Happy Birthday Mister J!

It's my husband's birthday today and I made him a "cheeseburger" cake!  The "bun" layers are homemade Lightning Cake and the "all beef patty" is a Chocolate Lightning Cake.  I made a buttercream frosting for A layer of "mayonnaise" on the bottom and whipped up a creamy decorative frosting for the detail on top.  The cheese is an edible yellow sugar sheet and the sesame seeds are tiny sprinkles.  I also made a watercolor bunting to decorate the cake with.  A cake like this certainly doesn't need anything else to jazz it up, but I want John's birthday to be extra special today!  This cake looks really amazing in person-- but I'm going to spend time with my huzz instead of fussing behind my camera tonight!

The ideas for the cake and bunting can be found at Studio DIY.  I just love all of Kelly's ideas and inspirations!  Have a great weekend!!!  xo, Ashley

DIY Wedding: Jessica's Ring Pillow

I can't believe it!  My BFF Jessica is getting MARRIED this weekend!  I am so excited!  How do I contain my excitement?  I get my craft on!

Jessica tried making a bird nest pillow with a satin lining... it didn't go great.  I said, Jessica.  Stop toiling.  I'll take it from here.  Then I promised her a gorgeous lace knit pillow.  I got my pattern and needles out and, wait for it, it was too hard.  (I'm guessing after about 25 more years of knitting I'll be ready to knit one for baby Ivy's wedding.)  I asked Jessica to review this post about DIY Ring Pillows and asked her to give me some input.  We decided on a different ring pillow pattern from Martha Stewart.  That Martha knows how to do a wedding right!!!  

Jessica requested a white linen with teal accent trim.  I couldn't find pre-pleated edge trim at the fabric store, so I made my own.  It was time consuming to mark, fold, pin, and stitch every half inch of 3 yards of ribbon-- but so worth it!  The color is just perfect and I learned a new skill to boot!  Making this ring pillow was mostly catastrophe free, although some parts look a tiny bit off to me.  That could just be because I've been staring at it for a few days now :)  Jessica is no bridezilla- so I know she's going to love it.  I told her, it's not perfect but it's made with love.  That's what a marriage is anyways, right?

I've been getting pretty sentimental about Jessica's upcoming nuptials.  I remember when she first met Leif.  It was 2006, Jessica thought Leif had handsome bike courier style, and I'm pretty sure I invented LAP, leggings as pants.  Believe me, that wasn't a good thing in 2006.  It's been a long courtship and I'm so happy to finally see them tie the knot.  (and so honored to have a little love from my hands in her wedding too!)  The wedding is in Charleston, SC.  I've never been, but I hear it's really a charming town.  All of my BFFs are flying in for the wedding and I couldn't be more jazzed to see them all.  xo, Ashley

Teacher Appreciation Week Crafts for Kids

My friend Becca asked me to come up with some fun crafts for her kids to make for Teacher Appreciation Week.  Without further ado, here are my favorites!  Oh, and a very Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week to all my teacher readers!  xo, Ashley

"Thanks A Latte" Printable and Tutorial via Eighteen25

Chalkboard Spring Vases via A Subltle Revelry

Click here for a tutorial on how to make your own Chalkboard Paint

Apple Core Thank You Card via Lisa Storms

Apple Cupcakes with Free Printables via Love From the Oven

Fingerprint Stationary via Family Fun

Mini Oreo "Apple" Pops by Brooke via Skip to My Lou 

Photo Transfer Projects

I'm always looking for new ways to showcase my favorite photos.  Here's a great collection of creative ways to let your photos shine outside of the frame!

Make Your Own Canvas Portrait via A Beautiful Mess

Nature Inspired Photo Transfer Projects via BHG

DIY Tiles Transformed Into Photo Coasters via Cherry Street Cottage

Photo Transfer Cubes via Martha Stewart

Photo Transfer Anniversary Cookies via Erica's Sweet Tooth

DIY Fabric Lamp Shade Photo Transfer via BHG

DIY Photo Transfers On Wood via Photojojo

10 Headband Tutorials

Happy Friday!  I've collected my favorite DIY headband tutorials for you today :)  Hopefully we will both find lots of time to craft this weekend and on Monday we can all share what we've made!  Here's to a great weekend!  Cheers, Ashley P.S. Check out my rad giveaway!

Lauren Headband Tutorial via Ruffles and Stuff

Thrilled and Frilled Headband Tutorial via See Kate Sew

Braided Headband Tutorial via Alisa Burke

Hair Wrap Tutorial via Kelly Hicks Design

Felt Flower Headband Tutorial via Shad and Lizzie

Braided Headband Tutorial by Cakies via Smile and Wave

5 Strand Braid Headband via Make It Love It

DIY Nautical Headband Tutorial via Presserfoot

Flower Headband Tutorial via On the Side of My Room

Knotted Crochet Headband Tutorial via Maybe Matilda

Wedding Wednesday: Ring Pillow Tutorials and Inspiration

Ah, wedding season is almost upon us!  My bestie Jessica is getting married in a month and I am making her ring pillow!  stay tuned!  Today I am sharing my favorite DIY ring pillow tutorials and inspirations.  P.S. Make sure to check out my rad giveaway!

Yarn Heart Ring Pillow via Style Me Pretty

Silk Flower Ring Pillow via Martha Stewart

DIY Tufted Moss Ring Pillow Tutorial by Laurie Cinotto via Once Wed

DIY Ring Pillow Tutorial via elephantine

Calendar Ring Pillow Template And How To via Martha Stewart

DIY Birds Nest Ring Pillow Tutorial via Ruffled

DIY Chevron Ring Pillow Tutorial by Hank and Hunt via The Sweetest Occasion

Lemon Enzyme DIY Cleaner

A few weeks ago I made a Lemon Enzyme Cleaner with some friends.  It's easy to make-- all you need is water, lemons, brown sugar, and yeast!  The end product is so powerful!  My kitchen and bathroom are seriously sparkling!  I'm feeling pretty great about not using harsh chemicals to clean my house and not buying more plastic bottles that have traveled so far to get to me!  Happy Earth Day everyone!!!

Here is the Lemon Enzyme Cleaner Tutorial that we used.  You may have heard about "Garbage Enzyme" cleaners.  It's the same concept as the lemon enzyme cleaner, but you can use kitchen scraps!  Read this article to learn about how it works and how to make it.

DIY Laundry Soap: Eco-friendly and Cheap!!!

With Earth Day right around the corner, I keep thinking about ways I can go easier on the Earth.  Lucky for me-- DIY projects and frugality are very green pursuits!   Today I am sharing how to make your own laundry detergent.  Be sure to stay tuned this week-- I have a couple more green DIY projects lined up for you!

My husband has really sensitive skin and most detergents make him break out into a crazy rash.  His dermatologist said to only use a detergent that he knows won't irritate his skin and use it every time--no exceptions!  Several "natural" fragrance free/dye free detergents even irritate his skin.  Seventh Generation Fragrance/Dye Free is John's favorite-- but it's so expensive!

My friend Jackie found a recipe to make your own detergent.  The recipe yields 10 gallons (!!!) and only costs about 20 cents per gallon!   It's a fun project to make with a friend and split your bounty.  

This recipe makes 10 gallons!  Think about it-- that's 10 plastic jugs that you're not consuming!

I have used my DIY detergent in a few loads so far and have been really impressed!  I've been sniffing my clothes as I take them out of the machine for quality control.  I'm happy to report my clothes are smelling mighty fresh and clean!  Click here for directions to make your own detergent.  

DIY Wedding: Candles

Looking to add a little jazz to your candles?  Here are some fabulous tutorials to make your own candle, embellish a store bought candle, or create stunning votive holders!   xo, Ashley

DIY Painted Votive Candle Holders via Once Wed

Lace Vellum Luminarias via Martha Stewart

Candle Making Tutorial via Mister G and Me

 DIY Upcycled Lanterns Vases via Ruffled Blog

DIY Candle Chandeliers via Martha Stewart

Stamped Candles by A Little Sparkle On the Side via Wedloft 

The link is not working-- but you stamp from left to right and roll your wrist to curve the stamp around the candle.  It would be so pretty with a dark candle and white ink!  

Remember the DIY Wedding: Perfect Match post?  

Personalized matches + Gorgeous handmade candles = Perfection!  

More Candle Tutorials:

DIY Rustic Votives via Bayside Bride

Ice Candles via Intimate Weddings

Ivy's DIY Easter Basket

I made little Ivy an Easter basket this year.  I couldn't find the perfect basket so I crafted up a cute one!

I stopped at the thrift store first and picked out a basket.  I looked for a clean one that was the right size-- not too big, not too small.  Then I took it home and cleaned it with bleach spray.  You could probably use vinegar or some natural spray-- but I felt better about knowing it was clean and baby safe.   I left it out in the sun for a few hours to dry.  Next I used spray paint primer and gave it a good coat.  After the primer dried I painted 2 coats of Martha Stewart craft paint in Hydrangea Purple.  It would have been easier to spray paint, but with a little patience I painted the basket with a paint brush and achieved the perfect color.  

Ivy is holding a "Dirty Dog".  They have muddy spots that wash off in the bath.  The white one looks just like Mister G.  You can also see some egg shakers in her basket.  

Seriously, she is so adorable!

My DIY senses are totally tingling now!  I feel like a world of possibilities has just opened up for me.  All of the baskets I run across are usually either ugly or expensive-- so naturally, I haven't given baskets a fair chance!  I'm on the lookout now for a picnic basket and also a big basket to be used for a hamper.  Let me tell you, custom color, a thrifty price tag, and an afternoon of DIY really get me going!