{notions and notes} mother's day card discount

From now until April 19th, all Mother’s Day Greeting Cards from Tiny Prints will be $.99 cents and you can also sign up for a Free Greeting Card Membership, giving you three FREE cards to use right away, as well as discounts on future cards.  Use the code AFFMDAY at checkout for the $.99 cent cards!

This is the card that we just picked out for Grant's mom:

Enjoy!


Amanda

{party envy} goldilocks and the three bears birthday party

I have had this breathtaking party starred in my Google Reader for far too long!!!!

The design concept behind the party by Paula @ Frog Prince Paperie was to make it feel & look like being at the bear family's house. You were a guest celebrating baby bear's birthday.
As Goldilocks would say, "This party is just right"



The dessert table definitely keeps up with the “bear” theme, everything is bear shaped or related to something that Goldilocks or a bear would eat.

Crates, trays and tiny dollhouse chairs displayed "bear-tastic" desserts: baked porridge topped with maple frosting and cinnamon, marzipan acorns, honey cupcakes, chocolate covered bear pops, bear sugar cookies, and all natural lollipops. Paula has graciously supplied the recipes for many of her sweets featured at the party.



Here's a close up of one of my favorite desserts at the party, marzipan acorns.

Look at that presentation!?!
Loving those mini chairs - it is hard to not love something when it's itty-bitty!


Perfect place to dine? A bed of course!

A twin, four-poster bed from Craigslist was converted to the perfect kid-sized table with a little paint and plywood. Ribbon and tulle was tied to the back of each chair with little bears that had each kid's names on them. A "sheet" tablecloth and wooden bears from goodwill dressed up the table even more.



Each guest had their own boxed lunch with a strong warning for Goldilocks to leave the lunches alone! Pre-packed lunches makes meal/snack time a breeze....




Paula made "3 bears" themed art as decor for the party. Chairs, porridge, bear silhouettes, and of course you can't forget Goldilocks made the perfect subject matter for this party!



What's a party now-a-days with out a photo booth?!?

Photo props included: papa bear’s bowler hat and big floppy tie, bear ears, mama bear’s apron, and a chalkboard to write sweet notes to the birthday boy. This was a great activity for kids and grown ups!



Of course you can't forget the parents! The last little detail of decor outside was “Just Right” for mama bears and papa bears.

Bear labeled beer & wine fit in with the scheme perfectly - if I do say so myself!
This post is just a sample of all the "beary good" inspiration and tons of visual yummy-ness found at this party. Take a look at posts I, II, III, IV, and V for more deets and resources.

Enjoy! (I sure did)

Amanda

{FREEday} it's beginning to look a lot like easter....

Erin @ Crafts & Sutch has made a printable to lift your spirits! Also available in aqua.



Jillian @ Catch My Party featured these oh-so-cute Easter printables by Karen & Allison @ Peace Love Cupcakes. Don't they just scream darling?!? I'm a sucker for polka dots....




This subway art makes me happy! Wee Share has a great round up of FREE Easter printable subwart art on her site, and it is definitely worth a look ...or even two ;)




The ladies @ Anders Ruff never fail to create such amazing printables. Their full Easter set is 50% off (Now $10) until April 15th.

They have so graciously shared this free printable to add some holiday pizazz to your Hershey Kisses.

Staying with a taste of chocolate, these toppers are darling!

I love how Beth @ It is What It Is used them to make flowers in pots, ingenious!!!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} do you decor? great home decor tutorials!

This is such a great idea! If you are a lover of giving personalized gifts, this is too perfect!

Tracy @ Tracy's Trinkets & Treasures made this personalized pillow for a birthday gift and I think it hit the spot. This is definitely going on the idea board as a gift for my mom!




Mandi @ Save It For a Rainy Day made this map grid wall art for her son's bedroom.
I don't know about you but I am in LOVE with maps as of late.

Would it be strange to have a house full of map related art?!?
Ps- Love the title of the post. Great reference to Dora ;)




I found this featured in my Twitter Feed and marked it as a "favorite" right away! Gorgeous lamp that is easy to make with the tutorial by Autumn @ Design Dump.

Her blog also struck my fancy! There are so many BEAUTIFUL projects that she has done around her house. I also enjoyed reading about her projects in Interior Design school.

*If you want to follow me on Twitter my ID is AmandaDesign

***This is where I get sappy. Her wonderful projects from over 10 years ago made me sad because that is what my degree is in and I am currently not working in my field, instead I have an office job to pay back those loans for that degree. Needless to say, I was sad the other day....***




Who would have ever thought that these dragonflies are made out of table legs?!? Such an innovative use of wood turnery & fan blades! Lucy @ Lucy Designs, great job!



I am a sucker for anything that is "monogram". If I see a letter "A", I feel compelled to buy it!

I am digging this moss ampersand (such a funny word...). I definitely could use this on the fab bookshelves that I am working on right now. Thank you Chelsea @ Two Twenty One for the tutorial!



I also found this beauty in my Twitter Feed (ID: AmandaDesign) and was in love! I believe that this pillow looks way better than the original from Target.

The tutorial by Shelley @ Crazy Wonderful gives great pictures and step-by-step instructions on how to make this pretty pillow!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{instant love} that's a hot 'stache ma'am!

Get your 'stache before the stash runs out at Groop Dealz!

First thing I did today was buy this fabulous necklace by Ashley @ Little Miss Momma!
It's a steal at only $9 from GroopDealz.com

Don't wait and miss out!

Amanda

{fab finds} diy party and decor bits!

These are some goodies that I have had saved to share & today is the perfect day to do so!

Can I say gorgeous?

Amy @ Modge Podge Rocks truly outdid herself with this gift tag tutorial.

Silhouettes are so hot right now, and what a better way to identify what gift is yours! It also an add on keepsake :)

Need quick centerpieces?!? I am loving these kissing balls & all the different ways Alison @ Momma Did It made them.

Here's a great tutorial by Jenn @ Green Door Designs on how to make a thrift store pedestal bowl. I seriously need to get on this Thrift Store Train!

Enjoy!

Amanda

*PS* If you have had problems with your editing in posts. Go to the settings in your dashboard and choose to update your post editor. It stopped all the strange spacing issues that I was having the other day. Thought I would pass on the tip!

{fab finds} spring into easter - projects!

I am pretty sure that there will be a TON more projects that I will be crushing on for the Spring, but here a few of the ones that I have adored so far! Those gorgeous ruffles are made out of kraft paper! It reminds me a lot of the coffee filter and book paper wreaths. I especially like that this wreath could easily be used year round with a quick change of the accessories. Debbie @ Happy Clippings offers a great tutorial on this project. Burlap & birds...What more could a girl ask for?!? This fabulous & fun banner is made by Holly @ 504 Main Jen @ Tatertots and Jello made this FANTASTIC chevron pennant banner using her Silhouette SD & the new fabric interfacing... Loving that pattern & color combo!

I have a ton more things that I am in love with but I have been fighting with the formatting of this post for days, and I'm just going to post and start another one!

Enjoy!

Amanda