I’m back today with a few more photos from my husband’s 3oth Birthday Surprise. Sadly I was so busy the day of the event that I wasn’t able to snap any pictures of the party but I was able to shoot some of the details afterwards. I really went all out with the decorations too so I’m bummed that I don’t have any pics to share.

To coordinate with the “meat tooth” theme, I made meat inspired buttons that people could wear as they saw fit. It was a nice ice breaker for people that didn’t know each other and a fun token from the party. We can all use a little flare now and then!

I knew that people would be dressing up, so I wanted to make sure Tula was properly accessorized . I’d seen this tutorial in Martha Stewart Weddings on how to make flowers from silk and tulle so I sewed one and attached it to a matching homemade dog collar. Tula was quite the trooper and looked perfectly adorable in her oversized corsage!

Well I hope you all had a beautiful and relaxing weekend! We finally had two sunny days here in Seattle and it actually felt like Spring! I tried to soak up every drop of sun that for safe keeping when the clouds return. Sadly, that’s been the trend aroud here lately, but I’m feeling optimistic for the coming weeks.

So speaking of rain, I think I found a fun project to do when it returns. These amazing fabric posters were created by Gergana Plummer, a designer based out of London. Gergana used old type specimen books and an x-acto knife to cut out the letterforms then traced them onto the canvas with a pencil. Once traced, each letter was embroidered by hand with a needle and thread. Beautifully simple and analog in the execution, makes one appreciate the craft of design and beauty of type. Well done Gergana!

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!

I completely adore these hand-crafted mixed media cards by Kanella seen on Graphic Exchange. Inspired by the story of Ariadne, a princess of divine beauty, the embossed cards are woven with a yellow thread to reveal a secret message. DESIGN is the KEY to the PATH towards the SUN. Both beautifully simplistic and graphically bold, this series truly embodies the power of great design.

Speaking of great design and hand-crafted work, Danni at Oh, Hello Friend is hosting Letterpress Week and has a pretty impressive line up of features, giveaways and interviews including one with yours truly. Definitely stop by when you get a chance and get ready for a ton of inspiration!

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)

Aren’t these the most adorable barrettes you’ve ever seen?! I spotted this tutorial over on The Purl Bee and had to take note. Complete with thorough step-by-step instructions and fantastic photographs, this is one craft we could all learn how to do. I’ll hopefully be sporting one of these in my own hair soon!

I just love everything Karen of maggie makes does and her latest tutorial is no exception! I mean come one, how adorable are these embroidered heart kits!? There are four patterns to choose from and I know I’m going to have a hard time deciding which one to buy! She’s currently giving away one of each so hurry on over for your chance to win. Best of luck!

I have a bit of a blog crush going on today for Just Something I made. Cathe Holden’s incredible blog features some super creative craft projects ranging from paper goods to leather crafts. Located in California, Cathe’s got her hands full as a graphic designer, mom and blogger.

I’d only just begun perusing Cathe’s site when I came across her tutorial for how to make perforations useing a sewing machine. This was actually the look I wanted all along when I designed the Coat Check Tags for our wedding but  a custom die-cut wasn’t within our budget. I ended up using my Fiskars dashed perforating blade instead. Anyway, I can not wait to give this a try! Off to go brainstorm a perforated project but first I must finish devouring JSIM!

I wanted to wrap up Five Days of Felt with another one of my D.I.Y projects. These stiched ornaments are easy, fun to make, and if I don’t say so myself, look pretty charming!

All you need to do is cut out ornaments shapes (you can create your own or download my shapes here) from the felt then stitch patterns to your hearts content! I used a sewing machine but I think using embroidery thread and stitching by hand would look just as good. In addition to ornaments, these would be nice gift toppers too! The sky’s the limit as to what you can do, so have fun and happy crafting!

Have I ever shared my obsession with Martha Stewart with all you before? Surly I must have. For those that know me, they know that I have every issue of every publication Martha Stewart has published since 1997 and my nick name in college was “Martha”. I fall short of being creepy (I hope) but it probably goes without saying that I completly and utterly adore the Martha Stewart brand. Thus, there is no possible way I could leave out some of my favorite MS felt crafts in this Five Days of Felt round-up. Enjoy!

From the top:
1.Possibly the sweetest Felt Slippers ever!
2.Quiet Book for the little ones in your life.
3.Snowflake-inspired Felt Coasters to protect those tables.
4.Inexpensive and easy Scalloped Tree Skirt.
5.Cheery Holly Corsage for a little added joyfulness.
6.Whimsical Tree Stump Trivet for hot pots!