happy fall ya'll

I love the Fall; the crisp air, the colors of the leaves, etc.  The cold weather and shorter days that come with it?  Um, not so much.  

So, while I was hibernating yesterday, I was inspired to create a few things to celebrate the season of Fall. 

  

I also was in a playful mood, and created these little cuties:

   

I just LOVE how they all turned out!  I've got the Autumn one above the fireplace already, and the Thanksgiving one is waiting to debut on the 25th!  I also put a "Welcome to Our Home" print in our foyer.  It's warm and cozy and I just love the colors!

Joey and I also worked on jewelry ~ it has been way too long since I've really sat down at my desk and created.  It felt SO good!  Here's what I ended up with:

The one above are the colors of our school district.  We as a whole are known as the Caesar Rodney Riders, so I made this for my little Rider for her to wear on spirit days when they are supposed to show off their blue and gold!  GO RIDERS!

This gorgeous set is called, "Skyline Drive".  When I was little, my parents took us to Skyline Drive in Virginia, and we just loved the colors of the leaves and the sky.  As I was working with this set, I kept thinking about it and found it such a fitting name for this set.  Oh, and did I mention that the earrings GLOW IN THE DARK!?  Yes, they sure do!!  I'll get a picture of them on here soon!

Before I sign off here, I just wanted to show you what Joey put together as I was busy in the zone:

Gorgeous, no?  She has such an eye! This is such a proud momma moment. 

Well, I need to get outside and help Mr. J&C rake all these leaves that Sandy threw all over our yard ... ew, I hate yard work!

Until next time,

Subbing...

Not for the faint of heart.  Today is middle school.  These kids are bigger than me!  Earlier this week it was elementary school music teacher.  Did I mention I have ZERO rhythm?  Like, less than zero actually.

Anyway, lots of fun stuff coming up as I get ready for Joey's costume birthday party!  Except, somehow my Silhouette Cameo is NOT TURNING ON ... SHOOT. ME. NOW.  Any suggestions?  I'll leave you with a picture of Bee and Ellie dressed in their costumes ... any guesses which is which?

Until next time,

diy boa wreaths

Long time, no see!  Well, we are getting settled into the new house and couldn't be happier!  We love being back in Delaware and the feeling that we have come "home".  With Halloween creeping up on us, I began decorating as we were unpacking!  I love decorating for Halloween, and we have decided to host a costume party at the end of the month for Joey's birthday since we moved the weekend of her birthday!  So, today, I have a quick little tutorial on these SO cute and EASY boa wreaths!

I originally put up our Halloween wreath that I made years ago, but we have two front doors at this house, and so my old one just wouldn't do!  I couldn't imagine paying store prices for TWO wreaths, so I saw somewhere about using a boa to make a "feather" wreath, and my head started to spin with design ideas!

I ran to the nearest craft store, armed with coupons, and snagged up some black boas, styrofoam wreath forms, black felt and anything else I could find that was "halloweenish".  I must admit that I have no idea how to make a bow, so when I saw these pre~made bows at the craft store, I grabbed them!  

Ok, so here's what you need (per wreath):

• styrofoam wreath form
• 4 pieces of black felt, cut into strips (so the white of the wreath doesn't show through)
• stick pins (not pictured)
• 2 black boas 
• ribbon or pre~made bow
• Halloween decoration of your choice (mine are little fuzz balls dressed up to be an owl and bats)

Once you wrap your wreath form with the felt strips, just wrap your boas around it and pin it in place (at each end).  Stick your decorations in and put your bow on the top.  Add to your door and stand back and admire!

I just LOVE how these turned out and each took about 10 minutes to complete! So easy, pretty cheap, and best of all, the kids love them!  I hope you feel inspired to make your own boa wreath; if you do, I'd love to see them!

Linking up here: One Artsy Mama, Happy Hour Projects, Tatertots and Jello

Until next time,

pardon the dust...

pardon the dust and neglect on here ... we are in the process of moving and the packers are here packing everything up (def. a perk of being military!).  Tomorrow the movers come to pack the truck and deliver on Monday!  We move on Saturday and couldn't be more excited!  I already have some big plans for the new house and I can't wait to get started and share it with you!  So, please check up on me and wish me luck! 

teacher's pet

Is giving something to the new teacher a way of saying, "Hey! My kid is the best, and to prove it we I slaved over whipped up made you this!"  No?  You do it too, right?!  Well, last year we made Joey's kindergarten teacher a supply box filled with goodies that she would need all year, as well as some tasty treats!  This year, we are moving 10 days into the new school year, so I didn't want to go overboard for a teacher we're only going to see for a little bit, but I still think it's appropriate to start the year off with a little somethin', somethin'!  So, I slaved over whipped up made these cute little note cards that I think she will like - you know, for all those notes home letting us know how brilliant our daughter is.  ahem, maybe I'm a little biased?

Anyway, I have some for you too!  I'd love for you to follow me (click where it says, "Join This Site") and keep up with my ramblings, projects, and other life "things", and when you do, let me know and I'll send you a PDF of the note cards! 

Linking up here: One Artsy Mama, Craft-O-Maniac, DIY Home Sweet Home, Lines Across, Lil' Luna

 

Until next time,



lasagna cupcakes

Lasagna?  Yes, please.  Cupcakes?  Even better.  The other day, I teased you with the thought of lasagna cupcakes and the verdict is in...they were DELISH!  My husband ate 10 of them!  TEN!

Based on the recipe by Emily Bites, I adapted it for our dietary needs; I'm vegetarian, so I used meatless crumbles and I used ground turkey for Mr J&C.

This was so quick and easy, and definitely will be made again!

First, spray your cupcake pan with a little baking spray.  Then, line them with one wonton square and put a little spoonful of ricotta in each one.

Next, add your meat.

Top that with sauce and then sprinkle with mozzerella and parmesean.

Finally, repeat your layers beginning with the wonton square . . . I even made up a little jingle so I would remember the steps: wrapper, meat, sauce, cheese, cheese, repeat!  Once your second layer is on, it is time for the oven!  Bake at 375 for about 18-20 minutes and then let cool for about 5 minutes before taking out of the muffin pan.  I made all twelve (6 for me and 6 for Mr. J&C, but I only ate two and he ate the rest!).

Here's your ingredient list and recipe:

1/2 pound lean ground beef, turkey or meatless crumbles

1-1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

16 wonton wrappers {I found mine in the produce section by the lettuce bags}

4oz Ricotta cheese

1 cup pasta sauce

4 oz mozzarella cheese

1-1/2oz parmasean cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 and lightly mist your muffin tin with a cooking spray

2. In a skillet, add your meat and Italian seasoning until browned and cooked all the way through.

3. Push a wonton square into the bottom of each muffin cup and spoon your ricotta evenly into them.  I didn't mesure anything, so I just took a regular spoonful and dumped it in.

4. Add some meat.

5. Add some sauce.

6. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmasean over top.

7. Repeat layers, beginning with your wonton square.

8. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and let them cool down some before removing from the pan.

9. Enjoy this unusal take on lasagna!

Linking up here: I Heart Naptime, Tatertots and Jello, Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Until next time,



lasagna cupcakes? what what?!

Found this recipe via Emily Bites and just knew I had to give it a try!  I'm vegetarian and my husband is not, so this was super easy to adapt!
Tutorial and tasty verdict coming up soon!

back to school

I gotta go back, back, back to school again

You won't find me 'til the clock strikes three

I'm gonna be there 'til then

I gotta go back, back, back to school again

Whoa, whoa, I gotta go, back to school again

{Four Tops, Grease 2}

 

I was really in the "back-to-school" mood this past week, so when I created my Back-to-School artwork, I couldn't just stop there and had to make the wreath!  You might remember the "grass" wreath that took blogland by storm in the Spring...

Source


Of course, I had to make one, too!  Then, I flipped it over and made a dino version for Chase's dino party.

  

  

Well, I'm not one to throw away, so I just took the dinosaurs off, and gussied it up for school!

Supplies needed:

• "grass" wreath
• scrapbook paper
• scissors
• stickers
• bakers twine
• pencils
• ribbon
• pins
• glue dots

First, cut small triangles out of your scrapbook paper for the banner.  Then put the stickers on there to spell out "Back To School".

Next, string them on to your bakers twine and glue dot them into place.  Place the banner on your wreath and secure with pins.

Finally, to add a little somethin' somethin', grab a couple of pencils and bind them with your ribbon and secure to wreath.  Viola! You've got yourself the cutest back to school wreath!

I hope you guys are inspired to make your own Back to School wreaths, and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Linking up here: Under the Table and Dreaming, DIY Showoff

Until next time,

It's a luau

So, a lot of changes going on over here at JoeyandChase!  First up, we're moving!  In September.  SO EXCITED!  Joey's Candy Shoppe party is postponed since we are moving on her birthday.  She's a little upset, but we promised that we'd have a big party once we were settled in to the new house!

In other news, I had the pleasure to work on invites and party accessories for a luau party!  I think they turned out way too cute, and I wanted to share!  I can't wait to see the pictures of the party!

In this Luau collection are a birthday banner, invitation with envelopes, sticker seals, thank you tags, and cupcake toppers!  I put everything together for her, but I will be selling the printables in my shoppe soon.
If you want me to put them together for you, too, just send me a message!

Here are some additional pictures of the collection:

I just LOVE it!
Linking up at one artsy mama, house of hepworths
Until next time,

My first guest post!

I'm super excited to share my latest DIY attempt over at One Artsy Mama!  Check it out here and let me know what you think!!

I'll be posting some of my latest artwork  projects later this weekend, so be sure to come back and check them out!

roar ...

Well, my baby boy turned 4!  We had a ROAR'n good time and I think the birthday boy was happy!

Chase loves dinosaurs, and can rattle off everything about them if given the chance.  So, I started with the invite and designed the party around that!  I chose a palate of blue, tan, and pistachio...

The decorations I made out of scrapbook paper that matched the invites, and using my silhouette, I created the ROAR banner, as well as the "Chase is 4" dinosaur banner that you can kind of see along the wall {I couldn't get a good picture of it}.

As for the menu, we kept it simple with dino-shaped sandwiches, pizza, fruit kabobs, veggie/dip cups, dino claws, cupcakes, as well as, cake and ice cream.

Each guest received his/her own pail with a ton of goodies in it, including Dino Chow and a dinosaur mask and dig hat.  Chase really wanted a pinata, so outside we went and within 5 seconds that dino was history {pun intended!}.

Everyone had such a great time, and we can't believe that our baby boy is 4 ~ time goes by way too fast! Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,

Palm Springs = Heaven

Ahhh, Californ. I. A...

My husband and I were lucky to spend a child~free WEEK in Palm Springs with my parents and sister.
Did I mention it was CHILD~FREE?!  Ok, just making sure.  Oh man, was that nice!  I think the first 2 days all we did was sleep and eat, sleep and eat.  By the third day we were more acclimated and ready to part-ay {read: sit by the pool and read and sleep ... and eat}!

We did manage to check out Newport Beach and Laguna Beach {anyone a fan of The OC or Laguna Beach?}.  I think in my next life with my ultra rich husband and well~behaved children, I will live in Newport Beach...what a darling little town! I fell in love with the beach cottages and water views. and boats. and shops. and, and, and...

We stopped and ate at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach and the views from the restaurant were stunning!

 

While we were in Palm Springs, we found a couple of celebrity homes {l to r: Barbra Streisand, Marilyn Monroe, and Dean Martin}

We had such a great time and I was able to spend quality time with my husband as well as with my mom, dad, and sister!

And, last but not least ... my view for the week:

Until next time,