Vintage Charm

Throwing an event with some vintage charm is a great way to add a nostalgic feel. It can be a birthday party for your kids, a dinner party with friends or a wedding reception. Vintage style can be added to any kind of event. That is what I love about it. Plus, it looks so beautiful. Muted pastel colors are great for spring and summer while darker tones like reds, golds and browns are great for colder months. The possibilities are also endless.





Looking for vintage items to use are quite easy. With all the antique shops around and garage sales close by, its kind of hard not to find cool objects. It can also be cheaper, which is a bonus. It is just a matter of creating somewhat of a theme. You can be eclectic and mix it up but make sure it all blends together somehow.





If you are having a dinner party try vintage settings and simple flowers in old jars and vases. Go the extra mile with embroidered napkins or a tablecloth. You can also out put antique candlesticks. For cups, try mason jars or a design from the era you chose. Present food in decorative containers and platters to keep the vintage feel fresh. Dessert is where you can have fun so get creative. Display yummy treats like cupcakes, pies, cookies and candy on pretty dishes and antique tiers. If you really want to be authentic, dress the part and your ready to go!













Birthday parties or celebrations for children is an excuse to really get creative. Think of things kids love like animals, toys, ice cream and games. So places like the zoo, the circus, an ice cream shoppe and festivals would make great themes. Decorate the party area with your theme and take all the guests back to the good old days. Create ice cream sundaes, a vintage candy bar and cute cupcakes. You can give little toys from the 50s or 60s as favors and they will love them. Sounds like fun to me!

Newbies

Here are some of the new items in my etsy shop. I haven't had much time in the past few months to set aside for creating but I plan to this spring and summer. I have many ideas, just need to get these hands a workin! My favorite things to make are little cute items that should be adored. I also love paper, I actually LOVE paper. I buy pads and notebooks just to have them! I figure I'll get to them someday. So I will be bangin out a new series of custom pads very soon as well.

Lately, I have been really into creating handmade items. There is something about a handmade gift you just can't beat. It shows it was made from the heart and everything I produce really comes from mine. I love creating things and giving them to people or being able to make some extra cash by selling them is awesome. It makes me very happy. Just doing my part to spread the love and show my skills in the process.

Decorative Flower Sign $10
These little signs are made from balsa wood and designed with stamps, colored pencils and paper. I recently gave the first one to a friend of mine for her birthday. It made me so happy to see her in love. It received some nice feedback so I've decided to make more. A whole lot more!



Handmade Crafty Card $5
This card was designed to go with the little sign but is available by itself. Just a cute little decorative card made with love.



It was always you... $6
I love this card. Give this to someone you love and I'm sure there will be a smile on their face.

Table Goodies

The table setting is always an important element of an event. It doesn't have to be crazy. Actually, it shouldn't be crazy at all. If you are designing the table people will be eating at then I recommend you don't put flowers or any decorative items in front of their faces. Guests should be able to look at each other and talk. I am not a big fan of events where the host is blatantly trying to impress everyone with elaborate designs.

If you are trying to spice up a table with a buffet or dessert, all you need is a few pops of happy to bring smiles to everyone's faces. Just remember, when food is near don't include candles that smell. Why have them compete? The food should smell tasty enough!

Here are a few cute and unique ways to brighten up a table at any event. Keep it simple and you already get two thumbs up.

The Green Depot

If you don't know about the Green Depot, than you do now. This store is so awesome. Every DIYer should know and shop there because they have everything you need. Plus, they carry eco-friendly products which is why I am in love. Think of the home depot but better! I took a little stroll through their website and found some really cool things. I thought I would share them with you.

Decomposition Books $4.95
I remember using these when I was a kid but they weren't as cool as these are!



Recycled Newspaper Pencils $2.95 for 12



Hemp Twine
You can use this for a bunch of different projects.



Vegetable Harvest Basket $31.95
Pick yummy veggies from your garden and carry them back to the kitchen in this simple but handy basket.



Upcycled Lavender Dryer Sachets $9.95 for a set of 3
Your clothes will smell fresh and pretty without hurting the Earth.



Credo Bulk Bags $14.95 for a pack of 4
These are great to hold your bulk items like beans and rice. They can also be used to hold snacks and candy when you're traveling or anything for that matter.



Magnetic Wooden Building Blocks $24.95 - $54.95
I love the colors these blocks come in. How cute are they! The fact that they are magnetic is awesome too. Even small children can create something fabulous.



Doorknob Sign $9.99
These hand painted wood signs are adorable. I love their vintage feel.



Hemp Stripe Bone Toy $7.95 - $9.95
Your dog is going to chew on something whether you like it or not so give them a healthy chew toy to play with.

Garden Goodies

Spring is here so get ready to get down and dirty in the garden! I recently set up a garden display in my home to brighten up the space but in the next couple of weeks I will be purchasing more plants and get started on my little herb garden. Having living things around you fill the space with sunshine. So why not bring in the natural elements for that raw, Earthy feel.

I found this really cute online store, Dirt Couture, and I fell in love with it. Not only is the website cleverly designed, the items it carries are all so awesome. They are also reasonably priced which is a huge plus! Here are some things I love from the shop. I highly recommend you check them out. It's always nice to add decorative elements to your garden area. They bring style and touch of home to the space.

Bloom Stakes $12 for a set of 3



Trio of Tiny Mushroom $8



Rusted Steel Cache Pot $24



Best Friend Gnomes $30 for a set of 2



Air Plant Vernicosa $9



To bring natural art into your space try these few items. They are rustic, unique and beautiful. All are sure to bring warmth and happiness to any room in your home.

Print Lepidoptera $24



Tabletop Pear $32



Succulent Wreath $145 This is a bit pricey but its worth it. How cool is this wreath!

It's All in the Details

There is nothing I love more than the special elements of a design or space. They can be subtle or visually vibrant but are placed perfectly as if they were meant to be there. It's these pops of sunshine that bring a cohesive flow to a design. Nothing should stand out among the rest unless its a main focal point of a room. Everything should come together in harmony. If you don't hear those birds a chirpin and the warm sun's rays on your face, then something just isn't right.

Here are some beautiful and unique works of art I found on Etsy that would make an excellent addition to your DIY design.

PaperPolaroid


Braggingbags


ScrappingArt


Raemj


NatureFavors

Spring is Here!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the colors of spring! Pinks, blues, purples and light greens are fresh, clean and airy. Here are some inspirations.