Last Call for Graduation Decor!

Yikes!  I totally forgot to write my post for today!  I have already been consumed by summer, lol and it is only day two of break.  So have my kids by the sound of things...it is already 8 am and no sign of life downstairs yet!  ;)

Well, the very last piece of my daughter's graduation decor is probably one of the most fun for me.  I made a sign to put up outside (and thank you, Jesus, it was gorgeous weather!) to direct people to our house.  Pssssht, let's face it--I was claiming my bragging rights as MOM!  ;)

I used two Cricut Cartridges for this one on my E2...Create A Friend and the Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge for the lettering of her name.  I used the tassle on the cap to create her honor cords worn over her shoulders.  :)

 I also used the cap and diploma to make easy-peasy decorations about the house--seriously fun!

Here is what the sign looked like attached to the fence stake.  I used two layers of poster board and attached them to the stake with packaging tape.  It wasn't going anywhere, trust me!  :)

I just heard the water running upstairs, so time to put on my mom hat!  I hope you guys were inspired by my graduation decor this year to make some for your own grads...I have a good four years before I pull them back out of storage!  ;)

Easy Graduation Centerpiece for Tag (You're It!) Tuesday

This week is one of those times during the year when you can't remember which day it is all week.  I am especially confused since I have been playing catch up for a while since graduation last weekend.  I think I have just a couple more project to show you from the festivities. 

First up, I made some very easy centerpieces for table decorations that you can easily make for a celebration of any kind...

I used an empty cylinder-shaped container that used to hold glow-sticks to make the main centerpiece.  I put some old glass rocks in the bottom for stability.  The rest is easily made with a spray of fake flowers (orange is one of her school colors), balloon on a stick, and tissue paper.  Then I used some ribbon to tie an adorable little tag around the top of the cylinder.  I used a die cut chipboard tag from the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, my black glitter paper, Congrats Graduate My Acrylix, and the dies from MCT. 

Then I just used the rest of the tissue paper from the package, candy, and ribbon to make these for the rest of the tables...SOOOOOOO unbelievably easy!

Here is the main centerpiece on my kitchen island...

Now I have to go finish dealing with the rest of the May craziness--the end of the school year!  We are down to two days here, how about you?  :)

Pinterest + Graduation = Success!

Hey there!  Alright, yes, I survived graduation with a little help from Pinterest.  I am so excited to have a place to actually gather my ideas into one place and NOT loose them!   Here is a link to my Graduation Ideas Pinterest Board.

Here is one of the projects that I made to prepare for my daughter's big day-- Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Mini Graduation Hats, aka mortar boards.  Seriously, how can you NOT wonder how these things were ever thought up anyway, lol?

These were quite simple with some BIG bang because not only are the candies a hit, but so were the simple way they were dressed up.  When I say simple, I mean it.  I cut 1.25 inch squares of my Black Close to My Heart CS, added a short piece of backer's twine to a mini glue dot, and then added the silver embellishments or crystals.  It really doesn't get much easier than that!  A larger size glue dot holds it to the candy, and you just add a little knot near the end of the baker's twine.  Badda-boom, badda-bing!  DONE! :)

The next easy-peasy Pinterest idea was the Jenga game.

I scored a pack of fine-tip Sharpies on clearance (boo-yah!) and even used a coupon at Meijer on the Jenga!  I made up a little sign for all the party guests to help "build" my daughter's wisdom by leaving a bit of advice on a block.  The game will be a wonderful memento for her to take with her through life.  :)  I was sure to add a block of my own advice...never let anyone dull your sparkle!  ;)

Graduation Party!

I am back after a wonderful weekend celebrating my daughter's high school graduation.  Here is a quick inside peek of the celebration...

 And now, let me show you the REAL star of the day...

My sister and her family brought their newest member of the family along with them.  My super-sweet little French Bulldog niece, Hazel, sure stole the show!  :)

I promise to be back this week with details and more pics, but this momma of the graduate is TIRED and the window replacement guys come tomorrow!  :)

Graduation Card Makeover

I only have one graduation party to go to this year, so I wanted to make a special card.  I decided to use the My Originals Sweet Surprises Card Kit.   The kid contains all the contents you need to create 10 treat filled cards.  This time, however, instead of a sweet surprise, it would be one of the cold, hard cash variety.  ;)  I only used the card base, envelope, and chipboard flag from the kit, and dressed it up with some other CTMH products.  This card is for a friend's son, so I went with a color scheme of Honey and Dutch Blue with Black as my neutral other than the Kraft card.  Here is the front:

 I really like these cork shapes in the Color-Ready Evergreen pack.  They are fun to ink up, and really add a great texture to any project.  I used my distressing tool on the strip of honey here because I wanted to continue the rugged theme of the card.  

 For this arrow, I stuck it to the Honey cardstock and then trimmed it out.  OK, so yes, I MATTED the arrow sticker.  Can you really blame me?  I LOVE matting!  Here it adds some extra pop and color.  :)

 The inside of the card includes some cuts from the Happy Graduation Cricut Cartridge from Provo Craft.  The stamp sets I used are Tag the Occasion, You Are..., and Thoughtful Tidings.

In looking back at these pics, I realized I missed out on another matting opportunity with the blue strip of stars at the top of the inside of the card.  Wouldn't it have looked fabulous matted in Honey?  Sigh.  Maybe next time.  Thanks for looking!

DON'T FORGET!!!  Stampaganza only lasts until June 30th!  The last time Close to My Heart ran this buy 2, get 1 free promotion was almost THREE YEARS ago, so take advantage of it while it lasts to grab those My Acrylix Stamp sets you have had your eyes on!  You can link to my website here to browse and order:  http://mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com/