{wedding wednesday} a simple craft!

  I got married this past March, and I keep wanting to share all the little details of the wedding here on my blog.  John and I got married at the most perfect red barn, down near San Diego, and it was the most breathtking backdrop for what I wanted my wedding day to look like.    So today, I am working my way from the outside in, and I'm going to show you the front doors to the barn, where all the guests came in to be seated.  We also decorated the back doors, which were actually closed during the ceremony and that was the backdrop to where we got married.      {front doors}     {back doors & altar area}     {The wreaths in action behind us during our ceremony!  Love!}   I wanted to keep the doors simple, but add a special handmade touch.  I found this amazing wreath craft and knew I had hit the perfect decoration for the doors.  We had ongoing craft nights to make everything for my wedding {thank you to all the fab ladies who helped me!!!} so this was one of the crafts we accomplished.  Instead of a letter opener, we used a pencil to push the tissue paper into the styrofoam.  We also used Alene's craft glue instead of a glue gun, but either would work fine. :)   This is an amazingly simple craft that you can do for any season.  Use different colors of tissue paper to make a Halloween wreath {I think I will be doing a black glittery one for my front door next month!}, use Christmas or autumn colors, make a bright orange one for summer... the possibilities are seriously endless.  It is easy and effective and your front door will be so happy.   So glad to share this special handmade detail of my wedding day with you!  Stick with me as ech Wednesday I post something wedding-related :)  I am thrilled to finally be sharing all of this hard work with all of you.   I also want to give a huge THANKS to our amazing photographer, Leylla, who runs Imagery with Impact.  She took these fantastic photos and I will be forever grateful.  If you live anywhere near San Diego, call her immediately.  You won't regret it. :)   Happy Wednesday!! xo!  

inspiration: tufted furniture.

 

I am a hugely visual person.

Photographs inspire me on a daily basis.
I would love to share my inspirations with you.

Want to play along?

Ever Thursday, I share my inspirations.
Share what inspires you.
I would love to see! :)

In the past few weeks and months, I have been inspired by:

wedding dresses!
paper lanterns!

bows!
tents!
the color yellow!
vintage carnivals!
the beach!
chevron stripes!
balloons & ruffles!

This week, I am inspired by
tufted furniture!

{I love the vintage feel!}

I think tufted furniture is a nod to the past.  It gives me a vintage feel, but there are so many ways you can update it.  Toss these tufted pieces in a mix of more modern pieces and the look is really to die for!!  Onto the photos....









See, even anthropologie knows what's up with tufting.  This beauty can be found here.  Swoon! Happy Thursday!Andrew & I are off to the beach today with our very good friends,Lynn & Owen!xo!  

a fast & simple project!

I came across this photo on Pinterest today- not sure of it's original source, but I think it is a company that sells these signs.  It got me to thinking- HOW cute is this idea?

All you'd have to do is glue wooden letters that you can easily buy at any craft store for cheap onto a canvas, again from a craft store.  Or you could even glue it to a piece of plywood you can grab at the hardware store.  Really anything you can think of would work, in any size you might need.  Glue those letters on where you want them, and then spray paint the entire thing in ONE flat color.  {Who doesn't love a little spray paint, anyways?!} 

This is such a gorgeous idea, and so effetive!  Now the wheels are turning for my own house- where can I hang one of these???!!! :)

xo!

red, white & blue!

 

Since Fourth of July is in only two more days, I thought it was a perfect day to share some of my favorite red, white, and blue photos and crafts.  {Along with a couple cute printables, keep reading!}  The above photo has always been a favorite for me.  The white, fluffy flowers are the perfect backdrop to the simple, yet festive table setup.  

If I were throwing a big Fourth of July bash, this is exactly how I'd want it to look.  {And can I throw in that I'd like that house and backyard, as well???}

Another favorite photo from Martha Stewart- the simple banner says it's Fourth of July without screaming it.  Simple, but so perfect.

Flags, flags, flags!  I have always been fascinated by flag cakes, but this breaks it up into cupcakes.  What a genius idea- easier to eat, but still with that to-die-for motif as a whole- so cute!!!

 

As far as crafts go for this holiday, a wreath is the perfect one in my opinion.  Easy to do, and this one is just so cute.  I adore the addition of the chalkboard sign in the middle- what a cute way to welcome guests to your home this week.

Ad if you have bored kids around this summer like me, WHAT a cute craft get them busy with!  Painted popsicle sticks, some stick-on rhinestones, and back it with a large magnet.  This is a great way to get kids creative and busy, and then you've got a new magnet for your fridge.  Win, win! :)

Two adorable eats- white chocolate dipped strawberries with blue dusting sugar???  Genius and so easy.  And a cute favor if you are having a get-together?  Licorice wrapped up in a cute bright blue cardstock.  SO easy, but it lends so much to the day.

And of course, no day is complete without cupcakes {in my opinion!}

These are all SUCH cute ways of incorporating this sweet treat into Fourth of July!

And since I love to make cupcake toppers, I am providing you with two printables here to make your own toppers.  Whether they are topping cupcakes, burgers and hot dogs, strawberries, etc, these make the perfect handmade addition to the day.

Just right click on either printable, save to your computer, and print them in whatever size you'd like.  I recommend printing about 12 to a piece of white cardstock, and then cutting them out.  Glue them onto small toothpicks or dowels and voila!  You've got yourself some handmade goodies to decorate your Fourth up so cute!!

Fourth of July is really the perfect day to add a little handmade into the holiday.  I hope you all enjoyed these photos as much as I did!  

What are YOUR plans for the Fourth of July?

We are thinking a beach day and fireworks will probably be in order. :)

Happy Monday, xo!

a date with the christmas tree.

First of all, I have to apologize to all of you. I have barely been around, and I didn't mean to completely abandon my blog. A few things have been happening around here that have been taking up my time, and I think it is high time to share!

Number One... The shop has been busy! I am finally caught up on all of my current orders and would love for you to keep shopping. Order turnarounds will be very quick since I know that you all are needing things super quickly this holiday season, so shop now! The 1300th customer will receive some fab freebies in the mail, let me tell you! :) I'm almost there, eek! Maybe you need some cute gift tags for your presents? Maybe something to add in for a hostess gift at a holiday party? Or maybe some cute confetti to add to your Christmas cards? The shop's got it all. Go peek. :)

Number Two... It's the holiday season!!! Need I say more? What isn't going on at this time of year? Shopping for Christmas gifts, stringing up holiday lights, mailing out Christmas cards, planning a party for Andrew's class. Whew! I'm tired just thinking of all of this. More on the holidays in a moment....

And of course, Number Three... I have been wanting to spend an inordinate amount of time with my new boyfriend! Yes, you heard me right! I am now dating a new & super fantastic man and I am happy, happy, happy. I guess my blog comes second to that. :)

So now you all know where I've been and I promise I'll try to be around more. I love my blog, I love my readers, and I love to share ideas, inspiration, and what I've been up to. So thank you for sticking around and popping in to say hi when you do. It means a lot to me. :)

OK, like I said, more on Christmas now!
I have a date
with my Christmas tree
penciled in for Thursday.
We are going to pick out a tree that evening and start decorating it and I couldn't be more excited! Before decorating the tree however, I always think it is fun to take a look at some decor inspiration. Here goes....


The most adorable little tabletop tree. I adore trees this size. Easier to decorate, but still so festive and fun! This one is from that talented lady named Martha. :) I also am so in love with the tiny little trees lining the windows. So super cute!


I am not a hugely pink kind of girl, but this screams happiness to me! I love the iridescent glass ornaments on the tree and I think it looks like one big piece of candy. Love! {Also from Ms. Stewart!}


I do happen to think that Christmas is a time to incorporate all colors. If you toss on every ornament you have on a tree, it looks amazing. The reason for the season is not to make a color statement, and I think this tree looks fun and whimsical.
{From Country Living!}


Then again, the simplicity of this color palette is totally oozing charm as well. I adore the pillow mish-mash on the couch and love how sparse the tree is. And of course, I am a total sucker for anything paper-chain. Maybe I should get Andrew on that project?? :)
{Country Living, again!}


And finally, my favorite picture for this year. I love, love, love this!!! Everything is so happy in this picture from Country Living... from the flowers on the table that are not classically "Christmas," to the bright and cheery Christmas tree, to the eclectic mix of chairs at the dining table, and the most perfect chandelier ever, this is how I want Christmas to feel at my home.

Special.
Not perfect, but so special.
That's what the holidays are all about. :)
Happy decorating, my friends!
xo!

The blog in which I go on and on about Halloween. :)

Where have I been???
Yeah. I've been really busy.
As in, really, really, really busy.
Halloween took over my life for over a week and I needed a break. :)
But now I'm ready to share what I've been up to with all of you!


Up first was Andrew's Halloween party at our house.
I decorated and baked and set up lots of crafts for them.
It was extra fun! :)


They were so appreciative and all had such a good time. :)


I adore this 99-cent store find. Glittered black skeleton? Awesome. :)


The kids made lots of crafts and were able to play and eat and play some more. Happiness to the six-year olds, for sure! :)


Then came Halloween.
We had so much fun carving pumpkins.
Andrew just couldn't figure out why the age limit was 12 on the carving tools, since he is such an expert. :)


And of course, the highlight of Halloween? Costumes!!
{Forgive the slightly blurry photo- we were much too excited for trick or treating to sit still for many pictures!}


Andrew was a "dragon-slayer"/"knight"/"ogre"!
Yes, we got a lot of odd comments asking "What are you?!"
I made the costume, and Andrew was so happy, so that's all that matters. :)

We had lots of festive fun.
And now I am so tired of Halloween.
And tired in general.
And I need to get ready for this.
So if you don't hear much from me, consider yourself warned! :)
Happy week, friends!
xo!

Homemade Halloween... A Guest Post & Giveaway from Haus of Girls! :)

Our last guest post comes from the fab Marta from Haus of Girls!! :) She is teaching us how to make an adorable Halloween banner. I am thinking I'll need to whip one of these up before Andrew's Halloween party, right? And of course, pop back over at noon for the last giveaway as well! xoxox Holly

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Hello to all you Mommy Holly fans! My name is Marta and I am stopping in from Haus of Girls where I can be found documenting my crazy life as a Midwestern Momma of three girls.

I am a fabric stalking, antique loving, diet coke chugging, treadmill running, daycare providing, pig tail making, sporty spice type of girl who has recently tapped into my creative side. I taught myself how to sew and make almost anything I see. I now create, sew, and make things on a daily basis. Today, I am so very excited to share a super fun and easy project that I did a few weeks ago.An easy (no sew option) Halloween Bunting.
Boo! Enjoy and please let me know if you make one of your own.I'd love to see your fabulous creations!

And in honor of Halloween, I would love to give away one of my "Polka Dot Pumpkin" tees that I currently have in my etsy shop. I have a size 12 month onesie all ready to go to a new home! Thank you and good luck!

Last Sunday it was rainy and yucky outside so I decided to make the most of our day stuck inside and create something fun to add to our Halloween decor.

Using random scraps I already had lying around the house, I whipped up a Halloween bunting for our front door.
Nothing fancy.
Just simple and cute.

Our black front door makes for the perfect backdrop for some spooktacular orange fun and I’m sure yours would too.

Take advantage of your next rainy day and make one for yourself.
Here’s what you do.

Grab two different fabrics. One for the “flags” and one for the letters.

Measure out your three triangles for the flags.
I made mine approximately 6 inches across and 7 inches long.
(I am not precise. Ever. I eyeball everything and it always works out fine. Perfection is not the goal, but more of the act of creating!)

Cut out three flags.

Iron them and re-cut any parts that look crazy.

While ironing, glance up at your fave family picture from last year and ponder when you can get them taken again this year.

Next, take your letter fabric and cut out a little bit smaller size of strong heat and bond.

Iron the heat and bond onto the wrong side of your letter fabric.
Easy peasy.

Next, trace your letters.
You can easily do this by printing off your choice of letters, cutting them out and using that as a template.
Trace the letters BACKWARDS onto your heat and bond paper that you ironed onto the fabric.

Cut out your letters.

Then you should have something spooktacular like this.
Boo!

Lay the letters down onto your flags where you want them.

Then iron.
Remember, I’m all about simplicity.

End result.
No sewing required!

Finally, I pinned the flags reversed and upside down on top of a striped ribbon. I found it worked well to line the flags up with the bottom stripe.
I’m all about finding tricks to make sure I sew in a straight line.

Here it is pinned ready to be sewn.

Start on your first letter, mine was the “b,” and sew your way down towards the last “o” until all three flags are sewn on. (If you don’t sew, just hot glue the flags on! Even easier!)

String your fabulousness across your front door welcoming Halloween with a hint of homemade creativity.

Spooky!

Halloween countdown: 16 days.
Crazy.

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Thank you so much Marta!! :)

If you would like to enter to win the adorable 12 month onesie, leave a comment on this post! For an extra entry, follow Marta's blog! Or visit her cute Etsy shop and let me know what you love the most!! :) Winner will be announced tomorrow!

See you all at noon! :) xo!