Author:Lori
Celebrate, Create

DIY Poms…

January 11
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So I promised to show the EASY step-by-step instructions for tissue poms!  It really is such a simple thing to do, and when you make them yourself you’ll save a load of money!  The great thing about poms is that they look so festive and can make any occasion look extra special…even everyday celebrations can feel like a party when you hang a cluster of poms!  And since they cost so little to create you can make plenty for ANY area of your home!  I sometimes even hang them outside on my covered patio…if they get a little tattered from the elements I can just toss them out and make new!  Take a look at these simple instructions…even minor mishaps can be covered up with ease!  Grab your favorite tissue colors and patters and…

get your festive on with poms…

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Create, Holidays

Lovin’ Those Tissue Tassels & Poms!

January 8
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Even though winter has really just begun…I’m ready for some spring color!  Maybe it’s because the weather has been so warm and the grass in our backyard is actually still green?  Maybe the thermometer has given the false impression that spring is just around the corner?  Or maybe the festivity of the holiday has merely spilled over making me want to keep everything happy and bright?  I’m not sure the real reason!  And even though I LOVE hunkering down indoors during the long winter nights I guess there’s no rule that states I can’t do that while surrounded by some cheerful hues!  So with the thought of Valentines Day on the distant horizon I added some pinks & purples just to make me smile!  I absolutely love tissue paper tassels and poms for making a room look whimsical and festive!  Mostly we think of using them for parties…but why wait for a celebration to perk up your spaces, right?  They’re easy and inexpensive to make…and now you can buy kits that have them practically put together for you!  So if you’re feeling the need for some colorful cheer…let some tassels & poms brighten your spaces!

whimsical, winter color…

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Favorite Things, Garden

Favorite Things

January 6
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I know Spring is several months away…and I’m truly not trying to rush winter!  I really enjoy the snow (when we get it!) and love the long nights by the fire!  But a quick trip to the grocery store led me to a favorite find that I just couldn’t pass up!  I had to think for a sec to make sure I shouldn’t wait to purchase this touch of springtime, but worried that they might quickly be gone–I grabbed one to take home!  Winter has me wishing a bit for something green and fresh…so I often buy a bunch of flowers or potted bulbs to bring life into the house until the seasons change again.   Today I’d like to share this fave that I can enjoy now…and later when spring shows it’s happy face!

sweet, springtime succulents!

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Create, Decorate

Fabric Refresh!

January 4
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Here we are in 2016!  I hope everyone has gotten off to a great start in the first few days of the New Year!   I enjoyed the holiday break visiting with family and friends, eating way too much, and remaining 95% unplugged from technology for the entirety of our Christmas vacation!  The week prior to Christmas I was having some technical difficulties with the blog photos…any of you who view with your phones may have noticed that the photos were upside down or sideways!  I was planning on trying to figure out what was up with this technological glitch but honestly decided not to fret about it during the holiday!  I’m testing something new this morning and hope it works but if not, I promise to get to the bottom of this with much needed help from my friend who knows more about computers than I do!  But until then, I will keep moving forward with some DIY fun!  I don’t know about you, but when the holidays are over and all the decorations come down…my house seems a bit barren!  But I have mixed feelings about seeing everything go…while it’s sad to think of packing up all the festivity, the Christmas tree’s finest moments had withered and gone and I was feeling anxious for something fresh again.  I’d been thinking a little ahead over the break and I knew I wanted to make some kind of “artwork” to set on the cabinet in my living room after the holiday decor was gone.  It’s funny how ideas come to you sometimes isn’t it?  But while I was working on some Giggle mini magnet boards I found my inspiration.  I often come across interesting things inside the frames I purchase…and behind a framed 1943 teaching certificate was a simple piece of fabric turned backwards to fill the space between the paper and the backing.  When I flipped the fabric over I absolutely fell in love!  The pattern was so fun and graphic I decided to keep it in that small frame and use it in my home somewhere.  So that silly little scrap of vintage fabric inspired my DIY artwork for the empty space in my living room!

refresh a room with fabric…

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Favorite Things, Holidays

Cookie Fun!

December 23
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So it’s time to make those last holiday cookies to indulge on…or maybe leave out for the Big Man!  Even though we have PLENTY of sweets to eat around here, I just don’t think my holiday would be the same without some freshly baked & decorated Christmas cookies…making the kitchen smell heavenly as well as “sprinkled” with adornments that should be on the cookies but somehow end up just about everywhere else!  That’s how I like my kitchen to be in the days before Christmas eve!  This year I found some new cookie cutters that I just couldn’t resist!  And though we’ll still make some trees, stars, or reindeer…I thought the boys would have a little fun with a twist on the gingerbread men.  See the whimsical addition to our traditional cookies…

ninjabread men!

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Celebrate, Holidays

White Elephant Fun!

December 21
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I know I’ve mentioned Breakfast Club in the past…a morning every other week where moms (who no longer have little ones at home all day any more) meet for some coffee, nibbles, and always good company!  Right after school drop-off the host opens her doors for all to stop by for a quick cup of joe or to linger into the late morning!  It’s really a lot of fun and a great way to catch up with old friends AND meet some new ones!  I decided to volunteer to host the last gathering before Christmas break…and lucky for me it just happened to be the annual White Elephant Gift Exchange!  And even better–one of my friends offered to co-host it with me!  Needless to say, I had SO much fun preparing for this final Breakfast Club of the year!  And when the morning arrived it was filled with plenty of laughter and joy–a fabulous way to start the festivities of the holiday!

jolly, holiday fun!

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Create, Holidays

Easy Holiday DIY!

December 18
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Still looking for some gift ideas?  Or maybe just a project to do with the kids over the long holiday break?  Either way, this DIY project is fun, easy, and useful!  Earlier this year my mom brought me some lotion that her creatively gifted friend had made.  It was so wonderfully scented and luxuriously creamy I used mine up rather quickly and had to find out how she made it!  Well, it turned out to be a pretty simple recipe and I thought it would not only make wonderful gifts but a nice way to treat myself from time to time!  So if you’re in need of some holiday favors, hostess gifts, or presents for under the tree…take a peek at this wonderful DIY project!

soothe those hard-working holiday hands!

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Create, Holidays

Mini Forest

December 16
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I get so excited to decorate my holiday table for Christmas dinner!  I also love to try new recipes…but since my family members are creatures of habit, I often serve up many of the same recipes for our holiday meal each year!  It’s hard to deviate from something that works and everyone looks forward to!  But as far as decorations are concerned…I have plenty of freedom to experiment!  I don’t think I’ll hear any complaining about the color I choose for the table runner, but it would be an outrage if there was no sweet potato casserole!  So since the menu is pretty set…I’ll be content to play around with the table decor and create something special for our meal together!  I haven’t yet decided on a centerpiece…but I can tell you it will be simple!  But while busily crafting for Giggle this season, I’ve had the opportunity to have plenty of holiday supplies on hand, some of which inspired the idea for place cards on my Christmas table!  I love simple DIY projects…and this one is so easy and requires minimal AND inexpensive supplies from the craft store!  Have a peek at what I’m making…

a mini forest for the table!

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Favorite Things

Favorite Things…

December 14
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The calendar is approaching Christmas day and I hope all of you who are in the holiday race to find the perfect gifts have crossed the finish line!  I’m sorry to say that I’m not even close to finished with my shopping…but fortunately there IS still time!  And if you find yourself in the same position as me…you’re probably hoping to come across some holiday gift ideas!  As you know, I love to share…and today I’d like to highlight something that you might want to give to a girl in your life!  A friend of mine just recently wrote the most wonderful book that is designed to guide young girls on their life journey.  I’d heard buzz about the book but admittedly, I really didn’t know that much about it.  As luck would have it, I’ve been working with her a lot recently and had the opportunity to read portions of Total Package Girl…and then I was curious!  Certain passages caught my attention and I realized that girls of ALL ages might benefit from her wise words…so I bought one!  After reading it I truly have to say that this book gave me such insight, inspiration, and encouragement!  And though it’s intended for adolescent and teen girls and the situations they face, I believe that the messages in this book can provide guidance no matter what age we are!  Her words offer advice on how to handle good and bad situations…finding the confidence to stand up for yourself and others in graceful ways.  She speaks of prioritizing…to learn how to keep what’s really important in your sight and shuffle the rest to the back of the stack!  She explains how to make solid, independent decisions…but to recognize when you might need to ask for help.  The book touches on many life lessons such as leading a healthy lifestyle…and getting enough sleep! (i love that one!)  It also includes advice on money and time management, motivation to strive for strong academics, and the importance of finding quiet, personal time for yourself but also serving others!  I would actually love for my boys to read it…maybe a “Total Package Guy” will be on her literary horizon?  So if you’re hoping to find something special…you might not have to look any further!  I’ll have the link for how to get one at the bottom of the post!  If you’ve got a girl and you need a holiday, birthday, graduation, or “any time” gift…you might want to consider Total Package Girl!

inspiration with no age limit…

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