simply inspired designs

DIY: Burlap Sack Wall Art

2010-12-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

I've been a bit obsessed with burlap lately, and last year when we went to Bailey's, I bought a bunch of burlap bags for super cheap. (Everything at Bailey's is inexpensive, and I think I'm needing to make a trip again this year...) You could also by burlap from a fabric store. It even comes in different shades of browns and sometimes different colors. I also had some canvases laying around and decided to put two and two together to make a piece to put up in our dining room.

First off, I bought clearance paint at Home Depot for 50 cents. (In case you didn't know, most hardware stores have a small selection of discounted paint that customers have brought back for various reasons.)

I painted my canvas with the tan paint so that you wouldn't be able to see any white showing through once the burlap was on. Obviously, the paint job doesn't have to be perfect.

Next, my handy dandy model of a husband shows us that we had to measure and fit the bag to the canvas. I really love Germany (and want to travel there someday), so this coffee bag had me at "hallo". Get it? Yep.

Here's the back of the canvas. It was hard to get the bag to fit around the canvas. We toyed with the idea of actually putting the canvas in the bag, but there were a few holes that appeared when we did that, so we had to leave the bag on top.

Once we got the bag where we wanted it, I tried to staple it to the canvas. Apparantly, my muscles aren't big enough to actually work the staple gun, so Dan followed my directions and stapled the bag to the canvas.

Here is the finished product today. The sides are a bit unraveled. I can't decide if I like that look, or if I need to put it in a frame. Any thoughts?

This whole project including the nail for the wall cost about $4.00 and took about 20 minutes. Cheap, easy, fun!

DIY: Tutu

2010-12-14T12:55:00.000-08:00

Finally I've had some time to post! Woo hoo! I'm done with my Transition to Teaching classes for the semester, and we've had tons of snow...which means no school for the past couple of days! I love to have 4 day weekends, but I don't love not being paid... However, I've had lots of time to relax, hang out with my hubby, watch 30 Rock season 1, wrap presents, and be crafty.

Here are the step by steps directions on how to make a tutu. Let me know if you try it out!

Step 1: Pick out your favorite colors.

Step 2: Cut the tulle to the desired length. (Dan bought me this handy little cutting board and rotary cutter which has made the process waaayyy easier than using scissors.) As a rough estimate, I usually use around 100 pieces of tulle per tutu.

Steph 3: Cut elastic to the desired size. (Measure around the child's waist. If the child isn't near you or its for a gift, I usually make a 1 year old's waist band about 16-17").

Step 4: Pick the pattern of colors you'd like, and then evenly place them on the elastic.

Step 5: Tie the tulle on the elastic in a double knot. Every once in awhile push the knots together so you can fit more tulle on the elastic. The more tulle, the fluffier the tutu!

Step 5 1/2: Once I'm about half way done, I sew the two ends of the elastic together with my sewing machine. You can also do it by hand, too!

Step 6: Enjoy your tutu!

You can also add fun ribbon, feathers, flowers, etc. to really make your tutu stand out.

Shameless Plug:
Now, if you like the tutu but think that you don't have the time or patience to make one...don't worry! I sell them!

For babies through 2 year olds, it is $20 plus shipping. This price includes a matching headband.

Children 3-6 it is $25 plus shipping. This price includes either a matching headband or ponytail holder.

A tutu for you!

2010-11-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, a friend from church brought her two adorable girls in with matching tutus she made out of tulle. I couldn't get enough of looking at these cuties, and I decided, hey, I'll make some tutus for my friends with babies! Well, it turned out to be a super easy project. (I'll post the DIY soon.) I'm even thinking about making a bunch of these (in different colors as well) and selling them at craft bazaars...my husband says I should start an Etsy site with my aprons and tutus, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by that whole venture. Maybe when I finish school...

Thanks to the Yankey's and the Rozsa's for taking pictures of their little girls and letting me put them on my blog! What great models!

Fact: My friends make beautiful children. :o)

Tim and Janae Tie the Knot!

2010-10-31T10:46:00.001-07:00

On October 9, 2010, my cousin Timmy and his high school sweetheart, Janae, got married! It was such a beautiful day with the autumn colors, sun shining, and lots of fun! My gift to the happy couple was to decorate their reception...which I love to do! Janae picked red, white, black, and silver as her colors...and it turned out beautiful! The ceremony was at Good Sheperd United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne and the reception was the Marriott.

Introducing the Planck's!

Saying their vows.

The rings hanging on a centerpiece. (Keep scrolling to see what it looked like!)

They used the same lady I did to make their cake, and I thought it turned out beautiful! We collaborated on decorating the top, and I banded the table with red chair ties that I rented from a local party store in Fort Wayne called All Occasion. I also used these chair ties to band the head table and gift table.

I made Dan set out the place cards. I should also give my other assistant, Bryan, a shout out as well. Couldn't have finished in time to get to the wedding without them! I laid a couple chair ties across the table so it wouldn't look too white. I banded this table with some thick ribbon.

The wedding party

Lovely flowers

The Marriott had glass cylinders that I was able to use (free of charge!). About a week before the wedding, Dan and I went on a stick gathering adventure and collected hundreds of twigs. We spray painted the twigs silver and black. (We used about two coats for each stick.) I bought scrapbook paper, cut it to the right size, and placed it in the vase. Simple! The Marriott provided the mirrors as well. Thanks, Marriott! :o)

I bought tons of ribbon in their colors, and we ended up glue gunning the ribbon to the cylinder to get it to stay. (For some reason my glue dots weren't working...) I alternated putting a beaded garland and ribbon in the water with a floating candle on top!

Congrats to the newly weds, and welcome to the family, Janae! (Even though it already felt like you were!) Blessings to you!

You are my sunshine...

2010-09-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've been loving yellow lately. Here is a cute birthday party from one of my favorite blogs, Hostess with the Mostest. The cool thing is that you don't have to use it just for a baby's birthday party, but you can adapt the idea for other events as well.

Buy a cheap frame from a thrift store and spray paint it. Easy! They sell letters at craft stores for a couple bucks.

Use scrap fabric from old t-shirts or sewing projects. Again, so simple!

Cute Eats.

2010-08-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get inspired to decorate our dining room. (I have given up on the living room for the moment.) One of my favorite blogs, Design*Sponge, had some cute restaurants that I loved. It's like they took the ideas in my brain and made a restaurant out of them. Feeling ready to decorate...

More pictures here.

Sarah and Jeremiah and the Bridesmaids' Clutches!

2010-08-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've been waiting to post Sarah's wedding so I could include a link to a blog for her cute clutches, but I can't wait any longer. I'll just post the link later. :o)

Sarah and Jeremiah were married on June 26th in Denver, CO. We had a great weekend hanging out with some of our best friends, and we were so honored to share in the Heiser's special day!

Throughout the whole wedding planning process, Sarah was SOO excited about the bridesmaids carrying clutches down the aisle instead of flowers. I was excited for this unique idea because (a) I thought it was super cute and (b) I have never actually taken a bouquet of flowers home with me after I've been in a wedding because I always forget to pick them up before we leave. I knew there was no way I'd forget a clutch! Sarah found a cute shop on Etsy called Dear Lillie. She ordered the clutches, ring bearer pillow, and the guys' bouttoneires from this site.

Jeremiah and Sarah were married at Cherry Hills Community Church. It was a great location because the wedding chapel and reception hall were right next to each other! And yes, those are the Rockies in the background.

Here they are! The bridesmaids wore pearls (SO Sarah!) and carried these cute clutches. Isn't the rose adorable?

Sarah wore blue shoes to add a little pop of color to her black and white wedding.

Card Box.

Sarah asked me to make a card box for the reception. I whipped this up for super cheap with some storage boxes and chip board. Of course, there is a rose to tie it into the theme.

The cakes!

Jeremiah is a big San Francisco fan.

Memory Table.

Loved this idea. The couple had pictures of their grandparents and Sarah's dad who had previously passed away.

The wedding party.

Check out those mountains in the background and the awesome color contrast.

This is one of my favorites.

Clutches.

Such a simple, elegant, and classy wedding!

I LOVE pictures of shoes on wedding days. Don't know why, just do.

The Happy Couple!

Kem RAs!

They tell you in training to look around because these are the people who will be in your wedding one day. And, well, it's true!

Last but not least, the Brownie Townies. These are some of our best friends, and Dan and I cherish the times that we get to spend together. Welcome to the club, Jeremiah!

(Photos from Andrea Skinner. She did a great job and was very calm, cool, and collected!)

Living Room? Maybe.

2010-07-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling with how I want to decorate our living room. Struggling as in, I laid in bed awake for an hour last night with different thoughts running through my mind. I guess I'm pretty blessed if that's the only thing I stay up thinking about! ;oP

I created a set on Polyvore to get started. We actually have the color of wall (ours might be a bit more subdued), door, sofa, and shag area rug. Our floors are a bit darker, but these give you the idea. We have a window behind our sofa, and really, this is the only place in the room we can fit it.

Let me know what you think or if you have any ideas!

I'm playing around with color palettes and will post those sometime soon! I'm liking the idea of orange or yellow curtains...now just have to find/make them!

Living Room Ideas by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T13:53:00.001-07:00

I saw these cute cookies over on Amy Atlas' blog, Sweet Designs. I thought they were SO cute, and they are definitely doable if you have a lot of patience and time. :o)

Amy also has TONS of other cute creations, and she specializes in dessert tables. Check out her creations!

Alexander/Mugg Wedding

2010-06-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

One my dearest friends from high school, Lissa, got married to her love, Nathan (who designed the baby shower invites here) this past May. I was HONORED to be able to help coordinate her beautiful wedding. Lissa has such great style, and her wedding definitely showed that! The next few pictures are taken by my hubby (and assistant! :o)

Lissa and Nathan got married at Laurel Hall in Indianapolis. It is a beautiful, old mansion turned conference/event center. Seriously, Indy people, if you're looking for a wedding venue, check this place out!

The couple had a wall decal made and hung this quote above the fireplace. (So sad we didn't get a picture of the whole scene!) Great, easy idea!

I got to decorate the head table! Yipee! I don't think I could love decorating anymore than I do. Here is a small sample of what I did. Sadly, again, no full on picture. Note to self...take more pictures! :o)

Now, here are pictures from two of the most professional and easy-going photographers I've been around-Jim and Debbie Meyers. Again, Indianapolis people--THEY ARE AMAZING!

Centerpiece #1

Centerpiece #2 (there was another bird cage centerpiece)

One of my fave details...crossword puzzle with a cute clicky pen that was personalized for the Alexander/Mugg wedding. Lissa literally had every detail covered. So impressed!

Lissa's cute shoes for the big day!

Here's the handsome groom!

The GORGEOUS bride!

One of my favorite pictures of the day...these girls (we missed you Heather!) have been my friends since high school. A decade! (Seriously, are we that old? :o) We don't get to see each other as much as we used to because we're all over the midwest now, but we pick up right where we left off each time we get together. I'm so glad we got to celebrate Lissa'a big day with her!

Wishing Lissa and Nathan blessings on their new marriage! I was so happy to be able to be a part of their special day!

Just Clowning Around

2010-06-02T14:01:00.001-07:00

I saw this cool bedroom from Artistic Living Spaces on one of my fave blogs Design Sponge. Such a unique toy box, er, toy ferris wheel! Great idea for a kid's room.

Home Run Wedding

2010-05-25T11:44:00.001-07:00

Here's another sport-themed event. A wedding! Who knew that you could make a classy wedding so fun with a baseball theme thrown in here and there.

Baseball centerpiece

Have ushers or groomsmen walk around "selling" snacks.

Instead of a guest book, have guests sign a baseball and a bat!

Another baseball centerpiece.

Favor. So cute!

Table scape.

Love this wedding that I saw on Style Me Pretty. Baseball wedding in a ballroom. Totally doable and cute!

Becca's Shower

2010-05-23T16:39:00.001-07:00

Dan's cousin, Becca and her husband Andy, just gave birth to their first child, Andrew! Their family threw a shower for her back in April, and I am just now getting around to posting a couple pictures.

Invitations

(A couple we knew in seminary had the cutest invites for their daughter's 1st birthday, and I basically just stole the idea. I asked the amazing, newly married, graphic designer, J. Nathan Mugg to design the invitations, and he did a great job!)

I found these plates and napkins at Target. The football, basketball, and baseball baskets were from Kroger during the Easter season. Andy, the new daddy, loves football and Becca is a runner. So her mom made the cutest table display with the track and football field! Super creative, cheap, and easy!

Sarah's Surprise Shower

2010-04-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

So, among my other future dream jobs of being a teacher (in the works now), wedding planner, interior designer, baker, and lottery winner (you know, so I can make all these dreams come true), I would LOVE to open a gift wrapping/paper shop.

Blame 4-H, but ever since I entered the "Gift Wrapping" category way back in 4th grade, I've been hooked. Not saying I'm an expert, but I love taking time to wrap a present crisply. (Sorry to everyone who has, and will be, getting a used gift bag stuffed with used tissue paper. Sometimes we run out of time...err, I mean, I like being green.)

A group of us midwesterners threw our friend Sarah, the one who is getting married in Colorado, a surprise bridal shower while she was out here a couple weeks ago.

Here is how I wrapped her shower gift.

The final product.

The gift. Thank you Hobby Lobby for having multi-purpose Christmas paper super cheap! Don't be afraid to use the glue gun when wrapping gifts...it makes bows stay and opening the gift all the more fun to watch! :o)

The card. I used a plain white card and envelope. Letter stickers were used for the words, and I cut out wrapping paper and some scrap black and white cardstock for the circles.

I came up with a couple games to play. Here were the prizes. Simple white boxes tied with black ribbon (Sarah's wedding colors). Easy and cheap.

Inside of the boxes.

Hopefully Sarah was surprised...it sure looks like it here.

Here is the group sans Lauren (who was the photographer for the night). Love, Love, LOVE these women.

House Before pics

2010-04-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! LONG time no blog. We've been super busy with life lately. Time seriously does fly! We are officially living in our new house--painting and unpacking. We have so many hopes and dreams for our house, and hopefully, someday we will have the budget to make them come true...or we are hoping that HGTV will read this blog and come redo our house. I LOVE HGTV!!! (Genevieve, Holmes....HELP!) Heres hoping!

Here are some before pictures!

Living room/Front door

Living room--fake brick wall, stained carpet (sneak peak of paint)

Dining room (with another sneak peak of our two paint colors!)

Kitchen view from the dining room

More kitchen

Our cabinets are actually utility cabinets...not strong enough to hold anything heavy. Yikes! Good thing we found that out with our pots and pans BEFORE I put our dishes in. So, our Tupperware and rice have very nice and spacious homes. :o)

Bathroom view from the dining room. (Yes, our ONLY bathroom is off the dining room. Appetizing! :o)

Some more bathroom. What you can't tell from the pictures...the walls are covered in panels of a cardboard type wallpaper. I think it is called wall board? Anyway, we have the same thing in the kitchen, bathroom, and going upstairs. Lots of dry-walling in our future.

FIESTA!

2010-04-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

Who says rehearsal dinners can't be just as cute as the wedding? I saw this rehearsal dinner over at Style Me Pretty, and I had to share. This could totally BE the wedding (wish I could see how they decorated THAT!). This is a totally doable and cheap party theme for any occasion. Fill cans and glass bottles with flowers, make the hanging flowers out of tissue paper (maybe I'll put a how-to on here???), and use thrift store finds for the birdcages or something else colorful for the centerpieces. Spray paint can make a world of difference. I bet this dinner was a blast!

Bench for the guests

2010-03-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

How stinkin' cute is this wedding? Look at the lower right hand corner...different types of benches for the ceremony?!?! I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! Thanks to Abbey over at Style Me Pretty for yet another gorgeous wedding. Check out her blog for more!

Introducing...

2010-03-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

Our house

(Will be) a very, very, very fine house

With two (stray) cats in the yard

Life used to be so hard (?)

Now everything is easy (er, busier, more complicated) because of you....lalalalala

Our New House

I cannot wait to put up some before and after pics! I am such an indecisive person, and choosing paint colors has been so hard for me...as in, I can't sleep at night thinking about the different options. Don't even get me started on what we should do with our floors... :o)

Dan and I are excited and grateful that we found such a great deal on this house! Our mortgage is significantly less than the rent we have been paying (who knew this could be??). Thanks already to everyone who has been SOO generous and excited as we begin this new adventure. We are truly blessed!

P.S. This is a picture of what we came home to on our first day as homeowners. Thanks Marv LaRue! :o)

Pink and Orange Wedding

2010-03-13T09:51:00.000-08:00

A blog I read daily (well, it used to be daily until we said "bye bye" to our internet), Hostess with the Mostess , always has such good ideas for wedding and party planning. I love this pink and orange wedding because it reminds me of SPRING!

I love candy tables! They are so cute, easy, and cheap to do! Plus they add some fun to a wedding.

Love this idea! Too bad we live in a place where you have to be extremely brave to have an outdoor wedding!

Love the bridesmaid dresses. They look so comfy. Gorgeous flowers too!

Love this sweetheart table! Also, sidenote, we totally have those chairs around our dining room

table. It's like a wedding for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! :o)

Happy Spring!!!

Got Sandwich, Need Soup

2010-03-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Last summer I visited my friend, Rachel in Indy. We went for lunch at a cute deli (because I LOVE sandwiches and of course was craving one) in Broad Ripple, and I had one of the best concoctions ever! Here are some pictures of my finished product. Read on below for the ingredients.

I wrapped the sandwiches in wax paper, then white paper (mine happened to be a roll of gift wrap I needed to finish off), and tied it with twine.

Easy, easy, easy!

Whole wheat bagel, toasted (you could use bread too!)

Ham or turkey

Sprouts

Avocado

Cream cheese

Honey Dijon

That's all! Yummy and lots of good for you fillings, too!

I Heart Pottery Barn

2010-02-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few reasons why I LOVE Pottery Barn. Sure, their prices are (way) more than my budget, but I just love the style. Dan thinks we can make this desk...as I call it, the desk of my dreams. I've had my eye on it for a loooong time now. I picture myself scrapbooking, sewing, wedding planning in my future business...by the way, anyone need someone to help coordinate their wedding? ;o)

I'm digging blue and brown together...mixed in with a cream. So peaceful.

Love the blue on the walls, and it would so easy to make this idea budget friendly!

Comfy, comfy bed. I like the shutters in the corner. Love the color of the set of drawers...you could totally buy something like that from a thrift store and paint it.

Also, we were at the hardware store yesterday and found that Benjamin Moore carries a Pottery Barn paint collection. Not sure how long this has been going on, but I was excited!

Grassy Cupcakes

2010-02-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

My friend Amy (who is so cute and crafty) sent me this. I'm not sure how to post videos yet, and my blog savvy hubby isn't home, so just click on the link. It is of Busy Philipps on the Bonnie Hunt Show. She is showing what else, how to make grass on cupcakes!!! Definitely taking notes. (And wishing I could buy some cake decorating supplies!)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=283642297423

Enjoy!

2010-02-22T17:42:00.000-08:00

Here are some February baking items. Superbowl Sunday we had a party at our church. I made cupcakes, and tried to make the frosting look like grass (except the 4 I gave up on because my wrist hurt... :o)

At the last minute, I decided to make the flags out of scrapbook paper, toothpicks, and white crayon. I've seen this on a couple other blogs (more professional looking than mine!) and wanted to give it a try.

For Valentine's Day, I made sugar cookies and used a recipe for icing from my friend, Missy. (The one who makes adorable cookies!) I bought these pearl sprinkles at Yoder's in Shipshewana last month and was excited to use them!

I love how they looked with our dishes! Dots everywhere!

Thanks for looking at my latest projects! I'd love pointers and other ideas to improve my baking.

Dining room color schemes

2010-02-13T10:29:00.000-08:00

Here are my color ideas for Laura and Paul's dining room! It is suppose to be sage (couldn't find the exact color...). I like a gold/yellow color because it brings in the color from the living room, and it looks good with the sage!

Pflueger Color Scheme 2 by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Pflueger Living Room by Twirlsteph featuring Giles & Brother necklaces

Pflueger Color Scheme by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Pflueger dining room 2 by Twirlsteph featuring Miss Selfridge belts

Laura and Paul's House (before and after)

2010-02-06T17:32:00.000-08:00

Our friends Laura (who I've known since I was 2!) and Paul bought a house at an auction a few years ago. They are auction experts and get AMAZING deals and really cool stuff! Anyway, this house was old, cute, and had tons of charm. Paul and Laura decided they wanted to strip all the original woodwork that had been painted white, as well as the fireplace. Below are some pictures of their house before and after!

Before

After

(They painted the bricks navy blue and added a maroon trim. The landscaping was also worked on.)

Before

After

(Doesn't this look so homey???)

Before

After

( I LOVE these windows! I am also quite fond of their baby girl! :o)

Before (nursery)

After (Laura painted the sign above the closet. Also they used picture rails to hang artwork! So cool!)

Before

After

So cool! I'm working on coming up with some ideas for their dining room at moment. Those ideas will be up soon, AND hopefully we'll get more before and after pictures of the house!

Wedding Hair Bling

2010-02-01T16:18:00.000-08:00

For my wedding day, I searched high and low for the perfect, inexpensive hairpiece. I finally decided to use 2 brooches that my bridesmaids were wearing on their dresses. I had my friend Sam's mother-in-law turn them into hair clips, and I loved the way they turned out (except when one fell out about 2 minutes before I was walking down the aisle! Ha!). However, why did I not know about Etsy? I think it would have saved me a lot of time! Check out the cute headbands below, and then visit the Etsy site!

So, I saw this cute photoshoot on Style Me Pretty, and I loved this headband.

Then, I went to the Etsy site and saw even more gorgeous wedding hairpieces. Check out more beautifulness at Feathers and Frills. (Sorry for the creepy model heads!)

I don't know why these are smaller, but they are still sooo pretty.

brace yourself...

2010-01-30T14:25:00.000-08:00

Wow...this photo takes my breath away. Literally.

Want to see more amazing photography? Christian Oth Studio.

Sarah's Wedding Ideas

2010-01-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

My great, amazing, lovely, beautiful, friend, Sarah, is getting married in June. She is having a Colorado wedding at a gorgeous church with the reception at the same place. So, to be the best long-distance bridesmaid I could be, I came up with a few centerpiece ideas for her. (Please excuse the Christmas decor and bookshelves...apartment living!)

Floating beads in water.

Oh, and I should add...her real colors are black and white, but the only flowers I had at the apartment were yellow...cute, but picture white flowers. Thanks. :o)

Want to see our bridesmaid dresses???

They are from David's Bridal.

And, they were on sale. Thanks, Sarah!

Can't wait til June!:o)

Hello Winter!

2010-01-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

I just bought this...

...and I think it is the cutest winter accessory ever.

(I haven't been able to find a website for the company, but it is made by Cheveux.)

We went to Chicago a couple times last month, and both times I saw girls wearing these cute headbands! So, I asked this obliging passerby if I could snap a picture to begin my search. Well, just a week later, we found one at a little kiosk at the University Park Mall in Mishawaka! What luck!

This makes all this snow and cold weather a little easier to handle. A little.

Amazingly cute barn wedding

2010-01-08T13:41:00.001-08:00

I pretty much am IN LOVE with this wedding!!!!!!

AHHH!!!!

I've looked at it three times in the past couple of days, so I thought I'd share a tiny sneak peek. But, seriously, go to Style Me Pretty to view the whole thing and read about the details. While you're there, check out other beautiful weddings and amazing photographers!

Cutest barn wedding EVER

Hmmm...it's has only been a couple years, but maybe we need a vow renewal??? :o)

Kristen's Baby Shower!

2010-01-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Twice in one week! New Year's resolution is going strong.

Here are some pictures of a shower I threw last May for our great friend, Kristen. This was while Dan was going to seminary in Kentucky, so the budget was small, but I think it turned out great! We had a fun time painting onesies, munching on adorable cookies (from Missy Bevil!), and talking about baby stuff!

Invites.

Paper cards from Hobby Lobby and cute paper cut-outs from Archiver's.

Missy, Kristen, and I

Great friends from Kentucky who we miss dearly!

For some fun activities we decorated onesies and played a word match game. Kristen's husband, Viktor is from Hungary, so we matched words associated with baby things in Hungarian to English. It was funny!

The table.

The place mats were kraft paper cut into rectangles.

Missy's cookies.

Yes, she should go into business.

Serioulsy, too cute!

Favors.

Simple stamping to go along with stamping on the invites.

Cylinder vase wrapped with cardstock an CUTE paper cut-outs founds at Archiver's.

Nest with jelly beans...yum yum!

Bird House.

I just picked up a birdhouse at a craft store and painted it to match the nursery!

Bird tree.

I used card stock, kraft paper (LOVE kraft paper!), googly eyes, twine, and tree branches. Super easy and super cute!

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

New Year's goal #1 complete...update blog more. My husband says I am happiest when I am being creative or looking at beautiful things other people have created.

I agree completely!

So, hopefully I will be keeping this page updated with my own projects as well as creative ideas from other people.

I have had this nursery idea in my mind ever since I taught preschool kids. (We read Goodnight Moon over and over and over at naptime...). Thanks to polyvore for giving people a way to release their creative juices!

Goodnight Moon Nursery by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:

IKEA | AINA | Zasłony, 2szt - żółte, 250 PLN

IKEA | Storage furniture | Chests of drawers | HEMNES | 3 drawer chest, $199

Williams-Sonoma Home | Nautical Stripe Rug, $160

Light Brown Floppy - The Vermont Teddy Bear Company, $40

Parade - home + furniture - decoration - clocks - regulator alarm..., 32 GBP

Also, thanks to these other bloggers who have kept me ohhing and ahhing through 2009!

Style Me Pretty

Decor8

Black Eiffel

Hostess (with the mostess)

...and many, many more that I WILL mention in the upcoming year.

Shout out to the hubby who has been VERY helpful in getting me to become a blogger. :o)

Thoughts from the Pressbox

Sseko Designs

2009-08-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

Check out these sandals from Sseko Designs. Super cute and for a great cause. (You can even change the straps!)

2009-08-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

We moved to New Carlisle, IN this summer for Dan's new job. It is a small town, but we are living very close to the beach. Here is what I would love to just be lazy in after a long, exhausting day catching some rays. :o)

Small Town Summer by Twirlsteph featuring Forever21

Idea for Lissa's Wedding

2009-08-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

One of my good friends since high school, Lissa, is getting married next spring. I am VERY excited to be able to help coordinate the wedding and come up with some ideas to help decorate. We have been thinking of different ways to decorate this window for the ceremony.

Here is an idea that might just do the trick.

Lissa's Wedding Idea by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Let us give thanks to our Savior-the Creator of all good things.

Rozsa Nursery Ideas

2009-03-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

My good friend Kristen Rozsa asked me to help come up with ideas for their nursery. They are expecting their first baby...a girl! Kristen wanted to go with a bird theme with pinks and yellows. Here are a couple concepts I came up with.

Nursery - by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Rozsa Nursery - by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

My blog "simply inspired designs" will, hopefully, be my outlet for putting ideas I have floating around in my head out into the open for me (and maybe others!) to see. From fashion, interior design, gift wrapping, and event/wedding planning, I want to continue my search into exploring and developing my creative self.

Thanks for checking this out and give me any feedback you can!

<3, Steph

My first post will be in honor of St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! - by Twirlsteph on Polyvore.com