Little Pink Studio

Petite May Basket Swap

Hello! How is your week going, so far? I wanted to host an Easter basket swap this year like I have done a few years in the past, but with being sick so much I was unable to get to it. A couple of years ago I participated in a petite May basket swap and it was lots of fun, so I decided to host one this year! I know it's a bit short notice, but I think we can do it. 

I gathered some inspiration from flickr, where the May basket group was hosted and here are a few of my favorites. 

(All of the original photos and links can be found right here. Many of the photos belong to ladies that are no longer blogging so I wanted to be sure to link to the source of the photos)

Lots of gorgeous inspiration there, right?

This will be a one on one swap, unless you would just like to have more than one partner and if that is the case, let me know. To participate, you will need to create, alter, OR embellish a petite basket and fill it with the kind of art goods your partner would love. I want each basket to be special, with attention paid to the smallest of details. (Like packaging things sweetly, etc.) NO JUNK. I don't want anyone to fill their sweet little baskets with things they just don't want anymore, but rather treasures that their partner will love. 

All baskets will need to be in the recipients hands by May Day. (May 1st) 

If you'd like to join, and can can meet the expectations, then please shoot me an email telling me your name, address, where you can be found on the web, and your likes or style. Send the email to cerri at thelittlepinkstudio dot com. Also, please be sure to let me know if you are willing to ship internationally since our time is short.  I will take sign ups only until Sunday evening so then I can quickly assign partners. I want you to have plenty of time to get your baskets ready. 

I do hope you will play along, I just love a good swap, don't you?! Please feel free to add the button at the top to your blog and I'd love for you to share if you would like!

Cerri xo

PS, I almost forgot to mention: If you have a 12-13 year old gal that would like to play along, please let me know. My niece loves to do swaps with me, and I know she would love to play along for this one as well. 

Let's talk about gingerbread houses

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Hello! Not quite ready with my tutorial this week yet, so let's take a moment and talk about gingerbread houses, shall we? There's just something so magical about creating a house of cookies, candy, and frosting. It's been a long standing tradition in our house to make gingerbread houses, starting way back when my girls were just little and their houses were more of a candy and frosting mess than anything. Over the years it became a bit competitive, and we've had everything from tiny little houses, to full on gingerbread ships. (My husband won that year) We don't compete with them as much anymore, but I still really enjoy making them. Just thought I would share some of the wonderful little houses I found on pinterest. 

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(I couldn't click through for an original source for this, but here is the pin)

I am quite smitten with the idea of using your gingerbread houses as a centerpiece for your holiday table!

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Follow the link for a tutorial, more ideas, and a template for your gingerbread houses!

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And just how sweet are these tiny houses? Wouldn't they make darling place settings? Sorry, I could not find an original source for these sweet houses, but I just love the idea!

I think I'm leaning towards tiny houses myself this year. We'll be making them this weekend, so I better get busy collecting my candy. :)

Do you make gingerbread houses in your family? Do you make them from scratch, or buy the premade kits? 

Be back soon, Cerri

Let's talk about place settings

 

(image source and lovely tutorial)

Hello! I'm sorry to have disappeared a bit on you. Last Friday, I had planned a giveaway for the blog, but then the tragedy in CT happened, and I didn't feel right about posting something as trivial as that. In fact, I haven't felt like posting or being on the internet much at all since then. My heart is broken for the families of all of those involved. 

I'm trying to just concentrate on Christmas, and all that needs to be done before then. So today, I thought we would talk a bit about place settings. Have you already set your holiday table? I have seen some really lovely and inspiring settings around the net this season. I am quite smitten with the bow napkin fold above, as well as the lovely colors! I have really had a fondness of green and ivory this year. The link above will not only take you to the source of the photo, but a great tutorial for making the bow fold yourself. 

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This photo is not pictured as a place setting, but I think it would make a one! Sweet little ornaments nestled into a vintage tart tin. Lovely.

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And just how lovely are these ornaments hanging from ribbon on the back of each chair? 

I also love this simple and sweet idea. Just drill a hole in a wood slice, place a small branch inside a glue a star to the top. Each of your guest not only knows where to sit, but can also take home a little memento.  (This photo came was from marthastewart.com as is noted on the photo itself, but I could not find it on the website, sorry!)

What do you do for place settings? Please share your ideas, or links to photos in the comments. We would love to see. 

I will be back with a tutorial on Thursday, and we will try again for a giveaway on Friday. 

A quick note about the shop: I will take any last minute orders that need to be expedited throughout the day on jWednesday, but after that will not be shipping again until after the first of the year. My girls are both home, and as you might remember, last year was a really, really tough year for us, so I want to snuggle in and enjoy my family as much as possible. 

I will be happy to email gift certificates and tutorials at any time though! 

Cerri 

Handmade gifts

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Hello! I hope your week is going well! This year, I really want to spend time creating some gifts for the people I  love. Other than a couple of things for my Mom, I haven't really made any gifts in a long time. I want to change that. I haven't started yet, but all of these are things that are on my "to do" list. 

I love the way the natural beeswax candles look in the simple jars above, don't you? So pretty. Apparently, burning beeswax in your home is a good thing as well. I adore candles, always have, but I have pretty bad allergies and as I get older they get worse, so I actually have a hard time burning anything with a scent. I am hoping these will do the trick.  If you want to make some beeswax candles too, you can find out how here, with a lovely tutorial (and more pretty pictures of the candles).

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I love, love this idea. These beautiful framed doilies are actually for sale as an instant collection, but I was thinking this would make a fairly easy and lovely gift to make as well. Though, I have a lot of doilies I don't think I have any quite as beautiful as these. 

I also think beautiful pieces of lace would also be great framed in the embroidery hoop frames. Wouldn't it be wonderful to gift someone a collection of hoops that have framed pieces of family wedding dresses? 

Anyway, I'm definitely looking for more doilies, and Mom, if you're reading..hint. hint. ;)

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These little truck pin cushions are definitely on the list for my girls. So cute, right? I just love this idea. My youngest daughter is a country girl at heart, you rarely catch her out of her cowgirl boots, and having an old truck to haul her vintage camper is definitely one of her dreams. So I think this would be right up her alley. When I pinned this though, my oldest daughter proclaimed that she wanted one too. :) I'm on the hunt for some old trucks. 

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And last for today, I think this idea is adorable. But for Christmas/winter holidays I think it would be darling to make a kit like this with hot cocoa. Think cute mugs, cocoa mix, marshmallows, sprinkles, candy canes, etc...It would be a great gift for a "family" gift, a neighbor gift,teacher gift, a college student care package, or even just for your nieces and nephews. 

I can't wait to get started making and putting together handmade gifts!

What about you? Do you make gifts? What's on your list this year? 

xo,Cerri

PS, Starting tomorrow I will begin showing you what's "in store" for the our holidays in the shop. I think you'll find something for everyone. 

Wrapping with non traditional things we have on hand

Hello! Today's post really should be brought to you by my sweet Momma, who has turned into the gift wrapping queen. All of the packages shown here were wrapped by her. I love how she takes items that she has in her studio to make her gifts even prettier, and abandons all "traditional" style wrapping. 

The love aqua box above was a Martha Stewart office box, and since the box was pretty in itself she simply wrapped a vintage scarf around it, tied it into a bow and added a vintage brooch. This made the wrapping gifts as well! Love that. 

Here's another package where she used her wrapping elements as gifts. Mom and I both collect vintage embroidered linens, and so I was obviously thrilled with the way she wrapped this package. She took a simple white box, and use glue dots to wrap the vintage linen around the top, she then tied that off with a bit of vintage millinery, a handmade tag, tulle, and a bit of vintage lace. Gorgeous. 

Even a lovely piece of paper can be turned into a prettily wrapped gift. She just created an envelope out of a pretty sheet of paper, and tied a bow using a piece of a vintage silk scarf and a bit of vintage millinery. Simple, and beautiful. 

This last gift again utilizes a simple white box, but she covered the top in a pretty patterned paper and then beautiful vintage lace over that. She secured all of that with simple glue dots. Topped with some silk ribbon and vintage millinery, this package is just beautiful. 

Obviously, it takes a bit more time to wrap presents like this, but it really tends to make the person on the receiving end feel so special. Plus, you use bits from your stash, or add to the gifts by making the wrapping part of the gift. These packages were not holiday gifts, but you can add a bit more bling or bits of tinsel and they would be perfectly festive for the holidays as well. 

What are some special ways you like to present your gifts? I would love to hear any special tips you have thought of when wrapping a gift. 

A quick note: 
The LPS holidays will include posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I will be covering handmade ornaments, wrapping ideas, recipes and neat ways to present food, as well as handmade gifts. We will also have a couple of give aways thrown in.

Most blog posts will appear in the early afternoon, but sometimes in the am.

Next Monday, the 19th, will be when I have all of the holiday items in the shop. I have been adding and restocking all week, but will have it finalized by then. There will be new and new, old things throughout the shop in every category I believe. I am waiting on a few items to arrive still. Over the weekend, I plan to share peeks of what is coming. 

Also, don't forget to sign up for the stocking swap soon. You can do that right here.  We are a little more than half full right now. 

See you tomorrow. 

Cerri xo

Tuesday tutorial: Halloween inspiratioin

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Hello! I hope you had a lovely weekend and your week is off to a great start. My weekend ended up not as expected at all, and instead we had a family emergency. Such is life, I guess...but hoping for a much better weekend next time. Anyway, so today I don't have a tutorial I have prepared for you, but I have gathered all sorts of neat Halloween ideas from around the web to inspire you.

Here's a tutorial for some super cute painted pumpkins. Love the silhouette pumpkin!

Love these cute treat bags just created by folding newspaper (or other scrap papers) together and stamping on them.

These darling printables would be perfect for cutting out and adhering to your treat bags. They can also be cut out, sandwich a toothpick between two of them and made into really cute cupcake toppers. Or print them on sticker sheets and include them IN your goody bags for your little trick or treaters. For only $2, I am sure you can think of a million things to do with them! (besides, they're designed by the sweetest designer I know--my daughter)

LOVE the glittered pumpkin favor boxes! I bet you can probably find some paper mache pumpkins on clearance in the craft stores now. Just cover them in glue and silver glass glitter! Easy, and so charming.

And lastly, I love how simply a bit of washi tape can turn a little tin into into a special treat. 

For even more ideas and images, you can visit my Halloween pinterest board, so much inspiration there!

What's inspiring you for Halloween? Do you go all out for decorating and treat making? Link in the comments if you have a great idea, we would love to see!

Happy creating, Cerri

Tuesday tutorial: Tutorials from around the net

 (tutorial here)
Hello! I hope your week has started off lovely! I am in Nashville for a few days helping my daughter set up her first apartment. Yep, she is moving into an apartment, and will stay in Nashville now until she graduates college. She will still come home for a couple of weeks here and there, but her long extended stays over the summer and such are done. And yes, this breaks my heart even though I thought I was thoroughly prepared since this is her 3rd year in college, but I wasn't. Not at all. I wasn't prepared for the empty bedroom. Anyway before I start blubbering, I am excited for her as well, and we have several diy projects going on to make her apartment cute. However, none of them are quite ready to show you yet. So today, I hope you'll enjoy some cute tutorials I have found around the web in place of my own tutorial. 

The adorable bows above we will actually be turning into push pins for her inspiration board and possibly a little bow garland. We were both pretty smitten with the felt bow idea. :)

(tutorial somewhere on this blog)

The file cabinet project above is on my to do list for my own studio as soon as I get home. I found a great file cabinet like that at an estate sale, and it's waiting for it's make over. I won't do mine as brightly colored as that, but such a cute idea. (I searched all over the blog this was linked to, and couldn't find this tutorial, but I know it's there somewhere)

(tutorial here)

How sweet are these embellished lanterns? Super easy project, too. 

That's it for me today, I need to get back to helping my daughter get unpacked and organized. To visit more of my tutorials, just click here, and of course most of today's inspiration came from pinterest.

I'll be back soon.

xoxo, Cerri 

 

 

Little Bo Peep

Hello! I'm still plugging away adding new products to shop when I can and I found some darling projects using these some of these sweet new papers and embellishments. Love the darling mini book above, how sweet it that? (source)

The Little Bo Peep collection is full of sweet nostalgic images and patterns that are vintage inspired and so girly. Of course, that's right up my alley so I had to bring them in to the shop. (source)

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Clearly, you can use these darling papers for anything from cards, to scrapbooks, to mini albums! 

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How can you resist all of this sweetness? The only thing this collection is missing is a bit of bling! I think our petite sequin bows would be the perfect addition!

Inspired? Hop on over to the shop. :)

And here's a sweet image for you to use with all of your Little Bo Peep projects. 

xoxo, Cerri

Pinspiration and sort of a Tuesday Tutorial

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Hello!I hope you're all having a lovely week. Sorry my Tuesday tutorial is a little late today, but we had a horrible storm and were w/out power for a good percentage of the day. So, today's tutorial is based on all of the gorgeous lace covered candles I have been seeing out there on the internet. 

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So, of course I had to give it a go and make some myself. 

To make my candles, I simply gathered some clear glass candles. (Heather mentioned she found them at the Family Dollar for like $1.50 a piece, and sure enough that's where I found them as well!) I also gathered some vintage lace, little bits of vintage millinery, a vintage silk scarf, The Ultimate glue, and a foam brush. That's really all you need. 

I poured out some of my Ultimate glue onto a dish and using my foam brush applied glue all over my candle. Then, I just started adding lace. I layered some, and some I just left with the one layer of lace.  

I tore my vintage silk scarf into strips and tied a pretty bow onto my candle once I was happy with the lace layers. Then I finished it off by gluing on a bit of vintage millinery. REALLY easy, and REALLY addictive. 

They're quite lovely when they're burning and you can see the flame through the lace, and I just love them placed around my studio and home. I also think they would make wonderful and inexpensive gifts!

I hope you'll make some lace covered candles too, or perhaps you already have? Leave me a link in the comments if you have, I would love to see yours. What projects have you been inspired to create from pinterest? 

Cerri xoxo (PS, you can see a few more lace covered candles that inspired me in my ruffles and lace pinboard.)

Spring Beauties Art Journal

Finally we had a little sunshine and I was able to take photos (a lot of photos) of my spring beauties journal. I'l warn you there are a lot of photos, but I wanted to be able to show you as many details as I could. 

Inspired by spring, I grabbed all sorts of my favorite materials and spent two wonderful days playing away. I used vintage wallpaper, hankies, lace, millinery, and more. -You know all of our favorite things. :)

I used vintage ephemera and charms from my Jolis Oiseaux kit. 

(I meant to go back and add a little glitter to the centers of those flowers, so please pretend that you see old silver glitter there, ok?) 

Normally, I would have sewn my book together, but I was at the lake, and decided just to use my adhesives. I think sewing would have added a nice texture to the pages, though. And I do still plan to sew the pages together, but kept the pages separate for photographing. 

I enjoyed making this book so much, I decided to turn it into a kit. You can read more about the details and order the kit here.  The kit will come with all of the materials to make this art journal, as well as extras so that you can make it your own. I am taking orders on the kit until Monday, April 23rd, and they will ship just a couple of days later. Once the kits have shipped, a full color pdf tutorial will be emailed to you explaining how to construct and embellish your journal as well as helpful hints and tips. 

I hope you'll join me in creating this Spring Beauties art journal. 

Cerri xoxo