The reason I chose to have my house decorated for Christmas by November 1st??

Time. 

Time to enjoy the little things the Christmas season brings with it.

I didn't have time last year.

Or rather, I didn't plan and prioritize to ensure I had the time.

Perfect example: these little wood ornaments. 

I purchased these hand-crafted beauties at TJMaxx last year with the intention of repainting them and restringing them. The silver details and red ribbon (see below) weren't the woods + whites I was craving. 

I knew all I needed was a little time to sit down and paint over the silver details and restring them with a creamy white ribbon to make them exactly what our woods + whites tree needed.

I just didn't have the time.

So they sat in the bag, tags still on them, unpainted. 

I resented never having hung them...never having time.

With intentional planning and a little goal setting...they are officially painted...and hanging.

And I love them so much.

It's amazing how much a little paint, a little ribbon, and a little time makes!

I really LOVE how they turned out!

However, I especially love that I made the time this year.

It feels so good.

It feels so right.

I encourage you to find ways to find more time to enjoy the little things that bring you joy this holiday season my friends.

xoxo,

Jess

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

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KEEPING IT REAL

So I still have one left to paint - the one I left unpainted to be able to take these pics to show the before and after. But hey...guess what? I actually have time to do it! *wink*

STYLING | Spiders + Spirits Halloween Dessert Table (for adults)

BOO! Have I got a "treat" for you today!!
I was recently approached by one of my favorite retail stores, Tuesday Morning, to come up with a blog post for the Tuesday Morning site. All I had to do was pick and use some things from their high-quality designer products, (at close-out prices, by the way), using the theme they'd chosen: Halloween-inspired adult treats.

I literally had TEN days to put this all together but I was completely up for the challenge.
Although I don't drink alcohol, my mind went immediately to creating a "spiked" desserts table for adults, thus inspiring the "Spiders + SPIRITS" theme. Pretty clever, right?

I hope you'll hop on over to the Tuesday Morning Blog and check out the full details on the set up as well as to get the scoop on the wonderful products I found and used as part of the dessert table. (Like these realistic-looking old doors that are really just two beautiful canvases I used as the backdrop). LOVE them!!

Feeling inspired for Halloween now?
I've also been pinning some fantastic Halloween ideas to the "Haunted Halloween" Tuesday Morning Pinterest Board so definitely check it out for more inspiration.

Stay tuned to the Pen + Paper Flowers blog because I'll be posting more about the Pumpkin Bourbon Milkshakes, Kahlua + Cream cupcakes and the Whiskey Caramel Glazed Pumpkin Bars that were used on the table.

And...for anyone interested in recreating this, I'll be posting the Chalkboard Signage + labels too!!

Do you love Tuesday Morning too and need to find a location close to you?
Use the Tuesday Morning Store Locator !

Keep up with Tuesday Morning and their fabulous home decor products by following them on their social media platforms:
Tuesday Morning on Facebook
Tuesday Morning on Twitter
Tuesday Morning on Instagram
Tuesday Morning on Pinterest

Want to receive Tuesday Morning emails? Just sign up!

Now...are you ready to throw that Halloween party you've been talking about?
I hope you've been inspired, friends!!!

xoxo

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THIS IS A SPONSORED POST BY TUESDAY MORNING STORES.

PEN + PAPER FLOWERS HAS RECEIVED COMPENSATION AND/OR PRODUCTS 

IN EXCHANGE FOR CREATING CONTENT AND SHARING PRODUCTS.
  AS ALWAYS, FRIENDS + READERS, I ONLY WORK WITH BRANDS 
AND SHARE CONTENT I'M INSPIRED BY AND THINK WILL INSPIRE YOU TOO!

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KEEPiNG iT REAL

The 10 day turnaround was crazy to meet but working with Tuesday Morning products was a blast.
My daughter Ema (16), actually did some shopping and brainstorming with me and I think we nailed it!! My studio is an absolute disaster - I'm not even kidding!! Just ask my family!! *wink*

SHARE | Something Wicked This Way Comes

It just feels SO wrong to be posting something about Halloween when Summer isn't officially over until September 21st. It seems wrong to me anyway…

HOWEVER…Halloween is coming…and it's coming fast.
The industry I'm in...you really have to be working 2 months ahead of each season in order to stay ahead of every holiday. I've been working on some Halloween stuff over the last month, (so I'm actually a little behind), but I'm already full focused on Thanksgiving and will be starting Christmas stuff soon. I don't LOVE it…but it's the nature of the industry.

Anyway…since Halloween is coming whether I want to say goodbye to Summer or not…
I'm forced to share one of the printables I've been quietly working on for you…

Something Wicked This Way Comes - Halloween Art Print

I actually had a customer reach out to me about designing a "Something Wicked This Way Comes" sign for her home…but she ended up thinking this version was too "pretty"- which I completely get.
But I'm okay with "pretty" more than "spooky"…so I'm sticking with this version here at my house.

I thought you might like it too so I'm offering this FREE 5x7 Art Print to all of my sweet blog readers.  It gets better though…how about this...

CHALKBOARD "Something Wicked This Way Comes" Art Print

Use this free 5x7 printable to get a headstart on decorating and perhaps even…party prepping.

Do you all host Halloween parties? I typically don't…
unless you count the playful meal I serve my family on the night of Halloween just before heading out for trick-or-treating. Ya know…the "mummy dogs" served with individual bowls of ketchup and a mustard spider web spun in the middle of the ketchup.

I love decorating the inside of my house for Halloween but the outside is usually pretty sparse, except for this cluster of really cute signs I bought years ago that I stick at my front door.

They really need to be spruced up a bit…or maybe the fading black paint adds to the "spooky" vibe of the season? Haven't completely decided yet.

I got the Cobweb sign from an Arts and Crafts festival like ummm…10 years ago?
And the two smaller signs, "Boo" and "Mr. Skull" were from Target. I'm a sucker for creamy white and when you add black for Halloween…well…you know I'm going to cave.

I also stay away from all of the "scary" stuff. I've tried turning Halloween into more of a "light-hearted" holiday for my kids instead of focusing on all the yucky "wicked" stuff. (Remember our annual Phantom Pumpkin tradition)?  I don't allow scary costumes typically…no masks…no gory stuff. I think I'm just a wimp so I guess I'm passing all of that along to my girls. Ha!!

On a good year, you might find a giant inflatable stack of lighted jack-o-lanterns in our yard. I picked it up on clearance at a grocery store years back and if I'm feeling the urge…Mr. Jack comes out to play.
I wasn't feeling it last year…maybe this year though?

Anyway, if you like the FREE 5x7 you are more than welcome to DOWNLOAD IT RIGHT HERE.
Also available in my Etsy Shoppe are the 16x20 and 24x36 sizes of this same print.
And stay tuned for the Monthly FREE Printables Blog Hop coming next week - all about…you guessed it…Halloween!! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I do have to say I grudgingly let Clara and Ema dress up as Vampires one year and we recently stumbled upon those photos on my computer. Clara actually asked me, "Why did you let me go out looking like that!?" Ha!! I think they liked the way they looked at the time…but neither of them liked the way they looked when looking back at photos. They were pretty creepy. Ha!!

STYLING | Thanksgiving Place Setting Ideas

I'm in LOVE with the Shimmer Autumn Blend Sixlets from SweetWorks.
The mix of colors is gorgeous including a really pretty gold and I wanted to share a couple of ideas for using them to create some really simple and pretty place settings for your Thanksgiving table.

If you are looking for a simple way to jazz up any holiday table or place setting - these Shimmer Sixlets are such an easy way to add a splash of color. I love that they can double as favors too - like the "corn-on-the-cob" I created in the last photo. So cute and so easy!


And by the way...it's not just the Autumn Blend Sixlets I'm crazy over!
I've got a pretty supply of colors I'll be using for Ella's birthday party this weekend too! (along with a few other SweetWorks Shimmer candy products).

Keep up with me on Instagram this week - I will be posting one photo a day of behind the scenes fun party details! *wink*


KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'd like to keep things SUPER REAL today by sending a shout out to all of the Veteran's out there who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. I appreciate the sacrifice their families have made as well. I'm so grateful for my freedom - without it, this blog and so many other rights and privileges I take for granted wouldn't even exist. #thinkaboutit

CRAFT | Witch Broom Hi Hat Cupcake Toppers

So here's the how-to on making the adorable Rustic Witch Broom Cupcake Toppers
for the "Bewitching Hi Hat Cupcakes" I shared yesterday. You'll need just a few supplies to get started...

CRAFT | Fall DIY Pumpkin with Scotch® Duct Tapes

Hi PNPF friends!!

I'm really excited to share with you today a super easy Fall Decorating Idea.

The good folks at 3M invited me to create a Fall craft idea using the Scotch® Colors and Patterns Duct Tape. I went right to work on updating a favorite craft I shared previously that you all fell in love with!!

Remember the DIY Vintage Farmhouse Pumpkin I created from bands of mason jars? Well this project just got easier (and dare I say "weather resistant") when I replaced the vintage paper I originally used to decorate the pumpkin with Scotch® Colors and Patterns Duct Tape. 

I chose to use the "Lace Vegas" pattern for the pumpkin base and then I used the "Pearl White"  to make a couple of pumpkin leaves to finish it off. 

Soooo cute, right?! I'm loving the "Vintage Glam" look of this new version! And there are so many different options of the Scotch® Color and Patterns Duct Tape to choose from, you have the ability to create a variety of pumpkin finishes that will go with your personal decor and holiday festivities.

Check out the step-by-step photos below and reference the written instructions at the bottom of the post to inspire you to make one of your own.

PHOTOS 1 and 2 (Gather Supplies)

Wax Paper (to adhere the duct tape too for easy cutting)

Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape (for the pumpkin as well as decorative leaves)
Scotch® Precision Non-Stick Titanium Scissors (awesome scissors for cutting duct tape and creating leaves)
String (for tying the mason jar bands together - This will not be seen)
Mason Jar Canning Lid Bands (I used 21 half pint bands for this project.)
Hot Glue Gun - to secure pumpkin stem

Cinnamon Sticks (not included in the supplies photo - these will be the stem of your pumpkin - approx. 5-6)

PHOTO 3 (Prep and Cut)

Pull out a sheet of wax paper approximately 12 inches in length.

Start laying down strips (side by side) of the Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape you have selected for your pumpkin. You'll need approximately 7 or less strips of duct tape.

Cut each strip of duct tape into 3-4 smaller strips. (depends on how much of the band you want to cover and if you want any to overlap onto the top of the band).

PHOTOS 4 and 5 (Peel and Stick)

Peel away the strips of Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape from the wax paper and wrap around the mason jar bands using the lips of each band as a guide. Fold and flatten any excess tape onto the flat side of the mason jar band.

PHOTO 6 (Gather and Sort)

Once all of the edges of your mason jar bands have been wrapped in Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape gather them together for stringing. If you happen to have varying patterns on each band like I did, take the time to group the like-bands together so that you can then avoid grouping the same patterns together while you are stringing them - unless you like that look?

PHOTOS 7 and 8 (String and Tie)

Run a string through the centers of each band and then tie the ends tightly together to form a ring; the body of the pumpkin.  For uniformity, make sure the bands are all facing in the same direction as you are stringing them together.

PHOTO 9 (Trim)

Trim the leftover string so that the ends are inside of the pumpkin and can no longer be seen.

PHOTOS 10 and 11 (Add a Stem)

"Spice Up" your pumpkin by adding a group of cinnamon sticks the middle to create a stem.

They should be wide enough to fit snuggly in the "hole" of your pumpkin.
Add a generous amount of hot glue to one end of the cluster of cinnamon sticks.
Immediately insert them into the center of your pumpkin. If necessary, add more glue to secure.

PHOTOS 12, 13 and 14 (Create a Leaf and Secure)
Fold over a 3" piece of the Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape you've chosen to use as a leaf.
Use your Scotch® Titaniam Non-Stick Scissors to cut out a pumpkin leaf from the folded piece of duct tape. Secure the leaf to the pumpkin stem using hot glue.

PHOTO 15 (Get Creative)
Add another leaf using a different Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape for a splash of color.
Or just stick with two of the same color leaves - like I did with the very first photo in this post.

I hope you've been inspired to run out and recreate this fun little project.
Feel free to mix and match the many different Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape to create a fun mix of unique and fun pumpkin patterns.
I would LOVE to see your spin on this favorite Fall craft of mine so PLEASE come back and share your results!!

In the meantime, check out the Scotch® Patterns and Colors Duct Tape selections on Facebook,
Twitter and Pinterest!!

THIS POST IS A COLLABORATION WITH SCOTCH COLORS AND PATTERNS DUCT TAPE. PEN N' PAPERFLOWERS HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT, TRADE AND/OR PRODUCTS FROM SCOTCH® BRAND IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMOTING. WITH THAT SAID, ALL OPINIONS STATED HERE BELONG TO PNPF. To see more creative projects, visit www.ScotchDuctTape.com.

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

iNSPiRE | FREE Chalkboard Fonts + Holiday Art Prints

Four days until Christmas arrives...
My heart is full of gratitude for so many things.

Today, I'm especially grateful for each of you!
I'd love to leave you with a small gift as we head into the weekend...

Holiday Chalkboard Art Prints

Download the FREE 8x10 "Baby It's Cold Outside" .pdf file HERE

Click the "READ MORE" button for the rest of the details...

SHARE | Favorite Christmas Party Ideas for Kids

Looking for creative things to do for a Classroom Holiday Party?

Or just looking to be inspired for the upcoming holidays?

Here are my favorite pins from the Pinterest Party I invited you to attend last night.

It was an hour of pure inspiration focused on "Christmas Party Ideas for Kids"!

Christmas Pancakes with Chocolate Peppermint Syrup 

for hosting a Santa's Breakfast Party

source: Raspberri Cupcakes

Adorable Clothespin Advent Calendar 

Use this idea for displaying party favors...and as a Christmas Card Holder too!

source: Designspiration

Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees

source: Tatertots and Jello

Milk Men

source: Bakerella

Adorable DIY Felt Ribbon Candy

source: Snap!

Reindeer Noses Party Favors

source: Bloom Designs Online

Snowman Macarons on Red Velvet Christmas Snow Cake

source: Raspberri Cupcakes

Candy Cane Float

source: Spicy Ice Cream

Adorable Gingerbread Man Packaging

source: a•muse studio

Candy Cane Clothespins

source: The Shabby Creek Shop

Peppermint Cake Pops

source: Jenny Cookies

DIY Candy Cane Cupcake Toppers

heat candy canes just enough to "shape" them as toppers

source: Icing Designs Online

Thanks to everyone who participated with us!

I was so inspired by all of the ideas that were shared.

I hope you were too.

And congratulations to the FiVE winners who received $50 Gift Cards from Pottery Barn Kids!!

A very special thanks to Pottery Barn Kids for sponsoring the Pin Party last night!!

If you missed out...

You can still see the entire "Christmas Party Ideas for Kids" Board 

there's a Pinterest Party happening every Tuesday night...

through December 18th.

A different topic every week!

Here are the links to all of  the Holiday Entertaining Pinterest Parties that have taken place so far:

Thanksgiving Entertaining Ideas

Merry Metallics Holiday Entertaining

Christmas Party Ideas for Kids

KEEPiNG iT REAL

As if I didn't already have an entire list of cute things I want to make for the holidays...

my list just got even longer after the Pinterest Party last night.

Maybe I should number the projects and do a raffle type drawing to determine which ones should get done? Ha!