More {FREE} Party Printables!

Oh what a bright, breezy, summer morning here at the Jersey Shore!  I wake up to find that The TomKat Studio, an event planning and decorating blog by the incredibly talented Kim Stoegbauer, has created an entire page of free printables!  Talking about breezy, Kim's designs are creative and classic, they make putting together your party a breeze! Oh happy day!

I'm Back!

Well, you know how it is.  As a teacher, the month of June is just crazy.  There is so much to do and very little time to do it in.  Now that school's out for summer, hee hee, let the celebrations begin!  Here is  a simple and fun tablescape from Better Homes and Gardens. Follow the link and see all the great Fourth of July ideas, everything from kids crafts to great recipes!

Wowzzer! 80 plus ideas for fun with the kids this summer!

What a great blog post!  I thought only fitting to add a picture of my little darlings having some summer fun! Thanks to this inspiring mom of five boys {yes, 5 boys}, this is an awesome list of summer fun!  The list includes everything from homemade ice cream, building kites, to creating tub paint!  All for for FREE or VERY little money!  Crystal & Co. has included tutorials, pictures and free downloads!  Hop on over to her blog and let the games begin!

Who Let the Dogs Out!

I don't know what I am more excited about, this adorable WOOF inspired party theme complete with puppy chow cake {aka cocoa puffs}, or the fact that I found a blog filled with party ideas for little boys!  Woohoo!  With the plethera of girl party ideas out there on the web, it is great to see a blog like  Spaceships and Laserbeams who's focus is on our little men! We all know the old cliche "Mothers of sons work from son up till son down!".  Check out the great party themes!

Beautiful Spring Floral Tablescape!

The uber talented Kim Stoegbauer at TomKat Studios has done it again!  I woke this morning to her beautiful party post and the link to a new fantastic blog Banner Boutique!  This tablescape was designed for a birthday party, HOWEVER, how pretty would it be in your home for Easter!  The kids will love it and the adults will see YOU are uber talented! Love, Love, Love springtime!

{Free} St. Patrick's Day Printables

Let's leap like a leprechaun over to Piggy Bank Parties for some free adorable St. Pattie's day printables! View the whole collection for some great GREEN inspiration!

I've got spring fever....

.....from these gorgeous collages put together by Allora Handmade!  Pantone's color of the year is "hotter then now" honeysuckle!  Use it anywhere in your home, from a simple bouquet of flowers to some throw pillows in that drab room you've been dying to re-do!  As you can see, honeysuckle will go with blues, greens, yellows, just about anything!

Oolala, honeysuckle!  

Life's a Circus, Why Not Celebrate It!

If your little one has a birthday coming up, this Circus Party Theme by One Charming Party is just perfect and so easy to put together!  Great for a boy or a girl and let's face it, life with kids is a true circus!  

A Little Monster Lovin'

This one is for all you room moms out there looking for an easy and cute Valentine's Day party theme!  The Purple Pug put this together eith such simple supplies!  All the directions are on The Purple Pug blog. Follow the link and check it out!

Love is a simple roll of the dice....

This is an absolutely adorable Valentine's Day idea for that special someone in your life.  So simple, follow this link for the free download and directions from Shabby Chic Crafts!  I'm going to modify these and make them for my kids!  I {heart} this crafty design!

My latest read! It won't disappoint!

I read this oh so fun fiction in two days!  Gotta love SNOW!  It takes place on the road with a traveling circus in the 1930's.  I normally would have never picked it BUT, I wanted to the read the book before seeing the movie starring Robert Pattison and Reese Witherspoon that's coming out soon.  Yes ladies, Robert Pattison (aka Team Edward)!  What a pleasant surprise! Water For Elephants was FANTASTIC!

OMG!!! I {heart} Young House Love!

OK, so I know many of you are going to laugh at the rock that I have been living under, BUT, I just discovered Young House Love!  This is a blog about the cutest couple in the world and their trials and tribulations of redoing their home DIY style!  The awesome part is, they are totally inspired.  Their designs are amazing!  The website has soooo much information from colors, to where to buy, to DIY tips that I was almost combusting right here on my computer looking through everything!  Here is a little taste:

This is a photo taken of a home Young House Love "crashed"!  You have to see the others!  All of you like me sitting at home this week thinking, what am I gonna do this year?  Young House Love will definitely provide you with a plethera of inspiration!  I'm going to go email them right now to let them know they are my crush of 2011!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Sweet Snowflake Birthday Inspiration by The Tomkat Studio!  This party is so cute I had to post two pics!

With all this snow hitting us here in the northeast who wouldn't be inspired by these adorable red and blue snowflakes!  Your little cupcake will just flip for this party, so tell her friends to put on their snowshoes and come on over!

{Free} Printable Reindeer Snack Tags

Leave it to my favorite crafting gurus at The Tomkat Studio to think of all those last minute details!  Here is a super simple DIY that all the good boys and girls will just love! Don't forget, reindeers need snacks too!

A Charlie Brown Christmas Party Theme!

I love, love, love this party theme by Oink, The Blog of Piggybank Parties!  Who doesn't remember being a kid, sitting in front of the television and loving when that Charlie Brown piano theme started!  Or maybe the memory of that first apartment when your Christmas tree definitely resembled the one pictured above!  Whatever the memory, this party will surely create a sense of childhood delight!

FA, LA, LALALA Kids Cupcakes!

These adorable little penguin cupcakes gave me an instant chuckle!  If you have a lot of kids at your house this Christmas you should take a look at The Hostess With The Mostess!  This kid-friendly themed dessert table is sure to hit their sweet tooth and make them smile!  I love all the bright colors as well!  How's that for Christmas cheer!

Blue Bombshell Table Decor

I am totally in LOVE with {blue} this holiday season, is it the reminder of snow, the fact that my dining room is blue, or that blue is as serene as calm waters!  Whatever the attraction, this is amazing and easy to put together.  Blue ribbon and some blue ornaments is all you really need!  I bet the rest you can find in your linen closet!  You too can have a Joyeux Noel Christmas theme!

Thanks to the Frog Prince Paperie for such inspiration!

Hard-to-believe Home Made Tote Bags

How great are these tote bags!  I came across the instructions to make this wonderful home-made tote bag and could not believe how simple it is!  Thank you Martha Stewart for your continued ingenuity! 

 I included a link in My Favorites for the iron on transfer paper.

Sleek silhouettes turn a modest bag into an artful accessory. 

1. Scan copyright-free clip art from books or download it online or from a CD. Buy iron-on transfer paper for your tote; choose paper for light cotton fabrics and for dark cotton fabrics, depending on your project. 

2. Print the images on transfer paper, following the manufacturer's instructions, and cut them out. Cut around the images cleanly (use a craft knife, for precision); avoid making jagged edges.

3. Arrange the images on the bag, face up, for a preview (keep in mind this is a mirror image of the final design). When you're ready to iron, place the images face down. Press on top of images, starting at the edges of each one and using even pressure so that the image doesn't slide; do not move the iron back and forth, or image will blur or pucker. 

4. When iron-ons have cooled, remove the backing paper. Replace the bag's handles with equal lengths of colorful twill tape or cover them with ribbon, if desired.

This project appeared in "Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts."


Read more at Marthastewart.com: Tote Bags with Iron-On Silhouettes - Martha Stewart Crafts 

Glam, Glam, Glam!

This stunning tablescape designed by Celebrations at Home is all about Holiday Glamour!  If you like to do-it-up in a BIG way, then this is for you!  Go to The Celebrations at Home blog to see more fantastic pictures and recipes!  Your guests will surely get a glimmer in their eye when they see the sparkle from this dessert table!

Precious FAMILY RULES picture and frame!

This precious picture and frame will make the perfect gift for your sister or best friend!  Any mom knows these words are the key to a happy household!  Thank you to the Sassy Sanctuary for this beautiful gift idea!