Ah-dorable Valentine Cards from Tabibi Studio

Can you believe it is almost Valentine's Day! I am always looking for something different to do every holiday instead of the same ol'. I am already a huge fan of Tabibi Design, and very talented Tina has out done herself with these amazingly AH-dorable Valentine's Day cards! 

Order them from Tabibi Design Creative Studio for your Valentine!

I mean, just take a look! These 2 are my fav, but visit her facebook page to see the rest of her Valentine's day album!

photo copyright Tabibi Design

rustic-ly glam, thanksgiving table

thanksgiving holiday table

...burlap runner on top of white table cloths;natural elements combined with

crystal accents and white vases..and to top it off mismatching chairs.

the flowers were made of locally grown white roses, wheat, eucalyptus, and grass.

...and it wouldn't be a holiday without ...

Happy Halloween! DIY come together

happy halloween

diy. chic. elegant. spook-tacular.

elleeventdesigns.com

Halloween DIY Weekend!

getting ready for Halloween Parties, one d.i.y. trick a day...

  

thursday's halloween d.i.y.

{make your own wine labels. part 1}

who said a halloween party has to be gore, and blood and scary and can not be cute & chic? i know, right! let's make that cute little lace label with the oh-so-adorable black cat!



supplies:

little adorable doilies...you chose a size!

stamp

ink pad

glue dots

hairspray (optional..one that doesn't test on animals-mandatory)

directions:

1.make sure bottle has label removed.

2.using a stamp of your choice, stamp the doily.

3.glue doily to bottle.

4. to make doily firm and not rip easily when handling, spray the doily with hairspray. wipe the bottle clean. (optional)

5. Make an adorable tag to let everyone know what it is in the bottle, and show them how stinkin' cute you are! i used "murder by malbec"...because i have been before.

see you tomorrow the d.i.y. on the "bloody red" and "bone dry" labels!

Are you ready for some Football?!?

Fantasy Football Draft Party

...complete with Nacho Bar, Pretzel Bar, Football Cake Pops, Smores and more...

Ruffle Pom Pom how-to

I love love love Ruffles! I think I have these at every event hanging from the ceiling, tossed on the floor, mini ones on napkins, filling in bouquets or vases...why? because they are too darn cute! You can use them at bridal showers, birthday parties & especially weddings! Imagine a hundred of them flowing with hanging ribbon from the ceiling of the tent. Mmmm....anyway! At first they are are a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, you can make 10 in an hour.



Pom Pom how-to by elleDESIGNS

 1. & 2. Start with tissue paper, layer the patterns how you like and trim so they are the exact same width and height. I use 16 sheets if I want them very big and puffy. 8 sheets will do for smaller ones.
3.  Fold the sheets together like a fan and tie a string around the middle, long enough to be able to stick out after pom pom is made,for hanging.
4. Round the edges with scissors. 16 sheets will be hard, make sure you have sharpened scissors and break into parts if you need to. Round, to a point, experiment!
5. & 6. Start, carefully, pulling the tissue apart. Be careful, tissue paper is easily wripped!Make sure your hands are dry!

How pretty! As you can see, blend different patterns and shades of th color for pretty effect!

Recipe Spoiler...

cupcakes, paper & cuteness by elleDESIGNS

 

This week I had 2 events on the weekend. One I was doing the dessert table for, one I was doing everything from the cake to the decor....whew! Busy Busy Busy week. But, with that said, just thought I would share a popular recipe of mine....double chocolate peanut butter cupcakes that also can be made, you guessed it! Vegan.

What you will need:

Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups whole grain flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup oil or butter or vegan butter substitute*

1 cup milk or soy/almond/coconut milk*

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon vinegar

1/2 cup chocolate chips or vegan chocolate*

Mix all ingredients together, except for chocolate chips, until moist and blended well. Melt chocolate and pour into batter. Mix well.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Sweet Peanut Butter Frosting

1 cup peanut butter (I use organic creamy)

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter or vegan butter substitute*

1/3 cup milk or soy/almond/coconut milk*

Beat butter and peanut butter together until fluffy. Slowly add in half of the powdered  sugar. Mix in the milk and the remaining powdered sugar. You can add more milk to the consistency you would like.

                                                                                                               Final Product:



cupcakes, paper & cuteness by elleDESIGNS



After cupcakes are cool, add a sweet surprise: melt 1 cup of peanut butter in microwave until just about creamy, not runny, for about 30 seconds. Pour into icing bag with long tip. Insert into each cupcakes and squeeze for 2 seconds. Frost with the Sweet Peanut Butter Frosting using another icing tip or spatula. 

*Kudos for Cruelty-free!

 

pinkies up....

Tea themes are becoming so popular for baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, you name it. Two things are a must for a tea time: a steamy tea table...and dainty-licious centerpieces. Pinkies Up Please...




the banner reads 'love is steamy' {click for bigger image}

 

decor by elleDESIGNS. Photo by  Regina Marie Photography

 





decor by elleDESIGNS. Photo by  Regina Marie Photography



decor by elleDESIGNS. Photo by  Regina Marie Photography



cards pretty enough to frame

I love making cards, but what I love even more is walking into a new nursery and seeing the card I made framed on the dresser. Why not get a little creative and instead of buying one off the rack, personalize it and make it too pretty or personal to throw away. Use your scrapbooking things, paintshup on your computer, or as my artsy Aunt Laurie always does, she draws a beautiful picture. Here is one of my favorites for our friend's baby shower.

Musn't be late for tea!

Bridal Tea Invitations


Bridal Tea Invitations by elleDESIGNS







Little Cards for Little Birthdays

These were not for any clients, these cards were my lovely niece, Isabella & handsome little nephew Tristan.

elleDESIGNS. Mermaid & Turtle birthday cards

Bridal Shower Invitations. Sugar Buffet!

At your wedding, please let me give you advice and never ever have a "dessert reception." I say the following all the time, but this is the first party you and your hubby-to-be are going to host, make it good, impressive, lovely! Guests are coming to your beautiful wedding, giving you gifts (well hopefully), treat them like adults...not 5 year olds on a sugar rampage. Dessert bars? GREAT, but not an enitre evening devoted to sweets!

HOWEVER, Bridal Shower, Bachelorette Shower, Maid of Honor Shower, Engagment Parties....let their be sugar! I just finished these for a client for a Sugary Sweet Bridal Shower. It is an afternoon of tea and pastries. She deserves a great shower. She has asked that in lieu of gifts, the money to be donated to the ASPCA (big YAYE from me!!) and to breast cancer research. Sprinkles to her!

by elleDESIGNS. OH, SUGAR SUGAR Bridal Shower Invitation. contact for more info.



 

STD's are fun...

..As in Save the Dates of course!

Show the personality of your wedding in the STDs and Invititaions. If your wedding issuper formal, maybe try something a little more elegant. My wedding in June was FUN, flirty, and we still have people going on and on about it...so our STDs matched. 100% hand-made. As you know I love graphic design, so we took a bunch of pics pretending to hold letters. I then inserted all the letters in our hands on the computer. I have done a few of these for some of my brides since and they are adorable. Adorable, especially if you are having a photobooth at your wedding! 



Photo Booth Design Save the Dates by elleDESIGNS. Contact for more info.



Gift Cards that come from the heart..

I know, I know. Gift cards can seem so impersonal...but deep down, isn't that what you would want? A certificate to a store you love? To spend on just yourself? For whatever you want? Those fab pair of stiletto heels you saw in the window, the newest purse at Coach, all new designer make-up, a life size poster of Johnny Depp? OK, you get my point. I do understand that although receiving a gift card is always splendid, being the "giver" of one may seem a little, "here you go, I didn't have time to shop," or even worse, "I know nothing about you, soooo...get what you want."

How about this. Show how much you love them and that you did put forth tons of effort...in the presentation! Even go as far as using their favorite colors. Here is an example to follow so you can see the process of the cuteness! I have no shame saying happy birthday & i love ya with this!

Invitations...Modern Tea Room

The Maid of Honor, Landra asked me for a modern tea room invitation using the colors of the wedding: green, blue and touches of pink.  The bride-to-be loves tea but is not a girly-girl and wants a smooth blend of modern and tea toom. She was very pleased with the result.

Modern Tea Room Invitations by elleDESIGNS.

Paris theme Bridal Shower Invitation



Paris theme Bridal Shower Invitation. elleDESIGNS



First Christmas Card as Mr. & Mrs....

Our first Christmas Card as Mr. & Mrs.

I always design or make my Christmas Cards. The only time I have had us on the card was when he proposed because it was December 5th, just around Christmas. Every other card I make has our kiddies(pets) on them. This was exciting to make and send out...like our marriage was official! I used one of our favorite pictures from the wedding and really like how they turned out.

Of course, couldn't forget about my kiddies. I used a picture of them on the back saying, "Meowy Christmas." Hope you have a Meowy Christmas too!

Chic Birthday Card.

Pretty Birthdays Wishes.

card & cuteness by elleDESIGNS.

Unique Thank You Card...

 I used a picture from our wedding and with a little graphic design created a Thank You Card fridge-worthy. I made a banner to switch to the car for our Thank You card, but with everything in a rush, there was no time. It turned out great!



Unique Thank You Card by elleDESIGNS