Katie Stories {Scrapbook + Crafting Blog}: holiday

Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Thursday, December 18, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 11}

Hi everyone!

December Daily has been on pause here. Sadly, my grandmother, my dad's mom, passed away unexpectedly last week.

I am not sure if or how I am going to include the wake and funeral in December Daily. It seems morbid to include it, but weird not to, you know?

I'm going to think about it a while before I make a decision. But I did work on a few other pages this morning. Some I can't include here because some have presents in them and I don't want anyone to see them yet!

"It was supposed to be a relaxing night at home. We were baking Hershey kiss cookies, and making kale + pancetta pasta. Shouldn't have been a very big deal at all.
Until the pancetta starting smoking, not badly, not unlike how pancetta or bacon or anything gets a little smoky when you cook it. But it set off the smoke detector. Which set off the screeching + flashing fire alarm in the apartment.
We were able to get the smoke detectors to stop within minutes by opening the windows and turning on the fan.
But the fire alarm? That went off for an hour. We stood outside in the snow and waited for someone from the apartment complex's maintenance team to come and turn off the alarm!
We ended up ordering sandwiches + the world's biggest calzone for dinner!"

Well I'm off to school now, but I'll have a few more pages tomorrow! What are you up to today?

Thursday, December 11, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 10}

Happy Thursday!

I've got some seriously fun plans today. I get to go to the DMV. Isn't that awesome?! I'm very excited ;)

I was going to go yesterday, but there was more snow, so I decided to do a few things around the house instead, including finally taking out all of the Spode (and making lots of hot chocolate!)

"I finally took out all of the Spode. I don't really have anywhere to put it here (unlike Mom who has hers all displayed in her beautiful china closet!) So right now it is all sitting on the dining room table. But that's okay since the table is giant and we only need to use two seats so there is lots of room for everything. Since we don't host Christmas here, I think its fun to use our "fancy" Christmas china for "regular" meals - or hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles!"

PS. I edited the journaling after took the picture because I didn't like that I said "yesterday" since I actually took it out on Wednesday and only said yesterday because it was today when I was creating the layout!

What are you up to today? Its got to be better than what I'm doing!

The rest of December 2014: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Days 5 + 6 + 7 | Days 8 + 9

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Days 8 + 9}

Hi everyone!

I'm rushing a bit this morning. It snowed last night and it is predicted to rain/ice/snow again today, but I need to go to the grocery store! So I want to run out and get there quickly in case the roads get all messy again because skipping a trip today is so not an option - we have no milk, no bread, and basically nothing to eat at all besides frozen chicken (yeah, this is a long overdue trip!)

So on to Monday + Tuesday's layouts.

Monday's story is another one of those "could have happened anytime in December" stories that I just happened to share on Monday.

"I love wearing Christmas themed jewelry. Mom and I usually find a few new things every year: present bow + candy cane + snow flake + ornament earrings, Reindeer watch and this year's new addition, a jingle bell bracelet. Mom and Jamie have the same bracelet too!"

And Tuesday's is a totally Tuesday-related story. Its all focused on the weather and the snow that we got (man do I love snow!)

"The weather prediction for today had been really crazy. It kept changing between snow and sleet and freezing rain. All day, we just had ice and freezing rain. I was so disappointed - after spending 18 months living in "Southtown, USA", I was so ready for snow this winter. And snow around Christmastime? That is just awesome!
But I figured we'd have to wait for another day. Until AJ got home from work and said it was already snowing at the plant (just a few miles away) In just a few minutes, huge flakes were falling from the sky! I ran outside to eat December snowflakes. I wasn't waiting until January!"

Do you love snow as much as I do? I would love if we had fresh snow on the ground every single day!

The rest of December 2014: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Days 5 + 6 + 7

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 5 + 6 + 7}

Hi guys!

So its true...Monday posting is just not my favorite thing in the world. I try, I really do, but Mondays are for catching up for me, and I just prefer to post on Tuesday :)

How was your weekend?

Ours was filled with Christmas-y goodness, which is on my DD pages. And also a little house stuff.

Remember this house that I loved but was iffy on the location? Well, AJ and I went back and thought we were okay with the location, and of course, in love with the house. As in, ready to put an offer in kind of love.

But I was still nervous and needed a sign that it was okay. And instead, I got seven signs that it definitely wasn't! Yes, seven. I apparently needed to be hit over the head!

And the last sign was totally obvious - the house is probably going to get another offer that is better than ours, and we aren't willing to meet that one at this point in our home search.

The message was received, loud and clear. And I thought I'd be sadder, but really, we have until next October to purchase a home under our relocation, and the inventory is only going to get bigger as the holidays end and spring approaches. I'm looking forward to finding a house that fits us perfectly, a house where I can't wait to put an offer in and don't have those "is this the right thing?" feelings!

So on to the Christmas things!

I did things a little differently this week. The pictures from Friday were taken earlier in the week, but it was more of a general Christmas story, so it could really apply anywhere. And the pictures from Saturday are actually from Sunday, but we had wanted to put the lights up on Saturday except it rained all day!

So I mixed it up.

"There are some things that just signify that Christmas is really here - the tree, the lights, Home Alone and Christmas Vacation, and the Hershey Kisses jingle bells commercial.
This year, I saw it for the first time when I was flipping channels. I heard the familiar sound of the last bell ringing and whew-ing. I was so excited and texted AJ immeidately!
I wonder when it started being aired, it feels like its been around forever - and I hope it is!'

"The Christmas lights. I love putting up the Christmas lights. Even though we don't have a huge outside space, we still put lights on the balcony. I love to see them shining brightly at night. Everyone's decorations make the long (and cold!) nights seem so magical at Christmas!"

"Spending the day at the Troy Victorian Stroll."

There wasn't too much to say about the stroll. I'm sure I'll talk more about it in my Project Life album. To be honest, it didn't live up to expectations and I didn't feel like talking about that since it was negative! But I did want to include it in here, since we did it and it was a Christmas event!

Do you stick to recording stories exactly on the day they happen, or do you mix them up?

The rest of December 2014: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

Friday, December 5, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 4}

Happy Friday! The weekend is almost here, and I can't wait!

We are hoping to do some Christmas-y things this weekend, including going to visit a Christmas celebration in the next town over and putting up the outdoor lights! Yay!

I didn't make a collage of my pictures yesterday because almost all of them ended up in my layout! Aside from the morning (when I was doing work related things), I spent most of the day getting ready for our Christmas movie marathon!

We were both having a bit of trouble getting really excited about Christmas this year. We'd both been very excited earlier, but it had kind of went away. So last night, we had a movie marathon + hot chocolate (well, I had hot chocolate!) + Trader Joe's blondies. I would say that it worked!

"AJ and I both were having a little trouble getting in the Christmas spirit. We'd both been so excited, but for some reason after the beautiful Thanksgiving snow melted away and Mom, Dad and Tommy went back home after Thanksgiving, we were both feeling like the Christmas magic had gone too.
But we knew just how to fix it: hot chocolate + Trader Joe's blondies + a few of our favorite Christmas movies. The Santa Clause, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Home Alone were all part of last night's movie marathon. I could watch these movies over and over again (and to be honest, Home Alone has been on at least 4 times in since last Friday!)
Hello Christmas Spirit! Its nice to see you again :)"

Yesterday, I also noticed that I am being more careful to create continuity between the pages on my album this year. In the past, I didn't really mind if they didn't coordinate - I treated each page as a totally different layout. While I still see them as different layouts, because they are different days and different stories, I am definitely more conscious about making sure that they "go" together. Like Tuesday/Wednesday...same red plaid carries from one day to the next.

And I am seriously loving that red plaid!

I guess its kind of a silly thing, but it makes me happy that they coordinate :)

Do you worry about making sure facing pages "match" in your scrapbooks?

The rest of December 2014: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Thursday, December 4, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 3}

Happy Weekend Eve!

I'm hoping to get a wreath for our front door today. I was going to stop yesterday after house hunting, but I ran out of time!

I almost did what I feared house hunting yesterday - I found an awesome house! Seriously, great layout, brand new amazing kitchen, hardwood floors, lots of windows, big backyard, a deck, a new roof. It was awesomely maintained, and even the wall colors were ones I would have picked!

But the location wasn't great. And not even like "not perfect, but doable for this amazing house" not great, I'm talking major major issues on many points - including adding an extra 45 minutes without traffic to the trip already 3 1/2 long trip to my parents' house!

So the search continues. Which is just fine since we haven't sold our house yet! Know anyone looking for a house in Louisiana? ;)

Other than house hunting, yesterday was pretty quiet.

I started out the morning extra early, with a cup of tea and an advent calendar chocolate. And then later on, I totally burnt dinner! I was seriously upset, but decided to try the honey mustard chicken anyway, just to see how badly I messed it up. Turned out, I burnt the marinade that spilled onto the (fortunately tin foil covered) pan, but the actual chicken was awesome! I'll definitely make it again, but maybe I'll be more careful not to spill anything on the pan!

This year, I am approaching December Daily slightly differently. In the past, before I did Project Life, I would document what we did everyday with an accompanying picture. But since I document our daily going ons in Project Life, I'm focusing more on December stories this year.

So instead of talking about house hunting and burning dinner (which will still be documented, just not here), I talked about one of my favorite family Christmas traditions - our advent calendars!

"Every year, Aunt Diane buys us these exact chocolate filled advent calendars (she is awesome!). They have been a part of our Christmas tradition for as long as I can remember - the chocolate just tastes like Christmas to me and I almost memorized the sayings on the inside of the windows! I love waking up and having a little chocolate "present" waiting for me - its the only time of year I have chocolate with my breakfast every day!"

While I love my other albums (seriously, woke up this morning and read my 2011 and 2012 books again while drinking my tea), I am really loving this story centered approach this year!

Does using Project Life affect how you approach other projects?

The rest of December 2014: Day 1 | Day 2

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 2}

Happy Wednesday!

I'm so excited, I am going to look at more houses today. Our house in Louisiana hasn't sold yet, so we aren't ready to put in an offer in New York, but I am really enjoying looking at all kinds of houses in all the different towns around here. I figure by the time we are ready to put in an offer on a house, I'll know what all of our options are!

I just keep my fingers crossed that I don't find a "perfect" house, because I would want to buy it right away, and that's not an option right now!

But I'm sure it will be fun, and I should have some interesting pictures to share tomorrow!

Yesterday I took a ton of pictures!

Waiting to cross the bridge on the way to the grocery store | Cold weather + an advisory for an ice storm | Blogging in the morning | Writing up a menu + grocery list | And buying groceries | One of our Nativity scenes, this one is near the tree | Finally getting the empty boxes off the dining room table | Setting up the advent wreath

After I was done grocery shopping and decorating, I was playing with my camera and taking pictures of the tree. I decided to try out this tutorial.

The pictures reminded me of looking at the tree without my glasses on - something I love to do, and something I'm always trying to convince AJ is pretty. He doesn't wear glasses and can never understand what I mean when I try to describe what anything without glasses looks like!

"I've tried to explain to AJ (who has perfect vision) why the tree looks so beautiful without your glasses on. He never got it, until I found a tutorial showing how to take photos like this. He was shocked that this is my world without my glasses!"

Do you wear glasses? Do you love to look at the tree without them like I do?

I'm linking up my Day 2 with Ali Edwards again today. And the rest of my album pages are here: Day 1 (and by rest, I mean the other one...because its only Day 2!)

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

December Daily 2014 {Day 1}

Good morning! How was your Thanksgiving?

Our Thanksgiving weekend was fun, but the two weeks before...craziness!

Can you do me a favor? The next time I decide to move cross country and host a major holiday two weeks later, please remind me how crazy it was to unpack and shop and cook and get the house ready at the same time!

But really, without the deadline of hosting guests for a holiday, I seriously doubt we would have gotten everything unpacked and organized so quickly. So maybe I should always plan a big party right after a move so we have to get everything done?

Of course, the house is in upheaval again as we pull out all of the Christmas decor and try to figure out where it all fits in our new apartment!

And its time to begin another one of my favorite holiday traditions - December Daily. Like previous years, this will be my only digital project of the year.

I'm using Shutterfly again, because it is just so easy! Every morning I upload the pictures from the day before {or I upload my iphone pictures directly from their app - so easy!} I add the pages to the book one at a time, and by the end of the month, my book is done and ready to order!

I'll be sharing a bit about our days + my layouts here. It might be daily, it might not...I guess I'll just have to see how it works out! But I will be linking up with Ali Edwards.

And so, its on to Day 1!

It was a pretty normal December day. A little baking, watching food network by the tree.

We started our advent calendars. They are a wonderful tradition in my family. Every year, my aunt buys us all a chocolate advent calendar. It is one of my favorite December things, and I can't imagine starting off a Christmas season morning without that little piece of chocolate!

A little out of the ordinary today, AJ came home for lunch. He called around 1:15, he'd forgotten his lunch and since we live just 10 minutes away, he decided to come eat here. It was so fun to see him for a bit in the middle of the day!

Of all those stories today, I decided to start off December Daily with the peanut butter oatmeal cookies I was making. Which is nothing new really. 2011 and 2012 started off similarly, talking about cookies and baking...and 2013 started with another favorite holiday treat!

"It seems December Daily always starts with something baked. The start of this month, bringing out the Christmas decorations, watching our favorite Christmas movies {Home Alone | Christmas Vacation}, the cold weather, it all makes me want to fill the kitchen with flour and sugar and vanilla.
I tried a new recipe this time - peanut butter oatmeal cookies. I'm calling them "breakfast cookies", but just so I don't feel bad eating them in the morning!"

It feels awesome to start this project. How are you documenting your Christmas season?

Friday, September 19, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 26 + Week 27}

This week was a whirlwind - we had visitors, we were in New Orleans, I had the worst cough ever and lost my voice, I shared a new layout over at Julie's, and throughout it all, I was teaching

It was so amazing to see our friends though, it had been way too long now that we are all spread out all over the country!

I can't wait to get the pictures printed, but I'm trying to work chronologically, so I need to get through June and July and August first!

So that's what I worked on when I got home from work last night :)

Week 26 | June 23 - June 29

Things got a little stressful this week because it was the start of all of this drama. I chose not to journal about it here though. Instead, I focused on our impromptu overnight trip to New Orleans. We had a great time staying in the Garden District - it was the first time we visited there. And we got beignets, my absolute favorite!

And I also finished up my scrap room. Its a bit messy right now, as we had to turn it into a third bedroom while our friends were visiting, but I'm planning to clean it up this weekend and share pictures on Tuesday!

Week 27 | June 30 - July 6

Fourth of July week was pretty quiet around here. I basically only had pictures from 4th of July! So I decided to go all out with my Project Life page and my holiday kit. I am totally loving how it all came together. And I also love the top left pocket - it is see through with just a card in the middle. When it lines up with the pages behind it, you can see part of a baseball game and part of a vineyard.

I've been using see through spaces in the pockets more this year, and I'm really liking them! What are your go to design elements lately?

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

4th of July {Decor + Recipe}

Can you believe that it is already July?!

One of my favorite things about July (aside from it being summer break!) is 4th of July. We usually barbecue, go to the beach or the pool or run around in the sprinkler, decorate the house and turn all the food I can red + white + blue.

Last year, we started with these flag toasts for breakfast. This year, we are starting with something a little bit sweeter...or maybe ending with it, because it is definitely dessert! But on holidays, you can have dessert for breakfast, right? ;)

Some of my favorite summer treats involve fruit, pound cake and cool whip. But I wanted to make it a little more special with cookie cutters + food coloring. Because I will use any excuse to use cookie cutters + food coloring!

For this year, I decided to try out two different ~~breakfasts~~ desserts. My original idea was to make kabobs with the stars and strawberries, and cover them in Cool Whip. But then I thought star sandwiches would be so much more fun (and easier to eat!)

In the end, I'm glad I tried it both ways, because I loved the little sandwiches best, but AJ liked the kabobs better! So on Friday, I'll just make both. They were definitely easy enough for that!

And the food isn't the only thing I decorate...just after we got home from vacation in June, I decked the house out in patriotic colors. And the best part was that everything came from my stash or from our "waiting to be recycled" pile.

the stars and stripes papers were all in a summer pack that I've had for years, the polka dot papers were from a paper pack I bought last year | the stars were cut from an old moving box and painted or covered in paper | the firecrackers are empty breadcrumb containers | the flag "canvas" is an old cheerios box that's been painted + covered with scrapbook paper

Oh man, I really can't wait to celebrate on Friday - we are just hanging out at home, cooking, eating and playing in the sprinkler! What are your plans?

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Mardi Gras 2014 {Scrapbook Layout}

Happy Tuesday!

How was your weekend? Ours was pretty fun on Friday and Saturday - we took an overnight trip to New Orleans! Then on Sunday it was a little scary - we found black widow spiders got into our garage near the door! I don't like spiders normally, so poisonous spiders are definitely not my thing.

But that's enough talking about spiders, because I'm getting the creeps!

Let's talk about not scary scrapbook layouts instead :)

This layout is about our first Mardi Gras parade in Louisiana. We decided to go to the Spanish Town parade in Baton Rouge - it was so much fun! We went with two of AJ's coworkers and met up with mine and her family.

I couldn't see a thing, so I stood on top of a column {that picture is in this layout} I think that was my favorite part of the parade - actually being able to see what was going on. I think its the first parade I've ever been too that I could see about the heads of everyone else! I guess that's the life of being short.

One of my favorite things about this layout is the letters. They are actually white and I just used a sharpie to color them in to fit my page - I love doing this, I am definitely going to be sad when I run out of those white letter stickers!

What supply are you going to miss when you run out?

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Make Your Own Vase Fillers with ThermoMorph {Review}

I was provided with this product free of charge for review purposes. All opinions posted here are my own.

Happy Weekend Eve!

While AJ and I were on vacation in South Carolina, Rizzi at ThermoMorph reached out to me and asked if I would review their product.

To be honest, I'd never heard of it before, but when I went on the website, the crafter + the chemistry teacher in me were totally intrigued by these polymorph molable plastic granules.

Basically, they are little white pellets, and when you put them in boiling water, they melt into moldable plastic, then they harden back into hard plastic. And you can buy them on Amazon in a giant tub (500g).

It was really easy to use. You boil some water and let it cool to around 150*F, drop the pellets into the water and wait two minutes for it to get clear. Then you can stretch, mold and play with the plastic.

When I started out, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it.

I am not great with free hand molding of things, and I found that the material was hard to cut or trim into shapes with the scissors I have. So I tried a few different things, including making a "bowl" with my giant cupcake pan.

Fortunately, the plastic can be melted again and again, even after you've molded and hardened it. I loved that I could just "melt" my mistakes away! And trust me, I made a lot of ~~mistakes~~ creative attempts that didn't work out how I imagined.

When I'd had enough for that, I pulled out my molds. I tried out two different ones. The first one I tried was this red one. It is a soft silicone mold. It worked okay, but I found when I tried to squish the plastic into the mold, the mold squished with it, and so my pumpkin was a bit misshapen.

The second one I tried was this orange mold. I think its silicone too, but it is hard so it held up to my squishing!

These little plastic guys came out great! And a coat of orange + green paint made them look like real little pumpkins.

I ended up making this little piece of framed art with some of the pumpkins. {inspired by this pin} I can't wait to add this to my fall decor...in a few months!

Have you ever tried a product like this before? What would you use ThermoMorph for?

Friday, June 20, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 21}

Happy Friday!

Week 21 | May 19 - May 25

This layout really focuses on Memorial Day weekend. Its the official start of summer, and I couldn't wait for this weekend. We hung out in our backyard Friday night + went a crawfish boil on Saturday (our first!) On Sunday, AJ got me tickets to Bayou Country Superfest for my birthday. I love Eric Church and have been waiting to see him in concert for a long time. And it was so so worth it - he was awesome!

Just like last week, I wanted to include the tickets + schedule in my layout. Unlike last week, I could have put these into a page protector, because being able open/read them isn't as important. But, I had the hole puncher out, and I decided to just punch holes and put them directly into my album. Simple, easy and done!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 16 + Week 17}

Happy Friday!

I am so glad that this week is over. I am so done with the craziness that it brought!

Last night was not crazy, and I was so happy. While AJ was at his last night of bowling league, I made lots of Project Life layouts.

Week 16 | April 14 - April 20, 2014

Just a few weeks before Easter, my parents surprised us and told us they wanted to fly down for Easter. And so my dad could see the house - he hadn't visited yet!

The whole left side are pictures from the beginning of their visit. They flew in on Good Friday, and we visited Mississippi on Saturday. It was so fun to have them in town with us.

On the right side, I added a picture of AJ and I at a going away party for a friend, a picture of our Easter Egg hunt at school + a holidy mini kit card about Easter + a snapshot of the readings for Easter Sunday at church.

I also added these fun stars in to some of the pockets that weren't entirely filled. I love how fun they are, and how they add color to the see through elements!

Week 17 | April 21 - April 27, 2014

My parents stayed until Wednesday. We mostly hung around the house, went shopping and went out to eat. I don't have too many pictures, but I did manage to get a few of their first crawfish experience! My dad liked them, but my mom didn't like having to crack open the shells - so AJ did it for her. I just enjoyed from behind the camera, they are so not my thing!

The next weekend, we went to the Zurich Golf Classic in New Orleans. You are allowed to take pictures on the course, but I did take a picture of our dinner date afterwards (man, do I love that spinach dip!)

Even now, when I don't take "a lot" of pictures in a week, I still end up with more than enough for my Project Life. I think the camera is my favorite part about upgrading to the iphone from my blackberry last summer! Its always with me, and its so easy to grab a quick picture of whatever we are doing.

What is your go-to camera?

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Reception Decor: Burlap Banners {Wedding Recaps}

For me, one of the most exciting things about wedding planning was the decor.

I had a really specific idea in mind for our reception decor, and it involved burlap banners.

Fortunately, before our engagement photo shoot, I perfected my technique for creating no sew burlap bunting.

And you know I put that good use for the wedding!

Photo Credit: Ruby Star Photography

Basically, you need:

burlap
felt
marker
iron on bonding
twine
iron + ironing board
kitchen towel
stencil
acrylic paint + paint brush

Once upon a time, I created a tutorial with pictures. This is just an updated version of it.

Trace a bunting shape onto your felt + cut it out.
Lay one felt bunting piece on your ironing board. Place a strip of Stitch Witchery along each side of the triangle.
Now is a great time to add the twine so it is “sewn” into the bunting. Just lay a piece across the top of your bunting. Be sure to leave enough to tie your bunting on one side, and enough to add the other bunting pieces on the other.
Carefully place a piece of burlap on top of the bunting. Be careful not to knock off the Stitch Witchery or twine! Iron as directed.
Cut out your bunting using the felt as a guide. Be very very very careful not to cut the twine!
Repeat until all of your pieces are cut out. Just keep lining them up along the same piece of twine, and when you get to the end. Trim so you have enough to tie your bunting on this side too.
Stencil on your phrase with the acrylic paint + sponge brush.
And then use the bunting everywhere you possibly can think of!

Photo Credit: Ruby Star Photography

Like for the card box. This Michael's crate got a coat of dark orange paint on the outside + two dowels + a banner for a quick and easy (and inexpensive!) card box!

Photo Credit: Ruby Star Photography

You can add burlap to the head table. Yeah, I know its backwards...but AJ is a lefty, so we sat "backwards" at our reception so we weren't banging into each other the whole time we tried to eat!

Photo Credit: Ruby Star Photography

And of course a fireplace needs a touch of burlap bunting. And the extra burlap fabric is perfect wrapped around potted mums, with a fall themed ribbon.

Do you ever create your own buntings or banners? What do you use them for?

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Easter Egg Wreath + Mantle {Home Decor}

Happy Thursday!

I am thrilled to report that this week is almost over! Not that its been a bad week, I'm just really looking forward to the weekend. AJ had to work the past two weekends, and last weekend I was in California, so it will be nice to have a regular weekend together!

Its also Palm Sunday weekend, which means that it is almost Easter!

Easter is the first "big" holiday that we've had the house, so I was really excited to decorate for it. Seriously, if I was this thrilled over Easter, Christmas is going to be insane!

I've never actually decorated for Easter before, so I started with making a wreath for our front door.

This one was super easy. I followed this tutorial pretty much exactly.

I had glue sticks and cardboard laying around, so all I needed were the eggs, which I got in a big giant bag from Target for $2. Oh, and the Easter grass. I had some, but it was blue and I wanted purple, so I got some of that at Target too.

I really wanted to create a pattern, so I laid everything out to make sure I had the right number of colors.

And then I started gluing everything down.

And before I knew it, we had a pretty new wreath for our front door.

And I had about a zillion eggs left over. So I decided to fill up my Ikea lanters + create an egg garland for the mantle. I love how cheerful it looks.

Now I just need to hold off on making the Easter baskets for another week. I've been dyyyying to make it for a while now, ever since I bought the candy for it!

Also, in an entirely unrelated to Easter comment, I just wanted to point out the artwork on the mantle. One of the things I love about it is that it was all handmade, and all give to us as gifts! The awesome monogram frame is from Jules, the maps were a bridal shower gift from a friend and the wedding frame was a Christmas gift made by my brother and his girlfriend!

Do you decorate for Easter, or do you just do a general spring theme? I am going to switch everything over to spring during my spring break!

Monday, March 17, 2014

St. Patrick's Day Wreath

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing green today? I am totally rocking my new St. Patrick's Day socks from my mom (and a green top and shamrock headband too!)

Even my house is wearing green!

You know I had to make a St. Patrick's Day wreath - and this one was so easy! All I did was wrap burlap ribbon around a wire wreath form. It didn't have to be neat and perfect, because I was going for a rustic look here.

And added some green ribbon to make it extra St. Patrick's Day-ish. Plus it was just hanging out in my ribbon box, so why not throw it in?

And of course, a big bow with a pin from Target's $1 Spot :)

And now my house won't get pinched today. Seriously though, I never heard of the whole pinching-someone if-they-aren't-wearing-green" thing until I was in college, or maybe even teaching. But it seems that everyone at my school knew about it!

Do you pinch people if they aren't wearing green?

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Valentine's Day Wreath

Happy Valentine's Week everyone!

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. And I love decorating our whole house with tons of Valentine's Day goodies. But this year, I had to hold back on the decorating, because we are closing on our house on Friday, so everything has to be packed up and ready to move.

But, I couldn't leave the apartment totally undecorated!

I decided to put together a quick wreath, so at least it looked Valentine's Day-ish from the outside.

And I totally plan on having the wreath in the car at closing, so when we get to the house, I can put it right up on our front door!

This was seriously so easy to put together. I used a wire wreath form (I usually use styrofoam bases for my wreaths, but this was on sale, and way way less expensive!) + burlap ribbon to make the base of the wreath. I just wrapped and wrapped the burlap until I liked how it looked :)

Then I painted and glittered a red heart - and now I'm seeing a few spots that can use some extra glitter once we are settled into the house!

And added these cute felt hearts that I found in the Target $1 Spot :)

Seriously, this project took me about a half hour total. I made it after work one day, when I was wanting something crafty to do, but didn't want to start a whole big thing. What is it about having to move and pack up all my craft goodies that makes me what to take them all out and play?!

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day, or do you let your winter decor do the talking in February?

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Valentine's Day 2013 {Scrapbook Layout}

Valentine's Day is next week!!!

I am so excited, it is one of my favorite holidays of the year. And its on Friday! So yay!!!

Okay, I'm going to try to contain my Valentine's Day related excitement, so I can show you this Valentine's Day layout!

Last year, on Valentine's Day, AJ took me to dinner at La Madia in Chicago. You know how much I love my pizza.

Seriously, its even the title of the layout :)

We decided to get two pizzas. Because really, the only thing better than one pizza is two pizzas!

Oh man guys, now that I'm looking at this picture, I want these pizzas again! The one on the left is a smoked mozzarella and mushroom pizza, and the one on the right is arugula, prosciutto and shaved parmigiano reggiano cheese...

I think a re-creation of these pizzas might be needed to celebrate Valentine's Day this year! What do you think?