etc.

Mother’s Day Giveaway

April 30, 2013

I’m so excited to share an AMAZING Mother’s Day Giveaway with you.  It’s pretty darn fabulous friends.

The winner gets A Cricut Expression 2 ($249 value) AND their CHOICE of a Canon Rebel T3 or a Kitchen Aid Artisan 5 Quart mixer.  And!!! The same prize package for their mom (or whom ever you’d like to share this with)!
You can enter to win with the Rafflecopter widget below.  This is a big group giveaway, so there is lots of chances for entries.  This contest is open till Thursday May 9th. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post.
No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.** This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.** To qualify to win, you must fill out the Entry. See Rafflecopter for complete rules. This giveaway is compliant with Facebook Promotions Guidelines. Must be aged 18+ to enter & win. Valid only in the United States. Void where prohibited by state or national law.

DIY

Playing with Watercolor Paints

April 29, 2013

I’ve mentioned before that I was an elementary teacher, and someday I probably will be again. When I went to college I got my BA in elementary education, but you got to pick a subject of interest.  So, I chose Art.  I believe it’s a very important part of a child’s education.  And these days with standardized testing, students don’t have the time or opportunity to explore their artist skills. Art can bring confidence and achievement to students that struggle in other academic areas. But that’s a mini soap box I have. So, in college, I got to take a watercolor painting course for my degree, lucky right? Better I’ve never really painted anymore, even though I’ve wanted to. So just last week, I got the urge to take out my paints (over 13 years later) and just played a bit.

I ended up painting for about 3 hours one evening, and it was just so therapeutic.  I mixed colors and played with movement of the paint and water on the paper. Watercolors are such a fantastic medium to work with. I felt relaxed and in a better place when I was done.  I’m definitely one of those people that NEEDS to be doing something with my hands in order to relax and rejuvenate myself. God must have known the week I was walking into, because those 3 hours had some pretty perfect timing.

It’s funny how we are drawn to the same shapes, patterns and colors. About 2 hours into my playing with the paints, I started painting triangles and them my geometric heart pattern starting repeating itself on the paper. I’m obviously not really that great at painting with watercolors, but I just had so much fun experimenting with them, that I wanted to share with you. I hope I can inspire you to try something new, or pick an old skill that you just haven’t made time to for. Creating and making is such a satisfying experience, even if the finished product is not what you were expecting. It’s the process that’s good for your soul.

I displayed my little pieces on my mantel with a couple vintage metal floral frogs that I picked up at the Santa Fe Flea Market.  And I hung another on a vintage hanger that I got from a friend’s lovely etsy shop, Life on Churchill St. 

I’ll be making time to paint more very soon. Is there a skill or technique that you wish you’d make time to learn or practice? What do you do do to relax? Are you a doer or maker, can you relate to where I’m coming from.  

DIY / etc.

Vanilla Bean Lavender Salt Scrub

April 23, 2013

I’ve got a really simple and inexpensive DIY salt scrub.  And it’s 100% natural.  Use this salt scrub on your hands and feet to both exfoliate and moisturize at the same time.  You’ll be left with the relaxing and sweet scent of vanilla and lavender.  Treat yourself to a mini spa before bed and you’ll sleep like a baby.  
Wouldn’t this be great to make for mother’s day?  I’m sharing the recipe and instructions on how to make the watercolor lids, head over at Whimseybox. If you’re a regular reader of O + P, I’d appreciate you heading over there and leaving a little comment love. It would totally make my day. You guys are the best. I am so thankful for the folks that tune in to my little blog often. I am so blessed by your support.   
Also if your are more of a fresh citrus scent lover, I also have an Orange Rosemary Salt Scrub recipe. And for the cooler months, you might also like my Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub recipe. 

DIY / etc.

DIY Nautical Photo Booth

April 22, 2013

Last week I had all kinds of nautical themed party ideas for you. Today I have a super easy DIY Nautical Photo Booth.

Here’s the photo booth in action.  This is my BFF and me posing, you may have seen this on my instagram. 

I found this amazing ombre curtain panel at Target to use as the backdrop.  I had actually considered dying fabric for an ombre effect, and then I stumbled upon this (it also comes in grey and coral).  Hooray for saving time!  My Dad cut out the speech bubbles for me and we attached them to paint stir sticks and painted them with black chalkboard paint.  The little coral ombre flags I found at Paper Source.  They were plain white and I added a little 3 toned coral paint job to them.  The burlap bunting is something I made. I made my own bias tape using cute teal and white fabrics.  I actually made them over a year ago and had planned to put them on my etsy shop, but just never got around to it.  And the cute drift wood anchor was a Homegoods find.  

I put this together for the Women’s Retreat I helped out with a couple weeks ago. This little backdrop to no time at all to assemble and the ladies had a great time taking pictures with their friends. There really is no one without a smart phone these days, so there is no need for a fancy camera set up. Just allow your party and event attendees to take their own pictures.  If you want to gather all the images at a later date, just come up with a hash tag for your event.  Then when they instagram or tweet their images, you can find them later.

Don’t you think it would be fun to put together a little themed photo booth for your next party?  I’m going to making one for all my events from now on.

Food & Drink

Pink Grapefruit Shortbread

April 19, 2013

I’ve been eating a grapefruit everyday for the last couple of weeks.  I can’t get enough of their refreshing tart flavor. We don’t have any more left on our tree, but I made friends with a neighbor by the kid’s bus stop who has a loaded grapefruit tree.  He gave me a huge box full and I’ve been enjoying them daily. 
Earlier this week, I decided that I needed to come up with a grapefruit cookie recipe.  So, using my London Fog Shortbread (earl grey tea and vanilla bean) recipe as a starting point, I came up with these pretty pink treats.  To be honest, I wanted just a hint of pink, but I accidentally dumped way too much red food coloring into them.  Oh well, they were still tasty.  

Pink Grapefruit Shortbread
1 cup butter
2/3 cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
3 tbsp. grapefruit juice
zest of one grapefruit (save a little zest for the icing)
a couple drops of red food coloring

Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer.  Add the vanilla grapefruit juice and zest.  Add the flour and mix until the dough comes together.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 mins.  Pre-heat the oven to 350F.  Roll out the dough to a little less then 1/4″ on a well floured surface.  Cut out desired shapes.  Place on parchment lined baking sheets.  Chill the cut cookies for at least 20 mins. before baking.  Bake the cookies for about 12 mins. or until the edges are just barely brown.  Cool on wire racks.  

For the icing, mix together the juice of half a grape fruit, a couple drops of red food coloring, a little zest and about a cup of icing sugar. Mix until smooth.  Pour into a squeeze bottle and drizzle over cooled cookies.

These cookies freeze well in an air tight container. 

etc. / Style

Window Shopping – Sunglasses

April 18, 2013

It’s that time of year.  Well, technically I can’t live without sunglasses any day of the year.  Because I’m a red head, I have the freckled fair skin and sensitive eyes that go along with it. Good sunglasses, that are comfortable, ideally have polarized lenses, and are stylish is what I’m on the hunt for.  
Glasses.com has an amazing selection of fabulous glasses, sunglasses and even prescription sunglasses. They have free in-home try ons and also a virtual try on function. But, they also offer a 30 day return policy and free shipping both ways. So, there really is no risk.  If you don’t LOVE your new glasses, send them back and try another pair.  When it comes to online shopping I appreciate this. I don’t want to feel stuck with my purchase.
1 // 2 // 3
4 // 5
6 // 7 // 8
I’ve picked out glasses with similar shapes. I’m loving the vintage style, wayfarer shape and a frame with a little color and pattern.  Is there a pair in this round up that has caught your eye.

Entertain

Let’s have a Nautical Themed Party

April 17, 2013

I’m still having fun with this Nautical theme. When I was deciding on a theme for Olivia’s 1st Birthday, it was between a Nautical theme and the Scooter theme that we went with. Oh, I’ll find an excuse to have my nautical/beachy party, don’t you worry. And now I have this party mood board to reference in the future.  

DIY Anchor Tote // Photobooth // Anchor Cookie Cutter
DIY Wave Cups // Lifesaver Napkin Rings
Favor Bags // Fishing Line Wrapped Bottles // Aqua Chevron Treat Bags

I like this coral and teal/aqua color combo, it’s a little ways from the traditional red and blue.  It’s feminine and soft, perfect for a little girl or a sweet baby shower. The little lifesavers tied to the napkins and party favors might be my favorite idea – so simple and clever.

And don’t forget that I’m Ask a Crafty Person over at Whimseybox.  So head over that way and ask your toughest DIY Dilemmas.

DIY / Entertain

Lavender Sachet Favors

April 16, 2013

Yesterday I shared a couple prints that I put together for our Church’s Women’s Retreat. Today I wanted to show you one of the fantastic favors we made for the event. We hand made 120 lavender sachet’s for the attendees to put on their pillows their first night there.  These are made just like my Lavender Sachet Business Cards (so head to that post for the full how-to instructions). I think they make a pretty great party favor as well.

I designed a yard of fabric with one of the theme verses for the weekend and then had it printed at Spoonflower. And I found a really cute grey and white anchor fabric to back the sachets in. I’m carrying one in my purse to give my a relaxing burst of scent when I’m digging for my keys or sunglasses.  But, these would be great in your dresser drawers as well.

I’m a details person. I think parties and events are just that much better when all the tiny details have thought and meaning put into them. Wouldn’t you like to receive this little treat as a favor?

etc.

Nautical Bible Verse Prints

April 15, 2013

You may have noticed on my instagram last week, that I was in beautiful Cambria, CA. I was there on my Church’s annual Women’s Retreat. My BFF was in charge this year, so I served on her committee and put together all the print and web stuff for the event, set up a fun photobooth (which I’ll share with you later this week), taught a craft night at the event and generally got to do lot’s of creative, crafty stuff. The inspiration for the theme and color palette for the event came directly from the location. With beachy and nautical stuff so hot right now (I’ve be pinning it for quite awhile), it was an easy choice. So, we went with a pale teal blue and coral, so pretty, right? And the main symbol or icon that was repeated was the anchor.  
I put together a couple printable verse prints for the event. I framed a couple and gave them away as gifts. But, I wanted to share these with all of you as well.  The theme for the weekend was Truth.  These are a couple of the verses from John that were used throughout the event.
You can download the file for the Anchor Print here and the Fish Print here.  

For more printable bible verses, be sure to check out all my Monthly Memory Verses. They are all FREE!  So print away friends.

Entertain / etc.

Let’s have a Circus Party

April 12, 2013

I’m having fun with this circus party theme. Make sure you check out yesterday’s recipe for Homemade Cracker Jacks, it’s an inexpensive and delicious party favor.  I’ve gathered up a few unique party decorations and favors to go with this playful theme.  I love hunting out far-from-generic for parties.  
Be sure to check out these creative bloggers and etsy sellers. They’ve got lot’s of great circus party ideas.