Our 10th Anniversary Party ~ the Creative Details

What a great day! We had so much fun and from what I've heard, it sounds like it was fun for everyone. I've kept details under my hat for so long that I hope to remember everything I wanted to share. Let's begin with our save the dates.

I printed these on card stock and used marker to mark the date. I chose this format so that I could design and print them before even confirming the date. 

Then the invitation:

These are Wonka Bar knock~offs complete with golden tickets. This was a Pinterest find as many of my details were. In fact, I've just taken the private lock off my anniversary party idea board if you're interested in seeing most of my inspiration.

The main crafting project that kept me busy for weeks was the backdrop. A few notes before I show you:

• I had help. A few of my girlfriends came over for an evening to help and my sister also helped me for an evening.
• Even though the backdrop got destroyed (wind and transport etc) I would do it again! I loved the result
• The end result was not quite the end I would have left it at if I had more time. 
• I loved this backdrop!

The details: there are 12 foam backed poster boards attached with zip ties covered in paper flowers. The only thing I used was plain printer paper and glue (low temp glue gun). I researched tutorials on Pinterest and in the end I just made things up as I went. It took an average of 2 boards per evening to complete. 

A close~up from my Instagram

I wish I had followed my original instinct to make some extra fill flowers, but as I finished two nights before the party and having out of town guests, I decided to call it finished. The gaps are obvious. Within the first hour of having set it up, I lost one of the larger flowers in the wind and I decided not to try to save it. Transporting it was a bit of a pain. If I make one again, I hope to sell it to a photographer. I think it would be especially nice in a studio.

The only other decor piece we had anything to do with from the picture above was the program.

We actually started late, but we managed to catch up and finish on timer anyway. We wanted to be sure families with littles weren't out too late. Anyway, the rest of the stage...gorgeous right? We were blessed to be hosted on a family farm by an awesome family who are no strangers to hosting events. Their property is beautiful and full of the host's creative touches. 

Our family outfits had some creative touches added here and there. Bow ties, boutonniere and a hat brim change.

Instead of making traditional bow ties that wrap around and under the collar, I removed the top button on the shirts and put a snap in its place with the other side on the bow ties. It worked quite nicely. I couldn't resist popping a piece of wheat into the bib pockets of the boys' coveralls. They looked so cute. I'll show you them dressed up in another post.

We decided that David wouldn't wear a suit but instead a dress shirt with blue jeans and suspenders. He looked so hot! Yes, it was a hot day, but I mean he looked really great! I whipped up his boutonniere with matching ribbon from the boys' ties and my hat brim.

This awesome hat I purchased at the Haberdashery here in town. Friends from church own this great shop and I was so happy to have an occasion to need a great hat. Luke hooked me up with this one and I love it, but the trim was black and my dress, navy. I took matters into my own hands and changed up the trim with a ribbon. 

It's not the best picture, but you get the idea.

I made some digital designed printouts, but I'll share those with you as I get into the ceremony details.

I had a lot of fun with this party. I had so many ideas and some of them didn't make the light of day, but in general I'm happy with the results.

Snowman Kits

Have you seen snowman kits? I've been itching for an excuse to make some and when I got to do the welcome gifts for family retreat, it seemed like the perfect idea. I scoured Pinterest for ideas and basically followed this tutorial. David helped me with the math again, so that I purchased only the fabric needed.

Since I needed to make 12 and I was working in a budget, I looked for the least inexpensive way to make them.

I glued pom~poms onto small craft sticks for eyes, mouth and buttons and painted wooden pegs orange for the "carrot" nose.

I sewed felt top hats...too cute and a desired item for mat hat~loving boy.

I whipped up some tags, though I would maybe use them better next time to show what the kit included (in case there was question as to what each item was for).

 This was such a fun project, though next time I would work out a few minor changes.

Catching Up

I was looking through some pictures on my computer and realized that I hadn't shared a few things, so we'll call this a catch up post and then I'll share some of my latest news in another post.

• I showed you a project in progress awhile back, but never showed you the finished project. Malachi turned three in November and received a super hero doll with a matching cape, super hero cuffs and mask. He was super thrilled and the cape continues to be one of his favourites. I designed my own pattern for the doll with tips I'd found online. My Micah might get one for his birthday in June...we'll see.

•  I went to a Christmas party at the beginning of December and we had a gift exchange. I brought our home made vanilla coffee syrup. I bottled it in a Jones soda bottle and used some shrink wine toppers that David had left over from his wine making days. We were to bring two gifts, so I brought two and was happy to see that they were a desired gift and were "stolen" several times. I whipped up a label (re-worked last year's Christmas gift labels).

• I also whipped up a small jar of sugar scrub for each lady. The peppermint smell in my kitchen was lovely.

• I am so close to finishing a really big project...

I think I caught up the missed things, stay tuned for the latest ones.

Party Post Part Two

The surprise ball, the decor, the mix CD and the swag!

I love Pinterest! I have been collecting ideas for this party for sometime. I love decor items that have a large impact for little cost. I bought 2 rolls of wrapping paper and used what I had around the house, plus the few flowers from the dollar store. The paperwheel is a great trend right now. I love how this wall turned out. I think it will stay up for awhile. Grand total $3.

Tissue tassles are another cheap decor item and they look cute. I do wish I would have put in a bit of gold, though. Tutorial found here. Grand total $2.

The surprise ball I saw on the Design Mom blog and knew I wanted to do one. Super easy, super cute and fun. Simply using streamers, wrap items in layers until you have as many layers as you'd like.

As my guests responded that they were coming I asked them to give me a song that would be considered a favourite. I then made a mix CD for everyone to take home. I've been loving this. I have a happy emotional connection to this playlist on my computer and the CD copy in my car. Love these ladies!!!

click to enlarge

What did everyone bring as their favourites? (blue ones I received)

1. Style at Home magazine
2. mini glass spice containers
3. an almost favourite spatula - we heard a great story with this one!
4. makeup bag with lipgloss
5. Rocky Mountain bar soap
6. zipper pouch and pen
7. nail polish and Bible verses
8. body wash, nail file and photo fridge magnet
9. glass bowls and lip balm
10. lip gloss
11. tomato plants
12. spa items and tea
13. apricot scrub, flower seeds and tea

*sigh* It was great and I'm sad it's over. Oh well, there's always next year's party to plan. *wink* *wink*

PS Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Checking In 2013

Hello, January! Welcome, 2013. I am sure looking forward to a year full of new adventures. We do need to look back a bit to catch up, though.

•  We have a shelf in our bedroom that I put a few things on, but hadn't really settled on what to use it for. I found my David styling it with significant things in our marriage. I LOVE this man!

• We did make some handmade gifts that I love! David made and bottled coffee syrup. I made labels and we included bistro bottle pour spouts. We made almond and vanilla...yum! If you're not a coffee drinker, you can still use syrups for drinks like steamers or tea mistos (a London fog is a common misto). We used this recipe for the basic syrup and just changed the extract.

• I made Abigail and Malachi giant reading pillows. They like to drag it around by the handle and stuff the pockets with treasures. They both got new books with their pillows for Christmas. Tutorial here.

• I whipped up some mulling spice packets for my girlfriends at my Ladies group. I had shared this crock pot punch as one of our family favourite recipes at Christmas and then gave the recipe with the spice packet. We love brewing this over the holidays.

• I also made obi style hot/cold wraps, but forgot to take pictures. I made them two for friends, but I'm sure I'll be making myself one at some point. They look something like this.
• My David hunted long and high for the perfect snow globe for me for Christmas and he NAILED it! Love this. It's a simple Christmas tree in silver on a pedestal with a light and a fan that blows the snow inside. It's so beautiful. Truth be told, i am a picky snow globe person and he totally got it! This picture doesn't do it justice.

• New fabric! New project in progress... any guesses? 

• Road test tomorrow...finally! I am excited and nervous, but as my friend said yesterday, the worst that could happen is I fail. If that happens you try again. I am looking forward to little things like taking my littles one on one for dates and sneaking out for little Mama breaks.
• We got a new camera for Christmas... thanks to our family for the Christmas money. I am still learning it, but you can see it here.
• Micah was sick over Christmas and quit the soother. This is new ground for me. Learning.
• We cut down our Christmas card list. Postage is brutal! Sorry, if you didn't make the cut, it's not because we don't love you. You can print it out if you like. I got the inspiration here.

• Oh, and here's our return address label. Actual address not included. I like the maple leaf, not that that is a surprise.

Happy Yellow Day!

8 years ago, today, while washing laundry, I accidentally died our whites yellow. My David instantly declared that December 20 would forever be yellow day in honour of that boo boo. I laughed it off, but he was in ernest. So, I bring you this year's instalment of yellow.

I found various yellow shirts at the second hand stores (it is almost impossible to find yellow in the winter! we will shop for next year's yellow day in the spring) and made some iron on transfers for mine and the little's shirts. (Designs inspired by these.) It's a work day for my David, so I found him a dress shirt and did not ruin it with a t-shirt transfer.

I'm not sure if we'll get a family shot later or not, but two of my littles were ready to represent for the blog.

Checking In

Phew! It's been a bit crazy here, let's talk about it!

• We got this year's family pictures back. We love them! Twila always does a great job. This shoot was a chilly adventure, but I really love how they turned out. We brought Auntie Trudy (a family friend) with us and I am so glad we did. The littles were able to sit and warm up in her SUV while David and I had pictures taken and we had extra arms to keep the baby warm and the littles taken care of. I totally recommend bringing help to a family photo shoot.

• We are still deciding on our family philosophy on Halloween, but this year we did dress up with the littles and go for candy. We got a lot of comments about dressing up with the littles, it seems a bit uncommon around here.

• It's less than a week to our IKEA shopping preview! I whipped up some business cards, in case I run into some other mom bloggers. Inspired from Pinterest.

• Abby broke her arm. She took a fall off a play structure and life has been ALL about the broken arm. Our little Dolly sure has learned to "milk" it for all it's worth. In all seriousness, she's doing great. Abby's been our big brave girl. Her permanent cast goes on today. Pics soon.

hamming it up

• Abby has learned to take pictures on our camera. We get a lot of random ceiling pictures, but here's two worth keeping.

taking a few minutes to crochet

Miss Sophia and Dolly (a great picture taken with a little help)

• I have a whole bunch of projects on the go. Busy busy busy. Not much to show you yet, but it's coming. Abby has even been working on secret Christmas projects. Here's a sneak peek. If you guess, don't give the secret away.

• My Malachi turned two. Where did the last year go? He's so fun to listen to right now. We aren't fluent in Malachi, but it sure is fun trying to figure it out. We are celebrating with a party on Sunday. If I remember to take pictures, I'll be sure to share them later.

• Christmas card finished. I had to do a bit of a redesign when I saw the first print. Certain details came out too small, but I think I've got it to a place that I like now.
• I told you I got a dishwasher, but I haven't shown you yet...here she is! I love to hear her hum and I am so impressed by how much she saves my hands from. So thankful!