Sorority Secrets: Big/Little Week

A few weeks ago I was paired with my perfect Little sister in my sorority! If you are confused about what I mean by this, check out the post I did about sorority families here.  The week before Big/Little reveal is like Christmas in October! It is an awesome week full of presents and secret clues, plus adorable fake Facebook pages where the Bigs get to find every embarrassing selfie of their Little to post in anticipation! Last year when I was getting my Big sister, reveal was on my birthday – this means the week leading up to my birthday was full of candy and surprises! Needless to say, it was a very fun time! This year I am a Big so I got to sneak into my Little's room everyday (with a little help from her roommates!) to leave presents, candy, and clues for her to find! The Big/Little reveal is supposed to be a surprise, but some times girls can figure out who their Big is. My Little had a good idea who I was by the time reveal came, but you're still never sure until you see them on reveal day! I had to be super sneaky all week and pray I didn’t run into her with a mysterious box of doughnuts or bag of presents.  Some schools consolidate this week into one day, I personally love that we have a whole week to spread out the surprises; it makes the process last a little longer and it is so fun to spoil your new Little sister! It was a crazy week full of crafting (not to mention scheming to get the Littles away from their rooms for a few minutes) but in the end it is totally and completely worth it! 

Most days I left an apparel item, little trinkets, and a craft I had made - plus a few clues of course! Some of the clues were lies to throw her off and some were true, it was up to her to figure out which was which! ;) 

Halfway through the week I decorated her room with the help of my Big and Grand-Big! We put streamers and balloons EVERYWHERE! And her Grand-Big (my Big, Laura) got her some yummy cupcakes!! 

On the final day I crafted this initial letter for her by painting the Pi Phi Lilly print on it! I was so happy with how it turned out, I painted a pin box in the same pattern so she would have somewhere to put her sorority badge upon initiation! Over all it was a very successful week! I never got caught and reveal was SO much fun! I am so excited to finally be a Big sister to my gorgeous and sweet Little! 

If you liked this post, be sure to check back tomorrow for a post all about Big/Little reveal in Central Park!! ;)

♥ Caro

Crafternoon: U Gotta Regatta Canvas

I have always loved Lilly and monograms. This summer I have been very in to crafting, it has been my fun “after work activity” and I have had such a great time making canvases for my friends and my dorm room! I actually made this first for a friend when it was her birthday and loved it so much I knew I would have to make one for myself.  Here’s how I did it!

Supplies

Canvas (any size)

Pencil and Ruler

Black Paint Pen (I used the Sharpie brand and love them)

Paint (3 shades of blue, yellow, then any other fun colors for your sails)

Small paint brush

Total Time: about 60-90 minutes

Step One – Monogram

I printed off my monogram the size I wanted it and colored pencil on the back so that I could trace the outline and have the pencil monogram remain.  This is a great technique and I use it a lot when I am crafting – it’s super easy and for a perfectionist like me, very helpful.  Measure the canvas to get the monogram in the middle, outline it and then take the paint pen and fill it in!

Step Two – Sailboats

Fill in around the monogram with sailboats.  I make mine different sizes and play around with triangles, it also looks good to have some go off the canvas. I use the darkest blue for these outlines.

Step Three – Fill It In

All of the boats have yellow bottoms and some of them have partial yellow sails.  I typically do this first.  Then you can go in with the other colors and create patterns on your sails.  I tend to use one color at a time. 

 You should end up with something like this, sails colored in and a blank background.

 Step Four – Waves

Now fill in the waves! Like the sails, I use one color at a time and start from the top working my way down, they can differ in thickness and length.  I typically start with the lighter blues, ending with some accents in the same dark blue as the boats. 

In the end, you have an adorable canvas to hang in your room! I hope you enjoy this Crafternoon! If you make one for yourself, I would love to see it! Tag me and let me know on Instagram @handbagsandheartbeats 

♥ Caro