Made ~ Christmas Candy Basket

Here is a super cheap and super chic idea for Christmas.  I purchased an oval basket from Target's Dollar Spot.  The basket was covered in Christmas candy images.  I added some pleated ribbon I found at Hobby Lobby, some vintage lace and the bloom from a floral pick I got at Michael's for 50% off.  For under $2, here is a pretty basket to hold a small gift.

Made ~ Bunny Topiary

I participated in my first swap last year and was fortunate enough to be matched up with Sheri in Minnesota.  As part of the matching process, we were asked to list our three favorite magazines or catalogs.  Sheri listed Life Beautiful magazine as one of her favorites.  The 2010 spring edition featured a bunny topiary on the cover.  Without knowing it, I had pretty much all the supplies I needed on hand to recreate this topiary.


I had bought this cute moss-covered bunny at Pier 1 after Easter for a dollar and 25 cents (50 percent off the original price) last year.  I had purchased several galvanized buckets and containers at Target's Dollar Spot to start on my son's nursery to big boy room transformation.  And I had ribbon.  All I needed was a florist foam block and some sheet moss which I picked up at Dollar Tree. 

First, I cut my florist foam to fit inside the galvanized container.  Then I cut the sheet moss to fit the top of the galvanized container in order to cover the foam.  I hot glued the moss to the foam.  Then I inserted the wire stem on the bunny into the center of the moss-covered foam block.  The sheet moss wasn't cutting the mustard so I ran out to Hobby Lobby and purchased some faux grass from the Easter aisle at 50% off.  I hot glued the faux grass plugs to the sheet moss.  Next, I wrapped tied an aqua ribbon around the neck of the bunny.  How cute is that!  For under a Lincoln, I have a tres chic bunny topiary.  Now, that's my kind of decorating.

My First Petite Inspiration Box Swap

front view

side view

side view

back view

I participated in my first petite inspiration box swap at Speckled Egg.  The theme was "Paris" or anything vintage/Paris inspired.  I had so much fun creating the box with images from The Graphics Fairy, paper and ribbon from Hobby Lobby and some Mod Podge.  Now, I am hooked.  I've made three other boxes since then.  Mr. MMM probably thinks I've gone overboard.  Oh well!  The creative bug has been dormant for some time and is now awake.  Watch out!

Anyway, I was paired up with two lovely ladies who sent me some really great boxes in return.  Here are pics of their creations. 

From Little Messy Missy

From Cee Kay

You both did a fabulous job.  I can't wait to put your supplies to use.  Thanks, ladies!

Made - Spring Has Sprung and So Has My Creativity

Spring has definitely sprung here in the South.  Yellow pollen is EVERYWHERE.  Not that I'm complaining because I love this time of year because of God's beautiful works...flowers.  Here are some daffodils and Bradford pear blossoms I found in our neighborhood.

Usually with spring, I find myself rejuvenated and more creative.  Here is just a few of many projects I have been working on. 

Maid Marian Made Transformation #1:

I found these cute styrofoam eggs at the dollar store, Dollar Tree to be exact. 

And painted them with some robin's egg blue paint I had lying around. 

Then I flecked them with some chocolate brown paint.  After which, I hot glued them into some adorable birds nest I found at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 for a two nest package. 

This project came under five dollars for four nests.  Pretty cool!

Maid Marian Made Transformation #2 & #3:

Another project that I've completed recently is my new dining room table floral arrangement.  I spray painted an old tin bucket with American Accents Heirloom White. Then I added a bunch of silk peonies in varying shades of cream and pink.  I accented the bouquet with some pink and green berries.  Tres chic. 

The floral arrangement is accompanied by two sweet bird votives I picked up from the Dollar Tree.  They were originally brown.  I also painted them Heirloom White and then antiqued them with a chocolate antique glaze.  Aren't they adorable?

Maid Marian Made Transformation #4:
And last but not least, I baked some cupcakes for my son's Easter party at daycare.  I created these cupcake toppers with some artwork I found on the Internet.  I'm sorry I can't remember where I found them.  I think they were on Scribd.  Too ca-ute.  The cupcakes were delicious, if I don't say so myself.

 

Thrifty Thursday

This week's Thrifty Thursday find was these baskets at Pier 1 Imports for $7.48 each. They are very comparable to the Sabrina Baskets at Pottery Barn Kids ($18-35), don't you think? The baskets don't have the patterned liners like the PBK ones but I think I can make some.

Also, note that Hobby Lobby has select home decor items for 66% off this week. I wonder what I will find...Happy shopping!

Made - The littlest football fan

My son Asher will be turning one on Thanksgiving Day. Instead of competing with the holiday, we chose to have his 1st birthday party the Saturday before. Check out these cute invitations I picked out from Tiny Prints. They are so adorable!!! I am so in love with them.

To continue the football theme, I chose green, brown and white for the color scheme. I made a banner using a variety of cardstock and scrapbook paper (found at Hobby Lobby)including one that had the texture of a football (found at Michaels). I accented the banner with green grosgrain ribbon.

I purchased a cake from Publix that resembled a football field. I was so elated that the figurines had green and white jerseys. It was like I had them custom made for Asher's party! Talk about a theme coming together. Because it was Asher's first birthday, Publix threw in a smaller cake especially for him. I chose chocolate so it would show up better in the photos. The baker said I was only the third mom EVER at her bakery to order a chocolate cake for their child's birthday. Seriously?

For the menu, I chose typical game fare and a few other items...hot dogs, chips, buffalo chicken dip (instead of hot wings), spinach dip, veggie and fruit trays and brownies. The brownies were in the shape of footballs thanks to my new Wilton cupcake pan I got at Wal-Mart. I had white chocolate pecans and green and brown M&Ms. I also had a kiddie cookie tray filled with animal crackers, Nilla wafers and Goldfish.

On the gift table, I had blank cards waiting for party guests to fill out with coaching advice to the rookie Asher. Thanks to my friend KD for the inspiration.

I also created cute party favor bags filled with a small football, stickers, green and brown M&Ms and Teddy Bear Grahams. I attached a cute football tag that I created with cardstock and the football-textured paper.

Asher wore an adorable green jersey I ordered from simply colors. I love it! And it's something Asher can wear until he turns two. His "great" Aunt Brenda sent him a crown to wear on his special day. I think it's too cute!

Thanks to the nap he had prior to the party. Asher had a wonderful time with his friends and family. He didn't dive into his birthday cake as much as I thought but he did get messy enough for a costume change. His most favorite thing at the party was the balloons. Here's a photo of him about to give one a hug. Overall, I think the party was a success and I had a ball (no pun intended) planning it for the littlest football fan in my life. Happy Birthday my sweet Asher!

Read more: http://birdcrafts.blogspot.com/2010/04/party-link-party-and-sneaky-peek.html#ixzz0kHLdQLiX