Tonality Designs

Trick or Treat Invitation Inspiration

My brother-in-law is turning 30 on October 28th, so my sister and I have been trying to think of a Halloween/Birthday party theme and invitation. I was thinking it would be fun to have an 80s Monster Mash! "What's an 80s Monster Mash?" you say. Well, it's a costume party where everyone has to come dressed not only as a monster but as a monster dressed in 80s garb. So come as a werewolf, but it better be a Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox inspired werewolf. Or come as Bride of Frankenstein meets Material Girl. Or what about Dracula in some fingerless gloves and parachute pants!  You get me? Wouldn't that be such a fun party?!?! Anyways, in thinking about the party I came across a couple invitation ideas I just have to share with you.

This first idea comes from Martha Stewart and friends. Who wouldn't love to receive a severed finger in the mail? My sister thinks this is awful, but I can't help but laugh.

I love this Vampire Invite that I discovered on Nickel Design on Etsy. I've seen this done in different ways and think it's an easy, yet clever DIY invitation idea.

Lastly, what about sending a JibJab movie (the above picture features my sister, brother-in-law, nephew and niece). Their definitely quick and easy since you can just email it or post to Facebook. And you can't help but smile when you put your picture on random characters.

So that's where I'm at. I'll let you know what we decide to do, but how about you? Are you planning a halloween party? If so, I'd love to hear about your ideas! Either post a comment here or send me an email at amy@tonalitydesigns.com.

S'more Please!

{Via Tookies on Etsy}

I keep coming across these amazing S'more treat ideas. Do I love them so much because they scream summer or because I really could use some chocolate? Either way, I'm in love and want s'more!

{Via Tookies on Etsy}

{Via LakewoodCookies on Etsy}

{Via Glorious Treats}

{Via Naturally Chic}

{Via Twig & Thistle}

{Via Crazy Agnus}

I couldn't resist also sharing this too cute onesie! {Via The Wishing Elephant on Etsy}

Etsy Love: Eclu Bridesmaid Bags

So I plan to post some more Thanksgiving ideas this week, but I wanted to share with you this fun find from Etsy. Check out these darling clutch bags by Eclu. She designs them with the thought that a bride could give them to her bridal party. Such a clever idea and I know those bridesmaids out there who've received one are very grateful for the idea as well. Of course I love them because they feature fabric flowers – which I seem to be obsessed over right now.

She also has other bags and backpacks for kids that are adorable.

So if you're a bride and wondering what to get your bridal party - consider Eclu. If you're a mom with extra cash - stop by Eclu. Or if your a crafter in need of inspiration - definitely go to Eclu.

It Started With a Laser Cutter!

Please enjoy this fabulous find I read about today on Design*Sponge. Molly M Designs, started making unique jewelry and although I don't usually wear earrings, I would admire anyone wearing these. And now her designs are also being translated as laser cut prints. All I have to say is,"TO. DIE. FOR." And such great design inspiration. I must have these hanging somewhere in my house.

Fabric Flower Creativity Boost!

One of my good friends is getting married and she recently sent me a link to some DIY Fabric Flowers (pictured above) from Martha Stewart Weddings. She asked me if she thought we could make the flowers for her seating cards for her wedding and I said, "Yes, please!" The Martha article actually shows 32 paper and fabric flower ideas. Of the 32 designs I've already done all of the paper and ribbon designs and only the most simple of the fabric flowers, so I've decided to gather all the fabric flower projects I've been dying to try in this blog post. Hopefully it will act as inspiration to you and will get me motivated to actually try one or two of the designs out.

First, the Martha Stewart Fabric Flowers which I believe may have been inspired by Emersonmade (pictured above). I originally blogged about Emersonmade on my birthday, suggesting to my friends that one of her handmade flowers would be the perfect birthday present! This weekend I hope to try my hand at these handmade peonies and roses. 

 

Second, I just love embroidered pillows, so these 3D felt pillow designs from Amy Butler and Anne Kyrrö Quinn are just beyond perfect in my book. I think I've wanted to make the Amy Butler Snow Mum Pillow for over a year now,  Download Snow_Mum_Pillow .  As for Anne Kyrrö Quinn's pillow, thank you How About Orange for blogging about the free tutorial available here on Etsy.

And because the web has endless inspiration, here are some links to some other fun finds. For instance, I found the blog Kinda Wonderful where she posted about 31 Crafty Flowers in 31 Days.

And let's not forget my love of Heather Bailey's fabrics and I've found her patterns prove to be just as great. Try her Pop Garden Scrap Flower and La Fleur Debris.

Also check out these fun patterns: Calamity Kim: Fold & Twist Fabric Flowers; The Artful Crafter: Flowers from Fabric Remnants; Molly Chicken: Fabric Flower Tutorial

So have fun flower crafting. I'm thinking there is definite party decor potential here for table runners, centerpieces and maybe even invites. I'll post my creations soon...

Happy Birthday To Me!

So it's my birthday today. I celebrated this weekend with a very fun and low-key dinner with family, but I got to thinking, "What if I could host my own birthday party? What would I create?" A little self-centered I know, but hey we all think and plan a someday wedding, so why not a birthday party? So here’s my perfect virtual birthday party!

 

I'm sure from year to year what I would want would change, but a few months ago I saw these staged wedding pictures from Tec Petaja Photography and instantly fell in love. I can picture myself setting up a table with mix-and-match furniture under the most perfect of oak trees. From the tree would hang twinkly lights that cast just the right amount of light on an eclectic table decorated with all the antique and thrift store finds I’ve collected over the years. And seated around the most intimate of tables – my dearest of friends of course. (You know who you are.) Food, wine and laughter would be flowing and a grand time would be had by all.

But wait, what about the cake? Here are a few toppers I’ve discovered and love. The pin doll topper was masterfully crafted by Lollipop Workshop, while the cute little felt topper was stitched together by Gifts Define.

   

 

And what party would be complete without gifts? My perfect friends at my perfect party would most definitely bring me one of these glorious finds. The Coffee Cuff and 45 Nano Case by Contexture Design are cleverly made from reclaimed materials and adhere to the classic design rule of “form follows function.” While the beautiful handmade flowers are from Emersonmade.

So thank you all my blogging guests. I hope you enjoyed my virtual party. I know I sure did!

Poladroid Captures Brunch and Dirty Dancing in Hollywood

The week has started. I hope you all are having a happy Monday. Yesterday, Justin Timberlake (of course I'm one of his fans on Facebook) blogged about Poladroid, a new free program that converts your digital pictures into Polaroid look-alikes. I downloaded it and it really does bring back the memories of shaking, waiting and seeing fun results.

I used the program on the pictures I took yesterday in Hollywood. A group of us had brunch at Square One before going to see Dirty Dancing live on stage at the Pantages! I already wanted to share with you the fun and funky pictures I captured at the random dive we discovered in Hollywood, but being able to share them as Polaroids adds that extra detail that simply makes me smile. 

If you find yourself in Hollywood, definitely have brunch at Square One. They serve organic, local and small farm produce. The food was delicious and  I don't know if I've had better coffee. 

As for Dirty Dancing, be ready to sing along, say the lines before the actors and simply laugh when you realize even the choreography is the same as the movie. After all that fun I went home and watched the Lakers sneak by with another win!  I hope my week lives up to my Sunday . . .

Window Shopping Inspiration

An evening watching HGTV (amazing Color Splash episode) and recounting my day through photographs.

So here's the deal: I HAD to go to Paper Source today for supplies. (Sure I could have purchased online or gone to Michaels, but I had a free Saturday and Paper Source = fun Saturday activity.) When I got there I realized I should blog about the store because, although you can visit them online, they only have stores in select cities. I had so much fun taking pictures I decided to look in a few more shops that were near by. In the end, I realized that we really can get inspired by just window shopping. I was going to post this like normal, but I have over 40 pictures (this is with editing) so instead I created a photo album.  So come along and shop with me! See photo album here.

Stores visited: Paper Source, Napa Style, Pottery Barn, Borders, Fossil, Wahoos, The Container Store.

My Go-To Vase

I'm not trained in flower arranging, but I've created enough to pick up a tip or two. One trick for creating a perfect flower arrangement is making sure you have the perfect vase. When decorating a tabletop you want to make sure the vessel isn't too tall, yet you still want to make an impact. I've discovered my "go-to vase" is actually a simple glass vase from Target. Pictured above and also in our blog banner, it's the perfect height for tabletops (measures about 5.5", keeping your final arrangement around 12") and the slight curve at the top allows the flowers to fall in an ideal dome. 

Unfortunately it's not available on the Target website, but you can find it in most stores. Only $3.99 - so get a few to have on hand for you next party.

The above arrangement was inspired by our Whimsical Romance Wedding Invitation. I invite you to see more on our newly launched website.