{martha monday} centerpiece ideas

Have I been lazy lately? Why yes I have.... Sorry to all! Now on to Martha Monday!

Do you remember these?!? I remember doing these in kindergarden. My thumbs would hurt from putting all the cloves in. Needless to say mine didn't look as chic!

Aren't these darling?!? I found these a few weeks ago & have loved them everytime I see them! It's so simple to make, but such a cute touch! Find the details here!

I definitely could make this work for my theme. I would probably would use a glitter (gulp) sage leaf instead of evergreen, but I do like the twigs!

Don't you see these feather trees everywhere?!? Thank you Martha for providing a tutorial! An easy and inexpensive way to create them. Take that pier one! ;)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{instant love} advent calendar adventure!

I know it its too late to do an advent calendar, but this is the one I want to create for next year. Geez, I feel as if I should start searching out things for Valentine's day so I have to time to craft! Anywho... I found an advent calendar that I absolutely LOVE, and I tried to re-find it. It was definitely a quest--let me tell ya! My blog reading hops from blog-to-blog so much I should leave behind breadcrumbs to find my way back! How can I help it?!? There is so much INSPIRATION out there! My only regret is that it took me this long in life to discover just some of it!


I turned to my top 2 blogs that post all kinds of crafty goodness: Tatertots & Jello and Someday Crafts. I was hoping they lead me to my dream calendar. No luck! Next up, GOOGLE. I got pretty inventive in my search criteria. The one that finally put me on the right trail:

From there, I saw the picture! It led me to A Little Tipsy which in turn led me to my final destination! The Painter Family's Advent Calendar.

Isn't she a beaut?

Mission completed ;)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} packaged oh-so-pretty!

Oh! the weather outside is frightful, but wrapping presents is so delightful!

I LOVE wrapped presents--definitely way better than gift bags! I do fully understand that in some cases a gift bag is necessary, but who doesn't enjoy the eye candy of a beautifully wrapped gift? This week's theme of free printables is goodies to make your gift-ies look fabulous!

A perfect way to theme your gifts to your Holiday party! Tip Junkie kindly posted that West Elm has created FREE printables for gift tags, place cards, and menus in 4 fun themes. A lot of the elements could be used past Christmas. This is definitely a printable to keep for future use!

Bag it & tag it--with these printable labels from Amy @ Living Locurto! Use decorative scissors to add fun edges or print them on sticker paper to apply them (mess free!) your packages!

These are more fitting for my Christmas theme. I love all the colors & accessories that go with "fun" Christmas, but my colors are more muted with a nature vibe. My Mom likes snowmen and my Aunt does Santa--I need my niche! I have decided that I will do reindeer. These tags by Kellie @ 74 Lime Lane would be a great touch to my gifts!

I cannot tell you how much I love the aqua & red color combo (which is huge in print design this year)! Paper Crave has created labels in fuschia/lime green & light blue/dark blue in case those colors don't strike your fancy!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{sneak peek} zebra glam

Here's a sneak peek of a party I helped with this past weekend! It was for lil' miss Amelia's 5 birthday. More to come (once I find my camera cord!)

Enjoy!

Amanda

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{blog love} living locurto

I don't know if all of y'all have heard of the fabulous Amy from Living Locurto? I enjoy my frequent newsletters & especially enjoy all the GREAT FREE printables that she creates!

She is one talented, busy lady: a mom, graphic designer, co-owner of I Heart Faces, fab blog writer, creator of crafty things for Family.com.

Where does she find ALL of that TIME?!?

Printables:

Yes, she does design these oh-so-cute printables! The Red & Black birthday party is her newest party pack and isn't it divine! Sigh, don't we all love owls? This Pink Owl theme is a must have for a little girl's birthday party! These are just a sample of all the great printables that she sells in her shop. Take a visit to view more!

Free Printables:

These are just a sample of all the FREE printables that she designs! The Thank You cards are free on the website, but the Happy Birthday Bird Notes are FREE to email subscribers. I highly encourage you to sign up for her newsletter! Its FREE & you get FREE goodies--can't beat that!

I Heart Faces:

She also gives updates on weekly photo challenges for I Heart Faces. The ones above are for scenic black & white and the color orange. All you budding photographers out there submit your images!

I could keep going on & on, but I have to leave some surprises for you when you visit her blog! Make sure to also check out her weekly meal plans & party ideas!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} christmas cookie party

One of my good friends is hosting a Christmas Cookie swap soon, and that is what is on my brain lately! Sigh...How much do I love aqua & red together?!? I wish I was brave enough to make it my Christmas decor---maybe one year! I found this printable collection through Save the Date for Cupcakes. It is made by the wonderful Paula over at Frog Prince Paperie.

Do you see that gingerbread house?!? She made it herself! Hats off to you Paula! I have been debating on doing a gingerbread house this year (not from a kit mind you!) and Paula gives a rather comical set of tips in her blog.

Too cute!

How fabulous is baker's twine right now?!? A definite must have accessory to your holiday baked goods.

Do you see the cute envelope wraps for the invites. I have envelope wrap love! :) I guess I can quit gushing on how she stylized her printable set up & mention details of the printable collection available in her shop!

The“Gingerbread Christmas Cookie” set includes:

•Invitation *
•Address wrapper*
•Cupcake Toppers/2 inch circles/Gift tags
•Cupcake Wrappers
•Water bottle wrappers
•Box labels *
•“Christmas Cookie Love” Milk carton box
•Snack box
•“Sweet” Straw flags
•Tent labels *
•“Be Merry” banner, 5×7 panels
•“Merry Christmas” banner, 5×7 panels
•Placemat, 8.5×11
•Scrapbook papers in 4 patterns
*These items are customizable!

All of those delicious bits are available in Frog Prince Paperie store!

{fab finds} advent calendar

I wanted to share this with y'all last Friday, but I didn't have my FREEday post last week. Busy Busy Busy shopping! I want to get this out there so you have time to make it prior to the first of the month!

How darling are those printables?!? Beth @ It is what it is made these great printables with a fun twist on the normal advent calendar tradition. Check out her blog for many more fabulous printables!

Missy @ How Does She also took a fun spin to the advent calendar and used these printables to do it! Take a look!

Enjoy!

Amanda