Coffeecake

Valentine's Day Newsletter from MarthaStewart.com

via www.marthastewart.com

Check out Martha Stewart's Valentine's Day website with tons of ideas for Valentine's Day and sign up for her Valentine's Day newsletter--New ideas sent to your inbox weekly now through Feb. 14!

Book Review: The Comfort Table, Recipes for Everyday Occasions, by Katie Lee, Book

via search.barnesandnoble.com

I got this wonderful cookbook over the holidays and I am so happy with it.  Katie Lee has wonderful, unique recipes and great ideas for entertaining.  She includes ideas for a variety of celebrations including a Retro Cocktail Party, Chrismukkah, Steakhouse Night at Home, Spa Lunch and Chinese New Year.  For each event, she features a complete menu and even a music playlist. The photos are beautiful and the recipes clearly written in a warm, engaging style.  Highly recommended.  $20.80 at Barnes & Noble (additional saving for B&N members).

Valentine's Day Garland from Pottery Barn Kids

via www.potterybarnkids.com

I love this vintage-looking garland from Pottery Barn Kids.  It sells for $29 and would make a sweet addition to a party for kids or just for some Valentine's decor for your home.

• 10.5' long
• The three-dimensional hearts feature the same retro designs found on our Valentine's Day Plates.
• Hearts hang from a grosgrain ribbon.

Craft Project: Memory "Scrapboxes" from Martha Stewart Living.

via www.marthastewart.com

The February issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine has a lot of great articles and recipes...go out and get yourself a copy if you don't subscribe (I did, as I had let my subscription lapse.  It will be well worth it as it features one of the coolest art projects I have seen, and it's one you can do yourself at home, although maybe not on as grand a scale.  Darcy Miller, editor of MS Weddings has assembled a collection of "scrapboxes" -- collaged shadowboxes that feature photos and memorabilia of her family.

The boxes feature unexpected elements and ephemera such as candles from a birthday cake, teething toys, and girl's sunglasses.  Because she has three daughters, they are very princess-y, sparkly and whimsical, but I think you could do the same for boys.  I have been toying with the idea of displaying my son's birth announcement in an unconventional way, and had been thinking of a shadowbox instead of a conventional frame and matting.  This has convinced me to do something more creative....I am just not yet sure what that will be.... Knitted booties, a crocheted bib, or something more unconventional?   You could also use greeting cards, silver rattles or spoons, small toys, party favors, perhaps even a beloved pacifier! 

I love how Ms. Miller juxtaposes the objects with an accompanying photo, bringing the photo into 3 dimensions, such as putting a real party hat in a frame with a photo of the birthday girl

For ideas, check out the MS website features Darcy Miller's entire collection of boxes and scrapbooks as well as her party ideas. 

Craft Project: Sparkling Snowman Treat Boxes from Martha Stewart

via www.marthastewart.com

While there is still snow on the ground here (just a little bit), I wanted to share these adorable snowman treat boxes from Martha Stewart. The full instructions are on the website. These would be great for a winter birthday party...child or adult. They do look a little involved, so save them for when you have a little more time.

And who knew, but the MS website actually has a whole section dedicated to glitter crafts!! I have used MS's glitter quite a bit and absolutely love it. The selection of colors is wonderful, and it is super-sparkly. You can find it online here or at Michael's craft stores.

How to Make: Halloween Paper Bunting

I finished this Halloween bunting in the nick of time for the holiday.   To make this, I  used pre-cut flat A4 cardstock in Poppy and Black from Paper Source, ribbon in Poppy and Black from Paper Source, K&Company patterned paper purchased from Michaels, and Marcella by K glitter chipboard letters from Target.  I used a paper bunch by Martha Stewart Crafts for Michaels that is specially designed to punch holes to thread ribbon through.

To make a similar banner, cut rectangles out of the patterned paper and glue to A4 cardstock.  Glue chipboard letters onto patterned paper. Punch holes along top and thread ribbon.  You can also punch ribbon holes in the bottom and add a tied ribbon at the bottom for decoration. You can add additional embellishments as desired, sequins, decorative gems, brads, etc. I opted to keep mine simple due to my limited time.  You can also spell out a shorter phrase if you are short of time.

Note: depending on what phrase you are spelling, you may need additional packages of the chipboard letters. The package has 2 of some letters and 1 of others. I needed a second package because one of the "p"s was damaged.

SALE: Pottery Barn Kids--Halloween on sale--20% off!

Pottery Barn Kids now has Halloween on sale! 20% OFF all Halloween items.  Free shipping on costumes and treat bags. 

Time to order your kids' Halloween costumes!

Lots of websites have some really cute Halloween costumes for kids.

For kids costumes, some great sources are:  PotteryBarn Kids, One Step Ahead (currently has a discount on costumes), Target and Gymboree. 

Good sites for party favors, craft items, and accessories include Lillian Vernon, for personalized items, The Container Store for great wrapping ideas, Oriental Trading Company, and Target.

Get started on your Halloween crafts!

 

Fall is here and if Halloween is at the top of your list of autumn favorites, it's time to get started on your Halloween craft projects.

I recently popped into Michaels, the arts and crafts store and found a great selection of Halloween craft supplies and decorations from Martha Stewart.  Since I am planning to have a little party, I stocked up on favors, including paper bats that sit on top of a goodie bag, and stickers.  There was also a great selection of decorations including banners and retro accordian-style table decorations.  For papercrafters, there are Halloween-inspired paper punches (see my black cat and jack-o-lantern), glitter and decorative paper.  Check out the selection of items at your local Michaels store (they do not sell these items online) and at Martha Stewart Crafts

Great ribbon and labels on sale at Namemaker.com

The website www.namemaker.com now has 20% off on its entire site for a limited time only. Namemaker has a great selection of personalized ribbon and clothing labels. The website has been featured both in Oprah's magazine and on the Martha Stewart show--so you know is has to be good!  Get beautiful ribbon for holiday or school crafts or personalized labels to sew into kids' clothing or add a personalized touch to craft projects.  I personally have ordered labels to put into knitting and sewing projects.  (Note-- the ribbon featured in the picture above is from my own collection and is not available on the website). 

Happy Mother's Day!!

Have a super-sweet day!