Halloween Decor and Invitations

 I had so much fun with Halloween this year. Not only did we end up having a costume party, we went all out with (my type of) Halloween decor.
I couldn't find a font I loved for the invitations so I made them by hand. Crazytown, I know. I had gotten these envelopes not knowing what we would use them for at Artco (in Rexburg). They were perfect!!!

 I had two different kinds of envelopes and ribbons.

 Food table. I borrowed some decor from Laura Black for the party.

 This painting is so perfect for Halloween. Just creepy enough. I sprayed some cattails black and they looked so great! Love the ravens always and pumpkins. Some potion bottles that Todd and Jen made.

 Love these flying bats.

 We got a little taxidermy alligator and put a fake hand inside.

 Every surface was spooky. Even in the bathroom we had some decorations.

 Front porch.

Pinata. I was so pleased with how it turned out. I like the silver and black paint. The structure was pretty difficult and we only got to hit it twice, but it looked great!!

Re purposed canvas painting

 Found this little painting at D.I.

 Vinyl lettering from Hobby Lobby.

 Paint over everything lightly. Whatever look you like.

While paint is still wet, peel off the vinyl.
I made this for Zoe because she loves all things French, except this painting :) She ended up painting over it and had me write Amore on it in black. Whatever. She knows what she likes.

Felix's party: Invitations and Decorations

 Felix has been obsessed with the game Candyland lately, so we decided on a Candyland themed party.

 We made these little "lollypop" invitations with a candy stick for the stick of the lollypop.

 The cake was one of my favorite parts of the party. My friend, Laura, came and helped with the decorations, which was a huge help. Besides she is super talented and brilliantly creative.

 Classic piece of candy for the pinata.

 I had saved a bunch of strawberry containers to use as goody bags. I couldn't find a candycane font anywhere, so Laura and I had to do it by hand :)

 Candy decoration was a no brainer and people pleaser!!

 Felix loved this sign. It is still up in his room.

Circus Baby Shower

 I had the privilege of helping to throw a baby shower for my lovely sister-in-law, Shawna. We had decided on a circus theme. A friend and coworker of hers offered her house and to take care of all of the food (which is the hard part). We weren't in touch much, just were communicative about the theme.

 

 It is amazing how well it worked out, though. We even both ended up wearing red and polka dots!

 Popcorn and peanuts! There was also a hot dog bar, homemade mac-n-cheese, kale salad, and tons of goodies! Why didn't I get a picture of the cake and the cake balls?!! They were adorable!

 Pinwheels= instant party!

 I made these onsies to showcase Otto's name, but also for them to use later.

Shawna actually designed her own invites and they turned out so perfect!!!
I said it once, I will say it again, "I LOVE a THEME!!!!"

church Cruise Party Decorations

 Our church had a Valentine Dance. The girl who was in charge chose a Tropical Cruise theme. She and another girl who were in charge of decorating for the dance totally outdid themselves. I had to share pictures of their amazing decorations!
Above there are sand dollars in sand with Sharpies so you could write a Valentine message to give to your Valentine.

 I have never been on a cruise, but the idea here is that there are lots of booths set up with good "for sale".

 Because this was a dance for families, meaning every age, I was a little apprehensive about these items getting touched and handled. Everything worked out, though. Maybe because everyone was having so much fun dancing!

 We had a professional photographer taking pictures of all of the families.

 Here are a bunch of props that you could wear in your pictures.

 This was a little "spa" set up with little towel animals. Insane attention to detail!

 These ladies built all of this! I was just floored by all they did on a relatively small budget.

 Look at the banana dolphin coming out of the jello ocean!

I was in charge of the invitations, and this is what I came up with. I tried to make it look like a ticket.

Christmas Ornaments

 Each year I make all of the kids personalized ornaments. This year I was unwell and did not have a chance to accomplish this tradition. Although it is sad, Zoe made ornaments for everyone. She spent so much time on them and they turned out wonderfully.
Shawna got a felt onesie with pink on one side and blue on the other. For Stephen she made a yarn beard with little pieces of dry food glued into it. She came up with it on her own and it is seriously so hilarious!
She also made Liam a wooden robot and Lydia a felt and glitter crown (not pictured).

 Grandpa Sam got a snowman. Grandma Sam got a lovely beaded bracelet. Aunt Laura got a bow for her hair. Aunt Buzz got some handmade earrings. Uncle Richard got an felt ornament in the shape of a gallon of milk, white on one side, chocolate on the other.

 I got a Santa hat with a little description about how I was like Santa. She said that it seems impossible that he can visit every house in one night and fly around the world. Then it went on to say that I did impossible things everyday: taking care of 4 kids, keeping the house clean and feeding everyone. It was the sweetest card EVER! Especially because I was feeling the opposite of what she described. What an angel!

Yarn mustache for Dad, who also got a nice card.

Christmas plates

Each year the siblings make each other gifts. Lydia chose, this year, to make these customized plates for each of the siblings and for the cousins we had for Christmas. I made one for her so she wouldn't be left out.
I looked up several tutorials online and we re-did them several times. We read that you could do it with Sharpie then cook it and it would become permenant. It didn't work. We finally ended up getting a paint pen and it worked a little better, though they aren't for using everyday and are probably better for hand washing.
I was amazed by the "You aAre Special Today" plate that she made for Samuelsons. She did it completely free hand and by herself. It turned out really great!