3 THINGS TUESDAY: #3 DIY BOX KITE KIT

How amazing is this DIY BOX KITE KIT over at ANTHROPOLOGIE? How gorgeous and memorable for little ones to make in these last days of summer? Not to mention, this would be the coolest alternative to paper lanterns at a party, no?

3 THINGS TUESDAY: MILK AND BOOKIES

For our last little post today, I want to tell you about a wonderful organization that I found last week. My boys here LOVE books...and I noticed when we were downsizing and making donations during the move,  that we donated the less awesome books.  The ones we didn't love.  If you have ever shopped a thrift store you maybe have seen that the quality and selection are poor.  Some kids will never get the joy of having a new book, a good book. Then I ran across MILK + BOOKIES on LMNOP Magazine's website.

It's an organization based on giving brand new books to less fortunate little kids. If you are like me and cringe when you think about how many toys your kid has...you will appreciate their efforts to take the gifts from your next little one's party and change it into an exercise of giving.  Each child picks out a book to donate "as the gift" and then the collection from the party is donated to kids that really need them.  It's just a wonderful idea and it makes me smile when I think about it.

What makes MILK + BOOKIES even more amazing? They have done all the hard work for you! They have everything you need to throw a book donation party, including the stickers, book labels and pins!  Easy as pie.  Go check them out now! 

WHAT TIME IS IT?

I will admit, sometimes I am lost with my first born.  For example, while hearing for the seventieth time, what time is it?  I realize...ooohhhh, I'm supposed to teach you how to read a clock. Big time mommy duh.  Which is also not the word to say out loud to yourself, because if you say it enough, your short people will gleefully chime in, also.

But, after coming to the realization that I need to teach time, I went looking for a printable.  Just a simple one...yet all I could find were terribly hideous versions.  Really? Why is it when you make something for kids or about them it has to look like bad kids' handwriting.  All the preschool forms came home like that.  Um, my kid isn't going to read it...can I get a decent font? or at least a plain one? Don't even get me started on the clip art.  Anyhoo, I was reminded of the lack of graphic designers in the school system as I cruised the "educational" blogs and printables for teachers. I finally became so disappointed, that I made my own.  Which took like 5 mins total, and I probably could have done from the start, instead of spending all that time looking.  Oh well.  I give you a very plain, simple, no comic sans in sight, printable clock in two colors.

Print on cardstock, trim the edges off around the clock, cut out the hands, punch a hole in the ends and attach to the clock with a brad.  Voila.

Oh, and I just made a little coloring page version, for those little ones who love to color!

Downloads:
PRINTIE A {YELLOW}
PRINTIE B {ORANGE}
COLORING PAGE

Enjoy! xo

Monster Valentines Mini Post

Whilst cruising the aisles at Target...
I ran across this little pack that I snatched up for Henry's preschool party.  The art is by Chris Lench. It's the first batch of store bought v-day cards that have tickled my fancy...ever.

 I love that these double sided cuties don't have envelopes for two reasons...

A. little preschool hands
B. less garbage (I might live in a part of the country where they don't recycle)

Hunter's Monsters Printables are UP!

Hello again! Just wanted to let you know I got the monster printies up! I hid them towards the bottom of this morning's post.  I made this guy to match "Monster"  aren't they cute together? Enjoy!

Hunter's Monsters - Yellow Monster Birthday Party

Hello Lovelies! So this weekend we had a teeny party for my littlest, Hunter, who turned 3.  By teeny, I mean, H + H, my brother, the hubby, and me.  Uber teeny.   I just want to let you know...a teeny party is no reason to not have decorations.  This was very the first time I strung garland across the entire living room.  It looked great! It instantly felt festive.

The decor was based on Hunter's favorite color - YELLOW and his favorite thing - MONSTERS.
So I made him a little monster.  Who Hunter appropriately named...wait for it..."Monster."

I made him in a few hours, from fabrics I had around the house, and I can post a pattern if you would like. 

Details from the party:

Vintage yellow invitations were sent out to our teeny extended family found at moxie thrift on Etsy
Yummy Delicious Cookies ordered in shades of yellow to match the party
Handmade Monster Cake – recipe for “Best Birthday Cake” from Smitten Kitchen (if there is only one cake you ever make…OH HEAVEN! this is it) with Jell-O brand vanilla pudding filling and cream cheese icing – Ina Garten via Food Network
The eyes stuck on with toothpicks were leftovers from my zombie party. Don’t worry we did NOT eat them.
The cake pennant was made and embroidered by me (see DIY here on Canvas and Canopy)
Little monster cake bells (adapted from Bakerella's Cake Balls) with candy sugar eyes (Bake It Pretty) and gummy worm horns (couldn't find Runts anywhere, I wanted to use the bananas)
All garlands made by yours truly…didn’t see that one coming did ‘ya?

I also made little monster activity sheets and coloring pages for the party.  I will post those soon (right on this post) - I promise.     Free for personal use and you know I always LOVE links back here!

  

Download these little printies HERE.  This is the VERY first time I've done this...enjoy!

 and please let me know any helpful hints with downloads.

SOURCES:

WHITE PLATTER (w/vanilla shortbread tarts + monster bells) – MARTHA STEWART FOR MACY’S
WHITE PLATTER (w/cookies on it) – TARGET (PAST SEASON)
VINTAGE CLEAR CAKESTAND - ETSY
GUMMY WORMS, YELLOW WRAPPING PAPER - TARGET
PARTY BLOWERS & PARTY PICKS – PIER ONE
YELLOW CANDLES – BAKE IT PRETTY
YELLOW STRIPED TREAT BAGS – FORT AND FIELD
YELLOW BALLOONS (small - garland and 3 foot - not shown) – BALLOONSNMORE via YOU ARE MY FAVE
ZINC “H” - ANTHROPOLOGIE

Mind your P's and Q's

Hello lovelies! I hope you had a fabulous long weekend! Here we had a fantastic time.  But, unfortunately Henry was sick on Saturday with a cold.  Yesterday Hunter got it, and guess who got it today?! Here's a quick little mini post on some little manners.

ADORE THIS!!! Loving this poster. It is SO something I'd say to the boys. SUBLIMINAL BABY POSTER by SYCAMORESTREETPRESS

A simple and perfect little reminder for the boys, and mama, too. EAT GOOD FOOD by LUCKYBLUEBIRDART

How adorable are these napkins?  Henry is just learning to read, is highly impressionable, and these would be perfect. MANNERS NAPKINS by BETSYGRACE

I love these colors! Perfect for hanging right next to the sink... WASH YOUR HANDS by BELLYBABIES

Oh dear, how many times do you say this a day, me about a hundred...SAY PLEASE by LOUELLAPRESS

With a zillion toys, why do they fight over the same one? This sums it up perfectly.  SHARE POSTER by INKPETALS

Awesome Alphabet Mini Post

School has started or is about to begin.  I am in the midst of planning a "first day at school" bash for my oldest, who starts preschool next Monday...EEEEEEK! Henry's ready, but me, not so sure...

Here's a quickie post for some inspirational alphabets around the web...
(Above) Vintage Flash Card Banner by handmadebyannepotter


A is for one word Flashcards by prettylittlestudio

Alphabet fridge magnets by lgarrido

Sukie Alphabet Wrapping Paper at Paper Source

ABC Color Creations Crayons by ducksinarow

Sillycone Alphabet Molds (found Via One Charming Party)

Animal Alphabet Flashcard Set at Land of Nod

P.S. LOVELY GOODIES TO PRINT!!! Free Dot to Dot ABC print and colour sheets by Mrs Booth

Happy Monday and Half Birthday Party

All this flitting around the internet looking for party supplies had me longing for a party. Alas, the next birthday is months away, but there is a little man named Harry who will be turning the ripe old age of 6 months shortly.  When my minimen were little, I thought of celebrating six months, but as a new mom and then a mom of a toddler and a newbie, I had no time or energy to bake, let alone throw a party.  So this will be perfect, Auntie A - close your eyes, its gonna be a surprise.  I am finishing up on the details for "Happy Half Birthday Harry", and boy is it gonna be cute.  Since this isn't a full blown birthday, just a fun moment to remember in baby's life, it will be simple and easy.  Just a reason for the family to get together and enjoy Harry together. 

I want to show you how you can throw something cute together in an instant.  Honestly, everything started less than a week ago. With this lovely from Rifle Paper Co.

Add a few colored party goodies from HeyYoYo

More ideas, just a little play on the half theme.

The 1/2 pic above is going on the cake and a onesie. We'll have a cute dot backdrop in the card colors.

Since Harry just started his delicious adventure with purees, the food is for the grown ups. We'll serve mini cupcakes, half sandwiches, madelines half dipped in chocolate, apple slices and the cake.  I am taking half of a two layer round cake and setting it on its side,  like a rainbow shape.

OK. That's all the hints for now. Preview is over, I've said too much. Party to come soon.

Don't forget to enter to win my 100th post goodies! Remember you get to leave a comment for each of the four ways to win.  COMMENT = ENTRY TO WIN

Mother's Day

Aren't these lovely? The succulant was picked out by my boys for me on a shopping trip to Trader Joes. My sweet little monkeys. The bath goodies are lavender, yum, that my lovely partner in crime/hotmama/neighbor made and had her hubby run them over last night. So pretty, love the little wooden spoon, and they smell heavenly! I can't wait to use them, as soon as little Hunter gets over his fever, poor guy.

Cowboys and parties

So last week, we had everyone over for Henry's 4th birthday. Here are some of the pics from it. Decorating took much longer than I originally thought. But overall it turned out pretty cute. I had a ton of help with the printables from ChatchkeDesigns.

I found Sarah' shop while browsing ideas on etsy. Her invites and party package were incredibly cute! AND incredibly reasonably priced!

Just too cute. I put them on rootbeer bottles.

I made cowboy cookies from some Williams Sonoma ice cream sandwich cutters.

Add lots and lots of jute rope (tons in one of those rolls), roll some of them up like lassos. Clip everywhere with clothes pins.

Add rusty metal picture frames ($2 each on clearance at Craft Market in Carson City), and other cowboy items we have lying around. My boys are "everyday" cowboys and man are they cute!

A variety of vintage pics of cowboys found online for ambience...
mini hay bales (found at Michaels)and cowboy plates (Party Universe)

...and my current obsession...scrabble tiles!

Hello, take 2...

Alright, so lets try this again. I am decorating the boys rooms and planning for Auntie A's shower. I have been searching the wonderful world for all things boy related, that are not kitchy/gimmicky/licensed (even though the boys are crazy for Thomas the Train) and trying to make a classic design that will be timeless and live through the phases of little boys. So my plan for these guys is a vintage-y cowboys & elephants. I love the way "cowboys and elephants" sounds, I will definately have to use it to name a line of fabrics, which so far will surely have to be made by me, since the boy selection of fabrics is very limited. Etsy is a wonderful place, the creativity is unsurpassed and just the option that artists can customize things for you is fabulous. Here are some of the most recent finds I love

For their bathroom...

TEETH BY MYPRIMITIVEBOUTIQUE.ETSY.COM

I also love her sign (a repro of a more expensive one from a magazine)



My favorite thing this week, a growth chart! No animals, no girl/boy, and lots of room to write on it! What a beautifully simple solution, and you can take it with you!

GROWTH CHART BY INKLORE.ETSY.COM