6th Anniversary of being 29!

I'm 29 ... again!  This makes the 6th year in a row! ha!

The kids and I are heading to the movies, lunch, and out for shopping.  In my head I picture today as warm and sunny, the kids laughing, skipping hand and hand {cue the birds and music} and being nice to each other ... in reality, well, I think it will be warm and sunny today.  The kids are already biting and screaming at each other.  Sigh....birthdays sure aren't what they used to be!

In other news, there's FREE SHIPPING on top of the 35% off you'll receive with the code BIRTHDAY {entered at checkout} at my shoppe, JoeyandChase Designs.

I'm working on my Memorial Day/4th of July candlescape, a paint and vinyl tutorial, as well as new artwork ~ I'll be sure to share it with you here!

Well, I'm off to spend the day with my kids ...  wish me luck! ;o)

Welcome to the Carnival

Phew!  What a weekend!!  The carnival is O.V.E.R. and I must say, it was a HUGE success!!  The kids had a blast, the parents had a great time, the face painter was a hit, and the magician wowed his audience!  Oh, and the food was yummy, too!

Here are a few highlights from the afternoon:

Games: {lolly pop tree, ping pong toss, plinko, can toss, spin the wheel, duck pond}

Face Painting: {the kids LOVED this!}

Photo Booth: {this was so much fun!! details to follow on the photo "booth"}

Food and Candy Buffet: {i had too much fun putting this together! stay tuned for all the details and may i just say, "holy wind batman"}

Magician: {balloon animals, magic, and a bunny}

Mother's Day was spent running around to set up the carnival and then watching the kids have a blast.  The pure enjoyment on their faces made it all worth it and made my day complete.  I will be posting details for all the day's fun in separate posts, so check back in SOON!

Linking up here: One Artsy Mama and Happy Go Lucky

Until next time,

Teacher Appreciation

This week is teacher appreciation week at Joey's school.  We have a Mother's Day tea on Friday, and I thought that we could give Joey's teacher her little gift then.  I've been inspired by the "berry" sweet ideas that I have found on Pinterest, so I thought I would take a stab at it.

Ms. Smith has an aide in her class that is a one-on-one with a student, but I couldn't leave her out because she does so much for the class, too!  

What about you?  Have you done anything for your teachers this week?  I'd love to see them!

ps ~ I'm knee-deep in carnival planning!  It's coming together nicely and I cannot WAIT until Sunday!!  I'll post a couple of sneaky peeks for you soon!

Linking up here: I Heart Naptime, Lil Luna, Savvy Southern Style, Someday Crafts

Until next time, 

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!