Finished Friday Extended!

Didn't quite make it yesterday to showing off my latest finish project, so I will show off today! I really wanted to share my newest baby skirt design, which desperately needs a name (hint hint... HELP!) but I have lost my camera battery charger... typical. I also spent several hours last night making tutus for The Queen Bee Market! Those pictures will have to wait until I find the charger as well.So today I will share a felt banner I recently made as a special order off etsy. This customer wanted a 50 foot banner to decorate her patio for her son's first birthday, and a mini matching banner for his high chair! (how cute is that!) She chose dark blue, light blue, and orange. I really loved the way the colors came together. The orange and light blue combo is my favourite.

I'm thinking of making this the tutorial for Tuesday... what do you think?

Ash

Bride to "Bee" Shower! Part 1

So I missed my "Party Wednesdays"! I'm trying to keep up with the schedule... but I know it will take a few weeks, so hang in there with me! I have so much to share in the party realm. Right now I am planning my Sister-in-Law's Bridals Shower, and Marley's First Birthday, both in May! Today I will share the invites for the Bridal Shower. Again, in case you didn't know... I'm a bit obsessed with themes! I need them, they guide all of my party planning... I LOVE them... maybe a bit too much.
So I pondered over the theme for this shower for some time. I wanted it to be be special... and chic... and fun... and her favorite color is yellow, so I came across these at The Tomkat Studio:

And thought to myself.... that would be cute for a shower! So, inspired, I ran it by my wonderful co-host... and the theme was created... now on to the invites!

my co-host came up with some amazing inspiration boards with black and white damask and yellow accents, which totally give a chic look. I used that to guide the invites. A trip to Paper Source, a trip to Michaels, hours of stamping embossing, printing, gluing, and addressing. The invites are done! Ta Da!

What do you think?

Make your own cleaners!

So today I will share a few DIY cleaners that I have found for around the home. If you know me, you know I HATE chemicals. They creep me out! And to top it off, I have incredibly sensitive skin and without fail, I always react badly to cleaners... so I try and use as many natural cleaners as possible around my home. 

Here's what I use:

Windows: Vinegar and water... yes, it works! Vinegar is AMAZING... I knew this, but then I found this , 1001 ways to use Vinegar!

Check out that page for so many ideas for non- chemical ways to get the job done!

Anti-Bacterial Cleaner: Tea Tree Oil and Water (fill up a spray bottle with water and add a couple of drops of Tea Tree Oil) 

Floors: I mix Castille Peppermint Soap with water and scrub away. This one is particularly important to me because I have a little one crawling around on the floors... picking things up off the floors... and yes, sometimes even licking the floors! Despite how much this utterly grosses me out, at least I know she is not licking chemicals along with the dirt and left over chicken nugget crumbs. The Castille Soap is just Trader Joe's version of Dr. Bonners... which is another one of those Miracle cleaners.... you can use it for anything, and it smells great!

I Haven't had much success with natural dishwasher detergents, but I just read this post on a wonderful blog I check in on sometimes, and I will have to give it a try... I'll let you know how that one goes!

As for laundry detergent, I use Crunchy Clean... which I am now carrying!!! Whoo hooo! This is a work at home mom, making NATURAL detergent from her kitchen, and she has the yummiest scents to choose from... check out her website... I Love her stuff!

Try these out... ditch those harsh chemicals and enter the world of green living... wouldn't it be nice to know that if your kiddo were to enter the forbidden cleaner cabinet... it wouldn't kill them... they might just smell like Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, and Peppermint... just a thought!

Have a Green Day!

Ash

Let's Get Organized!

Not you... Me... and well, I need to get organized in more ways than I care to share, but I'm specifically talking blog wise. Up until now this blog has been a place for me to post my projects and occasionally spout off on a tangent regarding my thoughts on life, mommyhood, and the green factor that I desperately try and include in my lifestyle. While I have no problem with randomness, I am finding that I wish I was sharing a little more info on green living, and tips and tricks that help save money while keeping nasty chemicals far away from your family. I also wish that I had a set time to share my party ideas, that I love so much! So my goal...

A Schedule:

Monday- The Green Factor! Tips, and tricks for an eco-friendly lifestyle

Tuesday- Tutorial Tuesday! This will either be a  tutorial, a link to a tutorial.

Wednesday- Party day! He res where I'll share my latest party projects, or inspirations I have found

Thursday- My free day... who knows..

Friday- Finished Friday! My finished projects!

Now, please cut me some clack while I tr

y and get this all down, but this is my GOAL. Where I want to be... 

What do you think?

And.... just a peek at what's to come...

Birthday Tutu!

I thought I would share this birthday tutu I made for a friend's daughter's first birthday last weekend.

I used white, pink and purple tulle, and I loved how the colors came out!

Who doesn't love a poofy tutu!

Ash

Stella Skirt and Baby Tutu

As promised I have pictures of the Stella Skirt and the Baby Tutu on my favorite model (I'm not partial at all :))!

This "photo shoot" lasted all of about 5 mins! Marley was not having it. Have I mentioned she HATES grass! How weird is that! Its nice when we walk to the park and I can lay out a blanket, and she wont budge off it, so I get a little bit of non-chasing time. On the other hand, Its hard to get good pictures outside! Notice her foot is as close to her body as possible. She was so irritated with me!

I love the poofieness (not sure if thats a real word... clearly being an English major did not help me in the spelling department) of this tutu!
I thought the Stella Skirt turned out really cute on. I really dislike long skirts on babies, they always seem to overwhelm them. I like that this one is short and sassy, and doesn't take over my little peanut!

I just made a 1st birthday tutu for some friends today, so I will share that creation next week!

Have a Happy and Blessed Easter!

Ash