Playful Patterned Platter of Hot Dogs - Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day snuck up on me this year and instead of stressing over what to serve, 

I'm opting to keep it simple and traditional, with a touch of whimsy.

With a wave of the magic mustard wand, 

our weekend hot dogs are going from drab to designer...

It's amazing how just a pop of yellow can make me smile...

I just put my mustard du jour in a zip lock bag and

 snip one of the corner for perfect condiment placement...

Stars, zig-zags...

curves, polka dots...

or just a simple straight line, 

and the hot dogs are ready to party.

Pattern is powerful, 

pattern is playful

and for an easy-peasy Memorial DayBBQ, 

pattern is perfect!

Enjoy the long weekend.

Memorial Day Favors - Poignant Party Poppies

Ahhh, Memorial Day.

The unofficial start of summer.

Warm days, BBQs, fun at the beach.

It is easy to forget the meaning of the long weekend, so this year,

I'm bringing Poppies back!

Wearing poppies on Memorial Day, 

in remembrance of those who died serving the nation during war,

 started in the United States in 1915.

Originating with the poem,
Flanders Field by John McCrea...

and reinvented by Moina Michael,
 who was instrumental in popularizing them on Memorial Day.

So plant a poppy, give a poppy, wear a poppy.

I think it's a beautiful tribute -

I want it to be POPPY-ular again!

Printable stickers are available here

Happy Memorial Day.

bloomdesigns tidymom shabbynest

Memorial Day Cupcakes with meaning

Memorial Day is always fun.
It means summer is just moments away.

We will be celebrating, BBQ-ing and enjoying the day off with...

This year I wanted to find a way to showcase
what this holiday is all about.

I have been so touched by the media coverage of the
 recent opening of the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
I thought, why not commemorate the holiday
with cupcakes honoring a few of
our county's famous memorials?

I hope to spur a little conversation, 

reflect and have everyone realize how lucky they are.

Here's to the brave that have kept us free...

party bunch, tidy mom, shabby nest, the creative collection, link party palooza, be different act normal, monday funday, skip to my lou, project inspired, 2 cup tuesday, homework,  whimsy wednesday, daisy cottage, bloom designs, tidy mom

Patriotic Pizza Party

Wishing you a

Memorable Memorial Day...

(a few scenes from our Pizza Party)

Have a barrel of fun!

also on Skip to my Lou, Today's Creative, Two Cup Tuesday, Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday,  Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts,  I gotta create, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Its Overflowing, Monday Funday, Under the Table and Dreaming

Red, White and BEE-lue with Martha Stewart Jewelry

I definitely consider myself a beginner at jewelry making.

I know how to open a jump ring and attach charms to chains, but that is about it.

Well, look at what this novice did with

Martha Stewart's new jewelry line!

I was honored to sample the amazing new

Martha Stewart Jewelry line
that is sold exclusively at Michael's.

A box filled to the brim with gorgeous products arrived at my door

and 

I could not wait to get started making some fun things to wear this summer.

I pulled out the 

Red, White and Blue Jewelry Enamels...

a few of Martha's charms...

 and got to work.

It is so easy, 

you simply mix the enamel with the activator according to the instructions...

 and apply with a toothpick...

then just wait a few hours for the enamel to dry...
that is it!

I attached the charm to a jump ring and then onto the chain necklace with toggle clasp.

(all compliments of Martha)

The sky is the limit on what you can create and the color combinations.
Next time you are at Michaels, browse the Martha Jewelry section you will be amazed.

Thank you Martha,
your jewelry line and I are going to have a

 BEE-utiful friendship.

Martha Stewart Jewelry is made by Plaid Crafts

follow them on their blog, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter
for tons of inspiration on everything creative!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Plaid and the Blueprint Social. 
This project and love of Martha Stewart Jewelry are 100% my own!

also on Tidy Mom, TT&J, Six Sisters, Its Overflowing, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Sundae Scoop, Monday Funday, Sunday Showcase, Skip to my Lou, Project Inspired, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts

Burnt S'mores...a HOT Memorial Day Gift

Just in case the weather doesn't hold out 

for outdoor S'mores this weekend...

all the smells, none of the mess...

to add to all the fun memories with great friends!