Life in Pictures.

Make an Easy and Inexpensive Easter/Spring Centerpiece

Are you hosting Easter dinner at your house this weekend?  I do a LOT of entertaining.  I love to do it and it works out well since our house is basically smack dab in the middle of all of our relatives that live in the area, so it's a good meeting point for holidays.  This year we are getting the added benefit of having my brother's inlaws come too.  My philosophy is always the more the merrier.  I just love being surrounded by fun people, eating good food and enjoying good conversation.  Plus, it gives me an excuse to make all the fun new recipes and fancy appetizers that I've been looking for an excuse to try. :)

If you are having a beautiful meal it only helps to have a few beautiful decorations too, right??  One of my FAVORITE things to do and absolute BEST tips is to use what you already have at home to create something new for each holiday.  Transform it into something different and beautiful with just a few new things.  Not only does it cut costs, but it helps cut down on the amount of stuff you have to store from year to year.  I thought I'd share a little something I whipped up for my Easter centerpeice this year.  It is fun and easy.  Inexpensive and beautiful.  Does that sound good to you?? ;)  I am going to line my dinner table with these this year..

Here's what you will need for each one you would like to make.  Grab your 40% off coupon and head to Michaels.  A lot of this stuff you might already have lying around! :)

1 white pillar candle (medium height) I buy mine at IKEA for about $1 each

1 medium sized terra cotta pot

White acrylic paint

Paint brush

green reindeer moss (found in the floral dept at craft store, a bag will do a few of these)

1 paper butterfly (usually come in small boxes of 8-10 for a few dollars at the craft store)

2 small fake quail eggs (usually come in a small bag of 12-15 for a few dollars at the craft store)

1 small bunch of small white flowers (in floral dept at craft store about $1, one bunch will make 3 or 4 pots)

some old newspaper to stuff in th bottom of your pot

glue gun

Plug in your glue gun.  Take your dry paint brush and a small amount of paint and brush it over the outside of your pot.  Don't cover the whole pot.  If you just dry brush a few strokes on it t will give it an older, more antique look.  Let it dry, it will dry very quickly.  Crunch up 1 piece of newspaper and stuff it in the bottom of your pot.  Stick your pillar candle in the pot on top of the newspaper.  (remember this is not for a long term decoration, that's why I'm not gluing the candle to the pot.  I want to be able to remove the candle and use the por again for another project later)

Glue some moss around the top of the pot to fill the gap between the pot and the candle.  (Don't use too much glue so you can remove it later.  I glued mine down first so I could take a shot for you to see what it looks like)  Take two of your eggs and glue them to the moss like you see in the picture.  Take a few of your small white flowers and glue them down into the moss as well.  Add a small dot of glue to the paper butterfly and stick to the pot. You're done! 

       

    

Now make a few of them and line them up down the center of your table.  Repetition makes a powerful design statement!!  I'm going to dress one of mine up like this for the center of the table...

  

 

   

I want to see what yours look like if you make them!!  Send me an email with pictures or link here and I'll post them! :)

Have a great day!

-t

Friday Favorites: Just Spotted

This Friday Favorite of mine is a little location specific...but it can be a great tool for those of you that are coming to visit the area too.  Have you ever heard of Just-Spotted??  Two talented mommies in my area have been running this fun site for a while now.  It is FULL of useful and fun information for all of you that live in the OC area.  If you want to find out about the latest and coolest shops, restaurants, freebies, museums, things to do with the kids, etc. than this is the site for you!!  I think my favorite feature is the monthly calendar (here's April's).  It is everything fun to do in the area listed  by day.  It includes links, phone numbers, hours etc for all the activities too.  Pretty cool, huh?? 

So if you're an OC local or just visiting be sure to check out Just Spotted for the latest and greatest in OC.  

Now go find something fun to do this weekend!! :)

Have a great day!
-t 

My last day blogging.....

Did the title get ya??? 

Happy April Fool's Day!!! :)  Are you pulling any pranks on members of your family this year???  Here are a few fun ideas for today if you're in the mood! :)

I loved these ideas about making fake food for your kids...

Chicken Pot Pie is always good for dinner

 

How about some Fauxberry Pie for dessert?? 

 

Fish Sticks and Peas are always good and healthy...  ;)

 

If you aren't in the mood for these more time-consuming pranks how about switching the bags of cereal into different boxes this morning?  Or, short sheet the beds while they're at school.   Do something fun to bring a smile to their faces today! Just be prepared for payback!! ;)

Have a great day!

-t

Friday Favorites: Matilda Jane

If you haven't seen these clothes before and you have a little girl....prepare yourself.  You are going to want them.  They are SO darn cute!!  Not to mention that the photography in these samples is WAY too cute!

   

 

 

If you're drooling now...head over to Matilda Jane and pick something up for your little princess. :)

Have a great day!
-t 

Let's Party: Pink Princess Party (on a budget)

Ash's birthday was this last week and boy did she have fun!!  With Andy I got away with hardly doing anything.  He didn't know any different at the time.  A small family party and we were good! :)  I guess that once you have an older brother you are MUCH more savvy.  You are wise to the ways of the birthday party!  We had a family party last weekend complete with THE CUTEST pink princess castle cake made by my talented aunt Lani . 

 

 

I mean seriously...how cute is that???  My hand is hurting just looking at all that work!!! :)  That star tip got a work out!! :)  (If you're in the Phoenix area and getting married she's also a great wedding photog!! :)

 Ash had a blast...but she kept asking when her party with her friends was going to be.  When her friends were going to come over in their princess dresses and play princess and put on make-up.  So, I caved. Who wouldn't want that photo op???   I had a feeling that she would be asking so I picked up a few things here and there over the last month or so and I got creative.  Granted two and three year olds aren't going to really care, but I wanted it to still LOOK good! :)  So, here's the skinny...I'll try and give you patterns and instructions for things along the way.  If they don't make it in this post I'll be sure to put them up soon!! :)

The invites:

 

These were SUPER easy.  I printed the invitation out using scriptina font (not the easiest to read, but very princess like) onto the pink cardstock, then I used a foam crown from Michaels as the template, traced around it onto Pink cardstock and cut them out.  I then glued the pink crown onto white cardstock ( I firmly believe that everything looks much richer and nicer when it's matted...everything in life is about layers...clothing, interior design, srapbooking...you name it!).  Once it was glued onto the white cardstock I cut it out again.  Then using paper glaze (basically like clear glue with a needle nose tip...found at any craft store) I traced around the inside of the pink cardstock and then glittered my glue line with bright pink making memories glitter.  Then I glued on some rhinestones and they were done.  Now that I wrote it out it sounds WAY more complicated than it was.  It definitely took me less than an hour to make them all. :)  I'll put up a template later this week. :)

The biggest key to doing things on a budget (I think) is to always be thinking ahead.  That way when you''re out shopping, if you see a great bargain, you can snatch it up.  I know Ash LOVES all things pink and girly, so when I see a few things on clearance I'll pick them up knowing I can use them at some point.  When valentine's stuff went on clearance I was in pink bargain heaven! :)  I picked up a few pink tablecloths for 75 cents each, pink napkins for .50, pink, red and white M&M's, and pink hershey's kisses.  In January, Target had stocking stuffers on 75% off clearance.  I picked up cupcake lip glosses for .15 cents each!!!  DEAL!!!  Old navy had white flip flops on sale earlier this month for .97 cents each...and I had a 30% off coupon so they were like .65 cents a pair!!!  Picked up a few of those too! :)  Once it came time to party I just built the party around those things! :)

The idea was to "make yourself a princess."  There were three stations...one to paint nails, (using nailpolish we already had around the house) put on lip gloss (that I had bought on clearance months before) and sparkles that I had bought for their cheeks.

 

  

  

another station was to decorate a foam crown and wand using glitter glue, rhinestones and foam stickers. (many of these things I had around in my craft stash.  the foam crowns and wands were 1.00 each at michaels)

     

The last station was to make a princess necklace with fruit loops...

 

I seriously thought that at 2 and 3 they would be bored after a few minutes, but they could have played with stickers and glue and fruit loops all day! :)

Cupcakes were strawberry with marshmallow creme buttercream frosting and pink sprinkles.  The toppers were easy to make.  I tried to find pre-madeprincess toppers, but they only sold tinkerbell and ash wanted cinderella and sleeping beauty, so I bought a package of stickers at walmart, took some toothpicks and doubled the stickers up on the toothpicks...

 

 

   

 

Food and decor was simple.  The clearance pink tablecloth and pink napkins, famous cupcake stand, pink lemonade, heart shaped turkey sandwiches on a pedestal, strawberries, princess plates, and pink candy in jars.  Remember the clearance valentine M&M's???  I just picked out the red ones and put the rest in the jar!

 

 

The pink poofs really made the decor and they were SO easy and cheap!!!  I think I'm going to make them in all sorts of colors for every occassion.  Martha sells a kit a Michaels for $20 to make three small ones...but you can make three large ones youself for only $3 if you know how!!  I bought three packages of pink tissue paper (8 sheets each) for .97 cents a piece at Wal Mart. I'll do a tutorial later this week! :)

Finally for the favors.  Remember the .65 cent pairs of flip flops.  Well with a little ribbon I was able to turn them into princess slippers...

 

Now, I had the ribbon on hand so that didn't cost me anything, but ribbon can get expensive, so if you are going to make these look for ribbon on sale! :)  You need about 2 yards of ribbon per pair of flip flops.  I used a slippery ribbon as one of my pink ribbons and I noticed that it doesn't want to stay tied very well...so maybe use non-slippery ribbon to make these.  I used 3-4 different coordinating patterns for each pair so about 1/2 yard or 2/3 of a yard per pattern for each pair.  Cut 14 5" pieces and tie them in double knots around the flip flops alternating patterns and you're done! :)

 

It was SUCH a fun party.  And I thought I was getting away with someting with how inexpensive it was.  I hope that I've inspired you to create something beautiful and fun on a budget.  It really is more fun when you're forced to be more creative! :)

Have a great day!

-t

Lucky number 25,000 and a GIVEAWAY

**This post will remain at the top of the page for the week....scroll down for new posts! :)**

I can't believe it.  This weekend the 25,000th visitor will visit this blog!!  That is CRAZY to me.  And exciting.  It makes me so happy to think that other people are enjoying my silly ramblings and ideas and hopefully I have been able to bring a smile to your face or inspire you to try something new at some point along the way! ;)   I really enjoy blogging and it makes me feel good to know that other people are enjoying it too! :) 

I figure since this is the week of good luck with St. Patty's day and we're having a big day here at Life In Pictures, we should celebrate!  How about a giveaway of one of my newest creations??? 

I JUST introduced these on ETSY 2 days ago and I am SUPER excited about them.  I think for once, one of my hair-brained ideas might actually have something to it!! :)  I haven't ever seen anything like it so I'm hoping I can call it "the original." ;) 

The photographer and scrapbooker and relatively new sewer (is that a word??) in me decided that these might be pretty cute... do you want to win one???

 

 

I LOVE silhouettes and I've never seen them on tshirts before.  I've been wearing them around for the last week or so (I know all of my friends think I don't own any other clothes!! ;)) that's the best advertising, right???  I kid you not...everywhere I've gone someone has asked me where they can get one...I even had a store owner ask me if I wanted to set up shop at his place and sell them!  AWESOME!!!  I figure that's a good thing, right??? 

I'm selling the boy and girl ones pictured for $42.50 in my etsy store, but here's the even cooler part that I LOVE about these.  If you want a TRULY custom shirt as in YOUR OWN KID on the front I can do it for you!!  You email me a picture of your child...side view from about 4 feet away and I can create one for you for $68.50.  Pretty cool, huh??  Case in point...recognize these guys???

 

 

SO, do you want to win a CUSTOM silhouette shirt????  Here's how to enter...there are two ways...

--Leave a comment here on the blog and you will get ONE ENTRY

--POST on your blog or favorite message board about the giveaway and link back to this blog...I'll even make it easy for you...  www.tammymitchell.typepad.com  is the link.  After you post on another blog or MB about it come here and leave a comment with a link to your post so I can go check it out...that will get you 10 ENTRIES if you have more than one blog or favorite spot on the web that you hang out...you can earn 10 entries for EACH posting.  Just make sure to link me to them so I can check them out. :)

Sound good???  If you are a blog newbie and can't figure out how to link your post in my comments...you can email me the link too at [email protected]

So get posting and that custom shirt can be yours!! (Retail value $68.50)

Contest ends Friday March 20th at 5pm PST.  Winner will be announced Saturday March 21st. 

May the luck o the irish be with you!! ;)

have a great day!

-t

Friday Favorites: The Hug Mug

Since I shared my love for peppermint hot chocolate this week I thought I better share this too!! I think it's a fun idea perfect for those cold days!!  It's called the hug mug...how cute is that???  It's perfectly designed for you to cup with both hands so you can warm them up while you drink from it's spout like sipper!  Too fun!

   

You can find them here at The Max Brenner Chocolate Shop.  DISCLAIMER:  This is called the chocolate shop.  They do sell ALL kinds of specialty deluxe chocolates for drinking...eating...you name it...so when you visit and leave with MORE than just a mug...don't say I didn't warn you. ;)

Have a great day!

-t

 

Recipes: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This is one of my family's FAVORITE things.  I thought I better share before it's not really hot chocolate time anymore.  I always used to buy the peppermint hot choolate at Starbucks, but now I just make my own at home...and actually I like it better because it's sweeter and probably healthier because I'm not using whole milk!! ;)

Milk

Hot Chocolate Mix (we usually just use nestle quick)

Whipped Cream

King's Peppermint Sticks (you can use candy canes too...I just like the way these taste and melt!)

Heat milk over med-high heat until luke warm.  Add your hot choclate mix according to package directions for the amount of milk you're using. (although, I NEVER measure anything and I'm liberal with the chocolate!! ;) Heat through until HOTstirring ocassionally.   Add peppermint sticks (again, I am liberal with these.  Probably 10 sticks) to the hot chocolate and stir frequently until they are melted.  Serve warm and top with whipped cream.  YUM!!

 

I find these tins of peppermint sticks at homegoods as soon as the Christmas stuff hits the shelves.  And I stock up for the season!  They are WAY less expensive than at Williams Sonoma and OH SO GOOD!!!  They are the "soft" peppermint sticks, but you can use just the regular sticks too. 

And, of course if you have cute mugs to serve them in it's even more fun!!  ;)  Courtesy of where else??? Homegoods!

 

Enjoy!!

-t

Friday Favorites-- Made by Hank

I am in LOVE with these cute little purses.  This is one talented lady!

 

 

Seriously cute folks!!  If you want to check them out head over to Made by Hank and don't forget to tell them I sent ya!

Have a great day!

-t 

Featured

I just got a fun little notice that I was featured on Found Handmade's Blog this last week.  Too fun!  They were featuring handmade St. Patty's Day stuff and shared my shirt along with a few other fun items from Etsy...that's me on the top in the middle...

 

and look at those shoes on the bottom....SO cute!!  I wish they had them in my size!

Have a great day!

-t