Paper crafts {owls}

These are so fun to make. They would make great decoration for an owl themed birthday or baby shower.
Go to 3 Eyed Bear to see all the colors and to print yours.

diy {vintage tins+lazy susan art caddy}

I love everything about this project. It reuses something that normally would just be thrown out or thrown in the recycling bin, I'm in love with the vintage labels, it's easy and free! Go here for the tutorial and free vintage label printables.

The second project is a lazy susan art caddy.  It's a great way to keep all those art and crafts supplies all in one place.

What I'm thinking I'm gonna do is combine these two projects to make my own more eclectic version. I also think I'm gonna try to use epoxy to attach the tins on to the lazy susan verses screwing them on like they do in the tutorial. Either way it's a great easy little project.

Party inspiration {cookies and milk}

Since I'm in party planning mode obviously here's another theme I love. I loved this theme the minute I saw it last year. I would do it if my kids were younger. For some reason I just see this has a 1st birthday or even up to a 4th birthday. It's also a great party for either a girl or a boy.

Also some great cupcakes to go with this theme would be these chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes  instead of cake or you could do both!

Or how about these cookie monster cupcakes. These would be great for the boy themed version.

via jane donald

Party inspiration {printable photo booth sign+tickets}

 I've mentioned before I'm throwing a "In A Flash" themed party for my daughter. These will be a perfect addition to the party! These would also work for a wedding or a carnival themed birthday.

If you'd like to print your own you can go to The Pretty Blog to get yours.

Party inspiration {retro milkshake bar}

Seriously what's not to love about this?

From the chalkboard menus to the striped red and white straws the whole thing is just amazing. This idea is actually a wedding reception but I think this could be used for anything from a birthday to a beginning of summer celebration. You can check out even more pictures at Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Upcycling {Pretty bottles}

I am a bottle collector. I'm pretty sure I get this from my dad, he would save all different types of jars and bottles and I'm not really sure for what. He never ended up doing anything with them. In fact I ended up inheriting some of them. There are not many things that I keep but for whatever reasons I always hesitant before throwing away glass jars or bottles too. So when I saw this project I knew I would be doing it.


This ones from Martha Stewart. I love the different colors . She just used white enamel paint and swirled it into each jar which brought out the different color variations of the glass.


via Martha Stewart



You've got yourself some new vases!

Wall Art Printable

Love these. I printed the "all you need is love". You can print one at The Pretty Blog.

DIY Party Favors {sponge ball tutorial}

Thinks this would be great for a Spongebob themed birthday that I'm already planning! Or any outdoor water themed party. Go over to One Charming Party for the tutorial. One of my favorite party inspiration websites.

It's Springtime {Strawberry Jam recipe+jam label printables}

This is my favorite season. In just so many ways no other season can compare, not even the holiday season for me is the same. I do love the family time during the holidays but other than that the holidays are often filled with stress and unfulfilled expectations. A least for me.

I love being outdoors and the spring weather makes me want to be no other place. When I watch everything come back to life it makes me fill like I'm coming back too. I am looking forward to so many things this season.This time of year kicks off a dozen or so birthdays including my daughter, mine, my mom's and my mother-in-law. We missed strawberry picking last year but we are already planning a trip next weekend to a local pick-your-own farm. So in preperation I've been looking for some strawberry jam recipes. I found this quick strawberry jam recipe from Martha that I think will be the one I try. It looks really easy and since I've never made homemade jam before I need easy!

via martha stewart

I mentioned last year I wanted to go but didn't realize how early in the year strawberry season is so we missed it but I had come across these free jam label printables and I can't wait to get to use them this year. These would make a great gift. Maybe some lucky neighbor or friend just might get one!

xo
Ruth Anne

What's Cooking{Crock pot Pot Roast}

There's nothing better than putting in a total of 3 ingredients, well four if you count the water, turning the crock pot on and walking away. We left for a few hours and come back to the most delicious smell. Not even sure if I can put this under the cooking category since the crock pot did all the work. I've used this recipe several times and it always comes out so so tender. I served mine with veggies and some mashed potatoes instead of adding the potatoes and carrots to the crock pot. I actually didn't even bother browning the roast, in fact it was still frozen when I stuck it in.

This picture is not of the one I cooked, we could not wait! The children we're starving and it just smelled so good. Hope you enjoy the easiest pot roast ever too!

Image via Myrecipes.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We celebrated with cupcakes. They were delicious!

I originally got the idea from Tip Junkie but I ended up making the batter from scratch with this simple white cake recipe. The icing is a marshmallow creme frosting which I made pretty much the same but used real butter instead of the margarine. It was really sweet but very good!

Here's another recipe for Irish coffee that I thought is definitely worth the extra effort!

And even though this St. Patrick's Day is coming to an end I will be making these Irish mint brownies very soon. There's no way I can wait until next year.

Hope everyone is having a very yummy and happy St. Patty's Day!

Craving{key lime pie}

Wishing I had all the ingredients to make this today! This recipe for key lime pie is delicious.

Time to pump up the tires {Spring 2011}

How cool is this!

via Tree Hugger

 Remember Banana seat bikes? I used to have a bike like this when I was a kid. I think it was purple too. I remember giving friends rides or "pumps" on the handle bars.



via Just Bicycles

 I've never riden a tandum but things are always more fun with two, right?


via Corbis Images





In honor of Albert Einstein. Did you know he's birthday was yesterday? Happy birthday Albert!

Image source unknown
quote by Albert Einstein





homemade inspiration {diy Bird Seed Heart}

I made some of these for Valentine's and they were so easy and cheap that I thought I'd share the tutorial I used to make them. These would be great party favors for weddings or even for a spring birthday or baby shower.

Go check out the tutorial here at Bargain Hoot

diy inspiration {chalkboard paint}

Oh the possibilities.

via hgtv

via Storybook Theater

via Martha Stewart

via Home Decor Exchange

via Pottery Barn Kids

 

via Better Homes and Gardens

via Apartment Therapy

via VivaTerra Barn Wood and Chalkboard

via Apartment Therapy

via Remodeling Guy

via Style Sisters





via Real Simple





via Little Birdie Secrets

via Style Files

via Habitar Design

Also here's a tutorial from Martha for custom color chalkboard paint.

Cravings{homemade cinnamon rolls}

What I'm craving right now....


Go hereOurBestBites to make yourself some.

Frame worthy {free printable}

Found this great free printable over at Simple As That. Thought it would be great for St. Patty's day or for Spring.