Paradise

Here are a few pictures from our Spring Break... Hawaii, always paradise!

Always plenty of yummy fruit!

Until next time. Aloha!

Another Green Craft Project: A Lil'Beach Bag

Our Second Hand Finds

My niece and I went on a green crafting frenzy the other day. We headed to the thrift store with one project in mind, but of course I left with several other potential projects in hand, just in case we decided to get really crafty!

In the kids section, I just couldn't resist some of the fabrics in the second-hand clothes that were on sale. Little flower prints, all ready made patchwork dresses, polka dots and more... oooo, what could be made from these precious items? A little hand bag, of course -- great for the beach, the store for a few grocery items, or where ever you may roam!

We tromped over to the belts to find the perfect straps for our bags... 2 ribbon belts just happened to be there, how perfect!

Back home the project was simple as pie. I just cut off the bottom of the dress with the patchwork fabric, cut 2 pieces, and sewed the open edges to make a little bag. Then cut off the belt loops, and sewed the ends of the belt to the bag as a strap.

Voila! Our little bags... perfect for our upcoming trip to the beach!

What a great model my niece is! Now, off to make more little bags with the other goodies I found!

For Your Amusement- Cool Exhibit

While travelling the other day through SFO, I got to check out a very cool exhibit of vintage slot machines.


They all had great graphics on them... Hard to capture, but here's a little taste.



This one would look great in a casino at North Shore Lake Tahoe.



A great Halloween one...



Art Deco style too...

So, if you're travelling United in or out of SFO, be sure to check it out!

Craftin' with My Niece: Thrift Store/Green Fun

My teenage niece was in town the other day on spring break and I got a chance to spend the day with her! We don't get much time to spend together since she has lived a couple states away for many years... and when we do, it's usually with the whole family. So, this was a big treat for me to just be one on one together.

I tried to rack my brain of ideas of what would be "cool" to do -- from a teenagers perspective. When that didn't work, I of course resorted back to good ol'crafts!

We headed to the bookstore, and I saw one of Somerset Studios new publications, Green Craft Magazine. Lots of great ideas... perfect for some aunt and niece fun!

We decided to start in on the t-shirt necklace project, so we headed to the thrift store to pick up some old colorful t-shirts. In doing the project, I definitely recommend patterned t-shirts as well as solid shirts. When braided, the different colors in the patterned shirt make for an more interesting design.

Once home, we started to shred! My niece used scissors and I tried my luck at tearing. The trick is you want long strips, so sometimes tearing doesn't work. Once we had our pile, it was time to braid.

We made many necklaces as well as a couple bracelets and anklets too! My niece also did extra braiding and made some bracelets for her younger cousins. Weren't they lucky.

Do you have a fun craft you like to do with your niece or nephew? Would love to know!

Batter Up, It's Baseball Season!

This past weekend was the start of t-ball in our family,

and we have one excited player!

He's got his new hat, his helmet,

his new bat, and glove, and

he's ready to play ball!

Check him out on the outfield... ready for anything, right?

Whoa! The power, the action... I see lots of potential...

hmmm, of course I would since I'm his mom!

If you have a baseball star in your home...

or just a baseball enthusiast,

check out the new party invitations I've designed--

the All Star Baseball Party

All Star Baseball Personalized Party Invitations

Your slugger will love the look--

the stars, the grunge-texture, the cool type style...

it's even got his mug on it! How cool is that.

Also, check out the matching All Star banner below.

Great for pictures of him and his friends...

or pictures of him in action at the plate and on the field...

or how 'bout pictures of the team?

All Star Personalized Photo Banner

Hope your season is starting out well, and

you have many home runs in your future!

If I Were Going to the Oscars...

B.Nute Productions Academy Awards Invitation

Tonight's the night... time to put on the ritz, and head down the red carpet... the Academy Awards are about to begin! Wouldn't it be fun to go? There would be no sleeping in, though... it would be up and out early, hair, makeup, massage-- to get ready for the big event. Here's the look I may go for this year...

Dress & Makeup

Love this dress by lelarose. The "crepe paper" material, the soft pink, the flowers. Ooo, how simple, yet elegant, old fashion, yet off the shoulder sexy. Nice! And, the makeup too! I do like the softness of her makeup-- not too heavy, but definitely there to dress this look up!

The Hair

Love the curls, and the hair piece. I may look for something a little more vintage-inspired in my hair, but these are the curls I'd go for this year! (This headpiece is by Sara Gabriel.)

The Jewels

Perhaps this vintage style jewel could be made into my hair piece? It has the softness of the pearl, and the sparkle of the crystal-- could be real diamonds too, I'm not picky!

Speaking of diamonds, I could use an accessory or 2 of sparkle-- a nice ring, a lovely bracelet, and delicate yet sparkly necklace... that would be just delightful!

Well, hope you are getting all dolled up for the show tonight!

... and the winner is....

Mad Hatter Madness!

B.Nute productions' Mad Hatter Personalized Invitations

If you haven't noticed, it's Mad Hatter Mania out there these days with Tim Burton's rendition of the classic Alice in Wonderland about to be released! I'm excited to see his version! It definitely seems to be a different approach than 1950's Disney version!

B.Nute productions' Mad Hatter Personalized Invitations

Last year, I created this Mad Hatter party kit-- and happily, as the movie's release has been approaching it's become quite popular!

B.Nute productions Personalized Mad Hatter Banner

I'm particularly proud of the Personalized banner-- I just love the colors together. The bright lime green, pink, red and blue! I also love how the imagery plays with the different type faces.

B.Nute productions Personalized Gift or Goodie Bag Tags

So, are you ready to throw a Mad Hatter party? It's a great theme for birthday-- especially with Spring right around the corner. A picnic table set up outside, decorated to the hilt... I can picture it now. Or, how 'bout a Mad Hatter viewing party? Have friends over, a quick, crazy tea party-- then head to the movie theatre!

Here are a few more decorating ideas for your Mad Hatter Party:

• Playing Cards Everywhere: Pick up a few decks of cards, and scatter all over the top of the table. It's easy, and very festive!
• Flowers Everywhere: Jars of flowers, vases of flowers, garlands of flowers-- the more the merrier-- and mixed varieties even better! For this one, you can go several routes: fresh flowers will not only look amazing but smell great too! Silk or fake flowers can be just as appealing-- and from a distance look great (think flower garlands strung along the edges of the room or area...) Lastly, you could go with tissue paper flowers! Check out an older blog post of mine about tissue paper flower decorations.
• Twinkle Lights: Drape a canopy of twinkle lights over the table. This will add glitter and magic to the scene.
• Floating Butterflies: At your local craft store, pick up some decorative butterflies and hang above or around the table area from clear fishing wire. They'll flutter and float as your tea party settles... a great effect.

Would love to see a picture or hear your Mad Hatter ideas! I'm sure after the movie comes out, there will be loads of inspiring ideas as well!

So, it's off to a very important date.... have fun!