DIY BUSINESS CARDS

hey. so listen. when you're short on cash, the creativity bug bites yah & leaves yah in hives all over! so here's how I made my own custom business cards for under $10 & guess what.. you can too ;D



Believe it or not, God just decided to surprise me with a "100 Free Black/White Business Cards!" coupon from Staples in my email. I went the same day & made this with it.



But they needed some color, eh?



Bought some spray paint (gold + blue ocean + jade)



Jade was first, then the blue ocean, then splatters of gold.




Woops..have I introduced you to my favorite dog in the whole world? Meet Mr. Jingles :)
He was having lots of fun....can't cha tell?...




oh & speaking about favorites..here's my favorite man in the world. you can tell we were
both exhausted..this was on a Sunday. we were both broke so we decided to stay in w/ my mama & watch "The Glee Project"..while he fell asleep on the couch.. and so did my mom actually...so i guess i should say .. "I" decided hahah. pretty uneventful by normal standards, but for me it was nice just to be in his presence. its rare that we ever get quality time.



so go out there & make your own business cards! hug someone you love! conquer the world! heheh

DIY FLOATING CUPCAKE BUNTING

hello lovely gals & gentlemens.
I present to you, one of my first DIY'S! (insert stadium cheer here) :)
okay! so I was asked to bake some cupcakes for one of my mom's co-workers & thought that I'd make this one a little special. I was inspired by the whimsical photos of cake bunting floating all over the internet so it was definitely time to try on my own :)

1. for this type of cake bunting, I wanted the letters to look like they were floating. choosing an "outlined" font will make it easy to cut around the edges while ensuring that the boldness of the letters will keep them readable.
I used "rosewood std" which can be downloaded for free at www.dafont.com But since I know that no one really has time nowadays, I made a .pdf which can be printed out conveniently! :) CLICK ME! There's also a colored lettering right below.



2. I created some gold paint splatters with spray paint.





3. Cut out each letter



4. Using a needle, poke a hole atop one side of each letter & repeat on the adjacent side. Why two holes you ask? I tried just one hole in the center atop each letter, and they would display diagonally, as oppose to flat on the surface. (you'll see later)






5. Use some fishing line and thread it through the two holes. I got mine's from Wal-Mart for less than $3.






6. Attach each end to a lollipop stick/skewer & insert into your finished baked good!



ps: see what i meant about the letters lying flat? that's because we did the two holes!

closeup of the cupcakes..


{chocolate cake || nutella spread || nutella buttercream }

hope you guys enjoyed the bunting diy! remember, crafts are only as limited as you can make them..so get crazy & bunt a bedroom, kitchen, meatloaf dish..whatever your heart desires!

lastly, i'd also like to post two answered prayers: my auntie carol's open heart surgery was successful & everything's okay, and my love got into the MRI program! yes! :) such beautiful blessings.

love&sweets,
steph

ROOM INSPIRATION

my room is an utter mess. in hopes of encouraging myself to save it from its further collapse, I've been looking at really pretty room ideas. Here's a few lovely ones I came across "pinterest."

Source: jeffersdesigngroup.com via tiffany on Pinterest

Source: designspongeonline.com via Meagan on Pinterest

Source: desiretoinspire.net via

Ashley on Pinterest

Source: myevergreenonline.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Tia on Pinterest

and some food for thought:

Source: images.piccsy.com via Jenifer on Pinterest

"bridal gifts"

taking a quick break from a lengthy email, so I thought I would post my "fail"..or.. in 2010 online-lingo.. "#fail" of a craft. a dear friend of mine just had a birthday, so I wanted to wrap his gift in a special way. saw this giftwrap a while back from World Market & was instantly smitten. I envisioned it on my walls, on my binders.. heck, even wrapped around my entire body it was so stinkin' pretty. I then made a makeshift "bag" by sewing the sides. Mind you, I don't really know how to sew..I just kind of.. well, guess. As I stare at my needles & thread.. i noticed buttons. "oh what the hey, why not!" .. it'll look cute. the front looks decent with the buttons "sewn" on , but the back looks like regurgitated thread massacre. but let's just refer to it as "artsy." as if that wasn't bad enough, there was some tuille off in the corner, beckoning me to use it. and well, there you go. veil-o-rama. ah. stick some feet on this thing and it's walking down the aisle. someone teach me how to sew!

beauty out of ashes

It was crying out to me in all of its wrongly-striped glory. Seconds from being hot off the broken printer press, this zebra-striped beauty ended up in the trashcan. Why? Because this here document was supposed to display words. Actual words. For whatever reason, it grew brains and decided to be a fashion statement instead. My boss saw it for its flaws, but I gazed at its beauty. And thus, a craft ensued and redemption was displayed. 

Our feet were stuck in an endless pit of sinking sand. Where no pulleys, ropes, or other human hands could succeed, His great arms have come underneath us and rescued us. So whether through a piece of paper, or another human life, let redemption be the song we sing. The testimony we leave..and the legacies we are to be remembered of. 

because: "You've taken me, from the miry clay, set my feet upon a rock, and now I know..." 

 *note: When my lovie's had a rough day..or just needs a little encouragement, I sometimes make him paper hearts and write a reason of why I love him or how he's made a difference in my life. After trying out many different designs, I believe I've found the easiest (and most attractive) pattern. What makes it exceptionally endearing is the little pocket naturally formed inside..in which I've slipped a note in! :)  Knock yourselves out!

& this is my "lovie," daniel.