Juneberry Lane

Wedding Wednesday: Picnic on a Boat . . .

2012-03-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

So maybe you are wondering how to celebrate the engagement of a low-key couple who isn't into a big hoopla of an affair? Sure, fancy cocktail parties and elegant dinners might be just the thing for some folks...but what if you are looking for something a bit more intimate and casual; you know, the kind of perfectly relaxed evening where you kick back with friends, feet in the grass and laughing, rather than squeezing your toes into your most glamorous high heels.

I am just loving the laid back romance of this 'Picnic on a Boat' Inspiration Shoot, brought to us by 100 Layer Cake and designed & photographed by The Simplifiers and she-n-he, this would make the loveliest celebration for a birthday party or an anniversary too, don't you think?

Who needs to haul a table along? Just flip your boat around and you are all set!

Ahhh, floating lanterns. It really doesn't get much more romantic than that . . .

So simple & sweet, right? An unforgettable way to create a special celebration and just about perfect for all of the warm weather that lies ahead!!

Juneberry Baby: A 'Ready-to-Pop' Baby Shower!

2012-03-05T14:06:00.000-08:00

A few months back we featured the most gorgeous & scrumptious little popcorn favors for an oh-so-pretty & fun baby shower or sprinkle, so when I spotted this coordinating 'Ready to Pop' baby shower from Le Partie Sugar via Kara's Party Ideas, well I certainly couldn't resist sharing it with you!!

And what better way to convey that the mom-to-be is ready to pop than with mini-Champagne bottles to 'pop' open on 02.29.12 (baby’s due date), Pop Rocks, Gumballs, Kettle Popcorn, and Cake Pops? Fun, fun, fun . . . just take a look!

From champagne, to Rosé, to Italian Soda, to sparkling water; bubbles, bubbles, & more bubbles . . .

And who doesn't love an open bar? Well, a popcorn bar that is . . .

Fabulous Vendors:

Event Styling, Planning and Design (invites + signage printables) : Le Partie Sugar

Linens and Styling: Shop Snug Haven

Photography: Le Partie Sugar

And here are the popcorn favors from our previous feature that just so happen to tie-in perfectly with the event . . .

If you have truly been inspired to throw a fabulous event for the mom-to-be in your life by the images from this lovely day, or if you are just craving a delicious snack, then you can find the recipe for this little treat on our post right HERE!

I hope your week is a phenomenal one and I can't wait until you see all of the fun we have lined up for the days ahead!!

Yay, It's Friday!!! Flashback: Shamrock Shakes!!

2012-03-02T14:45:00.000-08:00

I couldn't be more thrilled that the weekend is here . . . Juneberry Lane has been downright swamped with invitation orders galore. So while we spend this weekend answering e-mails, catching up, packing, & shipping I thought today would be just as good as any to send the recipe for delicious homemade Shamrock Shakes your way!!!

Drink up & enjoy and we will see you on Monday for all sorts of new Creative & Crafty fun!!

Shamrock Shake Recipe (courtesy of Craving Comfort):

~2 cups vanilla ice cream
~1 1/4 cups milk
~1/4 - 1/2 Teaspoon Mint extract
~9 drops green food coloring

Optional pretty stuff:
~chocolate syrup (optional glass decoration)
~whipped cream (optional topping)
~green sugar (optional decoration)

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together until smooth and yummy. Drizzle some chocolate syrup around your glass.; pour Shamrock Shake into the glass; top with whipped cream and green sugar...ENJOY!!

Wedding Wednesday: Hoop it Up!!

2012-02-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

I would simply feel so disappointed with myself if I didn't keep you up on the wedding trends that are sweeping the nation. With all of our artistic brides out there DIYing it all over creation to create the wedding of their dreams, it can't come as a surprise that little elements of crafty goodness would pop up on the radar along the way, and these lovely embroidery hoops are no exception!

I know, I know what you are thinking . . . an embroidery hoop done the wrong way could look exactly like you let your sweet little grandma do the decorating for the big day. But just take a look; with the right fabric and placement, these little tools of the trade could provide just the sort of whimsical element you have been searching for . . .

A first impression is everything!

Dessert Table delight . . .

Hanging little lovelies give your guests the perfect conversation starter . . .

Vintage lace never looked so good . . .

Now you could never guess that I adored this color combination, right?

Already had your wedding and crying in your afternoon tea because you just discovered you LOVE embroidery hoops? No worries! Check out these other fabulous ways to get your hoop on . . .

Visual stimulation for that darling little baby in your life . .

Or supplies in your office could be transformed into a piece of art . . .

Clever, clever, clever and just so pretty too! Hope your week is going phenomenally . . . you are over halfway through it . . . HOORAY!!

Tutorial Tuesday: Cake Batter Martinis...YUM!!!

2012-02-28T13:22:00.000-08:00

Oh what to do when you're wrapping up an evening meal with friends and you have to make the ever-so-difficult choice of a piece of cake or an after-dinner cocktail? Why combine them, of course!! I am LOVING these delicious Cake Batter Martinis from Cosita Bella...so much fun and so pretty & frivilous too!! You truly cannot go wrong with a combination like this!

CAKE BATTER MARTINI

Ingredients:
~ 1 oz. Amaretto
~ 1.5 oz. Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka (or cake flavoured if you can find it)
~ 1.5 oz. Creme de Cacao
~ 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
~ 1 oz. Heavy Cream
~ Frosting
~ Assorted Sprinkles (nonpareils shown here)

Directions:
1.) Using your finger, coat the rim of your glass with frosting – make sure not to miss any spots!

2.) Dump sprinkles on a plate and press glass rim into sprinkles, pressing to adhere.

3.) Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into glass and enjoy!

photos courtesy of How Sweet it Is

Aren't they simply fantastic?! Dessert has never been such a good time!!

St. Patrick's Day Delicious: MIni-Guinness Cupcakes!!

2012-02-27T13:57:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is almost March already?! And you know what this means...St Patrick's Day is fast approaching. And just in case you are looking for a fun recipe to bring to the office or whip up for your Shamrock Shindig that is sure to inspire an Irish-type of chuckle, well look no further!

These yummy cupcakes from Sugar and Charm will fill all of your friends, guests, or co-workers with a bit o' leprechaun mischief and make for the perfect conversation starter too! See for yourself . . .

St. Patty's Day Mini-Guinness Cupcakes:

Ingredients :
~ 1 Cup Guinness Extra Stout
~ 1 1/2 Sticks Unsalted Butter
~ 3/4 Cup(s) Unsweetened Chocolate Chunks ( I used one 4oz unsweeted Ghirardelli bar)
~ 2 Cup(s) All Purpose Flour
~ 2 Cup(s) Sugar
~ 1/2 Tablespoon Baking Soda
~ 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
~ 2 Large Eggs
~ 3/4 Cup(s) Sour Cream

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.) Bring stout and butter to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil.
Add unsweetened chocolate chunks to hot stout/butter mixture. Whisk until chocolate melts. Turn heat off and let cool.

3.) Add sugar to chocolate mixture and whisk to combine.

4.) Sift flour, baking soda and salt.

5.) In a stand-alone mixer with a whisk attachment, combine the eggs and sour cream on medium speed.
Add stout-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and combine on medium-low speed until incorporated.
Slowly add flour mixture in thirds to chocolate mixture with whisk attachment. Scrape the sides with your whisk to make sure you get all the dry ingredients combined.

6.) Place mini cupcake papers in mini pan and divide batter into cups evenly. Fill about 2/3 of the cup.
Bake for 8 minutes and do not over cook or they will turn out dry.

7.) Let cool on wire rack before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients:
~ 1 Cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
~ 2 1/2 Cups Sifted Powder Sugar
~ 1/4 Cup Milk
~ 1/2 Whole Scraped Vanilla (I left this out though ;))
~ 1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
~ 1 Cup Guinness Beer

Directions:
1.) In a sauce pan, simmer Guinness on low heat for 10-15 minutes, until stout becomes reduced and a little thicker in consistency.

2.) In a stand alone mixer, cream butter for 1 minute. Slowly add powder sugar in thirds, alternating with a little milk each time until mixture is creamy. Add vanilla extra and vanilla beans

3.) Slowly add reduced Guinness a little at a time. Taste test to desired flavor. You may or may not use all the Guinness reduction... I did!

**Quick Tip
~ Make sure to beat the frosting on high until it's thicker and smooth. At first my frosting started to curdle, especially when I add the beer, but it just needs to be whipped on high to become fluffy again.
My beer never became a thicker consistency, but I still used it and it worked great.
Undercook the mini cupcakes because they will continue to cook when you take them out of the oven. If
you cook them too long they'll be dry!

Isn't that fun? Hope you have a fantastic week!!

Oscar Night! Festive Popcorn Cupcakes . . .

2012-02-24T13:58:00.000-08:00

Every year the Oscars just sneak up on me! I am contently going about my 'getting ready for Spring' business when POOF, out of the blue, here they are. And just about every time I say, "The Oscars are THIS weekend? Already?!"

Now living in Los Angeles, Academy Awards night is no small deal...and what better way to celebrate the most glamorous night of the year than with these adorable popcorn cupcakes? And even more fantastic? There is a free printable below for your cupcake wrappers from http://ewehooo.blogspot.com so you are nearly halfway there already!!!

Movie Popcorn Cupcakes

Ingredients:

~ baked cupcakes

~white icing

~ a bag of mini marshmallows (white or pastel yellow and white)

~ yellow food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1.) Frost the baked cupcakes with white icing. To create each piece of "popcorn," cut one mini marshmallow in half and squish the two pieces back together into a whole mini marshmallow, pinching firmly. Pile the finished popcorn onto the frosted cupcake.

2.) For a buttery look, either dilute a drop of yellow food coloring in water and brush it on with a clean paintbrush or mix pastel yellow marshmallows in with the white.

3.) Download the free template below & cut out your wrappers!

4.) Wrap the band around the cupcake and secure with tape.

Recipe via http://www.food.com/recipe/popcorn-cupcakes-so-cute-308253#ixzz1nL26ZNTo

And now for your FREE printable (from Ewe Hooo!)

d e s i g n s

Quick, easy, affordable, and so much fun!!!! Hope you all have a wonderful & glamorous weekend!!!

Perfectly Pretty Party Inspiration: 'Let's Go Fly a Kite'!

2012-02-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

Ahh, lemonade stands, flower ice cream cones, and now kite flying at it's DIY finest....apparently somebody over here at Juneberry Lane is in the mood for Spring!! I am all about stepping back in time and enjoying those precious memories of days gone by this week, and today is no different...which is why I love the thought of a 'Let's Go Fly a Kite' or 'Love is in the Air' theme to your special day, birthday party, or baby shower!!

So full of warm, carefree days and so easy to think of loads of DIY projects to make this party a memorable one...I have a little feeling you are going to see some brand new party invitations in our Juneberry Etsy Shop very soon! But first, take a look at a little inspiration . . .

Gorgeous handmade, floral fabric kites . . .

(photo courtesy of ShopRuche.com)

Invitation thoughts . . .

Pretty party favors . . .

(image courtesy of http://www.marthastewartweddings.com )

Loving a banner & these kraft colored beauties . . .

(above two images from http://asubtlerevelry.com)

(Kite Banner Courtesy of http://stylemegorgeous-bysarah.blogspot.com)

And I simply adore the idea of recycling old clothes for the party . . .

(via http://sunshineandcarousels.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html)

My absolute favorite . . . Kite cocktail sticks!!!

Ahhhh, the possibilities are endless...as are the gorgeous fabrics & decorative papers that you can find to make your big day beautiful!!! Stay tuned for more DIY kite magic, coming your way very soon!!!

Wedding Wednesday: Married in Maine; A Barn-Chic Celebration of Color!

2012-02-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

As we head on into the warm weather, I love to think forward to the sunny days ahead! This bright & beautiful wedding in Maine, brought to you via 100 Layer Cake and featuring the lovely bride & groom, Ruth & Ed, is just the perfect way to add whimsy & joy to your afternoon, and a touch of playfulness to your special day . . .

Loving those pretty-in-pink heart-shaped balloons . . .

No one can resist retro straws and tissue poms . . .

Seating cards full of color!!

And turquoise chevalier chairs, oh my!

Musings from the bride & groom . . .

"In the months leading up to our wedding, there were days we loved thinking about and planning our wedding, and there were days when we were so overwhelmed and convinced it would be an epic stress that we seriously considered skipping town and heading for a Vegas chapel. Then something incredible happened…we loved everything about our wedding! For the first weekend in months, the weather in southern Maine was sunny, warm, and dry. Thanks to spring’s late arrival, our favorite flowers that were supposed to be out of season for our wedding we’re actually IN season. The dozens of DIY elements we were weeks behind on finishing were somehow completed on time (thanks to our army of helpers in the 11th hour). And our vows which were being written and re-written up until a few hours before the ceremony came out funnier, more poignant, and more lyrical than we ever could have imagined. In a word…perfection!"

FABULOUS VENDORS:

Photography: Corbin Gurkin / Wedding Dress: Claire La Faye / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Reception Dress: BHLDN / Hair and Makeup: Chhoeun Thiv of Akari / Groom’s Suit: J.Lindeberg / Groom’s Shoes: Florsheim by Duckie Brown / Groom’s Shirt: J.Crew / Groom’s Tie: Brooks Brothers / Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill / Event Planning & Design: Meagan of Maine Seasons Events / Catering: Jennifer of 111 Maine / Florals & design: Judy of Flora Fauna / Rentals: One Stop Party Shoppe / Music: Simon of The Remixologists / Videography: Zach Boyce / Wedding Cake Topper: The Small Object / Save the Dates: Bride and Groom / Invitations: Jason Sposa

Barn Chic!!! You can't get much more fun than that, right? I just love it when a couple isn't afraid to bring on the color!! Happy Wednesday!

Spring Party Inspirations: A Vintage Lemonade Stand! (and a bonus printable!)

2012-02-21T15:34:00.000-08:00

Incorporating fun & fabulous events from childhood into your big days and parties never gets old. The adult guests will squeal with delight and feel like kids again when they see a set-up that reminds them of hot summer days of their youth . . . and these Old-fashioned lemonade stands are just the ticket!

What's even better? You can modernize the precious past time by adding in unique twists on the traditional lemonade recipe...and give your friends & family a new memory to treasure for years to come. Take a look . . .

And check out these delicious flavors . . .

LAVENDER LEMONADE

(photo and recipe found HERE (just sub the lavender) and courtesy of innbrooklyn.wordpress.com)

RHUBARB LEMONADE

(photo courtesy of delish.com and recipe found HERE)

Possible favors, if you will . . .

Those lovely floral stunners are from Amy Moss of Eat Drink Chic. You can download your FREE printable tags right HERE!

Now you are getting jazzed for summer, right?! Hope your 'short' week is off to a wonderful start!!!

Spring Party Inspiration; Ice Cream Flowers!

2012-02-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for the warm months ahead, and as we have been so focused on all things 'Winter Wonderland', 'hot cocoa', and just cold weather in general, I thought this lovely, sunny start-to-the-weekend in Southern California might be the perfect day to begin warming things up a bit. Just take a look at this oh-so-fresh idea for a Spring shindig . . .

Ice Cream cone vases . . .

(image via http://divinepartyconcepts.com/2010/06/21/ice-cream-cone-vase/)

(image courtesy of http://www.parents.com/baby/shower/themes/cravings/?page=3)

or do it with some tissue flowers . . .

(via http://www.createmyevent.com/trends/)

(courtesy of http://themoesfamilyintexas.blogspot.com/2011/05/ice-cream-idea.html)

Or make them edible!

(via http://cutestfood.com/2842/rose-ice-cream/)

(courtesy of http://www.trendpulse.net/blog/ice-cream-flower-1)

Ah, ice cream and flowers; I can't think of a more fantastic combo than that!! Have a lovely weekend!!

Wedding Wednesday: The Sweetest Proposal for you Romantic Out There . . .

2012-02-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

I thought this wedding Wednesday would be a terrific day to bring you this amazingly thoughtful wedding proposal, brought to you from Keri-Anne of Dilworth Photography and via Magnolia Rouge. Since yesterday most likely already left you all warm and fuzzy inside, I thought I would keep those romantic fires burning with a special day that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

I am fairly certain at this point that she better say 'yes' . . .

Just plain dreamy. How sweet is this guy out here getting everything ready?

Sorry ladies, I think it is safe to assume he is taken . . .

Ahhh, I love a good love story, don't you? Now all of you girls who have brothers or guy friends who have been thinking of popping the question, why not do the future bride-to-be a little favor and send this proposal idea over to them . . . she will be forever grateful:)

Ravishing Ravioli: Homemade & Hearty . . . Literally:)

2012-02-13T13:24:00.000-08:00

You know I can't quite resist taking holidays to their extreme...so this heart-shaped Valentine's Day Ravioli from Petite Kitchenesse is right up my alley. Homemade pasta is the perfect choice for an intimate dinner; and leave it to the Italians to know just how to say 'Ti Amo' in style.

Throw in a bottle of wine, a couple of candles, and some chocolate for dessert and you will have just the right setting for the most romantic dinner of the year . . .

Beet & Chèvre Ravioli Hearts
(Yield: approximately 2 ½ dozen ravioli)

Dough Ingredients:
~ 2 cups of all-purpose flour
~ 3 egg yolks
~ around ⅓ to ½ cup of beet juice

Filling Ingredients:
~ 3 large beets (approx. 1 ½ lbs.)
~ 4 oz. of chèvre (cheese- preferably herbed)
~ 1–2 tbsp of water
~ salt, to taste

Roast the Beets:

Preheat the oven to 400°. Pierce the beets a few times, then place in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until beets are tender. Remove from the oven and let cool, then peel.

Prepare the Filling:

Ready your food processor* with the grater attachment. Chop the beets in half or thirds (whatever will fit), then grate. Switch to the chopping blade. Add a tablespoon or two of water, then pulse until everything is finely chopped.

* If you don’t have a food processor, grate the beets, then finely chop them with a sharp knife. Transfer them to a bowl, then add the water and stir.

Transfer beets to a piece of cheesecloth. Squeeze the beets over a large measuring cup or bowl, until you have ⅓ to ½ a cup of juice.

Transfer the remaining beet pulp to a bowl. Stir in the chèvre until evenly-distributed, then add salt to taste. Set aside.

To make the dough:

Add flour to a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the yolks and the beet juice, then stir to combine. When you can no longer mix with a fork, turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead until smooth.

Assembly:

Roll the dough out into a large, even rectangle approximately 1/16 of an inch thick. Cut the rectangle in half.

Grab about a tablespoon of filling (or whatever will work best for the size of cookie cutter you’re using) and mold it into a heart shape. Arrange filling hearts about an inch apart from each other until you’ve covered half of the dough (there should be some filling left over).

Dot a little bit of water around the edges of the filling, then place the other half of the dough rectangle on top and press to seal. Using your cookie cutter, cut out each ravioli. Pull up the dough trim from around the ravioli, knead until the smooth, then cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and set aside.

Gently remove each ravioli from the counter (they may resist a little, depending on how sticky your dough is). Press around the edges with a fork to seal, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. When you’ve finished, reroll the remaining dough and fill with the remaining filling.

If you are preparing these ahead, transfer the cookie sheet to the freezer and let sit until the ravioli have frozen, then place them in a heavy-duty ziploc bag. (If you are going to be cooking them immediately, follow the directions below.)

A Special Note from Carey: One of the issues that I discovered while preparing these for today’s photoshoot is that the beautiful bright red color of the dough tends to leach out into boiling water. I actually decided to try steaming a second batch, just to see if they’d hold their color better. The result was a slightly brighter ravioli, but they were also a little bit chewier and not nearly as good. Then several hours after this post went live, I received some great advice from Gerry over at Gewoon Lekker Gewoon. She’d made a similar dish last year, and experienced the same disappointment of beautiful red ravioli that had turned an icky washed-out mauve color after cooking. Her solution: boil them in beet juice! If you’re going to juice the beets yourself, you will want to do so right before you’re ready to cook the ravioli (as Gerry mentions also dealing with less-vibrant juice from the day before). If you don’t have access to a juicer, getting enough beet juice for boiling is going to be a bit of a pain. I’d suggest getting as much juice as you can out of some beets, then mixing it with just enough water to cook the ravioli in. And if you don’t want to go the beet juice route at all, just keep a careful eye on them while boiling, and remove them as soon as they begin to float.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add ravioli and boil until they just begin to float. Now normally, I’d suggest pan-frying these in a little bit of butter after they’ve finished cooking, but that may also detract a little bit from the color. If you keep a close watch and only fry them for less than a minute on each side, they should be fine. If you don’t want to risk it, then just serve them as is (and maybe garnish with some parmesan or poppy seeds).

Oh so sweet and oh so festive! Nothing quite like adding a little romance to your ravioli . . . and you DO know that beets are considered a natural aphrodisiac, right? Have fun;)

Eggs in a Basket...Valentine's Style!!!

2012-02-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist popping in for a bit to bring you this yummy breakfast idea from Petite Kitchenesse...perfect to surprise the family with from now until Tuesday morning! 'Eggs in a Basket' are my husband's specialty! He has gotten the art of the egg-cooking down to a perfectly timed and delicious masterpiece, so you have to understand why I couldn't resist grabbing a heart-shaped cookie cutter and sharing . . .

1.) Assemble your sandwich, then butter one side of the bread. Separate the egg white and yolk into two bowls. Place the sandwich, buttered-side-down, in a pan over medium heat and grill until golden brown, then remove.

2.) Butter the uncooked side of the sandwich. Using a cookie cutter or a sharp knife, cut out the center. Lower the heat slightly, then return both pieces of the sandwich to the pan, uncooked-side-down. Add just enough egg white to fill the bottom of the empty sandwich center, then carefully slip the egg yolk into the center.

3.) Cover the pan (this will help the egg cook quicker) and let everything cook for a couple minutes, checking regularly after one minute to make sure nothing is burning. Once the egg appears to be cooked, immediately remove the sandwich and serve!

Add a little love to your morning meal and see how happy the rest of your day is!! And you can bet I will be heading back with a few more ideas before the weekend is over:)

Double Bonus Tutorial: The Cutest Little Paint Chip Heart Garland & Bookmarks . . .

2012-02-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

As we head into this gorgeous weekend before Spring, I thought it would be fun to bring you two SUPER unique and super wallet-friendly projects that would fill up your Saturday & Sunday with all sorts of crafty goodness!! Both are equally simple & equally delightful...so you might as just well knock out two of these little beauties this weekend!! Check these out . . .

PAINT CHIP HEART GARLAND

Supplies You Will Need:
~ paint chips in assorted colors
~ needle & thread
~ heart-shaped craft punch

Directions:

1.) Using your craft punch, stamp a shape out of each of the swatches of paint color.

2.) Thread your needle and sew the heart shapes onto the string, bunting style!

3.) Hang somewhere lovely!!

Tutorial courtesy of Grace and Light

What a piece of cake, right? And it basically costs nothing, so even better!!!

And now for the simplest & most budget-friendly little DIY gift . . .

PAINT CHIP BOOKMARKS

Supplies You Will Need:
~ Paint chips
~ Heart shaped paper punch
~ Circular hole punch
~ Ribbon

Directions:
1.) The first step is to carefully place the heart shaped punch in the dead center of each color on the paint chip. With firm, even pressure, push down on the punch to create a heart cutout.

2.) Here's what your paint chips will look like once the heart cutouts are completed.

3.) After your heart punches are finished, using the circular hole punch, create a centered hole at the top of the paint chip for your ribbon tassel.

4.) Next up, cut pieces of ribbon twice as long as the desired length of your tassel. Fold the ribbon in half, and place the ends of the ribbon through the circular hole.

5.) Insert the two ends of the ribbon through the loop.

6.) As a final step, gently pull up on the ends of the ribbon until the ribbon is taut and secure.

Tutorial Courtesy of Old Town Home

An endless supply of the most adorable handmade gifts all for around $6! Amazing!!! Now I know I am supposed to tell you to have a good weekend...but I may be popping back a bit in case I simply cannot help myself from sharing a bit more inspiration before the weekend is over:) Have a great one!!

Pizza-on-a-Stick!!!!

2012-02-09T14:05:00.000-08:00

We have already established that everything is better on a stick; from bits of cake, to hot chocolate, to pretty mini-pies. But if pizza is the best food in the world (a claim my husband continuously makes) and everything is better on a stick, then it certainly doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that Pizza-on-a-Stick may very well just be the all-time, best food ever!

This yummy tutorial from Artisan Bread in Five is both loads of fun and sure to delight husbands, wives, and kids everywhere! Just see for yourself . . .

PIZZA-ON-A-STICK

Ingredients:
(Makes about 24)

~ 1 pound (grapefruit size) piece of dough (You can find a simple one HERE, a whole wheat one HERE, or Trader Joe's has pre-made, whole wheat pizza dough all set for rolling too, if you are crunched for time:)
~ 1/2 cup pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes
~ 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
~ pepperoni or other favorite toppings

Directions:

1.) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and set up 2 or 3 baking sheet pans with parchment paper; set aside.

2.) Roll the dough out to a 1/4-inch thick rectangle, using enough flour so the dough doesn’t stick.

3.) Layer on the sauce, cheese and pepperoni. Leave some of the cheese exposed (don't cover with toppings, that is:) so that it can melt and act as a glue, to hold the pizza rolls together.

4.) Roll the dough into a log, starting at the long end.

5.) Using kitchen shears, cut the dough into 1/2-inch thick buns. (I only baked 16 and then wrapped the rest of the log, refrigerated it and will bake it later this week. You can also cut and freeze the individual pizza rounds to thaw and bake within the next 2 weeks.)

6.) Place them on the prepared sheet, leaving plenty of space for them to expand when they bake. Allow them to rest on the counter for about 15-20 minutes.

7.) Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese has melted and caramelized a bit.

8.) Put them on a stick or let them cool and pack them in a lunch box!

Now that is what I call a pizza party! I am thinking you could come up with some very tasty dipping sauces to go with these too...garlic butter, pesto, extra marinara, or ranch!

(photo courtesy of http://bakedbree.com)

And the best part is you can gobble up as many of these goodies as you would like . . . as calories don't count when you are having just a bite, right? Oh well, we have a few more months until bathing suit season anyway, so go on ahead and enjoy them!

Wedding Wednesday: LOVE is in the Air . . .

2012-02-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

If you are a true romantic at heart, like myself, maybe a Valentine's Day wedding is just the thing for you. Or if you aren't willing to compete with the most lovely day of the year, perhaps you can just steal a few of these gorgeous ideas to crank up the passion on your special day . . .

Macarons are still ALL the rage . . .

And don't you just love that custom champagne bottle label? Know who can make those happen? Well, Juneberry Lane, of course! Just send us a message in our Etsy shop and we will get started creating your personalized & lovely labels . . .

And don't forget, we can do candy bar labels too!

Images courtesy of Pizzazzerie

Fabulous Vendors:

Styling, Design & Florals: LMG Events
Photography: Chudleigh Weddings
Bride’s Dress: Lynn Lugo at Lily & Iris
Hair & Makeup: Studio Enizio
Venue: Lily & Iris Boutique
Pastries: La Bonne Vie Patisserie within Grand America Hotel
Cake: Pink Peach Cakes
Stationery: Pink Piggy Design (LBB MEMBER)
Printables: Anders Ruff
Calligraphy on Printables: Calligraphy By Jennifer
Linen, China and Chair Rental: Diamond Rental
Crystal Table Decor & Vases: Z Gallerie
Bridal Accessories within Dessert Buffet: Lily & Iris

And because I am feeling extra inspired today and my husband brought me a delicious cup of my favorite coffee this morning, here is a second round of Valentine inspiration (via Green Wedding Shoes) to feast your lovely eyes on . . .

This gorgeous backdrop and vintage car with hanging tissue poms just makes me swoon!

A glitter paper 'Bride' banner . . . I love it!!

Ahhh, what a ruffle cake!

Amazing Vendors:
photography + stylist: Jessica May Photo // assistant: Justine Shelton // bride’s clothing: dress & tights from Urban Outfitters, shoes from Target, jewelry was thrifted // groom’s clothing: pants from Banana Republic, shirt from Express, bow tie + suspenders from Urban Outfitters, heart brooches from Rebecca Ridad // hair + makeup: Amanda Leigh Joseph // florist: Paula Pritchard from Paisley Petals // cake: Diannes Delights // cake topper: Cherry Time // invitation stamp: The Folk Heart // cards: Helen Foers

Pretty, pretty, pretty...and the perfect little inspiration to get you all set in planning that romantic Valentine's Day dinner you were thinking of too!

Pretty Valentine's...One for the Girly Girls!

2012-02-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

Now even though I am desperately in love with the Superhero Valentine cards from yesterday, I thought it only fair that I lead you to a free printable for the girls, just in case the little lady in your life isn't too into Superman.

I just love these sweet treats from Skip to My Lou, and I especially love the FREE download that comes with them!! Flowers, Butterflies, and everything that makes a little girl's heart sing! Take a peek . . .

VALENTINE BUTTERFLIES

Directions:

1.) Download Butterfly Valentine HERE

2.) Print on colored cardstock

3.) Cut out the butterflies, , make slits in the center for the sucker, and add decorations if you prefer (cut out shapes of paper, stickers, glitter, etc.)

4.) Insert sucker and then add some wiggly eyes to the top of the sucker and add a piece of tape to the back to keep the sucker securely in place.

FLOWER VALENTINE'S

Directions:

~ Simply download the file HERE, cut & assemble!
~ If you want to add a leaf to write your munchkin's name on...you can download it right HERE

Sweet, simple, unique, and FREE! All you need is a bag of lollipops, tape, and some colored cardstock and you will be ready to go!!! You have a week...ready, set, GO!!

Sending the Love Superhero Style . . .

2012-02-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

That's it, this is the week! The Valentine's Day parties are fast approaching and in case you wanted your sweet little one to hand out something SUPER special this year, I thought I would bring this amazing & creative Valentine Card idea along with some amazing & FREE printables from Little Bit Funky your way! Just check these out . . .

SUPERHERO VALENTINE POPS

Supplies You Will Need:

~ Superhero Printables FREE from Less Ordinary Designs; Download it HERE
~ stiff felt (from Michaels)
~ hole punch
~ 2 in circle punch (or you can use scissors)
~ coordinating ribbon
~ lollipops (tootsie pops have nice superhero colors)
~ glue (hot or craft will work)
~ cape template (just use cardboard and trace & cut out the shape of a cape:))

Directions:

1.) Start by punching out your superhero circles. Emblems are for the capes and the messages are for the lolly sticks.

2.) Use your cardboard template to cut out your pattern onto the felt.

3.) Punch out the Superhero emblems with your 2 inch craft circle punch and glue them onto the felt capes.

4.) With your hole punch, punch a hole in the top center of each cape.

5.) Slide the lollypop through the hole and tie a coordinating ribbon on below. It helps to twist the pop in like a screw almost.

6.) Punch a hole in the top and bottom of each message printable circle and slide onto the stick.

7.) And that's it...you are all set!!!

Aren't they just amazing? Don't forget to get your free Superhero printable HERE! You really can't get more super of a Valentine's card than that!!

Bonus Tutorial: DIY Homemade Coffee Syrups . ..

2012-02-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

I just love the ladies over at A Beautiful Mess; stylish and chic and full of clever ideas for dressing up your vintage fashion and turning the everyday into something extraordinary!

And if you've got a coffee nut for a friend or family member, they are going to be simply delighted with this delicious homemade coffee syrup that you can whip up in your very own kitchen in a matter of minutes! See for yourself . . .

For the Vanilla Syrup you need: 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (the clear kind is much preferred here). In a small pot heat your water and sugar over low/medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Now stir in your vanilla extract and pour into your dispenser.

For the Raspberry Syrup you need: 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup fresh raspberries. In a small pot heat your water and sugar over low/medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Mash up the raspberries a little and then stir them in with the syrup, allow this to mingle for 3-5 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer to filter out any large raspberry pieces and seeds. Then pour into your dispenser.

For the Caramel Syrup you need: 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup caramel syrup. In a small pot heat your water and sugar over low/medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Now stir in your caramel until well combined and pour into your dispenser.

Now all you need are labels! Just send Juneberry Lane a message and we will whip up something fabulous to suit whatever kind of favor or gift you are putting together!! Have a lovely weekend!!

Heavenly & Handwritten: Hostess~Inspired Valentine's Day Cupcakes . . .

2012-02-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Looks like you are getting two times the cupcakes this week, because I just love these retro-inspired Valentine's Day treats, from Martha Stewart! These little lovelies just bring back the memories, don't they? Such a throwback to the carefree days of youth when your biggest worry was if you would get enough Valentine's in your little box at school that day:) Here's how you make them . . .

'HOSTESS'~INSPIRED VALENTINE'S DAY CUPCAKES

Ingredients (cupcakes):
~ 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
~ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
~ 1 1/2 cups sugar
~ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
~ 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
~ 3/4 teaspoon salt
~ 2 large eggs
~ 3/4 cup warm water
~ 3/4 cup buttermilk
~ 3 tablespoons safflower oil
~ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.

2.)Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

~ 2/3 cup heavy cream
~ 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
~ 1 tablespoon corn syrup

Directions

~ Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place chocolate and corn syrup in a small bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate mixture, and stir until smooth. Use immediately.

Decorating Directions:

~ Dip tops of each cupcake in chocolate glaze, letting excess drip off. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Fit a pastry bag with the smallest plain round tip. Fill bag with melted white chocolate, and use to write on cupcakes. Decorated cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 2 days.

These sweet treats rival just about any store-bought snack, don't you think? Stay tuned tomorrow for a fun little DIY project that is sure to keep you nice and toasty for the SIX more weeks of winter you have ahead . . . darn Groundhogs!!

Superbowl Showdown: Blue Velvet Cupcakes (that's right, BLUE!) and FREE Printables!!!!

2012-02-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

We are only days out from the biggest day of the year in the NFL, and even if you aren't a huge football fan like myself (the Dolphins have my heart:), you simply can't say you aren't a fan of the parties!! Delicious food, yummy munchies, and drinks all around!

And now you can add divine desserts to that list because we have the most scrumptious cupcake recipe to stop the show at your big shindig this weekend!! In honor of the two red, white, & blue teams who made the cut this year, why not whip up some blue velvet cupcakes?! After all, red velvet is SO last year:) And don't forget to scroll to the bottom pf the page for your free Giants/Patriots free printables! Check this out . . .

BLUE VELVET CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

FOR CAKE:
~ 2 cups Sugar
~ 2 sticks Butter, Room Temperature
~ 2 whole Eggs
~ 1-½ Tablespoon Liquid Blue Food Coloring
~ 1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
~ 1 drop Violet Gel Food Coloring (optional)
~ 2-½ cups Cake Flour
~ 1 teaspoon Salt
~ 1 cup Buttermilk
~ 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
~ ½ teaspoons Baking Soda
~ 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar

FOR FROSTING:
~ 1 pound Cream Cheese, softened
~ 2 sticks Butter, Softened
~ 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
~ 4 cups Sifted Confectioners Sugar

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake pan(s) with paper liners.

2.) In a mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter, mix until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix well after each addition. Mix cocoa and food coloring together to form a paste, and then add to sugar mixture; mix well. Sift together flour and salt.

3.) Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend in vanilla. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and vinegar and add to mixture.

4.) Pour batter into cupcake papers. Batter will be thick! Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1.) In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

2.) Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip. Embellish as desired.
Cupcakes will be moist, and slightly dense. Exactly what you would expect from a Red Velvet Cake- gone BLUE!

Note: You can also use 1 tablespoon of Wilton royal blue food coloring gel in place of the liquid.
Recipe courtesy of Tasty Kitchen.

And don't forget to follow this link for a fun & FREE set of Superbowl team cupcake circles too!

Superbowl Circles

Just print as many of these as you need and use a 2" craft punch to cut them out, like the Uchida Clever Lever 2" MEGA Craft Punch from Michael's Craft Store:) Or if you prefer, you can also cut them out at the squares or with scissors!

There now, who said that sports parties can't be fabulous!!!!

Tutorial Tuesday: Cheap & Chic Glass Bud Vases . . .

2012-01-31T14:08:00.000-08:00

I have spent plenty of time searching for a pretty little assortment of vintage turquoise vases for the living room mantel and never can seem to find the amount that I want or the right color of blue. So imagine my delight when I came across this super simple project from Teresa Blackburn over at Relish; just the look I was going for at a fraction of the price & the perfect way to re-use those glass bottles I have leftover in the kitchen . . .

Supplies you will need:

~ Various clean, empty bottles- any variety of bottles recycled from your kitchen will work, including dressing, olive oil, and vinegar bottles. You can also do this project with a collection of canning or plastic jars.
~ 1 can robin’s egg Blue spray paint—I used Design Master’s paint which can be found at most large art and craft stores. Be sure to choose paint with a “flat” finish to create a pretty glow when light hits the finished vases.

Directions:
1. Place clean, dry bottles on spray surface.
2. Spray and layer color until bottles are evenly coated.
3. Let dry for at least an hour before using bottles as vases.

To use as Vases:

Fill each bottle carefully with water and place a blossom in each one. Line bottles up in a window, down a dining table, or on a shelf above the sink.
To care for vases after painting, wipe carefully with a damp cloth. Do not put in dishwasher or in hot soapy water.

And a bit more inspiration . . .

An assortment of these beauties would be a lovely & very budget-friendly centerpiece for the tables at your wedding or shower too...just picture the glass painted in white or whatever neutral tone you are leaning towards for your big event and the beautiful blooms bursting with color in your brightest hue!

Now hit up that kitchen for your best glass bottles and whip up something delicious to use up that olive oil or salad dressing!!

Juneberry Baby: The Sweetest Shower Idea . . .

2012-01-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

Throwing a baby shower for your BFF and looking for a creative & fun little project to get your companions crafting? I just love this 'Make-a-Mobile' idea from On To Baby and brought to you via the great Wiley Valentine!

What an amazing way to get your guests mingling while sparking their creativity at the same time; and best yet, what a wonderful keepsake for the baby-on-the-way to enjoy when he/she makes their sweet little appearance!! Take a look . . .

Mobile Station designed by The Collection Event Studio

So darling, right? And when baby outgrows the mobile, just hang the handmade lovelies from your Christmas tree to be enjoyed by the family for years to come!!

'Cupid's Love Dust' and THREE FREE Printables!!!

2012-01-27T13:40:00.000-08:00

I think this little jar of fairy dust is just the sweetest thing. I can already see the delight in the eye's of your little ones as they come downstairs in the morning and find this on the fireplace mantel.

And think of all of the fun you can have deciding what to sprinkle this on to open up a world of magic to that special little guy or girl in your life. I am thinking a little jar of 'Cupid's Love Dust' would be the most darling project. Something along the lines of these little stunners from These Tiny Treasures on Etsy:

Perhaps your little lovebug could sprinkle some 'Love Dust' on Daddy's pillow and he just so happens to bring home a little treat when he gets home from work the next day? Or place a little 'Pixie Dust' on a patch of dirt in the garden and surprise the kiddos with a freshly planted flower the following morning.

Even the tooth fairy might be persuaded to leave a little extra cash if there was a bit of 'Fairy Dust' sprinkled in the pouch along with the usual pearly white. And, of course, these would make fantastic favors for a 'Fairy' birthday party, a 'Neverland' baby shower, or even a 'Woodland Wonderland' fete! Ah, the options are endless. How much fun is that?

A little inspiration . . .

And now, for a few FREE printables to get you started . . .

And here are your downloads for a multiple page of whatever kind of 'dust' you have in mind . . .

Cupid's Love Dust Multiple Tags

Fairy Dust Multiple Tags

Pixie Dust Multiple Tags

Have an absolutely magical weekend:)

A Vanlentine Dream: Perfectly Pink Hot Cocoa . . .

2012-01-26T15:28:00.000-08:00

In some parts of the world it is still downright cold outside and in every part of my world Valentine's Day will be here in a couple of short weeks. And guess what goes perfectly with the most romantic day of the year? That's right....pink!!!

I just can't think of a happier way to spend your weekend than making Valentine cards with your little sweetie and sipping on some of this divine deliciousness . . .

PRETTY IN PINK HOT COCOA

Ingredients:

~ 1 cup white chocolate chips

~ 1 cup heavy cream

~ 4 c. half and half

~ vanilla (to taste)

~ red food coloring

Directions:

~ In a large saucepan, melt the white chocolate chips with the heavy cream, stirring until completely smooth. Add the half and half, vanilla, then the food coloring to get your desired color (I used 7-8 drops). Heat through. Serve in mugs, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows!

Recipe Courtesy of Brown Paper Packages

(pictures courtesy of Life is a Party)

And whatever you do, don't forget the homemade marshmallows! You can find our recipe on how to make a few of your very own here: Juneberry Lane Homemade Marshmallows

Now all you will need is a heart-shaped cookie-cutter and your cup will be overflowing with love. Or go ahead and add a few of the store bought kind if you are a bit pressed for time . . . they are awfully cute too:

And head on back over to Juneberry Lane tomorrow for a magical little craft that will delight the little one's in your life:) See you then!!

Wedding Wednesday: A Brilliant Bridal Shower for the 'Girl Scout' in All of Us . . .

2012-01-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

A few days ago my sweet little neighbor knocked on our door and asked if my son Sully would like some girl scout cookies! Now this is one unexpected visitor that I am thrilled to receive and perhaps the only door-to-door sale out there that I welcome with total glee!

And it just so happens that I came across the most adorable 'Girl Scout' Bridal Shower from Beau and Arrow Events via Green Wedding Shoes, to celebrate the marvelous occasion . . .

Love this stunning invitation suite by the girls over at Posh Paperie . . .

And the green & gold palette is perfect, don't you think?

What could be better than a gorgeous & green sash for the bride?

A Girl Scout is always ready for any emergency . . . and these little 'wedding day' kits make the ideal favor!

I am seriously swooning for that gold tablecloth from Wildflower Linens. Seriously.

Fabulous Vendors:

event design + coordination: Beau & Arrow Events // photography: Katie Neal Photo // venue: Olivenhain Meeting House // florals: Blush Botanicals // paper goods: Posh Paperie // cake + cupcakes: Hey! There Cupcake // hair & make up: 10.11 Make up // rentals: Moss Vintage Rentals // cookies: VG Donuts & Bakery // lollipops: Custom Candy Creations // chiavari chairs: Allie’s Party Rentals // linens: Wildflower Linens

So much fun and so unique too! I love when an unexpected theme turns up being glamorous and delightful, don't you? And wouldn't those Samoa Cupcakes we featured awhile back just be the perfect little dessert to serve? Yum!!! Now how to pass the time until my cookies arrive, hmmmmm . . .

Tutorial Tuesday: Photo Envelope Liners

2012-01-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

You know me, I just love the little details; especially when it comes to invitations and paper party supplies. And as your invitation is the first thing your guests will receive before your party, you want to make sure this initial impression is not only a lasting one, but also one that sets the tone of your entire event.

This charming photo envelope liner tutorial by Paige from Paiges of Style and brought to you by Cake is just the thing to kick things off in the right direction and have your guests looking forward to the fun ahead for weeks to come . . .

PHOTO ENVELOPE LINERS

Supplies You Will Need:

~ Pencil
~ Double Sided Tape
~ Scissors
~ Ruler
~ Envelopes (I always use the A7 envelopes from Paper Source)
~ Cardstock
~ Photo cropped and resized to be 6.5 inches wide x 6 inches tall and printed on white cardstock (can be cropped with free photo editing software such as Picasa. I use Photoshop.)

Directions:

1. First, we need to create our envelope liner template. Place envelope on sheet of white cardstock.
2. Using a pencil, trace outline of envelope onto cardstock...

3. Now we need to trim down our template so that it can slide into the opening of the envelope, I measured in 3/8 of an inch from each side using a ruler and then cut out the liner.
4. Make sure that the template fits inside the envelope properly before we move onto the photo...

5. Making sure to line up the edges, trace the template onto your printed photo...

6. Cut out the photo liner.

7. Place the photo into your envelope and line up the top point just below the glue line of the envelope.

8. Hold the liner in place and fold the flap down to create a crease in the liner.

9. Apply two pieces of double sided tape to the back of the photo and press onto flap to secure the liner in place...

That's it! Once you get the template made, the process is pretty fast. Plus, your friends and family will love it so much, I promise the effort will be worth it.

See how simple that is? And if you find just the right picture that perfectly complements your invitation or card style, your big event will be a hit from right out of the gate!! These would be perfect for thank you cards too, if you wanted to include a sweet picture of a special memory from your day! Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!!

A Clever Little Valentine Surprise for your Sweetie!

2012-01-20T14:44:00.000-08:00

I just love the unexpected, and repurposing little knick-knacks from around the house truly makes my heart sing with joy; so that's precisely why running across these DIY, positively perfect pillboxes from the Dating Divas just made my day, of course, and I hope they make yours too!

Whip up this darling project for your dashing significant other and you are sure to make them smile from ear to ear ! And laughter is, after all, the very best kind of medicine . . .

SEVEN DAYS OF LOVE PILLBOX

Supplies you will Need:
~ Standard day-of-the-week pill box
~ Candies (think M & M's, lemon heads, skittles, or gum)
~ 'Seven Days of Love' free printables, available here: Seven Days of Love Free Printables

Directions:
1.) Print out the 'Seven Days of Love' free printables on your computer and cut them out.
2.) Fill your pill box with different candy for every day of the week.
3.) Fold up your little note cut-outs and place them in the day of the week compartments.
4.) Set on your sweetie's night stand & enjoy watching them open it each morning or evening for a special treat!!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!!

Wedding Wednesday: Beautiful Bunting Cards & Invitations . . .

2012-01-18T17:03:00.000-08:00

Now if you haven't happened to notice from all of the parties, weddings, and holiday decorations we have featured here over the last year, Juneberry Lane LOVES bunting! Any type of banner or garland just brightens the whole room and makes everyone smile.

And these glorious bunting invitations & cards have precisely the same effect. Send them out to your party guests, friends, or valentines and you are sure to get a little gasp of delight as they open up the envelope and find the tie-able treasure inside! Check this out . . .

I am just so smitten with that glassine white cookie envelope, aren't you? And how about these fabric stunners . . .

Or you could put just the date inside?

Remember those adorable 'Will You be my Bridesmaid?' paper doll cards that we featured a few months back? Take a look at these little lovelies . . .

Aren't those just the most creative things? Think of all of the fun your guests will have opening up that little envelope and untying the string to find all of the details of your special day or a very important question inside?

And don't forget to contact Juneberry Lane for any and all custom invitations, save-the-dates, or cards that you may be looking for! We love personalized, creative orders, after all!! Enjoy the rest of your week!

'Ready to Pop' Popcorn Favor . . . Yummy!!!

2012-01-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

Looking for a budget friendly favor that is super delicious and super simple too? Well, look no further, because the amazing Jen of Scissors and Spatulas put together this divine recipe for the perfect popcorn favor. Take a peek at these easy picture instructions and then scroll below to read how you can make a batch of your very own . . .

Supplies You Will Need:

~ 3 bags microwave popcorn, popped
~ 2 - 12 oz. packages premier white chocolate morsels
~ 2 - 12.6 oz. bags chocolate coated candies (such as M&Ms)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Mix half of popcorn {1- 1/2 bags} and 1 bag of candy in a large bowl. Melt 1 bag white chocolate morsels in microwave at 75% power for 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. CAREFUL NOT TO BURN!!! Pour a small amount of chocolate over popcorn and stir to coat. Continue adding chocolate, a little at a time, until popcorn mix is fully coated. You will use about 2/3 of the white chocolate.

2. Spread popcorn mixture on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Using a spoon, drizzle remaining white chocolate over popcorn. Allow to cool for 1 hour before breaking popcorn mix into large chunks.

3. Repeat with remaining popcorn, candy and white chocolate.

Now this sweet treat is just right for a baby shower favor of course, but wouldn't it be cute for an engagement party too? Think 'Jeff popped the question!' on the favor label and now you are getting my drift!

But who needs a baby or a wedding to enjoy something so tasty? It is Valentine's Day soon, after all and a darling little Cupid with his arrow in just the right place would work quite nicely with a 'Pop goes my heart' theme, don't you think?

EXTRA, EXTRA! A Nifty 'Newsprint' Baby Shower!

2012-01-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

We have been so obsessed with weddings over here at Juneberry Lane, that I realized it has been awhile since we've featured any baby showers and I thought this marvelous Monday in January would be just the day to do it!

Brought to us by Layla Grace via Amy Atlas, this vintage-inspired 'Newsprint-themed Baby Shower' is downright darling, not overly frilly, and completely gender neutral too! Take a look . . .

Heirloom Bakery catered sweet treats including cupcakes like Hostess-styled cupcakes and carrot cake cupcakes. The cake was a lemon cake filled with lemon curd and cream cheese frosting . . .

Vintage newsprint wrapped Hydrangea were displayed throughout the party in Gabby numbered crates and as centerpieces on the table . . .

And guests were even greeted with an inspired message in the form of headlines {sitting in a vintage typewriter!} inviting them to take candy treats wrapped in newsprint wax paper . . .

Photography by Tara Rochelle

I love the neutral palette and all of the vintage-inspired details too! Even the little crossword game fits perfectly into the theme!! I hope your week has gotten off to a great start!!

An Oh-So-Cute Cupid's Arrow Cupcake . . .

2012-01-13T14:07:00.000-08:00

I am starting to get really revved up for Valentine's day and am really excited to bring you all sorts of little DIY projects that are simple and sure to be a hit for anyone that you love in your life. Nothing says 'I'm Yours!' like sweets for your sweeties and I have just the right treat, brought to us by the Creature Comforts Blog and sure to bring a smile to all of your favorite faces.

These adorable 'Cupid's Arrow Cupcakes' just make me smile; simple & fun . . . and easy to make too! Just download the FREE template for the toppers and wraps (along with printable instructions) here: Cupcake Toppers & Wraps and then you can get started:

CUPID'S ARROW CUPCAKES:

Supplies You Will Need:
~ Color Printer
~ Card stock & standard copy paper
~ Scissors
~ Double-sided tape
~ Lollipop sticks
~ Cupcakes (regular size)
~ Pen

Cupcake Wrap Directions:
1.) Print up the free PDF download onto the card stock on your color printer. Print as many as you need!

2.) Cut out each wrap or use one wrap as a template for use with your own patterned card stock as well as the small hearts (blank if you choose to write on them, or the printed ones if you prefer!)

3.) Gently arch each wrap around the cupcakes and secure with a dab of glue or double-sided tape where it is noted on the printable.

4.) Insert your cupcakes into the wraps (they should have the liners from the store or from the oven still attached!)

5.) Secure hearts to the front of your cupcake wraps using double-sided tape or a dollop of glue.

6.) Finish with a Cupid's Arrow cupcake topper! (see below)

Arrow Topper Directions:

1.) Cut out the arrow template from the free printable PDF file. Place the arrow top template on standard white printer paper and cut out two per cupcake topper.

2.) Adhere a piece of double-sided tape or glue (cover as much of the paper as you can) to each inside of the arrow topper and place your candy stick onto the center of one side.

3.) Place the second piece of arrow topper paper on top and use your fingers to pinch both sides together-adhering them to the stick.

4.) Write a name onto the arrow cupcake topper, if you prefer. Using a pair of scissors, snip cuts at an angle all the way up both sides until it resembles a feather. Poke the candy sticks into your cupcakes and you are all set!!

And if you really feel like going the extra mile, you can make these gorgeous treat bags to put your cupcakes in too . . .

TREAT BAG TOPPERS

Supplies You Will Need:

~ Baker's twine or yarn

~ Treat Bags

~ Card Stock & regular printer paper

~ double-sided tape

~ hole punch

~ arrow lollipop sticks (see above)

~ treats for inside!

Directions:

1.) After creating the feathered portion of each topper, attach chosen hearts (found on the free printable) to the bottom of the lollipop stick using double-sided tape (you will use two, one on either side of the stick).

2.) Choose from either blank or pre-written text versions (the blank ones work perfectly for writing guest's names).

3.) Fold the top of your treat bag down and punch holes as shown above using a hole punch. I used a 1/8" punch for a smaller hole.

4.) Thread twine or yarn through the holes (if you want a bow in the back, thread through as shown - if you prefer it in the front, thread from the opposite side). Next, insert twine ends (one at a time) through the opposite holes than you initially threaded them through.

5.) Place one Cupid's Arrow inside the loose loop. Pull twine taught and tie a bow to secure.

Aren't those just the cutest little things ever? Now if only you could decide which cupcake flavor you were in the mood for! Decisions, decisions . . .

Hand-Lettered & Lovely . . .

2012-01-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

Since we are all about keeping on-trend this week, I wanted to bring you another favorite detail of mine, when it comes to weddings, showers, or basically an event of any kind. I am so smitten with hand-drawn lettering on paper decor and invitations.

Now in a perfect world, I would say hand-drawn letterpress is definitely the way to go, but since that isn't very friendly on the budget, a regular printer will do just fine! Here are a few to get your wheels a-turnin' . . .

And who says you need to attach stodgy old address labels to the front of your invitations? Doing it by hand can be just as fab . . .

These would be just perfect for a rehearsal dinner, thank you cards, or an engagement party too . . . and really shows off your playful side and let's your guests know you plan on having fun!

If you love the look of hand-drawn lettering but don't have a calligrapher in the budget for your next party or event, you can still put together something fabulous that will completely exude the whimsical feel that you are after! And if you need a little help, just send me a message and I will be happy to put something together for you:)

Wedding Wednesday: Beauty & the Beach . . .

2012-01-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is January and yes, it is more than likely a bit chilly outside for most of you; and I am not bragging because we are in Southern California, in fact, I hardly mention it, if you notice:)

But go ahead and make yourself a steaming mug of coffee or tea, pull on those cozy socks you got for Christmas, and snuggle under that blanket as I help warm you up with a little beachside bliss by the ever-so-amazing Jill from La Fleur Weddings.

These perfect photographs by Simply Bloom Photography take you right on into Oahu and make for one of the most stunning Beach Inspiration Shoots I have ever seen! Just check this out . . .

I just love that dreamy white calligraphy . . . and ow about that pale blue dress, huh? Unexpected and absolutely breath-taking!

Fabulous Vendors:
Planning + Styling: La Fleur Weddings / Photography: Simply Bloom Photography / Florist: Yvonne Design / Dress: Romona Keveza / Hairpiece: Mignonne Handmade / Hair and Makeup: Jacque Rojas / Invitation Suite + Calligraphy: Chelsea Petaja

Photography By / Simply Bloom Photography
Flowers By / Yvonne Design

Photography By / Simply Bloom Photography
Planning + Styling By / La Fleur Weddings & Events

Photography By / Simply Bloom Photography
Flowers By / Yvonne Design

Photography By / Simply Bloom Photography
Planning + Styling By / La Fleur Weddings & Events

Photography By / Simply Bloom Photography
Flowers By / Yvonne Design

Photography By / Simply Bloom Photography
Planning + Styling By / La Fleur Weddings & Events

Tutorial Tuesday: A Vintage Dream; Bouquet of Brooches . . .

2012-01-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

One trend that is not going anywhere for the 2012 season is vintage. Incorporating a little old world charm is the perfect way to add glamour and elegance to your event . . . and even honor loved ones by making use of your family heirlooms!

I just adore these fabulous bouquets. Not only do they make a major statement, but they can be made months in advance and they will last forever too . . . and think of all of the fun you can have out treasure hunting for these gorgeous goodies! First a little inspiration, and then an amazing & easy-to-follow tutorial on how to create one of these beautiful bouquets on your very own . . .

image via Alice Hu Photography

via Color Me Katie

courtesy of Hair Bows Wonderworld

'Peacock Pride' courtesy of Hair Bows Wonderworld

via Hair Bows Wonderworld

courtesy of Connie Cupcake

courtesy of Blue Petyl Bouquets

And here is the amazing tutorial via House of Whimsy . . .

BOUQUET OF VINTAGE BROOCHES

Supplies You Will Need:

~ Floral Wire—20lb—about $3 for 80ct. at Hobby Lobby (you will need as many wires as you have brooches)
~ 6” Styrofoam Ball—$6 at Hobby Lobby
~ Plastic Bouquet Base or 1” Dowel Rod—$.69 at Hobby Lobby
~ 1” Satin Ribbon in whatever color ribbon you wish (or whatever kind of material and leaves-like the picture-that you have in mind!)
~ Hot Glue Gun and Glue
~ Small Needle Nose Pliers
~ a collection of vintage brooches ((around 80 to cover a 6” diameter sphere-you can get them at local antique shops or you can buy bundles from Ebay. Or if you would like it to be sentimental, just start collecting some pieces from family members!)

Directions:

1.) Clean the brooches! Chances are, your beautiful baubles have several years worth of dust and dirt on them. Fill a big bowl with warm soapy water, brush them with a soft bristle toothbrush, and then rinse them in a colander.

2.) Use the pliers to wire the back of each brooch with floral wire so that it looks like a flower with a stem.

3.) Cut down the wire from each brooch to about 3”.

4.) Cut two thirds off the top of the styrofoam ball and make a hole in the bottom, middle of the it, just a tiny bit smaller than the dowel ride or plastic bouquet base. Attach it to your rod/base, gluing the first inch and a half on the tip of the rod and pushing the styrofoam ball onto the end of it. Make sure it’s good and sturdy because this bouquet weighs a ton.

5.) Organize your brooches into three categories: the sentimental brooches from family and friends, favorite brooches you have purchased, and your not so favorite “filler” brooches. Beginning with the not so favorites, push the wires into the Styrofoam until the brooch is firmly up against it. Continue to do this and evenly spread the not-so-favorites around. These act as “filler” so that you won’t see the Styrofoam once you get all your favorites in.

6.) Repeat the above step until all of your favorites are in, keeping in mind the special brooches and their placement (i.e.: really special ones at the top so you can always see them and ones from family placed on the sides so they will photograph well).

Helpful Hint: As you are placing brooches, turn the bouquet upside down and shake it gently, if any brooches come loose, grab the hot glue gun and glue the wire in.

7.) Once all the brooches are in place, grab your ribbon. Cut it into 5” strands and begin to make loops at the base of the Styrofoam. To do this, glue about ½” of ribbon to the top of the dowel where it meets the Styrofoam, then double it over and glue the other end of the ribbon at the same point—continue this all the way around the base of the Styrofoam. Or you can use the plastic base of a bouquet form and glue pretty leaves or material around it, as in the pictures below . . .

8.) If you are using the plastic bouquet form, slide the piece with the leaves & material onto the rod and with your remaining ribbon, again glue ½” of ribbon to the dowel or plastic rod, this time starting at the bottom, and begin to spirally wrap the ribbon up the dowel, sporadically placing drops of glue on the dowel to hold the ribbon in place. Wrap the ribbon a few extra times at the top of the dowel or rod to insure the ribbon loops are fully covered.

9.) Find a vase tall enough to set you shiny bouquet in, step back and admire it. Then go do some push-ups because it probably weighs a ton!

And there you have it . . .

Aren't they lovely? These would make stunning fireplace mantel decorations for spring too . . . and collecting all of the fun & colorful jewelry is the best part!!

Love is in the Air . . . A Perfectly Pretty Paper Heart Garland . . .

2012-01-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Just when the post-Christmas gloom has set in and you think all you have to look forward to is the long stretch of winter and the dreary days ahead, you step into your favorite craft or home goods store and spot the vast array of red & pink hearts and cards and realize all is not lost. There is Valentine's Day!

With so much promise of romantic dinners with your sweetie, fluffy pink desserts, and whimisical little cards expressing love to your nearest and dearest, who can stay grumpy for long? Not you!

So let's kick off this season of love with the simplest and most budget friendly little paper heart garland! Sure to brighten up your holiday decoration-less home in an instant, this darling project from How About Orange is easy to make and done in a minute. Take a look . . .

PAPER HEART GARLAND

Supplies You Will Need:
~ card stock in shades of pinks & reds (or whatever Valentine colors that set your heart a-flutter:)
~ scissors
~ pencil or chopstick
~ double-stick tape
~ needle & thread (the picture below uses Sulky Clear Thread-available at fabric stores)

Directions:

1.) Cut colored paper into 3/4" strips. Fold them in half, or if you want some hearts that are twice as big, splice two strips of paper together at the bottom of each heart with double stick tape. Curl the loose ends around a chopstick or pen.

2.) String the heart garland together from the bottom up. I used Sulky clear thread, available at fabric stores. It's curly and hard to see so you have to fight with it a bit, but it turns out nearly invisible. Push your threaded needle up through the bottom fold of each heart, then use double stick tape to sandwich the thread between the two halves of the curled tops.

Hang & Enjoy!

Cute right? Nothing to it, right? You knew I wouldn't throw too much at you when you were still so exhausted from the holidays, didn't you? Okay, enough with the questions . . . it's great to be back and I can't wait for all of the fun we are going to have in 2012!! Happy Monday!

Juneberry Beauty: New Year, New You!!

2012-01-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, January...a girl could totally be filled with melancholy now that the holidays are over and the weather still hasn't warmed up yet. But why be sad when the new year holds so much hope?

And why not kick things off with a little beauty inspiration to give yourself a fresh start and brighten up that gorgeous face of yours? I came across this wonderful little article from Real Beauty a few months back about the perfect shade of lipstick.

The girls from Real Beauty promised that these shades of lip color were flattering on EVERYONE, no matter what your race, skin tone, age, or hair color. I decided to head out to the make-up shop to really test the theory and I have to say, they were completely right on. I even made my mom try out the berry shade and she said she started receiving compliments the very first night she wore it! So I absolutely had to share it with you!

Whether you are looking for the perfect pink or the most stunning shade of red, you won't be disappointed. So no more buying colors you hate once you are home or testing out the samples at the store! Check it out . . .

The Perfect Nude

Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Flawless

$22; available at sephora.com

And a few lovely ladies of all types to show it off . . .

Nina-32; Filipino-American; dark thick curly hair worn naturally; dark eyes; combination skin.

Read more: Best Nude Lipstick Shade - Nude Lipstick for Your Skin Tone - Real Beauty

Colleen-34; brown-black hair; green eyes; fair skin; extremely low-maintenance beauty routine.

Elizabeth-24; very thick, wavy brown hair (never color-treated) either worn natural or flat-ironed, combination skin that can get very dry in the winter, dark brown eyes, part Italian/Syrian/German.

Erin-40; medium-length, curly hair (sometimes flat-ironed when it's not raining); bright red hair not showing any gray (yet); blue eyes; highly pale white skin with freckles; mostly Irish with some French-Canadian thrown in. Uses a heavy moisturizer at night and a lighter one during the day. Seriously cranky without eight hours of sleep every night.

Judy-30; colored and highlighted hair that's naturally black; combination skin; dark brown eyes. Always moisturizes at night and wears sunscreen during the day.

Noelle-23; long curly chestnut brown hair; brown eyes; combination skin; part African-American, part Irish and German. Keeps skin clear by exfoliating and moisturizing daily.

Wendy-40-ish; naturally wavy highlighted hair with a mind of its own; blue/green eyes; dry skin with some visible laugh lines; dark circles not at all helped by a horrendous commute each day!

The Most Flattering Pink

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Voile de Rose

$29; available at lancome-usa.com

And the girls . . .

The Most Beautiful Berry (LOVE this!)

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

$14; available at clinique.com (This is the absolute best!)

The lovely ladies . . .

I have yet to find a person who doesn't look good in this color! Go try it!!!! You will be so happy you did!!

A Brown For Everyone

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Crazy For Coffee

$8.29; available at drugstore.com

Check them out . . .

A Show-Stopping Red

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Ruby Woo

$14; available at maccosmetics.com

The vixens . . .

Now you are all set with a list of what to spend your holiday make-up store gift certificates on!! And join us Monday as we kick-off the year off in Juneberry style . . . back to full time party inspiration, gorgeous DIY projects, and all sorts of fun fabulousness to start things off right!! Happy New Year!!

Nifty New Year's . . . 5 Easy DIY Projects for a Shiny, Happy Holiday

2011-12-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

Whether you're having a little holiday bash to ring in the New Year or an all out slamming shindig, these quick little decorating ideas are sure to add zing to your party and are easy as pie and just as sweet! Take a peek . . .

(image courtesy of http://www.elledecor.com)

You already have your ornaments out, so why not get a little more use out of them before you pack them away until next year? And just in case you want something in a different color scheme than your typical holiday decor, all of the stores just happen to be selling the most gorgeous & shiny bulbs (check out Target or Pier One!) for 50% off, so you are in luck! Here's what you do . . .

Easy Ornament Mobile

This pink and silver ornament display is festive enough for Christmas but in non-traditional colors, it won't go stale after the 25th and will look fabulous for New Year's Eve. Hang a cluster of simple colored and glass ornaments to a metal ornament frame (available in craft stores) for an eye-catching display. To create a cascading effect, secure ornaments to the mobile’s hooks with varying lengths of thread or fishing line.

(image & tutorial courtesy of http://www.marthastewart.com)

Countdown Champagne Flutes

For a fun twist on the New Year's Eve countdown, pass Champagne in glasses marked with numbers representing those anticipated last 10 seconds. Self-stick numbers can be found in office- and art-supply stores. On January 2, either peel off numbers (use a cotton ball and adhesive remover to wipe away residue) or save the flutes for next year.

And I just love this darling drink station too; so simple to put together (all you need are a few balloons!) but this really packs a punch and will certainly add a bit of festive fun to your fete . . .

(image & DIY via http://www.sportymeetsposh.com)

Balloon Backdrop

Just blow up pearlized balloons in varying sizes (some less than others) and tape it to the wall for the easiest backdrop ever!

(photo & tutorial courtesy of http://somewheresplendid.com/)

Sparkly Star Cocktail Swizzle Sticks

Supplies You Will Need:

~ 2″ sequinned star appliques

~ bamboo barbecue sticks (available at Target or your local grocery store)

~ craft felt, preferably matching your sequin color

~ hot glue and a glue gun

~ scissors

1.) Lay the sequinned star over the craft felt and cut the felt to the size and shape of the applique. Place the applique sequin side down, and position the bamboo skewer in the middle of the applique. The placement should be set so that the top of the skewer aligns with the horizontal edges of the top left and right star points, and the skewer stem aligns with and breaks through the center of the bottom two points. Hot glue the bamboo skewer in place in this position. Set aside with its matching felt cutout to cool and set, and continue creating more as needed.

2.) Draw and outline of hot glue around the edge of the felt cutout, then draw a small “X” of hot glue in the inside of the outline. Press the felt cutout over the applique and the bamboo skewer to create a covered backing for a finished look.

And in case you have friends who tend to overindulge in festive cheer, these little 'Hangover Kits' are the perfect way to send them off in the wee hours of the morning (in a cab, of course:)

(image & tutorial via http://www.thinkgarnish.com)

Hangover Kits

Your local drugstore or Target has a huge selection of travel-sized goodies that are just the right fit for your party survival kit. Throw in goodies like Advil, Tums, Emergen-C, tissues, hair ties, and a small bottle of bloody mary mix and your guests will be sure to thank you come morning. Tie the whole thing up with twine and add a sticker and you are all set!

Juneberry Lane will be on hiatus until after the holiday! Hope you all have a very Happy New Year and we will see you in 2012!!

Holiday Snack Mix (and Santa Hats out of Bugle Corn Chips?!?)

2011-12-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, you have a load of company coming over and you need a few snacks to lay out to keep your guest occupied while they sip their cocktails or await the holiday dinner! Well, no worries!

These adorable Santa Hats from Oven Love (made out of the cone-shaped corn chip Bugles, no less!) can be thrown into a regular bowl of store bought Chex Mix or whipped up alongside a bowl of your homemade variety, if time permits! Take a look . . .

Ingredients for Bugles:

~ 1 bag of regular or caramel Bugles (typically near the ChexMix at the store)
~ Red candy melts (the kind you usually use for cake pops)
~ 1 tablespoon shortening
~ Mini marshmallows (just a handful is enough)
~ White nonpareil sprinkles

Directions:

1.) Melt the candy melts and shortening together in 30 second intervals in your microwave until melted. As soon as everything is melted, start dipping the Bugles into the chocolate, letting the excess chocolate drip off. Let them set up until firm on parchment or wax paper.

2.) When the Bugles are set, remelt the red chocolate if necessary and dip just the bottom of the Bugles into the white sprinkles. Then flip the Bugle over and dip the top in red chocolate and firmly press a mini marshmallow on top. Let set again on the parchment or wax paper.

For the snack mix (if you are making it yourself):

~ Your Bugle Santa hats (see above for procedure)
~ 3 cups mini pretzels
~ 1/2 cup dried cranberries
~ 1 cup salted dry roasted peanuts
~ 2 cups Rice Chex
~ 2 cups holiday M&Ms
~ 8 oz white chocolate

Directions:

1.) Spread all of your ingredients, except M&Ms, out on a large baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Melt the white chocolate according to package directions and drizzle over the ingredients.
2.) Use a spatula to mix and cover the ingredients evenly with white chocolate. Allow the mix to dry on the baking sheet.
3.) When the chocolate is set, break the pieces up and sprinkle the M&Ms and Bugle Santa hats over the mix. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy!

In the mood for something sweeter? Just throw them on a cupcake then . . .

(image via http://loveyourmotherearth.blogspot.com)

Aren't they perfect?! And so easy to throw together too! That is pure festive fun right there, I tell you!!

A Coffee Filter/Cupcake Liner Christmas . . . Behold, A Paper Tree!

2011-12-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

Now just in case you don't have any extra yarn laying around for the tree tutorial I sent your way the other day, I thought I would give you another option, an easy little how-to from Centsational Girl to use up some supplies you might have in your cupboards already. And I just know you have cupcake liners or coffee filters in there!

And wouldn't these trees be just beautiful on either side of your holiday buffet or dessert table? Now whether you use the coffee filters or the cupcake liners is up to you, it all just depends on what size you are looking for! Let's get to it!

COFFEE FILTER/CUPCAKE LINER CHRISTMAS TREE

Supplies You Will Need:

~ White paper cupcake liners (or coffee filters!)
~ White 12" x 12” cardstock or poster board (if you are using the coffee filters)
~ Clear packaging tape (not shown)
~ Hot glue gun
~ Mini ornaments

Directions:

1.) Roll your cardstock or poster board into a cone shape and secure with packaging tape (if you’d like to insert an ornament on the top leave a big enough hole). 2) Fold the cupcake liners into quarters, then snip the edges to separate the layers into frills. 3) Begin at the base to hot glue to your cone. 4) Once you’re finished gluing the layers, embellish with mini ornaments secured with hot glue.

A few more to get those wheels turning . . .

(photo courtesy of http://mirrorsmetaphorsandkaleidoscopes.blogspot.com)

(photo via http://christmas.tipjunkie.com)

(image via http://www.thenester.com)

Love these darling little ornaments . . .

(photo courtesy of http://christmas.tipjunkie.com)

Or you could hand-dye those filters or liners and end up with something along the lines of this tissue-paper beauty . . .

(image via http://spunkyjunky.blogspot.com)

Aren't they just gorgeous?! This is the perfect little craft to keep your hands busy while you watch your favorite holiday movie too . . . that way you can keep out of the cookie jar and save some of those treats for Santa!!

Magical Reindeer Food!!

2011-12-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

This little project takes merely seconds and is a fun, last minute activity to do with the kids to help bring the magic of the holidays to your home on Christmas Eve!

(image via Rainy Day Story)

I just love the thought of adding a bit of magic 'dust' to your front yard to help Santa & the reindeer to find their way to your house and thanks to this tutorial via Rainy Day Story, we can do just that! And scroll on down to the bottom of this post for three FREE printable tags, just in case you feel like prettying them up a little, or handing out a few to the neighbors. Here's what you do . . .

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD

Supplies You Will Need:
~ oatmeal
~ glitter (any color)
~ cellophane bags
~ twine or yarn
~ bowl and spoon
~ hole punch
~ printable tags (check below for some FREE options:)

Step One: Gather all of your supplies and pour the oatmeal and glitter into bowls.

Step Two: Mix together your oatmeal and glitter. (I used lots of glitter, green and silver.)

Step Three: Fill each cellophane bag up half way and tie with twine or yarn.

Step Four: Punch a hole in the top right corner or top center of your "Magical Reindeer Food" tags, attach to the twine, and you're done! (Scroll to the bottom of your post for free tags to choose from:)

But check these out first to feel inspired . .

(photo via http://www.kerryspapercrafts.com)

Little mason jars are fun . . .

(image via http://alittledelightful.blogspot.com)

Get extra festive with some candy cane stripes . . .

(photo courtesy of http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com)

(image via http://spottedcanary.com)

And here are THREE amazing and FREE 'Reindoor Food' Printables to choose from:

You can find a page of the above 'Vintage Rudolph' Free Printable Tags from the Tomkat Studio here:
Vintage Rudolph Reindeer Food Tags - The TomKat Studio

Or how about a little more modern reindeer . . .

Get the above little Rudolph Cuties from Amanda Parker at Shindig Parties to Go: HERE
And here is a Juneberry Lane original Freebie, in case you like things a little more vintage/rustic, like me:)

Get the page of multiples RIGHT HERE:
Reindeer Food Tags

While reindeer food certainly isn't a new idea, mixing anything with glitter and making it magical absolutely never gets old!! This would be an excellent little treat to give the kids to pass out to their friends at school too; very friendly on the budget and it only takes a second!

Now all you have to do is wait until Christmas Eve, sprinkle it on the lawn, and wait for Santa & his reindeer to find their way to your house with the loot!!

DIY Yarn Christmas Tree Tutorial

2011-12-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

(via http://www.unionpeople.info)

So your shopping is done, your presents are wrapped, the stockings are stuffed, and your baking is finished and you are looking for a few last minute centerpiece ideas for your holiday table?

Well, look no further, because these gorgeous little yarn Christmas trees are so simple to do and so creatively chic, and you know you have too much extra yarn lying around anyway, right? Check out this fantastic little Christmas tree tutorial from One Happy Mama . . .

YARN CHRISTMAS TREE

Supplies You Will Need:
~ styrofoam trees (found at your local craft store)
~ yarn (used really fuzzy yarn for an even more whimsical feel)
~ hot glue gun
~ felt
~ toothpicks
~ glue dots
~ star punch or star die cuts
~ felt balls

Directions:
1.) Start by tracing the bottom of each tree on your felt. I used some dark brown felt, but you can use any color since you won't really see this felt - it'll just cover up the styrofoam on the bottom protecting any surface that you place it on. Once you have the circles cut for the bottoms - hot glue them on each tree.

2.) Next get your yarn ready, put a bead of hot glue along the very bottom of the tree base and then place your first row of yarn on it. Be careful not to burn your fingers! ;) You can do a little at a time to be sure you don't. ;)

3.) Go around the bottom with the yan and then once you have that first row secure, continue wrapping and wrapping the yarn all the way up the tree. You don't even have to wrap it perfectly - I had my yarn overlapping, etc., and it turned out cute and whimsical. This craft isn't suppose to be difficult and sress you out - only fun with cute results! ;)

4.) Once you get to the top, clip off the yarn right before the very tip of the styrofoam tree, unless your tree has a pointy top. If it does - just continue wrapping it and clip it off and secure it down with glue. If your tree is like mine and had more of a flat top - what I did was clip off the yarn once I got to the top and then put some glue on the top of the tree and then starting in the center, I started with the yarn and then wrapped it in a circular pattern until the top styrofoam was covered.

5.) Then for a cute touch, I added some felt balls that I had to the tree for little ornaments. You could very easily just leave these trees bare for a simple look - I wanted a bit more whimsy so I put the felt balls on the tree. You can be creative and use other things too like pom pom balls, jingle bells, etc.

6.) Lastly, I punched out two star for each tree using a star punch and some pink glittered American Crafts cardstock and then I put a super strong glue dot on one star, placed the toothpick on top of that glue dot and then added another glue dot on top of the toothpick and then added the other star on top of it. Then I stuck the toothpick into the top of the tree.

Voila. Cute Christmas yarn trees.

And as always, a tiny bit more to get your wheels a-turning . . .

(above images via http://www.livinglocurto.com/2011/12/yarn-christmas-craft/)

Aren't those colors just lovely? Or you could go a more simple route if you prefer . . .

(photo courtesy of http://ashleyflad.blogspot.com/2010/11/cranny-yarn-christmas-tree-giveaway.html)

(image via http://pretty-ditty.blogspot.com/2009/12/yarn-christmas-trees-tutorial.html)

(photo courtesy of http://digeny.blogspot.com/2010/12/diyable-christmas-tree-countdown-yarn.html)

(image via http://www.kimberleemarie.com/blog/easy-christmas-decorating-ideas/attachment/yarn-wrapped-christmas-trees/)

Aren't they darling? And simple to make too! Stay tuned for a couple last minute Tree Tutorials. You are going to just love them, I promise!! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Hello & Hooray!!

2011-12-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

Whew! Two days of holiday traveling madness and I am just finally beginning to come back to my senses. Toddlers and layovers just don't mix, by the way. But luckily, we will be back tomorrow with a whole bunch of inspiration fun!

There is nothing better than being home for the holidays and receiving wonderful news . . . and tonight we got the best news ever, that my sweet little sister, Meggie (you know, the one who is always sending us that amazing baking inspiration?) Well, she just got engaged this evening . . . and you know what THAT means. Tons of wedding planning fun . . . and bridal showers, engagement parties, and bachelorette parties too!!!

I am so excited. Just take a look at this gorgeous ring . . .

And yes, that is "Going Gonzo" from the Muppet line by OPI, in case you were wondering:) Hooray!!! See you tomorrow!

Wedding Wednesday: 'Snowed In' ~ A Winter Wonderland Delight . . .

2011-12-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

Remember that amazing yarn pom tutorial we sent your way last week? Well, I am beside myself with glee to bring the entire event to you today; a one-of-a-kind, DIY masterpiece of a winter wedding that will have you gasping with delight.

Created by the talented photographers over at Wednesday and sent our way via one of our favorites, Green Wedding Shoes, this beautiful Big Day is cozy & playful and full of all sorts of fun little elements that will knock your socks off. Just take a look . . .

Lovely invitation design from Wednesday's stationary collection . . .

Who knew a hundred & eighty strands of marshmallows could ever be so magical (and so friendly on the budget)? I can just hear your husband-to-be now: "You want to do WHAT?!" . . .

These vintage, doily style tablecloths are too die for . . .

And the yarn garland that we showed you the other day . . .

I simply adore how this clever little couple turned up the winter coziness by replacing the traditional cake table with an array of comforting breakfast treats; piles of pancakes & crepes to doughnut holes and other brunch yumminess to really warm the belly on a cold day . . .

How fantastic are these DIY homemade tea bag favors?

Simply gorgeous, no? And who in the world wouldn't want breakfast at a wedding? Happy Wednesday!!

Fabulous Vendors:
Concept, styling & paper goods: Wednesday
Photography: Ely Fair Photography
Florals: Rebecca’s Silver Rose
Venue: White Dog Hill, Clinton, OK
Bridal veil: Collected Thread D
Dress, earrings and garter: Meg Guess ~ original dress design: Harper Henry
Wrap cover-up: Bhldn
Table settings: Pottery Barn
Hair: MaKenna Estes
Make-up: Sarah Roark
Pancakes: Beverly’s Pancake House