[Make] Matryoshka Nesting Eggs // Part 1

Did you have a Matryoshka doll growing up?  I still have the one I was given as a child; it's currently residing in Happy Vee's Around the World themed room. Matryoshka dolls originated in Russia at the end of the 19th century and the old-fashioned wood dolls have been popular ever since.

In the last few years I've seen them pop up just about everywhere-- from clothing and fabric to kitchen tools and birthday parties (I have and love this measuring cup set). Since I have boys and a Matryoshka-themed birthday party is probably out of question, these are the next best thing.  :)

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Oh Martha] Spring 2013

I haven't done an "oh martha" post in months.  Since Spring is coming soon (March 20th to be exact), here are some beautiful spring things that inspire. All from the folks at Martha Stewart, of course.

Click "Read more" for the full post

[Happy Friday] 2.22.13

[Make] Faux Bois Vases

A faux bois project has been on my to-do list for a while.  It fits with my decor and I like to bring in the look of the outdoors whenever I can.  With just a few materials, some of which you may already have on-hand, these faux bois vases can be created in an afternoon.

One of my favorite things about faux bois-- It's perfectly imperfect. The less straight and the less perfect the lines the better!

Click "Read more" for the tutorial

[Our Week] 2.20.13

This February has been a busy one!  Not only was it jam-packed with holidays-- Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, President's Day, but we also had my MIL's 80th birthday and a trip to San Diego thrown in the mix.  After an 8 month hiatus, we also cleaned out a storage locker with some contents that have been untouched since 1974 (almost 40 years ago!). Lots of treasures, more "priceless" than monetary... but more on that later.  So now I feel like I can finally step back and reflect upon the flurry of activities.

So what's next? I have some fun projects on the way. I also have been asked to do some guest blogging over the next couple of months. I'm very excited, so stay tuned!

If I Were President I Would...

"Save the Trees"

-spoken by a 4 year old who loves nature... and has watched and read "The Lorax" many, many times.

If you're in the U.S., Happy President's Day! Do you have the day off from work?  We polled our friends and many are working today. The hubs has the day off so our plan is to finish cleaning out the garage. Nothing exciting, but it always feels good to organize and get rid of unnecessary "stuff".

Whatever you plans, have a nice Monday!

Happy Valentine's Day! // Photoshop Brush Tutorial

Mwah!  You guys are the best!

Do you have Photoshop and want to make your own lip art?

Click "Read more" for a Basic Photoshop Brush Tutorial

[Inspired By] St. Valentine

Here are a few of my favorite Valentine's Day projects from around the web.  I love the creativity. The fact that it is amazing eye-candy is an added bonus.

Click "Read more" for the full post

bliss bloom {blog} is on Facebook!

This weekend I decided it was time to get with the 21st century-- bliss bloom {blog} has a Facebook Page. Woo hoo!  So if you're on Facebook, come "like" bliss bloom {blog}.

And while I was tinkering around,  I also gave the blog a much needed facelift. I simplified the overall design so that it is more cohesive and easier on the eyes. At least I hope that's what I did.  :)

If you're reading this through a RSS feed, here's what it looks like--

Everything else is pretty much the same. You can still search by category and link to current projects in the right sidebar.

You can also find more projects by clicking on the tabs under the blog header. I'm pretty good at keeping these pages updated and it's a nice visual way to see everything sorted out by category-- parties, holiday projects, home projects, etc.

And that, my friends, is the end of the impromptu blog tour.  Hope you're having a terrific Tuesday!

[Make] Instagram Photo Heart

Do you Instagram?  I signed up last February and have been instagramming ever since. Something about those little square photographs with their rainbow array of special effects just speaks to me.

After about a year, I decided to do something with all the fun little photos that have been hanging out on my phone's Instagram app**. It's time to display them!

**If you're wondering, I'm a little slow to warm up to social networking (lets just call it... paranoia. that and having one more thing to keep up with), so my account is currently private. In fact, after 3 years of hemming & hawing, I just started a facebook page for this site... but more on that later.  If I decide to make my Instagram account public, you'll be the first to know!  :)

Click "Read more" for the how-to

[Make] An A-MAZE-ING Valentine

Is it amazing?  Well... no, not really. But it has a maze... bah-dah-dum.   :)

These are the class valentines that I made for my 1st grader. It was a bit of a last-minute thing, but I think it works. I had something else in mind, but waited too long and couldn't find what I needed in our local stores. Bummer! Ah well... next year I'll plan better. Thank goodness he's not too picky about these kind of things.

Click "Read more" for the free printable

[Wordless Wednesday] A Boy and A Hat

pssst... have a terrific day!

[Make] Glass Bubble Vases

I like the idea of a bunch of small vases lined up on a window sill. However, the last thing I need is to be buying more "things", so I decided to use something that many of us already have on hand (probably sitting in a bin right now).

It is pretty and simple on its own...

Or it can be jazzed up a little...

You probably have guessed what I used for these little vases...

Click "Read more" for the tutorial