Jacque Made: a place to share my creative side.

The week after Thanksgiving I threw a baby shower for my sweet friend, Morgan. My twin sis helped me a ton by giving me all the décor and pumpkins she'd used for a shower she threw a friend a month or so before. These are some of the flowers I got for the shower at Trader Joe's. So pretty, yes? Here's the décor. Not the best light for a photo, but you get the gist. And here's the beginnings of the food table. My sis bought the decorative fans online, and the pumpkins are from Trader Joe's.  The party favors were caramels from Trader Joe's in cute little bags with gold and peach ribbons. My sis gave me these awesome wheat stalks she'd actually picked herself. And I love the little sign she designed for the favor table. I ordered sandwiches and desserts from Kneaders.  It was such a beautiful shower for a beautiful friend.

 I love Valentine's Day.. I'm one of those girls.. maybe because my husband always spoils me, and maybe because I'm a chocoholic and love fresh flowers? Probably both. So, I found myself in the Target dollar spot last week (I love that I say that like it's a complete accident.. like someone drugged me and dropped me there without my permission. haha.. we all know I go there with full intent of splurging enough that it doesn't really matter that it's $3 or $5... it adds up, I know.) But, back to my story. I was there last week, and I kind of fell in love with a lot of things. But I was somewhat frugal (one of my New Year's resolutions, mind you), and I narrowed down my wants to two things: a tulle banner and a cute striped heart push pin board.  If you look closely, you'll see that the gold push pins are actually little gold X's and O's. I mean, adorable right? I had a pic of my kids that came with my Christmas card order from Costco that ...

I made this simple wreath and wanted to share it. I simply covered a foam wreath with thick black fabric using a glue gun. Then I added a large orange bow and with clear plastic thread, I added this cute felt bat (a Halloween decor item I found at Target). I love how it looks like the bat is flying, since he's suspended with the clear thread. I always lean more towards cute Halloween décor rather than scary. Having small kids and knowing small kids are trick or treating at my house, I don't want to frighten them. I think this wreath is Halloween-y but adorable, too.

Of all the holidays, Christmas is my favorite to decorate for. I truly believe it is a magical time. Not just because all the kids are excited for their Elf on the Shelf to fly and make mischief while they sleep, and not just because of Santa Claus and his reindeer. I love Christmastime, because I feel a greater sense of love, and peace, and giving all around me. And it feels magical. I guess that's why I love to make my home feel magical, too. For years now, I've decorated in mainly red and green. I love the traditional colors of the holiday and all they represent. But, I fell in love with a few items I saw this year that were a range of colors. I had to get them. These trees from Target were my favorite find. I bought them on sale, and I love them!!  It's hard to see, but I also bought the white ball and jingle bell garland from Target to pin our Christmas cards to. I use small clothespins to pin them on.  And then, I saw the mini trees and had to buy them...

I love decorating for the holidays. I usually buy one new item each year to add to my holiday stuff.. this year, I bought a few new things, because I couldn't resist. I was sitting at Kneaders with some girl friends, and I saw this "Full of both thanks and giving" canvas sign, and I loved it. So, I took a pic of it and vowed to go back later and buy it. I didn't end up going back to Kneaders, but I did go to a cute décor shop nearby called Rod Works, and they had the same canvas sign. I bought it there along with this cool orange vase and cotton stems.  The fuzzy pumpkins are old décor pieces I made years ago. I wrapped yarn around small Styrofoam balls and then glued the pumpkin stems on top. I'm not sure how I feel about them now... but they are up this year.. maybe I'll replace them next year.

Banner : Target Owl couple : Target from a few years back Cat and Bat bottles : my local Kneaders restaurant Fuzzy yarn pumpkins : I made myself by wrapping yarn around Styrofoam balls I'd cut into pumpkin like shapes. I glued dried pumpkin stems on top. Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness sign : my local Kneaders restaurant

Banner : Target Little chicks : Pottery Barn Kids a few years ago Tree and birds : Target