Pink Tea

Read Me Inspired {The Very Fairy Princess}... The Fairy Garden

2011-08-09T17:32:00.000-04:00

And as promised, here is more about our Fairy Garden from our "The Very Fairy Princess" day.

There are tons of inspirations out there for creating a fairy garden. I originally got the idea from HGTV's Family Gardening Club (it was their July project). Then I came across The Magic Onion who apparently hosts a Fairy Garden Competition with tons of fun ideas. I recommend both if you want to create your own.

Garden #1
Here's how we tackled it. After a little shopping trip and some quick "shopping" around the house and yard, we surveyed our materials and came up with somewhat of a plan (or at least as much of a plan as a 4-year-old can have).

We then filled our bowl with soil and planted our fern "tree" and our little "bush".

And then we just played until we had what we wanted... a beach, water, a little walking path...

flowers along the picket fence...

birds "hiding" in our tree...

and even some butterflies flitting about.

Garden #2
And this leads us to garden #2. After finishing the above, Little Princess realized that there was no place for the fairies to eat. So, we found an empty pod in the shed, found some herbs that needed to be planted anyways (leftover from a summer preschool gardening program she was in), and began a "dining garden."

This really became fun. We glued rocks into chairs and tables and even glued beads into shell "bowls".

After we added shell "planters," the only thing missing was a bridge to connect the two gardens. Popsicle sticks and floral wire remedied that problem, and the garden was ready for its Open House. (Actually, Little Princess has decided that we are still missing a house and a bed, but Mommy said that will have to wait for another day.)

Enter Tinker Bell, stage right...
First, Tinker Bell has to scope things out. She starts down by the beach, and after playing in the water, is ready to explore.

I think I'll rest for a moment.

Where does this bridge lead?

What a perfect spot for a snack.

(You might notice that at this point Tinker Bell apparently got tired of her wings ;) )

Read Me Inspired {The Very Fairy Princess}

2011-08-06T23:51:00.003-04:00

"I know that I'm a fairy princess because I FEEL it inside -

a sparkly feeling of just KNOWING in my heart."

The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

My little princess and I have been very overdue for some Mommy-Daughter time, so today seemed like the perfect day to embrace a little Fairy Princess time.

I was originally curious about this book because of the authors... Julie Andrews and her daughter. Really... the Julie Andrews. I consider her to be one of the classiest women around. So despite my mistrust of children's books written by celebrities, I read this one and really enjoyed it. I'm all for a fairy princess who may love pink, sparkles, and glitter but also embraces scabby knees, frogs, and dirty fingernails.

"For breakfast I have Fairy Pancakes, with extra fairy dust on top. YUM!

(Fairy princesses have very refined taste.)"

"My favorite classes are art and music.

That's when I can REALLY let my sparkle out!"

"The Very Fairy Princess" Coloring Pages and Games

"Then it's into the garden I go,

to attend to my royal duties...

building little houses for my fellow fairies,"

(This was the focus of the day, and I'll share more about the fairy garden in my next post.)

"and exercising my unicorn."

We didn't end up making our "sugar cookies with extra sprinkles," but that's okay because we were having too much fun with the fairy garden. I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time playing there.

Any books inspiring you lately?

Color Me Inspired {pink + navy}

2011-07-31T21:30:00.000-04:00

This color scheme became the inspiration for my daughter's fourth birthday party, which I will share soon. However, here are just a few sneak shots of this wonderful color combo. Seriously... how can you not love it?

(Please forgive my bad applique job here. It was my first try. I promise to improve.)

Read Me Inspired {Pinkalicious Tea Party}

2011-07-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

"Let's make cupcakes! Pink!" I said. "Pink, pink, pink!"

We love to read Pinkalicious in our house, so what better excuse as a get-together for some of my little princess' friends and their dear mothers than a Pinkalicious Tea Party.

Of course a tea party requires invitations (even if they are sent to the Mom's via facebook messages).

And then it needs cute little jam sandwiches (pink strawberry jam, of course).

And the signature pink cupcakes, complete with pink icing, sprinkles, and a cherry on top.

And maybe a few other "cupcake" treats

And a little green just in case anyone gets a case of pinkititis.

Celebrations: Pink M&M Sweetness

2011-07-18T07:00:00.009-04:00

So, during my blogging break, our family had a number of celebrations, including the first birthday of my niece, our own little M&M. So what better than a pink M&M party full of all the sweetness that she brings to our lives. I was honored to help her mother with the party.

As a warning, my "detail photos" were not great since I wasn't blogging at the time. But here's what I captured.

Painted wooden letters with two Easter M&M canisters spell out the birthday girl's name.

I created little m&m toppers for the cupcakes that my sister-in-law created.

The splat cake created by the birthday girl's proud mama.

Assorted M&Ms were a must, and easy to find in pastels since this was around Easter. My favorites... peanut butter M&Ms.

I wish I had gotten better pictures of the circle garland. Sewing paper... who knew. This may become one of my favorite party decorations. It takes a little time but is fantastically cheap.

Color Me Inspired {navy + yellow}

2011-07-14T07:51:00.000-04:00

I am officially beginning a new series called "Color Me Inspired" where I will share color combos that I love, and I'd love to hear some of yours as well. To kick it off... one of my favorite combos of the Spring/Summer.

It feels so classic. A yellow umbrella, yellow and navy wellies, and a fun navy and yellow skirt... what a perfect ensemble to brighten a rainy day (or a sunny one if the weather isn't cooperating with your photo shoot)

I love this skirt. I used Prudent Baby's Layer Cake Skirt pattern, and it has become an absolute "go to" one for me. I love the volume of it... perfect for swirling and dancing. Just add a simple cotton t-shirt and you have a fantastic summer ensemble.

What are your favorite patterns?

Inspired Again

2011-07-12T22:32:00.000-04:00

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty. ~Japanese Proverb

I'm back! The big work project that has consumed my life since last Fall has finally completed and my family is enjoying a much needed beach vacation. I will share more about what has happened since February, but for the moment, I am finding inspiration and beauty in the world around me...

... be it a little boy who has left his baby days behind and now charges forth to explore the wonders of the world around him

... or a thoughtful little princess growing up faster than her Mommy is ready for.

And I just sit and watch, and treasure those moments when they still climb into Mommy's arms for a hug, a cuddle, and a story.

Saying Goodbye

2011-02-10T21:22:00.000-05:00

Well, it is finally time. I've been putting off writing this last post ever since I told you last month that I was taking an indefinite sabbatical from Pink Tea. As much as I know it is time to do it, it's still been hard writing this last post.

The last year has been an amazing opportunity. Thank you for all your thoughts and support. I have loved writing and sharing my projects with you all. The blogging community has been such a blessing as I have felt inspired by so many of you. I hope that Pink Tea has offered you a place to rest and replenish as it has me.

To close this out, I will share with you my newest adventure... the start of something new as I take a break from something old. So even though I will not be blogging, I look forward to continuing creating as I finally tackle a resolution that has been on my list for a long time... sewing. 2011 will be my adventure as a beginner seamstress. So here are a few photos of that adventure (and for those of you who can sew, please forgive an amateur)...

A Simple Top

Source: ManiMina's Eva Dress Pattern

For the Girly Girl

(or as my daughter refers to it... her "Barbie Fashion Fairytale outfit")

Freezer Paper Stenciled Shirt (Source: Creative Mommas)

Pink Circle Skirt (Source: Made)

Pink Bead Necklace and Bracelet

Pink Peony Hair Clip (Source: Yoonie)

A Sportier Look

Freezer Paper Stenciled Shirt with Soccer Ball

Green Bandana Skirt (Source: Snips & Spice)

Green Bead Necklace

Thank you again for sharing in this adventure with me over the past year. May you all be inspired daily.

Recap from the Year: Celebrating Boys

2011-02-04T00:05:00.000-05:00

I confess... crafting for girls is so much easier. But lest my son be left out, here is a recap of some of the boy projects from the year.

A little fun with my little man's wardrobe. Looking back, it is hard to believe how the time has flown. No more onesies now. Featured here are his Mardi Gras onesie, the Guitar Man, and our ode to Dr Seuss.

And of course there were a few toys, including a felt sword for Christmas (new) and a his little taggie whale for Easter.

Really, I think I need to do more for my little man. In fact, here are some of the ideas:

Captain America Tee for 4th of July (by I am Momma Hear me Roar)
Little Boy's Tie (by Purl Bee)
Linen Beach Pants (by KoJo Designs)
Little Lamb Pillow for Easter (by Purl Bee)
Toy Camera Tutorial (by Sew Kate Sew)
Car Playmat (by Homemade by Jill)
A Felt Playhouse (by Homemade by Jill)
Felt Watch

Anyone have any great boy ideas?

Guest Post: Sarah from Cotton Kiwi

2011-01-31T19:38:00.003-05:00

Have you ever met someone online who just makes you want to hop on a plane and visit them in person? That's my reaction to Sarah from Cotton Kiwi. I can't tell you what it is... perhaps her sweetness, or her warmth, or her utter love for her daughters. And she has been wonderfully gracious to guest post for me, despite a flooded basement (due to torrential rains and high tides in New Zealand).

RAPUNZEL BARETTE HOLDER TUTORIAL BY COTTON KIWI
I’ve been an avid follower of CJ’s blog, Pink Tea, since she started about a year ago. I’ve loved seeing her wonderful party ideas and the gorgeous felt food she makes for her children to play with and have tried out a couple of her tutorials with great success (including the beautiful ribbon corker barrettes). When she asked me to write a guest post, I jumped at the chance.

I live in Auckland, New Zealand and write a blog called ‘Cotton Kiwi’. I make mainly children’s clothes and toys (as well as Tape Measure Rose brooches for the grown- ups!) which I sell at the Devonport Craft Market (which I also organise) and in online shops. I have two beautiful little girls who inspire me in a lot of what I make. They both have ridiculous amounts of hair barrettes and I am constantly finding them around the house. I wanted to make them something that would encourage them to keep their hair accessories tidy and after a trip to see the Disney ‘Tangled’ movie, I knew what would work. So here’s my tutorial for a Rapunzel Barrette holder.

What you will need:

2 pieces of plain, light coloured cotton measuring 20cm x 50cm.
Double sided fusible webbing.( I used HeatnBond Ultrahold but you can use any double sided fusible webbing.)
Fabric scraps for appliqué. I used green gingham for the hill, pale pink and white polka dots for the tower; dark pink for the window; flesh colour for the face and purple gingham for the dress. You can use what you like.
1 piece stiff fusible interfacing (20cm x 50cm)
1m of 1.5cm wide yellow ric-rac
Small piece of flower trim for base of castle (optional)
About 20cm of pink ribbon for hanger
Thin cardboard (e.g. cereal box) for templates
Pencil
Iron
Sewing machine
Paper scissors
Fabric scissors
Black fabric marker or permanent marker pen

How You Make It:
1. Cut out your background fabric.

2. Using the photograph as a guide, draw a simple tower shape on thin cardboard and cut it out. Do the same for the window shape, the hill shape, the face and the dress. Put them all together on the background fabric to check that you like all the proportions. If not, adjust them until you are happy.

3. Draw around the templates on the paper side of the double sided fusible webbing. Roughly cut out the shapes from the fusible webbing (don’t cut them out properly yet). Fuse the webbing on to the wrong side of the corresponding fabric pieces (ie green for the hill) and then cut them out carefully.

4. Measure 1.5cm from the bottom edge of the background fabric and make a light mark. Line up the hill piece and fuse it to the background piece.

5. Using the picture as a guideline, pop the castle tower in place next, followed by the window, then the dress and finally the head.

6. Once all your pieces are fused in place, you can stitch around them. I used white thread for my stitching but you could use any light colour. Don’t use black as it shows up every little mistake. Set your machine to a zig zag stitch with a stitch length of less than 1 and a zig zag width of around 2.5. Do a test on a scrap of fabric to check you are happy with your width and stitch length. Once you are happy, stitch around all the pieces, starting from the bottom, going all around the hill and along the bottom of the castle. Snip the thread and then starting at the bottom left of the castle, stitch all around the castle. Snip the thread again and stitch around the dress and around the bottom of the face. Stitch the rest of the face. Check that you have snipped off all threads on both the back and front of your piece and that everything looks tidy. Press your work. Set your machine to a straight stitch and stitch some flower trim to the base of the castle (I stitched mine top and bottom).

7. Iron the stiff interfacing to the wrong side of the front piece.

8. Pin the back piece right sides together with the front piece. Starting at the top, stitch around all sides, using a 1.5cm seam allowance and leaving a 3cm gap for turning at the top.

9. Clip all four corners and layer the seam (cut the interfaced seam allowance close to the stitching.) Turn right sides out, gently poke out corners using a chopstick or similar and press.

10. Fold down the top edge 3cm towards the back and press and pin in place. Top stitch close to the bottom of the folded piece, creating a channel and closing the turning gap at the same time.

11. Turn the piece so the front side is up. Starting just below the channel you created, top stitch around the other three sides. You are nearly finished!

12. Take your yellow ric-rac and fold over one end by 1.5cm. Fold it again and stitch it in place. Do the same with the other cut edge.

13. Fold the ric-rac in half to find the centre and pin it in place around the top of the head. Use a zig zag stitch to fix it in place in the middle of the top of the head and down the sides. Using a marker pen or fabric marker, draw Rapunzel’s face on.

14. Take the other piece of ribbon and thread it through your channel using a safety pin (I poked mine through with a pencil.) Tie a bow in the ribbon to create a hanger. Attach your barrettes and you are ready to go!

Do let me know if you make one of these. I’d love to see your version.

Sarah Bird, Cotton Kiwi, http://www.cottonkiwi.blogspot.com/

Recap from the Year: Theme Days

2011-01-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

When I first came across Katherine Marie's Theme Weeks, I absolutely fell in love. What a great idea for children. I began trying my own humble attempts, often tied to books because I love children's literature. Even though I'll be on hiatus from blogging, here are some of the theme days floating around in my head that I still want to do with my kids...

Corduroy Bear - Think buttons... button memory game, button crafts, edible buttons, preschool-level sewing
Pinkalicious - This one will probably become a tea party with some of my daughters friends, with those famous pink cupcakes of course
Very Fairy Princess - Edible fairy wands, building fairy villages in the backyard, pancakes with fairy dust, and dressing up like fairy princesses for the day
The Little Engine that Could - trains, trains, and more trains

And here are the recaps of the ones I did:

THEME OF THE DAY: MADELINE
This was by far my favorite theme day. I love this classic story.

Book: Madeline, many from the series
Activity:
- Making our own Madeline hat from a paper plate and bowl
- Making French Flags from Red, White, and Blue candies
- "RED", "BLUE" and "YELLOW" spelling cards
- Madeline Coloring Pages
Food:
- A Croque en bouche of donut holes and blueberries (complete with Madeline on top)
- A French Flag Lunch
- Lemon Creme Madeline Hat Cookies
Read More...

THEME OF THE DAY: FISH

Book: Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale by Marcus Pfister

Activity: Playing at the Beach (we were on vacation)

Food:

- Goldfish for snacks (parmesan and honey since Mommy doesn't like the original)

- Fish in Water, aka Blue Jello with Honey Goldfish

- Grilled Cheese "Fish" with Blueberry "Bubbles"- Kites

Read More...

THEME OF THE DAY: PLANES

Book: Pedro by Disney
Activity:
- Learning about the Wright Brothers (we were at Kitty Hawk at the time)
- Painting "Plane" Toast
- Flying Gliders on the Beach
Food: Snack of Plane Toast and Cheese Clouds
Read More...

THEME OF THE DAY: SNOW WHITE
This was really our celebration of Halloween. The kids were Snow White and Dopey.

Book: The classic Snow White fairy tale, though the Disney version, not Grimm Brothers (the kids aren't ready for the real version yet)
Activities: Snow White and Dopey Costumes
Food: An apple themed dinner, including apples, apple sausage, baked apples, and "apple" cupcakes
Read More...

THEME OF THE DAY: KITES

Inspiration: Mary Poppin's "Let's Go Fly a Kite" Song

Activities:

- Making a Paper Kite

- Flying Kites on the Beach

- Dancing along the Beach singing "Let's Go Fly a Kite"

Read More...

THEME OF THE DAY: CANDY CORN
This theme was to celebrate National Candy Corn Day (October 30th).

- "Candy Corn" Pancakes
- "Candy Corn" Breakfast Parfaits (yogurt and bananas)
- "Candy Corn" Cheese platter
- "Candy Corn" Pudding Parfait
Read More...

THEME OF THE DAY: WATERMELON

- Fun with Cookie Cutters

- Jello Watermelon

- Watermelon Cocktails

THEME OF THE DAY: STRAWBERRIES

- Felt Strawberries
- Strawberry Barrettes
- Strawberry Jam
- Rosemary and Strawberry Shortbread Cookies (not pictured)

Recap from the Year: Felt Food

2011-01-26T20:34:00.001-05:00

Here's a recap of my felt food obsession for the year (plus a few new things)...

1. Tea Bag (tutorial)

2. Farfalle (new)

3. Pancake (tutorial)

4. Raviolli with Basil Leaves (new)

1. Donut (tutorial) and Flour/Sugar Sack (tutorial)
2. Tea Party Kit with Sugar Cookies and Brownies (tutorial)
3. Valentine Cookies (tutorial)
4. Strawberries (tutorial)

1. Green Eggs and Ham (tutorial)
2. Fortune Cookies (new)
3. Pot stickers (new)
4. More Sugar Cookie Sprinkles... always fun

Guest Post: Katie from MiaMoo Designs

2011-01-25T22:06:00.000-05:00

For those who have not met the lovely Katie from Mia Moo Designs, I recommend a little tour of her site for her latest projects. She has two of the loveliest girls who model her array of dresses, headbands, and lately, her new jewelry. I have really enjoyed getting to know Katie over this past year and am so excited that she agreed to guest post this month. So, without further adieu, let me introduce Katie and her adorable Valentine candy hearts.

Hi! I'm Katie from MiaMoo Designs. I am so excited and flattered that Miss CJ invited me to be a guest blogger of her FABULOUS blog. I have two beautiful little girls named Mia and Hayden. I started MiaMoo Designs when my Mia was 2. I LOVE all things crafty. I mostly make hair accessories, dresses/skirts for my girls, and chunky necklaces to go with their outfits. I've been lucky enough to have others like what I do, so I can make some money from home doing what I love :) I absolutely LOVE doing trades with people I've met through blogging, and I'm always up for a new project. I have some fun projects and tutorials to share with you today. Ok, let's get started! With Valentine's Day around the corner, I think these felt candy hearts are in order!

I made these little cuties last Valentine's Day, and boy were they a hit! I played around with the embroidery stitches to see which I liked best. The pink one is the blanket stitch, I did that one first, and decided it wasn't my fave for this project, so I just did the basic whip stitch and liked that better. At the time, I wasn't planning on doing a tutorial, so I don't have pictures of the process, but I'll do my best to explain how I made these. Here is what I used:

Supplies Needed:
1. Felt in whatever color you would like you candy hearts to be
2. Scissors
3. A dark pink fine tip Sharpie marker
4. Embroidery floss in the colors you are using for your candy hearts
5. Embroidery needle (I forgot to take a picture of that too)
6. Heart Stencil if you don't want to make your own (I got mine at WalMart)

How to:
I cut out all my heart shapes from your stencil. (2 per color because you will be embroidering both sides together)
When I was done cutting out my hearts, I tied a knot at one end of my embroidery floss and threaded it through my embroidery needle.

I placed the two hearts together and started my embroidery stitch at the top of the heart, in the middle. You will want to push the needle through the backside so your knot isn't on the front to start. From there I did a basic whip stitch all the way around the heart (ie:go up from the back with the needle, pull through, then go back up through the back again...make sense?) Once I got back to the top of the heart where I started, I tied a knot on the back. Lastly, I used my pink Sharpie to write on each heart. Taduhhhh!!! So easy and so cute! Hope you can understand my tutorial, I've never done one. if you have any questions feel free to comment and leave your email address :)

Another fun project for Valentine's Day is my Valentine Heart Applique T-Shirt

I bought a red t-shirt at Walmart (I think it was around $3.50) and cut out three hearts out of felt. 1 Large white, 1 Medium pink, and 1 small red heart. Next I hand embroidered little x's around the edges of the red heart onto the pink one. I thought it would be cute to give each heart a different stitch design, so on the pink heart I did a whip stitch and on the white one just a regular straight stitch along the edges. I think it's easier to embroider the hearts to each other first-THEN embroider the largest heart to the T-shirt. All you need for this cute little Valentine Shirt is a scrap of white, pink, and red felt, pink embroidery floss, an embroidery needle, and a t-shirt. So easy and so ADORABLE! This year I made my girls Valentine's necklaces and bracelets for Heart Day :)

I just LOVE chunky necklaces on little girls, don't you? The problem is they are hard to find. I googled them, looked on etsy, and couldn't find anything I liked, so I decided to make my own! I've been on a jewelry making kick lately and can't seem to stop making these chunky necklaces. I branched out and started making my own cupcake beads out of sculpey clay and baking it in my oven. Who doesn't love cupcakes? These cupcake necklaces look especially sweet on toddlers and little girls. I think Mia has one to go with just about any outfit. Here are a few examples of some other necklaces I've make recently. If you would like to order anything, just leave me a comment on my blog with your email address and I'll get back to you and will email you a paypal invoice :)

Thanks so much for joining me today! I have other tutorials and fun projects that can be found on my blog :) I think you all feel the same way I do about Pink Tea. I'm going to really miss all of CJ's creativity and blog posts of all the amazing things she comes up with!

Recap from the Year: Parties

2011-01-25T06:00:00.004-05:00

Here's a recap of parties from this past year...

Under the Sea and Turning 3: My daughter's first birthday party with friends. Given that she had boys and girls coming over, we did a gender-neutral orange and blue theme. Water games in the backyard, fun favors, and delicious sweets made for a great day. Read more...

Redskins Tailgate: My son's first birthday party... a great day of family gathering to celebrate my little man. Read more...

Books and Owls Baby Shower: My first party on the blog, a baby shower for a very special baby. A green and brown party with owl and book details. Read more...

Red, Hot, and Summer: My casual birthday cook-out celebration, inspired by all things summer... picnics, sunflowers, bicycles, bright baloons, grilled burgers, and all things red and white. Read more...

Every girl needs a good twirl

2011-01-23T23:20:00.000-05:00

For calm days of photographing or busy days when you just need to leap and dance... this skirt is the skirt for you.

As you heard in recent posts, I received a sewing machine for Christmas. Despite the craziness of life, I did manage to squeeze in a few projects... a kids tablecloth (so I could practice straight lines) and this twirly skirt.

Based off of Made's Circle Skirt Tutorial, it was my first foray into children's clothes, and my daughter is loving it. If you haven't tried this tutorial, I highly recommend it.

Details on the wand are available in this old post.

Final Celebration

2011-01-17T21:16:00.000-05:00

Welcome 2011. I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year!

On January 29th last year, I started Pink Tea as a creative outlet. It was to be a "tea break" in the day to rest, replenish, and be inspired. It has been an amazing adventure, and I have met so many wonderful people. Thank you to everyone who has read my ramblings, maybe left a note, and always inspired me. I am so thankful to you all.

Over the holidays, I took time to re-evaluate my life. As family, work, and volunteer activities take up more time these days, I have come to the realization that I need to take an indefinite sabbatical from Pink Tea. I'll continue blogging through the end of the month to complete the first year.

Please join me on this final month. There will be new projects, recaps of popular old posts, a couple of guest posts from wonderful women I have met this past year, and hopefully even a theme-day project.

Pink, Ribbon, and Ballet Slippers

2010-12-31T07:00:00.001-05:00

It is finally time. Shoes as precious as ballet slippers cannot continue to be hauled in the back of my boy's diaper bag. Ballet slippers, and the magic they hold to transform every little girl, need their own special home. Someplace safe until it is time to lead little feet in arabesques and plies.

What better starting project than to create a special bag for a very special dancing princess. A sweet ballet-inspired fabric, a simple bag with ribbon drawstring, a pair of ballet shoes... so simple, and yet so sweet.

Tackling Resolutions...

2010-12-29T15:38:00.001-05:00

May I share with you the delight awaiting me under the Christmas tree this year... isn't it lovely. For those seamstresses among you, this might not mean much. But for a girl who has never learned to use a sewing machine (I never even took home economics), I am so excited. My husband gave me this to help me accomplish one of my long-term resolutions... learn to sew. I am so excited and have already begun trying out some super easy starter projects. Maybe I'll even share a few. And if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why.

Sights and Smells of Christmas

2010-12-21T21:01:00.000-05:00

The sights, smells, and tastes of Christmas...

Delicious clementines

Sugary goodness decorated with a three-year-old

(our cookie shapes of choice were trees, guitars, and pineapples)

And chocolate cookies with peppermint glaze

Merry Christmas to All!

Santa's Workshop #5: A little painting

2010-12-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

[Note: If you are related to me, you should probably stop reading this blog until after Christmas.]

Well, after a crazy work week, I am now in the mad rush to get everything prepared for Christmas. And hopefully I will get a few of those ideas posted. How about you? Is your workshop busy these days as you finish your preparations?

In the spirit of last minute gifts, don't forget the joy of freezer paper stenciling. It can make anything personal and unique. Just set up your work station (in my case, my ironing board)...

Start painting

And then get a unique and special gift for someone you love.

(And my apologies for the night-time photos. The challenge of December.)

Celebrating Advent

2010-12-15T15:32:00.000-05:00

Christmas can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. For me, Christmas is about worship. It is about preparing our hearts for a sacred celebration of the birth of a child that continues to change the world. I was recently reminded of the Advent Conspiracy, a concept I first heard of last year. The premise is simple:

Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All

This has me thinking these days about what season we are in. My husband is adamant that we are currently in Advent and that Christmas doesn't begin until December 25th. (Yes, we are one of those houses that keeps our tree up until Epiphany in January.) But I find myself constantly struggling with taking the time to celebrate Advent as... well, Advent. Advent by its very definition means arrival. It's the celebration of an arrival... it's the anticipation, the wonder, and the preparation.

As I look at the four key pillars of Advent Conspiracy, the first one hits me hard. Worshipping Fully. We are taking steps in our life to Spend Less at Christmas... cutting back on the presents and extra, drawing lines so that we focus on what matters to us (such as my refusal to participate in Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchanges since they just stress me), and trying to do more homemade gifts (as seen in my recent posts). We are looking for ways to Give More... giving more of our time and gifts to others. And we strive daily to learn to love others more and judge them less. But I still find myself so busy in December that I don't stop to Worship. Perhaps that is why I love Advent Wreaths so much. They are such a wonderful opportunity to stop, breathe, and worship.

And that is my ramble. I hope that you find time this holiday season for the things that are important to you.

Beauty in Imperfection

2010-12-09T07:00:00.003-05:00

This isn't going to win any contests. It isn't picture perfect. But there is great beauty to me in its imperfections. As I look at it, I see a little girl covered in icing, eating as much candy as ended up on the gingerbread house and tree. I hear the laughter as we tried to get the candy to stay put. I hear her voice telling me about her day. I feel warmth and love and laughter surrounding me.

Here is to your imperfect moments...

Santa's Workshop #4: Easy Bracelet (fun gift for kids to make)

2010-12-08T07:00:00.003-05:00

This project is a really easy one for your child to make for others. I was originally inspired by the purple bracelet above. I bought it for my daughter at a faire over a year ago and she broke it shortly after. I figured I'd fix it and tuck it into her stocking, and it was so easy and fun that I decided to make a few more. All it takes is elastic cording, beads, and a charm.

Decorating: Felt Flower Wreath

2010-12-06T14:00:00.001-05:00

[I hereby interrupt the Santa's Workshop Posts for this decorating update.]
I adore Purl Bee's Felt Flower Winter Wreath, and it completely inspired me to create a felt wreath for my daughter's door. While my house is fairly traditional with cranberry as the predominant color, I have enjoyed being a bit more whimsical with my daughter's room. And since her room is pink and green, I went with varying shades of pink for the color scheme,

My version is a little different, so the directions are below. But I highly recommend you check out the original Purl Bee version as well.

FELT FLOWER WREATH

Supplies:
Felt in varying shades (dark pink, light pink, and white)
Embroidery Floss in varying shades
Assorted Buttons
Wreath Form (or cut one from cardboard)
Wide white Ribbon
Ribbon for hanging
Glue
Tape
Scissors
Needle
Purl Bee's Flower Template

Directions:
(1) Wrap the wreath form in ribbon, taping the ribbon to secure it.

(2) Cut out a variety of flower shapes from the felt. I stuck with poinsettias, dogwoods, clematises, and poppies. Start laying out the flowers on your wreath form until you get a pattern you like. Stitch the buttons on your flowers using embroidery floss.

(3) Once you like the design, begin gluing your flowers to your form. (Elmer's glue worked well for me, though I also tried fabric glue on a few flowers. I often find hot glue to be too harsh for felt.) Allow to dry overnight.

(4) Once dry, wrap a ribbon around the top of the wreath and you are ready to hang it.

Santa's Workshop #3: Butterfly Barrettes and More Korker Bows

2010-12-04T22:59:00.000-05:00

I do love Korker bows, so I couldn't miss an opportunity to make more. (Check out the Korker Tutorial if interested.) But I have also discovered a whole new world... ribbon sculptures. I saw cute butterfly barrettes around around but couldn't find any free tutorials, so I ended up having to create my own. Continue reading if you are interested in making some as well.

BUTTERFLY BARRETTE TUTORIAL
Supplies:
Grosgrain ribbons (3/8" width), at least two designs
Hair Clip
Hot Glue Gun

Directions:

(1) Cut four 7 1/4" lengths of ribbon, two from each ribbon style.

(2) Overlay two contrasting ribbons with prints facing outward (if applicable). Hot glue one end.

(3) Twist the end into a small loop (as shown below) and glue.

(4) Loop the rest of the ribbon into a larger loop (as shown below) and glue. You now have one wing.

(5) Repeat steps 2-4, reversing the loops, to create a opposite wing.

(6) Cut a length of ribbon to wrap around the hair clip. Secure to clip with glue.

(7) Glue the two wings to the barrette.

(8) Cut a small length of curled ribbon (refer to korker tutorial on how to curl ribbon). I used scraps from my korker bows. Hot glue curled ribbon to center of barrette.

Enjoy!

Santa's Workshop #2: Felt Flower Barrettes

2010-11-30T01:17:00.000-05:00

Now you knew that if I was creating Hair Clip Holders that there had to be some barrettes as well. For these I utilized two primary felt flower tutorials...

Yoonie's Felt Peony Template (first seen by me on Mia Moo's darling daughter)
Purl Bee's Rose Template

For my barrettes, I experimented with the peony template, using different pieces to create different sized flowers. Using just the three smallest pieces makes for an adorable baby clip, whereas larger ones make great additions for headbands. You can adorn them with buttons for the centers or just some fun contrasting stitching (such as if the headband is for a baby).

For the rose barrettes, I used the same base as on my other barrettes, but her base is lovely. And those roses are just as sweet as can be.

Want another easy felt flower design? Check out Purl Bee's Poppy Template. I am loving this for adorning my Christmas packages. I even made a charcoal grey one with a black button center for a more sophisticated package.

Next peak into Santa's Workshop... ribbon barrettes and an easy tutorial.

Santa's Workshop #1: Hair Clip Holder

2010-11-27T19:57:00.000-05:00

Does anyone else feel like their house has become Santa's Workshop. In general, we are trying to simplify the holidays this year. The kids are getting very few presents (truthfully, they don't need them). And I am trying to make almost everything for their stockings. So between their stocking stuffers and gifts for a few friends, we have quite a few little gifts underway.

#1: HAIR CLIP HOLDER
I have previously shared the Monkey Hair Clip Holder I made for my daughter. I'm making a few more this Christmas to go along with some barrettes I am making. These are really easy to make. They could easily be Stocking Stuffers or even party favors for a party of little girls.

Supplies:

Wooden Figure (I found the Lady Bug and Flip Flops pre-painted at Michael's)
Felt
Thin Ribbon
Thick Ribbon
Hot Glue
Scissors

Instructions:

Trace wooden figure on paper. Cut out template slightly smaller than tracing. Pin to felt and cut out.

Cut small piece of thin ribbon and long strip of thicker ribbon. Hot glue thin ribbon to the back of the wooden figure, forming into a loop. Hot glue thicker ribbon to the back. Once the ribbons are set, hot glue the felt on the back. That is all there is to it.

2010-11-23T23:21:00.001-05:00

Years ago I began to make these cornhusk flowers with the plan to create a wreath. I ran out of time to make enough flowers for the whole wreath, and two children later, I haven't quite found time to finish it. However, I still love pulling them out every year for Thanksgiving.

One day I will finish that wreath, perhaps when I replace my door and need something special to adorn it.

Want to create your own? Directions are on Martha Stewart. She has even more amazing cornhusk projects here.

Gobble Gobble... a sweet memory

2010-11-22T23:21:00.000-05:00

[ Disclaimer: Please forgive the bad lighting. The time change is resulting in nighttime photography.]

Want an easy Thanksgiving project? Grab a dishtowel and fabric paint in your choice of colours. Carefully apply fabric paint to your child's hands. (Be very careful and close to a sink to wash up. This is fabric paint after all.) Once paint is applied, carefully press hand on cloth and allow to dry. Repeat with other hand.

Once the handprint is dry, carefully paint feet, a beak, etc with a thin paintbrush. Allow to dry. Iron to set the paint. And voila... a memento for years to come.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

2010-11-14T21:44:00.001-05:00

"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?"

How do you have a Snow White day? Start with a Snow White, twirling in her skirt.

Then add a dwarf...

And complete the picture with an apple or two... though not poisoned in this case.

Interested in your own? The Snow White costume is "minimal-sew"... a no-sew tutu skirt made of yellow tulle, white tulle, and yellow satin ribbon, a blue leotard with decorative ribbon lightly stitched on the front, and a red ribbon for the hair.

Dopey's costume was even easier... a green shirt, several sizes too large (5T for my 12 month boy), with big yellow buttons and hat sewn from thick purple felt. Add a little jute string for a belt and the picture is complete.

And the Snow White story couldn't be complete without the apple of course. Otherwise there would be no need for the kiss. So how about apple place cards for lunch and then sweet "apple" cupcakes for dessert. A sweet ending for a sweet fairytale.

Theme of the Day: Candy Corn... just a little late

2010-11-08T20:01:00.000-05:00

After entirely too long, and entirely too many service calls, it looks like we may once again have Internet. And that means I can share some very-belated Halloween posts. But on the chance that you still have candy corn lying around, or perhaps in withdrawal over the lack of candy corn, here's to a little sweet fun...

Perhaps some "candy corn" pancakes...

or just tri-colored ones when making the triangles gets too exhausting

Maybe a Breakfast parfait of yogurt (dyed yellow and orange) and banana slices

And we can't let breakfast have all the fun. What about cheesy "candy corn" made with a sharp New Zealand cheddar, a Wisconsin cheddar, and a Wisconsin Monterrey Jack.

And for a little kitchen education... how about learning what red and yellow make

And to top off the day, a sweet little treat of pudding and whipped cream.

I'm suddenly a fan of orange and yellow.

Technical Difficulties

2010-11-03T06:44:00.000-04:00

Due to technical difficulties, I have been learning what life is like without being able to blog or even check my personal email. Hopefully the issue will be fixed shortly and I will be back on-line. Until then, enjoy a nice cup of tea and be inspired.

Oh, and tried a new tea yesterday that was excellent... Tazo Sweet Wild Orange (I think that was the name). Excellent afternoon tea when you just need to calm down.

Apple Pocket Pies

2010-10-27T07:00:00.004-04:00

I love these little apple pocket pie molds from Williams-Sonoma. As a warning, my first batch was an absolute disaster. However, these came out a little better. The mold came with a recipe, but here's my variation:

Ingredients:

Store-bought Pie Crust (because I'm not great with crust)
1 1/2lbs apples (approximately 3), peeled and diced
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tbls butter
1 egg, separated
raw sugar (to sprinkle)

Directions:

Mix the apples, brown sugar, vanilla, and spices in a bowl
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the apple mixture and cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
Based on the dough directions, let the pie crust rest at room temperature.
Using the apple pocket mold, cut out one solid shape and one decorative shape. Place the solid shape into the bottom of the apple mold. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the apple mixture into the center. Brush the edges with the egg yolk. Place the decorative shape on top and press gently with the apple mold, sealing the edges. Remove gently and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Repeat step 4 for the remaining pies, re-rolling dough as necessary.
Freeze pies for at least 20 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Brush top of pies with the egg white wash. Sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

A Casual Fall Dessert Gathering

2010-10-26T07:00:00.005-04:00

My mother-in-law recently celebrated her birthday. Getting her together with her three sons and their families was challenging based on different schedules, but we were able to get everyone together for afternoon desserts. Each family brought a different dessert (Williamsburg Bread, Orange Cookies, and Apple Pies), and we spent the afternoon watching the grandkids, chatting, and feasting on desserts (...oh, and her men may have talked her into watching the Skins game as well).

Decorations came from the season... pumpkins, gourds, indian corn, acorns, and corn husk flowers. Autumn colors dominated with browns, oranges, and golds complimented by the cobalt blue. For flowers I mixed two grocery store bunches - one of eucalyptus and greens and one of yellow and orange flowers - to create custom arrangements for the party.

This is such a simple option for a quick gathering. Almost all the decorations can be picked up from a farmers market or grocery store, and it takes no time to assemble. Just grab some pumpkins and have fun with it.

Celebrating Fall... with Swords

2010-10-24T21:35:00.001-04:00

Wow! What a weekend. Does anyone else feel like Fall becomes a very busy time? There is so much to do and experience and celebrate come Fall.

Several weeks ago I shared my "bucket list" for Celebrating Fall. We've already knocked several off... apple picking, celebrating my son's first birthday, making plum jam, watching football, and hay mazes with the kids.

And now we've added another one this weekend... Highland Games and Celtic Festival. As I've said before, this is not a traditional "Fall" activity, but it's part of our Fall. And this year brought new experiences as I watched my little "princess" pick up a foil and try her hand at fencing. This is my little girl who dances around the house, who dresses up in fairy wings, who loves tutus. That same little three-year-old stood in line behind those 9 and 10-year-old boys, donned the head guard, picked up the foil, and walked fearlessly into the arena (and started chatting to the man while she used the sword). Have I mentioned that she continually redefines the word "Princess"... and I love it.

For a blog about inspiration... she is one of mine.

Pretty pretty hair bands

2010-10-19T21:41:00.001-04:00

If you haven't been to MiaMoo Designs, you should really take a moment and check her out. Katie is creative, takes great photos, and has two of the most beautiful little models you have ever seen. And now she is selling headbands just in time for Christmas. Aren't they just beautiful, and they looks great on moms and little girls. Plus, she makes them in different color combos... black, turquoise, champagne. One for every outfit.

I really can't get over how adorable her daughter is here.

Learning...

2010-10-17T23:29:00.001-04:00

I'd like to tell you that I have been building a store of amazing ideas to share with you, but, alas, that is not the case. However, I have been working on enacting some of those changes that I mentioned in my previous post. After all that time to reflect, here are some of the changes that I decided needed to be made:

Sit-down for breakfast with the family every morning (rather than rushing off for work)
Set aside time to focus on my marriage
Make sure the TV is off at dinner time (even if it is in the other room) and enjoy talking with one another
Listen more. Focus on people and stop multi-tasking (particularly at work)
Take a break during the work day to walk, read, anything as long as it is a break
Afternoon Tea!!!!!
Set boundaries with work. Evenings are not automatically additional work time.
Set aside time during the week to care for myself
Try at least one new recipe a week, just to keep things interesting
Be more conscious about my food choices
Make time for the gym
Go to bed earlier

I'll let you know how it goes. Obviously it tends to center around setting boundaries, making time for the important people in my life, and taking care of myself. Balance. One week in and I'm feeling better, even with work still being extremely high-stress these days. Now to begin another week in the adventure.

And if you're curious, this week's new recipe is Pumpkin Sausage Pasta from Simply in Season. Last week's was Pioneer Woman's Twice-Baked Potatoes (believe it or not, I have never made twice-baked potatoes... crazy I know), as featured in the Southern Living Easy Entertaining Special. Great Fall recipes! Any recommendations for some more fun new recipes to try?

A Weekend Away

2010-10-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

This blog - Pink Tea - was designed to offer a break from life's regular routines in order to refresh, reflect, and rejuvenate. The truth is, however, that I have not been feeling inspired lately. In fact, Friday afternoon I was as drained as I could be... physically, mentally, and emotionally. Between high-stress at work, a sick child, and general craziness, I was ready to crack.

Thankfully, my husband whisked me away for our first weekend get-away without children since... well, since we had children. I had no idea how badly it was needed. We scheduled nothing. We made no plans. And we completely focused on resting and on reconnecting as a couple.

We went to this adorable B&B in Sandbridge where the proprietor, Petie, focusing on pampering you... jacuzzi tubs in the rooms, hot tub outside, luxurious sheets, and a three-course breakfast completely customized to your own preferences every morning. (Example: I love Eggs Benedict, but my husband isn't a fan. So one morning she made me Eggs Benedict and made him a Southwestern omelet.)

The tranquility, the pampering, the rest... it all helped me realign my priorities and realize that I need to make some changes. I'll share more on that later. However, one lesson I will share now... We all need weekends away. We all need time to rest and recover. And if you are a parent, I cannot stress enough the value of that time away to just be a couple!

Breakfast Day 1

Course 1: Fresh Fruit Mix

Course 2: Feta and Pepper Egg Scramble with Apple Sausage

Course 3: Apple Dumplings

Breakfast Day 2

Course 1: Fresh Fruit Mix with Yogurt

Course 2: Eggs Benedict with Sausage

Course 3: Stuffed French Toast

Redskins Tailgate First Birthday Party

2010-10-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

Here it is... my son's first birthday party. And per the deal I jokingly made with my husband prior to ever expecting a boy, we finally had a Redskins first birthday party... a Redskins Tailgate. To truly understand the humor in this, let me just say that I am the girl who watched every home football game in high school (dance team girl) and never actually understood the game. And while I am now a Redskins fan by marriage, I still tend to watch the cheerleaders, the fans, the mascot... pretty much everything but the players. Thankfully, I have a sister-in-law that helped point me in the right direction.

Warning before you read further: There is a lot of burgundy and gold.

Staying true to the tailgate theme, we used three trucks as the food stations. (My brother joked that it was a Ford Truck party instead.)

The first truck served our main meal... grilled sausages, burger sliders, chips and crackers with black bean dip, pasta salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, baked beans, and more.

The second truck was the drink station - the adult and non-adult varieties - with appetizers and favors for all. The favors were red velvet cake in jars.

And the third truck served up the desserts... a spice cake with apple filling, dark beer chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel icing and dark chocolate football toppers, smore marshmallow pops, and peanut butter M&Ms. It was kind for them to make the Fall M&Ms in the perfect colors to match the party decor.

I'm generally not a football fan, but the tailgate was a blast.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with White Chocolate Footballs

2010-10-04T00:51:00.001-04:00

My boss recently celebrated her birthday, and I wanted to make her something special for such a great manager and mentor. I knew that she loves (and I mean loves) Red Velvet Cake, so cupcakes were a must.

I debated how to top the cupcakes given that there are two other things I know she loves... Beardies and Football (particularly the Hokies). And since these great football chocolate molds had recently arrived for my son's birthday party, white chocolate footballs seemed perfect.

More to come on how these same ingredients were used in my son's party... though not together.

2010-09-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

One year ago I was in the hospital holding my newborn son, and he changed our world forever... particularly his sister's. I can't believe that a year has now passed and that my baby boy is no longer such a baby. Happy Birthday little man! Please let time slow down a little.

A Tale of Two "Apple" Sandwiches...

2010-09-29T14:00:00.003-04:00

This is the tale of two cheese and apple sandwiches...

The first sandwich... a basic grilled cheese with white cheddar, but cut into fun apple shapes with cheese leaves.

The second sandwich... an adult friendly open-faced sandwich with white Vermont cheddar mixed with a softer yellow cheese, apple slices, and pepper and salt to taste.

Which sandwich would you choose?

Apple Picking

2010-09-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Looking for a fun Fall activity... go apple picking. We went this past weekend to Carter Mountain Orchard. It was hot (nature hadn't gotten the memo that it was Fall), but still fun.

Pack a picnic to enjoy before or during the picking. Ours included:

Turkey Wraps with Vermont White Cheddar, Sauteed Vidalia Onions and Crisp Apple Slices
Black Bean Dip with Carrots
Chips
Cheeses and Peanut Butter to pair with freshly picked apples (don't forget a knife and cutting board)
Eclair Cake (courtesy of my mother)

We wandered among the trees, picking Jonagold and Golden Delicious from the high branches. By the end we left with our freshly picked goodies, apple cider donuts from the bakery, fresh apple cider... hot and sweaty from our excursion but excited about the deliciousness ahead of us.

Celebrating Fall

2010-09-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Italian Plums purchased at the
Falls Church Farmers Market

I love Fall... the crispness in the air, the energy as everyone returns from the summer break, the colors, the flavors, and the impending celebrations. Last Fall sped by due to my son's birth. I was in those new Mommy days and only made a few token attempts to celebrate the season. I don't want a repeat this year.

Here is my "bucket list" for embracing Fall 2010:

Apple Picking
Collect leaves with the kids
Celebrate Virginia Wine Month (October)
Make plum jam
Celebrate my son turning 1
Highland Games and Celtic Festival (not a traditional "Fall" activity, but part of our Fall)
Football (this one is for my husband)
Try new pumpkin recipes, with fresh pumpkin
"Carve" a jack-o-lantern with my daughter
Enjoy a Fall Picnic with my family
Decorate with candles and throws for extra coziness
Eat grapes... roasted grapes, lavendar grape tarts, wine, etc
Pull out the sweaters and shawls
Create an autumnal display for the front porch
Soups, soups, soups... and chili
Hot Apple Cider
Enjoy other seasonal flavors... pears, potatoes, parsnips, sweet potatoes, apples
Take long family walks
Bonfires at Nana and Papa's, with roasted marshmallows and smores
Hay Maze
Photograph the sights of the season
Hiking

How do you celebrate Fall?

Organizing 101: Reader Ideas

2010-09-26T18:46:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone for your comments this past week. Here are some of your suggestions...

"One thing I do like to do is get the coffee set up the night before in my preset coffee timer, so when we wake up it's already made." (Sue from Stay at Home Mom)
"Another time-saving idea I've been using lately is when line-drying laundry, I often put it on the hanger wet, hang it to dry, then put it straight in the closet. Why put in another step with clothespins if it's destined for a hanger in the closet anyway?" (Julie from Heirloom Homestead)
"I made some fabric wall-art using large corkboard and covering it with batting and cute fabric. Hang it on the wall and I have a cute piece of art with texture on the wall. But then I can hang up my kids' artwork on top of it! yay!" (Jane)

Wishing everyone a smoothly-running week...

Organizing 101: The Breakfast Routine

2010-09-23T22:06:00.000-04:00

I love old housekeeping books. They are fascinating tomes full of tidbits and wisdom from the past. I think of all the women before me that have read them as they planned how to manage their own homes in their own unique styles. However, there was one piece of advice that I read many, many times and have only recently begun to appreciate... set your breakfast table the night before.

It's a simple thing to do. But it is such a help with the morning rush. Just set out the table the night before with any nonperishable items... plates, bowls, cups, forks and spoons, coffee mugs, bananas, bread on a cutting board with a knife, honey, boxes of cereals, tea bags... whatever makes sense in your family.

Five minutes at nice... maybe five minutes in the morning to actually sit and drink your coffee... those women before knew what they were doing.

Organizing 101: Clothing Labels

2010-09-22T23:30:00.003-04:00

This is a re-post of a former idea, but I wanted to share it again as part of this Organization week. This is such a help in our life. We have a set for me and for my daughter, and I'll be making a set for my son soon as well. Anything that makes mornings easier is appreciated, and this makes sure that everyone has clean clothes, particularly when I am trying to work off of smaller wardrobes.

I originally saw the hanger label idea on No Fuss Fabulous. The pink didn't exactly go with my beach-inspired room, so I decided to make up some custom designs for myself. Using Microsoft Word and Clip Art, I came up with basic designs incorporating coral, sea horses, starfish, and sea shells.

I do laundry on Saturday. Either Saturday or Sunday I run through and lay out my clothes for the week. With the hangers, I always have something ready to go in the morning and don't ever have the dilemma of having nothing clean to wear.

The other great advantage is that my husband can help get my daughter dressed without having to ask what I want her to wear. He just grabs the day's hanger and has everything he needs. No thought dressing... particularly useful if he hasn't had his coffee yet.

Organizing 101: Meal Planner and Family Organizer

2010-09-20T22:31:00.000-04:00

This may be one of the greatest organizing tools in out house. It serves as our central command center. It controls what we eat and what we do. It helps ensure we make it to doctor appointments and ballet classes. All in all, it helps us keep it together.

In essence, it's a simple white board with a grid marked out in thin artist's tape along with a few "day" magnets and multiple marker colors. Nothing more. But this simple tool helps keep us organized. Each week my husband and I plan out our week... ballet classes, church, dinner appointments, to do lists, etc. Then we plan out our meals as well. Everything is color-coded, include meals: purple means I'm cooking, orange means he's cooking, and black means other. It keeps us together. Trust me, when we don't do that weekly plan, we eat out entirely too much. We even use the same color-coding for our activities with a different color for every family members.

How do you keep your family organized?

Organizing 101: Organizing Kid Artwork

2010-09-19T23:35:00.002-04:00

There is something about Fall that makes me want to organize. Perhaps it is the fresh school supplies and new clothes. Perhaps it is a renewed interest in home as the days get a little cooler. Perhaps it is just the busyness of activities resuming that screams for schedules. Whatever the reason, organization is on my mind.

This week is Organizing 101... some tips and ideas that have helped in our lives. Please share your ideas and suggestions as well. After all, we can all use some help.

In honor of school starting, let's start with an idea for organizing artwork. My daughter's room has a weird partial wall that we have turned into a rotating gallery. It's a simple concept: three clear clipboards with coordinating scrapbook paper attached. The clipboards hang on the wall just waiting for their next creation. They are cute on their own, but let's be honest, that won't last long. So when new artwork comes home, you can clip it up for as long as you like, and then rotate when the next piece comes in. Simple and fun.

Recognize the Madeline hat and the Kite?

Not Perfect

2010-09-16T07:29:00.001-04:00

Dear self,

I just wanted to let you know that it is okay that you aren't perfect. Some days, that to do list doesn't get checked off. Sometimes walking through your daughter's room means negotiating a minefield, and your living room is over-run by the rising tide of brightly colored miscellany. Sometimes you may feel as overwhelmed as that little monkey on the floor, ready to give up. It's okay. It will be there tomorrow. So for now just stop and take a deep breath. Put the to-do list down. Get a cup of tea. And rest.

Sincerely,

Mimosa Cupcakes

2010-09-14T07:26:00.001-04:00

Work lately has been crazy. There were jokes about needing Mimosas to make our daily 8:30am meetings more relaxed. Now, that is not a practical reality for a number of reasons. However, Mimosa cupcakes were a possibility...

You can make these with sparkling wine or gingerale. The orange is the hit of the show. (Recipe here.) Given my inability to follow a recipe, I did add a little more sparkling wine and a little more orange juice to the icing, which resulted in my icing not being quite stiff enough to hold its peaks. It tasted delicious. But if you want the pretty icing top, stick with the original recipe.

More Book Cupcakes

2010-09-09T20:16:00.000-04:00

I love to hear from all of you. I love seeing how people create things themselves. I love inspiring others and being inspired in return. Therefore, I was especially excited to hear from Dawn who had reached out to me regarding the book toppers I made for my Owls & Books baby shower. Here's a picture of the cupcakes she made for her sister's shower. Aren't they adorable?

(And if Kate is reading this, please send me your email so that I can answer your question about the cupcake books. Your comment came through without an email address for me to contact.)

Back to School

2010-09-07T21:20:00.000-04:00

In my part of the world, the day after Labor Day signals one thing... the start of school. And even though my children are still too young, the day still holds a certain reverence for me. Our friends have been sending their children to the first day of kindergarten. Middle and high schoolers once again form an obstacle course for me in the morning and I leave for work (my driveway somehow ended up as a bus stop). And all of the teachers in the family start another year.

I have been blessed to be the daughter of one of the most amazing teachers around. She's the teacher you dream of your child having... the kind that former students return to visit year after year, even when they are in grad school. I have attended so many functions with my mother of the years as a show of support for her students (present and former). There have been ballet recitals, soccer games, local community fairs, and even high school plays (my mother teaches elementary).

Since high school, I have often tried to leave something special for my mother to kick off her school year. There have been notes hidden in her desk, sweet treats, and even a package delivered from a co-conspirator when I was in college. It hasn't been every year. But, I do like when I can do something special to honor such an amazing woman. This year, I decided her classroom needed cheer... sunflowers and daisies in a pencil vase and a milk carton of candy, courtesy of Paper Crane's adorable milk carton printable.

Wishing you a Sweet Labor Day

2010-09-06T17:14:00.000-04:00

Here's wishing you a sweet Labor Day! I hope it has been a restorative time that has renewed your spirit.

Jello "Watermelons"

2010-09-02T01:41:00.000-04:00

Now you know that we couldn't do our watermelon celebration without jello watermelon. There are a number of bloggers who have created these (often with mini chocolate chips for seeds). Here are the lessons I learned in doing this:

Lime juice wreaks havoc on your fingers, particularly your cuticles. You may want to wear gloves to save your hands from looking like mine.
I chose to use black cherry jello because I prefer the flavor. Of course, I forgot that since you need to do the jello jiggler recipe that it makes for a really dark color. In my case, I'd do it again because I like the flavor. However, if you want a more realistic watermelon color, go for a lighter red jello.
Set the lime peel in muffin cups to hold it level for the jello. This works really well.
I just the lime into wedges. However, my husband had the idea that next time I should cut it horizontally into more of a slice.
Let me know if you determine a good knife for creating a clean cut. I tried serrated knives, a chef's knife, and even a bread knife. All resulted in slight texture in the cut.

This is a great project to do with the kids. My daughter loved mixing the jello. She and my next door neighbor were fascinated during the process and couldn't wait for the jello to harden (the neighbor had to come back the next day). Then again, they also sat at the table and ate the lime pulp as I was scraping out the peel. I acknowledge that probably isn't normal.

Let me know how your creations turn out.

Watermelon... for the adults

2010-08-31T22:44:00.000-04:00

Just as in my life, this blog often revolves around children. But every once in a while, there is a moment dedicated to the adults. This is one of those moments... children sleeping snugly in their beds, relaxing with my husband, cocktail in hand.

This watermelon cocktail recipe has been floating around the blogs, having first come from Sunset Magazine. However, here's my variation... a little higher juice to cocktail ratio.

WATERMELON COCKTAIL RECIPE
Blend chunks of watermelon in a food processor. Strain. Rub a lemon wedge along the rim of a martini glass and dip the rim in sugar. Combine 6 tablespoons watermelon juice, 2 tablespoons brandy, 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier. Stir. Garnish with watermelon.

Watermelon Love

2010-08-30T20:53:00.000-04:00

Summer lovin'... or at least watermelon love. We are capturing the last vestiges of summer. So this pas weekend was our watermelon weekend. The easiest project was a little watermelon cutting. My daughter loves using cookie cutters, and she loves watermelon, so why not combine the two. The result...

more watermelon love...

some watermelon experiencing an identity crisis...

maybe a little clover action...

just a little summer fun

Preserving Summer

2010-08-29T17:20:00.003-04:00

O, dear summer... I know I have lamented your heat and craved cooler breezes, but the truth is that I am not ready for you to end. I'm not ready to acknowledge that another season has passed. Despite the allure of Fall with its bounty of colors and apple picking and night around bonfires, I'm not ready to say goodbye to all your delights... playing in the pool, farm stands overflowing with peaches and blueberries, sundresses and sandals, popsicles melting on our hands and chins, lazy days moving at a slower pace. I'm not ready to acknowledge that another season has passed. I'm not ready for my babies to keep growing up. I'm not ready for the busyness of Fall. Right now, I just want to bottle this Summer and treasure it.

So I admit I may be a bit melodramatic here. But it has dawned on me how quickly my little ones are growing up. We're still too young for the start of school, but it won't be much longer before my little girl gets on that bus and waves goodbye. And that little baby boy is quickly becoming more boy than baby. Where has our summer gone?

In the spirit of capturing summer, what could be better than capturing the deliciousness of its bounty, in this case... peaches. I came across My French Corner's Peach Confiture recipe last summer and found it to be a lovely third-trimester addiction. I think I was eating the luxuriousness two meals a day in those last weeks. This is a delightfully simple recipe... peaches, water, sugar, and lemon juice. (I add a little less sugar than the recipe calls for.) Now to just figure out how to bottle my children's childhood.

Inspiration, my friend

2010-08-27T00:37:00.001-04:00

Do you ever have times when you have an idea but get absolutely stuck? Well, I have been spinning my wheels in a deep mud hole recently as I tried to gain some traction on my son's first birthday party. I've known the theme since I found out I was having a boy. (It all goes back to a joke I had with my husband that if I had a son in the Fall then we would have a Redskins Football party. Guess what happened.) However, I have had a really hard time getting an image in my head of what I wanted. However, it is finally coming together. After a visit to the fabric store, I finally have my inspiration fabrics and colors and am close to having my inspiration boards and project plans set. Now to just get it executed in the next month...

Have you every gotten stuck on an idea?

Peach and Prosciutto Pizza

2010-08-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

Where has Summer gone? Labor day is only two weeks away and then Fall will be back in force... apples, pumpkins, football, my son's first birthday, Halloween, crisp nights, beautiful foliage, wine. As much as I am looking forward to Fall, I'm not quite ready to let go of the last vestiges of Summer. And right now that means Peaches. I cannot get enough. The juices, the sweet flavor, that last reminder of summer...

I think pizzas are some of the easiest dinners to throw together. Almost anything can be turned into a pizza. So why not peaches. Thus, our latest creation: Peach and Prosciutto Pizza.

This is an easy recipe. Start with pizza dough (I use Trader Joe's crust, but you could make your own). Then add a coat of olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, thinly cut prosciutto slices, peach slices, salt, pepper, and mozzarella. I put the cheese on top, but that's my preference. Just cook according to the dough instructions. It's sweet and salty, and delicious all around.

Volunteer Board

2010-08-22T23:03:00.005-04:00

We all have so many roles that we balance in our lives. Just over three years ago, I had my first child, and ever since then I feel like I have been trying to figure out my life. Every time things start to feel like they are falling into a routine, life changes... work situations, a second child, new social circles, etc. When my son was born, I had to drop some of my activities because they weren't conducive to a new baby. So now I am re-investigating how I can be involved in life around me.

One way I am re-engaging is on a team that is trying to let church members know about opportunities to get involved. I was tasked with creating volunteer boards with sheets that people can take regarding current opportunities. The creation was simple... a black foam board, plastic name tag holders to hold papers, and finally pictures, letters, and ribbon to dress it up.

You could easily repurpose this for any informational board... PTA Meetings, craft and farmer's markets, home-schooling activities, etc. If you do, let me know how it turns out.

Theme of the Week(end): Madeline

2010-08-19T22:50:00.000-04:00

"In a an old house in Paris that was covered in vines lived... Madeline."

This past weekend was inspired by two aspects of a recent vacation... (1) our mini-theme days which were much fun and (2) our visit to a favorite local bookstore where we added a number of new volumes to our personal library. One of those books was the adorable classic... Madeline. So when looking for something rather fun to do, our Madeline-themed weekend was born.

The house was full of yellow hats, french-inspired foods, and Madeline stories. We painted and baked and counted and created. We even tried to work on spelling, though that may have been over the head of my three-year-old. Above are our Madeline Hat lemon cream-filled cookies.

For Breakfast, our version of a Croque en bouche made with donut holes and blueberries

A little sorting, counting, and grouping with red, white, and blue candies as we created the french flag. Surprisingly, pieces kept disappearing.

Just a little coloring time... Madeline of course

Making our own Madeline style hat from a paper plate and bowl

With our herb tart for lunch, we made a french flag from blueberries, cheese, and grapes.

Madeline Memory Cards for spelling RED, BLUE, and YELLOW

Exploring at Home

2010-08-15T21:27:00.005-04:00

We just finished a Madeline-inspired weekend, which I will post about soon. However, I was also reminded this weekend that it is fun to explore my own home town. We spent a lovely Sunday afternoon exploring Canal Walk in the River District of Richmond... old meets new.. interesting architectural elements... all in all a fun excursion. Have you played tourist at home recently?

Theme of the Day: Planes

2010-08-09T22:11:00.004-04:00

How could we visit the Outer Banks without talking about planes. Afterall, we were just down the street from Kitty Hawk, home to the first airplane flight. Even the state quarter proclaims the importance of flight to North Carolina.

1. Lunch snack of plane toast and cheese clouds

2. Painting Bread (Previous Tutorial here)

3 & 4. Disney's Pedro Story

5. North Carolina state quarter depicting the first flight

6. Our butterfly glider (from the Sonic kid's meal)... our poor glider. This guy went through a lot... nose dives in the sand, swimming in the ocean, and basically being man-handled by a three-year-old.

Theme of the Day: Kites

2010-08-06T09:19:00.000-04:00

Somehow kites and the Outer Banks seem to go hand in hand. Perhaps it is all the hang gliding, or perhaps it is the history of flight here. Whatever the reason, our next little mini-theme is... KITES.

Kites of all shapes and sizes...

outdoor kites flown together...

Indoor Kites made together...

(just made from a sheet of scrapbooking paper, a few pieces of ribbon, two long match sticks we found in the beach cottage (match end broken off), and some tape)

Kite songs sung together...

And, of course, dancing along the beach while singing the chorus "one more time" multiple times, all to the harmony of a toddler's giggles.

Theme of the Day: Fish

2010-08-05T17:23:00.001-04:00

We are away at the beach and having a wonderful time. Building sand castles, playing in the surf, and enjoying time together... it's been a relaxing beak. And inspired by Katherine Marie's Theme Weeks, I thought it would be fun to do some mini theme afternoons, based on our vacation. Our first theme... FISH.

Our starting point... Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale by Marcus Pfister, picked up at the local Manteo Booksellers.

From there we decided to have a little fun...

(1) Goldfish for snacks, parmesan and honey since Mommy doesn't like the original
(2 & 3) Fish in Water, aka Blue Jello with Honey Goldfish
(4) Grilled Cheese "Fish" with Blueberry "Bubbles" (idea absolutely from Katherine Marie)

Now back to swimming in the sea and building sand castles.

Red, White & Summer Free Downloadables

2010-07-31T21:56:00.000-04:00

Here are a few downloadables from the party if you want to create your own summertime party...

Thank you Notes
Here are some simple little thank you notes that emulate the red and white bunting from the party.

Thank You Notes

Food Labels
These are just basic cards that you can write your own menu items on. Attach with red clothespins and you are set.

Food Labels

Embroidery Hoop Food Guards

2010-07-26T17:35:00.001-04:00

I can't claim credit for this idea. It came from the ever-fabulous Martha Stewart. The only thing I can claim credit for is spray painting the hoops red to match my birthday party. However, I am now a huge fan and will be using this for all outdoor gatherings.

Cost... minimal. Effort... minimal. Keeping bugs off your food... priceless.

Supplies:

Embroidery hoops
Red spray paint
Cheesecloth

Instructions:

Remove the screw from the embroidery hoop
Spray paint both hoops, covering completely
Replace the screw
Cut two pieces of cheesecloth larger than the embroidery hoop.
Place the cheesecloth, double layered, between the two hoops and tighten until secure

It's that easy!

Red, White, and Summer Birthday Celebration

2010-07-25T17:34:00.001-04:00

Well, our month long of celebrations has finally ended. And the concluding event was a birthday celebration my husband threw for me. It started a little hectic as the weather was not cooperating. We planned the event for outside, and the morning of the party, we knew there was a 40% chance of thunderstorms at 5pm, exactly when we were scheduled to start.

4:00pm: Start setting up outside.

4:30pm: Winds pick up and begin watching sky nervously

4:45pm: A few drops fall, so move everything inside

5:00pm: Guests arrive, reminding me why we were having the party outside

5:30pm: Realize that outside is beautiful and everyone pitches in to move the party outside

Perhaps it is because I am a July baby with ruby red running deep within me. Perhaps it is because red, white, and blue prevail this time of year. Perhaps it is just the image of red and white picnic blankets. Whatever the cause, I wanted a playful red and white party that embraced summer. Thus, this party was born.

It was a great night. The kids had a great time on the playset while the adults relaxed on the deck. The menu was simple... a Burger Bar. My husband fired up the grill and we put out a variety of ingredients so that everyone could have their own custom burger. We even included a few suggestions to help folks out.

Suggestions for Burger Creations

I was allowed a few hand-crafted details, but only a few. After all, my husband was throwing this party. Some of those additions included red clothespins with food labels and wrapping the utensils and napkins in fun polka-dot paper (Michaels) and a little red and white baker's twine (Paper and Parcel).

Bouquet from my Mother that matched perfectly

(Funny enough, the other bouquet on the table was from another friend and also matched. I apparently inspire sunflowers, which I loved!)

Cucumber Water and Lemonade to beat the heat

Celebrating Summer... blueberries and watermelon, plus some peppers and onions for the burger bar

Vintage Paper Straws from HeyYoYo

Red bicycle on top of a lemon pound cake (Bike from HeyYoYo)

"Ant" cupcakes in fun red gingham cupcake wrappers (from HeyYoYo)

Sunflowers inside

Red and White Pennant Banner hanging inside (meant for outside but ended up inside due to the weather)

2010-07-16T12:04:00.000-04:00

I interrupt these regularly scheduled posts to offer my overdue thanks to several lovely ladies.

The Sew*er, the Caker, the CopyCat Maker was so wonderfully sweet in mentioning me in her awards for "Blogs with Substance." I am so jealous of her sewing skills (isn't this red and blue shirt adorable), cake decorating skills (I want this cake for my husband... plus thanks for validating that marshmallow fondant actually works), and her Kid Wash. Don't know what a Kid Wash is? Well, you can read all about it on her blog.

Straight Stitches recognized me for "the versatile blogger" award. Once again I am so envious of people who can actually sew. This continues to be the primary skill I need to learn. And besides her adorable creations, she has such a sense of humour in her writing. Case in point... her lovely floor candlesticks and their practicality in situations with recently mobile children, a situation I am struggling with daily as my little one gets closer and closer to crawling. (And as a final side... hooray for Virginia)

Stepping Thru Crazy also recognized me with "the versatile blogger" award. (Sarah, if you are reading this, I so want those blue ballet flats in your header) I LOVE this ladies tank she created. (Have I mentioned that I REALLY need to learn how to sew?) And her house sign... too cute, particularly since it is flanked by my beloved red geraniums. She has so many diverse projects that you can never get bored. And she does it all with three daughters. Absolutely amazing.

Thank you ladies so much for your recognition. I greatly appreciate it and can offer no excuse for my tardiness in expressing my thanks.

Happy Birthday To Me

2010-07-14T22:04:00.000-04:00

This is what greeted me for my birthday today. Those cupcakes... pink champagne cupcakes my husband made. A little parade of pink fluffiness greeted me when I walked in the door tonight, accented by a beautiful floral bouquet my mother had left for me. I am one blessed woman.

Red, White, and Summer

2010-07-13T01:20:00.002-04:00

For those of you wondering when this became a party blog, this is my life these days. In exactly a one month period we have my husband's birthday, my daughter's birthday, our wedding anniversary, and my birthday, not to mention Father's Day and the Fourth of July. Needless to say, we have had a number of cakes (or cupcakes) recently.

Generally my birthday celebrations have been low key due to summer plans. Don't get me wrong... they have been wonderful birthdays. But last week my husband and I were talking and I decided I wanted a party this year. Since that was two weeks before my birthday (and since we left on vacation the next day), it will be a relaxed gathering. The rules: I can dictate the theme and ideas, but my husband is throwing the party and I can only do as many "details" as bring me joy and not stress. I am a blessed woman.

Here's the inspiration:

Row 1: Martha Stewart Classic Lemonade; Poms from Etsy; Red Gingham Oilcloth; Bicycle Cake Topper from HeyYoYo

Rows 2&3: Chocolate Dipped Rice Crispy Popsicles from Twig & Thistle; Evite Picnic; Martha Stewart Pretzel Sparklers; Martha Stewart Classic Burger; Red Stripe Paper Straws from HeyYoYo

Row 4: Paper Flag Bunting from Etsy; Red Balloons; Firecracker Flowers from BHG; Red Polka Dot Oil Cloth

I'll share more as it comes together in the next week. I hope you are all having a lovely summer (or winter, depending on your hemisphere).

Apple Red Beauties

2010-07-11T22:51:00.001-04:00

I have a current love affair with red. Just look at these Apple Red beauties. They are part of a project coming up soon. I had great fun spray painting them this afternoon. And after enjoying the glorious red of the clothespins, I found myself looking for even more red around me.

This is an easy project. Just spray paint one side, let dry, flip and paint the other side, let dry, and done. Loveliness to enjoy in so many ways... maybe hanging clothes, maybe for other purposes.

My Dancing Princess

2010-07-09T00:44:00.005-04:00

Forgive me today, but today is a sentimental post. My baby girl just went to her first ballet class tonight. I am so excited. You see, here is a little background on me... I love to dance. I danced all growing up and through high school, finally settling on jazz as being a friendlier style to my body build than ballet. Pre-children I took some adult dance classes. And even last summer I took a Latin Broadway jazz class in my third trimester (quick secret... all the hip moves were great for working out the pregnancy soreness in my back). I think all the pirouettes then are the reason my baby boy still loves being spinned.

So, it was with great excitement that I took my newly three-year-old to her first ballet class today. She was riot. At the moment, she loves dancing. I am sure the day may come when she tells me that she doesn't want to dance, and I'll accept that day and encourage her as she finds her own passion. But in the meantime, I am loving watching her twirl in those leather ballet slippers with her tutu swirling around her.

Fresh off of a boating vacation, I promise to bring craft projects back soon. Until then, have a lovely July...

Twirling Tutu

2010-07-03T07:08:00.001-04:00

My Twirling Tot

This is the last birthday-related post. However, I realized that I never shared the birthday girl in her "birthday tutu." She wore this over her swimsuit when her friends arrived. She wore it later with an orange and white tank top. And she's worn it many times since to play around the house.

I had no idea how easy making a tutu was... just tulle and elastic, and absolutely no sewing. I looked at a couple of different tutorials to come up with my own design. However, one of the best tips was Treaure for Tot's cutting method. I made my tutu a little longer, about 13". I cut my cardboard guide to 13" and then only cut one end after wrapping the tulle.

Summertime Swinging

Twirling and Watering the Garden

Under the Sea Free Downloadables

2010-06-29T00:39:00.001-04:00

Here are some free printables from my daughter's Under the Sea Birthday Party. Enjoy!

Note: These printed darker blue on my printer than they appear on-line. The printed color more closely matches the photos.

Straw Labels:
Just print these labels on adhesive paper. Cut out each label, peel off the backing, wrap it around the straw, and cut the end using any scissors you like. I used ones with a "ripped" design.

One page contains eight "Three" flags and eight "Under the Sea" flags

Under the Sea Straw Flags

Napkin Wrappers:

Just print these labels on regular paper. Wrap your utensils in the napkins. Cut out each wrapper (I actually cut each in half as well), wrap around the napkin bundle, and adhere with double-sided tape. Punch out a crab shape from white paper and glue on top.

One page contains 10 wrappers (5 cut into two pieces each)

Under the Sea Napkin Wrappers

Birthday Banner
I designed this originally to be folded over. However, in the end I cut out just the square (not the blank fold-over piece), punched the corners, and thread ribbon through. There's a blank square if you want to hang it on one string. However, I strung "Happy" and "Birthday" on two separate ribbons.

Under the Sea Birthday Banner

Coloring Sheets
There were just printed on regular paper, cut into 4 individual squares, and set out with a pail of crayons for anyone who was tired of playing in the water.

One sheet contains 4 coloring pages.

Under the Sea Coloring Sheets

Cup Stickers
Just print on adhesive paper and cut out circles using a 1 1/2" circle punch. Adhere to cups and you are finished.

One sheet contains 30 stickers.

Under the Sea Cup Stickers

Barrette Holders for Favor Buckets
Print on cardstock and cut out each square. Then cut slits in the square and slip barrettes through. Could be used for other favors as well.

One sheet includes 6 cards.

Under the Sea Barrette Holder

The Invitations

2010-06-25T22:28:00.001-04:00

The invitations... these were simple DIY invites printed at home. (Sadly, they are cuter without the bars blocking personal information, but such is life.) Given the vibrancy of the background, I kept the invite rather simple with just a few coral accents and some bubbles. The text was kept white except for the birthday girl's name and the number 3, both of which were accented in orange. (Download Available Below)

I made envelope inserts again similar to the ones from the Owls and Books Baby Shower. However, this time I designed the background myself (the same "Under the Sea and Turning 3" message) and printed it on adhesive paper. This definitely adhered better than gluing regular paper. However, it was also a little tricky to get into the envelope smoothly. It was less forgiving and didn't allow for re-positioning. (Download Available Below)

On the outside, I printed return address labels on adhesive paper. They were cut out using my 1 1/2" circle punch. It's hard to tell when I blocked the personal info, but the name was orange and the address was in white on the same blue background as the invitation. I wrapped it ever-so-slightly around the edge of the invitation, but you could also just cut off any excess if you want the back clean.

If you want to create this yourself, keep reading.

Creating Your Own "Under the Sea" Invitation

Just download the image below and paste it into a document editor. Then add your text on top of the image, and you have an invitation.

INVITE SIZE: 5" x 4"

--------------------------------------------------------

FONT: Candara

--------------------------------------------------------

COLOR	R	G	B	NOTES
Blue	0	176	240	Background
Orange	255	102	0	Coral; Accent Text
White	255	255	255	Bubbles; Main Text

You can also download the background paper here.
Invitation Envelope Insert

Parting Favors...

2010-06-23T07:00:00.002-04:00

Here's a closer look at the favor buckets. I had three (almost four) variations for the kids... little girls (ages 3-6), little boys (all 3), and babies.

BOYS AND GIRLS
The girls' and boys' pails included orange kool-aid play dough, finger puppets and bubbles.

The play dough was based off of Roots & Wings Co recipe. This was a fun recipe that my daughter was able to help with. She loved kneading the dough. Then I rolled it out, cut it with a fish cookie cutter, and packaged it up.

The finger puppets included a shark and a fish, made from basic felt. The fish is based on the same fish paper punch that was used elsewhere.

The boys received a second large set of bubbles while the girls received two barrette sets... one orange curly barrette and then a fish set (I shared the tutorial previously).

BABIES
For the babies, I dyed burp clothes blue and stenciled crabs on them. I also made little pacifier clips out of an anchor-design ribbon. Then the baby girls received smaller variations of the same barrettes as the girls.

The burp clothes were really simple. I punched crabs out of freezer paper using the same Martha Stewart paper punch as I had on some of the other crafts. Then I ironed the stencil to the burp cloth, shiny side down. The crab was painted with a matte fabric paint. Once it dried, I removed the stencil and ironed the design to set the paint.

This was the first time I ever made kids favors, and I have to say that it was a lot of fun.

Under the Sea and Turning Three

2010-06-21T22:08:00.007-04:00

It was a beautiful day... warm, sunny, perfect for our outdoor water party. I can't believe that my little girl is three. But what better way to celebrate than playing with friends while the adults relax and look-on. Here are a few shots from the day.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
Given that the kids were running back and forth between the playset, the kiddie pool, and the sprinkler activities, there was easy to grab food for the kids... small sandwiches, cones with goldfish, carrots with hummus, and fresh fruit. And to appeal to adult palettes... grilled shrimp kabobs, grilled chicken kabobs, and a mediterranean orzo pasta. Drinks included homemade lemonade, freshly-brewed sweet tea, and blue buckets filled with ice and capri sun pouches. Keeping the kids hydrated was a priority.

The backdrop for the buffet table was a collection of water photos of my baby girl. I can't believe how much she has grown since her first beach trip.

And for anyone who wanted a lower key activity... coloring. Only note, watch out for leaving crayons in direct sun. We have some wax to get off that table now.

SWEETS GALORE

We kept the sweets inside the house and used them as an excuse to get out of the sun for a little while. The dessert table included lemon cupcakes with sparkly blue frosting, lemon-creme-filled cookies, "clam" cookies, rice krispy balls, and blue and white candies.

Favor buckets were lined up along the edges of the table. The favors were customized for the girls, the boys, and the babies.

It was a great day. Happy Birthday, my princess.

Party Inspiration: Lavender and Lemon

2010-06-19T06:54:00.000-04:00

I'm entering full party-mode in preparation for my daughter's birthday this weekend. Hopefully I will get some pictures to share. Until then, I want to leave you with an inspiration.

Back in April I asked what projects you all might like to see. Well, one dear reader wrote that she is preparing for her mother's 60th birthday in August. Her mother loves gardening, cross stitch, and, of course, her grandchildren. The family has fantastic plans for her. However, here's a little more inspiration...

Invitations or Cards

How cute is this card from Upon a Fold. Imagine a special stitched message. Just attach a label on the other side with party decorations, and you have an amazing invitation.

Source: Upon a Fold

Or for a more graphical look, check-out this one that Julia (Picture Party) found. I love the yellow.

Source: Picture Party

Lemon and Lavender

When I came across Kate from Centsational Girl's lavender lemon cake, I thought what a delicious theme for a party... soft yellows and vibrant purples. Lemon and Lavender flavors, maybe with some rosemary as well.

Isn't her cake lovely.

Source: Centsational Girl

Ilenia from Simply Nabiki threw an amazing lavender-themed party for her mother's birthday, that is full of amazing ideas. My favorite details are (1) the chocolate cake balls rolled in lilac non pareils (my own mother loves when I make cake balls) and...

Source: Simply Nabiki

... (2) the sandwich toppers with photos of her mother when she was younger. What a cute idea.

Source: Simply Nabiki

I hope these ideas help to inspire you. Now time to return to party prep here.

Eat More Cake

2010-06-15T00:28:00.001-04:00

Sometimes birthdays get lost as an adult. I hate to say it, but sometimes it happens. For my poor husband, this year was one of those years. Our son had surgery last week. Our daughter turns three this coming weekend. And right there smack in the middle is my husband's birthday.

Given the craziness, we went low key. No party. No guests. Just a family dinner (which is crazy enough with a toddler and baby). We embraced my husband's love of lime with grilled chipotle lime shrimp and chicken, a black bean and corn salad in lime vinaigrette, and homemade limeades. And of course, what birthday would be complete without cake... or in this case, margarita cupcakes.

I used the cake batter from Annie's Eats recipe. However, I improvised on the icing and just made a basic buttercream with the addition of lime juice, lime zest, and salt. (No tequila since these are toddler-friendly.) I highly recommend either sprinkling the cupcake with coarser salt or rimming the cupcake... your preference. The salt really makes a difference and adds a sweet/salty contrast.

Thankfully I won a giveaway from Not Just a Mommy a month or so ago for the Meri Meri cupcake set Eat More Cake. These are adorable and I have been saving them for a special occasion. What could be more special than this?

Aren't they adorable. I particularly love the wrappers. And my daughter had so much fun putting the toppers on all the cupcakes. She kept asking what was in the presents. Oh, I love toddler conversations.

With two more birthdays, Father's Day, and a wedding anniversary all in less than a month long period, I have a feeling that I will be saying this a lot. However, let me leave you with this sentiment anyways... Eat More Cake.

Inspiration from South Africa

2010-06-13T18:15:00.000-04:00

I love how the blogosphere brings people together from all over the world. It creates this amazing sense of community for sharing ideas. There are so many crafts that other bloggers have inspired me to delve into... felt food, freezer paper stenciling, ribbon barrettes, etc. I'm indebted to so many.

I was honored this past week when Joyful Mama (from South Africa, host of the World Cup, which I hope everyone is watching) wrote that she was linking to my felt sugar cookie post. Even more exciting was when I looked at her creations. I have to make that cupcake. Isn't it too yummy!

SOURCE: Joyful Mama

http://joyfulmamasplace.blogspot.com/

You can check out more at Joyful Mama's Place.

Who has inspired you today?

The Countdown is On...

2010-06-11T11:34:00.000-04:00

The countdown is on for my daughter's birthday. Since she is beginning to grasp the concept of time (though everything in the past was yesterday and everything in the future is tomorrow), we created a little countdown chain for her to enjoy. The first orange ring is for Daddy's Birthday. The second orange ring at the top is for her Birthday Party. For her, it is a reminder of how soon her party is. For Mommy, it's a reminder of how little time she has left for preparations. Obviously, I'll have a busy weekend.

Happy Friday to you. May your weekend be a delightful one.

Joy in little things...

2010-06-09T21:00:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed in some of my other photos that there is this bowl of lettuce that keeps showing up in the background. Well, I thought I'd share today a little story of why I find this bowl so fun and why I keep it prominently on my outdoor dining table. It's partially because I love the visual texture and freshness. It's partially because I love that feeling of growing a tiny bit of my own food (most of my garden is herbs). It's partially because I enjoy teaching my children where food comes from.

However, I must admit that the primary reason I love this is because of the sly look my almost-three-year-old gives me when she swipes a leaf and thinks she's getting away with something. I never knew that the secret to getting a toddler to eat her greens is to make it seem like an adventure. It makes me laugh every time.

What made you laugh today?

Please wash your hands...

2010-06-08T01:17:00.000-04:00

My friend recently had a beautiful baby girl, born at 34 weeks after a long period of bed rest for Mommy. She is absolutely precious. With such a tiny three week old baby, it was completely understandable that my friend was nervous about an upcoming family reunion. She mentioned having seen a mother at a store with a sign that essentially said to please not touch the baby. However, she was too shy to ask her where she got it. It turns out that there are several etsy shops that sell these style of signs. However, there wasn't time to order one... thus this one was born.

The tag is pink and brown to replicate much of her nursery decor. I designed this one using MS Word (because I still need to buy better design software). One side asks that people wash their hands. On the other side, her name. (Isabel... isn't that a beautiful name.) It was printed double-sided on cardstock and then laminated. All that was left was to punch a ribbon hole in top, thread the ribbon through, and attach to the car seat.

Art in little places

2010-06-06T23:07:00.001-04:00

Want a fun playtime activity for the kids (depending on their age) or yourself. Grab some different colored sharpies and ziploc bags and go to town. I was inspired by To Be Charmed's post about spicing up Ziploc bags. So much fun.

I started decorating a few bags to store strawberries, but then I just couldn't stop. My creations are nowhere near the originals. But, they were fun.

So go, grab a few pens, and create your own generations. Packed sandwiches are so much more fun when adorned with a little sailboat or with Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.

Baby Food

2010-06-04T07:00:00.007-04:00

With the season's bounty coming in, I want to start preparing homemade baby food for my son. Plus, he's starting to move toward chunkier foods and I don't like the options in the store. I've started introducing him to pure avocado and peach. And this weekend I want to try out Honest Fare's Zucchini and Potato recipe, as featured on Ohdeedoh.

What are other good sources for more advanced baby foods? I definitely want to start working on some options for my little man... maybe even biter biscuits.

Strawberry White Grape Jello with Fresh Fruit and Panna Cotta

2010-06-03T23:26:00.002-04:00

As promised, here is the recipe for the Strawberry White Grape Jello with Fresh Fruit and Panna Cotta. Bon appétit.

RECIPE
For the Jello:
1 gelatin package
1 cup water
2 cups Strawberry White Grape juice
Fresh fruit (blueberries and strawberries)

Combine gelatin and water in a bowl. Heat the juice in a saucepan on medium high. Combine with gelatin and water. Once slightly cool, pour mixture into containers so that they are 1/3 to 1/2 full. Add fresh fruit and place in fridge to set overnight.

For the Panna Cotta (based on Tartelette recipe):
2 tbls cold water
2 tsp gelatin
2 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup yogurt

Combine gelatin and cold water in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat. Once steaming, remove from heat and whisk in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Stir in the yogurt until combined. Let stand for 30 minutes until slightly cooled. Pour a layer of panna cotta on top of the gelatin mixture. Return to refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

The Red, White, and Blue

2010-05-31T21:24:00.002-04:00

I have a confession, and I hope that it doesn't turn some of you off. You see, I have a confusing relationship with the American flag. It seems to generate conflicting emotions in me. On one hand, I am proud to be an American (or United Statesean for those of you from the non-US Americas), but I am also wary of hyper-nationalism. I enjoy the freedoms that the US offers, but I also believe there are opportunities to learn from other cultures. I define patriotism not as unquestioning following of the government, but as pushing for the best for my fellow citizens. With that said, I find myself nervous when it feels like the American flag is paraded out to garner an emotional response and is used to designate disagreement as a lack of patriotism. I warned you I was conflicted.

With all that said though, every year when summer hits, I find myself wanting flags. Perhaps it is the plethora of patriotic holidays at this time... Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July. Perhaps it is because summer seems to be filled with so many of my favorite quintessential American practices like barbeques, corn on the cob, sweet southern tea, popsicles and ice cream trucks, and even running through sprinklers. Perhaps it is the influence of growing up on and near Marine bases with all the color guard ceremonies and military parades. I'm not sure what the cause is. But this year, I have decided to embrace my craving for the red, white, and blue... via food.

BLUE [Breakfast]

I thought I'd have a little fun with it since I was at home. So, we had tea and coffee (for the adults) in our blue mug collection, paired with blue and white dishes and our blue and white "napkins" (a local french restaurant uses dish towels as napkins during lunch, and I have adopted the idea with these blue and white dishtowels).

The menu:

tea, coffee, and milk (in other words, mommy, daddy, and daughter... baby boy's too little)
homemade pop-tarts with strawberry jam or with lemon curd and blueberries
fresh blueberries

RED [Lunch]

Continuing the color theme, we went red for lunch... red Hawaiian quilt napkins with the same blue and white dishes.

The menu:

White grape and strawberry punch
Rolled ham and turkey sandwiches
Fresh peach slices
Red, white, and blue parfait (strawberries, blueberries, and freshly whipped cream)

AND ALL AMERICAN [Dinner]

And Memorial Day wouldn't be complete without a little grilling. In our case, the meal took a slight Italian twist.

The menu:

Sweet Tea and Lemonade
Burgers (with a little brushetta mix and romano cheese incorporated with the meat)
Potato Salad (Roasted Red Potatoes with Pesto and Olives)
Strawberry White Grape Jello with Fresh Fruit and Panna Cotta (recipe in the next post)

I'm realizing looking back on the day that we really need to eat some greens tomorrow. Fruit seemed to dominate today. Oh well... it was fun. I hope your meals were even more delicious.

This post is linked with:

Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff "Red, White, and Blue"