Ding-dong Ditch: Carnival Invites

Today was the day that we delivered our Carnival invitations to our Daisy troop girls, and Joey and I had the BEST time with it!  We did the ol' ding-dong ditch routine and I'm not sure who had more fun, me or Joey!  

The picture below is the final invitation with the coordinating ribbon ~ they looked so cute!  

To add to the carnival theme, I attached a rainbow swirl lolly pop and a red and white polka dot balloon.

And, here's my accomplice getting ready to deliver an invite!

 More surprises are in the works, but I just *LOVE* how it's coming together!  Sneak peeks will be shared along the way!  If you've thrown a Carnival party, I'd love to see what you did!

Linking up here: I Heart Naptime

Until next time!

Santa, Shamrocks, and Spring ... Oh my!

I L.O.V.E to create things that are reusable, meaning I can reuse part or all of it to create something new.  I have this candle centerpiece on our kitchen table that makes me oh-so-happy ~ I first made it at Christmas to make the candles look like Santa's suit.

For Valentine's Day, I spruced these bad babies up by adding cute ribbon and some Martha Stewart love tags.

For St. Patrick's Day, I swapped out the red candles and used white ones with green and white ribbon.  Add some shamrocks and gold coins and you've got a centerpiece fit for the end of the rainbow! ~ I think these are my fave, yet!

For Easter and Spring, I swapped out the green for pastels ... added a spring mix marble bag from Michaels a couple of stickers and pinwheels and badda-bing ... a centerpiece that lasts through till Summer!  Wait, THESE are my fave!!

I've already started collecting treasures for July 4th ~ the red candles will be making a comeback for sure!  With just a little bit of money, and some creative restyling, you've got a new centerpiece for each holiday or season!  Inspired?  I'd love to see what you come up with!

Until next time!

Linking up here: Whipperberry  One Artsy Mama

Carnival Inspiration for an 11th hour Celebration

I am the leader for Joey's Girl Scout Daisy troop, and my co-leader and I have decided to throw the girls and their families a carnival-themed end-of-year party/cook-out.  When is it, you ask?  In a couple of weeks.  Yeah, I know ... my motto is, "no time like the 11th hour" ... you'll get used to it as you get to know me.  ;)

Anyway, I put together a little inspiration board to help get the motors running in my head ... think champagne taste on a beer budget ... I CAN do this.  Can't I?  

Joey's school put together a really fun carnival night for the kids and I asked if we could borrow the games that they used.  We'll have a face painter and I'm working on a magician.  Did I mention that the girls are all 5 and 6 years old?  

So, I hope you will follow along with me as I work my magic to pull off this DIY Carnival party for 11 five year olds and their families.

Until next time!

A little about me ...

I L.O.V.E. my family, the beach, a good book, going out for breakfast, seeing ideas in my head come to life when I am working on something.  I love being able to take a design and run with it.  I'd like to think I was frugal, but Mr. j&c might say otherwise.  :o)

Here are some answers to your burning questions:

• My favorite music is 80s, Jimmy Buffett, and Classic Rock, which sadly, is becoming 80s music = I feel old.

• My favorite color is turquoise.

• My favorite food is pizza.  or pasta.  or candy.

• I'm addicted to ice.  and Kate Spade.  and shoes.

• My dream house is a restored farm house on or at the beach.  Painted plank floors, white everything with pops of dreamy blues and turquoise.

• Mr. j&c is in the Air Force.  Currently we are stranded stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey and live in a one-light town (literally), about 30 miles from base.  We met when we were 18 and it really was love at first sight for both of us.  He is my hero and my rock.  

• My mom is my best friend and the strongest person I know.  She believes in me and supports me with everything that I do ... she is my #1 fan {and not just because she's my mom ... at least, I don't think...}

• Joey is the girliest of girls and wears dresses every. day.  She inspires me to be a better person.  I want her to grow up strong and have no doubt that she is loved and special.  

• Chase, aka Buddy, is the poster child of being all boy.  He likes to rock out and go fishing with his Daddy.  He loves trains and dinosaurs and makes us laugh when he hams it up.

~*~*~*~*~

This is just my little corner of the world.  I'm hoping that sharing some of my thoughts and creations with you will allow me the freedom to create and also, maybe, hopefully, inspire you to do the same.  Thanks for checking in!

Until next time!

Testing, testing ... 1, 2, 3

Ok, so this is my first attempt at a blog, a post, a step in a new direction.  My life is insanely busy doing who knows what, but the one thing that keeps me "sane" is my passion for making jewelry, art, and of course, my family.

I'd like to think that this blog will be about my daily attempts at crafting and designing in a stay-at-home-mom world.  I'm inspired by the other talented SAHMs out there that have taken their hobby and made something amazing out of it.  I'll try not to ramble on and on about how cute and smart and talented my kids are, what our two little pups, Bee and Ellie, have been up to, or, how incredibly handsome, witty, and crazy the love of my life is.

You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, and on my Website.

So, welcome!  I hope you'll join me on this adventure and stay awhile!