Madeline’s Owl Birthday Party

Tags

birthday, kids birthday party, owl decor, owl party, tutorials

Now that it’s been almost a month, here are some photos from Mad’s owl-themed birthday party.  As she would say, it’s been cwazy around here.

I love this age.  Kids are so appreciative. :)

Sweet birthday girl

It’s hard to believe the child is four already.  Seems like just yesterday she was doing her weird little scoot-thing across the floor.I had so much fun with the decorations.  I think she secretly (or not so secretly) regretted changing her mind about the Angry Bird theme (I already have orders that she wants Angry Birds for her 5th party), but being the selfish, owl-smitten momma that I am, I’m happy that she can’t ever decide on something without changing her mind at least once.
I like the brown kraft paper backdrop.  I just like brown kraft paper, period.  On everything.  Although if you see my kids wearing it, you may want to stop me.  I can’t draw worth a hoot (hehe) so I cut an owl out of paper and he and his branch filled in the gap nicely.  I’ve probably already said this, but my favorite part is the sweet little fabric banner.

The girls loved the owl paper lanterns.  Tears may have been shed when I removed the eyes, wings, and beaks.  (To make up for it, I had them draw owl bodies on paper and let them re-apply all the body parts, so now they have their own owl papers.  Not quite as cool as owl lanterns…)

My attempt at an owl cake.  I actually thought it was kind of cute, in a odd-owl sort of way.  It was light pink, although it doesn’t look like it in the photos.  Silly me, forgot to take a photo before I put it on the green table.  Duh.

Any excuse to make owl cupcakes, right?  So stinkin cute.

And since I always make a zillion too many cupcakes I got to break out my cupcakes stands.  OH WELL.

They blended right in with the mini poms.   ;)

I meant to order owl plates and cups but I forgot until it was too late, so I made some myself.  Don’t worry, I left the plates alone.  ;)
The goody bags.  I love em. Way cuter than the cups, which I kind of hated.

The loot.  I made little stuffed owls, owl bookmarks, and owl hairclips, then stuffed the bag full of random treats and small toys.Aren’t they cute?!

This kid.  Almost makes me want another one so I can start all over again.  But then I would have to, you know, start ALL OVER.  Again. 

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations

Owl Paper Lanterns

Tags

DIY owl decor, owl paper lanterns, owl party, owl party decor

This is probably one of the most self-explanatory projects I’ve ever made, but they’re so cute that I thought they deserved their own post.

Behold, the owl paper lantern.

Paper lanterns are super popular right now, and unlike the chevron and yarn wreath crazes, I’m happily willing to jump right on this bandwagon.

I’m sure there are lots of companies you can order these lovelies from, but my go-to place (and probably the most popular) is Luna Bazaar. They have an extensive collection – pretty much any color or style you could imagine or desire.
They’re also affordable, which wins me over every time. ;)

So now that I’ve said all that, here’s how to put these babies together.

Supply list:

White cardstock
Black cardstock
Orange/yellow cardstock or foam
Paper lanterns
Coordinating cardstock or patterned paper
Scissors
Glue dots (or hot glue)

Cut large circles out of the white cardstock for the eyes.
Cut smaller circles from the black cardstock and glue together.
Cut out wings in desired shapes/sizes and glue on the sides.
Cut out a beak and glue under the eyes.

I admit, I intended to add some feet to the bottom, but forgot.
In fact, I think I forgot to add feet to any of the owl decorations.
Guess owl feet aren’t my thing.
Maybe Regina’s, though…
(Don’t ask.)

You could also add ears. I was lazy pressed for time so I didn’t.
Hang from the ceiling and you have instant owl decor.
I used glue dots so I could remove the owl-ness and keep the paper lanterns for other uses.
Stick around long enough and you’ll probably see them around here again.

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations

Make your own fabric banners

Tags

DIY pennant banner, fabric banner tutorial, party banner

I love fabric pennant banners.
They’re a great photo prop, can be made any size, and you just need a few scraps of fabric to piece one together.
I love how versatile they can be, depending on the fabric used.

Here’s how easy they are to make:

Make a template out of paper or cardboard first. Your measurements can be whatever you choose, but the height should be 1″ taller than the width.
I made mine 4″ x 5″.
Figure out how long your want your banner and cut out twice as many triangles as you need.

With right sides together sew each triangle on the long sides, leaving the top open to turn. Turn each right side out and iron flat.

Using ribbon, twine, bias tape, or lace, pin each flag into place, making sure they are evenly spaced.
Sew together, which both holds them in place, and covers the unfinished edge, leaving a length of ribbon on each end.

I love these.
I want one in every color, size, and pattern.
:)

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations

Fluffy Mini Pom tutorial

Tags

DIY pom centerpiece, mini fluffy pom tutorial, parties, tutorial

I made a few of these little poms for the table at Madeline’s owl party last week.
They’re festive and cute, and only take a minute to whip up.

Layer 4 pieces of tissue paper (9″x12″), alternating colors.

Fold over, lengthwise, and make even cuts along the unfolded side, leaving about 1/2 inch uncut.

Holding the uncut edge, fold lengthwise, twisting the end, and secure with tape.

Fluff the pom and display in small vases/cups.

Parties I link to: Craft-O-Maniac, Sew Can Do, Sew Chatty, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Skip to My Lou, Chef In Training, Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Todays Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, Mandy’s Recipe Box, My Girlish Whims, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Sew Much Ado, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, House of Hepworths,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, A Glimpse Inside, Delicate Construction, Tidy Mom, Thirty Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, Flamingo Toes, Six Sisters Stuff, Naptime Creations

Ten Things {I’ve learned about hosting childrens birthday parties}

Tags

birthday, Humor, Lists, parties, ten things

I just finished hosting my 9th birthday party for my kids.
Not 9th birthday party (as in age).
Not child #9′s party. (Ha!)

Ninth, as in total parties.
Which, in my opinion, pretty much makes me an expert at them. ;)

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• First, my kids always start their special days off with a special attitude.  As in, MEAN, with a side of selfish.  That always makes me want to do something nice for them.  Just swell.
• Next, kids REALLY appreciate the countless man-hours (or rather, woman-hours) that I’ve put into all the fancies for their party….for about two minutes.  So, let’s be real.  All that cute stuff is just to make me happy.
• Whenever a kid picks a theme, and then changes their mind, just go with option #1.  Do not, I repeat, do NOT, start making/buying stuff for theme #2 (especially if the kid is Miss-Change-Her-Mind-A-Million-Times-Madeline), because then you’ll be looking a huge, tearful eyes while you explain that, “no, you changed your mind about the Angry Bird party, so we’re doing owls.”  Just save yourself the trouble, and tune out anything they say after they voice option 1.
• Every kid, no matter how shy, wants their glory day in the hot sun.  If you don’t speak Nacho Libre (shame on you!) that means they want to blow their own candles out and have everyone stare at them while they do it.  Applause is accepted, as well.
• Maybe this will change as my kids get older, but don’t worry about planning activities and games.  Free play seems to work better.  No Pin the Tail on the Donkey for us.
• If you’re having 12 people over, there’s no need to make an owl cake AND 24 cupcakes.  This will just ensure that you’ll have an owl cake, minus one leg, and 22 cupcakes left over.  Oh darn.
• Yes, the kids will love all the adorable homemade owl cutesie stuff you put in the homemade owl goody bags.  They’ll just like kicking a bunch of cans around even more.
• After all the presents have been opened and ooohed and aaahed over, the birthday kid will always pick the balloons as the gift of choice to haul around for the next twenty hours.  Every time!
• If your kids normally eat 3 pieces of pizza, and you calculate how much you’ll need based on that number, your kids (and all the guests) will be guaranteed to eat three bites each, leaving you with a mountain of leftover pizza.  Oh darn.
• At the end of the day, you will feel like a truck has run over you.  And then backed up to finish the job.

But hey, when your sweet little girl squeezes your neck and says “oh THANK you for the boooootiful owl party!” I won’t blame you if you immediately start planning for next year.

Glimpses of our day

Tags

holiday, Photos and Photo Challenges, valentines day, Valentines Day treats

Happy Valentines Day, everyone!

The girls and I had a wonderful day together, and even cooked up a few surprises for the daddy.

Hope you all had someone (or three) to share your day with.

December Photo Project: Day Twenty-Five

Tags

December Photo Project, family photos, holiday

December Twenty-Fifth.
Merry Christmas, everyone, from our family to yours.

December Photo Project: Day Twenty-Four

Tags

December Photo Project, kids decorating cookies, sugar cookies

December Twenty-Fourth.
Because Christmas isn’t complete without a batch of Aunt Pam’s sugar cookies.

December Photo Project: Day Twenty-One

Tags

December Photo Project, Holidays, hot chocolate station, winter

December Twenty-first.
Forgot to post this yesterday because we were out and when we got home we all literally fell into bed and didn’t move for ten hours.
Which is pretty much unheard-of in this house.

Our hot chocolate station.

December Photo Proect: Day Twenty

Tags

December Photo Challenge, holiday, holiday trees, small indoor trees

December Twentieth.
My perfect little “European” tree.
True confession: I may have spent the last few dollars that mom sent for the girls on this baby.
Hello – it has glittery confetti on the branches!
It was irresistible.
But it’s for all of us to enjoy.
Right?