Happy Birthday Pennant Banner: Tutorial

This pennant banner made from scrapbook paper was not only free to make but also took only about 20 minutes to make.  No brainer!

Here is a simple tutorial.

1. Print your letters.  I used these from Martha Stewart.
2.  Pick your scrapbook paper.  I used 12x12 which will give you six pennants per sheet.
3. Fold your paper in half to make a rectangle.
4. Mark the top of your paper at the middle and the bottom in thirds.  If you look closely you can see the pencil marks.
5.  Use a ruler and connect the dots.  Look closely again and you can see the outline of your pennants. 6.  Cut them out.
7. Cut out your letters.  Punch holes in the top corners of your pennants. Glue letters to your pennants.
8.  Thread a length of ribbon through your pennants making sure to leave enough on either end to make hanging easy. 

That's it!  Big impact on decor...tiny impact on time.... zero impact on budget! And one happy little two year old who still walk around singing "Happy Birthday To My Party..."!!

Kandi

PS... Come back Thursday for a Shabby Apple giveaway!

**See more on this ice cream party here.

**See more party decorating with pennant banners here.

Linking up to some of these great places.

Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Serendipity and Spice Destination Craft Mrs Happy Homemaker Make it Yourself Monday Ask Anna C.R.A.F.T. The Southern Institute The DIY Showoff Craftomaniac Raising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown Home Organizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials Be Inspired Tuesday Time Out A to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds Eye Heart Our Delightful Home The Inspiration Board

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Ice Cream Party: Free Printables

Harper Kate's party was this weekend and I think it went great.  Very low key but the kids had a blast!  In years past I've tended to blow the budget on birthday parties for Gray and Harper.  I've just realized that it is really not necessary.  The kids could really and truly care, and as long as they are having fun what more could matter?  So this year I took the fun more seriously and the decorating less seriously.  Entirely out of my nature if you know me but people evolve you know :-)

I scoured the web, well, actually Pinterest, for free printables and the magnitude of things that came up were amazing!  I narrowed it down to just 3 different projects because that would be SIMPLE!   

Project 1: Happy Birthday Harper Pennant Banner
Cost: Free

This was the easiest banner ever, but I'll give a quick tutorial tomorrow. I cut all of my pennants out of scrapbook paper that I had on hand and found this perfect letter printables on Martha Stewart. She had some other adorable ways to use them on her website (duh) but I needed a little more color.  It was just the pop I needed over the desert table.  Just enough without being over the top.

Project 2: Harper's Birthday Ice Cream Labels
Cost: $7 for the sticky labels

I went with the little cups of ice cream to save on time and fuss but wanted to dress them up a bit.  This project could potentially cost you $7 unless you have these labels on hand.  I used the two inch circles from Avery's new line of Customizable Market Solutions  and I thought there were absolutely perfect! The website is full of free templates and a super easy to use platform for designing your labels.  You can import pictures and logos and they are 100% fully customizable.  I designed these from a blank template in about 5 minutes but the possibilities were truly endless!

Project 3: Ice Cream Toppings Labels
Cost: Free

These Ice Cream Tags are by Amy Moss at Eat Drink Chic.  To save time I hand wrote the toppings onto the tags and glued them to card stock so they could stand up on their own.

The rest of the decorating came from bright linens I already had on hand, flowers from my yard, and about 20 brightly colored balloons.  

You know you have an awesome friend when she brings you a set of 12 monogrammed brightly colored napkins.  YOU ARE THE BEST REBEKAH!!  I pulled out all the colors that worked with the party for extra pops of color.  Worked perfect since our last name and Harpers first name are both H's.  The printable on the right I've had a around for a while and its a freebie from Eighteen25.  They happen to have the best collection of subway art ever!

I also reused pennants from my sisters baby shower on the lower patio. 

More on the party to come this week!

Kandi

Harpers 2nd Birthday Inspiration: Ice Cream Party

So.... although I knew that Harper's birthday was coming up soon I think I have been in denial of just how soon!  You have to understand, within a month of each other I have one turning two and the other going to Kindergarten.  Kindergarten is killing me... I can't even talk about it right now!!  Instead, lets plan a party!!

I love ice cream and I love playing in the water!!

Summer birthdays are fun.  It just opens up the possibilities and I am "planning" to have this one outside (which we all know means it will rain).  The loose theme I am using is "ice cream and slip-n-slide".  Basically I'm going to decorate with and serve ice cream and then send the kids outside to play in the water and get their energy out! 

For me, a party always starts with the invitation.  I didn't know whether to go with the full on ice cream theme...

PINK ICE CREAM CONE INVITATION

Or the full on Slip-N Slide theme...

Girl Waterslide Invitation

Neither were perfect but I fell in LOVE with this one!

Pink Pool Trio Invitation

Loved the colors and love that it gets across the whole party!  Water, fun, and food. 

Now, on to the decor.  I am thinking lots of pennant banners hanging from the decks and trees. 

GiddyGumdrops 

Eat, drink, chic

Of course, a big ice cream bar!

Amy Atlas

Amy Atlas

Party Inspirations

Ok!  This has been the easy part!  Now, I need to get to work.   

On another note, my entry closet makeover is coming along beautifully!  My sweet husband is working so hard to get it done.  He is a perfectionist so I've heard a few choice words coming from the foyer... but we will let that slide as long as he keeps working!  Want a sneak peak? 

LOVE IT ALREADY!!!!

Kandi

Cherry Tomato and Feta Salad Recipe

This week for Sunday lunch at Nana's I brought a Cherry Tomato and Feta Salad.   It's a recipe I've known for years that has been adapted from a Barefoot Contessa recipe.  Love her by the way!!  I say "known" rather than "had" because I don't really know if I even have the recipe in print anymore.  The great thing about this one is that you can't really mess it up.  Is is so simple to double or triple and people almost always love it and want your recipe.  My other favorite about this go to recipe is that it is best served at room temperature so it makes your life easier whether you are hosting at your home or bringing it along to a party (or Sunday lunch).

Tomato Feta Salad
2 pints cherry tomatoes (if you have the options of different colors go with that!  so pretty!)
2 small containers of BLOCK feta cheese
1 small red onion- small dice
1 bundle of basil
1 bundle of parsley
3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
1/3 cup white wine vinegar (or champagne vinegar if you can get your hands on it)
kosher salt and pepper to taste

Cut feta into cubes.  I usually do fairly large chunks.  1/2 to 1 inch.  Half tomatoes.  Chop herbs. Mix it all together being careful not to break up your feta.  That simple!! 

This one is usually better to make ahead.  Make it in the morning and put it in the refrigerator.  Let it come to room temperature before serving.  It looks beautiful in a trifle bowl.

This is a perfect recipe for summer parties when the tomatoes are delicious and abundant.
Enjoy!

By the way, you MUST go check out Woven Home's new line of wedding pillows.  If you have a wedding coming up there is no way you'll be able to pass this up as the gift (or you might just want one for yourself)!!!

Kandi

We party here:
Motivate Me Monday The Cure for the Common Monday A Diamond in the Stuff Just Something I Whipped Up Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Polish the Stars Serendipity and Spice Destination Craft Mrs Happy Homemaker Made for You Monday Make it Yourself Monday Ask Anna C.R.A.F.T. The Southern Institute The DIY Showoff Craftomaniac Raising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday * Stringtown Home Organizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials Giggles Glitz and Glam Be Inspired Tuesday Time Out A to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds Eye Heart Our Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Frugal Treasures Tuesday Too Cute Tuesday Sugar and Dots Topsy Turvy Tuesdays Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in Training Sugar Bee Crafts Hope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’ Tuesday To Do Party Cherished Bliss Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft On Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade Off Tip Junkie T2T Tuesday Tuesday Treasures Ladybug Blessings Creative Itch Toot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Junk in their Trunk Polkadots on Parade * Laugh Love and Craft Rock N Share Clean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little Tipsy Women Living Well Primp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday Live.Laugh.Rowe Adventures in Dinner Easy Digital Scrapbooking Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously Flawed It’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change 52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom Designs A Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone Beagle Schoolhouse Scraps The Brambleberry Cottage * The Shabby Nest Tidy Mom Joyful Stamper My Simple Home Life Remodelaholic Delicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon Time Joy in the Jumble The Grant Life Dotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising Oranges Making Lemonade Redoux Interiors Sassy Sites One Artsy Momma My Romantic Home Petals to Picots Pandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us Four Mommas Kinda Crafty Craftionary Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4 Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird Lane Serenity You The Gingerbread Blog Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley

New Years Eve Party

Free NYE Subway Art from Eighteen25

Out of necessity we had a New Years Eve Party this year.  I say necessity because we talked all of our friends into lining up babysitter and going with us to an awesome party at a resteraunt in town... only for the resteraunt to cancel their party last minute. 

We had less than a week from conception to party time so there was lots to do!

My recipe for a painless party…

1. I LOVE invites.  I just like paper of all kinds.  But make or order something that is suitable to your party… whether, crazy fun or simple elegant.  I think it always sets the tone for a party.  While I normally do not send out Evites I had to this time… no time for paper since it was last minute… but it worked like a charm!  And I found an adorable chevron pattern to boot.

2. Guest list.  How to put it nicely… we have lots of different genres of friends… like, I might not mix my college friends with my grandparents… just sayin!      

3. PLAN AHEAD… Plan your food, drink, décor, etc.  I am a list maker by nature which always helps things go a little smoother.

4.  Enlist help and be able to delegate.  Whether it’s your husband making the play list and setting up the bar, or your sister sweeping up and garnishing your dishes.  It makes all the difference in the world.   You might even want to make a secret list of what you may or may not ask others to do (BUT, if your sister finds it, she will roll her eyes at youJ)

Above mentioned sister... who retired to her PJ's early... she's saying "I found that secret list, you are so OCD!"  Kidding!  I'm sure we were just gossiping!

5. Get done what you can the day before.  Have your groceries, get out your serving pieces, house clean, buy flowers and arrange, etc.  If it can be done ahead… do it!

6. Get those lists out and follow thru.  Cook, decorate, etc.  LEAVE TIME TO GET YOURSELF READY!  I like to have my hair and make-up done early in the day and throw on my clothes at the last minute!

 My favorite decor item... my breakfast room chandelier!  I have been wanting to try this for a while and this seemed like the right time.  The greenery and crystals were already in the chandelier from Christmas.  I added the clear glass ornaments with a little hot glue to be safe!  A little water, a few roses and some babies breath.  Whalla!!  I loved it, although it seemed more suitable for a wedding shower... it was still fun to do!

I forgot one thing...party favors and Champagne!  Crutial for a NYE Party!  Dont hate on my favors... this is what you get when you go to buy them at 4:30 on New Years Eve!

Here's to the greatest 2012 you can dream up!!

Kandi

Happy Thanksgiving from Lynchburg Va

Happy Thanskgiving!  The turkey is in the oven, and our family is on its way.  Here are a couple of pictures of our tablescape this year.  The pumpkins are from Pottery Barn, the paper bag flowers were inspired by 52 Mantels from Pinterest, and the"Give Thanks" banner was one of my creations!  I know the pumpkins were a total splurge, but I compensated for them by making those beautiful homemade paper bag flowers and "Give Thanks" banner.  Every table needs a little glamor mixed with a good deal!  I do love this season...

I love these Pottery Barn Pumkins.  I have used them in several places around my home this fall....including the mantel.  The main thing to keep in mind when decorating a mantel or even your table, add height, depth, and texture in your design.

I like the combination of rustic and time warn treasures mixed with shimming glass. 

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with friends and family, and lots of joyful moments!
love,
Rebekah