Turkey Tradition

This post is very near and dear to my heart. I can't even remember the first time I made these "turkey" cookies, but I know that it was when I was a little girl. It was something that my mom and I made as Thanksgiving gifts or for place settings over the years.  There is not a Thanksgiving that doesn't go by, that I can't make at least one of these and I think of my mom every time.

Here is what you will need: (cost me less than $10 for everything!)

• Oatmeal Cookies
• Fudge Striped Cookies
• Chocolate Covered Cherries
• Candy Corn
• Chocolate Icing

The oatmeal cookie is the base for your turkey.

You will need to cut right below the hole on the fudge striped cookie. 

Generous amounts of icing is best to secure everything in place.  

The chocolate covered cherry is the body. The fudge striped cookie goes right behind the body to become the feathers.

Finish it off with a candy corn!

Perfect for decorating the Thanksgiving Day table!

~Happy Thanksgiving~

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Party Platters

Tutorial #2 is probably something you have seen, but if not you are in for a treat! 

You will need:

• Plastic platters or bowls (I got all of mine from the Dollar Tree)
• Glass candle holders (also from the Dollar Tree)
• Clear E-6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive (found it at Hobby Lobby)

 Again, such an easy project...

I went to the Dollar Tree with an idea of how many platters I needed and what I needed to display on the food table.  Most platters will only need one candle holder.

I sprayed the platters on the backside, so that food would never touch the paint.

  

I chose not to spray the candle holders, if there was a chance it would touch the food... in other words I was really cautious about that!

Don't limit yourself to just "platters."  I also got these plastic bowls for $1 and I even added a stand to a vegetable tray. Tables always look better with some varying heights.  I think this technique would even work to display items for your table at a craft show. (which is coming up sooner than I realize... Ahhh!)

Again, sorry I don't have better pictures, but you can still see how it came out.

(Just pull out your magnifying glass. hahaha.)

~Happy Party Planning~

Behind the Scenes Part 2

So, I wanted to deliver on two quick tutorials that I know you can use!! If you didn't see Part 1, you can check it out to see some the "Little Man" decorations as well as party ideas.

Tonight's post is just about the tutorials...

Tutorial #1: Easy Peasy Chalkboards!!

You will need:

• Picture frames or mirrors from your local thrift store (I scored mine for .69 and .99!!)
• A can of chalkboard spray paint

I removed the glass from the picture frames. I had to tape out the mirror because it was not removable.  I really had no clue if the paint would work on these surfaces, but I'm here to tell you it did!!  I did these on my back porch for quick drying time in the sun. I did about 3 layers and let each layer dry completely before I did the next.  Of course I also sprayed the frames to add some color, but that just took a couple coats of your standard spray paint.  I loved how these turned out. The possibilities are endless for these little beauties!

 The square, "Cookie Bar" chalk board was the mirror... off to the right, another chalk board made from a .69 picture frame informed guests of the two cupcake flavors: Chocolate cake with White Chocolate Icing and an amazing Chai cupcake!! Each cupcake was topped with mustaches made from a candy mold I ordered off of amazon.

 OMG... They were so good! Thank you to my good friend who is a baking goddess.

 Sorry I got sidetracked! I love cupcakes... Here is another "chalkboard." This one welcomed the guests and told them to "Grab a Stache." This is after the party, of course it looks a little messy, but you get the idea.

If you are interested in the second tutorial of the evening... check it out here.

~Happy Spraying~

Little Man Party.... Behind the Scenes

Here are just a few tips and tricks to start off the tour.  This weekend, I hope to have a couple of tutorials to go along with this behind the scenes tour.

First of all, if you didn't catch the theme, it was a "Little Man" party. Check out the invitation I designed using Paint.

If you look closely at the photo above, you can see some of the decorations I came up with.  Beginning with the Birthday clothesline.  So EASY and really CUTE!!! It's a win, win.  I made a tie and a number one template. I bought assorted scrapbook paper 50% and went to town cutting out as many as I could.  I also had black and white pictures printed that featured Jaxson's first year of life. (including some of him in my belly)  I got the blue rope and the clothespins at the Dollar Tree... one of my favorite stores! The left room was set up for the adults, so I cut out the words, "Big Men" for that clothesline. The right side had a kids table, cookie bar for favors, balloons for the babies to chase and a "Pin the Mustache on Jaxson" game.  That clothesline had "Little Men" spelled out.

We took one of the 4 by 6 black and white photos to Kinkos. They were able to do a 24 by 36 photocopy for about $5! The kids that played were blindfolded and asked to "pin the mustache" on Jaxson.

I wish I had some better close ups of the decorations, but the day of the party I wasn't really "blog minded."  I will have to do better next time.  We did have our friend who is a photographer come shoot the party, so maybe he got some better shots.  If you are a blogger, I would definitely assign an artsy friend to get some good shots of the party for your blog.

 For the center pieces, I used plastic lanterns that I had from my baby shower.  I bought the shredded blue crinkle paper at the dollar store as well.  Each center piece had three things: one mustache on a stick, one pinwheel on a stick and one clothespin glued upside down to hold a black and white photo. I also did six lanterns with just two pinwheels that lined the fireplace mantle.

Okay... that's all for now... stay tuned for some more of the cute ideas and even easy projects you can do for your party!

~Happy Party Planning~

Burlap is Best

Today was Jaxson's FIRST birthday party! So, later this week I will fill you all in on some of the fun and easy projects I did for the party.  It seemed to be a hit and even though he might not remember it; I know he felt very special and loved today. Thank you to all the friends and family that came out to celebrate his first year of life!

On to today's quick and easy project...

Here is what you need:

• Burlap (I wish I could remember where we got it! We went so many places this week, but I know it was $14... I know that sounds pricey, but I promise more fun and easy projects in the future. So, it will not go to waste.)
• Pull out the good ol' Spray Adhesive again
• Any clear candle holders sitting around your house
• Scissors

Lay your candle down on the edge of the burlap. Cut along the top edge of the candle. Roll the candle to see how much burlap you will need. 

You should have a rectangle. Spray several layers of the adhesive.

Roll the candle, pressing the burlap onto the glass. 

Trim the edges...

Oh I just love mini makeovers to give something a fresh look!

~Happy Relaxing~

On a side note... the adhesive can obviously get really sticky... just a hint to get it off some surfaces and especially your fingers, use rubbing alcohol and it should take it right off.

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Skip to My Lou 

Felting Frenzy

I just love alliteration and silly titles. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  I have been meaning to get this one up for awhile. I was actually hoping to have it up so you could whip up a trick-or-treat bag for the kids... Oh well! Such is life; always running a hundred miles an hour.  I will, however, challenge you to still give this one for a different holiday, season or reason. My husband says... to put a turkey on it! I may actually try that.

What you need:

• Four pieces of felt to make the tote (I try to get them when they are 5 for $1 at Hobby Lobby!)
• One piece for the decoration or applique
• Large Needle
• Embroidery thread

 Cut out your design. I just cut this out by hand. You could look for a pattern.

Pin it in place...

 and a stitch, stitch here and a stitch, stitch there...

Once it is all stitched on your bag, set that piece aside.  

I don't have measurements for you, but I did cut one piece of felt into three strips.

These three strips become the sides and bottom of the bag. Pin it to the piece you just stitched.

Sew in place. Add the back piece, pin in place and sew once more. You should have a tote without a handle, rectangular in shape.

The last piece is used for the handle. I cut two strips, sewed them together in the middle and then sewed them onto either sides of the bag. 

~Happy Trick-or-Treating~

 I bought the baby's costume, but was able to sew my costume without a pattern!! I was very proud of myself.  The husband once again obliged to play along.  As usual his costume was thrown together thanks to the local thrift store.

 Our very FIRST house!

My tired little lion.

Sneak peak for the Holidays... take this tutorial and shrink to size.

Mini Christmas totes... perfect for Chatty Crafty. (wink! wink!) For this one I just used the print on fabric technique. Check that out here.