Easter Decor

    Good morning! I wish I could say it was a beautiful spring morning here in Helvetia, but I woke up to frost and fog. But, I sure hope it's a lovely day where you are! As we approach the Easter holiday, I thought I'd share some easy decorating vignettes I set out around my home. Nothing fancy this year as I am not hosting, but I think the photos show that incorporating seasonal decor items with everyday things keeps the cost and trouble low while still making the home feel celebratory. Enjoy...and may you have a wonderful and blessed holiday! -S

You may recognize this display from my last post...a quick switch of containers and it was ready!

A branch set in plaster of Paris makes the perfect Easter tree!
I sprayed mine white to give it a birch tree effect.

The addition of faux eggs to an ordinary lantern gives it that Easter-y feel!

Kitchen countertop...paper napkins make a cute decorative (and practical) addition!

Dining room built-in buffet...I just need flowers in the little vintage pitcher!

A silver-handled dessert tray makes the perfect resting spot for this Easter nest! 

The living room mantel...vintage postcard, a porcelain gift from Mom,
and greenery livens up the usual candle sticks and art.

Piano in the entry hall...I use this vintage children's piano music
book for every holiday. Love the illustrations!

St. Patrick's Day Countertop Vignette

 I've always had mixed feelings about faux flowers, but these lily of the valley bunches have me convinced that they can liven up the place. I just wish they would smell like the real thing...ahh, wouldn't that be heavenly? Until then, I'll just patiently await the real thing's arrival in my garden next month.  In any case, just wanted to share this cute St. Patrick's Day vignette from my kitchen.  I don't have a lot of decorations for this holiday (even though my husband is half Irish), but I think a wee bit is just what the leprechaun ordered!  

Sources: Garland, Hobby Lobby. Lily of the Valley stems, Michaels. Pitcher and Candle, Home Goods. Ribbon, JoAnn.

109,000 to be exact! Thanks for stopping by...and be sure to leave a comment on your favorite projects!

 

Holiday Decorating...Gearing up for Easter!

    March may seem like an odd time to post a couple of Christmas decorating photos, but as soon as I'm past St. Patrick's Day on Thursday I'll be putting up Easter and I thought it might be fun to talk about how to use simple items to make a big impact on your holiday decorating scheme. A few highlights from the photos...decide on a color scheme, add clear canister jars filled with colorful candy (inexpensive and easy), tie ribbons (a favorite of mine, the more the better!), layout dishware, and use crisp classic table linens.  Another addition...whimsy.   I like to add collectibles gathered over the years from family, estate sales, and after-season sales to fill in the scenes I create around the house. Hope these images get your creative juices flowing, and I'll be back next week with some ideas on Easter decorating that will celebrate the true meaning of the season and have the Easter Bunny hopping with excitement!

A touch of vintage adds to the curated feel...vintage napkins, goblets, and Santa, of course!

Notice how the long tails on the chandelier ribbons add drama!

BFF Friendship Bracelets

 Okay, the last one for today! This is a super simple personalization of some store-bought (Fred Meyer) friendship bracelets I found on clearance after Valentine's Day.  Of course, you could make your own bracelets to attach to the FREE printable card as well. And, as I post this, I've realized I don't have a picture of the finished product. But, basically, all you're doing is making a new version of the card they came on. A quick punch of a standard hole punch on each end of the card will give you the little notches you need. Friends are the best, aren't they?!

Dollar Tree Sleep Mask Upgrade...Dancer Style!

 Here's the second project of the day, including a FREE printable tag (sized to fold and fit over the original tag)! These sleep masks are just a basic black satin version purchased at Dollar Tree (earplugs included) that I've embellished with some iron-on glitter vinyl lettering made on my Cricut using the "Market Deco" font and a brush lettering font. If you don't have one, you can always purchase pre-made letters at the craft store or use puffy paint if you've got a really steady hand.  Sleep tight!

Free Printable Tags!

Upcycle...Dancer's Mini Hair-do Kit

 Hello! I know it's been a while...okay, a long while. But, life in 2020 comes at us fast, right?! I've been going through my photos and realized there were a couple projects I never shared before leaving my dance team days behind me last spring when our schools closed for the year due to Covid-19.  The first is an upcycle using plastic chewing gum containers (Extra brand). I did use my Cricut machine to embellish the mini hair-do kit, but there are lots of options for those without one including stickers, paint pens, or permanent markers.  I started by cutting a cute piece of bow print scrapbooking cardstock paper to 4" x 2-1/2" to hold the hair elastics and bobby pins.  To hold the elastics in place, I used a hole punch just on the edge to create a groove for them to sit in.  Obviously, you could fit a lot more supplies inside (like hairnets, mini-elastics, etc.) but, I was making them to sell so it was just for demonstration effect. I think these would make a really cute "Welcome to the Team" type gift, or a secret sister gift, or even a stocking stuffer for your favorite dancer. The list goes on, but needless to say, if you start collecting these plastic gum cases they're useful for many purposes from first aid supplies to business cards. The possibilities are endless!  

Bath Loofah Ballerinas!

Here's another quick and easy favor/motivator/gift for the dancer in your life...and, surprise (not!) it starts with a trip to Dollar Tree. I know, I know, pretty much every one of my projects begins there, but when you're making things for resale at fundraisers it's the best place to start! I've attached photos as directions, and the image for your FREE printing use...twirl on!

Loofah's 4/$1 at Dollar Tree

Print and trim to size (so the card fits inside a cellophane bag, also Dollar Tree), and make an X
opening with an Exacto knife at the waist of the ballerina.

Gently insert the loofah rope through the hole created with the X marking, tape down.

Finished product....Bath Loofah Ballerinas!

FREE PRINTABLE! Print landscape orientation, one image (two ballerinas) per 8-1/2"x11" sheet.

"Unwrap a Sweet Performance Today" Free Printable Favor Tag

Hey there...just thought I'd pop into your inboxes with a really quick little printable! It all started with the cute "Christmas Cracker" style boxes I found in the clearance section of my local Fred Meyer and some discounted Valentines' candy.  Bing, bang and another darling little goodie is ready to sell at the dance competition gift table our team puts on! Of course, it would also work for a small recital gift, theater performance, or school show.  Now, I'm off to see if I can make some similar boxes on my Cricut. I'll keep you posted...enjoy and TGIF!

FREE PRINTABLE TAGS!

It's time to "scrunch" the competition!

Am I the only one that's a little surprised to see the scrunchie trend coming back?  Not one to let the opportunity to tap into the trends pass me by, I'm jumping on board while preparing for my annual dance team competition gift table.  There are lots of tutorials for making scrunchies online (even some no-sew options), so I'll skip that part... other than to say it's a great use for all those scraps of fabric you've been hanging on to! But, I wanted to share another printable freebie with you all that would work for any dance or cheer team as a motivator/competition favor.  Just print and cut, fold in half, slide the scrunchie between the halves, and staple.  Now go on and "SCRUNCH" your day people!

FREE PRINTABLE SCRUNCHIE TAG!

Hot Pink Birthdays are the Best!

As a mom of two daughters, I know pink.  I know it so well in fact, that the last two year's of birthday parties for my youngest have both had equal amounts of pink...hot pink. Of course, my daughter picks it, but trust me I'm not mad at it.  Here are some pictures to inspire your next pink party...

The chandelier was decorated with tassels made from Dollar Tree plastic tablecloths.

Paper flowers and black/white streamers hung in each window.

Naked Oreo Cake...the topper is just a foam half-spere with Dollar Tree Roses.
Numbers made on my Cricut.

16th Birthday New Driver Door Decorations...made on my Cricut.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake...with more Cricut numbers!

Etch-a-Sketch Goodie Bags!

As many of you know, I'm a loyal Dollar Tree shopper.  So, when prepping all the little goodies to sell at a recital gift table fundraiser in June, I was thrilled to find these mini Etch-a-Sketch's.  They came in a few color combinations too, so not too gender specific.  Perfect for the elementary school-aged dancers who were my target market.  I added a granola bar and a small pack of gum to complete this backstage boredom busting goodie bag!  I've also included in this post a free printable of the perfectly "punny" gift tag. One was geared toward the dancers, the other toward younger siblings in the audience.  Enjoy!

FREE PRINTABLE TAGS!

Movtivate to Elevate!

Phew...it's been WAY too long since I've posted, so I've got some major uploads going on today!  I'll start with a plethora of little motivators.  I like to hand them out to the girls on the dance team before each performance (assemblies, halftimes or competitions.)  And, if you've been following along with previous posts, I've decided to add the date/event to all the little notes this year because many of the girls save them for posterity. So sweet!  You'll notice the wording and colors play off the theme of the game night (Pink Out, Neon Night, etc.) or the competition theme.  I love me some puns!