DIY Paint Chip Easter Garland

This DIY Paint Chip Easter Egg Garland is definitely going to be one of my favorites this year! Since I am redecorating my daughter's bedroom, I will be visiting Home Depot or Lowe's for paint chips anyway, so why not pick up a few extra for a fun craft.

I found this adorable idea via The Sweetest Occasion.

How to: just visit your local home improvement store, pick out your favorite paint chips in pretty rainbow hues, cut into little egg shapes, fashion them into a garland (personally I would use invisible magic stretch cord usually used in jewelry making).

Voila! A darling Easter garland, all for the price of $0.00!

original source: The Sweetest Ocassion

Easter Egg Garland

Another twist on Easter garland is to craft the garland out of real, dyed, blown-out eggs!

Dyed in fresh spring hues they are light enough to make a great seasonal swag anywhere

in your home.

How to: use a bead-making needle threaded with stretchable jewelry cord. Attach the

garland to the banister using additional cord; tie on lush satin ribbon.

Editors' tip: to blow out an egg, use a push pin to put a hole in each end. Gently push a wooden skewer through one end to enlarge hold and break yolk. Blow into smaller hole. (via BHG). They also have egg blower tools available at most craft stores.

image via BHG

Don't have a staircase? How about using the garland over windows, a mantel or a hallway mirror as shown on Martha Stewart.

image via Martha Stewart

original post found via Modern-Eve

Easter Bunny Garland (or Cupcake Toppers & Gift Bags)

Another darling Easter Bunny Garland found via Martha Stewart!

To bring some festive cheer to your tablescape, string the rabbits across the garland, sit them atop cupcakes, or use them to offer sneak peeks into gift bags.

How to: Download and print the bunny template here or directly from Martha Stewart.

Trace onto vellum, cut out their shape. Punch 2 hold in the head, thread with ribbon or yarn. Repeat as desired.

DIY Paper Easter Bunny Garland

I have found so many darling DIY Easter garlands today! (read, there will be more posts

about my favorites). I just love when I'm in a creative mood to design and I find a lot

of inspiration (not to mention tutorials and templates) from some of my favorite go-to

party blogs! This garland is featured on Hostess with the Mostess, but I love that you can

tailor this craft to any colors, or patterns that you are using for your decor.

Head over to Hostess with the Mostess to see the complete post including instructions

and a downloadable PDF! Happy Crafting!

Peeps Bunny Bunting

Oh my goodness, how incredibly darling is this Peeps Bunny bunting!?!

Head over to made where Dana provides a step-by-step tutorial and a free PDF of the bunny pattern. You'll want to spend some time on Dana's blog too ~ she shares lots of creative ideas!

{REAL PARTY} Breakfast at Hannah's 5th Birthday Party

Breakfast at Hannah's 5th Birthday Party

Yesterday, March 23, 2011, we celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday. I know it's so cliche to say this, but I truly cannot believe how fast time goes by.

I remember praying for a child, and waiting (and waiting) for God to answer my prayer....and what an incredible answer to prayer she is!

I believe now how truly intimately God knows each one of his children, because He gave me such a perfect gift. He gave me more than I could have ever imagined I would want when He picked me to be Hannah's mommy. I know God knows how much I delight in His precious gift and celebrate the little joys every day.

But today we celebrated a special birthday....we celebrated Hannah turning 5 years old!

I styled a "Breakfast at Hannah's" theme party based on the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" movie with Audrey Hepburn. That movie is not only one of my all time favorite movies, but my daughter loves to play dress up, loves being glamorous, and wants to be a movie star, so I thought this was the perfect way to celebrate her milestone birthday!

... and this post would not be complete without a heartfelt thank you, thank you, thank you to each one of my hand picked vendors who helped make this party a reality!

Please see credit and links to all the fabulous vendors who were a part of this party!

Here is the invitation that I custom designed and handmade

Here are some of Hannah's little girlfriends watching her get her hair & makeup done

The birthday girl, Hannah, getting pampered

My incredibly beautiful (inside & out) daughter, Hannah

How old are you today Hannah?!!

Mommy & Hannah

Each of the little girls got to also have their hair & makeup done

and each guest got a professional photo shoot!

Then it was time for the group shot ~

They are so adorable!!

Then the birthday girl got to take a picture with each of her guests

Then it was time for individual Tiffany box cakes and opening presents!

I know my little Holly Golightly had a wonderful time!

I love you with all my heart sweet daughter!!!!!!

Event Planner & Stylist - Kinser Event Company (aka Hannah's Mommy)

Professional photography ~ Memories by Michael Photography

Catering (including the Tiffany box cakes) ~ Jay's Catering

Flowers ~ Petals by Kimarie

Hair & Makeup ~ Hair Comes the Bride

Operation Dress Up and Supply Drive

I wanted to start off the new year with something very near and dear to my heart.

I have always admired people who have an idea, something that will help someone in need or those less fortunate, and then use eyes of faith and not fear to implement their idea. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and I'm always inspired when someone uses what they have been given to serve others.

You see, God designs each of us with a S.H.A.P.E.; which points to the five specific characteristics listed below (excerpts from Pastor Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life),

and when you are doing what God designed you to do, you are fulfilling your purpose.

Your contribution is the unique service God created you to make, it's a ministry only

you can perform.

S.H.A.P.E.

1. Spiritual Gifts; a set of special abilities that God has given you to share his

love and serve others.

2. Heart; the special passions God has given you so that you can glorify Him on earth.

3. Abilities; the set of talents that God gave you when you were born, which He also

wants you to use to make an impact for Him.

4. Personality; the special way God wired you to navigate life and fulfill your unique

Kingdom purpose.

5. Experience; those parts of your past, both positive and painful, that God intends

to use in great ways.

Which brings me to today's post and a new series that I am starting in 2011, for the new year,

and an exciting Decade of Destiny. I want to celebrate, encourage, and support anyone

who takes an idea, however big or small, and wants to turn it into something extraordinary

to serve God's people.

First up in 2011 is an idea my dear friend, Krystin Morris, the designer behind Eliza Kate Designs shared with me. Krystin and I originally met through my daughter modeling for Krystin's darling little girl's clothing collections, but through time have developed a wonderful friendship and I admire Krystin's desire to serve God.

She asked me at the end of last year if I would help spread the word about an outreach she is putting together called "Operation Dress Up". On February 26, 2011, Krystin is inviting ladies to come with their sewing machines and learn how to make simple pillowcase dresses. Then, they are going to make as many as they can for one day and send them to Swaziland to an orphanage in March.

They are looking for donations and specifically the following supplies:

*new or gently used pillow cases in any size or color, solid or print

*1/2, 3/4 or 1" wide elastic

*double wide bias tape

*thread (any color)

*ribbon, trim, buttons, etc.

Also, they are collecting gently used little girls dresses for a local charity.

If you want to contribute you can send the supplies directly to:

Bethany First Church of the Nazarene

Re: Operation Dress Up

6789 NW 39th Expressway

Bethany, OK 73008

If you have any questions, you can contact Krystin directly through her blog at Eliza Kate Designs or krystinmorris@gmail.com.

I am looking forward to an exciting year! If you know anyone that would like to have

their charity, or non-profit event or organization featured on Kinser Event Company, please

be sure to let us know!

Thank you for your continued support and friendship, and I wish each and every one of

you a wonderful 2011!