August 27, 2013

Elephant-Chevron Baby Shower

Invitations  Click on this link to see the coordinating invitations

Two-Sided Banner
A simple way to decorate is by making a personalized banner. I chose to make it two-sided so guests in either room could see it. I put Mom's name on one side, and "baby" on the other. I hand-cut the grey banner and chevron tops, and used "Paper Lace" font to cut the letters. If you use 12x12 paper, you can fit two flags per paper. Thus, this banner used two sheets of paper.















To create an extra-long name project: Use larger 12x24 mat to cut the baby's name. Cut the first half on one mat, and the second half on another mat, overlapping two letters in the middle. This gives you plenty of overlapping room to glue the two pieces together.

GAME: Baby Food Tasting!
Baby food tasting was a good way to get people to interact with each other. Be sure to choose flavors that are as different from one another as possible. I had a friend who had a child choose to make sure they weren't too terrible. #1-4 tasted okay, but I made #5 yucky as to perhaps be a tie-breaker if necessary. Give a hint sheet to guests know how many flavors they were guessing. I printed answer cards on my home computer, and cut them afterwords. To my surprise, one guest got 100% correct!

Leave a Message- Station
See details for Notecard Message Book, including downloadable CCR file, on my cricut profile: Baby Shower Notecards

designated a small table (under the initials on the wall) for this message station. I used large pieces of chevron paper, and cut them to the same size as an index card. Leave one side white so guests can leave their messages. I made plenty of extra cards so people could write one to Mom/one to baby, if desired. Punch a hole in the corner of each card, and use an index card ring (they're sold at Staples). I left directions that gave guests some inspiration of things to write. I created a front and back cover, both use sayings from the "Gypsy Wanderings" cartridge. Some people may want to bring these home to write them.

GAME: Name the Baby Animals


[photo to come]

This game is harder than you think. The object is for guests to name what certain baby animal is called. Create an answer sheet for you, and answer cards #1-20 for each person. Call out the name of the grown animal. This link can provide you good Q's and A's: Baby Animal Game
Prize: Animal Crackers!


Birthday Cards for Baby's Future

We all know that there is so much emphasis on birth/first few months of baby's life. This activity allows guests to give to the baby for many years to come. After you receive RSVPs, design one card for each guest to decorate. I found it easiest to pre-label each year (#1-16), and each person could choose what year they wanted to make a card for. I put out markers, tape, glue, and some fun birthday shapes from different cricut cartridges. This was my favorite activity simply because it allowed people a chance to make something that would be enjoyed years from now- almost like a small time capsule. When daughter opens her card, Mom can talk about who that person was and their friendship she had during baby's early years. It might be neat to put a photo in each one too. I got the general idea for this activity here Cards for the Future





Cricut mats showing card accents:

Favors

Favors can be tim- consuming if you don't stick with something simple. I purchased small tins at a Christian Store, and covered them with 2in circles & small elephants. Recruit a friend to help! Provide the supplies so they can help by donating time. I placed them on a cake display tray so they could be moved easily if they were in the way of food or drinks.





An Elephant Never Forgets


If someone steps-in to help with this special event, be sure to thank them individually since their contribution helped the day run smoothly. Don't thank each guest for attending- since that's more appropriate from the guest of honor- just those that contributed to the logistics. :)

August 17, 2013

Lovebug Ladybug Gifts

Sweet ladybug picture frasme! Perfect for a nursery. The only cartridge used was Kate's ABC's.
This concept would work well for a bumblebee theme too.

I posted this project on my cricut profile, so if interested, you can check out more details there :) It includes a downloadable file for the Cricut Craft Room with the exact cuts I used. Lovebug Ladybug Project

This was also a coordinating gift. Took this idea from butterfly wings made with handprints!
  • The frame size was 11x14, and I just used card stock for the new purple mat. I wish the red from her footprints was a little brighter, but I'm not sure how we could've done that.
  • I didn't have a ladybug body, so I just welded two circles and swirls from something else. The welding feature in CCR really allows you to create exactly what you need.
TIP: Make multiple backgrounds, so you can attempt footprints several times, if needed. They also make good gifts for grandparents.

August 16, 2013

Thank-You bags using brown lunch sacks

Party Gift Bags

Supplies:
  • brown paper bags
  • one doily per brown bag
  • ribbon puncher
  • hemp (or ribbon)
  • stamp & inkpad
  • scissors
  • liquid glue
Directions (coordinating with photograph):
  1. Gather supplies...
  2. Crease and fold the doilies down their middle. Next, crease and fold the brown bags at 2.5in from their top (I used the Martha Stewart Scor Board)
  3. Put tiny dots of glue onto the back half of the folded doily, and glue to the portion folded back on the brown bag. Rub diligently to allow glue to spread, thus eliminating the previously visible "glue bumps". I chose not to glue the front of the doily so the bags had a more dimensional look without sacrificing strength
  4. Punch holes to allow for hemp or ribbon bows. This is also what keeps the bag closed. I found it easiest to use just over 12in of string length
  5. (not pictured) Stamp brown bags with stamp of choice. Black ink showed up the clearest
  6. Fill bags with candies and other fun goodies! Then tie the bows and you're set to go!