DIY: Ribbon Embellishments & Monograms

So you may remember the Fabric Covered Kraft Letter project I did for the baby shower a couple months ago...well, this is another spin on those! I am obsessed with these Kraft letters from Paper Source, and think there are SO many creative ways to decorate and use them! I LOVE giving them as gifts, and these two were recent presents for my flower girl, Sophia, and her new baby brother Carlo! (Ok, I know the C is slightly girlie for a little boy - what can I say, I love yellow and I tried to make it boyish with the brown, OK?). You can use whatever paper, fabric, and ribbon you have in your craft cupboard and create the ultimate personalized monogram present! I covered these in gift wrap sheets from Paper Source, and did the edges with chocolate brown grosgrain ribbon (and a hot glue gun). Now lets get to the embellishments...

Cut four strips each of a wider ribbon and coordinating thinner ribbon in the same lengths.

Trim the edges if you'd like...

Start layering them on top of each other in a cross pattern...

Use a dab of hot glue in the center between each ribbon layer.

After the 4 layers are cris-crossed and glued together, find a button to affix to the center.

Then cut two longer strips of the wider ribbon to make the hanging ribbon pieces (is there a name for those?) and attach to your letter. These are also GREAT package toppers, pins, or would be adorable affixed to a homemade greeting card.

For a super easy and more feminine embellishment, just find a bunch of coordinating ribbon in different colors, textures, and widths (I used some tulle ribbon, the same chocolate gingham, mint green vintage seam binding ribbon and some hand dyed pink silk ribbon) to create a fabulous layered ribbon.

Tie them all together in a lovely bow and use a dab of hot glue to affix to your letter!

Seriously, these would be adorable hanging on bedroom doors, above a bed, or on a bookshelf.

Read more...

Semi-Homemade Cookie Sandwiches

Semi - homemade Funfetti Cookie Sandwiches = EASY + DELISH! I made these last week, amidst moving boxes and kitchen disaster, and found that you can totally be Sandra Lee and make yummy stuff in the kitchen that's not entirely from scratch (but still looks/tastes kind of scratch-ish). So I bought some Funfetti Cookie Mix and Frosting...

And had some Rainbow Nonpareil Sprinkles and Guittard (YUMMMM) white chocolate chips....

And made these little sandwich cookies that are slightly reminiscent of circus animal cookies (did you love those like I did?). All you need to do is follow the cookie instructions, use the frosting in between two cookies and gently smoosh together. Then melt the chocolate with a TINY bit of cooking oil (makes it more smooth and drizzly) and drizzle over the top in a criss-cross pattern. Sprinkle away with rainbow nonpareils (or any sprinkles!) and you have easy and QUICK cookie sandwhiches. These are great for a party, gift, shower, or to take to your kids school or to the office for a birthday. Enjoy!

PS I stilllll haven't unpacked my camera charger, sorry again for the lame iPhone pics. Hey, I try ;)

Read more...

Kid's Shoot for Clementine Rose

HAPPY FRIDAY! Didn't this week take forever to get through?! Well, I hope you are all doing something fun and relaxing this weekend!!! Here are some photos from Gina Maxine Photography of a kids shoot I styled for Clementine Rose - an online boutique for Moms & Babies/Kids. Enjoy the kiddos in all their cuteness!


For more photos check out Gina's blog post today!
HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!

Read more...

Happy Opening Day!

Well today marks the return of my favorite season of the year - BASEBALL SEASON!
Thought this adorable photo by Gina Maxine Photography was fitting. I styled this shoot...its for an AWESOME kids/maternity clothing e-boutique called Clementine Rose. More to come!

HAPPY OPENING DAY! Go Giants!

Read more...

Mickey & Minnie Mouse Cupcakes

Ok, so before I begin this post, here is my photography disclaimer: all these photos are taken with my iPhone because my camera was dead. Sorry for the weird quality on them!

I was asked to bring dessert to a Mickey & Minnie themed birthday party. It was a fitting theme, for a twin boy & girl, so I decided there HAD to be boy & girl cupcakes, right?!



I used the Cake Mix Doctor recipe for doctoring up yellow boxed mix. I made 12 cupcakes in cute liners (double-lined) in extra big cupcake liners that had cute prints on them. I also made 12 smaller cupcakes that I just baked in silicone liners (to be removed) to use for extra cake for the tops. As I was hunting around the web looking for cupcake inspiration, I discovered that you can achieve that perfect domed cupcake top WITHOUT adding piles of frosting! You just add a little extra cake dome with a dollop of frosting in between the layers and frost away! AMAZING TRICK!



Then I used pink Tootsie Rolls to form little bows (1 tootsie per bow....and yes, you use your hands and squish away), and York Peppermint Patties for the ears!



I frosted a "crumb layer" first and let them set in the fridge before frosting the final layer and attaching the ears (smoosh them in really well, and use a little extra frosting to fill in the gaps they make). I baked one Oreo cookie into each cupcake bottom for an extra surprise. (Just fill the liner a little, drop a cookie in and fill to cover it up!). Then I crushed the remainging cookies (sans creme filling) and sprinkled them onto the "boy" cupcakes.....and.....VOILAH!



Aren't they cute?! I didn't even do ears on all of them (I ran out of Peppermint Patties) so you could easily save time and just add ears to some and crumble Oreos onto the rest.
They were a big hit!!!!

Read more...