Home Events Celebration

Celebration

    Latest

    5 ways to celebrate National Donut Day!

    Marissa Lundeen
    -
    0
    5 ways to celebrate National Donut Day!

    5 ways to celebrate National Donut Day!

    Galentine's Day party

    Why we love National Donut Day

    We are firm believers in the power and transcendence of creating. Okay, maybe that sounds a little hokey, but are we wrong? We wholeheartedly believe as we create with our hands we get in touch with our soul, and as we get in touch with our soul we live a more abundant life. Creating something beautiful or delicious and putting it out into the world is an act of courage and celebration, and we are BIG FANS of all of the above. The donut lassies, pioneers of National Donut Day, are perfect examples of the good and lasting impact that can come from creating. Continue reading to discover their incredible story and how you can celebrate this fantastic holiday for yourself!

    The Story of National Donut Day

    During World War 1, a group of Salvation Army volunteers left with the American First Division of soldiers with the directive of providing the troops with entertainment and support. After arriving at camp and inventorying their limited supplies, these women realized they had a good amount of flour, grease, sugar, and baking powder: the perfect ingredients for donuts.

    They brilliantly used wine bottles and shell casings from large guns as rolling pins and put smaller shells to use by using them to cut out donut holes (innovation at its peak). They eventually fried anywhere between 2,500 to 9,000 donuts a day, supplying soldiers with a little taste and comfort of home. 

    As you celebrate National Donut Day this year, we hope you take a second to remember the incredible donut lassies and their stories. And what better way to honor them and one of our favorite food groups than to create something fabulous? We’ve put together some of our favorite donut crafts and recipes here to help you have the best National Donut Day yet!

    National Donut Day Crafts and Recipes

    1. Donut Flower Bouquet

    Donut Flower Bouquet

    Our cut-and-attach donut bouquet is a cute and simple way to dress up your favorite donuts! With minimal supplies, this is probably one of the easiest bouquets you’ll ever make and the yummiest your friends will ever receive. Beware, because once you try a donut bouquet you may never return to traditional floral arrangements again. 

    2. DIY Donut Rug

    If you have a bit more time and are looking for a way to incorporate donuts into your decor, look no further! This donut rug is exactly what you need. If you can get your hands on an Ikea rug, spray and acrylic paints, blue tape, and a paintbrush, you’re ready to get going. 

    3. Donut Garland

    Can a holiday be properly celebrated without a themed garland? I mean, Donut Day is simply not Donut Day without a garland. Luckily, we’ve created a donut garland template to help you celebrate this most important holiday in the style it deserves. All you’ll need is the template, scissors, string, a needle, a glue stick, and a hole punch. 

    4. Mini Baked Donuts

    Before you write off making donuts as being too demanding and time intensive (oh awkward, was I the only one doing that?), check out these awesome baked mini donuts! They are just small enough to eat 5 at a time (because we know eating just one donut is like eating just one Oreo; impossible. Don’t try to tell me otherwise) and are healthier than your average donut with zero processed sugar and no frying. This guilt-free donut recipe is likely to become one of your Donut Day favorites. 

    5. Donut Macarons

    If you’re ready to zhuzh up your National Donut Day celebrations and are feeling a bit ambitious, these donut macarons are perfect for you! These yummy French treats have achieved mega-popularity status in the past couple of years, and this pairing of the decidedly American donut with the French macaron is one of our favorite French-American duos yet.

    We are outspoken, lifelong, shout-it-from-the-rooftops advocates of the goodness that is put into someone’s life and the world at large when an individual takes the time to simply create. The Donut Lassies were champions of this and used their creative skills to lift the people around them. This Donut Day, we hope you’re able to create something fun or delicious and share it with the people around you because sharing is caring! Just be careful to save a couple (or 10) donuts for yourself.

    Happy donut-ing! 

    Handmade Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    Madeline Hoopes
    -
    0
    Handmade Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    Handmade Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    Father’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the hard work and devotion of fathers everywhere. Whether here in the States, or halfway across the continent, the men in our lives deserve some recognition. Running to the store last minute and spending $400 on a tool belt might sound tempting. Here at Lars, we offer a handmade approach without breaking the bank. Here are some handmade gift ideas to get those creative wheels turning!

    Handmade Card

    There’s something special about receiving a handmade card from your children. It’s knowing they did it all themselves that makes you so proud! It’s also a great way for them to express their creativity. Simultaneously, expressing gratitude for the hardworking dad in their lives. We created some printable cards to make the process a bit easier.

    Bow Tie or Tie

    Father's day tie and bowtie pattern DIY

    Ties and bow ties are a classic gift. A classic gift made all the more meaningful when made by you! The best part is that they aren’t too tricky to make. Find your favorite fabric and get making! Here’s how to make a bow tie and a regular tie.

    Sports Donuts

    Father's Day Sports Donuts

    If I know anything, there are two things dads undeniably love – eating food and watching a good game of sports. Why not combine the two with a delicious Father’s Day treat? Sports-themed donuts are sure to capture his heart and his taste-buds! Here’s how to make some sports donuts.

    Lollipop Ribbon

    LolliPOP Father's Day prize ribbons

    Turn a lollipop into a winner by creating a ribbon! Such a fun and easy way to provide some sugar in an award winning form!

    Customizable Portrait

    We’ve made some impressive crafts over the years. This one takes the cake! It’s perfect to do with your kids.  All you need is to cut, arrange and glue to make a customizable portrait of your father/grandfather/uncle. You can get the templates and tutorial here.

    Origami Gift Boxes

    These Origami Shirt Gift Bags are a creative way to box up some goodies. Just fold the shirt, put some small treats in, and you’re ready to go! Here’s how to make the origami shirt bags.

    DIY Picnic Tote

    DIY picnic blanket

    This is for all the nature-loving dads out there! Try your hand at a DIY Picnic Tote. It doubles as a picnic blanket and a blanket perfect for late-night stargazing! I personalized mine by putting my dad’s face on it–hahahaha! Find out how I made it here.

    Handmade gifts are a perfect way to show your dad you love and appreciate him on Father’s Day. Go ahead and send this post to someone who could use it;) Ha!

    Do you have a go-to handmade gift idea for dad? I’d love to hear about it! Leave me a comment!

    Try other Father’s Day projects

    If you like this article, you might also like:

    Printable milestone cards for baby

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Printable milestone cards for baby

    Printable milestone cards for baby

    I really wish I had had this when my babies were brand new–I love it so much! I asked our designer, Garet to share some thoughts about the blanket design and the milestone cards.

    Design of the Blanket

    The design of the Lars x Clementine Kids collection is inspired by garden flowers and nursery rhymes. Designing the florals for this project came so naturally and feature some of my favorite flowers: the delicate, yet wild poppy; the beautiful garden rose; and the whimsical blue bell.

    I was specifically drawn to the daffodil that was presented in the design brief for the collection. I love how daffodils cheerfully emerge at the end of a long winter, reminding me that Spring and sunshine is coming. For me, daffodils symbolize how I feel in the early stages of motherhood: the gloomy weeks struggling with baby blues and sleepless nights, brightened by the first smiles of my newborn, signaling to me that there are happy days (and eventually some more sleep) ahead. 

    You’ll spot daffodils in every piece of the collection, from the quilts to the art prints.

    Used for Milestones

    I remember showing an early iteration of the quilt design to Brittany and the Clementine Kids team. In their notes they both mentioned that the composition of flowers make a great backdrop for baby milestone photos. That was unintentional on my part, but serendipitous nonetheless. I can’t wait to take pictures of my daughter on the quilt! The head fits perfectly on the blossom placed right in the middle! 

    I am a longtime fan of Clementine Kids. I added their Huckleberry Quilt to my baby registry a couple of years ago for my daughter Zoe. Zoe is my first daughter and as a new mom, I didn’t expect to receive enough baby blankets to tell my own rendition of the princess and the pea. Who needs a closet full of tiny swaddles and quilts? There were so many!! I was a bit picky selective with what I chose to keep. They had to fit my criteria of beautifully designed and well-made. There were only a few that made that cut, including some handmade, heirloom quilts from my family and the huckleberry quilt from Clementine Kids. 

    My daughter Zoe has slept with her huckleberry quilt everyday since she was born – she’s now 3 years old! That quilt has been with her for all of her big milestones and is still in great condition. These are some of our favorite quilts ever, and I feel so lucky that I got to work on this special collection for Lars x Clementine Kids.

    Used with Maeve

    The Lars x Clementine Kids collection is sentimental to me because of the timing of the project. I first heard about the project around the time I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter, Maeve. I was over-the-moon excited, especially because I was already such a fan of the Clementine Kids brand.

    It also happened that finishing the artwork for this collection was one of the final things I turned in before going on maternity leave. It was really sweet to imagine wrapping my baby in the quilts that I was helping to design. Such a dream come true to snuggle M in the quilts now! I’m so excited to see Maeve grow with her Lars x Clementine Kids quilt.

    You can find the printable milestone cards in our shop here!

    Easter Crafts

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Easter Crafts

    Our Favorite Easter Crafts

    We have so many Easter crafts that we’re just thrilled to share with you this year. Many of them are brand new, too! Need a new Easter Basket? We’re here for you. How about a fresh spring wreath? We’ve also got you covered in that department. Without further ado, here’s the list of our favorite Easter crafts!

    Wreaths

    I love a good wreath. And spring wreaths are some of my favorites! They’re a must have when talking about Easter crafts. This year we have a brand new Palm Leaf Wreath you’re sure to love. It’s delicate, colorful, and festive. Just the thing to celebrate Palm Sunday, Easter and spring all in one go! If you’re feeling more into eggs, try our ever popular Easter egg wreath, or this sweet Honeycomb Easter wreath. Both are lovely and sure to put a little spring in your step. Also, you can’t go wrong with a simple floral theme. This Daffodil Wreath is very appropriate for the season, as is this Lemon Wreath!

    A floral Easter wreath hanging on a pink wall next to a white door. A wooden mushroom is also on the porch.

    Easter Baskets

    You can’t have Easter crafts without Easter baskets! And we have a brand new one for you to try this year. It’s our DIY Easter Basket, and the best part is that it doesn’t require any sewing. Another clever no-sew Easter basket is this Paper Easter basket. Just download, print, cut and assemble, it’s that easy! If you want to sew an adorable bag that doubles as an Easter basket and will be around for years to come, try this carrot shoulder bag! The bonus is it packs up easily and is equally cute.

    If you’re looking for inspiration on what to fill your basket with, look no further than this Easter Basket choose your own adventure. We help guide you through the steps to picking your perfect Easter basket, along with everything to put inside it, like this Paper carrot treat box, carrot surprise balls, or this DIY stuffed bunny. You can also make some of these Danish Easter letters to tuck inside.

    Easter Egg ideas

    As it so happens, we have a lot of Easter crafts that have to do with eggs. Are you really that surprised? I mean, what’s Easter without at least one little nod to an egg or two. Just yesterday, we release the most lovely nesting Easter eggs! We love the little twist on original nesting dolls. Also try these Easter egg columns, which are a lovely way to decorate your home this Easter. Don’t forget about these Honeycomb Easter eggs, either! Make them into a wreath or decorate with the individual eggs. Either way they’re lovely!

    Another fun variation on decorating Easter eggs are these dried flowers on Easter eggs, as well as our Pysanky Easter eggs (here’s the E-book of the Pysanky eggs, the profits of which will be donated to the Ukrainian relief effort). If you’re into more decorating, try our DIY pom pom Easter eggs! Or if you’re having a party, you’ll definitely want to take a look at our Easter egg name tags, Easter egg cupcake toppers, and Easter egg runner.

    Felted Easter Eggs

    New this year is a tutorial from Jessica Peterson all about felted Easter eggs. They’re a new classic! All the supplies are listed here! 

    For Kids

    If you have kids, you’ll love these Easter-themed toys, accessories, and activities. First stop: these fun bunny party hats. Having a new baby this spring? You won’t want to miss these adorable DIY Baby bonnets! Or these Easter bunny twist ties.

    Need a craft to do with your kids to keep them busy and happy? You’ll love these Easter Egg coloring pages, the profits of which will be donated to the Ukrainian relief effort. Then there’s our DIY stuffed bunny, which is a sweet little Easter toy. Plop it in your child’s Easter basket and you’re all set!

     

    Easter printables

    A great way to get crafty is with some printables, and we’ve got some great ones!

    These Easter egg coloring pages featuring pysanky are great for older kids.

    Along with our chick and bunny paper dolls and matching color pages.

    Paper crowns

    One thing is for sure, if I had a little girl, I’d be making a paper crown floral crown.

    And we’ve got a few to choose from! These pretty blue, red, pink, and white flower crowns.

    This printable spring crown.A printable flower crown in purple, yellow, pink, white red, and blue being held up by two hands.

    And another handmade paper flower crown perfect for spring.

    Easter paper flowers

    While we’re on the topic of paper flowers, these Easter lilies are a favorite of mine. I think I’m going to try and make them again this year.

    Easter Egg Column People

    A new favorite of mine are these adorable Easter column people. I think they’d make a great tablescape!

    painted Easter egg columns perched on colorful books against a yellow and pink background.

     

    Easy Halloween Ideas From Our Shop

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Easy Halloween Ideas From Our Shop

    My Ideal Halloween

    My ideal Halloween is playfully spooky, crafty, and (above all) easy, and there’s no such thing as too many easy Halloween ideas. If you’re looking for a fun, simple way to celebrate the season without turning your home into a Spirit Halloween storefront, read on for easy Halloween ideas!

    Easy Halloween Decorations

    This Haunted House makes a perfect Halloween centerpiece and conversation starter. You’ll make it from recycled cardboard boxes, which is a win for Planet Earth, and it’s beautiful enough to come back year after year, which is a win for you! Check out our blog post on it here.

    Cardboard Haunted House for recycled holiday decor

    Garlands are another classic when it comes to Halloween decor. Try this fun new Halloween garland featuring the Halloween shapes you’ve been missing. If you love the spooky aspect of Halloween, check out this Vampire Teeth Garland. It’s creepy without being too macabre, and oh so easy.

    DIY vampire teeth garland

    Another slightly spooky and impeccably easy decor idea is this wooden transfer plaque template! I’m all for riding the line between pretty and creepy at Halloween, and these really fit the bill. Find the tutorial here.

    wooden cross sections of branches with spiders and bugs transferred onto them hanging from maroon ribbons.

    This painted pumpkin face template makes for such a fun, easy DIY! Give your porch some whimsy this Halloween by painting these sweet characters on your pumpkins. Read the tutorial here and get painting!

    painted pastel pumpkin faces against a pink background

    How many times can you say “pretty paper pumpkin project?” Whatever your answer, you should check out this template for rainbow paper pumpkins, along with this tutorial blog post. These make a beautiful, refined, seasonal table setting, they’ll look great for all of Autumn, not jus Halloween. A Thanksgiving comeback, anyone?

    orange, gold, and yellow paper pumpkins on a table setting.

    If you’re in a pinch and looking for quick decorations, don’t forget this post about last minute Halloween decor!

    Easy Halloween Costume Ideas

    There’s something to be said for a super intricate, detailed costume for sure. But even if you don’t have the time and energy to become a perfectly accurate storm trooper, dressing up doesn’t have to be out of your reach. Lots of our costume templates just require some simple clothing, some paper, and a prop or two. No professional costuming degree necessary!

    Our Ruth Bader Ginsberg collar is maybe our simplest costume for adults. Just cut it out (a cricut or other cutting machine is helpful here), put it over a dark dress, and pull your hair back. Voilà! You’re ready to advocate for your sisters.

    A white paper lace collar on a black background.

    If you’ve been a Lars reader for more than about a minute you’ll know that I love flowers. So of course I wanted to dress up as a bouquet! Ha! Practice making some paper flowers for this Sweet Pea Paper Flower Bouquet costume (and read the tutorial here).

    Brittany wearing a bouquet costume with paper flowers and a white paper wrapper against a green backdrop

    Group costumes are always so fun, so pair your bouquet costume with greenhouse garb for a friend! This greenhouse costume uses cardboard and iron-on flowers, and is sure to turn heads. You can find the tutorial here. Speaking of group costumes, you really don’t want to miss our Andy Warhol Campbell’s soup can team costumes, or our Wild Things costumes. They’re some of my favorites, and they’re great for any size group!

    a white woman with brown hair wears a green dress with iron on flowers, a greenhouse hat, and yellow clogs. She's holding flowers and a watering can.

    Family Costume

    Another cute Halloween costume for a pair of friends would be our beehive and picnic costumes. Both use an iron-on technique to make easy halloween costumes that are as cute as a bug. Find the tutorials here.

    Brittany wears a gingham red dress with ants ironed onto it and holds a rattan picnic bag. a white woman wearing a yellow dress with iron-on bees, black gloves, a bee headband, and black shoes stands in front of a blue background.

    This constellation costume with iron-on stars is absolutely dazzling. Honestly, you might as well break it out all year round because it’s that beautiful.

    a blonde woman wearing an off-the-shoulder black jumpsuit with silvers stars all over it, sparkly makeup, and a spangled headband against a periwinkle background

    For a subtle Halloween look, just print off our Pumpkin Crown and wear warm autumn tones.

    Printable Pumpkin Crown

    Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids

    Brand new this year are our classic Halloween costumes for kids! We give you options for a witch, bat, and pumpkin. Not only are they simple to make in a pinch, they’re adorable and you’ll be glad you tried them out. One of our most glamorous costumes with templates in the shop is our sun, cloud and rainbow set. This makes a great baby and mom costume, because you can add sun rays to a baby bonnet. I love how our model matched the baby’s outfit to her sling! With this costume you can invest as much or as little as you want. Just want the Sun and Rainbow headpiece? No problem. What about the Cloud Bag and Cloud Earrings? Done. Just want a sunny baby bonnet pattern? Your wish is our command. Make the costume just how you like it with this tutorial.

    Rainbow costumeRainbow and sun mommy and me costume

    This Giving Tree costume is another easy Halloween idea that you could make in a flash. And who doesn’t want to reference a classic children’s book in their costume? Find the tutorial here.

    A mom wearing a green outfit with leaves and holding a felt apple bag stands next to her child in red overalls. They're dressed as the Giving Tree.

    If you have a gaggle of children to costume, consider our Three Blind Mice baby costume pattern or our Crayon Hat template. Both are simple to put together and oh so sweet. For more kids costume ideas, see this post!

    3 blind mice diy costume for kidsFour kids wearing crayon halloween costumes in orange, red, blue, and green.

    Halloween Party Supplies

    Even though gathering in big groups for Halloween parties is starting to look less and less likely (again 😔), you can still throw a Halloween party for your family, roommates, or pod! This Halloween Party Suite includes printable invitations, placemats, party tags, and place cards. Talk about easy Halloween ideas!

    Halloween themed place cards.

    Paper party goods with a halloween theme on a black background. They're orange, yellow, black, white, navy, and peach.

    And for a party favor, try these printable poppers or printable Halloween candy gift boxes.

    Halloween party poppersPrintable Halloween Candy Gift Box

    These Halloween coupons make a fun halloween activity for your family. They’re a great way for parents to get their kids to relinquish some candy in return for fun activities.

    halloween coupons in pink, red, blue, and black.

    These illustrated Halloween cards are another great party favor because you can attach them to treat bags, trade them, send them as cards, or just hang them up.

    Printable Halloween Cards

    If your party is more freaky than funky, you might like this elegant invitation and Halloween dinner menu.

    black and white illustrated halloween party invitation in a black decorative hadn surrounded by foliage and fruitsBlack and floral printable halloween menu

    Party Food

    Real talk here: what’s a party without cake? Use these printables and templates to make your Halloween cake extra fancy. The Spooky Town printable cake topper set is quaint and just a bit creepy, while this Black Birds cake topper is decidedly Hitchcock-approved. Red velvet cake makes it even more dramatic!

    a colorful, cute printable cake topper set on a cake."The Birds" Cake Topper

    If your fall party isn’t so Halloween-specific (or even if it is!) this Fall Leaf cake topper will add elegance and fun to the celebration.

    DIY fall leaf cake topper

    More Inspiration

    Looking for more cards, costumes, and decor? Search for Halloween on our blog! You’ll be blown away by the years of great, easy Halloween ideas and DIYs. If you’re interested in many of these ideas (who wouldn’t be!?), you can check out our E-Book, The Halloween that Lars Made. It’s a one-stop shop for easy Halloween ideas, DIYs, and projects. Also, for more festive ideas check out this post on how to get into the Halloween spirit this year!

    Halloween Garland

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Halloween Garland

    Paper Halloween Garland

    When it comes to holiday decorations, garlands are one of my favorites. In my opinion, there’s no holiday that couldn’t use a simple garland to spice things up. Especially Halloween! Which is why this Halloween garland is a new favorite of mine. It’s equal parts spooky and cute, which is just what I need from my Halloween decor. Based on our Friendsgiving and Valentine’s Day garlands, this one brings a spooktacular twist to make you feel like Halloween is already in the air. All you need to make this simple project is a Cricut Maker or other die cut machine, some paper, and string/sewing machine thread.

    How to Make Your Own Halloween Garland

    To make your own Halloween garland, follow these simple instructions:

    1. First, download the Halloween garland template found here.
    2. Next, upload the SVG file into the cricut design space. 
    3. Now use your Cricut Maker to cut out each of the shapes provided in the template. We cut roughly 50-80 of each shape. For color palette inspo, see our Halloween garland photos (we used shades of orange, pink, and a little pop of black).
    4. Once your shapes are cut out, you can sew them together into a long strand with your sewing machine! If you don’t have a sewing machine handy, you can also use an embroidery needle and thread some string through by hand. Make one strand per shape (or more, if desired!)
    5. When you’re done making each strand, hang them up and admire! Done!

    You can hang this garland pretty much anywhere and it will look amazing. My personal favorite is over a tablescape for some show stopping party decor. I also love a good mantle garland. But the options don’t end there! Try hanging it along the banister, draping it over archways or doorways, or around windows. 

    What are you going to do with your Halloween garland? Drop your ideas below!

    More Inspiration

    What did you think of our Halloween garland? Let us know in the comments! If you loved this garland, chances are you might be interested in some of our other Halloween garlands, like this DIY vampire teeth garland and DIY toilet paper roll candy garland. You might be interested in our paper garlands for other holidays, too, like our Friendsgiving or Valentine’s Day garlands. Also, check out the options in our Halloween shop!

    Mommy and Me Halloween Costumes

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Mommy and Me Halloween Costumes

    Mommy and Me Halloween Costumes

    It turns out we have quite a few mommy and me Halloween costumes we’ve made over the years. Here are some of my favorites:

    Rainbow and sun mommy and me costume

    Picasso and Painting

    Russian nesting doll mommy and baby costumeArtist and palette mommy and baby costume

    Mushroom and garden gnome baby and mommy costume

    Stork and package mommy and baby costume

    Other Parent/Child Costumes

    While these aren’t strictly mommy and me Halloween costumes, they definitely could be. Also make them into daddy and me, siblings or just whole family costumes! I love that the following costumes are all based off of books, too! What’s your child’s favorite book? Use your imagination and make your own costume based off of one of their favs. 

    A mom wearing a paper flower costume and a daughter dressed as a mouse pose in their costumes

    A mom wearing a green outfit with leaves and holding a felt apple bag stands next to her child in red overalls. They're dressed as the Giving Tree.

    Group Costumes

    These group costumes work great for friends, family, siblings, grandparents, you name it. Do you need multiple matching costumes? Here are our favorites.

    family costume where the wild things are

    Family Costume

    Baby/Kid Costumes

    Sometimes mommy and me Halloween costumes are more accurately just baby/kid costumes with mommy tagging along. If you’re more interested in dressing up your little one than yourself this year, we’ve got you covered. Because we all know there’s nothing cuter and more hilarious than your kid dressed up as, say…Jared Leto and his head or a viking. Sometimes those costumes just stand alone.

    Oscar Tribute baby costumes

    More Inspiration

    Loved this mommy and me Halloween costumes post and want more? For more costume inspiration, check out this list of our top 15 favorite costumes! Also see influential women costumes, these costumes made from everyday supplies, and these paper costumes. Short on time? Check out these three last minute Halloween costumes! Looking for a real showstopper? Don’t miss our Tortured Artists, Frida Kahlo, or Medusa costumes.

    “The Birds” Halloween Wall Decor

    Brittany
    -
    0
    “The Birds” Halloween Wall Decor

    A Halloween Party To Remember

    The best thing about “The Birds” Halloween wall decor is that it’s quick and easy but still a showstopper! So if you’re short on time and want something people will remember, this project is for you. All you need is a Cricut maker, our template, and some black paper and you’re all set to make the birds a reality. Trust us, it’s worth it. People aren’t going to forget this in a hurry.

    While our “The Birds” cake topper was originally inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s famous thriller, we couldn’t help but think of Moira Rose’s amazing performance in “The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening” (if you’re not a Schitt’s Creek fan, you will be after watching this). Needless to say, donning my own crow outfit and joining the birds seemed only natural.

    How To Make “The Birds” Halloween Wall Decor

    1. First, download the template found here.
    2. Next, using a Cricut Maker or scissors, cut out as many birds as you want for your wall decor.
    3. Now use poster putty to put your birds up on the wall. If you’re not sure of the configuration you want, you can reference our photos for ideas.
    4. Done! 

    Tip: we’d highly recommend pairing this amazing wall decor with “The Birds” cake topper. Even better, make a whole night of it and watch The Birds! It’s a classic, after all. And if you’re in the mood for humor rather than horror, Schitt’s Creek is probably more up your alley.

    Now we want to know: What are you doing for Halloween? Let us know in the comments!

    More Inspiration

    Loved this tutorial on making “The Birds” Halloween wall decor? Right this way. Looking for more Halloween ideas? Check out our Halloween shop! Also, check out our blog archives for more awesome Halloween ideas, like this char-boo-terie Halloween snack board or some costume ideas. My personal favorite was the wild things family costume from last year. Also check out our Halloween e-book!

    Best Cardboard Costumes

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Best Cardboard Costumes

    Cardboard Halloween Costumes

    Cardboard is one of my favorite materials to use for Halloween costumes. It’s incredibly versatile, easy to use, cheap, and most people have loads of it on hand! I know I have way too many Amazon boxes lying around. Well, this is the perfect way to recycle those old boxes and give them a new life! Here are some of the best cardboard costumes from years past.

    Where the Wild Things Are

    We made our beloved Where the Wild Things Are family costume just last year. This costume was, arguably, my favorite costume yet. It’s amazing! It’s the perfect family costume for many different family sizes, too–just keep adding wild things and you’re all set whether there are three or ten of you when the wild rumpus starts.

    family costume wild things

    Jasper Viking Costume

    This Jasper viking costume was one I will not be forgetting in a hurry. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see their two year old in full viking garb, ship included?

    Campbell’s Soup Cans

    Another one of my favorite cardboard costumes was our group costume from last year. Campbell’s soup cans! Not only is this one simple, it looks amazing when finished. Again, it’s great because it’s suitable for any size group.

    Family Costume

    DIY Hippie Costume

    Feeling chill and wanting to channel those hippie vibes? Try this DIY Hippie Costume! It’s cute, simple and straightforward. Perfect if you don’t have a lot of time but want to look like you tried this Halloween.

    Mommy and Me Sun Rainbow

    Have a newborn this Halloween? You’ll probably love this Mommy and Me Sun Rainbow, especially if that little one is a little ray of sunshine like newborns tend to be. Enjoy the stage and take it to the next level with a costume to compliment it perfectly.

    Rainbow and sun mommy and me costume

    Picasso and Painting

    I just got back from France, and while I was there I went to the Picasso museum. I learned so much! That said, this Picasso and Painting seems extra fitting! Plus, as a bonus, it’s full of color, which is a must for me.

    Picasso and Painting

    Greenhouse Costume

    The greenhouse costume featured in our easy cricut costumes post is the perfect choice if you have a cricut maker and some spare cardboard lying around!

    Green house Halloween costume

    Jimmy Fallon Costumes

    I have to say, I love these Jimmy Fallon costumes. They’re a great way to use up that extra cardboard. In my opinion they’re some of the best cardboard costumes you can choose from! Oh, and speaking of Jimmy Fallon, have you read “Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada”? If so, you’ll love this costume.

    Book Costumes

    If you have kids, you’ll definitely want to take a look at these book costumes. They’re some of the best cardboard costumes for parents and children to wear together! Try If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, and Chrysanthemum (one of my personal favorites).

     

    A mom wearing a paper flower costume and a daughter dressed as a mouse pose in their costumesCopenhagen Row House Costume

    Last, but one of the best cardboard costumes out there is this Copenhagen Row House costume. It’s ideal because it’s made almost exclusively out of cardboard! So if simple is your jam, look no further. Transport yourself (and everyone around you) to Copenhagen, while you’re at it!

    More Inspiration

    We hope you enjoyed this post on some of our best cardboard costumes! Interested in more cardboard content? Try these eight crafts to do with leftover cardboard. Looking for more costume ideas? Check out this list we compiled last year! Oh, and don’t forget to peruse our shop for lots of easy Halloween ideas!

    Paper Flower Gift Topper

    Brittany
    -
    6
    Paper Flower Gift Topper

     

    Gift Wrapping with Flowers

    You know me. I love gift wrap! Probably more so than the present itself. And even though my birthday is in June, it turns out plenty of people have fall birthdays, which means this paper flower gift topper will definitely come in handy. The best part is, since these flowers are paper, you can save them for plenty of birthdays and occasions for presents to come! I came up with this tissue paper flower gift topper as a fun way to add a dash of whimsy to a gift and it’s super easy. It’s based on paper poms, so if you know how to make those, you’re good to go!

    tissue paper flower diyInstructions

    1. First, cut a piece of tissue paper 6″ wide and about 18″ long (depends on how large you’d like it)
    2. Next, cut another piece of tissue paper about 2″ wide and 18″ long. This will be the center of your flower.
    3. Now do an accordion fold up the tissue paper, about 3/4″ wide.
    4. After the accordion folds are done, fold the accordion-folded paper in half.
    5. Now staple the center of the fold.
    6. Once the paper is stapled, cut a point at each end of the paper.
    7. Next, glue the two ends of the paper together and fan out the blossom so that it spreads evenly around.
    8. Using the template, cut out leaves from the green paper and fold down the center. Use whatever size you prefer for your flowers!
    9. Glue the topper to the gift and glue the paper leaves underneath.

    Voila! All done!

    Tissue paper flower gift topperTissue paper flower gift topperPhotography by Trisha Zemp

    More Inspiration

    Loved this tutorial on our paper flower gift topper and need more ideas? We have plenty of gift toppers to choose from! See our popular bird gift topper here. Also check out these 3D paper flower gift toppers. Another classic is this prize ribbon gift topper. And call me premature, but prep early for the holidays with these classic paper holiday greenery gift toppers.

    Painted Frames

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Painted Frames

    Upgrading Your Frames

    Frames are some of the most neutral pieces of home decor around. The default is almost always black, white, natural wood or metal of some kind. Well, as of late, we’ve been focusing on the need for color (see this post and this one). This easy DIY hack will upgrade your frames from sad to glad in an instant! 

    How to Paint Your Frames

    Here’s all you need to do to upgrade your neutral frames with some glorious color:

    1. Remove the glass and backing so all you have is your frame.
    2. Now sand down all the edges. This is important in order to avoid chipping paint later on!
    3. After you’re done sanding, take a dry cloth and wipe away the dust.
    4. Now you can pencil in your design. You can also get straight to the painting and pencil in the details after you’ve done one coat of paint.
    5. Note: if your frame was a darker color to begin with, you should consider priming your frame first.
    6. Once you’re done with your design, let it dry completely, then put the glass/plexi back and add a photo. Done!

    Now we want to hear from you: what do you do for you grandparents on their special day? Let us know in the comments!

    More Inspiration

    Need more ideas for gifts for grandparents? Try these photo heirloom dolls (and check out our 2022 craft along, where we’ll be making photo heirloom ornaments every week and donating the proceeds to charity). Also, don’t forget to check out our shop for lots of great gift ideas!

    Mixbook Wedding Book

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Mixbook Wedding Book

    Wedding Book Inspired by Blooms

    As many of you know, we debuted our first Casetify collection last fall. Then, come spring, we came out with another new collection, Bloom. This one featured all things floral, and I thought the floral motifs couldn’t be a more perfect fit for my Mixbook wedding book. After all, my love affair with flowers is no secret. I especially love poppies, and Garet, our designer, did a beautiful job on the poppy design featured in our Bloom collection. 

    My Mixbook Wedding Book

    It was so fun to design this wedding book template with my team! Using our Bloom collection as a reference, we created a floral-inspired template with beautiful, painterly floral stickers and backgrounds. The best part about it is that it is fully customizable! Mix and match those floral stickers and backgrounds to your heart’s content. 

    Discount Code for Lars Readers

    Mixbook is also generous enough to offer a temporary discount code on their photo books to Lars readers! Use the code SOCIAL50 for 50% off your first photo book. The code expires on September 15, 2022, so get compiling your photos together!

    Our Wedding and Engagement Photos

    Then there were the wedding photos. Going back through all those old photos brought back so much nostalgia! If it’s been a minute since you’ve looked through your old wedding photos, you’ll know the feeling. Are you curious? Okay, fine, since you asked, here are some never before seen wedding photos. 

    This was from our engagement session. I don’t think I’ve shared any from that session with Rachel Thurston at all! Maybe I’ll share more for our anniversary next month.

    Ok, now these are from our actual wedding ceremony in Newport Beach, California. We got married at the LDS temple. It’s so fun to see our friends there!

    These photos were taken by my cousin, Ali DeGraff. It was one of her first weddings and she absolutely nailed it. I still love them so much! 

    My sister, Caitlin.

    My sister painted us some signs that we held and had for navigating at the reception.

    Really wish I hadn’t made that face.

    My mom had the idea to do all bundt cakes. Really wish we had gotten to try them. Ha! Anyone else not get to taste the food?

    I can’t believe so much time has passed. And I’m so happy to have a book in which to preserve those memories. 

    Now I want to hear from you: Did you make a wedding book already? And what’s your favorite wedding memory? 

    More Inspiration

    Looking for more photo book inspiration? It turns out we’ve done more than a few projects with Mixbook in the past. Last Christmas we used Mixbook to make these team Christmas cards, and these ones from a few years ago. Also see these floral wedding invitations, our year in review, our Denmark trip documentation, and a compilation post of our Mixbook projects.

    123...7Page 1 of 7
    © 2020, The House that Lars Built. All rights reserved.