I’m so excited to be guest blogging over on Sweet Designs today! Amy Atlas has been a huge inspiration to me over the years so I was completely honored to provide a picnic inspired DIY project for her site. You can see my paper chopstick holders and get full instructions on how to make the custom paper napkins right here.

Thanks so much to Amy for having me and I hope you all get a chance to get outdoors and enjoy a meal outside! Cheers!

I did these last year but I really wanted to share them with my newer readers. I love how the project turned out and they would make the perfect compliment to yesterday’s DIY. For full instructions, check out the original post. You’ll find everything you need to make your own sparkler cards, matchbook wrappers and straw tags, including printable templates!

As promised, I’m back today with the last of my sisters baby shower details. I had so much fun putting it all together and preparing all the pieces. I think the cake topper was my favorite part and hopefully it’ll be something they can keep for some time.

The favors were a keepsake that each of the guests got to take home and were based off these that I had seen in the portfolio of Rebecca Thuss. Mine didn’t come out nearly as beautiful but they were still a sweet addition to the event. I wrapped two shortbread cookies in clear cellophane and put them inside the fabric envelope. These little envelopes could hold any number of things really with the proportions adjusted to fit. Below are instructions for how to make your own.

What You’ll Need:
Fabric
Scissors
Scalloped Rotary Cutter
Thread
Shortbread Cookies
Diaper Pins

Instructions:
1. Cut fabric into strips about 5″ wide x 9″ long. Fold top of fabric in 1/2″ towards wrong side of fabric and hem. Repeat on bottom edge.
2. Once both top and bottom edges have been hemmed, fold bottom portion of fabric up approvimetly 3.75″ creating an envelope. Sew along both edges 1/2″ in; securing both sides of the envelope.
3. Add a little detail and prevent fraying by trimming the sides with pinking shears or a scalloped rotary cutter. Be sure to fold top over to where it will approximately be once favor is inside then cut – the scallops will align and the envelope will appear more finished.
3. Finally, slide favor inside envelope and secure with a baby pin!

As promised, I’ve got another wedding DIY for all of you today! Better yet, this Book Cover and Bookmark coordinate with yesterday’s DIY Favor Bags. Adorned with the phrase “True love stories never have endings” this bookmark says it all. What better way to celebrate your big day than with a beautiful book to remeber it by.

Weddings are a day shared with family and friends and a brief moment to express your gratitude and feelings for one another. Sometimes it’s hard to say it yourself so let your favorite book or collection of poems say it for you. Simply cover a book with paper in coordinating colors and weave a bookmark through for the perfect favor. The best part, the bookmark doubles as a seating card with space at the bottom for a name or note.

A book favor would be lovely at an intimate wedding or at a book themed bridal shower. These would also make perfect gifts for your wedding party as a token of thanks. Don’t have a favorite book? Cover a journal or album of photos instead. It’s a simple way to add a personal touch to just about anything.

Materials
Decorative Paper (Like these from Snow & Graham, Elum or Hello Lucky)
Color Printer
Card Stock
Craft Knife
Ruler
1/8″ Craft Punch
Ribbon

Instructions
Download the Bookmark Template and follow directions within the template on how to enter names, cut and construct. Punch hole at top with 1/8″ craft punch and thread coordinating ribbon through hole at top. Add a little more detail by adding an eyelet to the hole before tying the ribbon.

Pre-cut and fold your decorative paper to wrap around your book. If the book already has a cover, use as a template for the new one. If creating one from scratch, make sure it’s the same height as the book and remember to leave at least 3 inches on either side to fold in to the inside front cover. Once wrapped, firmly crease the spine and edges with fingers.

To weave the bookmark through, you’ll need to create two slits in the center of the book cover using a craft knife. The slits should be slightly wider than the book mark; approximately 2″ wide. I recommend making a sample one to practice and use as a template for the remaining book covers. After slits have been cut, wrap cover around book and carefully weave bookmark through slots.

Abby was kind enough to post my latest DIY wedding project up on Style Me Pretty yesterday! These DIY Wedding Bags are perfect for favors, bridal showers, or for a midnight snack for dancing guests, the sky’s the limit with a little imagination. Head on over for the full details and a link to the PDF.  Also come back here tomorrow for a coordinating wedding favor, you won’t want to miss it!

I am so excited to share my latest project with all of you! This Personal Library Kit would be the perfect gift for a mom on Mother’s Day, as a favor at a book themed bridal shower or a nice treat for yourself. Never lose a book again and keep track of who’s borrowing them. All you need to do is print, cut, staple and you’ve got a nice gift set for any book enthusiast!

The set includes Pockets and Check-out cards for your books, Tabs to keeps the cards organized in a filing system, a Book Jornal to keep track of your favorites, a Band to wrap around the set and lastly a bookmark that doubles as a gift tag! See below to download and get the instructions.

Materials
Clear Box or Wooden Recipe Box
Colored Cardstock
Color Printer
Craft Knife
Ruler
Bone Folder
Stapler
Mini Pencil

Instructions
Download Part I of the Personal Library Kit. PDF contains the Checkout Cards, Pockets and Band to wrap around the box. Follow directions within the template on how to cut and construct. The file contains only brown ink so you could really print this onto any color paper that you like. Would look great in black and white too!

Download Part II of the Personal Library Kit. PDF contains the Book Journal, Bookmark and Dividers. Follow directions within the template on how to cut and construct.

Once you have all the pieces constructed, place inside box with coordinating mini pencil and wrap with the band. I purchased the clear box from the Container Store (not available online) but you can also purchase it online through Amazon. Adorn box with bookmark and voilá, you’ve got a sweet little book-lovers gift! Hope you enjoy!

Create a simple and tasty brunch tablescape for Mother’s Day with these little fabric wrapped cheeses as a starter. All you’ll need is some fabric, a scalloped rotary cutter, waxed linen twine and enough Mini Babybel Cheeses for everyone. Place in the center of each plate and you’ll have instant decor and a delicious appetizer to get the meal started. Serve with flat crackers, bread and apple slices.

These little favors could easily be used for a bridal shower lunch or even a casual afternoon wedding! Just find a coordinating fabric and you’ve got an easy and inexpensive favor that everyone will enjoy!

Materials
Fabric
8″ Circle Template
Scalloped Rotary Cutter or Pinking Shears
Waxed Linen Twine
Mini Cheeses

Instructions
Download the 8″ Circle Template and cut out along dotted line. Use the template as as a guide to cut out each of the fabric rounds and use a scalloped rotary cutter or pinking shears to create a decorative edge.

Remove the plastic wrapper from mini cheese wheels but keep the wax wrapper intact. Place two mini cheese wheels in the center of the fabric and gather fabric up and around cheese. Tie shut with a piece of string or waxed linen thread and finish off with a bow!

It was so much fun to read all of your favorite Mom stories and see what everyone’s favorite tapes were. A big congratulations to the lucky winner Tong for winning our latest contest! She’ll recieve a combo pack of her choice along with another one to give to her Mother or friend! Shoot me a message with you choice and address and I’ll pass it along to the ladies at TapeSwell.

If you didn’t win, you’re still in luck! TapeSwell is offering a %15 discount now through May 15th by entering code: MDAY at checkout. Thanks for playing everyone and thanks to TapeSwell for the great giveaway!

DIY Easter Basket

DIY Marshmallow Peeps

DIY Easter Bunny

In case you missed them last year; here are a few DIY projects I made just for easter. All of them are fun and a snap to do!

Marshmallow Peeps: DIY marshmallow peeps, using cookie cutters makes this project a snap and pretty darn adorable to boot! (Full Directions)

Stuffed Easter Bunny: Just print, cut, stitch, stuff and delight a little one with this DIY Bunny stitch kit. (Full Directions and Download)

Paper Easter Basket: Try your hand at this fun DIY paper and ribbon easter basket. (Full Instructions and Download)

As promised here is the rest of the goodies for the DIY Oscar Party! I thought a candy tray would be a fun way to serve your guests and what Oscar party would be complete without a ballot! Mine are designed to let guests make their predictions and keep track during the ceremony. There is a place on the back to record the final score to help you pick a winner if you’re awarding a prize. Also note, not all categories are represented due to space constraints.

Candy Bag Toppers Download
Fill 3 5/16″x5 1/8″ cellophane bags (buy) with candy and staple in the center. Print out candy bag toppers onto solid sticker paper (found at office supply stores), cut to size, fold in half the long way and affix toppers to cellophane bags. Don’t have sticker paper? Just print onto cardstock paper and affix with double-sided tape.

Candy Tray
Inspired by the candy girls at Alt, I thought a candy tray would be a perfect touch to the party. All you need is a white tray and a length of red ribbon. Tie the ends of the ribbon together. The knot should rest behind your neck and the ribbon should go under the front of the tray. Then just fix the ribbon in place with strong tape or thumb tacks!

Ballot Download
Print double-sided onto 8.5×11″ card stock and fold in half length wise. Coordinate with red pens.

I love movies and with the Academy Awards coming up I thought it would be fun to make an DIY Oscar party. Here’s everything you need to throw your own! From invitations and ballots to popcorn and treat bags, just print, cut and enjoy!

Invitations Download
Print onto 8.5×11″ card stock, trim to size then use a 3/4″ hole punch to notch the corners.

Envelope Liners Download
Print onto 8.5×11″ paper, trim to size and afix with glue stick to the inside of an A7 envelope.

Popcorn Bags Download
Print directly onto white 5×7″ bags, available in my Etsy shop. If you don’t have an Ink Jet or if your printer doesn’t allow you to print odd formats, you could always print the label onto sticker paper (found at office supply stores) and post apply it to the bag.

Check back tomorrow for the ballots, candy bags and one other surprise!