one 16 ten

2011-08-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

a little | more potatoes

2011-03-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

I must just be hungry lately, but couldn't resist posting these parmesan roasted potatoes. Another one I will definitely be trying soon.

a little | mashtinis

2011-03-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

A couple years back I went to a friend's wedding and she had the most delicious mashed potatoes served out of martini glasses. I love the idea of doing a mashed potato bar for a party. And the parfaitinis for dessert...genius! Check out the details here.

a little | halloween in march

2011-03-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

I know it may be a little early for a Halloween post, but we all know how much I love Halloween. Just couldn't resist! Though I think I might use an orange or bright green boa instead of the pink. Thanks Flamingo Toes for this great tutorial! You'll have to wait until closer to October to see my version.

a little | mini pot pies

2011-03-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Speaking of cooking, like I said I have been trying to cook a lot more lately. Last night I made these delicious mini pot pies. Thank you pillsbury for sending this recipe to my inbox. I did have a hard time finding the potatoes and onions, so instead I just used diced hashbowns defrosted slightly in the oven. I was also able to get six pot pies out of it instead of just five.

I found the ramekins at Crate and Barrel.

a little | swedish potatoes

2011-03-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to cook a lot more lately and I think I will have to try this potato recipe soon.

a little | edible tea cups

2011-03-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

As soon as I saw these edible tea cups I wanted to throw a tea party for my girlfriends. How perfect would these be for an Alice in Wonderland themed party.

a little | design your own fabric

2011-03-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Ever since I saw the episode of Project Runway where they design their own fabrics I have thought it would be so fun to design my own fabric. This website lets you do exactly that.

a little | feather topiaries

2011-02-22T21:49:00.000-08:00

I can already see these on my mantel next winter. Good thing there is a tutorial on how to make them. :)

a little | lovely yarn balls

2011-02-22T19:38:00.000-08:00

Looking around my house wondering where I can hang these. And you know how much I love a tutorial.

a little | merry christmas to all

2010-12-24T21:33:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays!!

a little | DIY on-the-go baby

2010-11-28T19:35:00.000-08:00

After being inspired by this I decided to create my own on-the-go baby gift basket for a shower I went to last Sunday. I found the basket at Target and then I ironed on the sparkle name. I filled two adorable lunch bags from Hobby Lobby each with a onesie, 2 diapers, 2 disposable changing pads and travel wipes. I added a fun toy to the handle of each bag. I filled the bottom of the basket with the extra diapers and added the extra onesie and changing pads to the front of the basket. Super easy to make and really fun to put together.

a little | year in (baby) pictures

2010-11-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you Young House Love for this great idea and tutorial. I just LOVE this idea. Check out the tutorial here.

a little | on-the-go baby

2010-11-11T16:40:00.000-08:00

When my brother and his wife had their first child I remember the hunt for the "perfect" diaper bag was quite difficult. At that time babies were not even a blip on my radar, but I remember thinking how would I ever choose a diaper bag myself. When I saw this post on Brunch I thought it was just a fabulous idea. It seems like everyone of my facebook friends are pregnant and I even have some real life friends who are pregnant too. :) I think these will make a perfect shower gift. Can't wait to start putting some together. Now if only we had a H&M in Kansas City.

a little | reduce, reuse, recycle trees

2010-11-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

I just love both of these trees and think they will look great on my mantel for Christmas. I feel another craft day coming on.

a little | ceramic tags

2010-11-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

I want to make these. Inspiration for my next DIY project. Now if I can just get to them before Christmas. :)

a little | holiday excitement

2010-11-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love this online magazine. If you haven't checked it out yet it is a must! It got me so excited for Christmas!

a little | refrigerator organization

2010-10-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been trying to find a way to map out our meals for the week ahead. And of course I am always trying to find a way to organize our bills. After visiting one of my favorite stores this weekend, I found these wonderful, removable, repositionable vinyl chalkboard panels and thought I HAVE to do something with these. Here's what I came up with...I might have a small obsession with green. :)

a little | weekend links

2010-10-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

Many of the blogs I follow have weekend links, so I thought it might be fun to have my own little weekend link list. Here goes...

An Illustrated Life - I spent the morning at two wonderful professional development workshops for art teachers. The first workshop was all about art journals and altered books. Check out this really cool Sketchbook Project through the Brooklyn Library. I sometimes feel like a bad art teacher because I don't create my OWN artwork. I think this could be a really fun way to keep my artistic juices flowing and create my own artwork, but not be too time consuming. Here are some inspiring books: An Illustrated Life - 1000 Artist Journal Pages - The Journal Junkie Workshop - Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists -Creative Sparks

Design Mom Giveaway - Probably shouldn't share this one considering I want to win, but I thought these fractures were too cool not to share.

Mash Handmade and Bon Bon Atelier - My mom and I are hitting up some fun stores this weekend. Can't wait to see what we find.

Type War - My longest streak is 55! Can't wait to keep playing to see how many more I can get. I just love typography!

Brunch - Just for fun.

a little | real life diy halloween

2010-10-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

My goal last weekend was to spend some quality time crafting. I, instead, got distracted and cleaned out my basement. The good news is I spent my evenings this week making up for it and now my home is decked out for Halloween!

Check out my inspiration for these projects here.

See the inspiration for the cake/pumpkin plate here.

a little | halloween

2010-10-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love all of the decorations. Ever since I was little I always wanted to have a Halloween party. Unfortunately, my brother's birthday is the day before Halloween, so it was never in the cards for me to have a Halloween party. And even in my adult life the opportunity hasn't presented itself to host a party. I'm hoping by this time next year Gregg and I will be moved and settled into a new home and I will FINALLY be able to have the party I've always wanted. In the meantime I'm thinking some festive holiday crafts/decorating might be in my cards. Here is my inspiration...Hopefully I'll be able to posted my own results soon. All images below were found via Martha Stewart.

a little | dainty beauty

2010-08-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Found via A Cup of Jo

I only recently became a lover of jewelry. A friend from work sells Premier Jewelry and I have purchased some pieces from her that I love, but lately I have felt some can seem a little bulky for lack of a better word. I love how this piece and others from Edor are toned down and so daintily beautiful.

a little | typography furniture

2010-08-20T14:49:00.001-07:00

Found via hello lucky

I know I have expressed my love for typography before, but I LOVE this table. I want it. I need it. I have to have it. If only...

a little | decal love

2010-08-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Found via How About Orange

This is why I LOVE blogs. I was doing dishes this morning when I noticed my boring flour and sugar canisters. I thought to myself, self, what could you do to those to spice them up a bit? And then as if How About Orange heard my thoughts she posted this. Plus I always love a free download. Thanks Just Something I Made.

a little | real life diy #2

2010-08-10T16:57:00.001-07:00

In an attempt to see if things I see on other blogs are as cool in person as they are online I am trying them out. Experiment #1 was a success and I am happy to report so was experiment #2!!

Here is the inspiration post and here are my results: (Please excuse my wrinkled piece of fabric, just too lazy to iron.)

It was a hard decision deciding what to stencil onto my bag and my fabric. I was inspired by these pillows and the idea is I will turn the piece of fabric into a lovely pillow. I'll keep you posted. As for the bag, well, I coach a high school dance team and I thought this would be the perfect bag to keep all of my dance team 'stuff'. So of course I went with our school mascot. I did, at the last minute, decide to wrap the tail around to the back instead of trimming it off and I really like the effect.

This was such an easy project and it turned out so well. Here are the steps I took:

Step #1: Cut out design from freezer paper.

Step #2: Iron on freezer paper to fabric.

Step #3: Spray with spray paint.

Step #4: Remove freezer paper once spray paint is dry.

I am sure you can use fabric paint, but I found spray paint to be fast and easy.

As for my next diy...hmmm...any ideas?

a little | hand painted aisle runner

2010-07-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

I know I'm going on a little wedding kick today, but I couldn't help but share my hand painted aisle runner. I got the idea from Bell Creation. I designed a logo that was used on a lot of our printed material, so when I saw the idea I knew instead of a monogram I had to use our logo.

a little | wedding love

2010-07-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

As a graphic designer, I had so much fun creating the printed material for my wedding. Unfortunately, I have yet to take any photos of my invitations, but here is my other favorite piece...the programs.

a little | origami

2010-07-23T19:55:00.002-07:00

Found via Bloesem Kids

Another find I feel like would be great to use with my students. Parent's love when their artwork actually looks good hanging in their house and I think this would be the perfect project for that. Plus I could use one of my favorite artists, Jasper Johns, as a point of reference.

Here is the tutorial. It has great diagrams and even animations.

a little | monster bag

2010-07-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

Found via Bloesem Kids

I have always been a fan of the Ugly Dolls, but when I saw this bag I again thought "Oh how I wish I could sew." Then I looked at the tutorial and realized it was a no sew project! I'm even thinking it could be a fun one to do with my students.

a little | blog party

2010-07-23T14:30:00.001-07:00

I have never participated in a blog party. Actually, I just learned what one is today. I thought these two looked like fun and an easy one to get me started. Here we go. :)

a little | repurposed picture frame

2010-07-22T19:54:00.002-07:00

Found via Lemon Tree Creations

I never would have thought to turn a picture frame into a tray. What a great idea! My mom recently made some curtains for our townhouse. I am thinking how great this tray would look with my curtain fabric sitting in the middle of my dining room table. Now if I can find the right frame to use...

a little | fourth of july love

2010-07-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

Found via Greedy Girl

The fourth of July has to be my favorite holiday for many reasons. My grandmother's birthday was the fourth of July, so my memories of this holiday always involve celebrating with family, eating lobster at the cottage in Maine (okay, everyone else had lobster I had a hot dog), and of course fireworks. When I saw this dress it made me want to celebrate all over again. And the price tag really isn't too bad either.

a little | ghost of halloween future

2010-07-16T23:19:00.003-07:00

Found via Scoutie Girl

How stinkin' cute is this outfit. Mark my words, one of my future children will wear this as a halloween costume. Luckily, I have a seamstress mother (who is also a librarian, so she will LOVE this idea) who can hopefully make this happen for me.

a little | traveling book club

2010-07-13T15:06:00.002-07:00

A group of girlfriends and I are starting a traveling book club. We recently had 2 very good friends move away, so to keep them in the loop we came up with the idea for our traveling book club. The premise is each month you receive a book and the following month you pass that book along. We never really discuss the books, but this way we have a new book to read each month and plus it is always fun to receive mail.

After being inspired by this library kit, I of course felt like we needed one of our own. Then I saw Rock Paper Scissors Via Airmail post and I knew just the theme to use. Click here to view the pdf and start your own traveling book club. The pdf includes a library pocket, a ratings card, and a bookmark.

a little | photog love

2010-07-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to ashley noelle I am in LOVE with this photographer.

a little | diy freezer paper stencil

2010-06-27T14:05:00.002-07:00

Found via lemon tree creations

It is time for another real life DIY. Tonight I am going to experiment with freezer paper stencils. I have decided to combine it with my new love of geography and I will be stenciling the state of Kansas on to muslin and then turning that in to a pillow. Wish me luck!

a little | always fits

2010-06-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

Found via Design Mom

Apparently, I have a love of all things geographic today. These pillows are awesome. I'm even thinking DIY...

a little | city art

2010-06-23T18:33:00.002-07:00

Found via studiokmo

Oh how I wish studiokmo would make a cut out of Kansas City. These city prints by designer/artist, Karen M O'leary, are hand cut. Her maps are extracted from the city grid and then hand drawn and hand cut. Check out her flickr page to see the process.

a little | homemade ice cream

2010-06-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

Found via Style Me Pretty

How great is this ice cream wedding favor and what a fun summer treat! And you know how much I love tutorials. Thanks City Cradle Design!

a little | hitched jewelry

2010-06-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

Found via Hello!Lucky

I love, love, love this necklace. You can even personalize the back with your wedding date.

a little | personalized notecards

2010-06-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Found via rifle paper co.

I always feel like I can make anything. Just like these personalized cards. I mean I have paint and I have cards, so of course I could make these. Unfortunately, they probably won't turn out as nicely. :) I guess we shall see...

a little | teacher gift

2010-05-31T17:59:00.002-07:00

Found via Design Mom

As a teacher I would love a gift like this. Useful gifts are always a plus. I think this could also be cute for a house warming gift or part of a gift basket. Thanks Design Mom for a great tutorial and label template.

a little | vintage jewelry

2010-05-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

Found via Design Mom

I love these necklaces, almost enough to make me want to have kids, well not quite. :)

a little | bit of wishing I could sew

2010-05-25T17:17:00.002-07:00

Found via Tea Rose Home

Oh how I wish I could sew. This shirt is so adorable I might actually have to try it and with this wonderful tutorial I might just be able to actually do it.

a little | real life diy #1

2010-05-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

This is hopefully my first of many real life diy posts. I see all of these great diy projects on blogs and then I wonder if they really turn out as well in real life. Experiment #1 was a SUCCESS!!

I posted here that I was planning on trying this one first, so last night I broke out the mod podge and tiles and gave it a try. Here are my results:

I was inspired by the art of coulson macleod. I used that same typographic style for the art on these custom coasters. We have a wedding coming up in the middle of June and I think these will make the perfect gift. I used a 'Hard Coat' mod podge that allowed me to turn 4 decorative tile into 4 functional coasters.

I followed the same process as the hybrid chick with the only deviation being the final coat was done with the 'Hard Coat' mod podge to insure the coasters can withstand hot and cold liquids.

I also added on self-stick rubber pads to the bottom to keep it from scratching the table.

As for my next real life diy I'm thinking these.

a little | diy ruffle pillow

2010-05-22T07:56:00.002-07:00

Found via Etsy How-Tuesday

Who doesn't love Etsy and their How-Tuesday? How great is this pillow and it even looks pretty easy to make. Guess I'm going to have to learn to sew. :)

a little | diy cake stand

2010-05-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

Found via Hostess with the Mostess

Love, love, love this diy cake stand. Perfect for parties.

a little | sock and glove

2010-05-22T07:14:00.003-07:00

Found via Good Enough

How stinkin' cute are these. And I love that they are made from old socks and gloves. Just might have to pick up the book and start referbing my old socks and gloves.

a little | typography book

2010-05-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

Found via How About Orange

This might be my favorite typography find yet. How stinkin' cool is this book. No wonder it is sold out.

a little | bookmarks to be cont.

2010-05-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

Who knew I had so many bookmarked diy sites. This is definitely a task that will have to be continued. Though while posting them I had another small epiphany...Look forward to my attempts at these diys to come. Isn't that why they give me summers off, so I have time to make all these wonderful projects. My new goal is to see how many of these diys I can complete before summer is through. Then we will know which ones work and which ones don't.

First on my list...this one.

a little | diy monogram tile

2010-05-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

Found via the hybrid chick

Gregg and I have an upcoming wedding in the middle of June and I have been dying to try this out. I am excited to put my love of mod podge to use. This project might even be our next for craft on. ;) Check back after May 21st for a Make, Do, and Craft On update.

a little | diy floral notebook

2010-05-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Found via Twig and Thistle

Another great tutorial with another great download. Perfect for gifts or a sketchbook for yourself.

a little | diy screen printing

2010-05-11T18:22:00.000-07:00

Found via Curbly

After taking this class almost a year ago, I have been in LOVE with screen printing. Unfortunately, the screens are so expensive to make. Then I found this doozy of a website. Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I'm hoping over the summer I will. If you have tried it or have found an even better cheaper way do share!

a little | diy napkin ring

2010-05-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

Found via Once Wed

I think these napkin rings are so simple you could very easily make a new set for every night of the week.

a little | diy plush alphabet

2010-05-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Found via Chez Beeper Bebe

I love tutorial especially when they have a free template download. I'm tempted to start making these now, so one day when I have kids they will actually be finished.

a little | blog epiphany

2010-05-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Why do I blog? I asked myself this question today as I was checking my google analytics only to see I have all of 29 hits on this site and I decided something...I don't blog for you, (though I truly thank all 29 of you for visiting, even though I think half of those are actually me) I blog for me. I blog so someday when I think 'I know I had a wonderful idea for my MOH's baby shower' I'll know just where to find my ideas. I just hope along the way those who view this blog like my ideas enough to keep coming back.

Now get ready for a series of crafty posts. I am cleaning out my bookmark folder and putting those links on here for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy!

a little | diy personal library kit

2010-05-10T17:10:00.001-07:00

Found via Twig & Thistle

I found this awesome DIY Personal Library Kit. It even has templates to download. I love a free download.

a little | typographic art

2010-05-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

Found via papernstich

I, like papernstich, am a sucker for typography. I love these pieces of art and the creative wheels are turning for some fun, cheap typographic art for our dining room. I'm thinking of using the passages read at our wedding. Sounds like I need summer vacation, so I can have some time to create.

a little | home decor

2010-05-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Found via design * sponge

The setup of our townhouse is awkward to say the least. We recently put the living room where the dining room is suppose to be and the dining room where the living room is suppose to be. This may sound crazy, but I think it has actually made it less awkward. To divide the two rooms there is a slight jut in the ceiling leaving about 12 inches of space prime for decorating. I have been torn on what to do with the space until I saw this. Can't wait to bring in a splash of color and find a way to incorporate our wedding/engagement photos. Pictures to come soon...After I actually complete it of course. :)

a little | bébé shower

2010-05-02T17:26:00.001-07:00

Found via Hostess with the Mostess

My MOH is a high school spanish teacher and married to a wonderful mexican man, Luis. How perfect would this be for a bébé shower for her. Now all she has to do it have a baby and I can post pictures of my own. :)

And how cute would these be for the buffet table.

Found via Hostess with the Mostess

a little | q&a

2010-05-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a few q&a via marvelous. Enjoy and of course I'd love to hear a little about you as well...

1. When do you feel happiest?
When Gregg and I get goofy tired and have the most ridiculous late night pillow talks that have me laughing for days.

2. How do you take care of yourself?

I sleep in on weekends and take naps often. I know there will come a time in my life when sleeping in and naps are not an option, so for now I take full advantage of my sleep time.

3. Are you internally (by yourself) or externally (by others) motivated?
I'm a people pleaser, so externally motivated. When it comes to motivating myself I normally have to offer myself some sort of reward to get stuff done. My favorite rewards are doughnuts, ice cream, and brownies.

4. What do you do for fun?
I'm pretty cliché...Travel, spend time with friends and family, spend time with Gregg, and of course my crafting time. I love to learn new things, especially thing I can do. I'm hoping to take my first painting class this summer. (I know I'm an art teacher that has never taken a painting class. Don't tell my principal. )

5. What intimidates you?
Times when I feel like I'm not good enough.

6. What is something you're proud of?
My relationship with my husband. We started dating when I was 16 and didn't get married until I was 26. It has been a long and some times bumpy road, but it is a road we have only just begun walking.

7. Finish this sentence. I never _____________ hmmm...bite my fingernails. :) Um, I never...thought I would grow up to be an art teacher. When my students tell me their favorite special is art I tell them my favorite special was Music and PE, though now that I am an art teacher I LOVE my job!

8. Favorite vacation spot.
I feel like the best vacations aren't the places you go, but the people you go with or to visit. With that said the place I most enjoyed going was Venice.

9. Today is a (rate from 1 - 10).
10 - It is Saturday of course it is a 10.

10. Finish this sentence. If you knew me really well you'd know _____________ I have the palette of a 10 year old girl. I will take a cheeseburger and chicken strips over caviar any day. I have set myself a goal to make something new for dinner once a week. If you know me you know that this is a really, really big undertaking for me. Look forward to update posts about my cooking (disasters). :)

a little | art

2010-01-28T17:25:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this great piece by Casey O'Connell. What little girl doesn't dream of kissing her prince charming as they ride away on a white horse.

"Until Then"

Found via Seven Eight

a little about me, a little about this blog

2010-01-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

26 years old • elementary art teacher • married to my high school sweetheart • graphic designer • crafter • mac lover • high school dance coach • blogger

On January 16, 2000 I had my last first kiss and on January 16, 2010 I celebrated that kiss with 250 of my closest friends at a little thing you might call a wedding. This date is such a part of my life I saw it only fitting to name my blog after it.

As for the purpose of this blog I think my tag line 'a little of this, a little of that' explains it all. I will post everything from great art finds to my adventures in the kitchen. Welcome and enjoy!