A Lorax Birthday

Yesterday we had a much overdue birthday celebration.  Little turned eight in December.  December, however,  is a tough month for birthdays.  Thus we've made a habit of putting off her actual party until late winter. 

This year we decided to go see The Lorax.  We made truffula tree cupcakes, embroidered party favors, lorax moustaches and little potting jars complete with a pack of seeds. You can see my inspiration board here.  

I'm doing my best not to go overboard and thus only permitted Little to invite a few girls.  If she'd had her druthers she'd have invited her whole class.  I was definitely not up for that.  I prefer keeping things small and homemade.  

Project notes: 

• The embroidery project was fun.  I found great tufted yarn from Michaels.  It made wonderful Truffula tree toppers.   
• The little pots were on sale at JoAnns.  I used a set of letter stamps and a touch of black paint to add the "unless" to the surface.  
• I found these great stripey straws on Etsy.  I used them for both the moustache handles and the Truffula tree trunks. 
• I was going to make my own cotton candy for the tree toppers but decided that was too ambitious.  We found cotton candy at a local candy shop.  The fresher the better with your cotton candy -- it will shrink up and not look so good over time.  In other words get fresh cotton candy and make your trees the day of the party (preferably just before the party).  
• The moustaches were cut from a yellow school folder -- a six moustaches for .59 cents.  Can't beat that!

Checking out the river before the movie

We had everyone dropped off at the house and then drove them to the movies.  The girls were WILD before the movie -- running, charging, screaming, giggling.  What was I thinking taking five eight-year-olds to the theater?  We made it there successfully and no one fell in the river.

Once at the theater we bought a large tub of popcorn and divvied it up into paper lunch bags; one for each girl.  Thankfully they calmed down once the movie started and a good time was had by all.

Phew!  Another successful birthday complete, for another year at least.

xo.

Babies!

There must be something in the water because several people are expecting babies this year.  This is a perfect excuse for me to get my craft on.  I've been pinning baby projects like crazy.  And no, Mom, it's not me who is expecting.  With all these new little fingers and toes out there I'd best get busy!

Purl Bee Lap Duvet

Hospital Survival Kit

Purl Bee Flannel Receiving Blanket

Moving Mountains Baby Blanket

Aviatrix Baby Hat

Wash Cloth Duckie

Vintage Inspired Alphabet Cards

xo.  

Bedtime Lanterns

As summer winds down we merge into new routines. School appropriate routines. This means sleeping in our respective rooms; in our own beds, purchased for our very own selves. This opposed to sleeping where the sandman hits whether that be the living room floor, the couch, mama's reading chair or mama and papa's bed.

These unorthodox sleeping arrangements are permitted in the summer because, quite frankly, upstairs is a sauna. But autumn is nearly here. The nights are cool. And its time. The children are resistant. They like the status quo. But it must be done.

Today, while waiting at the orthodontist, I flipped through Parenting; The Early Years. A project caught my eye. Jar lanterns. And so we pulled out the mod podge and some ribbon. We punched out fall leaves and got to work. At Michaels I found inexpensive no flame candles. Voila! The perfect nightlight to carry upstairs.

Now it seems I have some tucking in to do.

G'night!

Homemade Holiday Gift Idea

This is hardly a new idea. It's been floating around the web for quite a while. Last year I made a set with photos from an old fairy tale book. For this particular game I used scrapbook paper. Truth-be-told I like working with the scrap paper better -- it is thicker and less prone to bubbling. If you choose to print your own photos perhaps print them on card stock.

This craft is easy -- scrapbook paper, a paper cutter, card stock, wooden tiles and mod-podge. Cut your paper to size and glue on the blocks. Easy peasy. If you want to add extra protection follow up with a coat of clear acrylic spray paint (it's probably worth it but a bit smelly). Top it off with fun drawstring bag like this one and you are ready to go; a frugal, fun and educational gift.

This is a birthday gift for a seven-year-old. Last year we gave this same girl an I Spy Bag. As my children's friends continue to grow I'm going to have to get more and more creative. Ideas are always welcome!! I'd love to hear what you make and do!

And now I must go get ready. Middle and I are going to participate in our town's annual Jingle Bell Run. It is chilly outside -- all white and gray. Off to find the wool handknits -- hats, gloves and scarves. Have a wonderful weekend!

OoOoooh! Shiny!

On Flickr I belong to a group called Solidarity League of Creative Women Distracted by ooooh! Shiny! And here's why. This morning I was online researching snow globes. My research led me to this post which led me to this post.

Suddenly I NEEDED to cover a jar lid in paper. Had I ever considered this before? No. Of course not. And yet the desire was present and strong. So I went with it. Fortunately I already had origami paper, mod podge and jars. Above you can see the result.

Now off to find some pencils .... OoOoooh! Shiny!

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What are you up to this weekend?

Frugal Friday - I Spy Bag

My youngest was invited to a five-year-old birthday party later this month. The minute we got the invitation I knew what I wanted to make - an I Spy Bag. Of course the invention is not my own; it's been floating around the web for a while. I couldn't find a specific tutorial but the bag was easy enough to make without one. Here are the basic steps:

• Go buy clear heavy-duty plastic from your local fabric store (I bought 1/2 yard on sale for $2.00 and still have quite a bit left-over).
• Send your children on a scavenger hunt around the house for small treasures (this keeps the kids busy, clears the clutter from your house and saves you money).
• Make a list of the trinkets to be included in each bag.
  
• Find some fabric scraps (do you remember this project? I used left over fabric from that - once a curtain now a book bag and a toy).
  
• Cut the fabric into two squares (or any other shape you wish).
  
• Cut a window into the front square in any shape desired (I made a square window by cutting four triangular flaps and folding them over. This left a nice clean edge. )
• Cut a piece of plastic in the same shape as your hole only larger, in and sew to the wrong side of the fabric using a straight stitch. (Note: on another I Spy Bag I cut the window as a star shape then used a zig-zag stitch to attach the plastic which kept the fabric from fraying).
  
• Pin right sides of the fabric together and stitch the bag edges. Be sure to leave an opening to turn right side out.
  
• Fold the edges of the opening in and iron to make closure easier after filling.
  
• Fill the bag with rice and trinkets (a creamer pitcher works great for this).
  
• Top-stitch to close bag. For a professional look top-stitch the entire border of the bag.
• Print a list of the bag contents and laminate (I simply used clear packing tape).
  
• Attach list to bag (I plan to use a pretty ribbon).
  

After we finished the I Spy bag I whipped up a quick draw-string gift bag ala Heather Ross. And voila - a quick simple inexpensive and original gift.


It turns out my kids also wanted I Spy bags so I made them each one too (they are five, nine and thirteen ... even the teenager wanted one of his own). And finally I made a bag for my niece. All told I made five bags in an afternoon. These would be great party-favors and are also perfect for summer car rides.

Happy Sewing and Happy Frugal Friday!

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