{fab finds} decor and party fever

Here a few of the goodies that I found while looking at all the fun linky parties out there:



This is a great idea for a standard year-round birthday wreath to put up at home or in a classroom. The name & age could easily be changed out. Thanks to Jennifer @ Momma D and Da Boyz for this eazy & affordable wreath tutorial!




Why pay an arm & a leg for paper flowers from the scrabook section of the craft store, when you can make these?!? Aubree @ Yellow Blackbird shared her take on this craft. Check it out!





I pinned these kitchen utensil holders a while back on one of my boards on *pinterest* and never shared them here! Amanda @ Crafts by Amanda : 1. Great tutorial! 2. Great name ;)




Hats off! to Susan @ Living with Punks for her knock off Land of Nod cushion tutorial! They look absolutely perfect and the tutorial makes it even seem possible for a sewing novice like me! Now....I wonder if I can make a big kid version of one of these....

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} back to school birthday bash

Sorry I have been so AWOL! I have been incredibly busy this past week with work, and getting ready to go to our market in Orlando, FL next week which will be followed by a *much deserved* tiny vacay to Walt Disney World!

I am uber excited I have never been to Disney World and I am looking forward to fufilling a childhood dream. Teacups, here I come!!!



Anywho....I have found a darling birthday party on the ever-so-fabulous-&-talented Amy Atlas' blog. Leoni @ Just Call Me Martha created this party for her daughter's 4th birthday. I am beginning to think that Australia is PACKED FULL of talented people. I always spot great parties and ideas from down under....

Look at that tablescaping!!! Clean with great details. I really like that all the surfaces are essentially one giant chalk board. GREAT idea to use flash cards as a banner, fits the theme perfectly!

Using books as stands, writing in chalk, using pencils in place of popsicle sticks in the candy apples = love. PS - All of the items are edible. Those crayons on the far right? Yep, those too...Leoni has a tutorial showing you how to make them.

Custom hats & napkins as well as library bags which are hanging on the back of the seats. They each contain a book about apples, perfect touches!

What's a party without goody bags?!? Edible crayons are my favorite take-home-goodie from this party.


Great job Leoni! You have created a fantastic birthday party that is easily transitional into a party for back-2-school, teacher's appreciation, or even a college graduation (education major of course!)

Enjoy!

Amanda

PS ***Happy Birthday to My Wonderful Mother :)

{notions and notes} what a wonder of a woman

This post has nothing to do with anything crafty, DIY, or party related. It's just my thoughts...That is what a blog is for, right?!? I was super excited to receive this in my mailbox yesterday:

Wonder Woman is a HUGE favorite of mine. Do i need to dig the WW Barbie out of storage? Just Kidding! Who else is a favorite of mine? MAC Cosmetics! That is basically what my makeup bag consists of is all MAC goodies. With names like "Spirit of Truth" and "Army of Amazons", the new Spring 2011 collection really captures the "spirit" and colors of Wonder Woman.

Interested in checking it out? MAC Cosmetics is the place to go! I personally am digging the "Defiance" eyeshadow collection.

That is all ;)

Amanda

{party envy} airplane party

I stumbled upon this adorable party by Laura @ little frills on Hip Hip Hooray & it immediately went on my to-be-featured list. Reasons why:

1. Features a great color scheme combo: aqua & red (instant love right there!)

2. Great theme for a little boy & perfect for where they live (St. Louis)

3. ATTENTION TO DETAIL...superb!

Hello! ADORABLE boarding pass invitation. Look at the stamp as well! Perfect :)

Every guest recieved a custom passport & every time they completed an activity ( ie- eating cake) they received a stamp!

This feature possibly tops the ADORABLE invitations. The suitcase favor boxes filled with treats. What a great touch! *Suitcases available at Kate's Paperie

A first class party :)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} little bit of this...little bit of that

These are some of my favorites from Tatertots & Jello's Weekend Wrap Up:

Megan @ Fowl Single File has these darling sea creature sucker/pencil topper tutorials.

Love a good pedestal bowl? Dream & drool over them in pottery barn magazines? Kristi @ The Speckled Dog has just the tutorial for you! She gives great tips on pieces to select to make your pedestal dreams come true! ps-There is also a great heart pedestal featured on her blog as well!

Don't you just LOVE bunting? I want to make a cake just so I can put this pretty topper in it! Thanks to Jenny @ Embellishing Life for this beauty.

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} it's just a little crush....

Got to love Twitter. I truly believe it is my saving grace while I'm *patiently waiting in bumper-to-bumper traffic at rush hour. I scroll through all the great tweets and find things I want to share!

Here are few FREEBIES that I am crushing on lately:

Have design software? If yes, than you can make these custom Valentine's day cards! eighteen25 girls are the beauty & brains behind these cuties. There is also a fun tutorial on how to use these cards.

"Love You Forever" is such a classic children's story that everyone has shed a sweet tear over. Tammy & Annie @ Peppermint Plum have made a Valentine version of it! Click here and don't forget to share the comment love.

Anders ruff never ceases to amaze with their impeccable designs! These Valentine's day cards are FREE and in celebrations of their 1st birthday!

Quick, cute, easy, & fabulous gift idea! Kalleen @ At Second Street shared her printable & tutorial with Jen @ Tatertots & Jello.

Enjoy!

Amanda