Birthday Party Success!

Many of you know that my son turned 1 last week.  I can't believe time has gone by so fast.  I had a lot of fun making a whimsical environment for his 1st birthday.  I call Max my little Monster, he's the most lovable monster you could ever meet, and he's mine.  Since this might be the only time I get to plan his birthday party, I chose a Monsters theme.

I started projects a few weeks ago while filling orders, what a great way to stay inspired and motivated.  Fill an order and make a party favor, such fun!

First: Invitations

Since Max was turning one I chose to make one eyeball invitations.  Just as if a monster with one eye were looking at you, the theme continued as you will see.

 Second: Give Aways

We used these little guys as giveaway items, since most of the guests where babies we thought these where a great idea.  Everyone got to pick their own and everyone enjoyed them.  Notice they only have one eye!  Another set is available on my Etsy Shop!

Third: Tablecloth and Banner

I figured if I made one banner and tablecloth I could use them over and over again.  I kept them light and simple, just using three colors which I can reuse for future parties. 

 Fourth: Cupcake Toppers

Everyone knows I'm a little obsessed with Cupcakes.  I had never made a topper before.  So, I took smaller versions of the eyeballs I made for the invitations and made them into cupcake toppers.  Funny side note: I was walking thru Michael's yesterday and found similar items for sale for Halloween.  I paired them with some blue polka dot liners from Michael's and they tied everything together.  The pairing of the yellow and white polka dots on the table cloth was a funny coincidence.  I had asked my husband to pick up blue liners and these where what he found!

 Fifth: Food, Food, Food!

It was so fun to think of food for kids and adults.  Ages ranged from 6months to 50+ and I thing everyone had their fill. Everything served is a staple in the Alexander Family, lets just say there weren't very many leftovers. 

We used kiddie spoons and forks, it was fun to see adults using crayola spoons, everyone giggled at them. 

Food was safe enough for toddlers and filling enough for adults.  For tips I've included my food ideas below.

Here's the menu:

Drinks:

Iced Tea, Juice Boxes, Milk Boxes

Sandwiches: without the crusts

Peanut Butter

Cucumber and Cheddar

Sides:

Mac N Cheese

Hummus

Yogurt

Goldfish

Fruit Salad

Mashups

Dessert:

Jello

Blueberry Nutragrain Bars

Monster Cookies

Lemon Cupcakes

H.A.L.L.O.W.E.E.N. Spells Halloween!

I find that inspiration comes in the most unlikely places.  The pure mention of Halloween sends me into a tizzy.  It might just be my favorite holiday, next to Christmas that is.  Walking though the grocery store this week made me start thinking about ghouls, ghosts, fun, and childhood. 

This year Max will be one and we will have our first Trick or Treat in the new neighborhood.  Last year I made Max his very first costume, this Pumpkin Costume.  Let's just say it was way too big for my 2 month old son.  Well it fits just fine now, with the addition of a new, bigger, hat, click here for original post Max's First Halloween. Well, yesterday I made a new hat and then I just kept on going.  I had some leftover white fleece from a project about a year ago.  I just so happened to be channeling my ghoulish self.  So much that I made this new Ghost Costume.

Keeping with the the theme of Halloween.  Last week I started making a few new items. Those cute Monsters from the last blog, well I was making toys and I just kept on going.  Let's just say they were a huge hit with Max, who is teething like a banshee these days.  He was rotating between chewing, shaking(they are rattles), and kicking them.  When I took them away to photograph them he was not too happy about it.  They were soon returned with a new trick or treat bag to hold them all together.  I have a feeling these are going to go everywhere with us over the next 2 months. 

Well, I guess if we are working backwards today I should end with this item.  Last week's orders wiped me out of certain lantern colors, so I had to order more.  So I took a chance and ordered Black.  Not a usual choice for me, but I think it looks amazing in this Halloween Inspired Balloon Mobile.  All items listed in this blog post are available at my ETSY shop.  Click any link to start shopping.

Have I mentioned I love Halloween?  See you soon! Pleasant Nightmares....

Busy, Busy, Busy

The ball is still rolling... and rolling... and rolling...

I was lucky enough to have two more custom orders this week!  The first one was a lot of fun, designing a mobile set for a 1st grade class.  I worked with the teacher to create this one of a kind set.  She redesigned her room this year using a new theme, Dots on Turquoise, I was inspired by this new source and I love the idea that smiling faces will see this mobile everyday.  I hope it brings some imagination and whimsy to their day. 

While working on this design I had to rework my Paper Lantern Mobile.  She requested an odd set of lanterns on each mobile and she really liked the birch mount that I use.  I started working on a few new ideas and then I had the brainstorm.  The new Mini Paper Lantern Mobile has the same charm and ease as the original, just a new outlook.

My second order was a custom gift set for a new baby girl.  The woman who ordered mentioned this was for a "grandma party".  Apparently a woman at her office became a grandmother and everyone threw her a party for the essentials every grandma needs at their house.   I'd never heard of this before, how fun.  She picked out the polka dot fabric from my stock and said she wanted a blanket, burp cloth and wrist rattle.  It's fun to mix and match new fabrics.  Her coworker had a granddaughter, but the client wanted to keep thing gender neutral in case of more grandchildren.  I love using blues for girls designs, I find as long as I keep the pattern organic and free flowing it looks feminine and tough at the same time.

 

Then it was time for a little fun.  Felt Monster Toy Set   I've been thinking about these monsters for a long time.  Ever since I made my first toy, a large stuffed octopus.  Dot came next, then a few rattles and such.  This project has been in my head for as long as I have wanted to make items for kids.  I decided Max should have a Monster Mash birthday party this year.  He's turning one, he's my monster, and who knows if I'll ever get to pick another theme again.  So I'm running with it.  We will be celebrating next weekend, pictures of all of the festivities to come soon, well pictures of all the goodies anyway.  Thanks for stopping in. 

 

Check back soon. Halloween may be coming early to janiegirlcrafts.

What a day!

Some people may be aware that I was recently offered a part time job out of the house.  This morning I decided not to take this job and work from home instead.

I came to my decision last night and decided to sleep on it one more night and respond this morning.  As I was about to respond to the offer I received an order for a Custom Paper Lantern Balloon Mobile.

I jumped up and down with excitement, the order needed to be filled and mailed today.  A rush job.  Before starting I sent a response to my would be boss, in which he replied, "Bummer".  Then seconds later I received a second order Custom Lighted Paper Lantern Mobile.

It was like I had been sent an invisible letter saying, "If you respond to 7 people within the next 24 hours fortune will smile upon you."

Fortune smiled upon me today and I wanted to share with you.  Speaking of sharing here are my two new items.

Oh yeah, I was supposed to have something on my needles to share today.  Well, that's something that is still on my list.  My life almost changed this week; well I guess it kind of did.  I made the decision to stay at home with Max, and make my dreams.  I hope you like them.