GLITTER mouse pad and garland Tutorial!

Glitter is everywhere right now! I am a big fan of it! I have been looking for a new mouse pad for about a month now and didn't find one that I loved. Then I saw some homemade ones on my pinterest board here and here. I liked the idea of using materials I already owned! So my love for mod podge was the winner again! 

Materials needed: 

Mod Podge (I used Glossy for more shine!)

glitter (mine was $1.99 at Michaels)

a brush

Cork board (I used a round cork board that I had for absorbing water for my plants.) You can cut a piece to your liking. square. rectangle. circle. oval. I liked using my planter cork board because it was thick! 

First step: put a even layer of Mod Podge down on the cork. 

 Sprinkle a heavy layer of glitter everywhere on top. 

I let it dry for over 2 hours. Then I put 2 top coats of Mod Podge on it to seal it! Allow full amount of time to dry in between layers. It is ready to use as soon as it isn't tacky! EASY!!!!

I liked doing 2 layers of Mod Podge, so it would be more smooth!

Finished Glitter Mouse Pad! I think it looks Fab. Glitter. Red. Sparkles. PERFECTION.

Next, I made some glitter garland! I love all of the banner garland that is everywhere. I am pretty sure I have 4-5 of these in my house! Addicting.

Materials needed:

Glitter Scrap paper (I used cardstock from Hobby Lobby)

Scissors

Ribbon

double sided tape

cardboard/or something to make the stencil

my paper!

I took some cardboard and made a stencil. I just free handed it. I traced out all of my garland pieces before cutting.

 After cutting the shapes out, I folded them in half.

I found some old rose ribbon to use! I think it is fun and vintage like!

I used double sided tape on the card stock to hold it in place. 

When making the garland, I chose to make 5 of them. I like using odd numbers. 

Finished product. I wanted to hang it on a mirror on our mantle. 

So cute!!!! Love it!

H54F

Can you believe it is Friday already? What a week! It has been crazy in our house this week.....everything from colds/teething/migraines/work/eat/lack of sleep/10+ inches of snow...You name it, it has happened! I am excited that my family is doing much better, health-wise! We are really looking forward to the weekend! Lots planned...Let's get this party started! Every week, I link up with Lauren and show you my week in review with pictures! 

I decided to break out my Red Wing Shoes for work this week! I love red. I love Red Wing (hometown roots, yo) and I love a good loafer! I rocked them with my gap jeans! Holler.

We celebrated the girls feeling better by going to the gym and swimming! This was Kiyah's first time in the pool here! She loved it! She is wearing Zion's hand me down Gap suit. I love it!!! Sister love never gets old to capture! Zion also started gymnastics this week. It was fun to observe her actually being shy. Never happens! 

I am slowing starting to vamp up my home with spring! I made the glitter garland this week! I will post in the next few days my DIY Tutorial for you! Super easy! My friend, Kati gave me the beautiful daffodils too. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I got the blue jar from an antique store. The toile vase and platter is from my Grandma Cherie! The blue birdies are from my sister Cara. I painted the canvas last fall to add some color in our living room.

I have been following Elsie's blog for a couple years now. She posted this picture this week of her bedroom. She hand painted it. I am O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D. I am now dreaming of doing something fun in our bedroom! Oh the possiblities....... (this photo is from Elsie's instagram)

Check back later this weekend for a tutorial on my garland and new mouse pad I made with GLITTER! Love the glitz. 

Don't forget to subscribe to my BLOG to win free hair products. There will be giveaways monthly! (It is on the right side under "Followers". Click on "join this site" and it will walk you through it. That way you know when there are new posts up on TalaHairLife. 

Have a fab. weekend! xoxoxo

Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party for Zion

What a weekend we have had! It has been non-stop party time here at the Cass Casa! I can not believe that we are in the midst of 3rd birthday party festivities! It goes soooo fast raising kids. How is it possible that our precious, fun-lovin, crazy, loud, giggly, beautiful Zion Leilani is turning THREE!?! 

She is obsessed with Strawberry Shortcake right now! It is funny how fast kids can go through "favorites" with toys/cartoons/characters etc. For about two months, she has been loving watching this fabulous show. I secretly approve, considering it was a favorite of mine in the 1980's. So naturally, we had a Strawberry Shortcake party. It was her first friend party that she has had. We kept it small for numbers. She invited her lil friend/neighbor over, her cousin, 3 other friends. 5 was plenty! I can't get over the work/time that goes into these. But, I must admit, I love a good theme! It brings me so much JOY planning the details for my little Zi pie. So yesterday was the day for the p-a-r-t-y. I thought I could share with you the highlights from the celebrating. 

Andy made this image for us and we put it in a frame for the front door. Zion chose the colors for the strawberries. 

Zion chose her birthday outfit yesterday! It was all gap. She wore the dress for Christmas this year too! She is sooo cute! We got up early and did the prep for the party. She wanted to help me make strawberry shortcake too! 

We made my favorite recipe from America's Test Kitchen! It is amazing!!!! I used organic cane sugar and 1/2 w.w. flour though. SOOOOO good.

We made a punch for the kiddos: pink lemonade, strawberry lemonade, apple juice and frozen pineapple! so delish!

I got this amazing banner that says, "celebrate" a few years ago in Red Wing at a boutique. I love it. We bring it out for special events. I left my mantel decorated from V day.

ok- So I am obsessed with the new craze! Chalkboard Banners! I love them! Oh my word, I love that you can customize them for everything! My BFF, Jody gave them to me for a gift! She is going to sell the fabric in her shop on ETSY. You can order it like any fabric and cut it how ever you want. Andy and I cut it like flags. I used a hole puncher for the hemp to go through. So easy. I am excited to use it for many other things in the future. I think I am going to keep it up for awhile! 

We wrote:  "Zion is 3". I drew strawberries too!

We hung the banner over the dining room window! 

Isn't this table so amazing?! I love the colors! I could stare at it all day. If only toddlers appreciated it. ha. I got fabric from Jody for the scrap banners. I used two kinds of strawberry fabric, (this and this one), an old receiving blanket, and dish towel that was stained. I cute them into random strips and tied them on a green ribbon that I had. 

Some roses in a bud vase from Crate&Barrel on a vintage colander from my Grandma Cherie. The crystal cake stand is from my Aunt Jane. 

Zion filled the jars with pink marshmallows and strawberry licorice. 

I layered the buffet table with vintage doilies from my Grandma! I love all of them. I thought it was Anthropologie like to layer them. They have a lot of meaning to me. My grandma used to make these when she lived with her best friend when she graduated from high school. 

Zion and I found this tin at Goodwill for $2! holler. Napkin holder it is!

I used canning jars for the punch/cupcake liner lid/cute straws! I love the look. They are resting on a vintage tray. 

 The kids had a blast drinking out of them. So grown up....

 The party was from 11-2. Here is Z with her buddies. She was sooo excited for her party.

I hit up Target dollar section for the party favors. I filled them with Strawberry Shortcake stickers, suckers, strawberry gum, strawberry fruit strips, strawberry applesauce, crayons! 

We got the frames at Michaels for a buck! Andy filled them with a strawberry graphic to color. I love having craft time at parties with kiddos! 

Everyone arriving....

Beautiful Lila Grace! 

We started the party with the Strawberry craft. I had color crayons/pencils/markers out for options. The kids were so proud of their artwork! I got the chevron laminated fabric from the fabric shoppe as well. It is 2 1/2 yards! No sewing necessary! Perfect for spills/art work and meal time. Plus It is fun and festive.

Zakiyah and I! She is teething right  now, which means she is held a lot! 

Showing us their works of ART.

Crazy faces.

a jumping shot!

After craft time-- we moved on to lunch time. Toddler style. 

pigs in a blanket

sweet potato fries/ french cut fries

fresh fruit

black bean chips

punch

I picked up 30 plates and bowls from Valentines clearance last year at Target! They are perfect since Andy/Zion's birthdays are in Feb. I love using them instead of disposable ones. It just makes sense going with the heart theme for them.

Zion was so sweet and prayed for the meal! She thanked God for her "Strawberry Cort-cake party" and her friends......<><

All the kids loved playing with Zakiyah! She is loved by the little people. 

I love how toddlers get so excited for presents! It is hilarious how they practically sit on each other's laps for gift opening. Zion got some fun presents! Sticker doll house, memory game, dance pad, puzzle and Strawberry Shortcake decals for her room! 

After gift opening, we had Strawberry Shortcake! My sister, Chelsea stopped by to help! 

They loved the treats! 

Ironically, Zion has always been allergic to Strawberries. But yesterday, we tried it out and so far so good.....praying it has passed. So she had blueberries and pineapples on her dessert. She loved blowing out her "3" candle too!

The hus gave all the kids Strawberry Shortcake tattoos after cake. It was a hit! The cousins loved them! Love my Ryder:)

Showing us his sleeves! 

My friend Jody, just had this precious bundle! Levi Pratt.....Love him! He is one week old. I love newborns. 

 Zion with our neighbors! They are buddies. Such a blessing to have amazing neighbors. We are blessed!!!! 

Kiyah is 6 months old now! How is that possible? She was all festive for the party. Zion had me where a birthday dress too! So fun.

What I learned? 3 hours is plenty long for a toddler party! Plan ahead. Kids like structure at parties. Breathe in the day and enjoy! I love watching the joy it brought our very happy Zion! She felt so special having a little party with her pals. Happy Sunday ya'll.