Decorated for Easter

I don't think we put out any Easter Decor last year.  Not quite sure why - because I love all the sweet pastel colors that come with Easter and Spring.

I really enjoy putting together a different seasonal display for the shelves in the Kitchen Nook.  

Remember when we made the Paper Banner for Halloween?

The same ideas works great for Easter as well.

Chick - Carrot - Bunny and Easter Eggs - all made from cut and punched paper shapes.

I think the bunny needs fatter ears - it's looking a bit like a Pig - but not bad for the first attempt.

The polka dot bowls are from the dollar bin at Target and I made the word art using Wordle.

I found the ceramic bunnies at Dollar Tree several years ago.  

I've wanted to display pretty cupcake liners in a jar on my Kitchen counter (like my bloggie friend Cindy did here) but the colors don't work with my everyday decor.  But they look great as part of an Easter and Spring decor.  

It's not Easter without marshmallow Peeps (or in this case bunnies)

I fell in love with these paper chicks and lamb.  They look like they are covered in tiny paper flowers.  So Sweet.  

The full view of the shelves in our Kitchen Nook.

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful Easter Weekend. 

Facebook Timeline

I don't consider myself tech savvy At All.  Until just a few years ago, we had a 15 year old Big TV, No Caller ID and my cell phone pretty much only makes calls (no text or pictures).  

But that's not to say that I don't LIKE technology.  I simply choose to spend my money on other Gadgets.  We all have our vices.

I only joined Facebook 3 years ago - AGES after most of my friends were active.  

I've been hearing and seeing a lot of conversation lately about the new Facebook Timeline.  And how everyone is concerned with the changes, how they don't like the new format, and how there is resentment about being forced to change.

I've even read that Today is the Day that everyone automatically Rolls to the new Timeline format (I wouldn't know, as I voluntarily switched some time ago....because I had to find out what all the talk was).

I am LOVING the new Timeline.  

I think the big giant Cover Photo is so much fun.  It just screams to me to be creative and play around with the photos.

I wanted to share some of the Cover Pages I created.

I don't have any special graphics or editing software.  This was created using Picasa (which is free).

I made this one for my Mom....who was not interested in the new timeline at first, but now she has a beautiful cover photo from one of her trips.  

This was an idea I had for my Bunches and Bits Facebook page....I need to incorporate a caption saying something like "what should I create today".  

There are some people doing some really creative things with their covers.  Just search "funny facebook cover photos" and you will see.

There are lots of online sites that now have templates to create great cover photos.

I also love the whole idea of Facebook being a Timeline.  A single place to record your personal details.  

I'm not one of those people who remember dates, so this is perfect for me.

 I have started recording details (and photos) of major life events.  Like each time we have moved, along with a photo of our home.  

It's amazing how quickly you forget the details.

I love this photo of my Dad and I.  I couldn't tell you where the original digital file is, but I was able to download it (from a previous blog post) and it now sits safely on my Facebook Timeline - along with the date that he passed away.  

Wow, it's been 4 years already.  I would never have guessed that (see I'm not good at remembering dates). 

It will take a while to get things in order on my new Facebook Timeline, but I like that it may help me get more organized.

So go ahead - I encourage you to embrace the new look of Facebook...and all it has to offer.

Change is Good

(sometimes)

Rainbow Spa Birthday

Pre-Teen - Tween - Teeny Bopper

Whatever you call it - I've got one.  

Little K turned 11 recently, so I guess there is no denying it.  We are full blown into the Tween Years. 

Her actual birthday was at the beginning of March, but trying to coordinate schedules meant that she wasn't able to have a Party with her school friends until last weekend.

This Years Theme:

Rainbow Spa Sleepover

Here is the invitation that I showed off earlier:

Made from Paint Chips (with very little help from me).

The SPA table was set up in the Kitchen Nook, so I used the buffet to layout snacks and sweets.

Rainbow Fruit Kabobs

There had to be some healthy options as well...after all it is a Spa Party.  Rainbow Veggie Tray.

I wanted to make paper cones to hold the caramel corn, but couldn't find any paper that was cute enough, so instead I folded Rainbow Polka Dot tissue paper into a clear cup.

Gum Balls (that I thought would be just for decoration....but they ate nearly half the jar), and Rainbow Twizzlers in fun fruit flavors.

Cake Pops decorated with Rainbow Colored sugar and drizzle.

 Jars of flowers lined the center of the Spa Table.  Paper Zig Zag Streamers and a Rainbow Balloon Swag that was planned to hang over the front door, but it was wet and windy and I was afraid they would PoP so we moved it inside.

There were 7 girls that attended and each one of them was assigned one of the 7 Colors

(notice how the Tween Girl Rainbow includes Pink)

At the Spa Table there was a basket of beauty supplies, and a Robe for each of the girls in their Color.  The Rainbow Rugs (from the seasonal bins at Target) were too cute to pass up.   

 They applied home made beauty treatments including:

Warm Lemon and Mint infused Towels (to open up the pores)

Oatmeal Scrub (to cleanse)

Strawberry Astringent (to tighten the pores)

And Lastly - an Avocado Mask with Cucumber Slices (to hydrate and moisturize).

Don't they look so Relaxed and Happy?

Everything was going great - until we discovered one of the young ladies was allergic to Avocado!

Yikes! 

It was a bit scary - but after we removed the avocado and let her rest with a clean cool towel over her face - the hives cleared up and the itching stopped. 

Thankfully her mom came right over with some Benadryl and she was able to get back to the Party Fun. 

They made some Jewelery.  Painted their Nails. Played Truth or Dare. Talked - Whispered - Giggled. Watched a Movie and got a few hours sleep.

I premade some Body Scrubs using essential oils and Sea Salt for each of the guests to take home. 

Her Cake was layers of vanilla frosted with plain white buttercream.  

Adorned with a sweet  Rainbow Flag Topper.

I'm kind of obsessed with these little flags.  I though they were so cute - it was the only decoration the cake needed.

Except for the "11" candles.

Did I forget to mention I added a little color to the inside of the cake.

Rainbow - of course!

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Little K.

Project Life: Week 4 & 5

I've been having so much fun putting together our weekly Project Life pages. 

I usually spend a few hours on Sunday making most of the layout decisions and then throughout the week I finish my journal cards and embelish (if I have time).

I'm happy to say - I am pretty current (in real life).  I've just been delinquent on the Blog posting pics.

So let's try and catch up.

WEEK #4

Depending on how much time I have to spend on the layout - some weeks have more embellishments than others.

Bakers Twine and buttons tend to show up a lot.  They are quick and easy and add just enough texture without being too bulky.

I'm finding out what my "go to" things are with this process.  Even though I have lots of stuff pulled together in my Project Life Center - I seem to gravitate to my favorites.  

At first that concerned me - but now I realize it will make the book look cohesive, and I guess I'm discovering my own Project Life Style.

I currently only have a few rolls of Washi Tape - but I love how easy and versatile they are....so I'm hoping to get more.  Not only to coordinate with the PL colors...but just for fun.  Little K has discovered how great they are - so time to expand our assortment.  

WEEK #5

This week I broke out the stamps.  I've been seeing all the great journaling cards people are making, and I've got a pile of stamps that I think would work great, but I can't seem to find the time to "get ahead" and pre-stamp any.  So for now - I'm Stamping as I Go.

I particularly love this little bird cage. 

And it works great with all the outdoor photos from this week. 

Another flower stamp (keeping with the outdoor nature theme)  added to a journaling card that I printed on my computer.

I'm coming to terms with including my handwriting on the journaling cards.  If I had my choice - I would print them all using my favorite fonts, but each week, I'm pushing to include close to half of the journaling in my own (or a family members) personal handwriting.  

I know I'll be glad, later on, that I did. 

I love the idea of including mementos in this project, but I'm a bit afraid of how bulky the album could get. 

 I couldn't resist tucking in some beads from a Mardi Gras Dinner that we attended.  I will probably need to sew the pocket shut to keep them contained (it's taped for now). 

If you are on "instagram" I tend to be more current posting pics there.  If you want to follow along, you can find me as "Karina Minteer"