Super Hero Birthday Party Invitation

Designed this Super Hero Birthday Party Invitation for a friend's little boy. Below are the cupcake toppers, party favor bag toppers and water bottle wrappers that I designed to match the invitation.

Fall Fun {Trains, Fly Fishing and a Corn Maize}

I'm behind in my blogging. But I want to archive our fall trip so forgive me for posting "fall fun" a week before Thanksgiving.

Texas State Railroad
If you've never been on the "Rusk to Palestine" train (now known as the Texas State Railroad) you're missing out. Plus this is the most perfect time of year in Texas to enjoy this relaxing outing. Our trip corresponded with their Charlie Brown Pumpkin Patch weekend, thus the "Great Pumpkin" theme-appropriate, brown shirts on the girls that frankly were hard to make "girly." Adalyn's hair bow was a must!

Beavers Bend State Park - Oklahoma

Known for it's beautiful fly fishing river, Steven was excited to make the three hour drive from Tyler, north into the edge of Oklahoma. It was well worth the drive as we all enjoyed hikes along the river plus a paddle boat ride. We spent one night in a cabin there. Definitely a place to visit again.

Danville Corn Maize
My brother and sister-n-law were accommodating hosts and offered their spare bedroom to us during this long weekend. After our Oklahoma trek we met them at the Danville Corm Maize in Kilgore, TX. Sarah and Marin had a blast navigating the maze using age appropriate clues, while Adalyn and Joshua were content to forge new trails and play peek a boo in the corn. A perfect evening of fun. Marin wasn't crazy about the dome bouncer but I think Josh, Sarah and Steven could have stayed on all evening!

Felt Mermaid Tail Costumes {Halloween 2011}

Marin wanted to be a mermaid for Halloween this year so to simplify things, both girls were mermaids. The tails were inspired by this pattern I saw on the Miss Pretty Pretty Etsy store. She sells a pattern if you are interested. I loved her use of colorful felt and the concept of the tails attaching around the waist with velcro. I fashioned the mermaid tails from butcher paper and then cut from felt once I was happy with the size. I bought simple shirts and leggings and attached felt shell boobs. To make the headbands I cut seaweed shapes and starfish (stuffed with cotton) from felt attaching them with hot glue. If you'd like to make your own here is a template for the seaweed and starfish.

 
 
 

I just had to include this last photo, as this is often how Halloween and trick-or-treating feels. Just a rushed blur of kids running from house to house. Moms reminding them to "be careful," "watch for cars," "don't go inside anyone's  home" and "SLOW DOWN." Tee hee hee. I'm so grateful to my sister-n-law Christy for escorting Marin most of the night. This seven month pregnant mama was content to sit with baby Adalyn on the hay ride eating skittles.

Multi-Arm Octopus Belly Mama

Getting ready to take the girls out trick-or-treating this evening. This Multi-Arm, Octopus Belly Mama plans on escorting two addorable mermaids to tonights festivities. A simple costume made from felt and tape. Won second place at the office costume contest.

Pumpkin Carving Party 2011 {The Invitation}

Eighth Annual?! What? Amazing...
This year's invitation features a colored pencil illustration created by my sweet and creative sister, Elizabeth Kielman. A whimsical, fun, design was just the thing I needed to get in the mood for this year's party. I'm crossing my fingers for a cool front and am looking forward to an evening of fun with friends and family.

Owl Bean Bag {Free Pattern}

These owl bean bags were perfect for my friend's Owl Theme Birthday Party. I helped her make them and it was such a fun, easy project I thought I'd share a free pattern here on the blog for others to use.

I've create a two page PDF file with a basic pattern and very simple instructions. Click on the link below. Enjoy!
Owl Bean Bag Pattern

Today Is...

During my PreK curriculum search I came across many ideas for teaching the concept of days, months, years and seasons to pre-schoolers. Not wanting to invest too much money in something that would be used just a short period of time I created this poster and had the blank "canvas" printed at a local print shop and then printed the various pieces, laminated them and added velcro dots. I thought this might be useful to others and so I'm sharing my files here. This design caters to my daughter, Marin, thus primarily pink design (sorry boys).

Blank 16.5" x 23" Poster
Day, Month, Year, Season, Weather Pieces