Saturday, May 15, 2010

Stella and Dot GIVEAWAY

Have you seen these?

Or these?

Would you like to win this?

My friend Julie contacted me the other day about co-hosting a Stella & Dot Cupcakes and Wine Mommy and Me party next week to debut their much anticipated Little Girls Line. I of course said, "YES!" I love parties and their jewelry is to die for! If you haven't seen the line check IT out. As soon as did, I just fell in love. How adorable! Carson and Clara need these jewels!

Oh and they have a fabulous Mommy line too! These are some of my favorites and I heart anything starfish!

All I have to say is YUMMY!
Okay, back to the GIVEAWAY. We thought it would be fun to kick off our at home party with a give away for all of you fabulous bloggers. I know your little girl, niece, goddaughter, granddaughter, cousin or friend would love to WIN THIS Kristin bracelet!

Three ways to enter!
1. Leave a comment with your EMAIL address (don't forget that or I won't be able to contact you for your fabulous prize).
2. Post on Facebook or Tweet about it and leave a comment saying you did so.
3. Blog about it and leave a comment saying you did so.

GOOD LUCK!

The giveaway will end on Thursday, May 20th at 9pm EST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced within 24 hours. Thanks for playing along!

AND all of my wonderful readers can receive FREE shipping at Stella and Dot until the end of My by emailing Julie at: Julie.garfield@floridamoves.com

Have a Wonderful Weekend!


Friday, May 14, 2010

Decoupaged Plates


I already planned to give my Mom, MIL and Grandmother these for Mother's Day, but I wanted to give them something else...something useful and meaningful! Sooooo I decided to make decoupaged plates. They could use them as a decoration or as a serving tray! And they would think of us every time they see it and remember how MUCH we love and appreciate them!

MD has already come and gone, but you might want to make them for another occasion. I think they would make great Christmas, Birthday, Valentine's Day, End of the Year teacher's gift...etc. Here's how it's done.

Materials:
fabric (How much depends on the size of your tray/plate. I used a fat quarter.), Modge Podge, paint brush (I like the foamy/spongy kind), clear glass plate (I got mine at Wal-Mart for $5) polyurethane (I used the spray kind), disappearing ink pen, scissors, exacto knife, coffee can or other wide brimmed object for pedastool for drying.

Optional: water-slide decal, coordinating fabric, stencils, photo

Wash your plate and take any stickers off. I used Goof Off to help out with that! Be careful not to touch the outside of the plate. You don't want your finger prints to interfere with the Modge Podge.

Iron your fabric. Place the plate on top of the fabric and trace around the plate. Leave some overlap. I tilt the pen as I trace. It's better to have too much than too little. You will go back later and cut the excess off.

If you want any photos or embellishments(butterflies, flowers, decal, etc.) you will want to have them ready. I provided some of my embellishment stencils...You would just print, cut out the stencil, and place it on the wrong side of your fabric(so the marker doesn't show). Trace around it with your disappearing ink pen/pen. Cut it out and set it aside. Carson and Clara have a first year frame and I used the oval from the frame as my template.


I used a brown corduroy for the tree.

I put fray check around the edges to prevent fraying.

Make sure your plate is clean and dry. If you are using a decal do this first and let it dry for 3 hours. I laid my tree on the plate to help with the placement of the decals.

If not go ahead and place the plate on the pedestal. Brush on the Modge Podge with your foam brush. Make sure its a nice even layer. I was very liberal with it. Place the fabric/photos/on top of the plate and then apply another layer of Modge Podge over the fabric. I use my fingers to help smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles. I did this throughout the drying period.

Then I placed the tree and fabric down. And another layer of Modge Podge.

Let it dry for at least 24 hours. Then trim the edges so the fabric is even with the side of the plate. Your plate my not be completely dry in 24 hours. I found that some of my plates to a several days to totally dry...the glue on the pictures in particular.

Cut any excess fabric using your exacto knife or scissors. Both worked for me.
When your decoupage is dry you can apply polyurethane. This will help seal and protect your project. I used it only on the fabric side of my plate. Spray 3-6 coats of polyurethane on the plate, following the directions of the manufacturer. Make sure you use it in a well ventilated area. Outside is best.

Now you have beautiful and personalized plates! Great Job! You can use them for serving food, but you will not want to submerge your plate in water. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the surface of the tray or plate.

Grandma loved her decorative decoupaged plate with all of her great grandchildren's smiling faces! C & C loved helping her open it...

and showing her everyone on it!

We love grandma!!

And we love going to grandma's house because we can eat yummy treats and pick her tomatoes!




Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is coming to an end and as I sit writing I can't help but think how blessed I am to be a mother of two, healthy, vibrant little girls. We did today what we have been doing ever since I became a mommy three years ago. We beached it!


I love going to the beach, wading in the water, collecting shells, building sand castles, soaking in the sun and spending time with 3 of my favorite people. And we did just that! Here is a look back at the previous years...

I am also grateful for all of the women in my life who have showed me what being a mom is all about. (top left) My mother, who is a mother of 4 and grandmother of 8. She is pretty much the glue that holds everyone together. She loves all of her grandchildren and they love their MeMe!

(top right) My mother-in-law, who is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people I know. She adores our girls and our girls love their SaSa! We can't wait to see you again...hurry back!

(bottom left) My Grandmother, who is a mother of two, grandmother of 7 and great-grandmother of 11! We are so lucky to have her in our lives. She loves life and watching her grandchildren play and interact with one another. She will be 82 this September!

(bottom right)And my sisters, who I have learned many life lessons from over the years. It was definitely helpful(and still is) to watch and observe their pregnancies and child-rearing strategies before I had to experience it on my own.
Days like to today remind me to count my blessings. Thank you to my girls for making me a mother! I love you!

And to All of the other Mommas out there...Happy Mother's Day!

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