{fab finds} xoxo

Don't you remember these "cootie catchers" from your childhood? Bianca @ The Pretty Blog has tutorial to make a Valentine's Day one!

Love the "Kiss Me and Carry On" card. Such a hot trend :) Kellie @ 74 Lime Lane made these fun cards to share.

Kathleen @ Twig & Thistle never disappoints! Here are great DIY V-Day treat bags for those baked goodies that you made to share :)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} be mine, valentine!

I found this great inspiration via Ucreate Parties! Wants and Wishes not only has 14 FREE printables, but also a gift ideas for 14 days of valentines. These can be given to your sweetheart or to just show someone that they are loved! Love this idea. Head on over and get your printables!

Need a treat for your sweet? Jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas created this perfect "UDAMAN" chocolate bar wrapper printable for the man in your life!

A perfect gift for your girlfriends! Mique @ Thirty Handmade Days created a whole sheet of this printable to make & share!

Gorgeous, right?!? I found these in my twitter feed the other day, and have refused to read any more tweets until I posted about these! If you have some baked goodies to share or perhaps some homemade ice cream, these printables by Whipperberry are perfect! I love how they are added to cartons. This makes me want to raid my local restaurant supply store :)

All those fabulous treats can be so tempting especially when you are trying to stick to a diet! Here's a great way to give a healthy valentine to all your work out buddies or stick on your desk at work! Twig & Thistle made these printables for oranges, apples, bananas, and pears.

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} linky party love

Just realized that this never posted! Well, this is my favorites from last week's linky party :)

This week's round up of favorites from Tatertots & Jello's Linky Party:

Yes, I have secretly always wanted to know how to make these stars. They seem so complicated, but the tutorial by Lyndee @ A Recovering Craft Hoarder breaks it down for you!

I never would have thought of using burner covers! Such a chic & cheap craft to make. Read the full tutorial over at Madigan Made.

How cool is this beach wood peace sign?!? Love it. Thanks Ashley@ Little Miss Momma for the tutorial!

Michael @ Inspired By Charm does it again! Such good taste :) I love embroidery hoops & such a great selection of fabric!


Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} zebra, seashore, and glitter--oh my!

I love linky parties. They are such great resources for finding new blogs & projects to try! Here are some of my favorite's from Someday Crafts:

I am UBER impressed! Zebra stripes are a LOT harder to do than people think & Liz @ Bon Temps Beignet simplified it wAay down for us simple folk ;) Hats off to you ma'am on your lamp makeover!

I personally think that this idea for a seashore birthday is INGENIOUS! Using crepe streamers, mini silver cupcake liners were flattened out to represent bubbles! How adorable?!? Macey @ Olivia Renn, thanks for the inspiration!

My 16 year old sister is, and I quote, "obsessed with all things that glitter and sparkle." I wonder if she would rock a bow headband? Taylor @ MaryJanes and Galoshes has a tutorial to make all your glitter dreams come true!

Check out the Whatever Goes Wednesday Party at Someday Crafts for TONS of more great ideas!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} are you ready for some football?

The superbowl is coming up and it's time to get the man cave den party ready!

Beth @ It Is What It Is has created this "touchdown" of a FREE printable! She even shows 4 different ways on how to use this 1 printable.

First of all, too cute tablescaping!!! Amanda @ It's Always A Party At The Parkers is a fabulous designer for Shindig Parties To Go. This customizable party pack is available for sale in her etsy shop. Auburn colors ;) not your style? These can be made in any 2 color combo and personalized for your child or the BIG GAME DAY! Want party packs already personalized with your Superbowl team? Wish granted! Check out the Packers & Steelers versions below:

This FREE printable party pack was designed by Megan @ Megpies and tablescaped by Sandra @ The White Library (who has an AMAZING blog--btw!). What an out-of-the-box (no pun intended!)way to serve mac-n-cheese! Thanks Amy @ Living Locurto for featuring this party pack for me to find ;)

{inspiration} new york glitz inspiration board

I recently created a series of inspiration boards for an upcoming Sweet 16 party for my co-worker Adrienne's daughter. We decided on a "New York" theme since she is currently in love with New York and is about to redecorate her room in that very same theme. Starting my inspiration hunt, I tried to look for NYC inspiration boards as a launching point: no luck! Hopefully these boards will make it around blogland enough to offer some quick inspiration for other party planners and brides!

Cityscape {source?}, Black & White centerpiece {HWTM}, Red floral centerpiece {Catch My Party}, White pendant {Aunt Peaches}, Street Signs {Innovative Party Planners}, Apple centerpiece {}, Sparklers {HWTM}, Red pomander {HWTM}, Taxi Cab place card holders {Weddingbee}, Subway Art {Flying Junction}, Feather Tree {HWTM}

The common colors/prints to re-occur throughout the party are: black, white, red, and damask. I really wanted to incorporate classic New York City life touches to the party's overall theme. The skyline could be created and be a backdrop to the tables or for all over the walls surrounding the dance floor. The dance floor is going to have those great, vintage round lights hung from the ceiling. With the skyline, a rooftop party in downtown NYC would be the vibe. Feather trees and gem drops to add to the "glitz" part of the party--after all it is for a Sweet 16! Who doesn't think of Taxis when they think of New York? Directional signage and place card holders are perfect ways to add them to the mix. I also wanted to incorporate (red)apples and subway art. Filling glass cylinders is just one way to add apples to the decor.



Fruit Display {Kara's Party Ideas}, Glamour Tablescape {Celebrations At Home}, Empire State Candleholder {Shindigz}, Ribbon Backdrop {Icing Designs}, B/W Tablescape {Kara's Party Ideas}, Apples {All Things Nellis}, Damask tablescape {Kara's Party Ideas}, Glittered Letters {HWTM}, Twine Balls {Weddingbee}, Red & Silver Tablescape {HWTM}

This decor inspiration page relates more to the party's tablescapes. Love how the cherries are displayed on individual stands. This could be used for plenty other "clusters" of food to make into single serve portions. 2 GREAT dessert tables are featured: bling and damask. I really fancy the idea of using a glam, beaded curtain to add some bling to a black backdrop. I also loved the feathers and damask tablecloth. I actually found a 4 1/2' wire Empire State building at Hobby Lobby that Adrienne purchased. That will definitely make a statement! I think little photo op or sitting area vignettes could have that adorable ribbon backdrop. The images could be shots of NY. Twine balls are inexpensive crafts that could be great space fillers and could create drama when used the right way. I had Adrienne purchase ornaments in silver and black at the end of the season for mega cheap to use a vase fillers at the party as well. For some more glitz, sparkly letters could spell out: 16, NYC, her daughter's name... A way to add height to tablescaping is the use of boxes. Wrap them in a shimmery and glittery fabric/paper. Apples are also another idea for placecards.

Cupcake Tower {Pink Cake Box}, Damask Cake {Source?}, Lollipop Tree {Kara's Party Ideas}, Marshmallow Pops {Source?}, Number Suckers {Kara's Party Ideas}, Printed Oreos {Sweeties By Kim}, B/W Cookies {Slash/Food}, Water Bottle Wraps {Sweet Sanity}, Cheesecake {The Review Lady}, Brownie Meringue Bites {HWTM}, NYC Cookies {Art Journaler}, Gum {Anders Ruff}

A candy/dessert buffet is going to be a part of the upcoming party. This board features different proposed candy and dessert options past standard, colored candy. The first two pictures are for different cake inspiration ideas. I really like the 3D cityscape on the top tier. Black and white cookies as well as cheesecake are traditional NYC desserts and would compliment the table very well. A way to jazz up regular, classic candy/desserts: wrap regular gum packs in patterned paper to match the theme, dip marshmallows in chocolate and put on a paper straw, custom printed oreos, buy chocolate sucker molds and make your initial suckers, and take delicious brownie bites and make a little more special with a premade meringue added to the top with a bit of frosting. The water bottle wraps are available on etsy and they have different cityscapes from around the US which can be customized to the specific event. How perfect?!?

I hope that party inspiraton is found from the boards that I assembled. Happy planning!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} little bits of love

Theme this week: Valentine's Day! Great FREE bits to help you prepare for the upcoming lovey-dovey month:

Jill @Paper Box Press is offering some adorable FREE printable Valentine's Day Cards. You can download and print as many as you want for free, or have them customized for only $6. Becca @Birthday Girl featured these great cards! Go get them and share them with all your loved ones :)

The Valentine triplets featured above are all from the very talented Amy @Living Locurto. The first is a candy box wrap to make your conversation hearts a iphone! How perfect are these? My boyfriend is always picking on me about my iphone--maybe I should use these for him so he can get over his iphone envy and have his own ;). The second is also featured with the wraps. A background for your iphone. I am definitely downloading this one! Last but not least, Amy is offering her GORGEOUS valentine printable pack for FREE for a limited time to her Facebook Fans! If you are not a follower of Amy, here's a great incentive to become one now!

These printable treat toppers and sign by Kim @ It's a Crafty Life are a hoot! I am a new follower of her blog and love it already. Go check it out!

A Little Lovely made these fun vday candy wrappers and tag printables. She shared them over at UCREATE. Check out that great blog as well!

*As a Scribd reminder, you need to make a free account to download the printables. Also, follow A Little Lovely on there as well!

I have so many great printables to share with y'all. I don't want to have goody overload--so i'll save some for next week! Have a safe and happy weekend.

Enjoy!

Amanda

{instant love} travel map

Beware of Pinterest. May cause immediate addiction! OH MY! I just activated my account and I am already an addict. It is like all the great things out in the blog world combined with etsy items and created an Utopia! bliss****

This is one of the first items that I "pinned" on Pinterest:

Gorgeous, right?!? The tutorial can be found over at Life Blessons

Enjoy!

Amanda

{creative} "owl my thanks" card

I strolled through my blog posts and realize that I had never shared a card that I created for my friend Krissy! She is so amazing and helps with all my photoshop needs--I just wanted to show her my appreciation.

I chose an "owl" theme because 1. they are so in vogue right now! and 2. I always joke with her about her owl obsession--she doesn't really have one but every time I see owls I think of her :)

You may notice an envelope in the first pictures and the final pictures have a band. I made an envelope, and it ended up being too tight to get it off/on easily. I ended up just creating a band out of some odds and ends of paper, chipboard letters, and buttons.

The card design was inspired by a card in one of my many card books. I really just took the main element of using a circle and went from there. If I get around to scanning the image, I will show you my inspiration :) I hand made my little owl. I gave him heart feet because I thought they were a sweet touch. I am an what-do-I-have-lying-around scrapbook kind of gal. I find something that I really like, and root through my tons of paper and goodies and find things that semi-match. I did use a lot of elements of a K & Company die cut pack that I got on clearance at Michael's one day--that I absolutely love! It is full of vintage ephemera knick knacks that are just so fun. I was really excited that ribbon that I found that matched the card actually said appreciation on it--too perfect!

Enjoy!

Amanda

Linking Up To:

{fab finds} color me happy

Happy Happy by Farouche

While digging through my emails, I came across this gem in my daily etsy email. I instantly fell in love with it! Yes, I know it is already sold, but I can still enjoy the eye candy :)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} my weekend faves

These are my favorites link ups from Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party. So much inspiration out there this week!

Can we say hello gorgeous?!? This beauty is created by Michael @ Inspired By Charm. Please check out his blog for other AMAZING works and finds!

Great printable from Kristin @ Betty Crocker Wannabe. It has 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) in the background, and the word LOVE in a transparent red on top.

I have such a fond love for teacups especially after making the teacup lamp for my mom for Christmas (I promise I will post pictures one day!). Such a cute craft that definitely adds more character than a standard hook! Great job Nicole @ Home for Hire!

Such a romantic wreath! This same concept using doilies could be used year round in a little girls, shabby chic, or a victorian themed room. Thanks Madigan @Madigan Made for the great tutorial!

Isn't this such a great piece of contemporary, non-subjective art? Would you believe paint chips & scrapbook paper made this? Love it :) Leslie @ Five Seconds From Crazy gives some great tips on how to recreate this art & mistakes to avoid!!! (BTW--Love your blog name)

I recently did some of the blog-land famous subway art, pics/tutorial coming soon! I am loving a chalk take on the subway art concept. Creative Little Daisy, thanks for the tutorial! Oh, in response to your post--I will be pinning soon! I just got my confirmation in an email a few days ago :)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} office birthday party

I found a to-die-for party featured on Hostess with the Mostess during my Google Reader Marathon a few weekends ago (Being out of town--definitely backs up my blog reading! Don't worry I have it down from over 1,000 to around 500 lol).

Isn't he adorable? This is just a glimpse of the fabulous party details. Jessica from Modern Moments Designs created this "Office Party” theme to celebrate her son Emerson's first birthday. I am going to post images from the party and point out some of my favorite elements. I encourage you to go her blog and get all of the eye candy and juicy details! The next pictures feature all of the invite's SUPERB bits!

Do you see that invitation? She made a "book jacket" and fabric bunting on the actual invite! I know that the party is over, but I would love to just even have an invitation!!!

First of all, I am going to comment on the red & aqua theme--I have such a *crush on this color combination! Polka dots= cute & retro. Glass milk bottles are so hot right now---All I need to do is become best friends with someone in Australia to get me the hook up! Love Jessica's tablescaping and great job on jazzing up store bought goodies!






Hello take home boxes and bags.... I really like how the thank you muslin bags are custom screenprinted for each guest and the libray card accents on the polka dot boxes :)

Since we all love tutorials, check out Jessica's blog for a tutorial on these wooden cupcake stands:

Enjoy!

Amanda