Costco International Photo Contest

Have you entered?  I just did - squeaked under the wire - tomorrow's the deadline.

Second Chance Prom

What a fantastic night!  The planning started several months ago when a group I belong to needed to spend down our budget.  We brainstormed many ideas and we decided on a Second Chance Prom.  About 85 people attended the gala some dressed in retro gowns, some dresses borrowed from friends and one husband even came in a tux. 

We had paparazzi, a photographer who took pictures, printed them off and everyone got to take theirs home in a nice folder.  We even had root beer floats with cute striped and polka dot straws!

Each person got to take home a votive as a favor.  Here are the votives before I loaded them up.  Our colors were black, white, silver and red so I played off the colors to create these simple, yet elegant additions to the party.  I bought the votives at a dollar store, added vellum, black and white printed paper and some red jewels.  They were a handsome accent to the tables with their little battery operated flickering candle inside.

The centerpieces waiting to take center stage.

We put out the buzz that we'd be having a celebrity guest - Dean's just waiting for the pretty ladies to arrive.

Yup, I got in the act...

The centerpieces were my original idea that I whipped up.  You place a record in the oven for just a couple of minutes.  After it's cooled, you glue it to a flat record and you have a centerpiece for $2 or less.  We got the cupcakes at the local Albertson's for 57 cents each, added a little record decoration that I cut from a plastic folder from an office supply store added a little red circle of paper, punched the hole in the center and we had our centerpieces!

 The red napkins added that pop of color we needed!

I loved the wine barrel serving piece the caterer used.

We're ready to party!  And, that we did - we danced to all kinds of music, enjoyed amazing food and the best part, we enjoyed the friendship.

Costco International Photo Contest 2013

I've entered the Costco Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest for years - will this be the year I win?  I haven't entered yet, but I will before the deadline on September 30th.  They've added two new contests this year the Johnson & Johnson Baby Photo Contest and a Picture-Perfect Pets Photo Contest.  Here's the link to all the dets:  https://enter.costcophotocontest.com - Good luck!!!

Secret Project

Shopping List Update - plastic black washer project - done but I can't share because my friends read my blog and they will be attending the 2nd Chance Prom that they're for...you'll just have to wait until next month.  But, that only leaves the concrete!!!  Getting there!

Shopping List Update

Already Used

Copper wire - Butterfly Mobile
Sugar - forgot to post pictures - see below - BTW, I didn't use hardly any sugar.  See how to make sugar free applesauce at http://makehealthyfun.blogspot.com/2013/08/fruits-of-my-labor.html

Still Left to Use

Concrete
Black plastic circles

The concrete will have to wait until tomorrow...Black plastic circles are done just haven't taken a picture

How to Turn Any Photo Into Party Decor

Who's in for a Party?

 It’s party time and you want dynamic, out-of-this-world decorations - you want something special that screams ‘Hey, this is me!’  No matter what twist you want this party to take, making decorations can be cheap and best of all, they show-off your amazing pics.  An up-high mobile will be hanging around long after the party’s over.  Butterflies not your thing, how about family photos or random shots?  Make several mobiles by theme and decorate your entire pad!  All you need is a quick trip to the hardware store and maybe a bakery for a cupcake before the party.

So, let’s get started amping-up your shin-dig – you’ll be done quicker than you can say ‘Hold on there butterfly, I want to take your ph...’

TWEAK IT FOR AN ENTIRE PARTY THEME

A few tweaks of the basic instructions for the mobile creates an entire party from food to table decor using thinner wire.

 WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Photos, two of each, one printed in reverse because you want this to look great on both sides – project was printed 8 x 10. Use pro printing so the photos are sturdy and won’t go limp
• Copper wire, 6’ of 14 gauge (BTW, you might want to get extra because your besties are going to want these as gifts)
• Adhesive to stick photos together, find your sticky whether it be double-sided tape, glue stick or spray adhesive
• Adhesive to stick photos to wire, white glue, hot glue or double-sided, non-shiny tape
• Jar or something about 2” in diameter
• Scissors
• Flipper flapper, AKA pancake turner

STEP 1:  BY HOOK OR BY CROOK (no stealing required!)

It’s to the kitchen with you to find a couple of things. One, something to wrap the wire around for the hook end.  A flipper flapper (AKA pancake turner) works well.  Next, you’ll need something that has a diameter of about 2” – give or take a shake of salt, doesn’t have to be exact.

Make a quick sketch of how you’d like the mobile to look. Check out the photos for ideas.

You have to hang the mobile somehow, so form a hook by wrapping one end of the wire around the flipper flapper.  You can also form a circle, depending on how you plan for this guy to hang around.

STEP 2:  LOOP-TO-LOOP 

 

About 8” below hook, take your 2” diameter something and wrap the wire around.  Leave about a foot (not a real one) and repeat and repeat again on down the wire.  Just imagine a butterfly circling around you as you form the circles. OK, you don’t have to!

 

STEP 3:  DON’T RUN WITH SCISSORS

Cut around a small area of one of the photos – it makes lining up the pictures sooooo much easier.  Make sure you’re working with one regular photo and one reversed.  Read the back of the bottle, stick or dispenser to apply adhesive to the hinny side of one photo.  Line them up and press, press, press. 

 

Think back to kindergarten and carefully cut around the edges.  Keep on, keepin’ on until you have enough pictures for your mobile. 

STEP 4:  PHOTO FINISH

Things just got stickier.  Stick your photos on the wire with white glue, hot glue or double-sided, non-shiny tape. 

Voilà, you’re ready to just hang loose at your party.  Stand back and take in the oohs and ahhs and get ready to take orders!

TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The butterflies look so real, because they are (not really, but you get it!)

Now that the mobile has dressed up the place, you have to feed your guests and of course, you need a little something else on the down low to make a theme splash (like the table).  How about some picks for cupcakes and in some flowers you got at the market?  It’s all the same steps as the mobile, just smaller.  Print photos wallet size, making the same amount in reverse.  Stick them together, cut ‘em out and here’s where things go different.  Hopefully you have one of those itty bitty hole punches, if not, use something sharp to poke two holes in the center of each photo.  Make swirls in 20 gauge wire using the ol’ pencil (if you can still find one!) leaving about 2” straight on one end.  Thread the straight end in the holes and swirl the end with your pencil.  Make more, more, more – more is always better.  Add to cupcakes, flowers anywhere you need that party spirit.  Who wants cupcakes?

Love photography as much as I do?  Don't forget I make custom wearable art shoes from your photos.  Check out my etsy site at www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee

This Week's Shopping List

I am a Joan of All Trades so I usually have an usual shopping list.  Check out this week's list...

Sugar 

Round black, plastic circle about 1-1/2" in diameter 

Copper wire

Concrete

What do you think I'm making?  I posted my list on Facebook and someone commented that they're sure I'm now on the FBI follow list.

I'll be posting my projects this weekend.

Keep on keepin' on...

Joan

Healthy BBQ Pizza Recipe

Thanks Sheknows.com for sharing our healthy bbq pizza idea from our sister blog Make Healthy Fun! on your site!

www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1007689/its-pizza-party-time

Check out fun and healthy craft projects and recipes on our sister blog www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com

Birthday Candy Bar Centerpiece

 

We couldn't get together for my cousin's 60th birthday last year so we celebrated it a tad bit late at a family reunion last weekend.  I wanted to do a themed gift from 1960's candies but wanted a different presentation.  That's when I stumbled upon a very tall Happy Birthday wine glass at my local discount store.  To weigh it down, I added clear marbles from the dollar store, attached wood skewers to the back of the candy bars with shipping tape and then stuck the skewers into the marbles and I was done.  Almost forgot - the birthday flag - I cut some double-sided scrapbook paper in a flag shape, printed off the greeting on my printer, glued it on the flag and then glued the flag around a painted dowel.  I used stick glue so it was quick to dry and it's sturdy.  I added some curly ribbon to the top and made a simple tissue paper flower that I glued to the top of the dowel.  I did add some other things besides candy like bubbles and crayons - I couldn't find jacks!!!  My cousin, Marsha, was totally surprised!!!  Love it!

Tulip Tie Dye Your Summer

San Luis Obispo 

Tulip Tie Dye Your Summer Tour

And the crowd went WILD for tie dye!!!  Last week, the San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market was extra colorful with the awesome Tulip Tie Dye Your Summer van and tie dye demos.  The street was buzzing with excitement as each person created their own tie dye shirt and took photos with the tie dye van.  We even had the Wilkinson family stop by and make shirts for pretty much everyone in their extended family.  They were here celebrating a 60th wedding anniversary and some were as far away as Iowa.  They couldn't wait until the next morning to unveil each of the t shirts.

The van will be touring California the rest of the summer so check out the schedule and see where you can catch the tie dye spirit! www.tiedyeyoursummer.com/

Tulip Tie Dye Your Summer

Come join the tie dye fun and make your own FREE t shirt at San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market Thursday, July 18th from 6 - 9. Look for the cool tie dye van!

Aleene's Revisited

Sub in a glass etching product from your local craft store and if desired, sub in stickers for the Con-Tact paper cut outs.  Use shapes that fit your theme and you have custom decorations for any occasion.

Custom Photo Memory Shoes

Art Deco, Pewter and Midnight Blue

 Here are my latest custom photo memory shoes.  I was commissioned by a bride in Illinois and on her wish list was pewter, midnight blue and art deco.  She sent me her photos, I had them custom printed on fabric and then I went to work on her wish list. Since I've worked so closely with the photos, I want to know the story behind each one!

Take a peek at other design ideas www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee

Here's how they turned out.

 Art deco, midnight blue and pewter...

I ordered extra fabric, just in case, so I made individual shoe bags as a surprise for the bride.

Aleene's Revisited

Sailboat Shelf

I wish I had this cute sailboat shelf to hang on the wall in my bathroom.  I think I'll just have to recreate it subbing in canvas or some other stiff material for the Aleene's Satin Sheen.  How can it be 15 years ago that I created this?  Time to hit that bucket list and go sailing...

Creative Bucket List

Bucket List Alert!!! I have tried many, many times over the years to learn how to knit. There was just something about it that my brain couldn't wrap itself around but tonight I conquered it!!! I vowed recently to start making Thursday Creativity Night. Even though I have pressing deadlines I stayed true to myself and got out the yarn and needles.

Aleene's 4th of July Decorations

I so remember making these projects at Aleene's Creative Living back in 1999!  They are still so fun and so festive for the 4th of July.

Since I made these projects so long ago, you'll need to sub in a few items like the sheets of plastic from the craft store, use Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue, any tissue paper and any glue gun.

Aleene's Blast From the Past

4th of July Star Celebration Bowls

Spread the red, white and blue spirit with this easy and fun- to-make bowls.

I dusted off my Aleene's Creative Living television show archives and found this patriotic design for the 4th of July.  Just sub in any tissue paper brand and use the Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue for the reverse collage glue. 

This technique can be used for any occasion, just change the shapes you cut out of the tissue paper.  For an inexpensive party idea, head to a dollar store for the bowls.

Silverware Butterfly Garden Stake

I love, love, love this silverware butterfly created by a local artist.  I bought him at a recent craft show with a special friend in mind and thought I'd save it for Christmas since her birthday had already passed.  The occasion came this week when her cat of 16 years passed away and I wanted to give a little comfort gift.  I hope this whimsical gesture brings her comfort when she sees it in her garden

Talent Show Display

I'm getting ready to share my Photo Memory Shoes with my Newcomers Club this week at the talent show. I'm adding some little touches to my display but I want the shoes to speak for themselves. The shoes are customizable with your photos and are perfect for a special occasion or every day. www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee

Wine Photo Memory Shoes

Are you a wine lover? These shoes are ready for a day of wine tasting, dinner out or a day if shopping. They can be customized for your fav winery too! www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee