Our Last A Crafty Soiree, #144

Hi Friends! 

This week's A Crafty Soiree is bittersweet for me.  I've had so much fun gathering each Thursday with all of you.  The projects and talent shared is really staggering, you all amaze me!  I've loved feeling like I got to host the very best craft night each and every week.  You KNOW we'd have so much fun if we all lived close enough to gather in person!  But we'd need one big room :)

Getting to know each of you, seeing the recipes you cook, the outfits you upcycle and sew from scratch, the furniture you makeover, the gifts you give, and the rooms you beautify has been like getting an invitation into your homes and lives.  Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday and I feel very privileged to have gotten to share 144 weeks of creativity with you.  I hope you know I've truly enjoyed meeting you and appreciate the time you take to come by and join us.

This summer I am taking a step back from blogging, not walking away completely, but I'd like a more open and relaxed schedule.  My little guy is turning two and has become quite a handful.  He is one busy boy and never stops moving - unless he's asleep!  He wants to play with Mommy 24/7 and is my little shadow.  My soon to be seven year old has a long list of fun things she wants to do this summer.  I think that the only way I can make sure ours is filled with quality time is by having fewer blogging commitments.  So for now, this will be our last weekly A Crafty Soiree, and I'll re-evaluate things in the fall.

Thank you all so much for celebrating creativity with me!  

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Guest Post Invitation

Since I will be taking some family time I would like to invite Crafty Soiree participants to guest post on my blog.  I'd love to feature your recipes and projects!  I would like the content to DIY based with either some of your favorite projects posted on your blog featured and linked to or sharing a complete project/recipe with instructions or a tutorial included.  If you have a small handmade business you'd like to promote, that is fine but please include some type of creative how to also.  Email me or comment below, if you are interested! 

Features

This week my features are SUPER-SIZED!!!  I decided to feature everyone who came by last week, linked up, and left a comment :) (who was not a feature last week)  I'll be doing one more round up of A Crafty Soiree features next Thursday with projects shared this week.  Commenters will be considered first :)  Let's start out with some yummy baked goods!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins - The DIY Dreamer

Expresso Chip Muffins - The First Year Blog

Cupcakes for a New Baby Boy- Sew Lah Tea Dough

German Chocolate Brownies: My Recipe Magic 

Now for some wardrobe makeovers...

How to Turn a Bikini into a Tankini - Crystelle Boutique

Crochet Shoes DIY - Pretty Little Dahlia

The last two features include a tutorial for a proven craft booth seller and a way to help keep the romance alive - with a free printable!

Little Gems: Free Tutorial and Pattern - Creating My Way to Success

Dream Date Printable Survey - The Dating Divas

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

• Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).
• Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL
• Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.
• Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All party goers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!
• Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

Let's Party!

A Crafty Soiree #143

Hello Friends!  We've got a night of thunderstorms approaching as I try to hurry up and get this done before dinner.  Since the husband doesn't like me to keep the computer on when there's lightening I've might not have tonight to work on and I wouldn't want any of my friends to show up and wonder where the party is!  So I'll be brief and just say, thank you so much for joining us each week.  Hope the weather is better where you are, although judging from the news it probably isn't.  A lot of rain  a lot of places.  {{Hugs}}

Dry Erase Board Desks ~ It's Not Baroque: Love this idea, what a great way to get a lot into your space, isn't the calendar on the side a great idea!

Strawberry Julius ~ Busy Mom's Helper: A cold creamy drink for a hot day

True Love Blossoms ~ Glamorous, Affordable Life: A pretty way to present a flower that bloom all season long, in the cutest thrifted glass cups

A Heart of Shells ~ DE GULLE AARDE: Bring a bit of summer indoors

Straw Painting Art ~ A Typical English Home: Angela got beautiful results that are frame worthy.  I was thinking this might be fun Summer Bucket List activity for both you and the kids.
<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

• Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).
• Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL
• Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.
• Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All party goers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!
• Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

Let's Party!

A Crafty Soiree #142

Hi Friends!  I'm so glad to see you for A Crafty Soiree, let's jump right into the features!  I'm excited to share, from the cutest itty bitty terrariums (made in a votive holder of all things) to nachos, you'll have to take a second look at to believe they're a sweet treat...I'm always amazed by the variety of projects we have!  You are all so uber talented!!! 

Miniature Terrariums from Like A Saturday
Can't believe how cute these little arrangements are!

DIY Poppy Teapot from La gang a Nat

Seriously, she painted this herself!  Totally looks like a one from a fancy boutique store.

Confetti Shot Glasses from The Crafty Scientist
I'm on a painted glass kick, isn't the transformation from $1 spot shot glass with the help of a bamboo stick really cool!

Graduation Card from Life-n-Reflection
One pretty card from Kristy, the sponsor of our last giveaway!  Did you win, don't forget to check!

Cake Nachos from Chica Chocolatina
These are such a super fun twist of dessert, you'll probably fool all your friends too!

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

• Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).
• Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL
• Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.
• Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All party goers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!
• Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

Let's Party!

A Crafty Soiree #141

Hi Friends!  Thanks for coming by for this week's A Crafty Soiree.  I'm so glad you're here.  Setting in with your favorite drink and get comfy while checking out all the amazing projects and ideas!  I know you'll find a lot of inspiration so get ready to pin a lot of favorites!

Don't forget to enter the Parties Made Simple: Lady Bug ebook Giveaway from last week!  You have a couple more days.  Thank you to Life-N-Reflection for sponsoring this fun opportunity for one of our readers.  Be sure to snag the coordinating freebie too!

If YOU'D like your business to be featured on A Crafty Soiree, contact either me or Malia.  We love to help connect our readers with amazing resources!

I'll kick off this week's features with the Paint Stamping Bugs & Butterflies from The Craft Train.  What a fun way your kids can make really cute gift wrap and a coordinating card for Mother's Day.  I can't think of a Mom or Grandma who wouldn't love getting a gift wrapped up in art made by their favorite kiddos.

Before you know it the school year will be over!  Grab your camera and be ready for the last day with these bright and colorful photo signs from Oh So She Says...The MOTHER Load of Ideas.

Once summer is here and the gardens start producing...or as in my case once the good Farmer's Market opens, it would be really fun to make Homemade Refrigerator Dill Pickles like on Redfly Creations.

So many birthday ideas are boy or girl specific but this First Birthday with a Rainbow Theme Party from One Little Project at a Time is perfect for either or any age.

Scrabble tiles are fun for many different projects but I think my favorite is this set of giant scrabble tiles turned into Scrabble Tile Wall Art from Happy, Healthy, & Domestic.

Now it's your turn!  Can't wait to be amazed by you all!
<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

• Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).
• Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL
• Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.
• Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All party goers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!
• Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

A Crafty Soiree #140 with a Parties Made Simple: Lady Bug ebook Giveaway with Freebie

Hi Friends!  We have another giveaway from Life-n-Reflection and this time they're offering a copy of their Parties Made Simple: Lady Bug, a $20 value.  Plus we have an awesome printable freebie for you all to enjoy!

Parties Made Simple: Lady Bug includes EVERYTHING you need to throw a beautifully coordinated party from the planning stage, invitations, and guest activities to decorations, party favor ideas, and even thank you notes.  I really appreciated how absolutely everything was thought out for you.  Inside the ebook, you will find helpful forms including a supply list check off, planning sheet, guest list fill in form, budget sheets, and even a party photo list.  There are lots of planning forms!

Everything comes with the cute lady bug and flower designs on it.  Even your planner binder will even be cute!  I love all the printables that carry the theme throughout the party.  There are stickers and tags, cupcake wraps (preview shown above), mini flags perfect for drink straws, door sign, and banner.  Along with guest activity ideas and party favors suggestions are more printables to help you with assembly - very helpful!  The colors are just perfect for all your spring and summer celebrations including patriotic get togethers.

We have a cute coordinating FREEBIE for you all to enjoy!  Click here to download these Parties Made Simple: Lady Bug Party Bag Toppers, courtesy of Life-n-Reflection.

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter, subscribers will need to click over to enter.  The giveaway will be open until May 10th at midnight EST.  Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now that you've entered for a chance to win, let's move onto this week's features!  You are all amazingly talented!  It's so hard to pick just five.  Can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.  Enjoy the sunshine!

How to Make Labels in Microsoft Word from A Typical English Home - now you can make exactly what you need for your personalized needs!

Another project for the computer savvy is this amazing Family Tree Art from Cutesy Crafts.  Jessica provides a tutorial in her post.  Wouldn't this make an awesome Mother's Day gift?

Put a spin on the traditional Mother's Day corsage and consider presenting her with one of these Old T Shirt Rosebud Bracelets!  This project from 3 Peppers Recipes, reminds me the kind of corsage you wear on your wrist.  It's also a really fun way to upcycle and craft green!

Another crafter finding new uses for things is Linda at lindapendante dreams.  I can't believe that she took and old CD holder and turned into the perfect holder for her circular knitting needles!  Love how she's a piece of art that's also very functional!

My last pick is one for the kids, Vicky at Mess for Less shows us how to turn coffee filters and scraps of tissue paper into coffee filter flowers.  Creating a bouquet of these colorful blooms would make a great Mother's Day project for the kids!
<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>

• Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).
• Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL
• Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.
• Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All party goers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!
• Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>