My Week Through Instagram: Week Twenty-Three

Hi everyone! I'm a little late to start off this week. Yesterday was nonstop finishing up a couple of projects. But I'm getting back into blogging today by recapping last week. Last week was number twenty-three of 2012! Can you believe it? We are almost halfway through the year. At the beginning of this year I set a little goal for myself which was to post a picture (at least one) to Instagram each day. I haven't missed a day yet and I am so proud I've come this far. I think it will be so fun to look back at the entire year in December through my pictures. Are you working on a daily project this year? How is it coming? Have you set goals like this for yourself in the past and how did they turn out?

 

Sunday: While my brother is away on tour, all his stuff is getting stored here at home including his fabulous Mac computer. This computer is amazing (and it runs so much quicker than mine) but the thing I'm really jealous of is this gigantic screen. Oh my! It makes working in Photoshop so easy. At least I have it all to myself until he gets back.

Monday: I spent the day styling and shooting a little gardening scene and this is a snapshot of the work in progress.

Tuesday: It has been awhile but I finally sent out some snail mail. I packaged up a couple of sweet goodies to loved ones using my favorites: glassine bags, tags and twine.

Wednesday: This shot is from my daily walk with Scout. This is a small private orange grove along one of our routes. I just like the old wood sign. It says, "Please - No Bikes."

Thursday: The weather is getting warmer which means shorts are starting to make an appearance. I rediscovered my dragonfly bloomers and wore them to work paired with a grey blazer. I couldn't resist pairing them with my oxfords.

Friday: All the jacaranda trees are going crazy in our neighborhood right now. They have the most vibrant purple flowers. They might be super messy but when they drop all of their violet blooms it is so magical. Like a carpet of purple.

Saturday: I had an early shift at Anthropologie on Saturday and as I waited to go in, I noticed these neat door handles. Quite the whimsical detail. It pairs perfectly with the salvaged wood doors.

So that was a peek into my week twenty-three. What did yours look like?

Follow me on Instagram if you like. My username is laurenelisecrafted. Or see all of my pictures on the computer through Followgram.

My Week Through Instagram: Week Twenty & Twenty-One

I am playing catch-up here on the blog again late at night. I did say that May was going to be a whirlwind for me and I was pretty right about that. The blog has definitely suffered because of it. Feeling good about June though and hoping to get back into the swing of things. But tonight I want to recap my last two weeks through Instagram.

Week Twenty

Sunday: I had to wrap up a present for some family so I decided to use this adorable heart paper I bought awhile ago. Isn't it adorable?! A navy bow and tag were just the right touch for an adornment.

Monday: Chalkboard and jute twine...just a little peak into the DIY project I was finishing up. I'll share more this week.

Tuesday: My brother and his band left on their summer music tour on Sunday and I couldn't let him leave without giving him a few rolls of film. He has taken up photography and is quite the talented fellow. I cannot wait to see what he captures.

Wednesday: I was perfecting these little fringe flowers which became my May DIY for Whisker Graphics.

Thursday: The finished product, a simple branch with my handmade fringe flowers. I used the fabulous products from Whisker Graphics for this craft. See how I made it and view more pretty pictures here.

Friday: This long week called for a little treat...some Pinkberry. Confession: I would eat this everyday if I could, especially in the summertime. It is so refreshing.

Saturday: A quick trip to the antique store (originally to check out an old typewriter) yielded these vintage portraits instead. I am super inspired by these characters and the type and graphics at the bottom of the frames. Looking forward to doing something with them.

And now for a recap of Week Twenty-One.

Sunday: A little vignette I styled awhile ago but am still loving. Amazing stamp from my friend Tristan of Besotted Brand.

Monday: Working on my next DIY for Houzz. A friend commented that it looked very hardcore but I assure you it is actually pretty simple.

Tuesday: Paint splatters. It might not be intentional art but it is beautiful just the same.

Wednesday: I sat at my computer all day, glued to the screen. It was crunch-time finishing up a project for a client. I worked into the wee hours.

Thursday: This cheerful pink flower is blooming all over my neighborhood right now. I love how it is thriving. We finally discovered that it is called Mexican Primrose. We actually bought some at Home Depot to grow in our own front yard.

Friday: And of course we came away from Home Depot with a succulent too. One can never have enough.

Saturday: After work, I tried on a few new items at Anthropologie including this color-blocked beauty (the dress does not appear to be online...weird since it is pretty new to our store). I'm pretty in love with it, the cut and color are quite perfect. So far I'm resisting it but we'll see how long that lasts. ;)

So that was week twenty and twenty-one for me. What did yours look like?

Follow me on Instagram if you like. My username is laurenelisecrafted. Or see all of my pictures on the computer through Followgram.

Mother's Day Polka Dot Vase DIY

Happy Friday friends! I have been so absent from the blog this week and for that I am sorry. I feel like everything is happening all at once right now: deadlines, family stuff, work. Do you ever feel like that? When it rains, it pours! But blogging will be back on track next week and today I have a lovely Mother's Day DIY to share with you. Of course Mother's Day is falling during this crazy time so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do for my Mom on Sunday but the good thing is that my brother and I will both get to see her, give her a big hug and thank her for all that she does for us. 

And you can't go wrong with a few flowers. Flowers for Mom is a pretty traditional gift but that doesn't mean you have to present them in a traditional manner. I came up with this project that is simple but still sweet and a lovely way to show your appreciation for your own Mom on Sunday. 

Materials:

• green bottle
• white paint pen
• kraft paper
• washi tape
• flowers
• scissors
• cotton twine
• shipping tag

Recycle a used glass bottle for this project. Apple cider bottles, sparkling water bottles and wine bottles are all possibilities.

Soak the bottle in hot water for ten minutes. This will saturate the glue and label and make removal easier. After soaking, tear away the label and scrub the bottle with a washcloth to remove glue residue. Dry the bottle.

Cut out a square of kraft paper that is big enough to wrap around the bottle. 

Use the paint pen to dab on the paper, making a white polka dot pattern. Let dry.

Wrap the bottle with the polka dot kraft paper and adhere with washi tape.

Embellish with some cotton twine and a stamped shipping tag for an extra personalized detail. Fill with Mom’s favorite flowers and some water and gift to her on Mother’s Day.

This is a pretty effortless project. The materials are either recyclable or easily found at your local craft store. And even a small bouquet from your own garden can be the unique touch that Mom will love.

What are your plans for Mother's Day? How do you tell your Mom how special she is? 

Happy weekend! {especially to all you beautiful Moms out there}

A Preview of Things to Come

Hi dear readers! I'm just dropping in quickly today to say hello and give you a preview of what I will be posting tomorrow. I have a floral post to share, a Mother's Day DIY that can be quickly put together in time for Sunday. Flowers are a very traditional gift for Mom but I took some simple blooms and packaged them in a not-too-typical fashion. I think it is important to show Mom how special she is and a lovely little bouquet like this would be a good place to start. Be sure to check back tomorrow. 

Thank you for your patience these last few weeks as I finish up all these wedding details (see my progress here and here). I am turning everything over to the bride on Thursday (the wedding is Saturday) and I cannot wait to be completed with everything. It has been really fun making it all but it is always a relief to finish a big project. Next week I can devote a little more time to blogging and get back on track here.

So be sure to visit tomorrow for my Mother's Day DIY project. 

What are you planning for Mother's Day?

My Week Through Instagram: Week Eighteen

Week eighteen of 2012 has come and gone and tonight I'm going to recap it. But first, how was your weekend? For me, Saturday was completely devoted to my brother's graduation from LMU in LA. I am so proud of him and cannot wait to see where life takes him next. He is so amazingly talented and creative so I know his journey will be exciting to see. I'll share pictures from the graduation this week. Today I continued work on my big wedding deadline. Sadly I discovered a minor error (fault completely my own) and so it's going to take me a bit longer than expected to get everything done. It's a bummer but I'm so close to finishing. Just a few more days work.

Here was my week:

Sunday: On Sunday I was preparing a DIY project which involved my air plant. I was letting it soak up some water before shooting pictures. I'll share the project this week. I just love air plants. I think I'm going to get a few more. They are almost easier than succulents to maintain. So that basically means they are the easiest plants ever.

Monday: I styled and shot some packaging pictures on Monday. I made up this paper pom flower with red stripe waxed paper that I found at Michaels. It is quite the simple gift topper.

Tuesday: The Lakers' second playoff game against Denver was on Tuesday and I just had to support my team. I am a pretty passionate fan so I go all out. The Lakers shirt wasn't enough. I had to compliment it with my purple cardigan too.

Wednesday: A huge stack of wedding programs getting completed. They have burlap covers and are tied with pink string. Here are a few behind the scenes shots.

Thursday: Putting the place cards in alphabetical order and getting them ready for display.

Friday: The place cards will hang from this cascading ribbon display branch. I love the two-tone colors of light pink and peach.

Saturday: A scene from LMU's packed graduation. It was a beautiful day in LA and I think everyone was enjoying the nice weather and optimistic atmosphere. An atmosphere of possibilities.

So that was my week eighteen. What did yours look like?

Follow me on Instagram if you like. My username is laurenelisecrafted. Or see all of my pictures on the computer through Followgram.