Vases

April showers bring May flowers, right?  Here are some great vase DIY's that I found.  Any of these would make flowers very happy! 

(found here)

(found here)

(found here)

Accessories

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend!  We spent a few days in the windy city.  Love Chicago!  Especially the shopping.  We did go as a family so some of the shopping had to be quick if not for the kids.  Note to myself...I will be going back this summer without kids since I had a lot to see in a short amount of time.  We did get to spend a couple hours in IKEA and went to the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL.  I so wish we had Z Gallarie near us.  So many lovely accent accessories.

I saw this sweet little lotus flower tea candle holder and I knew it was a must have.  They had other great colors available.  Perfect for a table in our livingroom.

   

I also fell in love with the fabric at IKEA.  I'm planning on making curtains out of it to fit a small window we have in our kitchen.  I'll post the finish product when I have them made. :)

Easter Finds

A few Easter finds I'm lov'n.

1 :: Easter Jar Planters, 2 :: Pantone Garland, 3 ::  Papier-mache Eggs, 4 :: Candy Jars

Magic Jelly Beans

I usually post "Must Have Mondays" but, this will be a short week for me and I wanted to get this post out before the family and I leave for a mini vacation.

I saw this idea a few years ago and thought I have to do this before my kids get older and catch on. 

•  •  •  •  •  • 

Did you know just days before Easter that if you plant jelly beans they will grow into lollipops.  Oh, they do.  Just look...

All you need is some jelly beans

and a bucket or plant container.

Fill the container with potting soil.

Have little fingers add a few jelly beans.

Have those little fingers push the jelly beans down so the soil is covering them.

Make sure they get plenty of sunshine and water.

Ta-da...a container of yummy lollipops!!!

I think this would make a cute little gift to give to family and friends that have children. Package up a few jelly beans and place them into a fun container.  Be sure to slip Mom and Dad the lollipops.  :)

To help you out I made a fun round tag you can add to the bag of jelly beans. 

download here

This and That Thursdays

Okay, so I thought I'd dedicate my blog posts on Thursdays for "This and That" sort of things.  Basically, they will be DIY projects either I've created, ones I've spotted or some nifty downloads.  Fun, right?

There are little places here and there in our house that I just can't see bare any more.  I love simple patterns and sometimes it just takes a wee bit of design to make a spot on the wall, a table top or night stand pop.

So... I designed some patterns and they are now at home above our bed.  Simple yet brings in just enough color to complete it. (Ignore the head board frame - we are so in need of an update with it.)

How about adding one to a small table top?

Go ahead and download some for yourself HERE.  I've designed

them to fit a 5x5 photo sized frame or matte board(with a small bleed).  And I have

them available in a few color choices.  Enjoy!

Market Basket

I've been seeing more and more of these European style market baskets popping up.  With our farmer's market opening in about a month I think one of these will be perfect.  And who knows I may just look a tad European and hip carrying one!

Get 'em here and here

What's up with the name

Since I can remember I recall people asking me quite often if "Dorie" is my given name.  Actually, I still get that from time to time.  Dorie is indeed my given name.  My Mother's Mom heard the name and thought it was lovely.  I really never thought it was different growing up because well, I was Dorie.  Not until I was in 3rd grade did I really give it much thought - I didn't know another Dorie.  That all changed when I discovered, Dorrie the Witch books by Patricia Coombs at our towns Public Library.  I had to have read every single book in that series.  I remember loving that I was reading about another girl who shared

my name.

The illustrations are wonderful.

At my baby shower one of my good friends surprised me with a collection of "Dorrie the Witch" books.  Her mother-n-law was a librarian and the library that she worked at was closing.  She scooped up the books and gave them to me as part of my gift.  Some serious joy over that gift!  I didn't give the books much thought again until recently Leyton brought home a worksheet he needed to fill out asking my husband and I questions about our favorite childhood books.  I brought the books down from my daughters book shelf and I've started to read them to the kids.  I cherish those itty bitty memories and it's so nice to be able to share them with my children.

I think one of these sweet illustrations deserve a spot up on my daughters bedroom wall. 

Must Have Mondays - Pretty Things

All pretty things from Ruche.

Serious Polka Dots

If you are looking for simple yet colorful party supplies you are missing out if you haven't glanced at Shop Sweet Lulu. I'm so glad I found this shop.  Party heaven!