Pink Pearl Studio

Feelin' Free Thursday ~ ♥Free♥ "Turtlely In Love" Valentine's Day Banner

2011-02-03T21:21:00.000-05:00

Happy almost Valentine's Day! I just wanted to share a little Valentine's Day gift with you. It's a totally FREE printable Valentine's Day banner.Perfect for a little girl you know or the little girl in you!

I call it "Turtlely In Love". These are some pictures of it. For the free download, go to my FB fan page: Pink Pearl Studio. Right click to save, print on your best printer setting, cut out, punch two holes along the top and string. It's that easy!

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!!

Hugs~

Rebecca

Come One, Come All to the Greatest Show On Earth!

2011-01-27T03:40:00.001-05:00

Several weeks ago, I made a DIY, Printable Vintage Circus Banner. I had NO idea that vintage circus birthday parties are so hot right now. I've been selling these like hotcakes and had a request for some custom work. EEEE....it morphed into a labor of love and boy, do I LOOVVVE this DIY~printable party set!

If you're interested, please feel free to check out a full photo spread on my fan page on Facebook and enjoy! If you are not registered on Facebook, no need to worry~ just click on my FB link and it will show you the pictures.

{little man's 2nd faux birthday}

Filled with everything, and I mean everything that you need to be the most fabulous Ringmaster in town!

This enormous kit has 19 different printable party wares with over a whopping 67 different options to suit your needs! This set is also personalized.

Step right up and take a look at this amazing lineup of goods to make your party the greatest show on earth!

Invitation {personalized, 4x6}

Envelope for Invitations and Thank You's {personalized with return address}

Thank You Card {4x6}

Banner {large pendant}

Banner {medium circle/scallops with Happy Birthday}

Banner {personalized medium circus tents with child's name}

Treat Bag Toppers {2 designs}

Large Candy Bar Wrappers {personalized, 2 designs}

Small Candy Bar Wrappers {personalized, 12 designs}

Labels/Food Tent Cards {3 designs}

Cupcake Wrappers {4 designs}

Cupcake Toppers {personalized, 6 designs}

Water Bottle Labels {4 designs}

Lollipop Cards {2 designs}

Crowns {2 designs}

Large Signs {12 ticket designs: Games, Food Tent, Candy Bar, Prizes, Entrance, Face Painting, Drinks, Cotton Candy, Tickets, Show, Happy Birthday, personalized birthday name}

Large Chair Sign {for assigned seating, to be hung on chair backs}

Large Misc. Round Circus Graphics {9 designs}

T-shirt Transfers {2 designs: 1 I Love Fairy Floss and 1 Running Away to Join the Circus}

Directions and Tips

What you will need to gather {more details with instructions}:

ribbon

printer/ink

hot glue gun with glue Sticks

glue stick

Scotch Tape

lollipop sticks from any craft store for cupcake toppers

If making the shirt: white shirt, transfer paper from Target or craft store

plastic treat sacks from any craft store

Have a great day!

Hugs~

Rebecca

Merry Prepmas!

2010-11-13T06:38:00.000-05:00

Christmas in pink is everywhere! According to HGTV and other sources, the preppy look is in {accoring to some, it never left} for fashion and home decorating. I love the pink/green color combo for Christmas. I'm a huge fan of vintage pink and green and all things preppy. My sister owned a Lilly Pulitzer store in Leesburg, VA, so I'm obviously a lover of Lilly as well. I've spent many nights in lines waiting for the bi-annual warehouse sale in King Of Prussia, PA and have even tried scoping out her home in Palm Beach. So sad not to have found that one!

To celebrate with a little pink and green charm, I created this DIY banner to celebrate. I have it availabe in my Etsy store to make a full size or mini banner. All you do is print on cardstock, string and embellish. Very easy and quick for the craft challenged or for someone who just doesn't have a lot of time and want to add a little quick dazzle.

My first interview/feature and a big thank you to my fellow bloggers!

2010-10-20T15:13:00.001-04:00

As I am writing this, I am still floating with excitement! I wanted to share this when I first received the initial email from Rebecca Restrepo from Examiner.com, but wanted to wait until it materialized. Didn't want to jinx anything! Rebecca asked to feature my Halloween Banner, tutorial and interview on her site. Well, it's published and I want to share with you. Actually, it was published about a week ago, but we were on vacation in Nags Head, NC, so I didn't get much computer time. I have to say, Rebecca is super sweet and I appreciate her asking me. Please check out her blog, Thrifty Goodness.

{"baby" lorne at nags head}

Let me start from the beginning. Before I began blogging, I stumbled upon the cutest artwork from an artist a lot of us know, Jenny Heid from Everyday Is A Holiday. I instantly fell in love with her work. Vintage inspired eye candy treats! After ogling over all her goods on eBay, I saw she was a part of Flickr. Flickr what? I had no idea what that was. When I logged on, I think I spent hours looking at all her work and I noticed she had a blog. It was the first blog I had ever read. I have to admit, it was intimidating to enter this realm, but I did and after reading though posts...I was hooked. I quickly realized that on blogs, I can so easily connect with other artsy people who like the same things I do. Share in their thoughts, work, tips, tutorials, ideas and it was a place where I could share mine at the same time.

I've never been much of a romance novel type of girl. I enjoy autobiographies and stories about real people. I guess this is why blogs appeal to me as well. It's about real people sharing their stories through art, poetry, stories and pictures.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts and for sharing yours! I'm having a great time with this. Please take a look at my first interview and coming up is a fantastic giveaway by vintage inspired jewelry designer, John Wind of Maximal Art.

Have a sweet day!

Rebecca

Feelin' Free Tuesday ~ ♥Free♥ Vintage Halloween Cupcake Wrappers and Toppers

2010-10-05T15:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Feelin' Free Tuesday! From me to you...

Vintage Inspired Halloween Cupcake Wrappers and Topper Set in pickled plum, scaredy black and pumpkin' pickin' orange.

Free for the right clicking! Save. Print. Cut. Tape.

Right click to save.

Enlarge to fit on 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock. Print.

Cut out wrappers and use your 2" circle punch to cut out the toppers.

Tape or hot glue a lollipop stick to the back of the topper.

Tape or hot glue to secure your cupcake wrapper. Insert cupcake.

Enjoy!

Any questions? {message me}

Preparing for Winter and Halloween Eye Candy

2010-09-30T09:55:00.000-04:00

Every year I dread winter because with winter, comes the cold. As I've said, we have 40 windows that might as well be open because of the amount of cold air that comes rushing thorough them. After years of spending around 5K on oil, we decided to purchase an outdoor furnace. Last year was the first winter using it and I wish we had invested in one a long time ago! With the warm house comes a lot of preparing...for my husband that is. Fortunately, we had a lot of offers to cut down free trees both on my mother's property and others.

Michael has tried to take our oldest son with him as much as it is safe to do. I love seeing them get ready to head out for a hard days work. Garnet, 6, loves it! He helps to carry the little logs and when they split, he gets to pull the handle down while daddy holds the log. My husband has the patience of Job! I love to see them working side by side for many reasons. Even at 6, these are some of the benefits I could think of off the top of my head:

1. Memories.

2. Sense of accomplishment.

3. Instilling a work ethic.

4. Providing for the family.

5. Exercise.

6. Building teamwork.

With the cooler weather headed this way, so is Halloween. I thought I'd share a few new things I just added to my Etsy store, Pink Pearl Studio

Enjoy your day and thank you for all the kind feedback. I appreciate you all!

Fatal Attraction with a Vintage Halloween Wreath

2010-09-25T16:44:00.002-04:00

Yikes...where did summer go? I thought I'd be posting all summer, but for some reason (1,3 and 6 year old kiddos) that didn't happen! It also doesn't help that we don't have a/c and with being hot and humid, comes lack of ambition! They kind of go hand in hand.

Not today. Today is a perfect day.

Our house is 111 years old with 40 large and larger windows. Typically, this is dreadful on cold days due to drafts and miserable on hot days due to the ripply glass windows sucking in all that liquid gold from the sky. Not today...Today the sun is bright and warm with a slightly cool breeze. All the windows are open and as I sit in the dining room, the cool air is rushing through the floor length windows like a vacuum wind tunnel. This is truly what heaven must feel like!

With fall comes Halloween. Typically, I'm not a huge fan of Halloween. My kids are scared to death of anything scary and I can barely drag them into Michael's because of the honkin' huge witch/scary displays. However, a month or so ago a young lady from Richmond, who bought an Easter wreath from me, asked if she supplied the main items would I create a Halloween wreath for her. Of course, I said yes. Boy, am I glad I did!. Tara sent a box filled with all sorts of vintage inspired goodness. I was drooling as I was sorting though the box. It was like Christmas morning. Soft chenille bones, cupcake picks, vintage cards. She obviously has wonderful taste. I couldn't wait to get started and held my breath that she would like what I came up with. I finished it and realized...I hated it! It just didn't turn out like I was visioning. Take two...

First, I wrapped it in soft orange and black tulle. Then I had some black/off white diamond and damask paper that I made pleated medallions with. I added some red tinsel and attached the vintage cards. Next was the bow and smaller items.

It has black spiders, plastic pumpkins and metal jack-o-lanterns, glitter stars and buttons, glass onyx and orange ornaments. With the bag of faux candy corn she sent, I strung them to make a little swag. Tucked into the tulle are black roses to soften the treasures. I used coordinating pipe cleaners and 20 sticks of glue to attach everything. No burns, but my gun was smokin'!

If you notice the bottom of the wreath on the below picture, it is missing a little something. Tara had a lovely raven to perch on it, but because of how fragile it was, decided she would add it when she received the wreath.

I love these eclectic, vintage inspired wreaths and am really happy with how this turned out. Hopefully Tara will be too!

xo~

Rebecca

A VERY sweet giveaway!

2010-04-17T07:28:00.001-04:00

My friend Lori over at Ruffles, Ribbons and Roses is holding a lovely giveaway. Check all this out!

A new copy of the Kitchen Linens Book

A lovely time worn Linen towel

A package of K&Company Alphabet Cards (these babies are adorable for display or crafting!)

A 3.7 oz. Yankee Buttercream candle

A fabulous vintage hand-embroidered doily

A red and cream vintage crocheted doily

A red and cream vintage crocheted pot holder

A pack of Lang cherry recipe cards

A box of Wind and Willow White Chocolate Cherry Cheeseball and dessert mix

and a few more little goodies as a surprise!

So how's that?

Easter Wrap-up!

2010-04-07T12:10:00.000-04:00

The Easter party at school is over and due to the 94 degree weather here in PA, the chocolate is melted. I wasn't even thinking about it, but I left it out in the kitchen and being so hot....kids crying that their crosses were puddles of creamy chocolate. What a mess!

I thought I'd show some family pictures of the kiddos.

I'm so awful, but I forgot that to take pictures of Garnet on Easter day! So, I included some from his Easter party. I found this link with a cute daffodil project. They turned out really cute.

Miss Rhea's Easter Basket Swap Unveiling - Happy Easter!

2010-04-02T23:56:00.001-04:00

Yippee! My first swap is officially done and today is the big unveiling day! My swap partners were Taylor from MaryJanes and Galoshes and Jeannie from Eye Craft. I have to say that I am totally in love with everything I received. I really had wonderful swap partners! Check out all the other swappers at Miss Rhea's.

First from Taylor~

I love all the taffy colors and sweet pastel ruffles! Soft aqua, blue, sweet pink. Love, Love.

The springtime sentiments on the bottom of this little cup is so nice. A nice breath of spring air! The wand has been embellished with aqua glitter and has adorable inserts. The one shown says, "Make it pretty." It is pretty!

Coordinating spring wrapped candle.

A handmade ribbon rose. Perfect for hair or anywhere a little pretty is needed. I believe she has the tutorial on her blog.

Chocolate, taffy colored bunny and glitter clad wand. Is there anything better?

~Second, but not least....Jeannie.~

I LOVE the sweet cream thick ruffles. This pretty beauty screams feminine! The whole kit and caboodle!

On the top is a Dept. 56 bunny pin with a glassy tinsel neckline. Directly above is the sweetest little girl ever. She is hopping all around! I think this is so stinkin' cute!

I love this little fairy wand. I will proudly display this year after year. Above are some yummy embellishments. I hate to use them because they are so dear.

Any guesses as to what it says?

~What I sent to Taylor and Jeannie~

Happy Easter to all!

{rejoice, again i say rejoice}

Rebecca

Only 3 days to go...and Retro Pink Kitchen Tags

2010-03-31T13:14:00.000-04:00

Only three days to go until I get to share what my Easter Basket Swap partners sent me. I just need to edit my pictures and I'll get them up and posted. I really did have amazing swap partners.

I made a couple of tags to sell in my Etsy store . I'm very happy with how they turned out. I love retro pink kitchens and cupcakes! Who doesn't?

I hope you are all getting some of this beautiful, warm weather your way. Tomorrow, Michael is off and we are headed for the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. Can't wait!

Have a wonderful day!

Rebecca

Miss Rhea Easter Basket Swap Sneak Peak

2010-03-23T01:52:00.000-04:00

I'm very excited about my first swap. You were to make a mini basket out of a yogurt cup and fill with 5 things. I'm not sure if anyone could get 5 things to fit inside a little yogurt cup. Here's a little peek of what I sent out.

My swap partners were Taylor from Maryjanes and Galoshes and Jeannie from Eye Craft.

On April 3, I will be posting pictures of what I received and I can not wait to show you all. I have only received Taylors so far and boy did I squeal like a little girl! Enjoy the sneak peak!

~XO~

Rebecca

Tutorial~How to make a Candy/Dessert Stand

2010-03-17T10:24:00.001-04:00

I love pretty candy and dessert stands. However, I do not like the pretty price of them! I was trying to figure out a way to make one and came up with the little one as a first try and then the bigger one. This is a super easy way to add a little shabby glam to your table.

First, gather your supplies.

If making a small one, porcelain dessert plate and small candle holder of some sort. My little glass holder is from the Dollar Store and I know they sell them at Michaels. If making the large one, a luncheon/dinner plate and chunky candle holder. I bought the bigger candle holder on sale at Hobby Lobby in the clearance section. I believe it was around $3. It was dark and ugly! You will also need a tube of glass glue found at any craft store in the glue section.

Secondly, paint your candle stick if needed. Mine just got a thin coat of white spray paint.

Lay the plate upside down, apply glue to the top of the candle stick and glue onto the underside of plate. Let it set there to dry.

That's all! Really! I've had my small one for several years now and it always adds a little charm to the table.

The glass bell on top was from Michaels and I used a 40% off coupon and only paid several dollars for it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Happy Crafting

xo~

Rebecca

Eat, Drink and Be Cherry

2010-03-11T13:38:00.000-05:00

Goodbye snow. I'm sitting here in South-central, PA enjoying the warm sun pushing its way through my windows. I even gave into temptation and popped open a window. This may not sound like much, but you have to understand that we have forty big old windows in our house and to pop any open (and keep them open) is a feat in itself!

In several short weeks, it will be that magical time of year in our nations capital. The National Cherry Blossom Festival. This year, Michael and I will be going with another couple to spend the day. We went last year but, unfortunately, the rain from the week destroyed a lot of the delicate blooms.

The festival runs from March 31 to April 11. We are going to try to aim for the peak, which is April 3rd through the 8th.

Here are some pictures to tickle your spring fancy today! How do you like the editing? I'm finally trying to figure out my editing program.

Hope you have a springy day!

Rebecca

A Lost Art~My Most Cherished Posessions

2010-03-06T11:14:00.001-05:00

The other week while talking to Michael’s aunt, she commented on how many birthday cards she received. This is a funny thing, because last year I received maybe one or two. Is it because I have no friends? On the contrary. In fact, I have many friends, but I think as a generation, we’ve lost touch with the written letter.

{a sampling of our letters over a span of 3 years}

Think about all that we know of our history from the written word in the form of letters between our forefathers! Now imagine what it would be like if they had texted or emailed that same information? Would they have printed off hard copies? Probably not. I’m not saying that modern forms of communication are to be dismissed, I just think that there are so many personal feelings and emotions conveyed in letters.

{the love box filled with hundreds of written treasure between michael and i when he was away at college and i in highschool}

{just a sampling of michaels homemade cards to me}

I love reading antiquated papers and letters. To read simple things like, “I drove to see Aunt Bessie on Thursday and she sends her love.” Or “It’s been raining for several days here and I don’t know when I’ll be able to get the corn planted.” Even though it doesn’t seem like important information, it was important enough to someone to convey it to want to share it with you. That’s a good feeling.

When someone you love says I love you, that feels good, right? Now, how does it feel when you see that they took the time to write it on a piece of paper? Heavenly!

Sending a letter is the next best thing to showing up at somebody’s door. When Michael was in college and I, 16, we would write letter upon letter confessing love, admiration, and pains (his mother passed from cancer during this period). Over and over again, we’d read them. These are things that you can not Facebook about. All of the letters are now safely tucked away in my attic in the “Love Box” and someday, my children will take the faded and yellowed pieces out and pour through them, transporting them to another time and place as they feel the paper and see our handwriting. This is Something that an email can not parallel.

{all these goodies stuffed into one envelope}

Miss Faye. Now she was a writer. Miss Faye was a dear, kind lady at church who sat in front of us every week with her hair tightly pulled under her covering. She always took time to hug and give my children candies, but there was something very special about Miss Faye. Actually, two to be exact. One, she was a mighty prayer warrior and two, she was a letter writer. You always knew when a letter from Miss Faye was in your mailbox. It was usually a pretty piece or three of paper with verses, poems, notes and pictures all over it. If she ran out of space, it went up the side and around. So much writing and love went into those special letters. Miss Faye passed away this past December and at her service, the pastor said that there was a stack of Christmas cards that Miss Faye was working on and that the family was going to go ahead and mail them out. She will be greatly missed by our family.

{one of many homemade cards from michael..this was a picture of us that he drew when I was 16 and he 19}

{pictures tucked inside envelopes}

Have a wonderful weekend all!

~Rebecca

Robot Nap Mat Tutorial

2010-03-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

Starting Kindergarten was a big change for Garnet (and Mommy). He was taught at home for preschool, so being a SAHM he's always been with me. I literally cried on a regular basis and still get misty eyed when thinking about it.

Before hopping on the bus for the first time, we had a big list of fun things to gather. One of the necessities for Kindergarten is a nap mat. I was going to buy him one, but blue plastic is boring! Since he loves Robots, I put this one together. I used this super easy tutorial from http://jennygarland.com/tutorials/. I changed it a little to suit my specific needs. One, I made it longer because Garnet is really tall and then I personalized it with a robot font. I will note that is was a bit on the expensive side to make. I used thick foam. Being a petroleum product, it is naturally more expensive. I also used Michael Miller Robot fabric from eBay which is around $8 per yard plus shipping. Another little thing I changed is that the tutorial calls for buttons. I strongly dislike doing buttons. I can, but try to avoid if all possible. I used Velcro instead. Works great!

{rolled with strap}

Thanks Jenny for the great tutorial!

Have a happy day!

~Rebecca

Triple Chocolate Cupcakes and Transformers

2010-03-04T21:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was my little man's 6th birthday. Transformer. Ugh...Need I say more! Now before you criticize me for letting my little boy watch such violent and nasty stuff, let me clarify. He knows nothing about these things other than they are robots like Wall-E. Since we did Wall-E, he wanted Transformers this year. So, we buy the nicest looking ones (if there is such a thing).

Wednesday, Michael, grandma, little kiddos and I had lunch and recess with Garnet. He has a great teacher and school that is very flexible with our circus of people! For dessert I made triple chocolate cupcakes with Transformer wrappers. Some cupcakes had chocolate icing and the others, peanut butter. I tried a new recipe and the recipe was wonderful! Just in case you're looking for a little kick in your chocolate cupcakes, try these...

Have a happy evening!

~xo~

Rebecca

My First Blog Award and A Three Ring Circus Event

2010-03-02T15:20:00.000-05:00

What a pleasant surprise coming home to a Sweetalicous Blog Award. Thank you so much Sampler Village! This really made my day! I can't wait to pay it forward.

On my plate for the next week or two, other than my swap projects, is a party event that I'm doing the invites, cupcake wrappers/picks, candy bag toppers, banners, birthday hat, table cards...etc...

I'm very excited about it. The theme is "Vintage Circus" based on one print of paper by Anna Griffin. I can't wait until it's all done so that I can share it with you!

Sweet Monday and A Little Whoopie

2010-03-01T03:13:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a Sweet Monday!

I'm looking forward to this very busy week. My little man turns 6, so that is an event in itself. Then volunteering at his school, church on Wed. and test runs for his Pinewood Derby for AWANA's, going back to Iraq dinner for my brother on Sat. and hopefully getting into the groove running this week. Have a great week all!

Here's a little treat from me to you... I love a good Whoopie Pie. Especially when the cream is pink and blue! Being from Southcentral, PA, I know that a lot of people haven't heard of this wonderful little treat. They are part of our Pennsylvania Dutch hertiage here. According to food historians, Amish women would bake these (known as hucklebucks at the time) and put them in farmers' lunchboxes. When farmers would find these treats in their lunch, they would shout "Whoopie!"

My Month According To Doris Day

2010-02-28T10:19:00.001-05:00

My Month According to Doris Day

“Move Over Darling,” here’s a little “Pillow Talk” for this cold morning...(Brrr... “Baby It’s Cold Outside”)

Maybe “Someone Like You” knows what I’m talking about so let’s take a “Sentimental Journey” and I will share some things that are on my “Young and Foolish Heart” over the past month. I know that “Everybody Loves a Lover,” but this I am not right now. I am having a cruddy month. Fortunately, this only happens “Once In Awhile”.

First, I have PMS big time. After having 3 children it’s gone from 0-100. You’d think I was Satan’s Spawn instead of a Child of God. Seriously. I am an emotional wreck. During my niece and nephews birthday party last night at Chuck-E-Cheese, my big brother who is on leave from Iraq, made me cry in front of everyone from an ill-timed and off the cuff statement. Seriously.

Secondly, my husband works at an architectural firm and due to this economy, everyone has received a hefty pay-cut/benefit cut which will take effect in April. This is a big Seriously. “A Guy is a Guy” and my guy will take care of me because he always has and I know he always will. This is why I am “Bewitched” with him. However, I know “It Takes Time” for the economy to pick up and soon enough we will be dining at our favorite Mexican restaurant eating and enjoying “Tacos, Enchiladas and Beans.”

Lastly, I feel like I have no direction with my work. There are a million roads to choose from and I have no idea which one to take. Do I push this or that avenue and how will it effect my family? I’m frustrated and tired with my lack of focus. It’s like I’m roaming and just “Singing in the Rain” and “Forever Blowing Bubbles” randomly. So to sum it up, I know this will pass and I just need to “Powder My Face With Sunshine,” take my problems and “Put’em in a Box, Tie It With A Ribbon” and ship them off to God and loudly sing... “Que Sera Sera~Whatever will be will be.”

I love you all “A Bushel and a Peck” and appreciate you stopping by to hear me vent for a moment. “You are my sunshine” and “Why don’t we do this more often?”

Have a Happy "Doris" Day!

Premium Whipped Cocoa Milk Bath

2010-02-26T00:55:00.001-05:00

While trying to decide what to make for several Valentine's Day gifts, I decided to start experimenting with chocolate. I love the idea of a chocolate bath. Doesn't that just sound yummy? Well, I tried several different recipes until I found one that I could really "sink my teeth into". I used it as a facial mask tonight and I'm telling you...my nose is still smelling it and my skin is oh so soft. I ended with a mix of premium Ghirardelli chocolate and fortified milk with fresh vanilla bean. I package it in this cute little pink chocolate box. How appropriate?

Premium Whipped Chocolate Cocoa Bath

Speaking of Valentine's Day, this is a picture of two of my children before church. Baby didn't want his picture taken! Believe it or not, this was not a posed picture. They were just loving on each other. Let me assure you...this does not happen often.

{Garnet and Lollie}

My Debut at Swapping!

2010-02-24T09:19:00.000-05:00

I am so excited! I have received my emails saying that I am officially signed up for not one, but two different swaps. My first two that is! That's why I am so excited. I've seen swaps for all sorts of things from notecards to flip flops. While flip flops are okay, I am more interested in flexing my creativity and seeing what other great creative minds come up with as well. I am really, really nervous about my swap partners likeing what I've come up with. I guess this is normal for testing the waters.

Let me tell you a little about each...

The first one that I signed up for is being hosted by A Swap For All Seasons. It is a May Day Tussie Mussie Swap. They are only taking 100 swappers and I believe are already up to 80. The sign up it until the 28th.

{aswapforallseasons.blogspot}

The second, is a swap that is for miniture Easter baskets hosted by Miss Rhea. They will be crafted from yogurt cups. Aren't these lovely? The closing date for sign-ups are on February 26.

{sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com}

This is going to be so much fun and I am totally squealing with delight! I think I just need to find out who my swap partners are when the swap sign ups are closed so I can get a feel for what they'd like. Then off to the flea markets to find some little treasures to tuck inside each and a trip through my attic to gather some other treasures!

The Ultimate Easter Cake! Can you say Cut-Up?

2010-02-22T15:07:00.004-05:00

When I was little my mom always used to make Cut-up Cakes. Is anyone with me? In 1959, Baker's Coconut came out with a little book that grandmas and moms for decades to come would use. There was also a 1973 edition. In fact, my first birthday cake was the full bodied bunny. I believe the official title was the Baker's Coconut Animal Cut-up Cakes. Last year I made one, but jazzed it up a bit for Easter. I tinted the coconut light blue for the body and sticked with the soft pink for the ears and feet. I then added a pink with white polka dotted grosgrain bow around the neck. It was so stinkin' cute! Unfortunately, I have no pictures of it. My NEW external drive with all my pictures on it died and I need A LOT of money to get the photos restored for now, they are lost. I thought I'd add the cut-up diagram for anyone interested in making their own this Easter. Enjoy!

{this is the one i made this past easter}

If you're interested in obtaining a copy of this little booklet...expect to pay a pretty penny. I belive they are running between $10-40 on eBay depending on their condition, if it is an original and how close it is to a holiday! Amazon also has several starting at $27 and run up to $50.

Yummy Vintage Cupcake Picks and Wrappers

2010-02-16T15:18:00.001-05:00

I love vintage Easter cards. The reason...color of course! The taffy sweet colors of pink, aqua, butter and mint. Mmm...mouthwatering! There are all sorts of Easter images that I love. Fuzzy bunnies and chicks, crosses, empty tombs, dogwoods, lillys, roses, birds, churches, fancy hats and the list goes on and on.

I love to come up with new crafts using these little things. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to know!

As you see, I've made cupcake picks and coordinating wrappers. These are now available in my Etsy store.

~Mr. Not Too Shabby~

2010-02-15T13:36:00.014-05:00

I couldn't resist sharing what my husband made me for Valentine's Day. I was utterly impressed with this beautiful bouquet and, tongue in cheek, think it should be featured in Romantic Homes craft section!

{A husband is a guy who tells you when you've got on too much lipstick and helps you with your girdle when your hips stick.}

He used chocolates dusted with fairy pink sprinkles and pink candy foils. Silver tinsel rods and ballet slipper pink paper to create the cone. Adorned with delicate tissue paper tag and cut glass green leaves.

{pictures do not do these cuties justice}

{take notice to the scalloped, delicate petals}

{goat card i made him~we have two goats instead of dogs}

{cards my kiddos made with daddy's help~purse even has a working buckle}

{from my sister~lilly pulitzer pencils and cookies}

Happy Monday all!