Welcome to Utah Guest Bag

We are having several guests this summer who are visiting Utah for the first time. Its hard to bring everything you might need for all scenarios while traveling, especially when you are unfamiliar with the location. So, I decided to create welcome bags for our guests with things that might be useful during their visit to our lovely state. 

I went with bag instead of a basket since bags can be folded up without taking up space, and can be reused. I added Utah to the front to make the bag a keepsake of the visit!

You will need:

Burlap Tote Bag (I found mine at Joann's)

Sharpie

Printed outline of your state

White Craft Paint

Paint Brush

1. Place the outline of the state inside the bag and center it. Its hard to see in the photo, but you will be able to see the outline through the burlap. 

2. Trace the state outline on the burlap. Add a heart to mark your area of the state. :)

3. Keep the outline in the bag so the paint doesn't bleed through the bag. Paint the state with a couple coats of craft paint. 

4. Once the paint dries, remove the outline sheet of paper and fill the bag with goodies your guest might need. 

For our Utah guests, I fill the bag with:

Chocolate because, of course :)

Lotion and Detangler since its so dry here

Water and Tylenol just in case of Altitude Sickness

Snacks because sometimes you get the munchies

Lavender Soap with its soothing qualities after traveling

Add a vase of flowers and fill your bag with goodies your guest might not have thought to bring to your home! 

For those in Utah, we also have been trying out a diffuser in our guest room with essential oils such as "Breathe" to help with the altitude change. :)

Invitation Design: 1st Birthday

I love custom invitation design because every event and theme is so unique! Its fun to play a small part in a special day in someone's life. No two events are alike, different age groups, color schemes and styles. 

I designed this invitation for my friend's sweet little girl's first birthday party. If you'd like the personalized touch of hand designed invitations for your next event, let's talk!

Contact me at jacqmurdock@yahoo.com for more information!

Three Creative Ways to Gift Earrings

The past couple of years, I have been drawn to stud earrings. There are so many gorgeous styles and they make such an elegant statement. Studs are also comfortable to wear!

Earrings can make a sweet gift as well! Since half the fun in giving a gift is in the wrapping, I am sharing 3 creative ways to package earrings. :)

MINI CROCHETED DOILY 

You will need:

2" Crocheted Doily

Clear Goodie Bag

Tissue Paper

Ribbon

I found my heart shaped doily at a craft fair, but they can be found on Etsy or in the applique section at craft stores. Or, if you crochet, make your own!

ROBIN'S EGGS

You will need:

2" Bird's Nest

Clear Goodie Bag

Kraft Paper Easter Grass

1.5" piece of cardstock or use the board the earrings came with.

Washi Tape

This is my favorite way to package earrings and is perfect for pale blue earrings!

SCRAPBOOK PAPER HEART

You will need:

2" Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter

Scrapbook paper or Cardstock

Clear Goodie Bag

Kraft Paper Easter Grass

Washi Tape

Use your cookie cutter to trace and cut out a heart from a pretty scrapbook paper. 

Which is your favorite?

How To: Cloth Backdrop

With wedding and shower season in full swing, I thought I'd share a simple project that can really make the difference in decorating for an event. A cloth backdrop is the perfect way to add color and/or to a large room, spruce up less appealing space, or provide a photo booth back drop!

At our wedding, we used a cloth backdrop to cover up a hallway at front of our reception room. It also created a more dramatic entrance for the wedding party since there was not a door there, and acted as a pretty backdrop to the sweetheart table. 

You will need: 

3 yards each of 4 different solid colored cotton fabrics. Note: This could vary depending on the height and width of your wall or doorway. 

1/2'-3/4" Thick rope or cord approx. 18" longer than the width of your wall or doorway.

Measuring Tape

Fabric Scissors

1. Measure the height and width of the wall or doorway you the backdrop will cover before purchasing fabric. We used 3 yards each of 4 colors of cotton fabric--a mixture of shiny and flat textures. Our doorway was 98" long and we had a few inches for tying the strips as well. 

2. Unfold and layout the first piece fabric. You will be cutting into the shorter side of the fabric, making each strip 3 yards long (or as many yards as you purchased.) Measure and make an 1.5" cut into the fabric every 3". 

3. Starting at the snip you made in the fabric, carefully tear the fabric into long strips. The fabric will actually tear evenly and create a nice effect to the edges! Repeat with all 4 fabric colors. 

4. Lay out the fabric strips on the ground in the desired pattern. Cut off any loose strings. Lay the cord or rope across the top of your strips.  

5. Tie each strip to the cord. I left about 1.5" of each strip above the cord. Spread the strips evenly across the cord. 

6. Cut the bottom of the strips to be the same length, or stagger different lengths if desired. To store until use, fold the backdrop over a hanger and hang to keep from tangling. 

I tied my cord to 2 nails to hang the backdrop. A tension rod can also be used in more narrow doorways!

Wedding photos by Paige Overturf

How To: Baby Sock Corsage

There always seems to be so many birthdays and new babies born this time of year, which means lots of baby showers! I love seeing all the different themes for showers now, they have gotten so creative. I really enjoy making corsages for new momma being honored. Its just another little token to take away from the special event. 

Baby sock corsages are great because they can be easily disassembled and reused if the mom decides. Its definitely one of the prettiest ways to give a gift of socks!

You will need:

Baby Socks (As many or as few as desired, but use an even number for pairs!)

Floral Wire

Floral Tape 

Glue Dots

Hot Glue Gun

Silk flower with Anther to add a center to your sock flowers (small pearls can be used as well)

Silk Leaves

Ribbon

Scissors

Floral Cutters

1. With the heel on top, begin rolling the baby sock beginning at the toe.

2. Wrap the open end around the bottom of the coil that you've created.

3. Cut a 5" piece of wire, and feed it into the center of the bottom of the flower.

4. Bend the end of the wire into a loop, and pull the wire back down into the sock hooking the loop on the sock.

5. Wrap the bottom of the flower and wire with floral tape to create a stem.

6. Remove the center from the silk flower. Using glue dots, insert and secure into the flower.

7. Repeat with the rest of your socks. Use floral tape and glue dots to attach the roses together.

8. Secure the silk leaves to the back of the corsage. I used hot glue to adhere the leaves to the floral tape.

9. Create a bow with ribbon and wrap a piece of wire around it. Place the bow in the front of the corsage and secure the ribbon in the back by twisting the wire. Tuck the wire behind the leaves and snip off any excess wire.

10. Your corsage is complete! Please note, if you need more adhesive than offered by the floral tape and glue dots, you may want to add a dot of hot glue here and there. Just keep in mind, hot glue is harder to remove from the socks to be reused, so minimal glue is best.

There are so many ways to customize these corsages, I have made them with only one pair of socks, different types of leaves and ribbons, and even pearls or buttons for the flower centers!