Krazy Christmas Balls with Krazy Glue

sponsored by Krazy Glue

Don't you just love going to all the fun Christmas parties with your friends and neighbors during the holiday season. Some of the funnest parties are the ones with everyone dressing up in their crazy ugly Christmas sweaters and exchange white elephant gifts and play fun silly games.

Inspired by these parties and the crazy Christmas sweaters, I created this fun new Christmas tradition that even your most craft challenged friends will have fun making because anything goes!

Krazy Christmas Balls are over the top glittered, ribboned, tinseled, rick racked, jingle belled ornaments. The key to getting all those layers of glorious sparkly bits to stick is the Krazy Glue.

Gather your supplies. Lots of them. The more and varied and holiday themed the better.

Supplies List:

• Krazy Glue
• Mini Wood Cutouts
• American Crafts Glitter Set
•  Essential Colors Glitter Set
• Christmas Ornament Balls
• Glass White pearl Ornament Balls
• Wired Tinsel
• Craft Scissors
• Tiny Jingle Bells
• Tiny Reindeer
• Paint Brush Set
• Nail Polish Remover (in case you glue some bits to your fingers or your fingers together!)

Now start creating. No reason to be intimidated or trying to make them perfect, anything goes! There are no rules. Just add Christmas bits to your heart's content.

To apply the seed beads, sequins and tiny pieces of glitz I used the Krazy Glue All Purpose No Run Gel. It's great for precise glue application without running. For adding the ribbons, tinsel and other embellishments I used the Krazy Glue All Purpose with the brush. The reason Krazy Glue is key to this craft is because it is fast-acting and dries so quickly and can be used on multiple surfaces including, glass, wood and vinyl.

This is a great craft for parties because of the quick drying glue everyone's ornaments will be great to take come with no drying time.

Be sure you have good ventilation in the area you are crafting with Krazy Glue.

Happy Christmas Crafting!

xo

New Charmin Essentials and Some Toilet Paper Origami

This post was sponsored by Charmin as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central

Did you know that Charmin has a new line of toilet paper that is comparable in price and quality to Angel Soft and Scott 1000 toilet paper? It's the Charmin Essentials line, both Charmin Essentials Strong and the Charmin Essentials soft. I must admit I have used both Angel Soft and Scott 1000 one  for the soft affordability and long lasting rolls. I had a chance to swap out my Angle Soft for the Charmin Essentials Strong and the Charmin Essentials Soft and loved them both. To be honest I first got the Charmin Essentials Strong to try and then we ran out of toilet paper before I could take these photos and then our local store was temporarily out of the Charmin Essentials Strong so I got the Charmin Essentials Soft. The Charmin Essentials Soft was definitely as soft if not softer than our regular Angel Soft but you know what so is the Charmin Essentials Strong! The thing I love about the Charmin Essentials Strong is those big fat rolls.  The 6 roll package above is the same as 24 rolls. If your family is like mine no one wants to change to toilet paper roll when it's out. The mega rolls last so much longer between changes. The Charmin Essentials Strong is also definitely stronger than my regular toilet paper brand. 

To put it to the test I also decided to do some cute toilet paper origami. We just got back from our trip to Park City where we staying in the Mont Cervin Plaza Condos by Wyndham for our HELLO LIVE Conference. Each of the toilet paper rolls had these cute toilet paper fans on them. I love little details like this at the high end resorts. I decided to give it a try and I needed to use strong toilet paper for this fun little toilet paper craft.  The Charmin Essentials Strong was just the right toilet paper for the job. It had to be strong for the twist part of the fold to hold up well.

First, you fold about 3 sheets of the toilet paper in an accordion fold as shown while still attached to the roll.

Next, you twist the one corner under. Then, you roll the paper back up on the roll. 

Finally you spread the fold out into the fan and then place it on your toilet paper holder. Fun!

Do you want to give the new Charmin Essentials a try? 

Charmin is inviting shoppers to upgrade their Angel Soft® for Charmin Essentials Soft and Scott® 1000 for Charmin Essentials Strong.

To participate, you can simply Tweet your toilet paper swap out request to @Charmin using the hashtag #CharminEssentials and #Promotion, and Charmin will send you a free roll. A FREE ROLL!

#CharminEssentials TP Swap Program Terms & Conditions: http://spr.ly/6011B4QMT

Angel Soft® is a registered trademark of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Productions LP
Scott® 1000 is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
*based on MSRP

Valentine's Day Ideas * Crafts & DIY Projects

I just adore this big Red Heart from Little Peanut. It reminds me of the tissue paper hearts we made in elementary school for Valentine's Day. 

Old fashioned Vintage Valentine's are other love of mine. The graphics and sayings are just so charming. I have the sweetest old valentine that was given to my great-grandmother that I place on my mantel every year. A local antique shop here in Provo, UT has a whole collection of vintage valentines. I am making Creative Breathing's Vintage Valentine Wreath  this year. 

Craftberry Bush has directions for this lovely Heart & Love Sheet Music Wreath. It easy to make and you probably have all the supplies already on hand.

I love that this Simple Punch Ruffle Wreath is so easy even the least crafty of us all can make it.

Make some cute DIY Arrows to go with your hearts for a Valentine's Day Mantel decor. Your kids will surely be tempted to play with them. I promise. 

Do you have some fire wood logs? This is such a fun and very simple home decorating idea from Today's Fabulous Finds. Carve you and your lover's initials into a "tree"  for Valentine's Day-
I Love You Log.

Happy Decorating xo

April- founder & editorial director

5 Summertime Hostess Gifts * Home & Garden

Summertime is filled with bbq's, picnics, get togethers and reunions. When we think of hostess gifts for the casual outdoor parties it's a great time to give a little something to your sweet host that fits the summer occasion. Here are some hostess gift ideas that are stylish and useful too.
April

Why not bring a batch of your best strawberry lemonade in a monogrammed drink dispenser. It's a personalized gift that your host can use over and over again all summer long.
Galvanized Metal Drink Dispenser Stand

A lovely arrangement of succulents in a simple stylish container of  is always a nice gift. Succulents are easy to care for, add texture and interest to an outdoor table and are great for any summer climate. Buy a selection of succulents and arrange them yourself or buy some like the beautiful container above from Another World Plants on etsy. I found a large selection of succulents and planters on etsy.
Another World Plants

Does your host like to grill? Mix up a batch of homemade BBQ rub or buy a set of your favorites. Stone Gable has a delicious recipe for a Magic Spicy BBQ Rub.
Magic Spicy BBQ Rub Recipe

Chili Lime Rub at William Sonoma. They also have a large selection of assorted BBQ rubs.

BBQ's, summertime dinner parties and family reunions always include nice cold bottled beverages. An interesting novelty bottle opener is perfect for the hostess with the mostess. William Sonoma has a nice selection to fit your hosts personality.
Anchor Bottle Opener

Christmas Holiday Wreaths * Home & Garden * Finds

I love the classic spruce wreath but thought it would be a nice mix up to add a little something more to the classic holiday wreath to give as a hostess gift. I found these love Holiday Wreaths from Creekside Farms that add a little something special. The one above a pretty red pomegranates in their Pomegranate Holiday Wreath.

I love the little bits of white in the Fragrant Holiday Wreath.

This berries and moss wreath with the little pine cones and mix of berries is so sweet.

I asked Creekside Farms and they gave us a sweet little treat.

15% off ALL Creekside Farm Wreaths! Use our special discount code SWEETLIFE at checkout.

Homemaking Tips *Top Tips for Housekeeping & Organizing Home

Tip Type:
Helpful Housekeeping Tips
Tips & Photo by:

Better Homes and Gardens

I don't know anyone who wouldn't love to reduce their housekeeping chores. Having a list of tips and tricks on hand is so helpful. Do your mothers even teach you these things anymore. I know back when my mom was young women were taught the skills of a good homemaker but now it seems a lost art. It doesn't matter if you are a man or a women you have a house to take care of and here are some great tips we found. We call it the Master List of Housekeeping Tips. Be sure to pin this post for later. We promise you will use it.

TIP: Be sure to look at our list of FAVORITE organizing & cleaning tools at the bottom!

Tip Type:
Homemade Stain Remover
Tips & Photo by:

Real House Moms

Tip Type:
Great Cleaning Tips and Printables
Tips & Photo by:

Classy Clutter

Tip Type:
8 Ideas for Organizing the Pantry
Tips & Photo by:

Clean Mama

Tip Type:
Speed Cleaning Tips
Tips & Photo by:

The Inspired Room

Some of our FAVORITE organizing and cleaning supplies

 Weck Deli Jars at Food52- Provisions only $32 a set

Blue Ball Canning Jars at Provisions by Food52 only $24

Chalkboard Labels at GroopDealz only $6.99

Birch Lane Farmhouse Baskets Set from Wayfair only $69

sweet and simple participates in affiliate programs

All Time Favorite Finds * by April * Sarah Jane Studios

If you don't already know about Sarah from Sarah Jane Studios you will want to know about her lovely illustrations. She is one of, if not the most talented children's illustrators of all time. I say this with a background in design, art and photography. I say this as a lover of children's books and illustrations. She has the heart and soul of a true creative genius. There is a magic in her images of sweet little children and animals that will capture your heart. It is what you see in a master touch. It is what a true artist is striving for to stir the emotions of the soul.
I first came to know of Sarah in the beginning of her professional journey. It was also way back at the beginning of my professional editor, writing and blogging journey. The first post I could find where I featured Sarah Jane Studios was in Jan 2008. We gave away one of the sweet print sets on my Fun Free Fridays Giveaway back on my original blog Sweet Life in The Valley.

$50 is a steal wouldn't you say for such beautiful art prints! I knew the first time I saw her work that it was special. I had to collect it ALL. I started with the month by month prints and loved that she dated and signed each one. I knew that someday these would be worth a lot and I would pass them down to my daughter and so on. I have the blue read with me print over my children bookshelf. I have a large collection that I started back when I worked as the community relations manager at Barnes and Noble.

It's exciting to see her progress and accomplishments from her art prints to her greeting cards and then to fabric designs, embroidery patterns and paper doll collections which you can purchase in her shop.

You would have recognized her Nutcracker set from the Ralph Lauren Children Store window displays during Christmas this past year in New York City and London.

Not only has Sarah accomplish all this she has also illustrated books including A Christmas Goodnight and French Kids Eat Everything.

Now she has come out with a line of lovely wallpaper and wall art pieces. I can only imagine a childhood filled with her beautiful art and sitting under her family tree wall piece reading a book or staring at her wallpaper at night as I fall asleep.

Sarah Jane is one of my All Time Favorite Finds. I am sure you will love her too.
xo
April


by April Atwater founder and editor-in-chief Sweet and Simple Magazine