Cheap Art, Big Impact

I have a grouping of pictures on my living room wall.  I purchased them several years ago.  I had grown tired of them, and looked and looked at various stores for new options.  Of course I am picky, and in my search I either didn't see anything I liked, or what I found was too expensive.

Then one day, I had pulled out my collection of scrapbook paper.  I love scrapbook paper.  I love the various colors, patterns, textures, the 12x12 size.  I have a large collection, and I have tried scrapbooking and it feels too permanent for me.  I have to make sure I have photos ready, which takes way too long for me to decide which one is the "one".  To scrapbook and only use one or two pictures on a page seems inefficient, and it takes me hours to do two coordinating pages!

But, I love the paper, and I decided to use it as art when I was expecting my first daughter.  At the time, I was looking for just the right art.  Of course, I couldn't find anything that also was the right price.  So, I used scrapbook paper as art!  I was so pleased with how these turned out, I did a "grown up" grouping for my oldest daughter when she was moved to her big girl room.  (Images below)  For my youngest daughter, I just recently did a grouping for her room too.  The poor second child had her sister's nursery art in her room until just a few months ago.  She just turned three.

My Oldest Daughter's Room decor

Back to my living room, one day I had pulled my collection out and got the idea to substitiute three of the just okay pictures with framed scrapbook paper.  I choose colors and a pattern that fit with my living room decor.  The other three pictures which are all in black and white, I left alone.  I put the new paper in the old frames, and returned them back in the same position in the wall.  It was just the right touch, and so inexpensive!  It cost me only $2.00!

Living Room Wall Grouping

New framed art

New framed art

Living Room Grouping - Close up

the Sweetest Summer Giveaway

I am so excited to announce my first giveaway,
the Sweetest Summer Giveaway. 
We have a winner!  Congratulations Ayumi Kamata.  I will contacting you shortly with the details!

I have teamed up with three talented ladies of Curly Q Bowtique, SewCute LLC and Danielle Renee Photography to offer you this exciting giveaway.

French imported, blue, pink, and yellow woven paisley ribbon belt.

1 1/2" wide by 42 1/4" long. Valued at $22.00.

Blog: http://sewcutellc.tumblr.com/

 

Photo Correction for up to 10 personal photos, a $25 value.

Add vibrance and life to dull photos or

special effects like black and white or a vintage look to your favorite photos.

Here are the details:

*******************************************************

You only need to enter once to win.  Please leave one comment here on the blog after you've performed all tasks.  Also, please leave a comment on each Facebook page to let us know you are participating in the giveaway.

1. Become a fan of the Sweetest Memory on Facebook.

2. Become a fan of Curly Q Bowtique on Facebook.

3. Become a fan of SewCute LLC on Facebook.

4. Become a fan of Danielle Renee Photography on Facebook.

5. Visit the Sweetest Memory on ETSY http://thesweetestmemory.etsy.com.  In your post let me know you will be spending your $25.00 shop credit.

6.  Post this giveaway on your wall to spread the word!

Contest starts: Tuesday, June 7th

Contest ends: CLOSED                                   

Winner was chosen by Random.org.

******************************************************

GOOD LUCK!!  Contact me if you are having any trouble at thesweetestmemory@cox.net

A Garden Party

My daughter's Garden Party turned out great.  Here are some photos of decorations and food.  I served snack food - pb&j sandwhiches cut in butterfly and worm shapes, ants on a log, Cheetos (catepillars), pita chips and hummus, Lemonade (bug juice), fruits and veggies.

For the cupcakes and single cake, my daughter wanted pink.  So, I made strawberry cupcakes and put pink covered yogurt pretzels on top to make butterflies.  They worked out great on the cupcakes.  They started sliding on the small cake and so I had to save them with toothpicks!

Colors for the party were pink (my daughters favorite) and orange.  I found the perfect plates from Target that had butterflies, and polkadots in pink and orange. 

Activites for the kids consisted of a frog/snake (pretend) hunt in the garden with butterfly nets, planting seeds and decorating pots and plant markers, decorating paper bags with bug foam stickers, using cupcake liners and pipe cleaners to make flowers.  The paper bags were handy for transporting the planted plants neatly in the car.  (I had not thought of that part of it until the party.  It was a happy accident!)  I also had bug felt masks for the kids to wear (Target Dollar spot.) 

Party favors were bug tatoos, stretchy bugs, small bug catchers, stickers, silly bands in garden themes, pencils, the potted plants, and frogs/snakes from the hunt.  Another cute idea that I didn't implement was Target had larger bug catchers at spring time.  I thought these would be great to fill instead of a bag for a cute look.  I was unsure of who all would be attending, so I ended up filling clear orange bags instead.  Favors for the adults were mini pots with seeds to add to their own garden.

Thanks to everyone for making it a special day!