The 1st Crafty Pursuits Craft Class

February 1st I hosted a Galentine Craft Party for friends! I thought you might like to see the pics!
Let's start at the end. This is the finished product! Buffalo checked trays/lazy susans.

We gathered in the craft room for some sangria and nibbles and got down to it!

We measured, we taped, we painted

While our creations were drying we went into the house to sup on a Jane Austen inspired dinner

Salmon Nicosia anyone?

And pink velvet cupcakes with white chocolate icing. Yummy!
Back to the craft room to finish up with sanding and monogramming

It was so fun and a great time to gather with other crafty(or wanna be crafty) divas. Please email me if you'd like info on the next Crafty Class!
And special shout out to Helen for being our class photographer!

Sweet Tea Challenge

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited by Jemma to a Texas Bloggers Craft Retreat at her lovely home. The special guest of honor was Kari Anne of Thistlewood Farm.That sweetie pie came bearing gifts like all good southerners do. We all received charms packs of her beautiful new fabric line.Charm Packs are 5 inch squares of fabric all packaged up in the cutest way (Sorry I don't have a pic. You'll have to trust me. It was adorable!). And what glorious fabric it is!

It's pretty and graphic and comes in the most fun colors.


A challenge was issued and accepted. What could we make with the fabric in the charm packs?

I immediately thought of corsages and boutonnieres.



As an event planner I have had occasion to make both out of fabric for a wedding's house party, special guests or even proms and formals.
I even made one for my son in love.


Here is a variation of that one in Kari Anne's beautiful fabric.This time I made a fabric yoyo for the the center along with a key.The petals are circles I cut out tracing around a spool of thread.
Just hot glue the petals, yoyo and key onto a base of felt or even card stock.Attach a pin back on the back and voila!

I often use keys on boutonnieres. I think they're awfully romantic, how 'bout you?

This shabby flower corsage is fun to make and receive.
Trim the fabric square corners to make rounds. Stack at least 3 and stitch the center with yoyo and button. After stitching go back and cut the rounds to make petals. I didn't use a pattern just snip the circles all around.
Now do your laundry. That's right and throw your fabric flower in the wash...and dryer. It will come out a bit frayed and oh so lovely!

They're even fun to pin on gift bags!

The last corsage I've made before using this pattern.


They are all fun (and easy) to make. Think of making them for honoring guests at church events and service clubs. Mind you corsages start at about 30 dollars ( I know!) and these are a small fraction of that. Plus they get to keep them!


Thank you Kari Anne for hosting this crafty challenge!


To see more Sweet Tea Challenge creative projects please visit Kari Anne's blog.
For store locations go here.

And because it's Thursday I'm hanging with the gals at TOHOT!

Valentine's Day Treats

I'm ready for St. Valentine's Day! How about you?
I made plans with the hubster, ordered flowers for a singles dance I'm helping to plan and I've made these happies to share with my tribe.

They are polka dotted canvas bags with all manner of baubles and beads to glam the up.






It's always so fun to create things for your girls. Never have ribbon or buttons meant so much!
Happy Tuesday!

Brit + Co

Some of the perks of having four young adult children is that they keep me abreast of all the "in" happenings.
Like I know about swag, Sam Smith and Jamberry Nails. After much discussion and a small demonstration I even know what twerking is. Thank you Miley.
Now they have gone and introduced me to Brit + Co. and I'm hooked!
The absolute coolest website and blog.
There are super cute party ideas

decorating inspiration


beauty tips


crafts

and recipes, all with a young chic vibe.

They even offer online classes!
Like Cake Baking 101

Sewing 101

Flower Arranging

and Calligraphy
.
And they're only 19.99 each! My youngest and I are taking the calligraphy class. Hopefully soon I'll be able to show you my new skills.;)

Hop over to Brit + Co. to see what all the fuss is about

Thrifty Fifty

Recently a dear friend and neighbor turned fifty and her sweet husband enlisted us to help him plan a surprise party for her.
She's a glitzy gold kinda gal so we decorated the dining room table with glittered up gold spray painted wine bottles and tissue paper flowers!




We stayed on budget and she loved her party! The covert party planning was great fun but sharing a milestone birthday with a friend was priceless!