School Memory Books

With the new school year fast approaching and everyone is gearing up, I know how many projects come home and all those special arts and crafts.  For years I would store some away and ever so discretely put some in the garbage hoping that the kids wouldn't fine them before the garbage man came.  It is really hard to throw away all their hard work but seriously there just isn't enough room for everything.  I like most moms started with a filing system which of course will keep it organized but how realistic will it be that our kids will look back on it.  

Throughout the summer I worked really hard at scanning a ton of papers. Between my three children it worked out to 10 years of school projects and work and trust me doing it all is a big undertaking.  But I would have to say it was all worth it.  Plus once they were all scanned I could throw them all out without any guilt.  Then came the fun part creating the books. 

There are a ton of companies out there that you can do an online books the one I happen to use is Shutterfly.  My kids love getting the orange package in the mail and can't wait to see who's book it is. 

Once I have all of the images scanned into my computer I can start processing them into the Shutterfly website.  I use this company to make all of my family photo albums as well and one of the features I love about this company is that all the pictures and books are saved so if something ever happens that you loose or your books are ruined you can simply re-order the book. 

Since I am completely caught up with my kids books I can start the year off fresh and scan projects as they come in instead of the hefty mountain of papers that I just went through. 

Just a sample of some of the books that have been done but trust me there are many more.  

All opinions are 100% mine and I was not sponsored by Shutterfly just a mom trying to make life easier.

Pinkalicious Birthday Cake

With all the boys in my house pink girly cakes don't happen very often so when my friend asked me to make her 4 year old daughters cake I was excited to do it. 

The request was for a Pinkalicious birthday cake, which to me was flowers and a cute cupcake to finish off the top.

Such a fun cake to do and the little birthday girl was happy when I showed up at the house with it. 

Mellow Yellow Coffee Table

Oh my gosh summer break is only a few short weeks away and I haven't gotten a whole lot of projects done.  So I guess that mean we have been doing exactly what we are supposed to.  Relaxing at the beach, camping, going to the park and much more.  I was able to fit in a project though and isn't she cute. 

I found this little retro table and with a coat of paint she has been brought back to life.  

A nice bright color with a stenciled boarder and she has been transformed into a sleek little unit. 

Nana's Garden Sign

Well after a fabulous long weekend of camping, family, dirt biking I am back and feeling like I need to get back into the swing of things and start creating and getting some of my to-do list done.  

A while back my Sister In-law asked me if I would do up a sign for her moms birthday and of course I was happy to.  

I love making signs for me they are just a finishing touch for an outdoor space and how cute does it look in those beautiful flowers of hers.

This week I have twice lucky as I have been featured by two wonderful blogs.

Jill @ Two Yellow Birds Decor featured my Shabby Chic Wedding Cake 

Also Angie @ Knick Of Time featured my Shabby Chic Wedding Decor


I hope you are having a great week, hope to see you back soon.

Shabby Chic Wedding

As promised I have a ton of pictures from this past weekends wedding event.  It turned out beautifully and I was really excited to be asked to participate in the planning of my sisters wedding.

There was a lot of work, personal touches, hands on projects that went into this wedding. The wedding was held at the grooms parents house and the first time I walked into the space it certainly did not look wedding ready. 

We figured the dirt floor was a little shabby but not so chic for a wedding so new wood floors was on the agenda, and they really did turn out beautifully.

With a lot of pinteresting, phone conversations and texting we had a game plan of sorts and a vision of the final look. 

There were two big sliding doors off of the back of the barn which was a perfect spot to add extra seating under a tent.

 I know this isn't the best quality photo but I had to share to show how pretty all the light were and really this doesn't even do it justice. 

For a truly amazing shabby chic look it is all in the details and if nothing else our family is good at the details.  The bunting banner that hangs around the barn was done by the grooms sister whom after to many hours to count I am sure still has nightmares about making them. 

This was the Bride & Grooms special area with a customised pallet bench courtesy of the Groom. 

Ahhh the popcorn station this stand was handmade by the groom.  It was made to hold the big buckets on top for the adults who didn't want grubby hands in it and then ready to go bags of popcorn that was easy to grab.  

 This was a rain day project for me and my boys and they could barely contain themselves when it came to not eating it all.  We made a few different flavors.  Chocolate drizzled with coconut, white chocolate with sprinkles, caramel, and pink popcorn. 

 Just a few bags right

Another fantastic touch was this custom made bar that fit the space perfectly and of course finished off with the bunting banner. 

 Everywhere you looked there was something beautiful no space was untouched.  Throughout the space there were a ton of potted plants that came from a local business Verdue Farms. 

As this was an outside wedding of course you need a space for the bathrooms and beside them we set up this tent that housed a changing station for the babes and a dresser with mirror as the ladies like to make sure they are looking good.  

 I made this cute powder room sign along with some road signs that I forgot to take pictures of.

I know a lot of pictures but wasn't it worth it, of course I can't leave you without showing some spectacular pictures of the Bride & Groom.  My wonderfully talented sister Carrie took these photos so be sure to check Liquid Light Photography and editing of photos were done by the bride herself at My Shabby Studios.  You can stop by their pages to see more of these photos. 

Hope you enjoy and are inspired to create your own piece of Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic Wedding Cake

This weekend was spent at my sisters wedding, we have been collaborating on it for awhile and it was so nice to see it all come together.  It look pretty darn amazing if you ask me.  

One of my tasks was to do the cake and I was excited to to it.  It isn't to often that I get to work on a wedding cake. 

I wanted to keep it simple so I decided on a ridged buttercream look and then created these flowers out of gum paste. 

I also wanted to make some cake pops because I just think they are too darn cute,  I think after the kids spotted them on the table they lasted about 5 minutes. 

Over the next couple of days I will share with you some more of the amazing decor that went on to make this even fabulous. 

Teal Refinished Dresser

Oh I was so excited to refinish this little beauty.  Not only was it a cute little dresser with a great shape but I also love the hardware that it came with.  

When I picked it up it was clear that it was well loved and they guy I got it from said he had it since he was a kid so it has been around for a few years. 

With a fresh coat of paint on the dresser and the drawer pulls she has been brought back to life and has found a new home to be used for many more years. 

 Summer here is in full swing and I am loving that my kids are sleeping in like every mom loves in the summer time.  My sister is getting married this upcoming weekend so I am excited to see the finished product.  Also keep your eyes opened for my next cake project.