Unexpected

While looking for a curtains for my living room I came upon these wall accents.

I'm normally not a fan of these kinds of decorations but I needed something for a wall in my entry. I needed something that wasn't a show stopper and something that I wouldn't mind covering up. This piece of wall happens to be below my coat rack. These wall accents were only $20 so I thought why not. Turns out I love wall accents. Who knew.

I had a few other pieces left so I thought....

And then I thought, are wall accents just for walls?

A needed something to dress up my already lovely glass toilet paper holder.

So simple and just the right touch.

Thank Ya!

As I've said before, thank you cards can be the perfect touch to a lovely party. It's your last chance to remind your guests of the great time they had while showing your appreciation for the lovely gift they gave. And if your gift was crappy... they should still get a thank you note. If you make your own thank you cards I suggest you do as I do, give the ones that didn't come out so well to the persons that gave you crappy gifts :)

Before Team Edwards and Team Jacob, there was Team Mator and Team McQueen.  I am Team Mator all the way baby!!!

Cha Cha Chia

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you, I love Michael's craft store. I go to that store more than I go to any other store. The cashiers know my name. We have discussions of my projects as they are checking me out and scanning my coupons.

While roaming the aisles I came across this little fellow.

 

If you can't tell from the picture, it's a miniature planting pot painted like a bumble bee. The box came with soil and grass seeds. Well I just had to get it.

The instructions seemed simple enough. Plant seeds, water and put in sunlight. Seemed simple enough. Below is day three.

Day five. 

Day seven.

Whoever thought of this is a genius. I don't have a backyard but I have grass. This is the kind of lawn I can take of.

My little grassy bee brings a smile to my face every time I see it.

Eat More Shrimp

I like to believe that I am a pet person. But really, I'm not sure if I am truly a pet person. I had a cat---once. That relationship lasted only a few weeks. It's a long story better left for another day. It's fair to say, I am not a cat person.

I like dogs, but the thought of living my life around a dog's poop schedule is not appealing to me. Now, once I make some real money and can afford a dog walker, I may reconsider. But for now, I am not a dog person.

So I thought I would try and be a fish person.

My friend, clearlytangled, gave me her bowel, rocks, and greenery left over from a beta she had in college. It's best to start small.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to...... CT named after my good friend clearlytangled.

It's been two weeks and he's still alive. I feel good about this. I may not be a cat person or a dog person but at least I am a fish person.

And he's funny.  We are a perfect match.

Zoom Zoom

I am at the stage in my life where everyone around me is married and are having babies. This means our activities are planned around nap times and feedings. It's funny, I used to play truth or dare with these same people. Now we are playing with blocks and telling bedtime stories.

A very close friend of mine asked if i could make her sons' 2nd birthday party invitations. Well of course I said yes. Making kids crafts are super fun. Her son loves cars...the objects on four wheels and the Disney movie.

The pattern paper is from a Martha Stewart paper pack. My friend is all about the sparkle and the primary colors. This paper pack was the perfect fit. 

McQueen is a clipart I got off the web. He's popped up with dimensions.

This is my friends favorite invitation. I have to admit, it's pretty fantastic.

These invitations were a big hit. And so was the party.

The Thank You cards are coming up.

Baby Shower Banner

Ever sense I started paper crafting, I began making banners. I had not given much thought to them before. We would have store bought "Happy Birthday" banners for milestones such as 40th & 65th birthday parties. Now I seem to be making banners for every occasion. For whaterver reason, they are now very important to me. I push them on everyone.

"Oh you're having a baby shower, you need a banner. I can make you a banner.  If you're having a house warming party - you definitely need a banner. I have a great idea for a banner. Come on, let me do it." 

Now, under normal circumstances my friends wouldn't buy a banner, wouldn't even think about putting a banner up. But when someone offers to make you one, it's hard to say no.  Especially when that certain someone is persistent and oh so exited to do it. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, my friend had twins - a baby boy and a baby girl. This banner seemed appropriate. 

In case you can't see it, it says "Hello Double Trouble". The base of the banner are leaves. The letters are made from safari pattern paper. There are a few animals "strategically" placed throughout the banner.  I don't think anyone noticed it but I loved it.

No party is complete without the favors - Part 4

My favorite Muppet characters from Sesame Street where Bert and Ernie (Ernie especially). A typical Bert and Ernie bit began with Ernie devising a hare-brained idea and Bert calmly attempting to talk him out of it. Usually, Bert loses his temper and Ernie would not know why.

An example of an Ernie and Bert skit is the popular "banana in my ear" joke:

Ernie: Hi, Bert!

Bert: Hey, Ernie, you know that you have a banana in your ear?

Ernie: What was that, Bert?

Bert: (more loudly) I said, you have a banana in your ear, Ernie. Bananas are food. They are to eat, not to put in your ear!

Ernie: What did you say, Bert?

Bert: (shouting) WOULD YOU JUST TAKE THAT BANANA OUT OF YOUR EAR?!

Ernie: I'm sorry, you'll have to speak a little louder, Bert! I can't hear you; I have a banana in my ear!

Comic genius. 

Some of my favorite bits where of Ernie and his rubber duckie. I just loved the rubber duckie song as I'm sure you did as well. Sing with me now:

Rubber Duckie you’re the one,

You make bathtime lots of fun,

Rubber Duckie I'm awfully fond of you

Vo-vo-dee-o!......

Ahh, the good old days. In the spirit of Ernie and his rubber duckie, I had to get a rubber duckie to finish off my party favor bag. And of course they couldn't be just any rubber duckie, they had to follow the theme of the baby shower - animal/safari.

Is this not the cutest thing you have ever seen? The people at the Oriental Trading Company have it going on I tell ya. I had a hard time selecting my favorite one.

I mean could you pick a favorite?

They are all just so adorable and rubber duckie like. I will admit to you (but don't tell any one) I almost kept them ALL! I didn't feel like other people would appreciate them as much I would. Hopefully they all found good homes.

I hope this series inspired you to give awesome party favors at your next party.