Tea Wreath

If you are looking for a sweet project to liven up your kitchen...or need a gift, this Tea Wreath from Kojo Designs is super adorable and was pretty easy!
Visit Kojo Designs for the complete Tutorial

Here's mine...

I went with fabric to cover the cardboard base, adding a ruffle to the back...and a fabric flower. 

There are many many many tutorials on making fabric flowers as well as covering clothespins with paper (or fabric). 
Tip Junkie has gathered up several Fabric Flower tuts here.
And This Mommy Loves shows you how to cover your clothespins here.

Time for Tea!

Linked up:
 

National Teacher Appreciation week is May 2 thru May 6th

Teacher Appreciation week is approaching as well as the end of school year.  Summer is bittersweet for me...no more schedules, no more making it to the bus on time, BUT that means a young one always underfoot, even during nap time!  Nope, not getting J to go back to taking naps.  That means I must come up with a summer learning program for him...but that's another post. 

Back to Teacher Appreciation...I've seen some really GREAT ideas in blog land.  I've chosen a few that would be quick and easy to share with you. 

Add an Itunes Gift card to this cute FREE printable:

Click here to print this, and check out the other Teacher ideas. 

Add a Starbucks to this Free printable!

 Click here to get print.

Click here to get this editable Bloom!

Smeeps! Using up the Easter Candy

We had a wonderful Easter and as a result have a bit of Easter treats floating around the house.  The kids and I made Peeps treat bags for the church Easter Egg Hunt.
Here are the ones we had leftover.

We printed the Peeps treats bag topper for FREE @ eighteen25

Inspired by an idea I saw here, I decided to rid ourselves  use up some of our leftover Peeps by creating S'meeps! (aka S'mores with peeps)

You will need:

Graham Crackers

Chocolate

Peeps

We placed a square of chocolate on a graham cracker square, topped it with a peep, and turned the Toaster oven on Broil.

poor lil' Peeps!

Once the Peeps melted and began to roast (turn slightly brown) we pulled out and smashed another Graham cracker square on top. 

 

Pink peeps!

Enjoy!

CAUTION!  Allow S'meeps to cool slightly before biting into the melted chocolate goo! That goo is HOT!



Linked up:

Spring Wreath...Finally

I finally made it to my wreath!  I posted a while back (check it out here) a roundup of some of my favorite wreaths around blogland.  It took a while, but I was able to finally make mine last week, and got it hung today!
I started with a square piece of cardboard, cut from a box.  I know I took a picture of it, but I think my camera ate the file.  (Actually, I may have not had the memory card in the camera, but the camera ate it is my story and I am sticking to it) Armed with my favorite crafting tool, my handy dandy glue gun, I went to work attaching coffee filters. 

About halfway through, I realized I should have covered the back with something to hide the cardboard.  So I added some pretty paper to the back.
Once the square was covered in coffee filters I went to work on paper flowers. I chose a rolled paper flower, but if you search google images for "paper flowers" you will be overwhelmed by the amount of tutorials!  I went with quick and easy. 
 

I added some silk leaves I just happened to have on hand from a silk flower arrangement I just completed.  It was still missing a little something, so I decided to add birds.  I am fascinated with all the bird stuff out right now! 

I printed out a template from Lolly Chops and again went with cardboard as the base.  I then Mod Podged the paper onto the bird...added buttons for eyes, ribbon for tails...and DONE! 

Linked up!

DIY Tiered Jewelry Holder

Last year while planning Lil Bug's 1st birthday party, I ran into a problem with my "want" and what I could actually find in the stores at a price I was willing to pay for a party.  Those that know me, know, I love a bargain and if its not something I will use over and over and often...I refuse to pay full price.  I wanted a red tiered serving platter.  I couldn't find one.  Then I saw that you could DIY one and they were all over blog land.  It was perfect timing!  I made my own.

And then I made another....

Fast forward to present...I really needed to organize my jewelry.  I have cubby holes in my closet and one of them houses all my jewelry.  It was a mess.  I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do until I saw a picture of a tiered jewelry holder and decided I must make one. 

Photo via Better Homes and Gardens

I collected my supplies....3 plates, 2 candlesticks, and glue. 


You will want to turn the candlestick upside down so that the top plate gets the most surface area.
I glued my candlesticks (upside down) to 2 of the plates.  See how there is more surface area on the bottom ring?  Allow to dry for a good hour or so before moving on to next step.


Glue one on top of the other and again, allow to dry for a good hour or so. 


Then glue the last plate to the top. 


I used glass glue but found that super glue (dollar store) works better...its thicker and you can get more on the tiny rim of the candlestick. 

Spring Cleaning!

As much as I love spring...I don't love "Spring Cleaning" at all.  That's why I think the Spring Cleaning Event I joined over at Ask Anna will make it a bit fun.  It starts April 2nd, so I have some time to prepare myself for such an event.  And it ends just before my son is out of school for spring break.  Hopefully, all my Spring Cleaning will be complete and I can enjoy some time with him instead of time with the floors, counters, bathrooms, etc. 

So, while we are on the topic of cleaning...did you know your washer had a filter? I certainly did not!  Check out Anna's post on the fluff the washer leaves on clothes and how to get rid of it!

Time for a Spring Wreath

I have been searching and searching for inspiration to make a spring wreath for my front door.  So many to choose from - I may make more than one! One for the door, one for the window, one to hang over a mirror... you get my drift.
 Maybe you need some inspiration as well?  Here's what's on my list:

I am loving these wreaths made from coffee filters! We have a Tassimo coffee maker, so coffee filters are a thing of the past for us! I still have quite a few that I saved for that "one day" project.  I thought it might be a kids craft...but maybe mom will use them this go around.

Find these beautiful wreaths...and a tutorial or two here: The Nester
Freedom Divine

Domestic Princess in Training

I have a ton of Spanish Moss in my backyard.  I've read a bit on how to dry it out so you can use it in projects such as these spanish moss wreaths.  Maybe its time to put that to work! 

The spanish moss wreaths were made by Our Daily Chocolate and the other by Lindsay at Living With Lindsay.

I love the square wreath because of its shape.  Delia Creates shares it on her blog.

The paper rosette has to be one of my favorites not only because it's so shabby chic, but because I recognize how much time went into that one.  I've made the rosettes before, and making each individual one takes time...and to have enough for a wreath...WOW!  Hats off to Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming!

What's on your front door?

Flash Sales

The latest Internet shopping craze is Flash Sales.  What is a Flash Sale?  To put it simply, sales in a flash.  Need a little more definition? It's highly discounted items offered at the discount price by an e-tailer website for a very limited time.  Its a way for retailers to build brand name and sell off their extra stock.  Its fantastic for consumers, if you have the patience.  If you are a Veruca, I want it now (Willy Wonka ref.) type person, you may find flash sales appalling.  However, those of us who can wait it out for the best deal possible, will find the latest craze an exciting, adrenaline pumping, new way to shop online!

When I say limited time, I mean don't blink! If  you do, the item you laid your eyes & pointer on may be gone.  Sites offering items as flash sales, have a set quantity of each item at the discounted price.

Flash Sale sites are typically member only sites.  Many offer an account credit just for signing up, and most offer credits for bringing on other shoppers.  Flash sales can range from 40% to 80% off retail prices. Each site offers new sales each day, so remembering to check your favorite sites could be a challenge.  But if you are afraid you may miss that one unbelievable deal...sign up for the site's emails.  They will send you an email containing info on Today's sales and possibly Upcoming.

That being said, Flash Sales could be harmful to your budget if not handled properly.  The retailers are hoping to grab you on an impulse, tempt you with limited quantities and limited time.  You must be sure the item you are about to purchase really is a great deal (shipping included) and you really must have need the item.


Here are a few tips:
            ~ put the item in your cart and keep browsing the site
            ~ return to your cart once you are ready to purchase
            ~ take 2 deep breaths
Analyze each item in your cart individually: 
  ~ ask yourself if you can USE this item, if not, its not a great deal
    ~ ask yourself, how many like items do you already have and are you                in need of replacing these like items
    ~ will you possibly want to return this item? Most flash sales sites have a
         strict return policy, if they even allow returns (outside of damaged
           items) Read up on the site's policy
     ~ is this item still a great deal after you factor in shipping costs?
     ~ do a quick price comparison...google the item and see what it sells for
           elsewhere
      ~ Be sure of the shipping timeline.  Some sites and/or specific items will
          have a longer shipping time. 

Most of my favorite Flash Sale sites allow you to preview upcoming sales.  If you are in the market for something, say a rug, you can keep an eye on their upcoming sales.  When a rug designer offers the site their rugs for a flash sale, google that designer.  Browse the rugs they offer and the prices of those rugs around the net.  When the Flash Sale site begins the rug sale, you will already know if they are offering a good price. You may be surprised to find the rug you had your eye on at a great sale!

Now that I have given you this info I ask one small favor in return.  Use my links below to sign up for memberships at these Flash Sales sites.

Corey's Favorites:       ** sites I have purchased from
  The Foundary - Home Decor, Baby Items, Gifts

     Gilt.com -huge fashion designers, Home Decor, Baby Items, Gifts

  **Lil Luxe - Premium Baby and Children's Brands

**Totsy -Items for mom, babies, kids

**Zulily - Items for mom, babies, kids

**One Kings Lane- Home Decor 

**The Mini Social- Kids and Baby Items-


               HauteLook- top fashion, accessories, beauty, kids and home

                                      brands, and getaways

Rue La La - everything for a life of style - at private sale prices

Next Time:  One-A-Day sale sites....