Ok, yeah. I did cry. The goodies to come are fabulous! I am tooting my own horn and I LOVE them.  I have an ikat pattern and a Missoni insired flame stitch pattern, as well as gingham, stripes (vertical, horizontal AND diagonal,) and they are all wonderful.  Sitting pretty on my d drive...that I can't get to right now...because I killed it.

But today is not lost...I just uploaded a bunch of the felt flags and toppers in the shop, complete with swanky new banner.  So, go have a look-see, enjoy and stay tuned because there are lots more to come...

**UPDATE** here's the link to the shop...

Does he love me...

I need this little number from RAGTRADER on Etsy. A vintage spinner.  I'd wear it everyday to help me make decisions. How endearing are the wear marks from spinning?  This necklace has been around the block.

The Sweetest Occasion

Hello, hello, hello.Oh boy...do I have some incredible news to share with you! That little surprise I eluded to yesterday, well...I've got a new column over on The Sweetest Occasion, which is one of the prettiest sites out there with wedding and party goodness.  I'm so excited over this I can hardly write.  So, if I say "excited" like 50 billion times...I really can't help it. Eek! Cyd, fab wedding/event blogger and just the sweetest ever, was accepting submissions for new columns and ideas and I applied. (I sent in the below DIY.)  You are looking at...the second new DIY contributing editor...moi. Woo Hoo. The fabulous part is...I will be working opposite another fabulous DIY lovely, Ms. Chelsea of Lovely Indeed, who not only is one amazing crafty chica, but is an actress touring the country.  So every week, you will find a new super awesome DIY on The Sweetest Occasion, one last week from Chelsea, and one this week from me...this is going to be fun!

and now...my first ever DIY, is the above little ruffled cupcake toppers, over on The Sweetest Occasion...go check it out right NOW! (pretty please)

I am so excited thankful/stoked/giddy/floored that I have this venue to share some of the DIY goodness I have been hoarding. My DIYs are simple and easy for today's modern bride and fete throwing vixen. I can't wait to share them with you. Thank you Cyd, for everything and this unbelievable opportunity! XOXO



World's Easiest Valentine's Cupcake Topper

Ok, so remember when I said I will fill you in on random mini diys?  Well, here is the most random and probably least effort-involved one yet.  I always buy those little jelly hearts that come out this time of year.  They are cherry flavored and sparkly from their yummy sugar coating.  So, while they were calling my name on the counter, I noticed my little jar of toothpicks right beside them...Let's make a cupcake topper...I'm so using this at the preschool party...

Directions:
Take jelly heart and stick a toothpick in it. Voila. 



**Note: be sure to hide said jelly hearts from your family if you want to get any on a cupcake. Ours did not survive long enough.  For your sake, I could have bought some more yesterday to illustrate this on a cupcake...but then we'd have eaten that whole box, too.  Sorry. 

So, I must admit.  Last week, I went to Michaels on the hunt for hot glue sticks.  I ended up with this little number by Martha. I know...no new supplies.  It has a pretty blue trigger...and it most likely not to throw sparks at me while using it.  An exaggeration, but my old one, which cost a total of $2.99 heats up pain-ful-ly s-l-o-w. I am fairly certain that  Martha's will be faster, not explode in electrical fireworks, and it heats two different kinds of glue.  Really? Please tell me I am not the only one who didn't know you were supposed to use different glues on different items.  I didn't even know there were different glues (aside from those monster glue sticks at the hardware store.)



I also splurged and got these for two bucks.  Aren't they cute? The little honeycomb toppers are from Wilton and come in red and pink.  Classic, vintagy, kitchy Valentine's. I just couldn't resist.  I also ended up with a few other items (oops) but that's a surprise and once you see it was a must have...you will understand.

Hello 2011

Did you miss me? I kinda escaped for the holidays a little early, I just read my last post and I totally led you on and then ran.  I am such a tease. It was fabulous to get a break, but I missed so much loveliness...and failed to share some goodies.  I'm sorry darlings! Ok, I'm really only a little bit sorry and loved the time off so much I will do it again this year...but I will be better prepared and leave some presents to tide you over to the new year. I have lots in store for this gorgeoous new year and I am super excited. So, I am a week behind on this but here we go with my goals and resolutions this year...

"THE LUCKIER I GET" BY LIL CO.

HANK + HUNT 2011 GOALS

~Get good photos taken. Find a fantastic photographer who will work for handmade party supplies.  (I heard you chuckle...) I know everyone says you can take pics with a point an shoot...yes, but no, no you can't. At least I can't.  Mama needs a DSLR, but I am also really close to accepting that my photography skills are not my strong suit. So, I need to find a photog in Reno/Tahoe area that is sweet, fabulous and cheap.  Or learn how to take a good pic myself...A girl can dream can't she?
~Mini DIYs...lots of them. They'll be totally random but I will share right away instead of hoarding them in my little notebook(s).  I am done saving stuff for later and never getting to most of them on the to do list...carpe diem!
~Ruffled Garland DIY...I'm gonna give you an easy peasy version AND my version...and give some hints as why mine are so much more fab than some of those other ones popping out...and yes...make the pricing more recession friendly on the ones I make (see...I listen)

~New adventures with Sharon, from Cupcakes and Cutlery. We're planning something wicked awesome...and it's gonna be fabulous. Trust me.
~Inspiration boards by moi. My shopping boards will continue into the new year, with the usual handmade sourcing, but I want to add some pretty pictures from parties, too.
~No new craft purchases.  Zero. Zilch. I have half of Michaels in that craft cave of mine and by heavens I'm gonna use 'em.  Note: thread, needles and hot glue are excluded from this and reminds me I only have two sticks of hot glue left. Uh-oh.
~No shopping, except some organizational stuff.  Yeah, I know, I just said no shopping, but seriously I have a fabulously teeny house and without reorganizing and new furniture I might not see the floor in some rooms.  No, not really,  and please don't get all scared and think I should be on hoarders or anything. Small house + good storage = sanity.
~Edit and clean out my picture files. Simple enough.  Yeah, I thought so, too.  I am such an awesome photographer I have tons of not so good photos. Why do I save them?  I. do. not. know. Hello, delete button...you are my new best friend.
~I will excersize at least five times a week. Period.  It's been too long and all of a sudden I'm thirty-something and old enough to know that there was a sitcom way back when about "old" people...and now I am one of them. So, to quote one of my favorite ladies, Laurel, from Go Against the Grain...#nomorefatass.  I'm gonna print it out on my label maker and slap it right on top of my elliptical.

Shop goodies + goals...

~We are adding PRINTIES...eek I'm so excited I can hardly keep quiet, my hubby is tired of listening to it. There will be PDFs and assembled options.  Flags, activity sheets like mazes and coloring pages, tshirt transfers and more!
~Can you say screenprinted?  I can.  Mucho excited.
~I am obsessed with garland...you should know this by now...and I make tons, just for the heck of it.  Paper, fabric, felt...I am going to start listing these little one-offs for your party pleasure.
~Packages, full-tilt.  Stay tuned for more...

So there it is.  My goals (minus a few top secret ones and those mushy ones you don't wanna read anyhoo).

Much love and luck in the new year ahead! I look forward to sharing it with you!