Easter Chicks

I received this as an email and tried to forward this onto my family, but for some reason the photos wouldn't forward. So here it ends up, on the blog.

Adorable, no? Quoted from the email: 

"The family lives on a ranch in Durango, Colorado, and they have 900 baby chicks. Every year for Easter, they inject the eggs with food coloring, and when the chicks hatch, they are brilliant with color. She uses pink, purple, orange, green, pink, red, turquoise, etc. The chicks aren't hurt by the process, and as they grow, they return to their normal colors."

Next time my parents get chickens I'm doing this!! (My sister called and said they look like those little pompoms you buy in a bag, haha!) 

...and p.s. I found this irresistible. Tyler sent it to me from his friend Spencer.

DIY Lined Envelopes

To spruce up our graduation announcements, I thought it would be nice to line our envelopes with some decorative craft paper. And boy, did I find the best craft paper! It's BYU-blue, velvety and baroque-like.

Materials needed:
decorative paper

envelopes

pen or pencil

gluestick

scissors

bonefolder (optional, but makes things much easier!)

Directions:

1 Make a template out of cardstock. You can either make your own by tracing your envelope or find a template online. Martha Stewart also shows you how to make one right here.

2 Trace the template onto the back side of your decorative paper, and cut them all out. (I used A7 envelopes and 12"x12" craft paper, and was able to cut out two liners per sheet of craft paper.)

3 Gently slide your liner into the envelope and adjust it where you want it. 

4 Carefully fold over the flap of your envelope and use your bonefolder to make a nice, sharp crease. If you don't have access to a bonefolder, try using a ruler to flatten the creases.

5 Unfold the flap and glue just the top triangle of your paper to the envelope flap.

That's it! Didn't they turn out fantastic? I have heard of people making these for weddings. It does get faster and easier after you've made a few, but I can't imagine making hundreds! Yikes!

DIY Pearl Hair Pin

One of the best accessories to complete an outfit without going over the top are pearls. I got my first set from my grandma when I turned sixteen and they've been a favorite of mine ever since. They're timeless and beautiful, and you can wear them with almost anything. I dress them up and dress them down. I wore a strand of pearls on my wedding day (see below) and today I'm wearing the same strand today with a black shirt. I've got four (yes, I know that seems a bit much) pearl necklaces, a pearl ring, a bracelet, earrings, and now a faux pearl clip I made this morning to go in my hair.

I'm a little obsessed with pearls, but when used sparingly they can really dress up just a plain outfit so easily. I don't wear them everyday, or even once a week. But you know those "blah" days where nothing you do seems to go right? Put on a strand of pearls and you'll feel just like Fancy Nancy. (Have you read that children's book? I read two of them with my niece this past weekend and they were great!)

To make my pearl clip, I used craft-store pearls that are sticky on the bottom. Using a tiny dab of hot glue, glue them one at a time to a clip (find hair clips at a beauty store, such as Sally Beauty). This would also be darling in a little girl's hair in place of the expected flower. Pair it with a red or pink dress and she can be Fancy Nancy for the day!

photo by Mariah Baddas based out of San Diego, California.
She was the most amazing wedding photographer EVER.

Knitted Hat

So...who knows how to knit? Crochet? (Obviously I don't know the difference.) I want one of these hats for Jack, but can't find one anywhere (we searched last night). His due date is less than a week and a half away. Hurry - will you teach me? (Mom? I know you made scarves a few years back...)

via RAKJpatterns

via RAKJpatterns

via mariamatson 

via mariamatson

Academy J

 

My friend Jess is a co-owner of Academy J, a headband business. I already have two clips from them, but after winning the lottery (aka a random drawing on facebook) I now have a headband! 

I got to pick the one I wanted, and picked the Finley. It's even more beautiful in person than I expected. I've worn it twice already (got it on Thursday) and am in love with it! It makes me feel "put together" and pretty, even though I feel huge and waddly and overly pregnant right now. ;) 

Check out Academy J's beautiful (and decently priced) accessories on facebook, etsy, and their website!

Beam me up, Scottie!

 

How adorable are these scottie dogs? When I get really good at sewing (that is, actually finishing a project without begging my mom or sisters to finish it for me) I'm going to make one. I can't wait for it to sit on our sofa! 

Find the pattern here.

DIY

If you remember this post about Tyler and I's attempts at constructing our own bed frame (verdict: failure), and thought you could outdo us, you'll be happy to know of this website.

They make beds. And dressers. And shelves. And play kitchens for little ones. All from scratch.
How? They find images they love (mostly from Pottery Barn), and work their magic at duplicating it. And the best part is, if you're willing to spend the time and effort into making it for yourself, you could save over $600. (They recreated a twin bed—second one down—that retailed for $699, and made it for $80. Awesome.)

Maybe one day I'll get somewhat decent at using a hammer and save our family hundreds of dollars. New hobby, perhaps?
all images via Knock Off Wood