{creative} handmade gift exchange

I participated in the great & wonderful Handmade Gift Exchange by Craftaholics Anonymous, and I think I'm hooked! She can definitely count me in for the winter edition :)

Here is the gift that I sent:

My Partner, Michelle Fukunaga, is a stay-at-home mom to 2 lovely daughters in the state of Washington. She loves getting crafty just like me! I made her a Summer Drink Party Set in hot & fun cool down colors to help her this summer in style!

I included: 4 koozies (different colors so that they would all know which one is theirs!), coasters, drink stirrers, straws, drink flags, and party circles to use on straws or as cupcake toppers - if they wished! 

I made these fun summer drink accessories using my handy-dandy Silhouette SD. Print & cut and the flocked heat transfer were amazing and helped me repeat the scalloped flower motif of the fabric.

Here's the GREAT gift I received:

I loved the color scheme - I am totally digging aqua & yellow right now!

She included fun little paper rose magnets and a color coordinated marker & eraser. I especially love that it was magnetic as well as a dry erase board. I keep it at work so that I can enjoy it every day :)

If you didn't participate in this past exchange, I highly encourage you to participate in the next one in the winter. It was a lot of fun & who doesn't enjoy getting a gift?!?

Enjoy!
Amanda

Linking up to:

{party envy} beatlemania!

July 20th was a pretty popular day in history - ok not really, but some pretty cool & history defining things happened on that magical day:

B-E-A-T-L-E-M-A-N-I-A

Teen girls crying & the world absorbing British pop culture was in full force in the 60s. July 20, 1964 - The Beatles released their "Something New" album in the US.

Here's some Beatles' inspired party details to celebrate that day!



These birthday invitations by 45wall design are AMAZING! The fab four would be proud :)
It is so sweet that her 3 yr old has a case of Beatlemania! Check out her party details - they are just as great as the invitation! John was my dad's favorite too. . . 




Suzanne of SHEPAPERIE (an amazing talented woman!) created this groovy party for her cute-as-a-button twins: Elle & Liam - aren't those just adorable names?!?

The party invites included 14 Beatles songs in the wording! Mad skills.... Love the photo booth touches with Beatle-esque mustaches and the classic round, Lennon glasses.

“The Ultimate Beatles Fan Bag” party favors included:

- a set of Beatles mustaches
-rock star sunglasses
-"I Want To Hold Your Hand” clappers that lit up
-”Kaleidoscope Eyes” (a kaleidoscope)
-hippie beads
-a microphone
-a “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” ring (Ring Pop)
-“Penny Lane” (a roll of pennies)
-rock star candy
-and Beatle Juice (a juice box)



She found records at the thrift store and printed new labels and used them as plate chargers. Great idea to use "Ticket to Ride" tickets as napkin rings - this would be a great idea for a Circus/Carnival themed party too!

"All You Need is Love & Sweets" station:

The dessert table incorporated many Beatles references such as “Strawberry Fields Forever” sugar cookies, Marmalade Skies Jam, Apple Records, Marshmallow Pies, and “Yellow Submarines” made from Twinkies, Dot Candy and straws.  
I'm digging those DIY record stands she made & those guitar pops - too cute!

Food Stations:

Menu
– I AM THE EGGMAN deviled eggs
– LET IT B-L-T bites
– HERE COMES THE SUNchips
–YELLOW SUBMARINE sandwiches
– SGT. PEPPERoni pizza
– THEY SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY cake

 Drinks
- “FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. SPRITE”
- “SGT. DR. PEPPER”
- Custom BABYMANIA wrapped labels.

To top it all off, there was a salad bar: "Octopus' Garden"  - Smart idea to serve the toppings in cylinders with tongs: adds height & helps control cherry tomatoes from rolling around :)

There are tons more pictures and details over at SHEPAPERIE & The Hostess Blog - check it out & get your Beatles' fix.

Beatles fact about me: My middle name is Michelle after the Beatles' song: "Michelle"


Peace Out! 


Amanda

{fab finds} birthday invitations

I can't start birthday week without invitations!

Here are a few of my recent Fabulous Finds:





Such a simple, yet effective way to add some pizazz to an invitation: a candle - tied on with baker's twine, of course! 

Oh! I am also in LOVE with sending invitations in boxes - it is like giving each one of your guests a gift to open :) *********Great envelope box wrap too!
This great invitation was featured on  Hip Hip Hooray.
Side note: I'm happy for Suann - yet sad that she will no longer be posting. I'm following your pins! 






Sheer beauty! The overall design concept & execution get's a grade A in my book or meat case
(hehe- couldn't resist a corny joke!)

Kathleen of the wonderful Twig & Thistle created this invitation honoring her husband's love of meat on his 30th birthday. 

Letterpressed in white on faux bois paper, these invitations are simple - yet gorgeous!  
My favorite touch? How she wrapped the invitations in their "envelopes" - they are wrapped in kraft paper and sealed like a package of meat! How clever!!!
**Kathleen, I wish you a fast recovery!**

Want to see other invitations that inspire & take my breath away? 

Follow my RSVP Please board on Pinterest.

Not a member yet? Comment or email me & I will be glad to send you an invite

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} sunday - sundae delight

In honor of TODAY being National Ice Cream day...
 ****Every day is a national ice cream day to me ;)****

Here are some FREE printables to spread the holiday cheer!





Amy @Eat Drink Chic made these adorable gift tags in cool colors & another adorable set in blue/green.

She has me longing for the cooler days of summer where one can eat Ice Cream outside! Share these SWEET SUMMERTIME goodies.



I don't need a reason to celebrate, but I should would enjoy this coupon to validate my frozen treat!
Beth @ It Is What It Is shared this summer freebie over at Write.Click.Scrapbook.

Print & surprise the kiddies or hubs :)

Mel @Just Dandy made this FREE PRINTABLE invitation for the crafty at heart! 

Print out the invite and put your crafty & scrapbook skills to work making your different cones on the side!



Last but not least! Cannot forget our teachers enjoying their last days of summer break...

Here's a free printable file folder game by Mr.Printables. Keep the summer spirit alive with this sweet, yet educational game!


***In honor of this being my birthday week, I  am going to have this week's theme be BIRTHDAYS -- of course ;). Check back Monday to start the week & stop by on Wednesday to send birthday WiShEs my way!***



Enjoy! :)

Amanda

{party envy} red, white, & wagon

Hope everyone is having a safe & happy 4th!
 
While you are enjoying your BBQ & brew, here's a little birthday party inspiration that is in perfect harmony with today's color scheme: red, white, & blue!

Vintage Red Wagon Birthday Party 



This darling vintage party caught my eye over @ Kara's Party Ideas where it was featured as the "party of the day"!

First of all, I am 100% in love with red & aqua as a color scheme! Also, Radio Flyer's are such an icon of childhood (& remind me of USA too - perfect party to feature today!). One Stone Events did a phenomenal job with all the elements of this 1st birthday: country, gingham touches, grass tablecloth, mini pies, and the ever-so-popular pinwheels.

Favorite Tablescape Details

1. What a great way to incorporate store bought goods into your theme; these apple pies are just perfect!  
2. Love the simple topper(s) on the cake: paper & ribbon fixed onto skewers.
3. Two of my all time current faves: glass bottles & striped paper straws.




Great idea to use crates to create multiple levels on your drink station. The banner & photo bunting in the background are just darling!




Totally crushing on bamboo cutlery for use at parties right now! Love how the napkins are tied in gingham & burlap, and stored in an old sifter :)



A great spin on a guest book/words-of-wisdom, very age appropriate!

Take home treats are just as cute!
Paper sacks with chalkboard labels, tied with bakers twine, and stamped with the party's main design inspiration: a red wagon. Classic Cracker Jack is an extra surprise sweet with a sock monkey keeping guard thanking the guests with the take-home-goods!


Keep on celebrating our independence! 

Enjoy!

Amanda

{notions and notes} 2nd anniversary!

Today, I celebrate 2 years with my loveable Grant!

I look forward to the many years to come......

& hopefully my DREAM ring ;)