Holiday Party Ideas

I wasn't really searching for any since we will not be entertaining this weekend but, if you are looking for quick and fancy decorations check out Martha's site. I'm marking this page for July 4th tho-

Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Ballerina Invites

(click photo to enlarge)

I've started to prepare for Maddie's 4th birthday party. I have a few weeks yet but, I'm the first to admit that I would procrastinate right up to the day if I didn't get things roll'n. With school almost out I know this lady will not have near as much "me" time.

Maddie is taking her first ballet class and absolutely loves it. I think the dressing up part has the edge to all of this. When I asked if she wanted a themed birthday party - "Ballerina" was blurted out. She also really likes bright colors so I thought I'd add more of a brighter ballerina color theme to the traditionl pink. So I added fuchsia, lime green and orange. Most ballerina themes that I've seen out there are the traditional pink color so I thought this little twist would be fun!

I've ran into these adorable table top paper dolls and it gave me an idea for her birthday invitation. I changed up the template a bit to make it my own by flaring out the dress a bit more, adding ballet shoes, clothing pattern and adding a fun little tutu(tulle). I really like the way they turned out and Maddie is excited to send them out to her friends. They were a bit time consuming but, thank goodness I only had to do a few.

Stay tuned because I can't wait to share the rest of the party with you!

Lostie

Yes, I've watched the show from the very beginning and this Sunday I'm gearing up to watch the 2 hour final episode of the show. I'm excited to see how the producers ended it but, also very bummed that this is it. *sigh*

I came across this shirt design that I'm lov'n. Neat, huh?

Happy Friday! Be sure to check back next week. I have a few things planned to work up this weekend and would love to share them with you.

Flatware

Darn...I just saw that this set was on sale yesterday for only $20. Of course I'm a day late finding this. Wouldn't this be perfect for all the summer picnics?

Pantone on the Walls

I had a chance this weekend to browse a few designing sites that I use to look at more often. After getting caught up I spotted this student designers package concept for Pantone paint on Lovely Package. Dealing with Pantone colors almost every day I have a great appreciation for them. Hmmm...now to just choose the right Pantone color for the walls.

On a side note: The Winks and Daisies giveaway didn't go as planned but, thank you to Amy who did comment. I really was not fully prepared and I know I need to "put" this blog out there more. Amy, please contact me and we'll set up your free design. :)

A Baking Kind of Day

The weather has been gloomy, rainy and cold the last few days. So today just seemed like a good day to bake. Well, in a few different senses of the word. I baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and miss Maddie decorated Play-Doh cakes. Perfect cure for a rainy day!

A few of Maddie's cake creations.

And if there is a cookie recipe that is to die for it would be this one. Really, I get requests for this cookie ALL the time. Here is the recipe if you wish to make them. Do it please...your family will thank you!

:: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chips Cookies ::

• 1 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 12 oz. chocolate chips

Mix butter, peanut butter and sugars. Add eggs and mix well. Blend in oatmeal and dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 to 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until cookies are a light golden brown. May need to let cookies cool a couple of minutes before removing from cookie sheet. Makes 3-4 dozen. Enjoy!

New Card Designs

I've had a few requests for more "themed" type of birthday party invitations. So I've just a listed a few in my Etsy shop. Also I've added a few new birth announcements as well!

I have a Giveaway going on...so don't be shy and enter. You get to choose a free digital card design!!!

First Year Anniversary and Giveaway

Tomorrow, May 8th is actually the official Anniversary date of my Etsy shop "Winks and Daisies". I cannot believe it's been a year already! A wonderful year it has been. I never thought my little Etsy shop would do as well as it has. When I decided to scale back after my 9 month run as Madlu Designs I wasn't sure how Winks and Daisies would do considering that I concentrate mainly on baby/children designs. But, as to date I have 366 sales. Crazy! I feel truly blessed! This little shop has really expanded into many other wonderful opportunities for myself as a designer. I've really grown as an artist because of it. I'll reflect and share more of this with you next week since I have some other news to share with you.

I thought I'd post today since Sunday is Mother's Day and I'd like to spend the weekend being what I love the most, MOM! And speaking of what I love...another is to have a GIVEAWAY! In celebration of Winks and Daisies First Year Anniversary I'm giving away a free digital card design($15 value). It can be any that are in my shop. If you are the lucky winner you may redeem it anytime. So no worries if you don't have an upcoming event to use it on yet.

How to win? Simply comment to this post to what favorite design you like in my Etsy shop by Saturday, May 15th. I will announce the winner and post it here on May 17th. So be sure to check back to see if you have won. Good luck!

Have a great Mother's Day!!!

Iced Coffee

I am coffee drinker. I "heart" coffee. And I spend way too much money endulging myself a grande non fat caramel macchiato at Starbucks a little too often!

I found this great recipe for an ice coffee and I'm hooked. It's going to be perfect for summer! Hey, less money and more to go around! Enjoy!!

A Gift

Last week when I got home from work on Wednesday my son was really gitty and told me that I should go downstairs and work on my computer. Huh? Like, he REALLY wanted me to work on the computer. By my surprise my husband and kids bought me this camera. An early Mother's Day gift! I've been wanting a new camera but, kept putting it off because I also need a new computer and would like to update some new design software too. Of course all that adds up to lots of $$$. What a very sweet surprise! I'm so grateful for such a caring husband and two wonderful little kiddos. LOVE!!!

I couldn't wait to try it out and had some time this past weekend. Of course I had two of my favorite subjects to test it on. I have a lot to learn about it yet but, these are just a few of my favorites.