Welcome to the Expressionery Launch Party and Blog Hop! You should be joining us from Simon + Kabuki.

Today, we’re helping Expressionery celebrate the launch of their new blog. If you’re here to continue the hop, keep on hopping for your chance to win a fantastic giveaway (see below for giveaway details)! If you’ve just learned about the blog hop and want to join in on the fun, simply hop from one blog to the next in the order shown below and follow instructions on how you can enter the giveaway!

The party starts April 4th at 12:01am CST and will end on April 11th at 11:59pm CST. Be sure to participate within the above mentioned dates and times, so that you are eligible to enter the giveaway!

Start PSA Essentials
Hop Monica & Lee
Hop Simon + Kabuki
Hop Sparky & Marie
Hop Dena Designs
End Expressionery

Paper Party Wreath

We found this adorable paper wreath project from Bloesem Kids and decided to modify it a touch using 8 x 8 inch scrapbooking papers. Hang this wreath on your front door for your next party, so that your guests know they’re in the right place!

Here’s what you need
Cardboard (from an old shipping box)
Patterned & Colorful Papers (we’re using Sparky & Marie Isabelle 8 x 8 inch scrapbooking paper by Trimcraft)
Yarn or Ribbon
Scissors
Tape

Step One
Cut your wreath form from cardboard to your desired size. I used a compass to help me draw my shape.

Step Two
Cut your papers into 1″ strips (you may also vary the width of your strips).

Step Three
One by one, tape your strips onto the backside of your cardboard form making sure to create an arc with your strip, so that the finished wreath has some dimension. In other words, make sure to not tape the strip flush to the cardboard form.

Step Four
You can adorn your wreath with a sweet little message banner indicating the title for your special event (ex. Happy Easter).

Step Five
Cut a generous piece of pretty ribbon or scrumptious yarn. Fold in half and tape or glue to the backside of your wreath for hanging.

Voila!

Thank you for joining us. It’s now time to hop on over to Dena Designs!

Giveaway Information
One lucky winner will receive 2 Peel & Stick stamp sets and PSA Stamper from PSA Essentials, 1 Fabric/Embroidery kit from Monica & Lee, party supplies (cups, hats, party blowers, plastic table cloth, stickers, invitations, napkins and plates) from Simon + Kabuki, 2 scrapbooking pads of paper from Sparky & Marie, CR Gibson Shopping list, Expressionery note pad, 2 Sunrise greeting cards, and a sunrise magnetic note pad from Dena Designs and a stationery suite from Expressionery!

Did you happen to catch this yesterday? Such a delight! Happy Spring : )

Woo wee! Happy New Year PLUS check out our new quilting fabric collection, Piccadilly from Quilting Treasures. It’s available for purchase at Fabricworm HERE. Also check out our website for a listing of additional online shops selling Sparky & Marie quilting fabrics.

I received the November J.Crew catalog in the mail last week. There’s always a handful of things that I love about the catalog.

1. Animals & Stripes – The animal print bag takes this outfit to the next level (bracelets and heels help too). Love the stripe and animal combo.

2. Color Palette – This cascade of blazers carries all of my favorite fall colors. I’ll take one of each, please!

3. PINK! – What’s not to love about this page? I love that they took the whole page and flooded it with pink to make this simple shipping announcement. POW!

4. Red Handbag – As you can see, it goes with everything. I’ll always choose red over brown when it comes to handbags and shoes. Just as versatile and way more fun.

5. Simple & Chic – I could wear this look everyday, and feel awesome.

Images from J.Crew November 2011 Catalog

Simple pattern and color makes for an eye-catching presentation. Seed packaging from The Balcony Gardner. Love!

There’s a vendor at the Larchmont Village Farmer’s Market (Los Angeles) that sells lovely scented soy candles for $10 (The Farmer’s Market Candle). The candle container is a simple glass votive, and if you are like me and love candles, you’ll end up with a loads of empty glass containers around the house. Instead of trashing the containers after I’ve burned through the candles, I like to repurpose them.

In this project, I used strips of my beloved Happy Tape, to decorate the outside of the empty glass votive. Before applying tape, I used Goo Gone, soap, water and glass cleaner (not all at the same time) to get the glass sparkling clean.

It’s a super easy project, and you can fill these containers with pens and pencils, votive candles, flowers, etc.

Happy Friday!

Watch The Martha Stewart Show on Hallmark Channel this Thursday (9/29/11) at 10am EST. Martha will feature Sparky & Marie stationery from Expressionery as one of the giveaways on a special birthday themed show!

Check out Neatloaf for our post on baking up some Cinnamon Nut Granola!