welcome 2013

Mid January is when people recap their life talk & about their new year goals, right???

On top of life and put together is the story of my life....not so much. If I were to recap last year on Joy Ever After it would be a really short post—because I blogged maybe 6 months out of the year? It's like we're at that point in our relationship where we need to break up or tie the knot. Commit or move on.

Good thing deep down I DO love this relationship.

So here we go. Because my life feels a little complicated, my 2013 resolutions/goals/commitments are simple: Take Chances + Embrace Change.

This will be a challenge for me. I like being comfortable. Most people recap what they'd like to change—I recap that I DON'T want change. To be honest, I've avoided this "new year" post because last year was sooo comfortable. My freelance work flourished. My husband and I enjoyed living together, taking life pretty easy. We achieved many personal goals. We are part of an amazing community of friends and have a home that we love. Not much discontentment in 2012, and New Year's Eve didn't exactly bring excitment of great hope in 2013. Actually, I had a death in the family that night and spent early January surrounded by broken hearts.

And as I look to what this year will hold, I see a lot of change. A lot of risk. When life gets too comfortable, it's probably time for change. My husband and I will face decisions. Do we uproot this life we love? Do we exchange our freedom of comfort & ease to start a family? Do we dive in to a new job and a new community?

So here I am looking to a future of uncertainty and transitions. Leaving behind good things, in the hopes of greater things. Please stay with me to share this adventure.

glitter 2013 tutorial

Time to welcome 2013 with a little glitter!

I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas! I've been off the grid enjoying family (and snow!) in Colorado and now Wyoming. Over the next week I'll try to pop in with some of the projects I've working on.

These glitter numbers are sure to dazzle if you are planning a New Year's Eve soirée—best of all, they are SUPER EASY to make. Directions below:

1. Download the template below, print, and purchase two sheets of glitter scrapbook paper (I purchased mine at Michaels).

2. Cut out the printed numbers and then trace onto the backside of the glitter sheets. Make sure to flip the numbers as shown. Then cut along your traced lines.

That's it! No mess but lots of glam. And another addition to the many ways I've been obsessing over glitter lately.

christmas card 2012

Christmas is almost here! Too late for sending out my Christmas card? I surely hope not (because I freaking love em). 

The card design/concept I found here by Amanda Jane Jones. Fell in love. So my husband and I recreated with a few tweaks. 

The photo concept was the creative (genius? folly?) of my husband. We even had to re-shoot because the first background wasn't "dilapidated enough". Silly perfectionist! But hey, it's hard to give up a dream when you have specific goal in mind. My favorite part is the tiny wreath in the lower left*.

Psst. You can view my 2010 Christmas card here (sadly 2011 was not photographed).

*Please know that I do NOT think it funny or clever that someone propbably lives here. Quite the opposite.

let your heart be light {holiday party}

This is the theme of the Holiday Party I worked on last weekend! We wanted the event to reflect all things "merry & bright". (Which is surely on target with large glitter letters)

Luminaries led you to the door, where you walk in and were greeted by the entrance below.

The canopy of candy cane & lights was one of my favorite elements.

Then you'll run into another large undertaking (with volunteer labor)—two large "curtains" of snowball garlands. The two curtains helped to separate the dancefloor space from the seating areas.

Simple centerpiece above: gold doilies with hurricane vases of snow & branches.

A festive bar area.

To incorporate polka dots into the party, I found these great straws. And we also created a large wall of hanging bulbs—totally mimicing polka dots!

So fun, right?! Hopefully my near-instagram-filter-looking photos are still able to give you an idea of all the details at this holiday party. It was a blast planning & making such festive decor.

Happy Weekend to you! I'll be plowing away on making Christmas gifts—we're attempting all handmade this year. It's taking far more time than we'd hoped. Fingers-crossed the payoff is worth it! How about you? Plans for the last weekend before Christmas break?

starburst drink labels

The last few weeks I've been obsessively using gold starburst labels.

My favorite idea is using them as drink labels, but I've also used them in holiday packaging and other random projects recently. I found these at Office Max, and it's probably good they come in packs of 100 because I love them.

Wouldn't this be perfect at a party...perhaps with a large batch of winter sangria?

party welcome sign {quick peek}

Well hello again. A little behind with photographing blog posts at the moment.* I've got A LOT of photo editing before I can showcase the details from last weekend's holiday party. But for now a quick peek at the entrance sign I made (that I took way too many photos of). 

Hope you're having a good week! And hope to soon have more blog-worthy images!

*The window of daylight is so small these days!

a faux chalkboard

Sometimes I just feel that a chalkboard won't do. With only two items I can make a "chalkboard" of any size, with no chalk dust, and I can keep it forever. Sounds like a plan.

Foamboard + a paint marker. Both available at art supply stores or online.

I draw a general outline of each letter in pencil to get the alignment & letter sizes correct (not lopsided). This is especially necessary if you want to do an elaborate drawing like this one. No erasing mistakes with this chalkboard!

I made this one for an upcoming holiday party. Fun, right?! I think it's a great motto for the holiday season.

a twinkle in your eye

I think I'd like to be more deliberate with purpose in heart from day to day. It's too easy to get caught up in mistakes, emotions, and worries—which is NOT our designed purpose.

glitter creatures diy

Happy Monday! I found my new best friend—glitter spray.

It is sooo cool. I think I want to go crazy and paint the whole world in glitter. This is a legitimate coat of glitz—as if you painted glue and dumped on glitter, but SO MUCH EASIER. And if you broke something you love (vase, etc), then this offers a perfect fix. Instructions below!

1. Purchase awesomeness in a can (from a local art supply store or Amazon). Then find a creature to paint. I found these broken figurines at Goodwill for under $1.

2. Spray away! (lots of fumes btw)

3. Sparkles!

Wishing you a wonderful first week of December!

P.S. The pretty background is my craft project from the weekend, a pretty twinkle garland by P.S.- I made this... (via Kara).

joyeux noel bunting {easy diy}

Happy Friday! I've got a super quick & easy diy bunting. Perfect if you want to add a Christmas quote around your home.

1. The punch out stencils were purchased from Office Max ($3.89), depending on your quote you may need more than one set (I only used one). Then you'll just need a holepunch and string for the bunting.

2. Punch holes and thread your string through each of the letters.

3. Hang up your french "Merry Christmas" banner for all to see!

Quick. And. Done.

Any fun weekend plans??? Tomorrow is a Christmas craft brunch, followed by a 30th birthday party—what a fun day to look forward to! How about you, relaxing or parties on your agenda?