looky looky!

 light and bright heart handled bags

We've got something new in the shop!

 rich and wintery heart handled bags

 party brights heart handled bags

 These little bags (5" tall from the top of the handle to the base, 2" deep and 3 3/4" wide) are just the right size for giving small gifts, sending home party favors, serving treats and displaying party goods. I'd love to package up a bunch of cupcakes in them, wouldn't you?

They can be made in any color or pattern and in any quantity. And, soon, I'll have a hand-stamped version available to coordinate with the stamped cupcake toppers.

In the next few days and weeks I'll be posting photos of ways that they can be customized, too! There are so many ideas running around in my head .... these will be so much fun! : )

a little boy's cowboy party, part 2 - decor and party

Here's the rest of Ian's cowboy party (the first post is here)!

 

I used some of the blue jars to hold the silverware, and the plates were a bit of serendipity from Hobby Lobby (clearance! ye-haw!)

At the beginning of June I was 3 1/2 months pregnant and finally had my energy back. I had a bunch of ideas from my Pinterest idea board that I wanted to do - and actually got most of them done! Looking back, I should have taken more photos of the details (like cactus on the front door to greet our guests or the little cows and horses we dug out of the toy bin to scatter around the room), but these give an idea. :)

the view from our front door (can you spy the cactus? there are a few against the half walls)

looking from the table to the drinks bench, kitchen and the "chuck wagon" - I've added the red, white and brown star garland to the shop if you'd like one for your own cowboy :)

red, white and kraft stars

the red were from the dollar store, originally gold and silver foil from Christmas that I spray painted (and I think I like them better this way - can use them for the 4th and Christmas, too!) and the white and kraft are from this tutorial.

 

Cowboy Ian!

He and Em loved running back and forth under the "wagon". It was simply a small folding table with a cloth, and John attached the cardboard "wheels" to the corners with twine.

What Western themed party would be complete without some "snakes"? :)

and of course, some silly stick on mustaches!

the cutest little buckaroos, ages 3 and 2 (the backdrop idea is from here), so excited for the party to start!

 he wasn't too sure about our family birthday hat, though. :)

His favorite gift was the lawnmower. It was also the first to be opened - he was so enamored with it that we almost didn't get to the rest of the presents!

Darling boy, we love you so much. You are all boy, but also a bundle of love and tenderness. This next year is going to be wonderful!

Sweet Hearts

I just added a new item to the shop - Heart Cupcake Toppers!

They are so sweet, and would be darling to use for birthdays, wedding baby showers, a special tea with friends .... or just to dress up your morning muffin. : )

I have plans to add ones made from music paper, red ones and maybe more - I'll keep you posted!

Thank you so much for following along with me here on the blog. I haven't been the most regular of bloggers - leaving you hanging for weeks on end sometimes - but I do deeply appreciate all of you who click over and read occasionally. : )

Also, the shop has had almost 300 orders (I can barely believe it! God has been so good.) and to thank the person who places the 300th, they are going to get free shipping on their order! (the shipping fees will be refunded once the transaction has cleared)
Please feel free to share the news with your friends! :)