Shark Birthday Party!

   I am always thrilled when a customer emails me with pictures of my products used at their fabulous parties. This sweet customer, who I have known for several years now,  put on a shark/water themed party for her now two year old!
    I can still remember seeing pictures when little Gus was born, such a sweet little man and close in age to my little guy, too.   I always get excited when Clare emails me to get working on another custom project.....like her little bundle of joy due this July! Can't wait to whip up some more custom work for little 'E' when she arrives!
  Thank you, Clare, for sharing your little man's awesome day! I loved looking at the pictures!

 

Clare used a custom BB banner to hang behind the snack table....These banners come ready to cut and hang, or printable! You can either hole punch each piece to assemble with a ribbon, or use clothespins like Clare did to hang...looks so cute either way!

Click here to see more custom banners!

 

I love how she used blow ups to go with the water theme, love the palm tree!

 

Together, Clare and I came up with this Shark Invitation....she choose this design from about 5 or 6 proofs I sent to her and I think she chose the right one. So cute!

To see more BB kids invitations, click here!

 

Finally, Clare wanted some sticky labels for her goodie bags. These are address label sized custom labels that matched her invitations and banner. Glad they worked out and looked so adorable!

To see some more labels, click here! 

Remember, anything can be customized!!!

 

Hiding the Clutter!!!

   

This is a trick that I use ALL over our house. A basket can house a number of things and make a cluttered room look instantly pulled together. The only problem I have with a traditional basket is it's color. I love a good accent color and the old looking wood just doesn't do it for me anymore. 

   I used black Krylon spray paint on this basket to revamp my kitchen. Instantly it looks new and polished and keeps all of my bills, grocery lists, batteries, band-aids, match box cars and whatever was on my counter when the doorbell rang, put away.....a quick whish of the wrist and my clutter looks 'organized.' Nobody will ever know about the secret hoarder that lives inside of me when I'm home alone :)  The best part is. This project cost about $2. I bought the basket at Goodwill for $1 and I already had the can of spray paint in the garage but I only used about half a can!

Materials:

• Thrift store basket
• Spray Paint
• Cluttered space 
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 Here's the spray paint I always use and LOVE:

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Stock the Bar Party!

  

   This will just be a quick post but I wanted to share my new 'Stock the Bar' line from Blossoming Buttons...This invite design has been my most viewed on Etsy so I decided I should make matching cupcake toppers!

  This design comes in both printable and pre-printed and are great for decorating a themed party on a budget! If you are planning an upcoming wedding shower take a look!

DIY Shoots and Tunnels Car Garage

This project really became a favorite in my household.   Not only was this 'shoots and tunnels car garage' (as we call it) fun to make but it has also logged many hours in our household as favorite toy.  It is super easy to make,  completely made of recycled materials, and is a really sturdy toy that has really proven its durability.  Eli, my two year old, is so into cars right now. Really, anything with wheels that moves.  He has had more fun with this homemade contraption than with any other new toy he has acquired.  I feel good knowing that he can still appreciate the simple (and cheap) things in life. :)

Materials:

• Soda 24 pack cardboard box
• 3-5 paper towel/toilet paper rolls
• scotch tape
• scissors
• paint
• Hot glue gun (optional)
• Stickers (optional)

   Start by deciding where you want your 'shoots and tunnels' to end up. Arrange them so the cars will end up in different places once out of the tunnels.  Think outside (or inside) of the box :) I cut two holes in our soda box so one tunnel could go through the box... I really scored some mommy points for this idea.

  Tape or hot glue the shoots and tunnels into place. I put tape around the outside of some of the rolls and some on each opening.

   Once you have all the shoots and tunnels you want, paint the entire thing with any color paint. We just used one color but you could also paint a scene, highway, etc. all over it if you child is a bit older and able to paint 'things.'

   We painted before nap time so it could dry for a few hours, then we added foam transportation themed stickers all over it....done! Our 'shoots and tunnels car garage' as Eli promptly called it was ready for action! 

   Eli still plays with this daily and we made it over a two weeks ago...it has also held up and so far (knock on wood) and I have not had to patch it up anywhere!

  Enjoy this fun, simple project and take the time to explain to your kids the importance of recycling and using our imagination! 
 

Super Fab Art Display Clips

   These super sparkly and fabulous clips are the perfect way to display your kid's artwork! You may get sick of seeing those ugly vacation magnets or just feel like their artwork deserves more attention...I did! 
   As soon as I started using these clips for Eli's art I could tell that he felt special.  He loved that I was using the 'special clips' to display his art. A little bit of recognition can go a long way in proving to them that they are amazing...because they are!

Materials:

• Clothespins
• Two part Epoxy Glue
• Spray Paint
•  Glitter!

   Begin by spray painting your clothespins with a thin layer so they have a some color underneath the glitter. Allow the paint to dry a few minutes before you add one last coat. If you are going for the ombre look, just swipe another lighter shade spray paint on the upper half of the clothespin.  Move the can over the clips quickly to get more of a faded look.

   Once the paint has completely dried you can glue the magnet onto the back of the clothespin. I used a two part epoxy to make sure the magnet didn't come loose after a few uses.
   Now add the glitter :) I used Elmer's Glue for the glitter becuase it isn't really holding alot of weight. Add glue to all or part of the front of the clothespin and sprinkle on the glitter.

   Voila! You have a fabulous new way to display your kids awesome art! You could also attach art to a 'clothesline' display using these sparkly clothespins! Now go let them make some new art that you can hang!

 If you love these super fab clips but just don't have time to make them, check them out in my Etsy shop for only $2.50!

BB in Craft Shows again!

   I'm so excited to say that I have decided to start back into the craft show market. They really are so much fun. I especially love meeting all of the other vendors and getting feedback from fellow artists. It is so encouraging to hear other people say nice things about your work. I know I'm not five, but I still get excited when someone says I am talented :)
   Here are a few pics from my new set up from the Latimer Hall Arts & Crafts Show. This really is a cool show that happens once a month in downtown Woodstock, Ga. If you're in the area, come on by and check us out. The next show is June 15th!

Owl Canvas $45

 Abstract Flower $35

 Moustache Mason Jar $14.95, shot glass $8.

 Super Fab Yellow Sparkle Display Clips $2.50

Super Fab Blue and Green Sparkly Display Clips $2.50

 Purple Hand Painted Side Table $65

 Matted Blossoming Buttons Print $17

 Fill in the Blank Thank You Notes with matching printed envelopes

   So glad to have met all of you other vendors at the show on Sat. and really look forward to seeing you again! Please visit my facebook page for daily updates and new products!
 Or, check out my listings in my Etsy shop!

Here are some of my listings that I featured at the show! Click the links to see more pictures!

*Moustache Shot Glasses
*Moustache Mason Jar Glass
*Super Fab Art Display Clips

Thrifted Toy Storage

  

    I have been buying and painting furniture from the thrift store for as long as I can remember. My favorite piece I got before going off to college, where I knew I would have my own space to design and fill. I bought a vintage school desk and painted it orange and left on the old flowery knobs. I still have this piece of furniture, after many different coats of paint and several knob changes, it sits in my son's room and once served as his changing table. I love to give things a new look.... when you're decorating on a budget (and don't want plastic furniture) this is the perfect way to transform a space. You are also doing a solid for mother earth-you should always consider buying a 'used' or as I like to call is 'seasoned' piece of furniture. Not only are you being green, but you will feel so good once you have completed a great project for your own home, all by yourself :)

Materials: 

• one piece of used or 'seasoned' furniture
• Paper towels and cleaner
• Paint color of choice (I used 1/2 a can for this piece.) 
•  Medium size brush
• New knobs

    First choose your piece of furniture. I knew I needed more storage in my son's playroom.    I was looking for something with a few drawers, that wasn't too tall, he's a climber.  I found this old t.v. cabinet and it was missing the top drawer. Because of this it was marked down to $7. I SAID SEVEN DOLLARS, PEOPLE! Usually, I would expect to pay around $15 or so for a piece this size, still way cheaper than new!  

    I always wipe down the surface of any thrift furniture I buy.  You never know where it has been or who has touched it, so I always recommend washing off your thrift finds before you begin painting, or using it even if you don't paint it.
   Now remove the old knobs. Even if you don't plan on replacing the knobs (some do come with pretty hardware) still remove them so you don't get paint on them.  They could also use a good wash if you plan on using its original hardware. If you like the knobs but not the color, why not paint them, too? They make specific spray paint for metal-go for it!
   Paint the furniture with a good quality paint. I had Behr interior paint left over so I used the rest of that. Don't try to use left over 'craft' paint like acrylic or oil. It will just end up chipping and wearing over a short period of time and then all your hard work will be ruined!
   Let your first coat dry overnight and give it a second coat once you are sure the first is completely dry.

   Replace the knobs after you give it another night to sit and dry. I also found these knobs at Goodwill. I paid $2.94 for a bag of about 30 knobs. What. A. Deal.  I've already used these on several different pieces around the house. You never know what people will get rid of :)

   Lastly, stock pile those drawers and enjoy the new storage and newly found floor space! We use ours as a garage. That's where all of Eli's cars 'live' and he knows where to put them all when it's clean up time! I put two large baskets in the 'empty drawer' and even stored puzzles in bewtween them :) Enjoy your recycled storage, we do!!!!

 

Here are some knobs I love :)