Transportation Party - M is 4!!!

Mr. M is 4!!!

This year his party was at the Texas Transportation Museum here in San Antonio, TX. 

A small but amazing place for the little ones to explore and imagine what it would be like to be a train conductor and learn about all things Transportation.  

The Invitation and Thank You card is from Lovely Little Party via ETSY.

image from LovelyLittleParty

The Decorations:

I made all of the transportation signs out of poster board and craft paint.  I added a creative touch by including M's name and age on a few of the signs.  The signs were attached to wooden dowels and put into small galvanized buckets filled with rocks to weigh them down.  Blue table clothes were accented with red paper confetti, cloth train hats, and bandannas. 

What the kids did:

A REAL train Ride,  a large train tour, lots of exploring small trains, old cars, horse drawn carriages, etc.  Basically,  a perfectly magical place for my 4 year old and his buddies!

The Party Food:

Sack lunches filled with PBJs ,Turkey sandwiches, applesauce and sunchips.  I clipped a 'FUEL' tag on to each bag with a wooden clothes pin.  The chugga choo choo round label on the fuel cards is a FREE PRINTABLE from Poofy Cheeks.

The Cupcakes:

The adorable Train cupcake toppers are FREE PRINTABLES from Poofy Cheeks.  I LOVE free printables, especially cute ones!  Thanks Poofy Cheeks!

 The FAVORS:

Each child was given a cloth train hat (find them HERE) and bandanna at the beginning of the party. (To make the bandannas go farther I cut one in half at a diagonal. 1 bandanna=2 kids).  Train Track Trail Mix (pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows = Tracks, coal, and steam) was handed out at the end of the party. The round train track label was a FREE PRINTABLE from Poofy Cheeks.

 Our little Family

The party was a blast even in the Texas heat. Happy 4th Birthday to our little guy!!!

 With whimsy~

HIP HOP Hooray

I can't believe how fast the years fly by.  The Cutie Patootie recently turned 7!!!

This year she had a HIP HOP party at her dance studio.  The girls loved it and had a blast learning some new moves.  

Here are a few of the cute details:

THE INVITATION:  As usual, Jane from BugLuv via Etsy created these adorable custom invitations for us.  

Find this invite at BugLuv's Etsy Shop HERE.

THE PARTY: The girls were taught a Hip Hop routine and then performed it to all of us at the end.  Pretty impressive for a short class!

THE HIP HOP POPS:  These were a fun play on the traditional cupcakes or cake.  Cake pops are typically 

quite a process to make, but with a little research I found the easiest and most time efficient way to make them was by using the cake pop baking tray made by Nordic Ware . I found it at our local HEB.  (Target, Hobby Lobby and Michaels carry it as well.)  You can also find the cute cake pop tags at BugLuv.

I used these 'how to make fool proof cake pops' tips from HOMEMAKER CHIC.  Great tutorial!!!

THE FAVORS:  BugLuv created this coordinating CD case cover.  The girls were given a track of a few hip hop songs, including the one that they learned there routine too.  C thought this was totally cool.  

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL:

There you have it!

With whimsy~

Etsy Love: Wishing Tree Tags

One reason I LOVE Etsy is for the wide range of charming products created by talented designers at affordable prices. Also, most all of the designers on Etsy are willing to work with you to get that extra special and custom piece that you are struggling to find elsewhere.

For those of you that are in the midst of planning a baby shower, sip and see, or Christening party a unique substitute to the ordinary guest book is to create a whimsical wishing tree.

The wishing tree can easily be created by branches arranged in a vase. (You can find beautiful branch options at your local craft/floral store.  These days, even grocery stores have great options.  Central Market has a fabulous floral department.). 

Once filled out by your guests the wishing tags or cards can be attached to the branches.  This makes for a great statement decor piece at the shower and guests will love reading all of the cheerful messages left for the new parents and their little bundle.

These cards make a perfect keepsake for you to cherish for years to come.

Below are some of my favorite wishing cards discovered on Etsy:

cards and image from ErinsArtwork via Etsy

image and tag from ElbLDesigns via Etsy

image and tags from Shabby Pea Designs via Etsy

image and wishing tree tags from queen of paper cards via etsy

image and wish cards from SeasonalDelights via Etsy

image and wish cards from mavoracards via Etsy

Display Inspiration:

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

A fun alternative to the wishing tree is to display the cards on a line with clothespins.  Perfect for a spring/summer shower.

image from here

With whimsy~

Tinkerbell & Pirate

Hope everyone had a fun-filled and spooky Halloween!  We sure did!

As you can see, my little ones dressed up as Tinkerbell and a Pirate!  I created both costumes, semi-homemade style, and wanted to share with you all a few easy tutorials and tips that I used during the creation process.

Tinkerbell:

As with any design I typically start with a sketch of the costume that I am envisioning and then go from there.  I don't like to work with sewing patterns, I love winging it and creating my own unique costumes.

The concept sketch:

From the sketch I gather my materials and get to work.

Items needed to complete this Semi-homemade costume:

• LOTS of tulle .  (You can normally find small rolls of tulle in a variety of colors at the craft store in the ribbon section.  This way you don't have to buy it by the yard.  I used 3 spools of tulle for this particular costume.
• ribbon (3-4 yds )
• any lime green type of fabric (1/2 yd) (I used satin) 
• white felt (for the backs of the petals) (1/2 yd)
• green thread

Tutu Dress:  the tulle portion of the dress is a no sew so tutu that is extra extra long.  I tied it around chest instead of around the waist.  In addition, I tied and extra portion of ribbon in the middle of the tutu to be used as a halter style tie around the next.  check out this no sew tutu tutorial.

Petal Sash:  an apron style sash that ties over the tulle dress around the waist.  (The sash helps cinch in the tulle dress.) *each petal is roughly 8" wide and 12 " long.

 Tinkerbell shoes:

Click HERE for an easy tutorial!

Tinkerbell's hair:

I styled C's hair into a gigantic bun, she has a ton or beautiful hair so it was remarkably easy to do with the help of a few Bobbi pins and hairspray.

The flower in her hair was found at Michael's in the floral/ holiday section.  (It already came without the stem and a floral clip already attached. )  the flower itself was wire rimmed making it really easy to shape around her head.

Tinkerbell wings:

I found these in Target's Halloween costume section.  They were inexpensive and the perfect color. 

I couldn't pass them up.

Pirate Costume:

The concept sketch:

Material needed:

• white tshirt
• black pants (I found mine at target for 5$)
• black tshirt
• red craft paint (optional)
• scissors
• white craft paint
• fabric for sash (1/8 yd.)
• black felt
• black elastic for eye patch

Red/White striped T:  I could not find a red/white striped T anywhere so I just grabbed a bottle of red fabric paint from the craft store and painted them on a plain white tshirt.

Pants: I found these at Target for $5.  I simply cuts them 2-3" shorter and then cut a zig zag pattern around the cuff

Black vest:  I cut the neck and arms off of an inexpensive black Tshirt.  Then cut straight down the front to create the opening. I also fringed the bottom of the vest with scissors.  I then free handed a skull and cross onto the back of the vest with white craft paint.  *Tip* Buy the Tshirt for the vest a couple sizes bigger than your child's normal size, it will fit over their undershirt better and look more 'vest like'

Sash: any coordinating fabric will do. (1/8 yd). no sewing necessary, just tie around waist

Eye patch:  created with black felt and elastic

Pirate hat:

I used this easy TUTORIAL to create the pirate hat.

Arrrrgh!

The kids loved how their costumes turned out, and so did I!!!

with whimsy~

Boo to You!!!

Details:

size: 16x20

materials: acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, clear matte varnish

extra touches:  silver 3 dimensional paint(spider's web), 2 1/2" wire ribbon

Pin It

Find this spooky canvas door hanging in my Etsy shop HERE!

With whimsy~

Custom Birthday Canvas

This week's custom order was created for a dear college friend of mine, J.  Her sweet little boy is turning  one soon, and to help celebrate she wanted a 16x20 happy birthday canvas.  J plans on hanging the canvas on her door every year on sweet Bennett's birthday.  Love that idea!

Happy 1st Birthday, Bennett!!!

With whimsy~

P is for Party

Recently, a good friend of mine, Leslie, created a Perfect Party for her little one's 5th Birthday.

Take a look!

The Theme:  

• The Letter ~P~

The Color Scheme:

• Pink & Purple

The Invitation:

• Leslie found a great custom designer, 505 design+paperie, via Etsy.  

Location:  

• The Birthday Girl's Backyard

The Decorations:

• All of the Party decorations were in the pink and purple color scheme with a touch of Princess.
• Pink and Purple Pom Poms (click here for an easy tutorial) added Pops of color through out the Party.  
• Pink and Purple Birthday Banner via 505 Design+Paperie
• Pink and Purple Princess labels for the food and favor table via 505 Design+Paperie

Cupcake Topper & Printable food Label images from here

The Attire:

• The guests were asked to wear their favorite Pajamas. 
• As we arrived the kids entered a Pink & Purple Photo Booth to take a themed pic as Pirates and Princesses.

The Activities:

• All of the activities started with, of course, the letter P.
• (Pony Races, Puzzles, Painting Puppies, Pouncing in a Princesses Palace, and a Pinata filled with Putty, Playdough, Puppy stickers, and Pencils )

The Food:

• Snacks: Pretzles, Potatoe chips, Pirates Booty, Popcorn, Cheese Puffs
• Drinks: Pour your own Potion (Kool Aid singles in a variety of flavors could be added to the guests water bottles)

Lunch:  

• Pizza & Pineapple

The Dessert:

• Yummy Pink and Purple cupcakes and a Princess themed Birthday Cake.

The Favors:

• The kiddos filled their Party bags with a Plethora of treats at the letter ~P~ candy bar!!

What was included in the Letter P candy bar?

• Peanut Butter Cups
• Pop Rocks
• Pixy Stix
• Popcorn Balls - Find the recipe here
• Peppermints
• Peanut Butter MMs
• Peppermint Patties
• Pink and Purple Peeps
• Tootsie Pops

The favor table decor was also accented with Pink and Purple mini Pinwheels!   

(Is there anything Leslie didn't think of?!)

Props to Leslie for Putting together this Particularly Perfect ~P~ themed Party!!!

Thanks for sharing your party with us Leslie!

With whimsy~

featured party!!!

I am thrilled to announce that M's construction themed 2nd Birthday party was discovered by babylifestyles.com and is their current featured 'real' party'!!!

Babylifestyles.com is an awesome place to find tons of inspiration for children's birthday parties, nursery decor, the latest in hollywood's parenting news. Check them out!!!

Check out M's 'Real Party' feature here.

A big thank you to Tara, the editor from babylifestyles.com,  for discovering my blog and wanting to feature M's fun Birthday party!  What an honor!!!

I "dig" babylifestyles.com!

With whimsy~