By Kelly on Nov 2, 2012
Holy Halloween. I can’t believe it’s over and November is here, but I am pretty darn excited for the holiday season. This weekend will be a busy one for me! I’m getting new headshots taken next weekend with the lovely Mary Costa and I am so excited. We have lots of fun stuff planned to go along with the launch of Studio DIY’s new look, coming at you in the next couple of months! On the non-work front, I’ve finally talked (read: forced) Jeff into taking dance lessons with me for a few weeks! AH! I danced for the first 15 years of my life and miss it so much so I’m pretty excited to put my dancin’ shoes back on. On a serious note, I also just simply can’t get over the destruction Sandy caused. Being from the East Coast, I know far too many people who were terribly affected by it and if you’re one of them, know my thoughts are with you. Luckily I know East Coasters are some of the strongest people around and they’ll get through it. Wishing everyone a safe and happy as can be weekend, no matter where you are!
Birthday Cinnamon Rolls via whisked.
{Inspire} Links to Love
I dream of the day I get to have a nook like this in my home!
We could all use an emergency compliment some days.
Pom pom wrapping paper!
The cost of Halloween.
Branding the presidents of the USA.
I need this garland. It is necessary.
UP costumes will never get old. Ever.
{Create} DIY Projects & Recipes
Hello cake, meet cinnamon roll.
And also meet birthday cake.
Get ready for those football games with DIY foam fingers!
This bunting is so stinkin’ cute for a kid’s room.
So is this moon piñata!
A pretty cool DIY necklace.
I think this will be on my dinner table next week.
Shhh. I love butter.
{Celebrate} Studio DIY Elsewhere
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been doing some fun posts with Homemade Simple! Check out my first one, an easy fall tablescape, here!
Posted in DIY, Happy Weekend
By Kelly on Nov 2, 2012
I always say that there is no day in the world that makes me more happy social media exists than October 31st. On Wednesday night my Instagram exploded with awesome Halloween costumes, on dogs, babies and adults! Even though I didn’t don my costume Halloween night, I was going crazy looking at everyone else’s. It’s terrible that many people didn’t get to celebrate Halloween this year because of that jerk Sandy, but I hope they were able to get a little smile out of some of these get-ups. And in case you missed them, I’ve rounded up my favorites here as a final farewell to Halloween.
Audrey of Urbanic’s little boys as a (homemade and working!) gumball machine and an adorable elephant!
Jessica Claire’s son Locke as the cutest gnome of all time!
Katie of Katie’s Pencil Box’s kids as a French clown and a bandit!
Maria of Two Peas and their Pod’s son Caleb appropriately costumed as a pea!
Piñata costumes via The Land of Nod’s Instagram!
MJ of Parscaeli as Mary Poppins!
The above several photos are of Rifle Paper Co. employees dressed as Anna’s artwork. I could just about die over these costumes seeing as I am a huge Rifle fan. Does it get more awesome!?
Chelsea of Lovely Indeed and hubby Ryan as Lucy and Ricky!
Lexy of The Proper Pinwheel and hubby Logan as Rita Skeeter and Rubeus Hagrid from Harry Potter AND Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. Those two don’t mess around when it comes to costumes.
Jenny of Garlic My Soul and boyfriend Jeff as characters from Moonrise Kingom. Photo by Mary Costa Photography.
Janice of Bellwether Events’ dog Tammy as a lobster!
Callie of Call Me Cal’s dog Digby as a Dogosaurus Rex.
What were your favorite costumes this year?
And with this post, it’s over and out on Halloween. You know what’s coming….. the HOLIDAYS!!!! Christmas!! Put on your cheerful pants people, it’s about to get merry around here!
Posted in DIY, Halloween, Holiday Parties, Parties, Etc.
By Kelly on Nov 1, 2012
My favorite part of the vintage car party I created was the interactive table runner, and it was the simplest thing to make! This chalkboard car runner is great for a party but it also is perfect for an everyday play mat for your little ones. They’ll love creating chalk homes and obstacles and racing their cars along it. You can even lay it out on the table while you get dinner ready to keep them busy! You could even make one of these as a holiday gift and send it along with colorful chalk and a bunch of little cars! Here’s the full DIY…
Supply List:
Chalkboard Contact Paper
White (or Yellow) Artist’s Tape
Chalk
Toy Cars
To Make:
Unroll your Chalkboard Contact Paper and cut it to the desired length if necessary. Cut small rectangles of tape and tape them down the runner, curving and winding as you please to form roads. Set out some chalk and toy cars and watch the kiddos have a blast! It really is that easy!
I wanted my runner to be temporary so I left the backing on my contact paper, that way it can just roll up and be stored away when it’s not in use. If you have a designated kids table in a playroom and want to make this a permanent feature, simply peel off the backing and carefully adhere the runner to the table.
All Photos by Studio DIY
Don’t forget to check out the full vintage car party right here!
Looking for more DIY projects? Check out the full project gallery here!
Posted in Birthday parties, Birthday Party DIY Projects, Decor DIY Projects, DIY, DIY Projects, Entertainment DIY Projects, Favor & Gift DIY Projects
By Kelly on Nov 1, 2012
Did you all survive Halloween? What did you (or your kiddos) dress up as!? While I take a short break from holiday-themed content in between my two favorite holidays, I wanted to be sure and share this super fun tablescape I put together for Spaceships & Laser Beam’s Boy Bash on a Budget challenge. Stephanie asked me to dream up something for her awesome vintage car party printables, with a $20 budget! Woah baby! Later I’ll be sharing the DIY tutorial for the interactive chalkboard runner, too, but for now here’s a little peek at the whole shebang!
Harris, the little man behind this sign, is my nephew, who knows more about cars than most adults. He happily stepped in for a few shots for this faux party!
I made giant dice out of paper to resemble those fuzzy dice you often see in old cars, and I crafted traffic cones out of snow cone papers and orange cardstock.
Chocolate donuts acted as “spare tires” and each favor bag held toy cars for playing with at party, and taking home after!
All Photos by Studio DIY
A special thanks to Spaceships & Laser Beams for inviting me to participate in this challenge! You can check out their full printable collections here and my full party post here!
Looking for more DIY birthday party inspiration!? Check out more DIY birthday parties here!
Posted in Birthday parties, DIY, Real DIY Birthday Parties
By Kelly on Oct 31, 2012
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The day is finally here! In need of a super last minute project? Go here. Then come back and read this. You’ll need it. Every Halloween I’d come back with an insane amount of candy. Trick-or-treating was huge in my neighborhood and I made sure to hit every single house. Yet I was never the biggest candy eater, I much prefer my sweets in baked good form so I never made it through all my treats. These five ways to re-invent your Halloween candy will help you plow through that candy, gift it away and save it for later!
1. Halloween Candy Bark: Let’s start with the classics, shall we? Nothing is better for mixing together a bunch of leftover sweets than bark. This particular recipe has Butterfingers, Heath bars, peanut butter cups and M&Ms. You’re welcome.
Halloween Candy Bark via Pink Parsley
2. Candy Stuffed Cookie Cups: If you haven’t gone crazy stuffing candy bars inside puff pastry, you stuff the rest in some cookie cups. And top it with frosting. And more candy bars. I never said this was going to be a healthy post…
Candy Bar Cookie Cups via Kevin & Amanda
3. Candy Bar Pancakes: Turn candy into breakfast and you win Best Parent of the Year. It’s really no worse than chocolate chip pancakes, right!?
Candy Bar Pancakes via Wheat-Free Meat-Free
4. Candy Advent Calendar: If you can manage, steal away some candy from the kiddos (or have them “sell” it to you for other items!) and save it for their advent calendars. Just make sure you don’t eat it in the meantime! You should steal a few extra pieces for that.
Advent Calendar via Twig & Thistle
5. Candy Bar Caramel Corn: If you have a fall party to attend, whip up a batch of this candy bar caramel corn as a hostess gift to knock their socks off! Or just surprise the family with this sweet treat instead of the typical buttered variety for movie night!
Candy Bar Caramel Corn via How Sweet It Is
Have something you’d like to see in the “Five Things” series? Let me know in the comments below!
Posted in DIY, Five Things, Halloween, Holiday Parties, Sweets & Treats Inspiration
