good ol' fashion fun...

An evening of decorating Easter eggs with Baby 'L' and the hubby turned out to me more fun and less disastrous(toddler+dye+water+eggs that break) than anticipated. I did have three dyed fingers for awhile, but they just reminded me of how much fun 'L' had plopping his eggs in colored water.

We just used your classic Easter egg decorating kit, but if you are up to amping your Easter egg decorating skills check out this tutorial for silk dyed eggs. They are pretty awesome.

Tutorial - Cookie Envelopes

~EASTER COOKIE ENVELOPES~

Supplies:
1. Paper cut to 8" x 8" square
2. Pencil
3. Cookies

4. Double stick tape

5. Optional: Embellishments (stickers, ribbons)

*Feel free to get creative in the type of paper you use: scrapbook paper, vellum, textured paper, pages of old books, sheet music, magazine pages.

Position your 8" x 8" paper like a diamond, as shown above. Measure and mark with a pencil, 3 inches from the top point on each side; do the same to the bottom point. Indicated as here.

Next, using the marks you made above, fold the two side corner in along those marks. You can now erase those pencil marks.


Once your two side corners are folded in, fold down the top corner, placing the point approx. where the two sides form a triangle, in this case a white triangle.

Do the same to the bottom corner, but first raise the top fold up so you will know where to place your point and make your fold.

Four folds later, you will have something that will look like this. Place a cookie or two inside, if you haven't already eaten them. Fold side corners, bottom corner, than top and fasten with double stick tape or a sticker.

Add ribbon and a sweet message.

These cookie envelopes could be used as handouts for birthdays, showers, or any other special occasion.

Birthday on the Brain

So lately, I have been creating a list in my head (that finally did get written down) of things to accomplish for Baby 'L' s Birthday. He is turning two, and to quote every other mother out there when their child bumps up another year, "I can't believe it". It is true, I simply can't, so instead of wondering where the time went, we shall celebrate.

The List

1. Location. Check.

The big red barn...conveniently located a few steps(big steps) away from my parents home. Isn't it wonderful? I just love it! It will be up in the hay-loft.

2. Appearances. Check.

Dottie, conveniently located in the barn. Hee! Hee! She is the sweetest miniature horse.

3. Food. going back and forth.

This is where my mind quit working. Should I stick with something involving the obvious "western theme" or go for something like pizza, enjoyed by most? I go back and forth in my own little head. The hubby says, " pizza" for the low stress, feeds a lot, less work reason. He is probably right. I also can't decide on cake and ice cream or cupcakes?

4. Games. Check.

*fishing game* you know, the one where you hang up a sheet decorated with fish and allow the children to throw a fishing line hooked to a pole over the sheet and retrieve a little trinket. Lots of fun!

* Dottie*

* Bubbles*

* Tee-Pee* I made this for Luke and he is yet to see it, I am so excited!

*Stick-horse race*

*Trike race*

5. Decorations. almost finished.

The fun part for me!

I made a banner out of whimsical western print fabrics.

I found this (above) vintage inspired child western fabric. I thought called out little tike Birthday.

Just for kicks, some images of cowboys from real old west - Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok. (I just printed them on transfer paper and ironed them on to muslin)

Wanted Sign of the Birthday Boy!

Oh, and balloons of course...great entertainment for the kiddos.

6. Thanks for coming - Handouts. ummmm?

Still deciding. I didn't want to do any type of small trinket, because the fishing game will take care of that. I have thought of sweetly packaging a couple cookies or maybe popcorn balls.

So here is the list thus far, I am sure I am forgetting something and getting a little out of control. Wish me Luck!

Etsy Mail - Fabric

Anytime I order something from Etsy, I get really excited and start stalking the mail man-well, not really, but I do look forward to my Etsy Mail arrivals. I have decided to share with you some my fabulous purchases made on Etsy. Unfortunately, when I run out of items, it will mean I will have to do some more shopping, darn.



So, I shared with you my fabric love confession, which leads me to my first Etsy Mail share... fabric purchases. I must say, there are many wonderful shops to buy fabric from on Etsy. Most of my fabric purchases have been from the Fabric Shoppe. It is run by Jody, a creative mom of one baby girl. She also has an inspiring blog, Everyday Beautiful. On her blog she gives her customers the opportunity to share their projects for a chance to win fabric. I just happen to be one of those lucky winners...and because she loves her customer's so much she offers a different fat quarter each week for a $1.00. So surf on over to the Fabric Shoppe and check it out.

A Captured Thank You

I have had this idea in my head for awhile now and finally decided to try it out. Baby 'L' has received his share of gifts from family, friends and even neighbors. I decided to capture a few moments of him playing with some of the gifts he received for Christmas to use for thank you notes. I added a cartoon effect to the original photo, printed it on regular white paper and then glued it onto colorful cardstock. On the back I applied the thank you note that I typed up on playful scrapbook paper. I decided to keep them rather simple, but think there are so many neat ways you could embellish them with the availability of all the wonderful cardmaking supplies.

Magnety!

Magnets displayed on a vintage tray turned wall hanging!

My friend Cortney showed me how to make these cute fun magnets. I have since made them for friends, family, and co-workers. The funnest part is customizing them to the receivers likes. There is a good chance your magnet collections will quadruple by the time you are done.

So, Let's get Magnety

{No, Magnety is not a word, but is fun to say}

Supplies needed.

1. Modge Podge - Matte Finish

2. Clear flat back glass rocks

{it is best to use clear with out a pearl finish so your image appears clear}

3. Round Magnets about 3/4" in dia.

4. Small foam brush

5. Fun Scrapbook paper

6. stickers, rub-on stickers (optional)
7. Scissors(oops, not pictured)

1. Select an area of your paper you wish to use such as a flower or fun graphic and place your clear rock on top. Trace around the rock.

2. Cut out your trace just inside your traced line. You can always place it on the back of the rock to see if you need to trim it down a bit.

3. With your paint brush apply a thin coat of modge podge to the front of your cutout. Lay your cutout on the flat side of your rock and smooth with fingers.

4. With your paint brush apply a coat of modge podge to the back of your cutout making sure the entire surface is well coated.

5. With the modge podge still wet place your round magnet in the center and allow to dry for 24 hours.

When viewing from the front, your graphic may appear fuzzy - just wait for it to dry and it will appear cute as can be.

Appears fuzzy before it dries. * Once your magnet has dried you can wipe the front and sides of your rock with a damp cloth to remove any extra modge podge.

Great for gift giving!