DIY baby shower gifts

One of my close friends recently gave birth to a bouncing baby boy.  This friend also happens to be an amazingly talented seamstress, who always gives very thoughtful handmade gifts whenever there is a birthday or new baby in our group.  So, I wanted to make sure I welcomed her little one with something unique and crafty.  I also wanted to jump on board with the shower’s pirate theme.

 

Project One: Framed Alphabet Print 

1.  Create a document in Microsoft Word.

2.  Type out the alphabet in your choice of colour and font.

3.  Choose a contrasting colour for the first letter of baby’s name and bottom line of text.

4.  Search Google for free clip art images.

5.  Print document.  I took mine to Staples to get higher quality ink and paper.

6.  Complete the project with a 8 x 10 or 8 1/2 x 11 frame.

Project Two: Baby’s First Initial Wall Hanging

1.  Purchase a large wooden initial at Michaels, Walmart etc.

2.  Wrap outside edges with ribbon, securing with Elmer’s glue.

3.  Add themed embellishments and/or paint the surface of the letter.

4.  Write baby’s birth info. using a Sharpie marker.

I had so much fun making these for baby Ezekiel, and I like that these are keepsake gifts for Mom and Dad, even after he has outgrown having them on display in his room.

 

 

J’adore Paris!

Having my daughter and being on mat leave has transformed me into a social butterfly. Like every good social butterfly, I love parties. Especially planning and hosting them- not just any parties mind you, but theme parties. I HEART THEMES! I was recently discussing with a coworker that my life has now become one theme after another, and I love it! Since my daughter was born in March 2011, I have hosted:

-2 Halloween parties
-Ugly Christmas sweater party
-Stampin’ Up Christmas card making party
-Mexican fiesta
-“Lovely Ladies” tea and cupcake surprise birthday party
-Alice in Wonderland theme party- for my daughter’s first birthday
-“Ladies’ Night In” Avon party
-“Moms’ and Babies” pizza and movie night
-“Friendsgiving”
-Nautical theme baby shower
-“Bars stars with no place to go” New Year’s Eve party

I’m sure I’m forgetting a few in there, but you get the jist.

This weekend, my friend and I co-hosted a double baby shower for two of our lovely expectant mama friends. They are both having girls, so pink was the obvious choice. However, I wanted to stay away from having a “babyish” baby shower if that makes sense? I wanted something stylish and sophisticated. So, I decided that the theme would be “A morning in Paris” baby shower brunch! The colour scheme was pink and black. Guests were encourage to dress in black and/or pink attire.

A pink punch was served in decorated mason jars with pink straws. Brunch items included: croissants, pink cream soda cupcakes, quiche, hash browns, hummus with pita chips, and a fruit tray with dip. And let’s not forget the requisite bowl of goldfish crackers that are a fixture at every mommy-toddler party;)

Here are some photos from the event:

My friend and co-host Marcy and I are pictured together with our little ones. I’m on the right. Our guests of honour are sharing a loving preggo moment in the last picture.

Each of the guests of honour received from me: a handmade fabric tote bag, a glass bottle of bubble bath in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, tissues with Eiffel Tower print, a Paris theme onesie (one with a poodle, one with a bottle of ‘parfum’), some diapers and wipes, and these two little crafty projects below.

These button collages were inspired by the creations of www.bustedbutton.com

These are baby crinkle taggy blankets. The tags are made of different types of ribbon. Inside the two layers is a wrapper from an empty wipes package. It’s difficult to see in the picture, but I sewed a heart shape in the centre of the blankies to keep the crinkle material from shifting around. Variations of this beginner sewing project can be found by searching “baby tag blanket.”

All in all, I think this party was a success. I enjoyed having a co-conspirator to share in the planning and decorating and I think our ideas melded together well.

“Au revoir” for now friends:)