Sunday, August 31, 2014

Bookworm Birthday Party

We threw a little party for my son’s second birthday back in June.  (ack still can’t believe he’s two!)  But I wanted to share a few things I made and other details about his party.  This year I did a bookworm theme because the little dude loves books!  He digs into his bookshelves and baskets and sits for hours looking at his books.  It’s so wonderful really. I first searched through Pinterest just to get some ideas and get the creative ideas flowing.  I decided on many things but in the end, I didn’t make as much as I planned because I just didn’t have the time.  But it all turned out OK and at the end of the day, we celebrated him which was the point. But here's what I did to celebrate our bookworm!

I made pinwheels out of Dr. Seuss’s “The Foot Book”.  We had a second copy that was previously loved and had some crayon scribbles in it so I just used the pages to make the pinwheels.  If it’s been a while since you’ve made pinwheels, I highly suggest it—it’s super fun!  I attached them to pencils that said "I Love Reading" that I ordered and they were part of the goodie bag that I passed out to the kids who came to the party.  I also included these fun book-themed stamps, these bookmarks, these super adorable bookworm erasers, some gummy worms, and a few of these stickers.  A fun little bag I thought.  


I also made a little banner out of another double-copy of “The Three Bears” we had.  It was super simple.  I just cut triangle shapes out of the pages and strung them together.  I didn’t add anything to the pages.  Easy Peasy. I don't seem to have gotten a picture of it and I didn't keep it.  oh well.
 
I made a birthday banner as well.  I’m going to try to make one each year for at least first five years or so if I can.  I can hang them in his room when his birthday is over. I don’t think I ever shared what I made for his first birthday!  Maybe I’ll post that sometime.  (sheesh, behind much?)   Each piece has a little bookworm theme to it and I added a few of the leftover pinwheels to it.    It’s simple and fun.







That’s all I had time for.  I had planned on making invitations that look like library cards…that didn’t happen.  I had planned making cupcakes myself with cute bookworm toppers…that didn’t happen. And it’s OK.  I’ve learned to go with the flow and do what I can.  It’s the spirit of the party and the smile on my kid’s face that counts. 


Friday, August 29, 2014

Friday Finish: Haunting Love

I have a finish to share with you! I discovered a group on facebook called Pumpkin Seed Stitchers and each month they will feature a free Halloween cross stitch pattern by a different designer. Pretty great. The first pattern was “Haunting Love’ by Teresa Smith of T.A. Smith Designs. It’s a really pretty pattern with cattails, spiders, rats, ghosts and a pumpkin.


I stitched it on 35 count linen called Grape Ice from Picture This Plus that I had in my stash. It’s a lovely light purple and I think this pattern was perfect for it. It looks a bit like dusk when the ghosties come out to play. I struggled on 35 count though. It’s so small for my eyes and I know why I prefer 28 count for linen…oof!


 I used DMC threads; dark gray and a variegated (#4010) for the ghosts. I wanted to make them look shadowy and a bit translucent. I’m very pleased with how it turned out.



 I can’t wait to see what’s up for September!  Don't you love a good surprise!  Come and join the fun with Pumpkin Seed Stitchers!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Thrifty Thursday: The Captain and His Sea Monsters


Hey folks!  I'm going to try something new here on the blog called Thrifty Thursday, where I can share some of the neato things I pick up at thrift stores. I don't know about you, but I love a good thrift find! Especially stitchy goodies!  So today I wanted to share a pretty fab cross stitch I found recently.


Check out this amazing piece!  It's quite large as well.  I know it took a long time to stitch this design. The frame is a bit dingy, but the stitching is perfect. 



The poem says, "The captain hangs great bells to keep whales and monsters from his ship".

I love the details of the rope and what I'm assuming is the captain hard at work. 


I don't know what it is about this piece but I just had to have it.  It's so different, definitely not anything I would stitch for myself, but I love the details and sea creatures.  It's just a wonderful piece.  If you have any information about this design, please share. I'd love to find out more about it. 

Have you scored anything at the thrifts lately?  Do share!