[The Gratitude Project] Dads

Today I am grateful for the men in my life!  Particularly my Dad.  And my husband, who is a magnificent father to my children.  I have been so blessed to have really kind amazing men in my life.  My Dad worked at a university before he retired.  He wore a suit and tie everyday to work.  He always got home from work at the same time everyday...6:00 pm.  And that was when we would gather for dinner.  I remember watching for him out the window and running to give him a big hug as he walked in the door every night.  I am grateful to have been raised in a traditional family with a father and mother that loved me and taught me and provided for my needs.

Times change.  My husband doesn't wear a suit and tie to work.  His preferred dress is shorts and flip-flops.  He doesn't even have a commute.  He works from home and I couldn't be happier about that.  I love having him here!  It's been wonderful for him to greet the children as they come home from school.  He loves to take a break from work now and then to push the kids on the swings or play a quick game of Go Fish.  

In honor of Dads, I made this fun garland.  I think it would be perfect for Father's Day.  Or any day really.  Hang up this garland and "celebrate" Dads.  They're pretty terrific!

Click here to print out your garland.  Cut along the black lines.  Punch some holes and thread onto some string.  

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This garland doubles as "missionary" garland if you add a little black tag.  

Click here if you would like the missionary version. 

[Prom Week] Bunting

So, this weekend is our high school prom.  My son asked his date about five or six weeks ago.  We have been making plans ever since.  I can not believe how expensive prom can be.  It's craze-balls.  By the time you buy your dance tickets, rent the tuxedo, buy a corsage, and pay for dinner you are easily in the $200 range.  That's a lot of money for a teenager who hasn't had a job since last summer.  Believe me, those funds were exhausted long ago.  And that's a lot of money for Mom to fork over.  Time to get creative.

Color me crazy, but I volunteered to host seven couples for a formal dinner.  Each young man is donating $25 to the cause (which is quite a bargain if you ask me).  We were able to secure a wonderful location for free.  Some friends are letting us borrow a couple of round tables and enough chairs for everyone.  My niece, who is an amazing pianist, has graciously agreed to play the grand piano for us while they dine.  Her husband is dusting off his tuxedo and has agreed to be the waiter.  I have been working on the menu and the table decor.  I still want them to have the experience of a fancy restaurant without the cost.  So, I am trying to recreate that atmosphere as best I can.  I plan on using my fine china and crystal.  I have a couple of long white table cloths and some natural linen table toppers in my collection (leftover from one of my brother's weddings I think).  I decided to accent them with bits and pieces of yellow.  Doesn't yellow just scream "spring"?  It's such a happy color.

And it has all kind of grown from there.

I thought I'd bring you along on my adventures this week as I get everything ready.

First up.  Decorations.  On the cheap.

I purchased some card stock at Hobby Lobby on sale yesterday and made some paper bunting.  I was able to make six long strands for under seven dollars.  I apologize for the really dark pictures.  I could not get the lighting to work.  I used  craft brown, yellow, champagne, white, and polka dot papers.  I was originally going to cut circles, because I love circle garlands.  There is just something about them that I am drawn to.  But in the end, I chose triangles.  For two reasons.  They are very easy to cut and there is very little waste.  I cut the triangles four inches high and three inches across the base.  Then I punched two holes to string them and ran a piece of white yarn through.  Simple.  I think they turned out really cute.

Last night I had the idea to make some little favor bags for the girls.  I decided to incorporate the bunting into the favor.  I used a fine tip black sharpie to draw a line onto some muslin bags that I already had in my stash.  Then I appliqued some tiny fabric triangles onto the line to make the "bunting".  I may stamp their names along the bottom or maybe just put "prom 2012".  We'll see.  I plan on filling these tiny bags with lemon drops.

Bunting.  So fun.  What do you think?

[New Year] Think Inside the Box

Happy New Year's Eve! 

 Are you ready for one last day of celebrating in 2011? Has it been a good year for you?  Are you sad to see this year end?  Or are you anxious to say "good riddance"?  Do you know someone else that's had a hard year? Maybe they could use a little help as they look forward to a new start in 2012.  I've got just what you both need.

This drink carrier from Sonic has been knocking around my closet for a few months now.  I've been saving it for just the right occasion.  It was the perfect size for making a ...New Year Celebration in a Box.  And it's perfect for packaging up a little cheer for a friend.  It all came together in just a matter of minutes.  You probably have everything you need right at your fingertips.

First I gussied up my box a little bit.  You could spray paint it or modpodge it with some cute paper.  I wanted to keep it fast and simple,  so I just glued on a little card.  It seemed like it needed a little somethin-somethin.  Bling perhaps?  Metallic confetti seemed like the perfect adornment for the new year!

Now you just need to add a few party essentials.

How about a banner?

I already made one for you!  You can print it out here.  How easy is that?

A few questionnaires make for a fun activity.  You can get those here.

Then I added some poppers and some other noisemakers that I bought for a couple of bucks.

And a party wouldn't be much of a party without some confetti balloons!

To finish it off, you could add a fun game and a favorite festive drink.

And there you have it!  Everything you need all wrapped up and ready to drop on someone's doorstep!

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Have a happy and safe New Year!

Goodies for the New Year

Do you have big plans for New Year's Eve?  We love planning a special party to ring in the new year.  Sometimes it's just the family, sometimes we invite friends or neighbors over to party with us.  On special occasions, we have even been known to have a full blown New Year's Eve Ball.  I can guarantee there will be lots of yummy food.  There will be music and games.  And there will definitely be confetti...lots and lots of confetti!

I know that the new year is still a few days off, but I think we should go ahead and get started.  I have two goodies for you today to help ring in 2012!


A "Happy New Year" Banner.  

I printed mine out on a piece of cardstock.  Then I cut out each flag and stapled them to a piece of pompom trim.  I cut some of the pompoms off that were in front of the letters.  (Don't throw them away.  I am sure that they will come in handy later!)  Add some balloons and streamers and you have an instant party on your hands!

A New Year Questionnaire.

I made this second little goodie to help us remember 2011 and set some goals and resolutions for 2012.  It's a simple printable that you could print out and have your family fill in over the weekend.  You could put them in your journals, or a special envelope to be opened next New Year's Eve.  I also really love the idea of a family time capsule.  You could make a special box or container to use year after year.  Have everyone fill out their questionnaires and put them in the box.  Take a picture of your family on New Year's Eve, or have the little ones draw a picture.  Gather anything else that you want to help you remember 2011.  Then put everything in your capsule and store it with your Christmas decorations to be pulled out next year.

You may print out both goodies right here.  Just click on the "print" buttons below.

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For more awesome New Year ideas, click here and here!

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Made by You Monday

handwritten notes? Definitely happy!

Happy Day Project.  Day Two.

Assignment:  write a note.

Handwritten notes.  LOVE them.  But I hardly ever send them anymore.  Isn't that just the case?  It's a lost art.  So, I was thrilled with the opportunity.  But, if I'm going to go to all the trouble to write a little note, I might as take it over the top.  Right?

Homemade cards.  They are truly the best.

This was the easiest card I have ever made.  And I have made quite a few in my day.  I used to belong to a card swap group.  We exchanged homemade cards for years.  Good times.  This card took about ten minutes to make start to finish.  Total.  I printed out a little thanksgiving sentiment on a piece of patterned card stock.  Then I sewed a scrap of ribbon to the bottom, pinching and folding it as I went.  I think it turned out super cute.  Just for kicks, I inked the edges.

Then to give it one more punch, I made a tiny little "thankful" banner and folded it up inside.  Banners totally make me smile.  It's like a little celebration.

Did you send a note today?

Write, stuff, lick, and stamp...

And just like that, you've made someone's day.