{noteworthy} it's my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm popping in from my summer vacation for just one moment to show you the gorgeous, colorful flowers the oh so talented Jen of Jen Kim Creative made for my birthday!  Aren't they just beautiful?  I wish my camera skills did them just a bit more justice.  Four of these beauties are sprinkled around our home in honor of my birthday today & my birthday celebration tomorrow.  The bright, pretty flowers are the perfect way to get this birthday party started!

Carry on, my friends.  Treat yourself to something beautiful or sweet in honor of my birthday!

(Reminder: Regular blogging will not resume until Wednesday, July 17. Thanks!)

Happy Birthday, RZ!

Today is a very special day: it's my husband's birthday!  Cue the confetti!!  Since we're away from home on his big day, I surprised him with this festive birthday balloon when he got home from work yesterday before we went out for his pre-birthday dinner.  Then at midnight, I whipped out an ice cream cake & candles for his "Happy Birthday" serenade.  I hope his birthday wish comes true because he deserves all that & more.  I just love celebrating with him!  

To my best friend, my love & my husband: Happy Birthday! xoxo

Crafty {Belated} Birthday

Belated Birthday Gifts & Wishes 

for Jen of Craftiness NOW

At Koru, the inspiration & celebration of new beginnings involves weddings 99% of the time.  But beginnings come in many forms like births & birthdays.  & I like to celebrate them all!!!

My friend Jen of Craftiness NOW is no exception.  When she announced her birthday bash in August, I eagerly started a birthday project for her that involved her love of pink & crafts.  Then I was unable to attend her party (boo-hoo) & I stalled on my crafting.  We finally made plans last week & this was the fire I needed under my crafting butt to get this project done.

Let's call this project Inspiration Canvas Set.  I found inspiration on Pinterest but (stupidly) I didn't actually pin the source but the basic canvas, letters, paint idea is similar to this pin.  I wanted something simple & sweet to decorate Jen's cute apartment & inspire her with some well-chosen words.

First things first was a trip to AC Moore.  I loaded up on 4 baby canvases, wooden letters & paint.  Because a throng of sorority sisters had depleted the supply of wooden letters to make their paddles, I was forced to rethink my words.  I ended up with my original words of Love & Hope, plus the new additions of Joy & Wish: 

I painted two of the canvases with a few coats of Ballet Pink because Jen loves pink & the other canvases with Vanilla for a nice contrast:

The "toughest" part of the project was painting those tiny letters.  For most of the letters, I painted them before I glued them on the canvas.  It wasn't easy keeping them in place to paint them.  I didn't paint Wish until it was glued on the canvas for that exact reason.  Then I ended up with pools of extra paint on the canvas.  I can't decide which method was best:

Before too long, my birthday present idea turned into an actual birthday present that I'm pretty proud of:

I wrapped these cuties in a cupcake gift bag & paired them with pink wine & presented them to Jen at our little dinner & dessert party.  I'm pretty sure she liked them.  Hopefully, all of Jen's birthday wishes come true because she deserves each & every one!

FYI, with the right words, these could be a great engagement, wedding or baby decoration or gift.  Think Marry Me with the couple's name, wedding words like Forever/Always/Love/Heart or the baby's name, birth date & stats.  Be creative & have FUN!

Koru Kate Finds: 7th Edition

Making Memories

Image via Treasury of Memories 

Newlywed Nesting.  Is there such a thing?  Well, the hubs & I got major nesting fever back in June when we started several major projects in our home sweet home.  Now we're finishing up with a few little projects, including choosing, printing & hanging wedding & honeymoon photos on our walls.

That's where my latest Koru Kate Finds comes in.  I found this Established Canvas Kit gem during one of my many Pinterest binges & I thought it was absolutely perfect for displaying a few of your wedding photos.  It's beyond fabulous!!!  The kit comes with the four canvases, the ribbon & the established sign.  All you need to do is choose & adhere three of your favorite photos.  Then presto: you have a sweet wedding memento to adorn your home! 

Now, of course, I opt to take the more difficult route & make my own Established display.  I will pick up the four canvases at my craft store, plus some pretty ribbon to match our decor & wooden letters to make our name & wedding date.  Then I have the difficult task of choosing three favorite wedding photos.  I'm excited about these personal touches that will make the display the perfect match for our home.  I'll post the results soon :-) 

I hope my find inspires you.  Get those creative wheels turning . . . Make your own to celebrate your Wedding.  Fun gift for a First Wedding Anniversary.  Lovely gift for a baby's First Birthday.  Or great gift to mark any special occasion! 

Happy Birthday, RZ!

Fiesta Papel Picado

Available at Etsy in aymujer's shop

To my best friend,

to my husband,

to my everything:

 

Happy Birthday!

On A Jet Plane

Leaving on a Jet Plane Print
Available on Etsy at markrouttphotography's shop

It's that time of year again: my Mom & Grandma are leaving sunny California to visit us in summertime Jersey! They're leaving on a jet plane tomorrow to arrive in the evening. I'm the lucky duck on airport duty, then we'll head to California Pizza Kitchen to meet my sister & aunt for dinner. It's become our little tradition.

We've got fun times ahead in the next two weeks: my cousin's graduation, my goddaughter's birthday, my birthday celebration, etc, etc. I expect to keep up with my limited blogging schedule. Just in case I'm missing, please understand I'm enjoying my family & friends!

Fiance's Big Day

BIG Birthday Wishes for my fiance!
Cookies available at Eleni's

Today is my fiance's birthday! RZ has a full, happy day planned for his birthday. He had a short day of work, a wonderful gift in itself. They bought him a cake & sang "Happy Birthday!" much to his embarrassment. Then he rushed off to cheer on his beloved New York Jets in their first game of the season. When all those fun & games are over, Bailey & I are waiting at home with present & Crumbs Bake Shop cupcakes.

Cheers to a year full of good health, good fortune & good times! RZ deserves the very best today & always.

Happy Birthday RZ! XOXO