I hope you’ll join us tonight for tons of inspiration, fabulous prizes and a whole lot of fun! You can follow the Chillin’ and Grillin’ Pinterest board here.

In honor of the Ultimate Summer Pinterest Party, TWO lucky winners will be win our printable Burger-n-Fries Collection!

You can choose the “hold the mayo” standard version or the “works” birthday version. The collection includes a number of items that you can personalize with your own text at home. Now you can celebrate any occasion and party all summer long!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you’re inspired to plan a summer party full of PINspiration!

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Lately, I’m really having fun making hang tags so I thought I’d show you how to make a quick 3D tag.

SUPPLIES:

• 2 Sheets of 8.5″ w x 11″ h Cardstock
• Printable Americana Tags {free download}
• Twine, Ribbon or String
• Pop-up Adhesive Dots or Foam Squares
• Scissors
• 1/8″ Hole Punch

DIRECTIONS:

1. Print the Americana Tags on the 2 sheets of cardstock. I chose ivory for a slightly aged look.

2. Cut out the tags and stars.

3. Punch a hole in the top of the hang tag.

4. Attach 1 star to each tag with a Pop-up Adhesive Dot or foam square.

5. Attach twine, ribbon or string to the tag.

Ta-Da! A quick and adorable tag which you can attach to a lil’ package, a Ball jar, a napkin…the possibilities are endless!

After you’ve downloaded your free tags, be sure to follow the Chillin’ and Grillin’ Pinterest Board and join this lil’ piggy on Wednesday night!

Do you have questions about how a Pinterest Party works? Pop over to Craft That Party for the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Party Blogger & Stylists + Pinspiration + Prizes = The ULTIMATE SUMMER PARTY!

I hope you’re inspired to create a lil’ celebration for the loved ones in your life!

To help you with all of your summer parties, I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Jenny Dixon of Craft That Party and Jenny Raulli from Bloom Designs Online for Chillin’ and Grillin’, the ultimate summer Pinterest party, happening this Wednesday, May 22nd, at 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST/6:00 p.m. PST.

We have enlisted the help of DIYer and actress, Tori Spelling, as well as some amazing party bloggers and stylists to bring you the best summer entertaining ideas. We will also be giving away some fabulous prizes during the hour.

Parties + inspiration + Pinterest + prizes + party girls = The Ultimate Summer Party!

• Head on over to Pinterest and follow our Chillin’ and Grillin’ Pinterest Board.
• Join us Wednesday, May 22nd, at 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST/6:00 p.m. PST and watch our hostesses pin their favorite summer entertaining ideas. We hope you will re-pin your favorite ideas, add comments and look for special prize pins!
• Prizes will be pinned during the hour. Click on the prize pins and you will be taken to the site to enter a Rafflecopter drawing.

Wait…go back and read the list of hostesses again and the special guest pinner.

{whistle}

Can you believe that line up?!? I’m thrilled to be rubbin’ hamhocks with these talented ladies and excited to share lots of summer entertaining inspiration. Did I mention we’ll be givin’ away tons of fabulous prizes, too? This is one of those “can’t miss” events! You will be able to sign up to follow the board later this week. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest so you don’t miss any of the details!

Please join me and these fabulous entertaining bloggers as we party on Wednesday, May 22nd at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST/6 p.m. PST. Don’t miss the first party of summer!

I hope you’re inspired to take a lil’ time to “chill” today!

After finding the perfect lil’ token, there’s not always a lot left in the budget to spend on packaging. Today I’m sharin’ cute homemade packaging that costs around $.25 each! The best part is that you can match any theme or color scheme you want. You can use regular copy/printer paper or use up excess stock you have around the house!

SUPPLIES (makes 1 favor bag):

• 1 sheet of Text Weight Paper (white, ivory or kraft)
• Printable Patriotic Flair Paper {free download}
• Printable Lil’ Favor Bag Template {free download}
• Adhesive
• Scissors
• Scoring Tool (Blade or Ruler and Bone Folder or Inkless Ballpoint Pen)
• Optional: Decorative Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

1. Print the Patriotic Flair Paper on text weight paper. I’ve been using ivory all week and wanted my favors to match. I also printed at “Standard” print quality for a rustic Americana look.

2. Flip over your printed paper and place back in your printer. Print the Lil’ Favor Bag Template on the back. Use the “Draft” or “Fast” print quality setting since this is just a guideline for cutting.

3. Cut out the bag.

TIP: For a lil’ extra fun, I used decorative scissors to cut out the top of the bag.

4. Score and fold along the dotted lines.

5. Add adhesive to the marked tabs and seal the bag bottom and side.

6. Add the favor to the finished bag. I chose Pop Rocks so the guests could experience their very own fireworks show at home! {giggle}

Now you could stop there and have a perfectly adorable favor. But…I wanted to seal the bags so they would be surprised at home and add a lil’ extra pop to the bags. I really love the Washi Tape trend but I can’t always find exactly what I’m looking for. So…I made my own Paper Tape!

SUPPLIES:

• Text Weight Paper
• Double-stick Tape
• Scissors or Decorative Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

1. Print your paper or use scraps left from other projects.

2. Cut paper into 1/2″ strips (or however wide your tape is).

3. Attach double-stick tape to the back of the paper strips.

4. Cut the length you desire with scissors or decorative scissors.

Ta-Da! Add your own DIY Paper Tape to your favor bags and you have a super cute favor for your guests!

In case you missed them, you can see the other budget-friendly Americana party decorations I created this week here and here.

I hope you’re inspired to send a memory home with those you hold dear!

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I created these three 4 foot buntings for under $1.00! The total includes all of the supplies plus the price of the ink.

{break for a Happy Dance}

SUPPLIES:

• 8 Sheets of 8.5″ w x 11″ h Text Weight Paper
• Printable American Bunting {free download}
• Twine, Ribbon or String
• Adhesive
• Scissors
• Optional: Brown Marker or Stamp Pad

DIRECTIONS:

1. Print 4 copies of the American Bunting on the 8 sheets of paper (4 of each page). I chose to print on ivory paper for a rustic Americana look.

2. Cut out the bunting.

Optional: If you’d like a rustic look, color the edges with a brown marker or stamp pad.

You can skip this next step if you’re short on time or prefer a clean and modern look.

Optional: I wanted the bunting to look like a traditional fabric bunting so I decided to add folds to it. A diagram of the folds is included on the free download. First, fold the circle in half along the dotted line. Then fold the semicircle in half, fold the quarter circle in half, fold it in half again…and again! Unfold and ta-da! A traditional 3D bunting effect!

3. Attach the bunting to twine, ribbon or string by folding the semicircle (along the dotted line) over the twine and sealing it shut with your favorite adhesive. You can attach the semicircles close together like I did and leave a bit more space in between each one.

Ta-Da!

The best part? The bunting is double-sided so you can hang it anywhere! Perfect for over your Memorial Day table, against a backdrop, on your favorite candidate’s podium or as décor for your munchkin’s Captain America party. The possibilities are endless!

I hope you’re inspired to create a lil’ bunting of your own!

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SUPPLIES:

• 6 Sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ Text Weight Paper (white, ivory or kraft)
• Printable Patriotic Flair Paper
• Printable Create-Your-Own 3D Stars Template
• 1 White Paper Plate
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Twine, String or Ribbon
• Optional: Scoring Blade
• Optional: Brown Marker or Stamp Pad
• Optional:: Brayer or Rolling Pin

DIRECTIONS:

1. Download and print the Patriotic Flair Paper on your 6 sheets of paper. I chose to use ivory for a rustic Americana look and set my printer to “Standard” quality versus my normal choice of “High.”

2. Flip over the sheets you just printed and print the 3D Stars Template on the back. For this, set your print quality to “Draft” or “Fast.” No need for perfection here!

3. Cut out the stars…again, no need for perfection. I used 3 or 4 stars from each page for a total of 20. Use whatever combination you like!

4. Score or just fold the stars in the pattern on the diagram included on the 3D Star Template.

5. Fold the star points up and in between the points down.

Optional: If you’d like a rustic look, color the star edges with a brown marker or stamp pad. I suggest doing this before you fold them…unlike me! I decided I wanted the look after I had them all folded!

6. After all of your stars are ready, it’s time to create the wreath base. Go to your pantry or the paper plate aisle at your local grocery store and pick up a pack of good ‘ole paper plates. I bought a pack of 200 plates for $3.99 at Target.

TIP: If you don’t have a paper plate handy, you can use a cereal box and make a wreath pattern by tracing around two mixing bowls.

TIP, too: Need a bigger wreath? Use poster board or a lightweight shipping box. Use the “pencil and string” method to create circles.

7. Cut out the center of the plate using a pair of scissors. The paper plate manufacturer created the perfect circle template for you!

Optional: I wanted a flatter surface for the wreath base. I used one of my favorite secret tools to flatten the plate—a brayer. You can find brayers at your local craft store or online. I use it when layering invitations, assembling favor boxes…and for flattening plates! Since you may not have a brayer or have ever heard of one until today, you can also use a rolling pin to achieve the same effect.

8. Attach your first star to the plate with a stapler.

9. Attach the next star at an overlapping angle.

10. Keep attaching stars at overlapping angles.

Make sure the white plate base is completely covered by the stars.

TIP: If the paper plate base shows when you hang it, trim it!

11. Hang with twine, string or ribbon. Ta-Da!

Need more Memorial Day decorations? Check out the entire Patriotic Flair Collection available here on our free downloads page.

I hope you’re inspired to reach for the stars today!

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When I was thinking about designing special decorations for Mother’s Day this year, I wanted to make something where Mom didn’t have to do all the work. A one-of-a-kind decoration that munchkins of any age could help create! That’s when I came up with the Color-Your-Own MOM Banner. Each one is unique since the kiddos do the coloring!

Supplies:

• Color-Your-Own MOM Banner {free download}
• 3 sheets of 8.5″ w x 11″ h White Cardstock
• Scissors or Paper Trimmer
• Markers, Crayons, Paints or Glitter-n-Glue
• Ribbon, Twine or String
• Clothespins or Single Hole Punch

Directions:

1. Print out the downloaded PDF on 3 sheets of White Cardstock.
2. Munchkins color the panels with markers, crayons, paint or glitter-n-glue.
3. Cut out the panels with scissors or paper trimmer.
4. Punch two holes at the top of each banner panel and thread on the ribbon, twine or string or attach with clothespins.
5. Hang up in your party space. Ta-Da!

I made this one in less than 15 minutes start to finish. My mom loves lavender and purple so I pulled out my favorite markers and hung the panels on leftover leaf ribbon from our Jack and the Beanstalk party.

I hope you’re inspired to celebrate the MOM in your life!

{drumroll}

Congratulations, You’re Not The Boss Of Me! We’ve emailed you and you have 7 days to claim your prize.

The rest of y’all…THANK YOU! Thank you for taking the time to enter and for being a fan of Oink! We’ll be givin’ away more fun prizes soon and adding Ragamuffin Buntings to The Market soon.

I hope you’re inspired to take a lil’ time out of a hectic day to say, “HOWDY!” to your friends! ♥

J and I feel so blessed to work with amazing people day in and day out. We love having the opportunity to share our talents with clients from all over the world. I’ll be honest though…we’re terrible at marketing. Seriously. It is a huge weakness for both of us. Fortunately though, the talented event planners we work with are great at it and April was a record breaking month of features for us—NINETEEN! We are incredibly honored.

Let me reiterate that we do not design parties and products just to be featured. It’s not our main goal. We create things to bring joy to others and, fortunately, people seem to like what we do. We try to bring others’ visions to life…and add a lil’ piggy twist to them, too!

Since we have been poppin’ up around the blogosphere, I thought it would be fun for y’all to join us on our adventures! Each week I’ll do a lil’ look back at where this lil’ piggy’s been hangin’ out. You’ll visit a bunch of our favorite party girls, meet some new talents and pick up a few freebies and lots of inspiration along the way!

Ready? Let’s go on an adventure!

Cineca of Dreamin’ N Details asked us to design two wedding menus for a feature she styled and contributed to the blog, It’s a Bride’s Life with David Tutera. If you didn’t know, we used to “do weddings” all. the. time. We have hundreds (literally) of menu designs in our archives so we were able to tweak a couple for the feature. Always love collaborating with Cineca and a couple of other sweet ladies you just might recognize—Jenny of Craft That Party and Maria of Love & Sugar Kisses. {Photography :: Freedom Dreamer Photography}

Creating Wedding Arrangement Seating Place Cards :: Dreamin’ N Details

Speaking of Jenny, we had the pleasure of creating the printables her son’s 5th birthday party! J and I had so much fun creating this lil’ collection {coming soon to The Market} and Jenny and I had a blast brainstorming activities. Don’t miss the photo booth!

Noah’s o-FISH-ally FIVE Goldfish Party :: Craft That Party

A couple of months ago Elissa of One Stone Events contacted me regarding a party she was planning. If you don’t know Elissa, she’s a brilliant event planner and stylist and the sweetest thing under the sun! She asked my permission to use the “infamous” Paper Plate Backdrop for a photo booth she was creating for her husband’s birthday party. Let me just announce that I encourage y’all to use the “infamous” backdrop and I love when you share photos of what you created. I love the photos so much that I have a Pinterest board committed to nothing but Paper Plate Backdrops.

Back to Elissa…I, of course, said, “YES!” and this is one of those parties that you need to look at over and over. Why? There are so many little details that make this party brilliant! If you’ve ever watched the show, “How I Met Your Mother,” then you will be ooh-ing and aah-ing at every single detail. This is one of those “don’t miss” parties!

 The “How I Met Your Mother” Party…and yes, there was a real goat! :: One Stone Events

Kristin of Stampin’ Fanatic asked us to create Doctor Bag Favor Boxes for her daughter’s “The Doc is In” birthday party. Since we are kid-less, Kristin introduced us to Doc McStuffins and we fell in love! For this one, J had to get his glitter on to create our version of Doc McStuffins’ doctor bag which is available here. You’ll love all of the sweet, handmade details Kristin created!

The Doc is In! :: Stampin’ Fanatic

My dear friend, Kristy aka The Purple Pug, asked us to tweak a couple of our Magic Trick Collection products for her son’s 8th birthday party. We sent over “The Great Gavini” banner along with tie-dyed “8″ playing cards for her to play with. If you don’t know the Pug, she adds her own magical touch to everything! If you love sparkle, sweet boys and rabbits then you don’t want to miss this enchanted celebration!

The Great Gavini’s Magic Show :: The Purple Pug

Mariah of Giggles Galore asked us to create a tag for her Teacher Appreciation Gift idea which she shared on Oink! this week. See the details and grab the FREE download here.

Donut You Know Tags :: Giggles Galore with Piggy Bank Parties

Yesterday we also shared another easy Teacher Appreciation Gift idea here. It includes lots of FREE downloads, too!

I Appreciate You Tag :: Piggy Bank Parties

That’s it for this week’s adventures! I hope you’re inspired to take a lil’ adventure of your own!