Printing on ribbon! You can do it & it is super easy-

Although fair warning being able to personalize your ribbon gets quite addicting.

Materials needed for ribbon printing:

• An injet printer (if you don’t have one they are super cheap to pick up thrifted)
• A length of ribbon (I have found flat/ matte ribbons work the best)
• A small amount of double sided tape

How to print on ribbon:

• Print out a copy of the words you would like to appear on the ribbon to check for spacing.
• Cut your ribbon to size and double tape the ends onto your printed paper, be sure to cover the words exactly, text will print on the ribbon exactly where your words are placed.
• Run the paper with ribbon attached through the printer on the heavy paper setting.
• Let dry *Important, do not touch the ribbon for about 20 minutes to insure the ink has time to set.
• Peal off the ribbon and enjoy your creation!

Use your ribbon to adorn a surprise gift, to personalize a birthday card, or to make a stash of exceptionally lovely party labels.

PS. I am so excited to share with you how I incorporated this into our wedding inspiration shoot, soon!

blessings.

I am so looking forward to being back next week- I have three events done this month that are just aching to show themselves to you! Plus the our little site updates will be done soon- Yippee:)

As a preview to our updates- check out the new family blog where the twinsies will be living from here on out and see this lovely 18 month photo shoot that Jackie Wonders shot in the a weed filled field!

Click HERE to be directed to http://thecitycradlefamily.com

blessings.

For instance, desperately wanting to throw a farm party, how fun- anyone have a chicken???

A chicken & egg bouquet via Green wedding shoes.

blessings.

A chicken-wire birdcage that was used to cover a simple shower cake on the amazing dessert display was the first adornment that grabbed my attention (tutorial for this coming shortly). The girls added in Pink China, white tissue poms and beautiful bunches of flowers ensuring every touch was baby-clock inducing lovely!

(Via Greylikesbaby)

blessings.

——–

I have to admit, when Victoria asked me to write up a post about what I love about summer, I thought: “This is going to be tough!” Summer is my least favorite of the seasons, mostly because I don’t like sweating, but it was really fun to sit down and think of the reasons why I do appreciate summer!

For one thing, I absolutely love the beaches of the East coast and the Northwest. I’ll take a sand dollar and a cool breeze over blazing hot white sand any day!

And, of course, something nautical to wear to them!

During the summertime, you will almost never see me without a huge glass of iced lemon tea. If I could hook myself up to an IV with this stuff I think I’d be truly happy:)

But my absolute favorite thing about summer is waking up at 5am to see bright sunlight, already lighting up the sky! Longer days are a definite blessing.

Disney, thanks so much for sharing your inspiration today & thank you for inspiring so many of us throughout your blogging tenure, we all wish you the best as you move on.

PS. In case you missed it a few wonderful Ruffles & Stuff party tutorials can be found here.

blessings.

Simple paper cones and stapled tissue paper create the most adorably easy hats.

A few simple red balloons and ice cream served up nice and gooey leaves lasting memories for little boys.

A simple wooden table of treats is sometimes all you really need.

& the simplest of games can make everyone giddy- A wall full of balloons to pop with confetti and goodies inside.

blessings for summer’s simpleness.

Summer party fashion inspiration:

To a summer BBQ- I am wearing…
Yellow Silk Tank: vintage thrifted  Jacket: H&M,  Shorts: Machine Jeans

To an afternoon garden party- I am wearing…
Purple Floral Tank: Elle for Khols  Orange Skirt: vintage thrifted

To the kid next doors birthday party- I am wearing…
Orange Button Front Shirt: Banana Republic- thrifted  Shorts: 1955 jeans-vintage thrifted

Make your own garden flower stakes:

These would be lovely placed around a summer evening BBQ or lined up down the aisles for an afternoon garden wedding. Super easy, simple & purely gorgeous.

• Use a saw or knife to sharpen the end of your stake for easier entry into the ground.
• With the sharpen part of your stake facing downwards, align your glass bottle along the top of the stake. Fasten the twine where you will begin attaching the bottle.

• Loop the twine around the bottle 1-2 times then reverse directions and loop the twine around the stake.
  
• Repeat until tightly fastened and tie a knot at the end.

• Repeat the process with a second line of twine to secure.

Follow Susan’s husband, the handi-man behind this project- Stick firmly in the ground, fill with flowers, sit back in an old arm chair and enjoy!

blessings.

A garden party

In her own words: I wanted to create a beautiful and sweet party that resembled the sweetness and beauty of my daughter. I thank God for her!

For ambiance, I sectioned off a small cove in the woods near my home by using furniture (leather chair, armoire, farm house table, etc) to create a room of sorts. A room surrounded by lush green and lots of beautiful cut flowers in whites, pale pinks, and some purples. We also hung white paper lanterns in the trees, as well as a wire chandelier over the farm house table.

My husband made flower stakes to stick in the ground — he made the stakes with branches, glass milk jars, and twine. (Check back in just a bit for the DIY)

A lovely afternoon spent beneath handcrafted details, great food and one very sweet baby girl to dote over.

blessings.

Summer Party Inspiration:

I love that there seems to be more spontaneous parties in the summer. I guess the outdoors lure us to throw down a well worn quilt, gather up some wildflowers, cut up some watermelon, pour the lemonade, and wear something linen.

Firefly watching and sparklers earn extra points. Hooray.

Melanie.