Lunch box gift baskets

Ever need a birthday (or just because) present for a kid that you have no clue what to buy for? Or possibly the kid has everything? I've been there several times, and I came up with the solution of little themed gift baskets when I'm not sure what to get somebody. They are fun for me to create and result in a bunch of little fun items instead of one something I have no idea if they will like.

I made these because I needed presents to bring home for a couple of cute kiddos in Indiana, but being right after Christmas and all 3 bdays around, they just didn't need abother "toy". I pick little items that are usable and fun for all kids. And even if they are too young to use a lunch box, it still doubles as a great container for holding small toys (cars, stickers, candy, crayons, ect.)

Strawberry shortcake lunchbox: strawberry bubbles, stickers, socks, strawberry moarshmellows, strawberry pocky sticks, strawberry shortcake make your own candy necklace kit, and several lipglosses.

Sports box: baseball bubbles, soft football, football washcloth, gummy sports candy, chocolate sports balls (for a 1 year old).Hello Kitty lunch box: Hello Kitty Pez, Hello Kitty band aids, Hello kitty snack sticks, Hello Kitty nail polish, Hellow kitty chapstick, Hello Kitty stickers, and Hello kitty Jelly beans.

To make you own lunch box gift I would suggest starting out at your local party store (Party City is awesome!) You can often find the same theme as the birthday party your attending. After you find the lunch box (or pail ect) they have all kinds of little things you can fill it with. When on the hunt for little items, I often go to the Target Dollar Spot, Dollar Tree, Toys R Us (candy section), Party City, and sometimes Wal-mart. Then add a cute little tag and some tissue paper and ta-da!

These boxes run about 5 each and I spend approx $1.00 on each filler item. Which means a box will run about $10.00-$15.00 each! Once again hope you enjoy and can use this idea in the future!

Kellie Baby Shower

A Wild Baby Shower!

Today Amber and I had the honor of hosting a baby shower for Kellie and her soon to be son! We had a lot of fun planning the shower! Here is it...

Thoughts for the mommy as she enters the jungle!We played two games, baby animal names and a baby brand gameThe "watering hole"..baby animal cracker favors...Cupcakes I made along with the little animal toppers...All the goodies!!!The banner we made, which doubles as a great nursery decor...The beautiful mommy-to-be!

Her animal quilt made by, Cindy Miller...isn't she so talented!?!Our gift to Kellie, a whale bath tub filled with animal items!We made this to hang in his room :)

How to {make a tutu}

I've been trying to find the time to post lately. With our 3 week trip to Indiana, and a party every weekend there, the projects have been piling up. However, I have lots of things I've been doing to share!

I have a cute little project for all you mommies of girls to start with, a tutu! I have been making these for the last 3 years, they are super fun and cute! They make adorable photo props, birthday outfits, dress up gifts, ect. I recently made a few for Miley and Bailey's first birthday photos so I am finally sharing! Now my daughter is begging me for one for her dance class so those are on the list!

So here it is! My first how to!

Supplies needed: scissors, ribbon (7/8 or 1.5in), and tulle. The tulle is best found at Hobby Lobby (tons of colors) on the spool ($2.99) However it can be found sometimes at Joannes, Micheals, Walmart, or Online. A ruler and a lighter would be handy to have as well.

*You may replace the ribbon for 3/4in elastic just cut slightly smaller then childs waste and sew a seam.

Step 1: Measure childs waist then add 16in (for bow).

Step 2: Cut ribbon at determined length.

Step 3: Cut strips of tulle. approx. 3in shorter then waist measurement. (ex: I had a 19in waist measurement so I used 16 inch strips) The amount of strips you will need depends on the desired fullness of the tutu.

Step 4: Fold a strip in half and lay under the ribbon.

Step 5: Pull ends through the loop to a loose knot. (do not tighten yet) Repeat until desired fullness and length.

Step 6: Slide knots along ribbon to center and create the desired look. The more you sqeeze in the fuller the tutu will be. Make sure you have an equal amount of ribbon on the ends. Then tighten each know by pulling just underneath it.

Fold and cut the ribbon ends to create a V end. If you would like to heat seal the ribbon ends so they dont fray. Quickly run a lighter close to the ribbon along the cut edges. The heat from the flam will melt the ribbon to keep it from fraying. (DO NOT touch flame directly to the ribbon)

Step 7: To finish up tie ribbon ends in a bow. Then go around the tutu to trim

up any pieces sticking out too far.

Here's Miley modeling hers! Notice the tip toes...she's a natural ballerina! Tada!! Tutu cute!!

Happy Valentines day!

February 14th already...how can that be? It seems like the days and weeks just pass by in the blink of an eye! I should note that I'm not a big fan of Valentines day, in the traditional sense. I fully admit it's a holiday made up by women for women. However it does serve as a reminder for those in love and a painful reminder for those without. I personally would rather recieve roses on a random day in the year to say "I love you" then a dozen on Valentines day when it's the thing to do. But my sweet hubby is a romantic all the time...so maybe that taints my view :)

Maybe it's growing on me though... I can't ever resist the urge to do holiday treats and especially in girly colors! We decided to celebrate as a family this year no date night!...we did dinner at home and I made cookies and a little cake. Each of the girls got a couple little treats. Cadence was excited but was determined I was wrong that it was indeed Halloween...?

I made some sugar cookies and shipped a box off to Indiana at the request of my niece...not my best work on decorating..but Ben said they were the best sugar cookies he had ever had! I was very pleased to hear that because he's my WORST critic...he picks apart everything I make!

mommy's barefoot babies in their "I love Daddy"and "I love Mommy" shirts...having two sometimes does come in handy :)

Still won't admit it's not Halloween but she's sure enjoying the loot!Of course Grandma Miller and Aunt Amber had to send them Valentines! This picture does no justice..their boxes are always filled with adorable things. This one included Handmade cards, shirts...and cute red and white candies and tiny animal crackers....so cute! The kids were thrilled.

I had an adorable little cake plan..but with two teething babies it went right out the window!! Instead I settled for a layer of chocolate frosting and some xo sprinkles..maybe next year! I had orginally planned on giving the cookies I made to Cadence's ballet class....2 hours before class walking through the store I realize I totally forgot about them and they were still frozen at home! I ended up picking up some lip/heart cookies and girly little tins with candy in them for all the littler ballerinas. Being the crazy that I am I couldn't just take something super simple like heart fruit snacks! (thumps head on wall) so here I am driving down the road stuffing treats into bags. Hint's the carseat photo..had to share though...it was a super mom moment for sure!

So not my best attemps but I participated none the less! haha. Next up Easter!!!!! I LOVE Easter!!!

A wild baby shower!

My hubby's cousin Amber and I are throwing a baby shower for another cousing, Kelly! I am so thrilled they are expecting! She will be such an awesome mommy :) Kelly is going with the popular precious planet theme for the soon to be little boy. So we've been having fun creating a precious planet inspired baby shower! Which has been tricky since she is in IN and I'm in VA! I have been really enjoying creating these party elements...so I thought I would share some.

I keep them pretty simple as my photoshop skill are amature, I'm still learning! Plus they will never be used again so I don't see the point of putting hours and hours into detail. Still I think they came out pretty cute!

Here's the invite...info blacked out of course. I pretty much replicated an invite Amber sent me...sry I can't remember the link.

The banner came out so cute! Simple yet adorable! I love it!

I am getting really good at making the backround "papers" and I even drew the clouds and leaves!

And of course a little tag for the favors..

That's all I can show you for now!! Can't wait to show you pictures of the shower! Hope Kelly enjoys it..we're really enjoying putting it together. :)

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

Cookie Monster party!

It seems like all I have been doing lately is working on parties parties parties! I'm such a sucker for a themed event :) I've got a cake and or party just about everyweek till April! Which is good..but keeps me busy!

I just finished up the elements for my niece's cookie monster party! This theme fits her SOOO perfect and I am glad I get to help out. Here's a sneak peek!

Her invitation (of course I had to black out the info)

Cute little lables for the milk bottles!

One of the food lables!

Can't wait to share pictures from the party! We've got some cute things planned!