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Sunday, March 30, 2014

the NEW Contributors :: TEAM Eye Candy






I want to THANK YOU all who responded & sent in emails "applying" for a position. I am always so humbled by the people who would like to be on the team, it is such a nice feeling. THANK YOU all! 
 I am so thrilled to introduce you to the latest additions to the TEAM Eye Candy family! 




So here we go . . . the new "duo" of the TEAM Eye Candy family! Welcome! 



Introducing . . . .
  DIY/Craft Contributor duo: Jessica Roe & Stefani Kahn
from Everyday Party Magazine


Everyday Party Magazine





Come and meet Jessica:

Jessica is a devoted wife, mother of four young boys and has always felt the need for a creative outlet, and often been jokingly referred to as Martha. As far back as high school, she loved to throw elaborate parties and when she designs a party, Jessica truly immerses the guests in the theme, whether it's turning her house and yard into a full service water theme park, building castle doors with her husband, or constructing a monster truck track for power wheels.

Jessica's work has been featured on such notable party blogs and magazines such as Hostess With The Mostess, Bird's Party Magazine, Amy Atlas, lilsugar, and Spaceships and Laserbeams.

Jessica enjoys family vacations to their cabin in the TN mountains, as well as frequent trips to The Walt Disney Resort in Orlando.. Jessica can often be found in the kitchen baking, cooking and creating to relax. She has never found anything that didn't look better with a little spray paint, and always has projects lined up for her and her husband to create.


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and Stefani:

I am a wife, a mom to 4 boys and I  have been an elementary school teacher for 18 years. My passion (and my sanity saver) is creating.

I have been creating projects for as long as I can remember. My great aunt Sylvia taught me how to make flowers out of Kleenex and I was hooked. I have been creating ever since.

Now, when I'm not running my boys around or working at a PTA, event you will find me crafting and styling parties.

 
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1. What are 3 things you MUST have when throwing a party?

Jessica ~ Flexibility, I know it's not a "thing" but sometimes things don't happen the way you see them in your head, and you have to be flexible enough to roll with it.
Stefani ~ Fabric and fresh flowers because they are just pretty!
Jessica & Stefani ~ Bite size or individual servings of treats, clean up is a breeze and no one knows how much I have eaten ;)



2. Please share 3 random facts people may not know about you:

Jessica ~ I was enlisted as an officer in the US ARMY, but I wasn't able to serve because of a terrible head on collision just before I was married, and my scheduled Basic Training.
Stefani ~ I have no willpower when a donut is nearby.
Jessica & Stefani ~ We have never met in real life, know each other for over a year, have more in common than either of us care to admit…and we are both SO EXCITED to finally meet each other in April!




3. What has been your FAVORITE party you have thrown to date?

Jessica  ~ Wow, that is so hard for me!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE doing my kids parties!  But, I think my favorite was my third son's soap box derby party, although the party we had for my 4th son this weekend was pretty amazing too!
Stefani ~ My lemonade party is my very favorite party…it was my first and it will always hold a special place in my heart…plus in a house full of men, it was so nice to style a sweet and girly celebration!





You can follow Everyday Party Magazine
blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter


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What a team huh? I am so excited for this duo as they will fit in so well to the "TEAM eye candy" family. Look for their very first blog post towards the end of April.


Make sure to go visit them on their blogs too so you don't miss anything they may post in between visits here!



THANK YOU so much girls as I am so excited to have you here on my team and look forward to seeing what you all have up your sleeves!! xoxo






Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop!  
Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

I would love for you to connect with me by email or become a blog follower too! {on the right sidebar}  Looking forward to seeing you again! :)
 

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Craft DIY :: Bookbinding 101 - How to make a Journal





Bookbinding 101
by Wendy


Hi, it’s Wendy here from Scrappy Bags today with a basic tutorial on Bookbinding 101.

I made this journal for my daughter today and it only took me a little over an  hour to make this from start to finish. 





Gather your supplies — you will need scrapbook paper, plain white copier paper, a paper cutter, Zip Dry Glue, paper piercer, irish linen thread (or some other heavy duty thread) and an embroidery needle.






Next, decide what size you want the journal to be.  My finished journal is 5 1/4” x 8.  Start by taking six coordinating pieces of scrapbook paper and cut them to 10 1/2” wide by 8” high.  I recommend using the heavier scrapbook paper as it will be more sturdy. 



Once you have your papers cut, glue them together back to back.  I used Zip Dry glue which is wonderful for gluing paper together without getting the wrinkles.  Once you’ve let the paper dry for a few minutes, fold them in half.  Trim up your edges if your paper does not exactly line up.





I then cut some plain white copier paper down to 10 x 7 1/2” size and folded them in half.  This will be your writing paper and you want it to be a little bit smaller than your cover.  



Next, you will need to make a template for cutting your holes.  Take a piece of the leftover scrapbook paper and make a 1” strip the same size as the width of your book cover.  Fold this paper in half lengthwise, then fold it in half again from top to bottom, and then once again from top to bottom.  Open up that piece of paper and you should have a vertical line going down the center, then three horizontal lines intersecting that center line.  The spots where those three lines intersect is where you will make your holes fold binding.  Make sense?




Using the guide that you just made, make three holes with a paper piercer on your pages at the folds.  One in the center and one on either side using your paper template.  





After you have your holes punched, you are ready to start binding your journal.  The best thread to use for this is irish linen thread that has a wax coating.  You can order it online, but it’s difficult to find at any of the craft stores.  You also should have a heavier needle, such as an embroidery needle.  You want it to be pretty sturdy so that you can work through the paper with ease.  Thread your need and start binding your papers together.  You should start from the outside middle hole to the inside.  Then go to the top hole and through to the outside.  Then go all the way to the other hole and through to the inside.  Go back to the center hole and to the outside again.  Repeat this process three or four times keeping your thread tight so that your book is sturdy.  Before you tie off your thread, be sure to make a double knot so that your book does not unravel.  You’re done!




Now go ahead and have fun adding die cuts, stickers, whatever you like to embellish your book.  Feel free to mix it up and make it your own.



Until next time. Wendy



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DIY /Craft Contributor: Wendy Diem



Wendy is a stay at home mom living in Hershey, Pennsylvania, also know as the sweetest place on earth! 


She loves creating memory books and cards and would spend my whole day scrapbooking, but I do need to make time to take care of my family.  You know, those fun things like laundry, cleaning the house, etc.  
 

Back in March, 2012, she had the privilege of going to NYC as part of Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers to attend some workshops and the live taping of her show.  She enjoyed meeting lots of wonderful entrepreneurial women.  What a great experience it was!



You can follow Wendy




Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WEDDING :: My Wedding as an Inspiration Board

     
Hello everyone & welcome to a special edition to "Wedding Wednesday"!
Tomorrow I celebrate FOUR years of being married to my amazing husband & today, I am starting the celebrating early by sharing an inspiration board based on photos from my very own wedding. Enjoy!


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My wedding colors were black n' white with a bit of damask & polka dots thrown in.
We had a signature cocktail that rocked everyone's socks off.
All of the guys wore their own suits to keep it casual.
We gifted all the dudes with their ties and brand new chucks.
Our wedding programs were one of my favorite things and such a fun keepsake.
The dancing shoes for everyone were bought from Target in the middle of a snowstorm. (it had to be done ;)
The big hit at the reception was our sundae bar. I just wish I would have remembered to get one. lol
I handmade my hair flower + all the bridesmaids. So I guess that means my 'other' business was born this day too. (Skylar Raine)
My girls laughed a LOT. My niece did the most. During the ceremony. But it's all good, that's what we do.
We had a blast taking pictures beforehand out on the golf course and a covered bridge. A favorite memory for sure! 

All the tables at the reception were named after our favorite bands.
The entire wedding party IN golf carts. Oh the stories. ;)

My daughter. In MY shoes. I am in love.


 
Celebrate true love always and forever, when you can.
Make the moments count.
Happy (almost) anniversary to my husband & (still) new blended family. 
I love you all. xoxo



 






Are you loving the "eye candy" here?

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)
 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

CRAFT :: Spring Gift Baskets

     
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DIY Pick-Me-Up Spring Gift Baskets
by Melissa
      

Today I am sharing a simple hostess or get well gift for someone.  I call them Pick-Me-Up Baskets or some call them Sunshine Baskets.  I am always on the hunt for little fun trinkets to give to friends, stick in cards or just to brighten someone’s day.    

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Using Laura’s "Think Spring" collection for this idea was PERFECT!   


I found these cute containers at Pick Your Plum and knew that they would be perfect for a little pick-me-up for a sick friend. 


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Adding some fresh flowers, little trinkets and some chocolate is the idea for these Pick-Me-Up Baskets.  I added one of the fabric flower pins from Skylar Raine as an added little gift and pop of color.

Instead of sticking the little note card onto the container, I used a mini clothespin to add some color and more spring to the gift. 

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You can keep all the supplies in a tote and put them together very quickly.  I would think that anyone would enjoy seeing this at their doorstep!



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Until next time – Party on Friends!
Melissa



 

 

 

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Guest Contributor: Melissa Newell




 
Melissa Newell has been planning and executing parties for over 20 years - parties have always been a passion of hers.


Melissa’s motto is Go Big or Go Home! She celebrates with her children every chance they get - making each day a celebration of Life!



You can follow Melissa