The Easiest 4th of July Cupcake Picks...Ever

Aren't these little Star picks just the cutest?

I can't even...

When I started styling my little photo shoot for the Mason Jar Sippers with Darby Smart, I was trying to work with what I had around the house to make something super quick.  I started grabbing red and blue fruit, some red plates, nautical 4th of July napkins, and cupcake wrappers with patriotic colors. But I didn't have anything to decorate the cupcakes.

So I came up with some crazy easy toppers that took 5 minutes to make.

 All you need is some silver floral wire and star stickers. 

That's it.

Cut your floral wire to different lengths and sandwich one end between two star stickers. 

Using different size stars in reds and blues makes it just about perfect.

Boom. You are done.

Don't they look darling??

I'm telling you. This is the easiest diy for your 4th of July party or get together.

4th of July Sippers with Darby Smart

For awhile now, I have wanted to update one of my most popular projects which was my Mason Jar Sippy Cups from a few years ago.  I was excited to add some paper straws, modern paper, and put a fun twist on one of the easiest projects I have ever done. I presented it to my friends at Darby Smart and they agreed to make this great project into a kit! 

I could not be more thrilled!!

Flower + Stripe Coasters

I had a ton of posts to share for Mother's Day but as usual...family life has caught up with me. I have so many ideas that I jot down in the notes section of my phone that never see the light of day.  But this is one that made the cut.  I wanted ideas for Mother's day that could be done last minute. And I get to combine my love of stripes and flowers. Win-win.

Decoupage Milk Bottles Kit with Darby Smart

Have you guys heard of Darby Smart?  Of course you have since this site is like a crafter's paradise. They sell craft kits created by their designers that you can purchase and make yourself at home.  Its like a one stop shop.  

Recently, they asked me to be a designer (so excited!) and my first kit just launched a few weeks ago  to make these beautiful painted and decoupaged milk bottles.  

Citrus Stamped Wrapping Paper

I had the wonderful privilege of sharing this super fun DIY back in February for my precious friends at Eighteen25.  I honestly can't say enough about those sweet girls.  Its such an honor to contribute for them and I am glad I get to share some of my projects with you back here on my little old blog. So enjoy this fun tutorial for Citrus Stamped Wrapping Paper.

Stick + Yarn Star Ornaments

Typically I am a person who will decorate and stay busy through the entire Christmas season until January 1st and then I want to sleep for a week. This year, I find myself looking for the blessing in simplicity.  To slow down and not make everything be about busyness and hustle.  So the cookies will be easy, the decorations are easy and of course...little projects too. 

Which is why I am sharing the easiest ornament in the entire universe. 

Simple for the kiddos and for you. 

Embroidery Hoop Yarn Spider Webs

Well, I know I am getting this just under the wire but here is a quick and fun idea that I shared over at Eighteen25 a few weeks ago.  This great project is quick, kid friendly, and REALLY versatile.  I had a bunch of empty embroidery hoops of various sizes (just hanging all lonely like) in my craft room closet. And I started thinking that they would make the cutest little spider webs! I played around with the best way to do it and here's what I came up with... :)

Yarn Ghost Garland with Speech Bubbles

Hi Friends! 

I am so excited to share this adorably cute ghost garland with speech bubbles!  I shared this over on Eighteen25 for their Spooktacular September. I actually took this idea off of another Spooktacular project I did (these adorable Monster Cupcake Picks) but expanded on it to make this ghost garland.

Decoupage and Painted Milk Bottles

Oh my sweet goodness!  Pinch me I'm dreaming because I'm beyond stoked to be a Creative Team Member with the one and only Eighteen25 Girls! Whaaaaaat?  These girls have been a blessing to me for years and a constant encouragement and source of inspiration. I shared this project a few months back but wanted to share it here as well.

The idea for these pretty bottles came from perusing Pinterest one day and seeing a picture of some pretty spray painted bottles that I am pretty sure were decoupaged with some cut out flowers.  It was one of those times where you whiz by something while scrolling Pinterest on your phone and then poof...you can't find it again. It seemed simple enough so I decided to just try it with scrapbook paper I had on hand and some old Starbucks iced cappuccino bottles that I bought just for the bottles and not the drink. :)

cupcake liner cookie pouches

Y'all. 

I have wanted to try this little idea for like a year now.  I have been obsessed with cupcake liners for like ever.  They are so pretty but when you actually bake with them, they end up washed out and faded so the presentation falls kinda flat.  I know about the ones that stay vibrant but I cant find them as easily with all the pretty designs. Soooo...I  buy them and hoard them. Then I thought... 

cupcake liners + cookies = ♥

I think it's a match made in baking heaven. 

Working on Opening an Etsy Shop....Someday

Well it's been quite some time, hasn't it?  I assume my readership has decreased drastically and I have no one but myself to blame.  But honestly...blogging is just not that important to me anymore. Wait...scratch that.  I actually LOVE blogging.  I love creating.  Taking photos of what I create. And posting them to share with wonderful YOU. 

Yet... 

A Mother's Day Post: For Those Who Find Today Not So Happy

I'm sitting here in tears. Just crying in the lobby of my church banging out this post on my little phone. My eyes are bloodshot and I keep spontaneously erupting in tears because my emotions just keep bubbling to the surface, threatening to ruin the makeup I frantically put on this morning to get here on time.

DIY Confetti Tape

Let's talk about the happiness of confetti for a moment, shall we?  Now I know not everyone is a fan of that invitation that you rip open over that rug you just vacuumed 8 minutes prior and out comes this microscopic sized confetti with some heavy duty static cling thrown in there for good measure.

All You Magazine: Confetti Cork Frame DIY

So guess what?  This cute frame was in All You magazine...in December.  Can you believe it has taken me this long to post about it?  But thankfully it was a project you can do any time of the year. I was part of their fun Take This, Make That challenge where they ask two craft bloggers to take a material (in this case it was wine corks) and make a project for under $5 and in under 5 steps. 

Here is how I did mine...

"Shot Through The Heart" Rice Krispie Treats

As Valentine's Day approaches I have been having some fun with little craft ideas specifically centered around my kiddos.  My hubby and I definitely love the romantic thing but having little ones, we make Love Day a family affair. So these little treats are sure to delight any kid who receives them.

Mini Love Notes on a String

Hey friends. 

(she says with her tail tucked between her legs)

Is there a way to blog and have a life?  I just need to know.  I am constantly lamenting this to you yet I have found no viable solution that will enable me to craft and blog while meeting the needs of my family.  Who comes unequivocally first.

But this space gives me such joy...such satisfaction using gifts that only a creative God could give.  I love using my hands to create things yet I see how life is literally fast forwarding and I miss it when I am staring at a bright glowing screen that draws me in and then traps me there until I can shake myself out of it.  I know there are people who can do this...this balance thing.  But for me....someone gets the short end of the stick and it s often at the cost of someone I love.

Sparkly Pink Glasses: Perfect For New Years Eve

I am declaring that the whole wide world needs clear, pink glasses with gold, sparkly bling on them.  Because pink and gold sparkly things are just plain happy and everyone needs to be happy.  

I specifically made these as a New Year's Eve must have outfit accessory.  I adore all the embellished sunglasses I have seen out there but I love the idea of wearing a pair of embellished glasses at night and these would be perfect for a NYE celebration! Golden confetti and some glitter? I'm all in.

Christmas Packaging Ideas

So are any of you like DOWN TO THE WIRE on getting all your Christmas stuff done? Whew...I still have loads to do.  But I wanted to take a quick sec to pop in and show you some fun packaging ideas for the holidays and even for the everyday. I shared some of these over at According to Kelly a few weeks back but wanted to give you a peek here too.  Some of these are archived from a few years back but the one above is new. :) Those pom poms will also be goodies that will be available in my shop if I ever get it open.

I am big time crushing on the Felt and Yarn for the colorful packaging above.  I will pretty much pom pom anything so putting a bunch of jumbo ones on a box and throwing some washi tape on there for a little something extra (and perfect for a sweet, merry message) was a must. :) I had such fun making these colorful and cozy packages using simple techniques like tying off a box with yarn and making a felt flower garland with a little flag taped on with washi tape.  

Fast and Simple Photo Advent Calendar

OK.  So I know it is the last day of November.  I am getting this in by the skin of my teeth because I am literally creating an advent calendar at the last minute. GAH! But I figured some of you are still in a turkey fog (like me) and need a quick last minute advent idea to kick off December tomorrow (again, like me). And technically...you have all day tomorrow too. See?  I enable the procrastination further. That's a true DIY friend.
Anyway.  Here is what you need to get...

25 Kraft Paper envelopes
printable number tags (I got mine here)
black and white photos from past family Christmases
clips and /or twine for hanging
washi tape or glue stick to attach numbers

Advent Calendar Kit (In a suitcase)

Hey there friends!  Just wanted to give you a heads up that I am over at I Heart Nap Time today with a quick and easy idea to make an Advent Calendar Kit to give as a gift.  It's a perfect idea for a hostess gift on Thanksgiving.  I knew I couldn't post it here for another few weeks so I wanted to be sure you saw it before December 1st.  So head on over there and let me know what you think!

xo, Jessica