What I'm Working On

WORK:  This week I had the pleasure of designing a baby shower invitation for a good friend whose sister (who I am also friends with) is having a little boy!  Have I told you yet how much fun I have doing custom designs?  It's for a casual, informal get together so I wanted the invitation to reflect that: fun and laid-back.  If you like this design, I have good news: I'm working on more varieties of it right now and they'll be in the shop very soon.

THE HOMEFRONT:  Craig took a little business trip out east this week (so we feel for you, everyone who is buried in snow!) and came back with presents.  He bought me this seed organizer from my favorite shop, The Daytrip Society.  Which means this weekend is the start of planning my summer garden!  Has anyone else started buying seeds yet?  What are you planning on planting?

SOON TO BE:  As I mentioned earlier today, I have some Valentine's tricks up my sleeve.  Specifically something for the little ones.  Keep an eye out...it's coming next week!

Pinwheel Palooza

Over the past few weeks I've been working with a client in Australia who is hosting a pinwheel party for her daughter's first birthday.  It's summer in Australia and I can't think of a more lovely outdoor party for a tiny girl than a pinwheel party.  We started with the pinwheel invitations, in a pink and orange color combination (not shown here for privacy reasons) and went from there!

There will be pinwheels in the garden, hanging from the veranda, peaking over the frosted tops of cupcakes; even miniature ones frilling up the fronts of the goodie bags.  There are 130 pinwheels in all.  I couldn't have asked for a better break from winter than working on this summery fete.

"You're My Favorite" Game Night + Printable Invitations

For Friday's birthday party I wanted to do something that was really simple and casual.  But I still needed to have some type of theme; I feel that they help party plans come together more easily and cohesively.  I decided to have the invitations say, "since he's our favorite, we're throwing him a party" and go from there.  He loves to play games, so we did a game night.  The menu was a compilation of some his favorite foods: Philly cheesesteaks, root beer, artichoke dip and brownies.

A gathering of favorites equals a guaranteed good time.  Added bonus: it was low maintenance.  I love how easily and quickly game nights can be thrown together.  I put together this fill-in variation of our invitations for you to print out and use for your next get together.  Grab a couple of your favorite drinks, some finger foods and pass these out to your neighbors or friends.  Then let the good times begin!

Birthday Party in a Box

This Saturday is my brother-in-law's birthday.  He's currently serving a mission for our church so we won't be able to celebrate with him in person.  Instead, I decided to send him a birthday party in a box so he can still have a fun celebration, no matter where he is. 

Inside the box are homemade party hats, birthday candles, blackberry turnovers (he's more of a pie person than a cake lover) and a tiny ping-pong game that can be set up on a regular table.  Now all he has to do is open it, add his roommates and enjoy.

Getting packages in the mail is always so much fun.  What are your favorite things to receive in the mail? 

Lily Jane Stationery Giveaway

Good news: Nicole is hosting a little giveaway on her blog.  Stop by to see how you can help other women and win a set of my pinwheel thank you cards!

{image by me}

DIY: Walnut Boats

Today I'm sharing a tutorial for how to make walnut boats over on Hip Hip Hooray.  They're adorable and so easy.  Take a peek!

{image by me}

New at the Shop: Pinwheel Invitations

I just designed these pinwheel invitations for a baby shower, but I can't help but think of all the possibility they hold.  

They seem just right for a garden party, family picnic or birthday party, too.  I've just added them to the shop.  What would you use them for?

{image by me}