A Party

 Saturday we had a duel family birthday party for my step son who turned 11 and for my son who turned 8. I can't believe how fast they grow up.

We kept things simple for the party but I do have tons of fun making things for the party like the invites.

 The inside

I removed my personal info for viewing

 I designed the cards on Photoshop Elements 10 and found the monster truck images on Google

the cake

 I made the cake myself and with some help from the hubby. 

I made the shape of a 8 like a race-car track by baking the cake in circle pans and cutting a bit of the edge and placing them together. I doubled the layers, chocolate and yellow cake. I made extra to make the mound in the middle. My guy did that part, hes very handy and can help with a cake! 

I'm not very good at decorating with frosting but I did my best not to mess up on the letters. I used these sanding sugars in brown and black edible glitter to give it texture. I stole the monster trucks from my kids.

The happy banner was made with cardstock, yarn, skewers and stamps. The flags were made from skewers also but I didn't have checkered black and white paper nor did the craft store so I used my hounds-tooth paper.

 It was very tasty as well. 

I made a deli and cheese platter which I forgot to get pictures of all the food set up but it looked really nice. 

these are galvanized metal flower pots from Ikea I had sitting around and I sanded and painted on a strip of chalkboard paint to make them a little more fun. 

 I'll be using these for herbs soon. 

I kept the decorations simple, I used the fabric banners from a previous party and tied balloons in the middle.

Today I didn't do much at all. I took my son to use his gift card at Target and I didn't buy anything. I almost bought this under the cabinet TV on Clearance for $75 but then I researched it on my android phone and it didn't have very good reviews. I love being able to do that while shopping.

I've been looking for a TV for the kitchen for a long time but now they are even cheaper. 

I dont want TV much but in the morning I need to watch the weather and the news and I wouldn't mind watching TV while cleaning, cooking or crafting in the kitchen.

Do you have a smartphone with the bar-code scanner on it? Do you use it?

Don't forget about my giveaway! It ends at midnight tomorrow.

Shabby Apple $50 Gift Card

Please visit my link party page to see where I link up

click here to see them

Outdoor Table Settings & Cute Ideas

I enjoy summertime the most because of swimming and outdoor parties.

I cant wait to have a party at our house.

I came across some beautiful photos of outdoor table settings

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What is your favorite photo?

I love all this eye candy I find from Pinterest

I could spend all night looking at beautiful photos.

If you haven't sign up yet you should and if you need a invite let me know! 

Also My Simply Creation's Link Party Is On! Come Join!

Easy Paper Banner Tutorial

I made this cute Birthday Banner for the birthday parties we just had. I kept it simple and just had it said " Happy B-Day". I love banners for events and they are easy to create.This is a easy project and not time consuming.

What you will need

1. Cardstock white or whatever color you want
2. paper with a cute design like scrapbook paper
3. stamps,stencils or write the letters yourself
4. paint or ink
5. glue
6. ribbon
7. hole punch
8. craft scissors
9. pencil

A ruler is helpful as well.

You start with a piece of cardstock

use a ruler and pencil to make your point in the middle and draw you lines up to make a triangle shape

then cut it out, I used my first triangle to trace on the other sheets of cardstock i needed, this makes it easier. 

I used craft paint, I just spread it on the paper plate so its not to thick.

 I found these big foam alphabet stamps on clearance for $1.97 at Joann's Fabric.

I press it onto the paint and stamp it on left over paper first so when I apply it to my triangle it wont be to thick with paint. This also makes it look distressed. 

 Once your done stamping you just let it dry and start cutting your cute paper with craft scissors, I used a pair with a wave effect.

I didn't measure but I just cut about a inch wide strip with one side flat and the other with the craft scissors.

Then glued it to the top of the triangle

 Them trim of the corners.

I didn't take pictures of this but all you need to do is punch holes on each end of the top of the triangle and pull ribbon through and hang it up!

Like this

My middle triangle is just the design scrapbook paper I used and I drew a star and cut it out and glued it to the middle of it, the triangle next to the b has a circle on it, which I cut out with the wavy scissors. The banner  fit perfectly for this spot over the hall table were I was going to put snacks for the party but they never made it there. 

Let me know if you make a paper banner or send me a link!