Handcrafted Easter Event–Coming this week!

Starting this Sunday, April 1st…

I love to give handmade gifts! There is something so special about giving someone a gift that is designed especially for them and handcrafted with love!  Everyone deserves to own something truly one of a kind and unique!

With Easter right around the corner, I’ve put together five fabulous {and EASY!} tutorials for you to make some sweet handcrafted gifts for you little queen bee’s Easter Basket! Each one can be completed in 30 minutes or less!

Here’s the lineup -

Stop by Sunday afternoon for the first tutorial and learn how to make your own Glam Girl Beaded Necklace!
{Here’s a sneak peek!}

Tutorial: DIY Chalkboard Tags.

Today, I’m sharing an inexpensive, kid-friendly craft tutorial for making your own Chalkboard Tags.

These little lovelies are so practical, you will quickly think of a dozen plus ways to use them!

{To Organize your pantry}	{To leave a note for your little}
{As a gift tag}	{As a place card}

Use them to decorate at your next Shindig * As home décor * In your garden * Oh the possibilities! :)
…Look how great they look at my craft show display! Love them!


You could even get a little crazy and add a magnet to back, then use them to display your kiddos’ artwork!

Seriously friends, once you make a few dozen  you will think of TONS of uses for these clever little tags!
Want to make some?! 

Here’s the scoop-
Supplies:
Wooden cut-outs
Clothes pins
Hot glue {*I’ve also made these using E-6000 and Wood Glue, both work just as well!}Chalkboard paint
Paint brush
Paint markers **{Totally optional – but very cool}**
Following the directions on your chalkboard paint, paint the surface of the wooden cut-out. I painted 3 coats, allowing the paint to dry for 1 hour in between coats. Then curing by rubbing with chalk and letting set 24 hrs. Don’t forget to paint the sides and back of your tag as well :)

Once your paint is dry, you can embellish your tag using the paint markers -

I added the simple polka dot border by gently dabbing the tip of the paint marker around the perimeter of the tag
Using your hot glue gun, apply an even layer of glue to front of the clothes pin, then attach the pin to the tag


That’s it! 3 steps, oh so easy and oh so FUN!



If you make some chalkboard tags of your own, please share a photo on the Daydream Believers Facebook Page – I’d love to see them!  Have a Blessed Day!

Linking up to these awesome sites! If you’re visiting from one of these parties, welcome!Please leave me a comment and let me know you were here! THANKS!

Guest Posting on Our Good Life

I’m thrilled to be participating in Aurie’s month-long crafty series over on Welcome to Our Good Life.
Head on over today to see my easy tutorial for DIY Chalkboard Tags! :)

My go-to recipe, Cheesy Pizza Dip

As I mentioned in this post, my go-to recipe is a delish Cheesy Pizza Dip!

Admittedly, I’m not much of a cook. I lack that “magic touch” that truly great cooks have, you know, that essence that makes even grilled cheese taste extra special. My sister has that magic gift. Her talents in the kitchen are far superior to mine! This little dip is the one thing that she asks me to make for her; so I treated her to a big batch for her birthday last week! :) In honor of Monica’s birthday, I’m sharing my delish recipe with all of you too!

This yummy dip can be served hot or cold and is always a hit! Here’s the how-to:

{Right Click to Save and Print}

Enjoy! :)

 Linking up to these awesome sites! If you’re visiting from one of these parties, welcome! 

Please leave me a comment and let me know you were here! THANKS!

 

Alexa and Lillian Travel The World–Welcome to Michigan

Dawn from Mom-a-logues has a fun new segment on her blog to teach her daughters about how  people live in other parts of the world. Titled “Alexa and Lillian Travel The World” – you can read all about it on Dawn’s blog.

My family and I were thrilled to host Alexa and Lillian at our home this past week! :) Here’s a peek into our week…

{They’re here!}  Miss I*, who is four, was especially excited about Alexa and Lillian’s arrival!

Hello New Friends!  Welcome to Taylor, Michigan.
We live in Southeast Michigan; Taylor is a suburb in the Downriver area of Metropolitan Detroit. Our community has comfortable neighborhoods, and a variety of shopping and recreation opportunities. Our city has two beautiful golf courses, an ice arena, and a number of parks. Our family favorite is Heritage Park, which features a mini historical village, Petting Farm, soccer and baseball fields, as well as bike and walking trails and a nice ice cream shop; it’s a great place to spend an afternoon.

Michigan is a great state to live in!  Located in the Great Lakes region of the United States; Michigan is the only state in the U.S. to consist of two peninsulas. The Upper Peninsula (aka The U.P) and Lower Peninsula are connected by the Mackinac Bridge. Michigan is bound by four of the five Great Lakes and has the largest freshwater coastline of any state in the country. It’s fun to note, the lower peninsula is shaped like a mitten!

Michigan is a rich agricultural state. Living in the Detroit Metropolitan area, people here take great pride in coming from the “Motor city” – our area was the birthplace of the automotive industry! Detroit is also known for being the home of Motown Records. In the 1960s, some of the most popular and influential music groups began their careers and shaped the “Motown sound” here; including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, and The Temptations!
 
Our days here in Michigan are probably very similar to yours in Minnesota! I* and V* enjoy playing dress up, coloring and drawing, playing make believe, reading, helping in the kitchen and dancing.

We are having an early spring and are enjoying playing outside! It was so lovely this weekend, we were able to visit the zoo  (… in March, this was an extra special treat as it is typically still cold and snowy in our area until April!)



Alexa and Lillian, we enjoyed showing you around our town and hope we were able to teach you a little about life in our area and our state.  You are off to Texas next, and we can’t wait to read about your adventures there!

If you would like to host Alexa and Lillian in your hometown, contact their mom Dawn :)

Spring 2012 Pre-Orders and a Discount!

Spring is just around the corner and I am SO excited about the release of my newest mini-collection!

I am stocking the shop with four beautiful new dresses, perfect for spring! In addition to the ready-to-ship collection, I will also be offering a limited number of made-to-order dresses; these fabulous frocks will be made in limited quantities – so you’ll have to act fast! :)

To THANK my loyal customers, I am offering you an opportunity to GUARANTEE that you get the pieces that you want, in the size you need, by accepting pre-orders for all four styles! Pre-orders will be open for one week only. As an additional bonus – during the pre-order, all dresses are being discounted 10% off the expected retail cost! YEA!

Here’s a look at the lovelies…
Bardot

Bebe

Bryn

Blythe

Aren’t they sweet? Click HERE to pre-order your dresses! :)

BIG Thanks to the wonderful and talented photographers who provided me with the beautiful photos above!
Photos of Bardot by ZOOM Life Images
Photos of Bebe by Captured by Jes
Photos of Bryn by Marla
Photos of Blythe by Peaches & Brown Sugar Designs

DON”T MISS OUT! Click HERE to pre-order your dresses today! :)

*If you are interested in purchasing the beautiful accessories featured in these photos – the headband in the “Bardot” photos is by AniBanani, the headband in the “Blythe” photos is by Peaches & Brown Sugar Designs, and the adorable necklace in the “Blythe” photos is by All That Sass Designs. Happy Shopping my friends! :)

Dress Pre Orders End March 16. All pre-ordered dresses will ship the second week of April!

Local Ladies Night Out! Come Shop with me!

Local Friends –Please join me on * Thursday March 15, 2012 * 
Daydream Believers is being featured at Salon Volumé in Allen Park!
For one night only, you can treat yourself to a little pampering and shopping all at Salon Volume`
It's going to be a fun night!
The salon is offering some great specials plus snacks and drinks... I will have a table set up with pieces from the spring collection, some fun jewelry and accessories, baby gifts, and some one of a kind outfits too!


Plus I'm raffling off a gift certificate! To be entered, all you have to do is stop by and say hi! ♥


Do not miss this chance to come in and shop the spring collection, in person, before it is officially released! :)

*Next Week* Thursday, March 15th from 5:00-9:00pm
at Salon Volume`
6661 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101

See you there! :)

An Interview and a quick Sneak Peek!

Happy March ya’ll!
I have been a busy bee these past few weeks – sewing around the clock in preparation for the Spring release, building up my inventory for a fun local event I’m participating in, finalizing plans for the next Daydream Believer Project campaign, fulfilling custom orders, working on a few fun blog tutorials… it’s definitely GO TIME here at DBS!

I LOVE IT! :)

Unfortunately, my super productive streak came to a crashing halt today when I woke up with an awful cold!
IDK where it came from, I was perfectly fine when I went to sleep then BAM! I woke up feeling terribly sick!

BOO!

So, I cuddled up on the couch with my little loves and set out to maintain some sort of productivity by catching up on my emails/blog reading/post writing. Of course, my achy head left me with some serious writers block. :/

I was just about to call it a day when I remembered that my bloggy friend Jen from Delightful Deets recently tagged me in an interview post! Thanks Jen!  Perfect timing!

Here it goes…

1. How did you decide to start blogging?
When I first stumbled across the craft-blog-world, I was immediately intrigued! It was such a joy for me to find this community of  women who want to change the world while simultaneously running households, operating small businesses, and raising children. Women just like me. I had always enjoyed writing and teaching, and when I discovered the need for an easy to follow chemo-cap tutorial; I felt it was my time to join in and share.


2. What would be your dream job?
In many ways, this is it! I love designing and creating beautiful children’s clothing! I love that I am able to work from home while raising my girls. I would love to grow the Daydream Believers company to include a few seamstresses, so I could focus more on design. I dream of seeing the Daydream Believer Project continue to grow into a full fledged movement; encouraging others to spread kindness and celebrate life.


3. What is your favorite movie or book?
I love to read so it is always a challenge to pick a favorite book. I’ll say –
The Pact (Jodi Picoult),
The Wedding (Nicholas Sparks)
and The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald). 
My favorite movies of all time are That Thing You Do and Almost Famous

4. What is your favorite food?
Cheese. Unhealthy choice, absolutely; but could I eat it every day? You betcha!


5. If you had an entire afternoon free, who would you spend it with and doing what?
I would spend it in the sun, with my hubs and daughters – reading, swimming, snacking :)


6. What is the most significant goal you have achieved to date?
I always dreamed of being a mother; having and raising my sweet daughters is the most significant accomplishment/honor/privilege in my life.


7. What is your dream vacation?
A beach get away with my entire family. Lots of sun, sand, swimming & sweet tea! ;)


8. When you go to weddings do you dance or sit like a bump?
It depends. I hate to think I’m ever a bump, ha ha, but there have been weddings where I don’t make it to the dance floor. I do enjoy dancing at weddings with my friends and family though,


9. If you were going to volunteer for an organization, what would it be?
I would like to spend some time at St. Judes. I also hope to work with Ashley to bring The Shine Project to MI!


10. Favorite celebrity or sports star?
Steve Yzerman  - Yes, I know he is retired, but he is my all time favorite athlete! Hey Hey Hockeytown!


11. What is your best go- to recipe?
I make a pizza-cheese dip that is DELISH! It is always a hit! I am making a batch this weekend, maybe I’ll photograph it for ya’ll and share the recipe here; I know you will love it! :)


**Per interview instructions, I’m supposed to tag 11 other bloggers to be interviewed next – but, I’m going to leave it open and extend an invitation to anyone who wants to play! I’d love to learn more about YOU!
Please write up a post answering the interview questions above, then let me know about it so I can check it out! :)

Thanks Jen for tagging me – you saved today’s blog post! ;)

To apologize for my brain-fog today, please enjoy a little sneak peek of the Spring Collection!

Full lookbook, LOTS of lovely pictures, and all the details on the release – coming SOON! :)