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!!

SUGAR | Supermom Dessert :: Easy Whoopie Pies

Do you have a favorite dessert you enjoy making that makes you feel like a "Supermom"?
You know…the desserts your kids rave over and beg you to make over and over again.
Desserts that teachers are still requesting you bring them…YEARS after you first shared them with the staff?

I LOVE desserts like that.
I have a handful of them and these Homemade Oreos, Polar Pies, Whoopie Pies (whatever you want to call them)…are

FREE | Monthly Printables Blog Hop :: Patriotic Printables

Who's ready for the Memorial Day weekend we've got coming up? I know I am. And I'm planning on taking full advantage of the time I will have with my family. It seems like the last few months of my life have been out-of-control-busy. I am trying to reel it all in and simplify but it seems the more I try to simplify the more things/tasks/deadlines/commitments seem to multiply. I think things are exceptionally busy for me with a daughter who's getting ready to graduate from High School this year. (Graduation, 18th birthday + present, college preparations, Graduation Party, Graduation Present, Graduation Photos, Graduation Announcements, Baccalaureate, Senior Prom, Grad Bash, Yearbook, and on and on and on…

Plus…I've got little Ella who will be graduating from Pre School - and since I've done NO volunteering in her class this year…aside from chaperoning a couple of field trips and handing out food & drinks at one party...I took on the task of organizing the graduation party for her class coming up on May 22nd.

Meanwhile, Ema is still waiting on me to take her to her birthday lunch from March. 

So I'm looking for something simple…simple and cute for celebrating ANY of the Red, White & Blue holidays throughout the year!  These might be just the thing you are looking for too!!

FREE Patriotic Dessert and Straw Flags

These were supposed to be part of the MONTHLY Blog Hop I've been participating in this year but I missed the deadline to get it posted with everyone else's things!! Yep! I'm that girl! See…too many irons in the fire. *blushing*

Anyway, you can use these on cute party straws, toothpicks for food items and desserts, lollipop sticks, The Pastry Pedestals and Pretty Party Skewers too!

Even though I missed the group deadline for participating in the Blog Hop...no worries for YOU!
You can still download them for FREE 

AND…you still have access to all of these other fun (and FREE) Red, White & Blue printables from these talented bloggers by still participating in the actual BLOG HOP I missed out on this month!! Just click on the links below to snag your FREE goodies!!

Top to Bottom - Left to Right
Hostess with the Mostess – printable party popcorn labels
30 Days – 4th of July printables for kids
Catch My Party – Patriotic BBQ sign
Skip To My Lou – printable flag pinwheels
NoBiggie – United States Flag print
Nest of Posies – pinwheel cupcake toppers
Kori Clark – Summertime BBQ invitation
Living Locurto – free printable patriotic wall art

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I still have not photographed my own daughter for her graduation announcements but I'm happy to say I was at least able to photograph one of my beautiful cousins for her graduation announcements. (on Mother's Day as a matter of fact). If she gives me permission I'll post some of the pretty photos here on the blog! *wink*

INSPIRE | Always Remember

No words today...
just reflection on the 12th anniversary of September 11th 2001.

HOLIDAYS | 4th of July Watermelon Centerpiece

Happy Birthday America!!

I hope you enjoy your 4th of July barbecues and celebrations!

I used the NEW Pretty Party Skewers to create the festive fruit kabob centerpiece

for our Neighborhood Bike Parade this past Saturday.

I absolutely love that the party skewers are recyclable!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

CELEBRATIONS | Annual Neighborhood Patriotic Parade

I love celebrations with a small town/nostalgic feel...
which is why I absolutely love our...

Annual Neighborhood Patriotic (Bike) Parade

 (click the "READ MORE" button below)

HOLIDAY | Easy Patriotic Fruit Kabobs

Patriotic Fruit Kabobs 

Happy Memorial Day everyone!!
In celebration, I used the NEW Pretty Party Skewers to create some patriotic fruit kabobs!

I'll also be making some Whipped Coconut Cream today...
to bring to a family celebration this afternoon!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your day...
celebrating and honoring our service men and women...
along with their families...
who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

I am grateful for those who have served...
and those who are currently serving!!
THANK YOU!!

STYLiNG | The Pastry Pedestal™ - Patriotic

A "sweet" reminder to encourage every American citizen to vote on this historic election day!

It's a privilege...

an honor...

& our duty...

as citizens of this beautiful, FREE country we live in.

Let your voice be heard. 

Don't let anything stop you from exercising your right to vote today!! 

The Pastry Pedestal™ - American Pride

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I don't know why...
but I'm exceptionally anxious about being able to vote today.
I typically wait for J to come home from work so we can go together.
I'm so concerned something is going to happen to prevent me from getting to the polls...
I'm actually considering going without him?!

STYLiNG | 4th of July Survival Station

Fourth of July Survival Station...

I created this "Survival Station" for practical purposes.
It's a GREAT way to add some festive flair to your neighborhood block party...
but it's also a brilliant, clever way to provide the "essentials" for an evening of fun.
Setting up a centralized location for grabbing blankets, snacks, drinks or even bug repellent
keeps you and your guests outside - where all of the fun is happening.

Although I actually used a table for this particular display...
For those of you actually attending a local fireworks show...
The Survival Station can actually be something as simple as a basket, bag or crate...
filled with a few essential ingredients:

SPARKLERS, SNACKS, BEVERAGES, BLANKETS & BUG REPELLENT
(in addition, if you are hosting an adults-only party, providing matches or lighters is a MUST!)


SIMPLE SNACKS
Stick with simple snacks that can be grabbed quickly and aren't too messy.
You want something that can be munched on while watching the fireworks show.
(And if it's a hot night where you are celebrating, you don't want snacks that are prone to melting)





TEACHING MOMENTS
Keeping little ones occupied while awaiting the fireworks display can prove to be a challenge.
Why not take the opportunity to actually share with them, (or reiterate), the importance of the holiday.
Grab one of the blankets you've conveniently put out for guests to sit on...
and have a couple of age-appropriate patriotic books available for them to sit down and read.
 Or simply find a story online you can share.
(Use that smartphone or iPad of yours - or just print it out beforehand).




MORE TEACHING MOMENTS
Believe it or not...most adults, (let alone children), don't know proper "Flag Etiquette"
Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to host a patriotic themed party some years back.
I researched "Flag Etiquette" and discovered a lot of things I never knew.
I decided to share the information I had learned by creating some simple "Flag Etiquette" cards for guests to take home.





KEY DECOR ELEMENTS
Some of the key decor items used throughout this "Survival Station" include:
Decorative Paper Snack Cups
Striped Straws
DIY Denim Pocket Banner (click for the tutorial)
Small and Large American Flags
White Crates
Aluminum Buckets



FOCAL POINT
I hope you took notice of the fabulous 3x5 vinyl banner hanging behind the table.
It made for a GREAT focal point, don't you think?
 I designed it so it could be used for ANY patriotic celebration/holiday...
 as well as for any "Nautical Themed" event. (smart thinking, right)!!
Banners On the Cheap did an amazing job printing it for me - I love how it turned out!



In fact...
I love the "Celebrate Banner" SO very much...
I want one of you to have one too!
Banners On the Cheap has generously offered to give away one of it's 3x5 Vinyl banners...
to ONE LUCKY winner!

The winner will have the option of choosing the custom designed "Celebrate" banner - exactly like the one shown here...
OR...the winner may select something different from the Banners On the Cheap online shop.

If you live in the contiguous 48...
Here's what to do to enter the giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

VENDORS/SOURCES

Striped Snack Cups - TomKat Studio

Striped Paper Straws - TomKat Studio

3x5 Vinyl Banner - Banners On the Cheap (custom designed by Pen N' Paperflowers)

White Crates - JoAnn's

American Flags - Family Dollar

Aluminum Buckets - A collection from over the years from Michael's, JoAnn's, and Homegoods.

Beverages - Coke & Cheerwine

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I did a mock set-up prior to the actual photo shoot...

When J pulled in the driveway...

he came in the house with great concern...and said,

"The neighbors are going to think you are selling fireworks!"  Ha!!

A couple of days later, while I was in the middle of the actual photo shoot...

I had three different neighbors stop by to buy some fireworks find out what I was doing.

They offered up many compliments and seemed really inspired.

I even had one of the neighbors come back over with striped Popcorn Boxes in-hand to incorporate into the shoot. (see the very first photo). *wink*

Those are the kind of things that make me happy!!

COMiNG UP | 4th of July Survival Table (Preview)

Good Morning everyone.
I've been enjoying the Summer with my kids...
I hope you've been doing the same.

I'm working on finishing up a post for today...
(among the thousands of things I have on my "To Do" list)...
So...
before the morning escapes me (us)...
I wanted to give you a little peek of what to expect later this afternoon:

How to create a simple 4th of July "Survival Table"

You will NOT want to miss the details...
Especially because there's a fabulous giveaway involved!! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I would've liked to have posted this LAST week...

but life tends to have an agenda of its own sometimes. *wink*

I'm really just trying to maintain a sense of "go with the flow"

as last minute Summer propositions keep popping up.

That IS what Summer is all about, right?

• Making memories...

• Taking the extra time we've got with the kids and making the most of it...

Holiday | Happy Memorial Day

Sending out a heartfelt
THANK YOU
to all of the service men and women who have:
• fought for our freedom...
• sacrificed in ways the rest of us will never understand
• served our country in order to defend our beliefs and values
• left their families behind for the greater good
• represented our nation through dedicated military service
and....
• given the ultimate sacrifice - their life

Remember...Reflect...Respect

And because I hold a special place in my heart for my grandfather
who was a P.O.W. in Ofuna, Japan during World War II
and also served in the Korean War...
take a peek at this video I found...
honoring World War II Veterans.
(I wish he was still here to experience this).

TEACH | All-Occasion Denim Pocket Banner (Part II)

When I told you the "Pocket Full of Posies" denim pocket banner was versatile...
I meant it.
By simply adding a splash of red and white to the denim pocket banner...
We're now ready to celebrate every patriotic holiday we have coming up...
and this could even be used at Christmas and Valentine's Day too!! LOVE!!!

Here's how to do it.
First, reference Part I of the "Denim Pocket Banner" tutorial right here.
Second, gather your supplies:

SUPPLIES NEEDED:
• Pre-made Denim Pocket Banner (already strung together)
• Red Fabric (or ribbon of your choice - amount is dependent on the amount of pockets on your banner)
• White Fabric (or ribbon of your choice - amount is dependent on the amount of pockets on your banner)
• These Fiskars tools for cutting fabrics easily (or just your favorite sharp scissors)
• Scissors (for trimming the ends of the fabric after they are tied to your banner)

STEP ONE: Cut your fabric. (or ribbon)
Cut your fabrics into strips that are 1 inch wide and about 8 inches long.
The number of strips needed will be determined by the number of pockets you are using for your banner.
Count the number of pockets, add one to that number and you've got your total.
I used ten pockets therefore I needed 11 strips of both fabrics.

STEP TWO: Pick ONE fabric color - either the red or white- and cut the existing strips in half. 

By cutting one of the piles of strips in half, you will actually create a surplus for yourself to store away for use on a future project of your choice. (Keep reading to see how this works)

STEP THREE: Creative tying

You'll be tying the fabric strips at both ends of the banner and in between each pocket.
Place the longer strip of fabric, (right side facing down), underneath the twine.

Lay the smaller strip of fabric, (right side facing up), on top of the twine - creating an "x" with the two strips of fabric.

Working with the longer strip of fabric, grab both ends and creat a knot. (Like the first step in tying your shoes).

A 2nd knot is not needed and will make changing out the fabrics much easier for your next celebration/holiday.

STEP FOUR: Trim 

For a more finished look, I used scissors to add an angle to each of the ends of the tied strips of fabric.

Notice how even though both strips of fabric started off at different lengths, they ended up just about the same size.

TIP: Use the technique above for all of your ribbon tying projects. 

You'll thank me for saving you tons of money because of  all of the extra ribbon, string or fabric you end up with.

Now...
Who's ready for Memorial Day?
And why bother taking it down when you are already set for 4th of July too!!
I LOVE when holiday decor items effortlessly and conveniently flow into the next celebration.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

If you don't have a sharp blade on your rotary cutter...

Your fabric strips will end up looking like this...

You THiNK you cut nice clean strips of fabric...

but when you go to pull them apart...

...they are partially stuck together because my wimpy blade never cut completely through.

Good thing I have another one as back up...

Note to self...
pick up some fresh blades.

holiday | veteran's day 2011

Wishing you all a Happy Veteran's Day!!

I hope you'll take a minute today to reflect on the daily sacrifices made by our servicemen and their families.
Today I can't help but think of my grandfather.
A few years before he passed away...
my family and I attended the annual local Veteran's Day Parade.
I was always so proud to be sitting on the curb, waving to him as he went by...

I'm grateful for the sacrifices he made for our country...
I'm grateful for the many other men and women who have valiantly served...
who ARE serving...
and who are preparing to serve our nation.
A huge heart-felt thank you for all you do...every. day.

I've created some FREE patriotic printables for you...
These ought to help you celebrate our servicemen and women, 
our freedom and our country with some real style...

Click here to download the FREE .pdf file


For those of you who own The Pastry Pedestal™ - you know what to do with these.

Those of you who don't own a set yet or are waiting patiently for yours to arrive...
You can create a simple banner by stringing these together...
OR...
make some simple parade signs for the kids to hold by attaching a wooden popsicle stick to the circles.

Enjoy!!
And I do hope we'll all remember, reflect and respect our Nation's veterans!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

The cupcake is a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcake I made...

recipe taken from My Baking Addiction.

I'll have more on that for you next week...

it's been 10 years...

This coming Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11...
A day that forever changed the lives of so many of us...
in so many VERY different ways.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news...
(as I'm keenly aware so many of you do too).
I remember the feelings of disbelief...
The heartache...
The sick feeling in my stomach...
The intense anxiety within myself...
Being glued to the television for hours...
and ultimately sensing the fear felt around the world.

I also remember the "coming together"...
The resurgence of American pride...
The houses, cars, and businesses proudly adorning American Flags...
The sense that despite the tragedy...
we would prevail...
we would be stronger...
we would heal as a people...
and as a nation.

I felt I needed to do SOMETHiNG to commemorate the 10th Anniversary...
I was torn about how to do something respectfully...
tactfully...

I certainly didn't want to feel as though I was encouraging people to host a party...
But I do feel it important to encourage each of us...
to take time to reflect and recount the events of that day - with each other.
The loss of lives...
The acts of heroism...
Our feelings then...
and our feelings now.
Engage in conversation with your family...
especially with your children.

I want to honor those who lost their lives...
Remember the many who sacrificed so much...
Reflect on those who performed acts of heroism...
Pray silently for children who lost parents...
and for parents who lost children.

A horrific day in the history of the United States of America.
And here we are...
10 years later...
Still healing...
For that...
there is cause for celebration....

I hope these free printables will inspire you to take a few minutes to remember and reflect...

(download .pdf here)

as well as to be grateful for the blessings we enjoy living in this country...

If you own The Pastry Pedestal™, use these to create a bouquet of patriotic petite pastries as a memorial
and then serve them up after dinner Sunday evening!

Otherwise, you can use these to create a quick banner to display somewhere in your home that will

serve as a reminder and perhaps spark some conversation between you and your loved ones.

Sending out a heartfelt thank you to those men and women who have served...

are serving...

and those that are preparing to serve our country...

I am indebted to your sacrifices...

as well as to the sacrifices that are silently made behind the scenes by your loved ones, family members and friends.

Thank you...

holiday | Fourth of July 2011

Good Tuesday morning everyone!!
I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend...

I enjoyed celebrating with friends, family and neighbors...
I am so grateful for the beautiful country we live in...
and especially grateful for the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom.

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

little miss ella scarlet

A bouquet of festive Pastry Pedestals™ .
I drilled a hole in the bottom of plastic shot glasses, filled them with mini m&m candies,
placed a mini reese cup on top of the candies and covered them with a mini cupcake wrapper.
The paper lids were held in place by piercing a fabric tied toothpick
into the reese cup hidden beneath the wrapper.
(These were created for a BBQ we went to with friends on Saturday - thanks Cooley family - it was a blast)

Neighborhood 4th of July Breakfast
The morning of the 4th, Ella and I attended a neighborhood breakfast which included a "bike" parade
for anyone who wanted to participate. (I pulled Ella in her wagon).

There was also an activity for the kids that involved filling small baskets with birdseed and hanging them on a tree.

Another patriotic bouquet of  Pastry Pedestals™
I reused The Pastry Pedestals™ from Saturday's BBQ
and topped them off with mini blueberry muffins for the neighborhood breakfast.
(The acrylic rounds protect the decorative paper...making them reusable - LOVE that)!!!

4th of July Survival Kit

I'm looking forward to a great week ahead.
I've got some fantastic "real" parties to share with you - sent in by fans/readers.

Speaking of parties...
Did you see the brand-new social site launched by Hostess with Mostess?
It went live on Friday...
You MUST go check it out!
It's a labor of love Jenn and her husband have been working on for the past two years.
It's a party sharing/inspirational site built on a facebook-type platform!
Go join the community and receive weekly party mail!!


KEEPiNG iT REAL
I never got to use my survival kit.
With Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Wayne visiting all week...
Design deadlines...
and life...
I never got to finish it 100%.
Which worked out to my benefit anyway since we ended up skipping the fireworks show on Monday.
Saturday's BBQ ended with a fantastic fireworks display anyway - and honestly...
I had to sit in the car with Ella and watch with the windows rolled up because she was SO frightened by the noise.
By the end of it all, Clara and I had her convinced the fireworks were magic sparkles in the sky.
There was even lots of laughter and smiling from Ella when it was all said and done.
(But we still could not roll down the windows during the show). *wink*