oh yay studio - Making + baking + everyday celebrating – Celebrating Holidays + everydays through making + baking + DIYs

A DIY Valentine costume: a heart shaped box of chocolate truffles

February 11, 2019 Leave a Comment

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I have embarked on this creative journey for 2019: to create one costume a month. The goal is simple: put a smile on MY face and YOUR face and in the process, challenge myself creatively by using new materials, new techniques and pushing my abilities in making. Sounds fun, eh?! 🙂
You can check out January’s planner costume here!!

And this month, I give you a DIY box of chocolate truffles (for Valentine’s day of course)! I surely hope that I’ve succeeded in my goals because who doesn’t love creating or staring at a yummy-looking, heart-shaped box of chocolates (welp, I guess if you’re on a diet, then maybe this isn’t the costume for you)! 🙂

SOOOOO! Today I am sharing my process on how to make this box of chocolate truffles (ya know, in case you ever need one for your kids Valentine party at school) AND my challenges along the way!

Galentine’s day party chocolate dessert ideas!

February 1, 2019 1 Comment

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Leslie Knope coined one of the most *AMAZING* holidays ever (IMO): GALENTINE’S DAY! 🙂 Feb 13th! The day that gal pals get together to celebrate friendship and fun and their love for one another! ANDDDD if you have known me for any length of time, you know just how much I looooooove Leslie Knope AND Galentine’s day! SO much so, that every year I throw a party for some of my faves! 🙂

Well today, I wanted to share with you some of the prep that is going into my big Galentines party this year: the food, the ideas, the techniques and of course, the chocolate! 🙂

How to make party hat cupcake toppers, an easy 10 minute craft!

January 22, 2019 Leave a Comment

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You have a party planned OR you just want to celebrate something worth celebrating that happened in your week (your kiddos first soccer goal or no cavities at the dentist, ya know, the things that I LOVE to bring attention to and celebrate)! BUUUUUT you don’t have loads of time to make the most pinterest-worthy cupcake topper or decoration. Wellllllllllll let me tell you that I have the *easiest* and potentially most colorful party hat cupcake toppers that you can whip out with only a few supplies and 10 minutes of your time (while the cupcakes are baking in the oven)! 🙂 And today I am sharing a little video tutorial AND all the step by steps…..I hope you LOVE THEMMMMM! 🙂

A DIY planner costume + my creative endeavor for 2019!

January 1, 2019 26 Comments

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It’s January first of a new year! Everyone is filling in their 2019 planners with goals and dreams and ideas, and I’m just over here dressed up like one! WEEEE!

This DIY (and super easy) planner costume is part of a new idea and project that I am kicking off today! I am embarking on a little creative journey to make one costume per month: something playful and funny and something that stretches my creativity each time I sit down to sketch. Maybe I try new materials or processes. Maybe I make sets of costumes or for different ages or styles. I don’t REALLLLY have a plan (shocker!) but what I *DO KNOW* is that I am wildly excited about some of the materials I plan to work with AND I am SO excited to stretch my creative muscles on this little venture.
SO buckle up, because today I am sharing my DIY 2019 planner costume to kick off this new year and new idea!

2019 “everyday holiday” printable calendar

December 31, 2018 Leave a Comment

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Do you love National donut day? or National wine day? Or do you bust out the best piñata for Cinco de Mayo? Or need a reason to host the best S’more cook-off for national S’more day? If you answered YES to annnnyyy of these questions then let’s *for sure* be friends!
ANNNNND you also need to print off this 2019 every day holiday calendar!!

DIY Pajama pants for kids

December 19, 2018 17 Comments

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AKA. The easiest and cozies Christmas gift idea!
It’s never too late to get behind the sewing machine before Christmas ANNNND this DIY Pajama pant pattern for kiddos is one heck of an easy and *VERY* quick sew. (LIKE if you are a bit rusty with your sewing skills, I promise this will boost your confidence in sewing, *SO* easy)
1 pair takes me about 30 minutes from start to finish (and it’s even faster per pair if you make a bunch at a time…..I mean, who doesn’t want a cozy pair of flannel pajama pants to snuggle up watching Christmas movies?!?!! 🙂

Snag this SUPER easy Pajama pant pattern with instructions and visuals below!

Holiday digital backgrounds for phones or tablets! :)

December 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

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Who doesn’t love a festive, happy, joyful holiday background for your phone or tablet or iPod, amiright? 🙂 (if you’re ANYTHING like me, then you love to update not only home decor for the holidays, but allllll the other things, like backgrounds on screens! 🙂

ANNNNND I think that I am on a Christmas bulb kick these days (ahem the felt bulb garland)……sooooooo I’m going with it and sharing these holiday themed backgrounds for your phone or tablet! 🙂

How to make a felt Christmas bulb garland (or ornaments)

November 29, 2018 25 Comments

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JINGGGLEEEE BELLLLLLLLLSSS!
Are your halls decked and your tree adorned yet? Because our house is in FULL SWING Christmas mode, and I. LOVE. IT! We are a colorful and fun kind of Christmas decor family so that means the more color and texture and whimsy, the better!

Today I am sharing the pattern for how to make these ADORABLLLLLLE felt Christmas bulbs! You can turn them into a garland or individual ornaments, both are cute and whimsical and colorful and so so so cute!

The best day of the year : our annual Christmas tree hunting day!

November 25, 2018 2 Comments

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Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, I spring out of bed humming “Jingle Bells” while I count down the minutes until everyone else wakes up for the day! We bundle up, hop in the car, head to our favorite Christmas tree farm nearby, hunt for the *perfect* tree, chop it down and then head home to decorate from bow to bow, window to window and everything in between! 🙂 Stockings and lights and pom-poms and bottle brush trees and old handmade heirlooms and all of the kids artwork from past years….the list goes on….all the while blaring Christmas music, drinking hot cocoa (and hot buttered rum for Mom), and reminiscing about years past as we take out each decoration! 🙂
Hands down, Christmas tree hunting day is my *MOST FAVORITE* day of the entire year! And every year we make a little video of the day as a visual timeline to our growth and change! I *LOVE* it!

How to make a pumpkin pie piñata for Thanksgiving!

November 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

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Every year for Thanksgiving we celebrate the holiday with my college roommate and her family; 4 adults lounging and chatting while 5 kiddos running around causing shenanigans…..and we wouldn’t have it any other way! 🙂 BUUUUT the only way to make it a *FULL blown* celebration is to add a piñata, amiright?????
Soooooo today I am giving you the FULL tutorial + DIY how-to on how to make this Pumpkin Pie pinata forThanksgiving!

wine + weekend + knitting | KNITCH 2018

November 14, 2018 2 Comments

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Some of you have heard me talk about them before: the knitch. My group of girlfriends that all started from different corners to knit together. We thought we’d be coming to share patterns and color schemes and inspiration. And we’ve done that. But we’ve also shared life together. One of us has buried a husband, another has adopted 6 kids, and one of us lives outside of the country now. One of us has battled a longterm illness, another has accompanied kiddos to the hospital more times than we can count, one of us has lost a fiancé and another a set of parents. Many of us have started businesses, had babies, renovated houses, moved houses, jobs and states of mind. But we’ve all stayed together. Despite different locations, political views or favorite Christmas stocking knitting pattern, we’ve stayed together. And I think that’s pretty darn wonderful.

DIY Thanksgiving pie stencils

November 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

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My favorite of most favorite holidays ever is HANDS DOWN Thanksgiving. It’s the most relaxed day, full of food and family and laughter and games and the best part is that it ends with PIE! 🙂 PIEEEE! 🙂 So why not make it cuter to display and more fun to eat than with this DIY Thanksgiving hand lettered pie stencil!

How to make Hotel Transylvania 3 costumes + the day I got weepy over sewing!

November 4, 2018 1 Comment

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It started with an email!
An email on behalf of SONY and the Hotel Transylvania 3 movie team (!!)

I read the title, opened the email, and it was as if my posture changed, smile got bigger and heart opened out of excitement all in the matter of the 7 seconds it took me to read the words on my iPhone. It was an invitation. An invitation to let my creativity be explored and my imagination jump out of my heart onto a sewing machine. I set up a phone call the next morning with the team that works with Sony and Hotel Transylvania 3 to get all the deets. And that’s where things became real.
Costumes,
Timeline,
Ideas,
Doodles,
Fabric store runs,
it allllll started! 🙂

You guys, I MADE COSTUMES BASED ON AN ANIMATED MOTION PICTURE IN HOLLYWOOD FOR A LARGE COMPANY THAT I NEVER EVEN KNEW WOULD EVER CONTACT A SMALL TOWN WISCONSIN GIRL LIKE ME!! (I feel like I’m yell-typing out of sheer excitement….so picture us standing in your kitchen sipping almond lattes while I share my heart with you for a moment! 🙂

Cheese grater + Cheese dress DIY Halloween Costumes

October 31, 2018 Leave a Comment

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You’ve heard me say it 9000000 times, but every year Zeke follows in the tradition that my Mom and I set out during Halloween: think of anything and everything that you are dreaming about for a Halloween costume and MAKE IT HAPPEN! 🙂 Doodling, sewing, thinking, talking and shopping at the fabric store…..it ALL happens together so that his imagination can come to life! 🙂

And this year is NO DIFFERENT, duh! He told me that this year he wanted a “funny costume” and I said OK! He then proceeded to tell me that he REALLLLLY wanted to be a cheese grater so that Esther can be the cheese. I said “that’s cute!” And practically rolling on the floor from laughing so hard, his response was: “MOM! Because Esther can’t have cheese, it’s so funny if she dressed up as cheese since she can’t eat it!!!!!!!!!” (Esther has a dairy allergy that we just learned about over the summer) OKKKKKK! What Mom can deny a sense of humor + Halloween put together!?! 🙂

So here we have it, our 2018 Halloween costumes are a little girl as a wedge of cheese and her trusty cheese grater brother! 🙂

Halloween + Hotel Transylvania movie night

October 27, 2018 1 Comment

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I have a little secret about the latest Hotel Transylvania 3 movie, but I can’t share just quiiiiite yet. But what I CAN say is that there is a special place in my heart for this movie. Not only is it Halloweeny and supppppper fun for this time of the year, BUT I totally *love* the moral of the ending (spoiler alert) because it drives home the point that not matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like or whether you are a human or a monster, you deserve to be loved and accepted. Enter happy Mom tears here, amiright? Sounds like a perfect reason to have a Halloweeny, happy, fall movie night full of Murray the mummy pizza pockets and Blobby cupcakes (with a side of wine for Mom of course)! 🙂

DIY Halloween Pickle jar + a little pickle

October 20, 2018 1 Comment

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Last years DIY Halloween costume *may* just be one of my faves that we’ve ever done (and by WE, I mean, my son and I)! 🙂 Because this was allllll his idea! 🙂 I call Esther my little pickle all the time, because, well, she is a tricky little pickle sometimes with her choices or lack-thereof (ya know, toddlers)! 🙂 And one day in the car while running errands, Zeke told me that Esther should be a pickle for Halloween. I asked him, “well then what should you be?” He thought awhile. And then burst out “A PICKLE JAR!!!!” Duh! Of course! A pickle jar!
So, today, we give you a DIY Pickle Jar Halloween costume + a little pickle! 🙂

An easy Halloween pizza costume with removable toppings!

October 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

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HALOWEEEEEEEEEEN! One of the most creative and super fun times of the year, if you ask our family. Every year, my oldest, Ezekiel comes up with his grand ideas for a Halloween costume. Some years it’s based on his favorite things to do, other years it’s based on his favorite foods….like this easy, DIY pizza costume with removable pizza toppings! 🙂

And who doesn’t want to be a giant pizza for Halloween, eh?!?!?! 🙂 This costume proved to be easy to run in (gotta race from house to house to maximize candy opportunities) and was soft and easy to layer clothes under (these Halloweens tend to get cold up here in the North)! 🙂
SOOOOOO, today I am sharing the easy tutorial so that you can make your own Pizza costume with removable (and rearrangeable) toppings!

Fall phone wallpaper + doodles! :)

September 27, 2018 Leave a Comment

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It’s FALLLLLLLLL! The air is crispier and the leaves are changing and my urge to knit is *NEARLY* uncontrollable. I find myself curled up on the couch watching the new seasons of shows (HELLLLOOOOOO This Is Us) wanting to create create create! Please tell me I’m not along in this!! 🙂 SOOOO! Today I am sharing my latest fall phone background doodles that you can use for the wallpaper on your phones or iPads! 🙂

Easy rainbow floor pillow tutorial + pattern

September 8, 2018 1 Comment

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My little Esther LOOOOOOVES to read, so when I decided that I wanted to make her a floor pillow for her loungey-reading afternoons, I *knew* that it had to be something colorful and happy (just like her personality)! 🙂 So, of course, duh……sew a RAINBOW pillow! 🙂 It’s the perfect solution full of color and whimsy and joy, right? ANNNND Rainbows are quite the trend right now, so perhaps some of you want to sew your own rainbow floor pillows for your kiddo OR your couch! Follow the tutorial and pattern below! 🙂

Coconut Milk Coffee ice cream recipe (plus a yummy brownie)

September 7, 2018 2 Comments

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We’ve been spending the *WHOLE* summer making ice cream sammies and coming up with new and exciting ideas and recipes and testing and eating and testing and eating some more. It’s been SO FUN and truthfully, it was all my 6 year old’s brain child to do this! 🙂 BUUUUUT now that school has started, I decided that it was time for a MOMMY ice cream sammie to celebrate the first week of school done AND to give myself a little treat, YUM! 🙂
SOOOOO! Today, I am sharing with one of the yummiest and creamiest and coffee-iest coconut milk, coffee ice cream recipes EVER!! 🙂

a back-to-school worthy, kids-friendly french toast recipe

September 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

I wanted to make a breakfast that was fun and full of joy for Zeke’s first day of Kindergarten…ya know, to cheer him on and send him out into the world of school with gusto and excitement! 🙂 And because I secretly wanted to hold onto the last fleeting seconds of life before we entered into the school routine! And what better way to celebrate than FRENCH TOAST?? But I wanted to add a twist…..a little pinch of joy to the recipe to make it extra special and fun…..so today, I am sharing our YAY ombre french toast recipe that is *sure* to make any morning a little brighter! 🙂

Week seven : Peanut Butter, Banana, Chocolate chip ice cream sammie!

July 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

This one *may* be one of my faves that we have made so far. I mean, who doesn’t love peanut butter, banana and chocolate?!?!? It’s like a staple in dessert world, right?! 🙂 Zeke has wanted to do this combo from the start and I have to say that this ice cream is delish and give me chewy peanut butter cookies ANY day of the week! 🙂
So this week, we give you the PB + Banana + Chocolate chip ice cream sammie! 🙂
[Read More…]

Week Six : Black and white Ice Cream sammie!

July 6, 2018 Leave a Comment

This whole journey has been a blast making homemade ice cream sandwiches with Zeke….his ideas, his flavors and his excitement every time we bit into one! BUT, this whole time I have had in the back of my head, the quintessential dark and white chocolate idea….because it’s a CLASSIC! So, here is our take on the BLACK + WHITE ICE CREAM SANDWICH! [Read More…]

Week five : 4th of July tie-dye ice cream sammie!

June 28, 2018 Leave a Comment

OK! So if you are anything like me, you LOVE the red, white, and blue, America’s birthday and basically any reason to wave the flag and get dressed to the nines and watch some fireworks and BBQ with friends and family all week long! I mean, right?!? It’s like the quintessential summer to-do, eh?! 🙂 SOOOOOOO this week, Zeke and I (and his friend Lilia) tried a super fun technique to try and “tie-dye” the inside of an ice cream sandwich. Let’s just say that these were SO SO SO fun and so easy and ended up VERY tasty! 🙂 Today, we give you the July tie-dye ice cream sammie (with a blondie)!!!!
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my why and my heart!

June 26, 2018 4 Comments

Every business owner gets asked the question WHY! Why are you making the product you are making? Why are you hustling to get your message or voice or idea or process out there? What is the heart behind your message? And what do you think that you are TRULY solving???

Today I am going to share with you my WHY and my heart and the reason I pour myself into this little business of mine! 🙂
[Read More…]

Week Four :: Lemon Meringue Pie ice cream sandwich

June 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

Since this weekend was Father’s Day AND we also celebrated our 12th anniversary, we decided to do one of Daddy’s fave flavors for our summer of Ice cream Sandwiches…LEMON! 🙂 Who doesn’t love lemon meringue pies?!?! (If you don’t love them then perhaps we aren’t really deep friends!) 🙂 They are sweet, and tart and light and fluffy and just quite amazing. So! Today, we are sharing this recipe for our SUPPPPPPPPPER yummy lemon meringue pie ice cream sandwich!
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How to knit a t-shirt rug + my solution for our front entryway!

June 15, 2018 21 Comments

I have always wanted to try and weave a t-shirt rug. And try I did. Maybe you saw on Instagram….my frame making and attempts and epic failures that lead to my switch-a-roo to this project! 🙂 A no sew KNIT t-shirt rug! I LOVE KNITTING! Why didn’t I try this before?!?!?! I am *SO* pleased with how it turned out and actually how EASY it was!!! 🙂 My goal was to make something colorful and inviting and happy for our entryway….we don’t have a place to put hooks or do too much styling, so this was my solution for a welcoming space! 🙂 And I’ve labeled it a success! So, today I am sharing with you the knitting pattern and the general “how to” of this DIY knitted entryway t-shirt rug! 🙂
[Read More…]

Week three :: BIRTHDAY CAKE ice cream sammie! :)

June 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

This week my little chef and kitchen helper turned SIX! SIX! I am in the same camp as all the other Mom’s that have gone before me saying “WOAH! How did this happen? I can’t believe he’s getting older and more grown up……!” He’s curious and excited and brings so much joy to life…..especially with this summer ice cream sandwich project we have going. SO this week I hijacked his flavor ideas and told him that I was going to make him a Birthday Cake ice cream sandwich and goodness was it yummmmmmmmmy! 🙂 We used a cake mix for the cookie recipe and loads AND LOADS of sprinkles (thanks to Esther)! 🙂

If you have a birthday party coming up or just want to surprise your bestie with something that makes them smile, THESE! These are your ticket! 🙂
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Week two :: Strawberry Rhubarb ice cream sandwhich (aka, the perfect early summer ice cream bite)

June 7, 2018 Leave a Comment

This is our 2nd week in our #ohyaysummeroficecreamsammie ! YUP! A whole summer of homemade ice cream sandwiches….all dreamt up by my 5 year old. If you missed our intro and first week of making, check out our Strawberry Graham ice cream sammie from last week! 🙂
And this week!!! This week we quite possibly made the perfect early summer ice cream bite….we combined two of the most in season fruits and made a Strawberry Rhubarb ice cream sandwich! With a fresh strawberry layer, a sweet and tart rhubarb compote and some of *THE BEST* chewy sugar cookies on the planet! 🙂 And today, I am sharing this recipe ANNNNNND the tips that we have learned in our 2nd week of this journey! 🙂
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National donut day + a way to surprise your neighbors!

May 31, 2018 Leave a Comment

Friday is National Donut day (TOMORRROOOWWW!!!) Are you excited?! And are you just eager to dunk those donuts into a hot, yummy cup of coffee?!? The glaze and the sprinkles and the flavors and the toppings and ALL THE THINGS! This is one heck of a holiday to be celebrating, amiright?! 🙂 SOOOOOO, today I am sharing my *FAVORITE* idea for national donut day…..one to surprise your friends and neighbors and share some amazing donut joy with the people you love!! ANDDDD I’m also sharing one adorable donut printable for national donut day too! 🙂

Introducing the summer of HOMEMADE ice cream sandwiches + Strawberry Graham ice cream sammie

May 30, 2018 12 Comments

Recently my son has been into cooking shows, particularly the Spring baking championship on the Food Network! 🙂 SOOOOOO! One day he asked if we could do some competition of our own…..we chatted a bit and came up with the idea of a cooking CHALLENGE for our summer! And guess what we landed on?!?! A wholllllle summer of homemade ice cream sandwiches! YUP! Ya heard me. Zeke came up with a HUGE list of flavor combinations that he wants to try (and let’s be honest, he is five, so some of these flavors need some “tweaking”…..like the Mango Coconut peanut butter ice cream with a chocolate chip, caramel cookie). But we are SO SO SO SO SO SO excited to embark on this journey and share ALLLL of our homemade ice cream sandwich recipes as we go! 🙂

My top three ways to spend National Wine Day + a Rose ice cream recipe you MUST try! :)

May 24, 2018 15 Comments

What are you doing this Friday? Because, it happens to be National Wine day, only one of the BEST days of the year (only runner up to National Taco day, Chocolate cake day, Ice cream day, Christmas, Easter….ok….the list does go on for me and my celebratory ways!) BUUUUUUUUT I do have to say that this National Wine day is something that I AM totally, 100% in on celebrating.

What am I doing, you ask?!?! Well, I have a laundry list of ways that I am going to celebrate, but TODAY I am sharing with you my top THREE ways that I plan to bring a little joy into my National Wine Day! 🙂

The easiest toasted coconut, lime, mango mini-tart recipe! and YUMMM!

May 12, 2018 Leave a Comment

If you have a Mother’s day brunch or a spring party or heck, even a summer backyard BBQ to go to, this is one of THE BEST dessert recipes to share with everyone you love. These toasted coconut, lime, mango mini-tarts are summery, tropical and SUPPPPPER easy to make!

If you are intimidated on how to make a tart, please don’t be. This recipe is EASSSSY peasy….it’s basically a lime sugar cookie with yummy filing and fresh fruit on top. Sounds simple, right…because it is! 🙂 AND AND AND the best part about this recipe is that you can interchange many of the ingredients easily: if you don’t love lime, replace with lemon and top with strawberries instead. Or if you don’t have mango on hand, replace with some fresh pineapple or more toasted coconut. This recipe is a good base for any flavor combos! 🙂 SO have fun with it and always remember to make LOTS extra for friends and neighbors to share with!!!!

Print the recipe below and let us know what you think in the comments below! 🙂

The best end of the year teacher gift idea! :)

May 11, 2018 12 Comments

I always try and give gifts that are usable or edible or something that is *SO* personal that the receiver loves it! 🙂 And that is where this idea came from…a cute, end of the year, thank you themed, “WE LOVE YOU” planter stick for your end of the year teacher gift. I mean, who doesn’t love getting a bunch of flowers OR a cute, little succulent plant, amiright?! 🙂 ESPECIALLY for teachers that can get inundated with apple decor or cliche teacher gifts (just ask my Mother-in-law who was a teacher for 20 years)! 🙂

So, here ya have it….the *BEST* end of the teacher gift (according to the Steffen household)! 🙂 GRAB YOURS HERE! We bought a few succulent plants from Home Depot for $3.99 and paired them with these planter sticks for our end of the year gift for Zeke’s teacher, aids and principal!

Cactus iPhone background + my favorite book inspo lately! :)

May 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

Each month it’s my goal to share some awesome, fun, happy phone + tablet backgrounds that you can use to spruce up your iPhone, android, iPad, or any other technology device that has a “background” on it!!! 🙂 And this month I am sharing my partying cactus background + a quote from one of the best books I’ve read so far this year! 🙂

This Is Us + Gilmore Girls Inspired Mother’s day Card Printables!

May 3, 2018 Leave a Comment

Let’s just agree on one thing……both This Is Us and Gilmore Girls have been two of the best shows on television in a LOOOOOOONG time! 🙂 The drama, the characters, and the love of This Is Us ANDDDDD the relationships, the banter and the quirks of Gilmore Girls. I mean, YUP! Both make me laugh and cry and just fall in love with the Pearsons and Stars Hollow! 🙂 AMIRIGHT?!!!
*please say that you agree*

SO! Now that THAT is settled……Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so what better way to tell your Mom just HOW much you love her, than comparing her to TWO of the best Mom’s on television…..Rebecca Pearson and Lorelai Gilmore?!?!? I promise she will be SO flattered…..the way they each LOVE their kids fiercely is one of these ladies’ best traits! 🙂

So, today I am sharing these adorable printable cards for Mother’s Day. Download them HERE and print them off to pair with your bestest gift for Mom! 🙂

The best Mothers day gift for Moms + Grandmas who have a green thumb! :)

May 3, 2018 Leave a Comment

Mothers day is commmmmming! And every year we buy a big, happy, colorful plant for my Mother-in-law. We bring it to her house, give her a giant hug and tell her just how much we love her because of her cooking and endless serving and giving and loving on us and our kiddos! 🙂

This year, we are introducing something that pairs perfectly for Mom’s and Grandmas that love gardening, plants or being outside. AND, just in case you are wondering, these ALSO fit amazing in a tray of desserts….so even if your fave lady isn’t into greenery, bake some brownies or special cupcakes to surprise Mom on Mother’s Day! 🙂

YAY for Moms and Grandmas that do amazing things and keep our lives in tact! 🙂 WE LOVE YOU!

Grab your Mother’s Day or Grandma Mother’s Day Planters Here! 🙂

How to make a pizza piñata + punny pizza buttons!

May 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

My niece turned three last weekend and my Sister-in-law threw one of the cutest, easiest toddler parties ever…..she ordered a bunch of pizzas, had everyone come in their cozies to hang out and enjoy one another. She made simple cupcakes and we ate pizza and opened presents….it was everything a party for a toddler should be. Full of color, good food, lots of laughing, LOADS of presents and a simple concept that won’t break the bank OR leave you exhausted afterwards! 🙂 So, HIGH FIVES Lanae, we love you and your pizza ideas! 🙂

But, she mentioned that she wanted a pizza piñata for the kiddos that were coming. I say AGAIN, why NOT give the toddlers and pre-schoolers a bat to whack a piñata open with everyone in the living room?! What could go wrong?? And thankfully nothing DID go wrong! 🙂 When the piñata opened, it was a mad scramble to pick up all of the fave candy pieces before running off to play together some more! 🙂

This was one of the EASIEST piñatas that I’ve ever made! So today I am sharing with you this tutorial on how to make your own pizza piñata with some tips and tricks! 🙂 It’s basically a triangle with a curved top, decorated to look like a pizza! 🙂 I chose to decorate the cheese in alternating stripes of yellow tissue so that it had some movement and resembled the “mix” of cheese that many pizza places use! 🙂

An easy May Day basket template + HAPPY MAY DAY! :)

April 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

I remember as a kiddo, the week of May 1st, my Mom and I would make paper flowers and homemade cookies. We lived in the country where there weren”t too many neighbors to share our spring festivity with….so we ended up eating the cookies ourselves and just making a big vase of paper flowers for the kitchen table. And I remember the sun would beat down through the windows onto the bouquet throughout the summer and leave faded colors, worn edges and dusty pedals by the end of the season….so we would throw them away to make way for Christmas decor and start ALL over again each May! It was a ritualistic cycle that I LOOOOVEEED! SO MUCH!

So this year, I am bringing the tradition back for my kiddos. I had Zeke choose 5 houses that we will secretly and quickly delivery May baskets to. I think he most excited about imagining how much his friends will like the goodies….but either way I am cultivating the joy of spring and fun of surprise for friends….it’s a win win really! 🙂

And, today I am sharing our template for our color-youreslf May Day baskets! They are so cute and so easy! 🙂 I told the kiddos to color the lettering, and then design around the edges….the idea is to make them as colorful as the flowers that are popping through the dirt! 🙂

How to make a number piñata! :) And the best birthday gift for a two year old!

April 10, 2018 1 Comment

SO! I am one of those parents that are in the “we have enough toys, please bring books or give experiences” type of stages for birthdays or Christmas or any gift-giving holiday. I mean, I want my kids to feel spoiled and ULTRA loved by Grandma and Aunties and everyone, but we have SO MUCH STUFF around our house that gets accumulated over days and weeks. And yes, I do try and declutter as much as possible, but still. It PILES UP! 🙂 Amiright?!?!? Any Mom’s relate?!

SO! When Esther’s 2nd birthday was approaching I didn’t want to just skip the gift from us….but I was feeling conflicted about what to get for her. I wanted to encourage her brother to help with a gift and then it dawned on me…….what kid doesn’t love hitting giant loads of candy from a Piñata?! 🙂 It’s a duel purpose gift….something for everyone to “play” with on the party day, a gift that her big bro could help me make AND it also meant that people could take home some of the candy as they left! 🙂 ANDDDD the whole thing cost under $20 to make…….she loved it and we had SO MUCH fun with it.

SO, today I am sharing with you how to make the number TWO piñata (or any number really) with the supply list and short tutorial! 🙂
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the best Cinco de mayo gift ever! :)

April 5, 2018 17 Comments

I am a regular fan of nachos, margaritas, and lots of color…..so OF COURSE MAY 5th is a full on party around our house. And we have the works: danceable mariachi music all day, mocktails and margaritas (some of my fave recipes here), avocados galore, tacos in every flavor (ok, maybe not EVERY flavor….but LOTS of options), salsa choices, tons of tortilla chips and ALWAYS a piñata (more on this years inspiration coming soon)! 🙂

So, of course, if you are celebrating with your fam or going to a party, why not bring one of the best CINCO DE MAYO gifts EVER!!!?!?! 🙂

The best Easter dessert to surprise your neighbor | aka: colorful Easter egg Krispy treats

March 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

We had an ABSOLUTE blast making these super yummy, REALLY colorful and festive Easter egg Krispy treats…..maybe it was because I ate TONS of the yummy “leftovers” after we cut out the egg shapes (the perks of the job, eh?! 🙂 And the best part (if you ask me) is that you can color the Krispy layers in any color combo that you want……all pink shades, ombre blues, or even rainbow fun! 🙂 Really, the sky is the limit! 🙂

Today I’m sharing this awesome and super great Easter recipe that is sure to make your family light up! OR if you bring a plate to your neighbors house, they will just LOVE you even more! I PROMISE that! 🙂
ANNNNND I’m sharing my *secret* ingredient for all of my baking…OK, maybe not so secret because I DO share it everywhere, but the secret ingredient to make these the MOST delicious is to use ALMOND EXTRACT in the marshmallow mixture! 🙂 YUM YUM YUM! And bonus, it will make your house smell even BETTER! 🙂

Easy Easter egg balloons – easy and colorful Easter decor! :)

March 26, 2018 Leave a Comment

The best Easter decor to add color and excitement and cover “a lot of ground” is FOR SURE these Easter egg balloons. ANNDDDD you can even get the kiddos involved to paint their own designs. It’s cheap, it’s easy and it is quite fun to make! 🙂
Check out the video below for our tutorial and be sure to tag @ohyaystudio on social so that we can see your amazing and cute creations! 🙂

Free colorful, spring-inspired phone and tablet backgrounds!

March 21, 2018 1 Comment

Who doesn’t LOVE spring and the colors and the ALL THE FEELS that it gives you?!!? eh?! Its by far my FAVOOOOOORITE season! EVER! Fresh green grass, puffy white clouds, birds chirping, and all of the cute flowers popping up through the ground. Don’t mind the fact that we still have a few feet of snow on the ground here in WI….thats not the point! 🙂 The point is that fresh, happy, colorful life is about to spring from the ground………so why not update your phone or tablet with a new, colorful background too, eh?!?! 🙂
They are free and you will love them……I promise! 🙂 Download them in the links below!!! 🙂

DIY jolly rancher letter crunchers | national children’s craft day PT 2

March 14, 2018 Leave a Comment

Zeke about DIED when I told him that we get to smash candy, play with candy and then eat the candy….sounds like a kids dream afternoon, eh?! 🙂 Ok….maybe I didn’t let him smash with the hammer TOO much….but he did get to do some damage! 🙂
These jolly rancher crunchers are another little fun projects for National Children’s craft day today…..they require minimal supplies (many of the ones already on hand for the DIY swirly letter crayons) so they are an extra “add-on” to your afternoon of projects!

HAVE FUN! And don’t forget to chomp a BIG BITE when they are hardened and out of the oven!

DIY swirly letter crayons | national children’s craft day PT 1

March 14, 2018 2 Comments

I remember growing up and just watching my Mom create…on her sewing machine, or drawings of paper crafts, or embossing or (my fave) her costumes (and if you knew my mom, you KNEW this was her forte). I SO SO SO believe (like 410%) that her willingness to get messy and be creative is what gave me a passion for making myself. I already hope that I am encouraging the same kind of creativity and exploration in my kids. I know they may not have the exact same passions or experiences or interests as I do, but I sure DO want to encourage trying new things and getting messy and using color in every possible way! 🙂

And TODAY! Today is NATIONAL CHILDREN’S CRAFT DAY! YAYYY! 🙂 And man did we have fun making these DIY swirly letter crayons. It’s so easy and simple and just plain fun for the kids. And (the best part) is that the project likely uses things you already have lying around your house, so no need to spend extra money or run to target. Just throw on some tunes, gather the supplies, sit down at the table and get messy, create some memories and CELEBRATE national children’s craft day! 🙂

*oh, AND, we also have another DIY using most of the same supplies to celebrate today: Jolly Rancher letter crunchers! 🙂
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color-your-own Easter egg cupcake toppers!

March 3, 2018 Leave a Comment

SPRING is springing around here….ok, ok…..actually the snow is melting which is the first step to green grass, sprouting flowers and EASTER! Spring is *BY FAR* one of my most favorite times of the year…..more color in the world, more energy in the air, and more outside time! YES YES and triple YES if you ask me! 🙂
I doodled a little afternoon project for you and the kiddos (or if you’re on the “adult coloring” bandwagon, then these are for YOU too)! 🙂
three simple steps and you’ve got the cutest, most colorful, happy cupcake toppers that will adorn your brunch table, dinner table or even little succulent plant for the Easter holiday! 🙂

Cheers to coloring Easter eggs, eating yummy ham and hanging out with family! 🙂

DOWNLOAD the Easter Egg Printable here!
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The best margarita recipes EVER + happy national margarita day!

February 21, 2018 2 Comments

Bring on the trumpets and the mariachi band, because today is NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY!!!!!!! I mean, maybe I should have made a piñata to celebrate such an occasion!
I love Mexican food and I love margaritas. Two facts that you must know about me…..so today I am so excited to bring on National Margarita day and celebrate! 🙂

ANNNNNNNDDDD because dreams always have to start someplace, I also shot a little video to highlight our LEMON BLUEBERRY marg recipe! It’s a little visual step-by-step that I hope you all love as much as I loved putting it together! 🙂

So grab those ingredients and make some amazing margaritas! We have two recipes (blueberry lemon and blackberry basil) and then a roundup of a few of my other faves listed below! 🙂

HAPPY MARGARITA DAY FRIENDS! Cheers (and pass the guac) 🙂

Fixer Upper + This is Us free VALENTINES printables!

February 1, 2018 Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love Jack + Rebecca and Chip + Jojo?!?!?! I mean, amIright?!?!? Tuesdays are basically THE BEST day of the entire TV week because BOTH SHOWS are on that night…….the drama and love for the incredible writing on This is Us and the inspiration and beautiful designs on Fixer Upper……pour me a glass of wine and sit me down because I could live Tuesdays over and over every night of the week! 🙂 Who’s with me?

SO! DUH! With Valentines day coming up, I wanted to get some fun and FREE designs to all of you that love these shows as much as I do! 🙂 Feel free and click HERE to access the downloads for the free Fixer Upper + This is Us themed Valentines printable and print to your hearts content!

My top 5 Olympic Party ideas + DIYs! :)

January 27, 2018 1 Comment

If you know ANYTHING about me, you know that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE (like LOVE with a capital “L”) the Olympics. The stories. The competition. The Mom’s crying in the stands cheering on their hard-working, beloved kids. The winning. The emotions. The medal count. The coverage. NBC. ALL. THE. THINGS!!!! Do ya feel me!??! 🙂

So, DUH…….of course I throw an olympic opening ceremonies party! Every year. It’s like a tradition on the Steffen household! 🙂 Its on the calendar for the next 40 Olympics already (ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but you get the idea that we clear our schedules and make this a BIG priority)! 🙂

I’ve put together some great DIYs + party ideas + my TOP 5 things to make your Olympic opening ceremonies party the best ever this year!! AND, be sure to follow along on INSTAGRAM to see some additional projects that I will be making and pulling together as the day comes closer…WEEEEEEEEE! 🙂