DIY of the week: 1st year photo banner

I made this little banner for my son's birthday party when he turned 1. 

I snapped 13 photos of him throughout the year, one for each month until he turned 1 (including newborn picture) and then strung them to a ribbon by clipping it to clothes pins attached with a numbered tag.
After the party I strung it up in his room. Almost one year later it is still up there (I just can't bare to take it down yet-he's so cute).

I do realize that this DIY isn't for everyone... but you could customize it to fit your needs.  For example, a 50 year birthday... you could take a few photos of each decade... or even an anniversary.

The instructions are so easy I feel awkward typing a "how to".... but here it is:

Need:
-13 photos (newborn and 12 months)
-ribbon long enough to string and tie all your photos (I think mine was about 3-4 yards). The thicker the ribbon, the better. If you were wanting something small, like twine, the smaller clothes pin clips work best or the weight will be too much and it will topple over. Does that make sense? haha- just trust me.
-13 clothes pins (the smaller ones are cuter and less noticeable)
-paper, pen or computer/printer to make tags with each numbered month
-paint to color clothes pins or (my preference) washi tape
(my favorite site to get washi tape is from PrettyTape)

Steps:
1. Cover one side of the clothes pin with your washi tape- or paint clothes pin.
2. Tape or glue the numbered tag on the decorated side of the bottom section (the mouth) of the clothes pin. I printed mine out to fit in a 1.5" circle punch.
3. Clip pins on ribbon and pictures.

Done.

Tip: It's actually easier to tie the ribbon where you want it to be hung and then clip on the photos. But either way works

How to: Plastic Pom Garland

I wanted to make a pom garland for my son's birthday, but being in a rainy climate I couldn't rely on the normal tissue poms (especially since we did the decorating the night before).
So I created a plastic pom using strands of cut plastic table coverings. It worked out great because it matched the tables perfectly.

Here's how to make them

You'll need:

• Scissors
• Plastic table covering- the colored ones at a party store (or any type of thin plastic. you could even use strips of plastic bags)
• Twist ties or thin floral wire
• Staples and stapler
• Twine or string

1. Cut strips of the plastic about 1 inch thick and between 4-6 feet long... depending on how thick you want your pom to be. The longer it is the thicker it will be. Thicker meaning the pom will have more poof in it. Make sense? I cut mine the length of the whole table cloth-  6 feet.
2. Take each strip and wrap the whole thing back and forth around the width of your hand. This really depends on how big you want your pom to be. The wider the wrap, the bigger the pom. Sorry, don't have step by step photos of this.
3. You should have rounds of plastic now around your fingers. Next, grab the middle of the plastic and tie it up with a twist tie or floral wire. 
4. It should look like a big bow (with numerous bows). Now, cut every loop on each end. 

You can fluff and move it around to form more of a ball shaped puff. 

Should look somewhat like this:

       5. To attach them to a string to hang, simply staple a few strands of plastic, closest to the core of the pom, to the string. Like image.

That's it. Just hang it up and admire.

Tip: to take them down I pulled out the strings from the poms and stored them separately. If you leave it in it will become easily tangled. Theses poms are great because I just threw them in a plastic bag and they can be stored forever and reused in so many ways. It's not a high maintenance kind of decor. 

Welcome home

I thought this sign was pure genius.  Just stick together some light sticks to spell out a message. 

My husband has been gone off the island for about two weeks now and comes home today! Too bad he doesn't get in at night or else I'd be doing this. We'll make a different sign instead. We're all very excited to see him again.

Back to School Party for Adults

I literally laughed out loud when I saw this party. 

Especially after reading the phrases on the straws.

"hurry kids, you'll miss the bus."

You can print everything off for free here.

"

 I guarantee though, I would throw something like this if all the kids were in school. 

I'll have to save this idea.

;

images via thesweetestoccasion

Another Tissue Garland

This tissue garland, by Visual Vocabulary, is a perfect DIY to get that same "Confetti System" look.

DIY stripey paper straw pennant garland

A little spark when off in my head when I saw this simple paper straw garland...
*spark*... why not add pennants?

So here it is. And it's so easy to make.

You'll need:
-Paper straws (I got these at hey yo yo, but you can get them cheaper in bulk here)
-Coordinating card stock
-String and needle (a quilting needle works best, something with weight to it)
-Hot glue

Cut out your card stock into triangles, however big you want them and however many you want.
I had two to each straw. You could even try letters, circles, squares...etc. whatever. Just make sure they measure up to each straw since you'll be attaching it to them.

Place hot glue across the tops of each pennant then place paper straw on top. Again, make sure you measure it out before you place on the straw.

Then, string in your needle/string through the straws.

Hang.

Admire.

Paper straw garland

I love garlands. I love paper straws. So its fitting that I love this easy paper straw garland from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line.

Easter Egg garland

I came home with empty Easter eggs from the store the other day. They were too colorful and cute not to put them on display so instead of leaving them in the bag we ended up with this until Easter morning (when they'll be coming down to be stuffed and hidden)...

I'm all about easy and this is definitely easy. 
If you know how to tie a knot then this craft is for you.

You'll need:
-plastic eggs
-colorful bakers twine (or any string)
-tulle

-Cut your twine to your desired length of the garland.
-Cut strips of tulle, enough for two pieces in between each egg. I cut 50 4"x2" strips and my garland measures about 9 feet when hung (including swags).
-Place the string across the center of an egg and clamp shut.
-Clamp all eggs on twine then tie two strips of tulle in between each egg.
That's it!

Happy egg hanging!!

Water Color garland

I have tons of watercolors left over from college. I've been meaning to use them to paint something for the house, but with two kids at home I don't have that kind of time. Yet. But I think this garland by you are my fave shouldn't take too long. I love it.

Just about the coolest DIY birthday card EVER!

...and it is complete with down loadable templates too! Click to create.

From Martha Stewart staff

get extreme with this edition

Easter garland made from paint chips

I just realized it has been a few days since I last posted. Sorry. I'm up to my head in making party accessories for the upcoming craft fair. It should be a fun weekend.

 In the meantime here is a neat DIY link...
If you are one of those people with extra paint chips around the house, then this is the project for you.... super easy and perfect for Easter.

via modern parents messy kids

Bunting inpired party

Bunting and garlands make any day a special day. Just try it- hang up some pennant garlands around your house and it brings instant happiness. That's why I love this party featured on Amy Atlas blog via Eye Candy Events.  It was originally made for a Sip and See party.

 

Balloon Bunting

Thinking of balloons and a balloon themed party lately.

Came across this image and loved it.



image credit

LOVE is in the air

Can you smell it? 

 Valentines Day!!!

And its just around the corner, so I've stocked a few things in the shop for you to decorate with.

2 warm, fuzzy, felt cards

Red triangle banner

 

L.O.V.E banner

and some Kraft Paper Doily Bags,

perfect for stuffing candy in for your Valentine

k

**The Valentine version of the nugget wrappers are to come soon!!

Touches of Ribbon

I really love how little touches of ribbon make this party decor extra special. Great idea too- inexpensive and you have pretty much endless possibilities of different patterns and colors of ribbon.

 

;

party via tomkat studio

Alphabet flash cards

We are currently (and almost done!!!) building a home. I've been looking for some alphabet flash cards to string out across my kids' room and decorate. It's a nice decoration and learning tool, in one.
Here is my collection:

image 1

image 2

image 3

image 4

 

 

  

Lil man party

With the mustache trend going around this party fits perfectly (from Blissbloomblog).

Fun idea for a birthday, especially a boy!

(Loved the tie banner too)

 

Pennant Garland

Can you imagine this image without the banners? 

It wouldn't be the same. It adds the perfect touch of festivity.

from The fabulous Garlands