We are only 3 days away from feasting with our friends + family, gathering around tables filled with an over abundance of delicious pies food and giving thanks for the pies blessings we enjoy in this life.

My aunt is hosting Thanksgiving this year and she reached out to me to create a "Give Thanks" sign for the "Thanksgiving Tree" she is setting up on a tabletop. It sounds like we'll each get a leaf to write down something we are thankful for, pies obviously, and then we'll add it to the tree.

Well I was so happy when I was given the assignment of making pies with the turn out I decided to make it available as a FREE DOWNLOAD!  -----> link at bottom of post

My aunt requested a custom 18x8 sign but I'm also making pies it available as an 8x10 as well as 4x6.
I figured some of you may want to frame it - as shown in the images above - and some of you may want to add them to your place settings.

Pssst...if you aren't hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year...this would make a fantastic hostess gift!! You're welcome!! *wink*

There are also THREE background options to choose from (see below) and every file size is available in .pdf as well as .jpg format.

I hope you love them and will print them out to add a sweet + simple reminder about what Thanksgiving is truly about....and it's not really about the pies...as much as I'd like to think. *wink*

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FAVORITE "GIVE THANKS" ART PRINT 

Happy Thanksgiving to you friends.
I am so grateful for each and every one of you.
May you enjoy the day with your family + loved ones and may we all take a minute to truly count our blessings and "give thanks" for all that we have.

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
1. Don't look to closely....the eucalyptus in the first photo is completely dead and dried out. But it looks great in photos, doesn't it?! *wink*

2. Really concerned about another spot on my face that could potentially be skin cancer again. Trying not to worry and turning it over to God.

3. The Fall decor is coming down and the Christmas is coming out before we head out of town this week. I'll explain my fresh new perspective on Thanksgiving melting into Christmas later this week.

FREE | Baking is My Superpower Art Print :: The Cake Blog

The May art print I designed for The Cake Blog is up and ready for you to download.
I chose to create something for all of the baking mamas out there...in honor of Mother's Day!

"Baking is my Superpower + My Apron is My Cape" Art Print

Download the FREE "Baking is My Superpower" Art Print and print, frame, hang or gift it.

While you are there, check out the post  "10 Ways to Spoil Your Mother"  filled with gift ideas for Mother's Day. (I want the macaron kitchen timer, myself).

Also, I'm in love with this "Today Is Your Day" cake Carrie created for a graduation party. And you should totally see the "Yay" cupcakes and photo cookies too!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
All of the prep work has been done for painting to begin tomorrow on the exterior of our home.
Stay tuned for after-pictures. (Unless I picked the wrong color). Ha!!

STYLING | Halloween Poem Poster

If you aren't following my Instagram feed then you probably missed seeing how things turned out with how I displayed the Halloween Poem poster I designed.

I definitely wanted to share it here because I'm completely in love with how it turned out.
I ended up altering the size of the poem to be a 32x40 - which is the exact size of the large affordable foam board pieces at Hobby Lobby. I had the Halloween Poem printed at my local Office Depot (for under $5) and used double-stick tape around the edges of the poster to attach it to the piece of foam board. If you use the Hobby Lobby app you can get the foam board for 40% off making it around $3.50 + then with the printing you've only spent about $8.50 for some AWESOME decor impact.  I, myself, think it's pretty awesome anyway. *wink*

I kept the decor around the poster really simple by using a couple of blue mason jars to house some orange floral berry branches I had in the attic. I just stuck them right in and left them. Then I added a couple of pumpkins and called it done. I like the clean look keeping the focus on the poster but having the splash of Fall colors in the florals to accentuate it.

The foam board art is great because it's lightweight and can easily be displayed on a mantle or piece of furniture as a backdrop and it can be moved around easily too. I change my mind A LOT and love that I I don't leave behind holes in my walls from when I decide to change things up on a whim.

You can get the 32x40 Halloween Poem poster RIGHT HERE if you love it too.
You get both background styles: Chalkboard Background AND White Background with black text.

Hope you love how it turned out!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I have had this blog post as a "draft" for nearly three weeks while trying to get the files to load properly on Etsy. I've given up and will just email the files directly to anyone who purchases them! It's almost Halloween for crying out loud!! *wink*

IN THE SHOPPE | Patriotic Posters

So here's what I did with that other hand-lettered art I shared with you the other day.
I turned it into a 24x36 chalkboard poster…and I…

FREE | 4th of July FREE Chalkboard Art Print

Well hello friends - here's that little something I promised to share with you from Friday's post.
Remember the hand-lettered artwork I posted?
Well here is PART of the the surprise I've been working on...

"As American as Apple Pie and Ice Cream"  5x7 Art Print

Download your FREE favorite version right here:
As American as Apple Pie and Ice Cream 5x7 Art Print - WHITE background 
As American as Apple Pie and Ice Cream 5x7 Art Print - CHALKBOARD background 

You get two 5x7's on one 8.5 x 11 Sheet so you can print one for yourself and share one with your friend. OR keep one at home and take the other one to the office! *wink*

Hope you love it!
Stay tuned for more hand-lettered artwork as well as more 4th of July fun!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
We are celebrating over here!!
Sweet Ella Pie no longer has dermabond attached to her forehead!
See the details RIGHT HERE on my Instagram Feed! Yay!!

LOVE iT | Pretty Flower Cookies

Mother's Day is coming up quick…
and I bet you are thinking that's a cupcake packaged up all pretty in the box above…aren't you?
I was fooled a little bit too…but it's actually a gorgeous flower COOKIE!

Today I want to share some super pretty cookies from Kelly Barkhurst…
owner of Oh Kelly's, Specialty Cakes and Cookies.

Kelly reached out to me asking for permission to use the FREE Mother's Day tags I recently shared here on the blog. She wanted to use them as part of her packaging for her pretty cookies! I said "sure!" and then asked for her to send some pictures so I could see how it turned out.  I LOVE them!! (oh! and the tags too!) Ha!!

It looks like Oh Kelly's is prepping for the launch of an Etsy store!
I'm excited for Kelly and her new, upcoming adventure and wish her all the luck in the world with her
darling pastries. Thank you so much for reaching out to me Kelly! Your photos turned out wonderful and I am so happy to share them here on the blog! I love what you did with the Mother's Day tags - they look beautiful next to your pretty pastries! 

Aside from Mother's Day, I think these cookies would be perfect for Teacher Appreciation as well as baby and bridal showers!


KEEPiNG iT REAL
How the heck is it already May, people?
I'm freaking out just a little bit because May is a month of milestones…
My oldest turns eighteen and she also graduates from high school!
Noooo!!

Last week was exceptionally busy.
I finally received the new shipment of The Pastry Pedestal and Platforms
that have been backordered for what seems like FOREVER and guess what? We were sold out by Saturday! Eeeks!! New order has already been placed - fingers crossed it doesn't take nearly as long to receive.

On top of that, I sent J and Ella off on Friday to Illinois for 5 days to visit with J's parents and family.
I also spent most of my weekend helping Clara prep for her Senior Prom on Saturday night!
Looking forward to sharing pictures from that…when I actually have time to edit photos! Ha!!

FREE | Monthly Printables Blog Hop :: Mother's Day Chalkboard Art Pick-Me-Ups

Mother's Day will be here before you know it and I've got a really simple but thoughtful idea for you today as part of the Monthly Blog Hop for April!! (remember, I'm participating with 7 other AMAZING bloggers to bring you FREE printables EVERY MONTH for the entire calendar year of 2014). Have you missed the FREE PRINTABLES from previous months? No worries - check out the links at the bottom of this post.

Anyway, the FREE printables I designed for this month is a set of Chalkboard Art "Pick-Me-Up" cards for you to fill out and present to your mom. Each one has a different prompt for you to answer with your handwritten response on the back of each card. I've even included a "Happy Mother's Day" tag to match.

FREE Mother's Day Pick-Me-Up Mini Cards

DOWNLOAD THEM FREE RIGHT HERE

You can keep this project as simple as you want or you are more than welcome to get a little creative with your presentation. Here are some ideas:

Simple: Cut them out as squares.
Creative: Use a 2" craft punch to cut them out. (round, scallop or flourish will work perfectly)

Simple: Tie them together with a pretty ribbon.
Creative: Fill a small cute jar with mom's favorite candy (or nut mix) and include the cards as part of the gift. She can keep the cards in the jar after it's empty.

Simple: Wrap them up in some pretty tissue paper or decorative paper and tie them off with a ribbon.
Creative: Slip the wrapped cards into a beautiful cello envelope or one you have decorated. Seal with a pretty ribbon or sticker. She can use the envelope to store them.

The idea is that Mom will appreciate these little cards not only on Mother's Day but she'll be able to reference them any time she wants whenever she needs a little refresher about how important her role is and has been in our lives. (I know as a mom, I enjoy these reminders myself).

Again, just bundle them up with a pretty ribbon or include a jar as part of the gift.

(using the Happy Mother's Day tag to label the jar if you want).

Feel free to print off multiple sheets and use some of your favorite cards over and over - with different answers of course.

These cost me a grand total of .49 cents to have two sheets printed onto card stock at my local Office Depot. Nice!

I hope you love the FREE printables.
They are versatile enough to use for Father's Day too…if you'd like to plan ahead! *wink*

Now for the BLOG HOP portion of the post…
If you'd like access to even more FREE PRINTABLES check out all of these fun options just waiting to be downloaded. Click on the links below to be taken to each blog - which results in you "blog hopping".

 Pen N' Paper Flowers 

Catch My Party 

Kori Clark 

Nest of Posies 

Hostess with the Mostess 

Living Locurto

NoBiggie

Skip To My Lou

As promised…if you happened to miss the free printables we've shared previously:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH 

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I leave for SNAP! Conference on Wednesday morning and won't return home until Sunday.

LOTS of anxiety about leaving my family for that long. I'm such a homebody! Seriously!!

But I LOVE how my business cards turned out and some other fun surprises!

I wasn't organized enough (or had any time for that matter) to schedule automatic posts while I'm away so I hope you'll be keeping up with me on Instagram as I post all of the fun I'll be having!!

RESTYLE | Chalkboard Popcorn Bar Collection

At long last I am finally posting the pictures of the re-styled Rustic Popcorn Bar I created for our Neighborhood Fall Family Picnic. (See the original version HERE).

I'm loving the versatility of this new "Fancy Chalkboard" Edition Popcorn Bar.
I've had so many people purchase the original Rustic Popcorn Bar Printables for weddings…
I decided to create this chalkboard version specifically for brides (and party planners) to be able to incorporate this fun idea into the wedding details, (or birthday party, anniversary, family reunion, fall festival), while still being able to tie in the wedding/event colors - or at least have it blend nicely. 

I did a few simple things to alter the look of the original cart...

BEHIND THE SCENES | Family Picnic Popcorn Bar

While it seems I'm being pulled in 100 different directions...
I want to share with you one of the things I'm working on behind the scenes.

I mentioned I'm in charge of the Fall Family Picnic for our neighborhood this Saturday.
One of the elements I thought would be fun to incorporate is the Popcorn Bar I created for a Family Reunion over 2 years ago! (Yes, it's been that long - craziness I tell ya!)

The original "Rustic" rendition of the Popcorn Bar (shown above) has been one of my post popular posts and a hot seller in my shoppe. I get requests to customize the printables for weddings and birthday parties all of the time.

Take for instance this awesome customized version I did awhile back for a customer hosting a birthday party for her son...

  

Blue, Orange and Charcoal Grey Textured Edition

I've been working on releasing a NEW Chalkboard version of this collection for some time now - working on it as time allows. Prepping for the Fall Family picnic was just the push I needed to finish up the new collection so I can use these new printables on Saturday!

Popcorn Bar - Chalkboard Edition 

I LOVE how this updated version is even more versatile than the original - lending itself to so many more celebration types.

It can be fancy if you want it to be or it can also be casual, fun or even whimsical.
The neutral color palette of black and white allow you to blend it with any color scheme too!

On one hand I can see this blending beautifully with that Halloween Party you've got coming up.
On the other hand....it's beautiful enough for a wedding.

See what I mean about the versatility?

I can't wait to share the SIMPLE re-styled popcorn cart - along with all of the other fun SIMPLE ideas we've got planned for the big day! (trying to keep things SIMPLE)! *wink* 
Follow me on Instagram for daily updates and behind-the-scenes peeks as to what I'm doing!
I'll try not to include any photos of me pulling my hair out! Ha!!

This NEW Chalkboard Edition has NOT been loaded in the shop yet as an INSTANT DOWNLOAD so if you are interested in purchasing this new updated version now, just shoot me an email:  pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com

Here's to a GREAT busy day ahead.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I've been up since 2:00 a.m. today.
Too much on my mind.
Too many things to get done.
NOT good.
These are all indications I need to simplify!!

So I finally got up at 3:00a.m. and went to work on the computer.
Now I'm headed to the printer and then to take "Ella Pie" to Pre-School!

I cannot believe it is the first day of October!
FREAKING out!!
Ella's birthday is next month...
and although I've been planning for months...
I haven't done much "doing"!
I'd better get to work!

Besides that...the holidays are fast approaching and I am NO WHERE ready for that yet!
Anyone else with me?
And I wonder why I can't sleep!

SHARE | FREE Hand-Lettered Chalkboard Art Print on I Heart Naptime

Hi everyone!!

After seeing some cute Anders Ruff printables on Instagram a few weeks back, (posted by Jamielyn from I Heart Naptime) I reached out to Jamielyn and told her to let me know if she ever wanted me to design something for her to share on her blog.  The next thing I know, she requested I design a cute Chalkboard Art Print for the kitchen. I got right to work sketching out some ideas. (the image above is the original sketch I came up with and posted on my Instagram Feed)

I came up with an original quote and then went to work on a hand-sketched and hand-lettered illustration... tweaked it a bit...and ended up with this...

"Life is a Kitchen" Chalkboard Art Print

I just LOVE the inspirational quote!!
Although I have a tendency to focus on the "baking" aspect of being in the kitchen...
and I originally went in that direction with the quote...
I ended up making sure the art print applies to bakers and cooks alike!! *wink*

I hope you love it as much as I love how it turned out!!
Head on over to I Heart Naptime to download the FREE 8x10 or 11x14 right now!

TIP FOR PRINTING CHALKBOARD ANYTHING:
Don't print from your home printer and drain your print cartridge.
It costs pennies to have them printed at  +Staples, +Office Depot, Inc. or your local printer of choice.
I printed one 8x10 and one 11x14 of the Kitchen Art Print and it cost me .58 cents total for both.
They were both printed onto white card stock too!!

For more Chalkboard Art Inspiration, check out THIS, THAT, THIS RIGHT HERE, THIS, 
THAT ONE TOO and DON'T FORGET THIS ONE!!


KEEPiNG iT REAL

You may recall me mentioning +Jamielyn Nye  before...
Remember those delicious Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Cups I shared with you awhile ago - inspired by +Jamielyn Nye from +I Heart Nap Time? Yeh!! Those amazing morsels!!
I figured this Kitchen Art Print was a "Thank You" of sorts to Jamielyn for introducing me to a such
a delicious recipe I'll be using again and again!!

Besides that...I love hand-lettering and I'm thrilled the Chalkboard Art trend over the last couple of years has caused me to dive back into it again!! 

PRESS | Top 10 Entertaining Ideas on Martha Stewart

PINCH ME!!

I am celebrating THIS today...

The "Rooted in Love" party I styled featured on the Martha Stewart website

Earlier this week on Martha Stewart

I was featured along with 10 other bloggers/party stylists

as part of the Top 10 Entertaining Ideas from the #LetsCelebrate Pin Party.

I am beyond thrilled...and feeling so grateful 

to have been recognized and featured on Martha Stewart!

If you missed all of the details I shared here on the blog a few weeks back...GO HERE!

Otherwise, you can check out the full feature on Martha Stewart.

To help you celebrate along with me...

I'm going to choose 3 people to receive this:

Rooted In Love Chalkboard Art Collection

Host your own "Rooted in Love" themed Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, 
Anniversary Party, or Family Reunion using these Chalkboard Art printables I created.

Enter using the Rafflecopter app below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be selected on Monday!!

Pick just one or all entry options!

Thanks for celebrating with me everyone!!
Good luck to all of you who enter to win the collection!

THE SHOPPE | NEW!! Rooted In Love Chalk Art Printables

So...
the winner for the MarthaCelebrations Pin Party I participated in last week was announced yesterday...
and as I much as I'd love to shout out the winner was ME...
darn it all...it wasn't. *frown*

BUT...
I have to say...there were a lot of other talented bloggers that contributed and I was thrilled to be among the ones that were hand-picked to participate in helping to launch the fun new party products from Martha Stewart! It was an honor! (See my party submission here - just in case you missed it).

I'll be doing a follow-up post with all of the details on the other fabulous party themes...including the fun ideas from the blogger chosen as the winner.

In the meantime...the rest of you will feel like winners!
You know the hand-drawn Chalkboard Poster shown in the party?
as well as the matching Chalk Art Food Labels and Parfait Potting Station Sign and labels?
Well I finally finished loading all of those INSTANT DOWNLOAD printables...into the shoppe.
The printables will make it super easy to create your own version of the...

"Rooted in Love" themed party I styled

Snapshot of the INSTANT DOWNLOAD Rooted in Love Collection

I hope you are as excited about printing them as I was about creating them!

Again...

if you missed the full party details...Click Here!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Summer is flying by already...

somebody please put the brakes on this bus!! *wink*

STYLE IT | MarthaCelebrations Launch Party - Rooted In Love Bridal Shower

It's been quiet on the blog…
which is always an accurate indication that things are super busy behind-the-scenes.

One of the fun projects I've been working on is helping to launch the new +Martha Stewart party product line for JCPenney - MarthaCelebrations.

I was chosen (along with a group of other party enthusiasts and bloggers) to style a party using a "Celebration in a Box" shipped to me. I had no idea what I would receive and was thrilled when the box arrived containing fun party items from this collection:

MarthaCelebrations - Sweetgrass Collection

My mind quickly took off and I'm thrilled to share with you today what I came up with...

"Rooted Deeply In Love" Themed Bridal Shower

It's a beautiful theme fit for a Bridal Shower, Baby Shower or even a 

GOOD THiNGS | Simple Green Smoothies 30-Day Challenge

It seems there's been nothing but sugar on the blog lately! *wink*

How about a little detox from all the sweets today?
Let's focus on something I think is perfectly festive for St. Patty's Day...
and is absolutly nutritious and good for you too...

Green Smoothies

We've talked Green Smoothies before...here and here.
Today, however, is a bit different...

Click the "Read More" button for the entire scoop...

SUGAR | Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

You HAD to know these were coming!?
I mean they were totally inevitable...right?
My love for peanut butter + chocolate...
plus the Recipe Radar post last week featuring the yummy recipe from +Jamielyn Nye aka +I Heart Nap Time
combined with my love for all things mini sized...
and you've got yourself some...

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

aka HOMEMADE REESE'S CUPS

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites SQUARED

Using the same recipe but two different techniques/molds...
you've got yourself two varieties of sinfully delicious grab n' go treats.
Keep reading to get the full scoop and recipe...

SHARE | FREE Valentine's Day Cards • Chalkboard Style

If you missed the buzz about these yesterday on my Facebook Fan Page or on my Instagram feed...

You've still got time to print and use these FREE printables I designed before the big day tomorrow...

"You are the Sprinkles to my Cupcake" Valentine's Day Cards

I think they turned out adorable and I hope you do too!
Download these adorable Valentine's Day cards HERE!

****************

UPDATED MAY 7TH 2013 TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS FROM MY ORIGINAL POST ON SKIP TO MY LOU 

****************

Here's the VISUAL How-To

Here’s the VERBAL How-To:


1. Print Cards onto white card stock.

2. Trim to size using scissors or a paper trimmer.

3. Fold in half.

4. Use a 1.5″ Round Craft Punch to create a circle through the middle of the 
folded card.

5. Unfold card and have your child (or yourself) fill it out with a fine-tip sharpie or pen.

6. Fill a mini ziploc bag a little more than 1/2 full with sprinkles of your choice.

7. Refold card and slide the mini ziploc bag filled with sprinkles in between both sides of the card.

8. Staple the card closed – being sure the staple penetrates through the top of the mini ziploc bag.

Check out all of the other creative ideas submitted by so many other talented designers over on Skip to My Lou!
If you've already got your Valentine's Day Cards finished...
you can always "pin" all of the ideas you love for next year! *wink*

A super huge thanks to Cindy over at Skip to My Lou for inviting me to participate!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Ella started her first day of preschool yesterday.
I'm totally using these for the classroom Valentine's Party tomorrow.
I'm a little hesitant since it'll only be her 3rd day there and I'm not sure I'm ready to be labeled as "THAT mom" - if you know what I mean?

But I did get to send one home with her sweet little friend, Elise, after their "Friendship Party" we had at our house yesterday. All of the sweet details coming soon.

PRiNT iT | Chalkboard Art • Valentine's Day

After taking a quick poll on the Pen N' Papeflowers Facebook Fan Page over the weekend...

I created something special for you to use on Valentine's Day...and beyond!

 FREE VALENTINE'S DAY "Love Story" CHALKBOARD ART PRINT

"OUR STORY IS MY VERY FAVORITE LOVE STORY"

After reading through all of the suggestions submitted by fabulous fans...
I decided to use this one, slightly altered, shared by a sweet fan named Kirsten.

It's versatile enough to display all year...
and if you are planning a wedding or wedding shower...
this could very well take center stage on the dessert table you are planning. *wink*

Download the FREE Love Story Chalkboard Art Print:
– 8x10 Art Print
– 24x36 Art Print

Use THIS PRINTING TIP and spend less than $3 to print your 24x36!!

I hope you love it!
And if are able to incorporate this into your celebrations or home decor...
Let me know via email at: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com
I always love seeing what you do!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Up to my eyeballs in final details for Ella's Valentine's Party happening tomorrow!
Think sprinkles + chocolates + valentine day crafts! *wink*

FYI:
My email account(s) were hacked and I've been locked out.
So if you've been trying to email me...make note of the new email address: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com

STYLiNG | Hot Cocoa Bar

Happy New Year's Eve!!

How about putting together a very simple "Dessert Bar" of sorts...

just in time for your New Year's Eve festivities...

 A SiMPLE HOT CHOCOLATE/COCOA BAR

A Few Toppings...

Some Drinking Mugs or Paper Cups

(optional items shown here: striped straws, mini wooden spoons and min wooden scoops)

This printable Chalkboard Art Print

(go here for details on how to print this 24x36 for under $3)

and you and your guests will be enjoying one of these in no time.

One of the great things about a Hot Cocoa Bar is