Bow ties and a baby shower

Several months ago, I co-hosted a bow tie themed baby shower for my friend Lori.  I made several things for it, so I want to share those here on my blog.  I don't have a bow tie die, so I searched the internet for a svg file to use with my Cricut and found a free bow at svgcuts.com.  It cut beautifully!  I used some Basic Grey patterned paper and they turned out absolutely darling.

I made cupcake toppers using a Lacey Circles die by Spellbinders and then stamping a circle in kraft ink.  I stamped the "welcome little one" sentiment in dark chocolate ink and then adhered the bow tie above it.  I taped a popsicle stick to the back.  If I had had more time (cough..procrastinator...cough), I would have made cupcake wrappers to match.

To dress up the chicken salad sandwiches, I used the same patterned paper with my Double-Ended Banners die to make toothpick flags.  They looked great!

For my gift, I used an extra cupcake topper to dress up a little mini album that I made from chipboard and Basic Grey patterned papers.  The pages are kraft cardstock that I embellished with strips of the same patterned paper.  I had guests at the baby shower write well wishes and/or advice inside.  I really loved how the book turned out!

If I hadn't run out of time, I would have done more.  Perhaps food labels or a banner or other small touches.  Still, I was really pleased with what I was able to finish.  It made the baby shower a little extra special.   :)

Stamps:  Everyday Classics, Borders & Corners: Circles (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Kraft (Papertrey Ink); Granola (Basic Grey); chipboard
Ink:  Classic Kraft, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Lacey Circles die (Spellbinders); Double-Ended Banners die (Papertrey Ink); Bow (SVGCuts); popsicle sticks; toothpicks

Mother-Daughter Date

Last night, I was telling my daughter Emily about the upcoming Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-faire activity and pulled up last year's posts/videos to show her what it was.  We watched the make-n-take video (found here) and impulsively decided to do it together.  She has stamped a few cards before on her own, but mostly with colored-in images.  This time, we followed the instructions step by step to each make the same card.  It was quite fun!

Aren't they cute?  It's a quick card and would make a great gift set.  The flowers are built in several steps to add shading and centers.  First off, here's a closeup of Emily's card.  She did a terrific job for her first time using multi-step stamps.  The only thing I did was cut the pieces and score the vellum strip.  Emily did get a little frustrated that her flowers didn't stamp evenly, but I told her not to compare hers to mine since I have many more years of stamping experience.  She'll get there with practice!  She decided not to start over since it was getting near bedtime.

Here's a closeup of my card.  Pretty much the same, except my flower panel is flipped around.  I really like this design and it's infinitely adaptable with other stamp images.

We've already decided to be stamping buddies next month for Stamp-a-faire 2013.  You can read all about it here.   The theme and challenges sound like lots of fun!  I've starting gathering the supplies I don't already have.  We are going to make a fun day out of it.  Maybe even a few special snacks.  Now if I can just talk my older daughter into it.   lol

Stamps:  Natural Beauties (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Raspberry Fizz, Vellum (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, Summer Sunrise, Terracotta Tile (Papertrey Ink)