Rounded Pennant Birthday Garland

I often get asked by friends to help with party decor and love to help.  This one was actually for a friend of a friend.  She gave me this invitation as a jumping off point.  It was a La-La-Loopsy party.  (Picture a big pink button where the yellow yard is cut.  I had to use it for one of the tissue paper flowers. ;)

Sadly, I did not have to purchase a single thing for this project.  I say sadly, because it means that my craft supply hoarding tendencies are getting a bit out of control. :)

I ended up putting a spacer pennant between the words with tissue paper.  I cut 8 layers (4 in blue and 4 in white) with my 4" scallop circle die.  Then crinkled them all up in my hand, opened them up and stacked them up.  A quick staple in the middle to hold them while I sewed on the button and voila!   

To tie in the button theme, I added a button for the "i" in both. 

I purposely strung the ribbon with more of the color showing (usually I put the ribbon in back of the pennant) because I wanted to bring out more of the pink.

I wish I could have gotten a picture of the pennant at the party, but I didn't know the party thrower.

Pocket Die Cut Card

This is a project I started (gulp) two years ago.  The reason I know its been two years, is that they were supposed to be for one my girls' birthday invitations.....and her birthday is coming up...again.

I bought this fun pocket die cut (in retrospect I would not have purchased it, instead I would just sew up the sides) using the excuse of the invitations.  I make enough invites for baby showers, birthday's, etc, that I do use the dies.

 

This time instead of using them for invites, I'm using them for cards!

I added an eyelet from my collection of embellishments, ribbon from my scrap ribbon container, and a butterfly punch sewn on the inside to tie it into the paper.

Sports theme thank you card {tutorial & printable}

I made these for the mommy for the baby shower I just helped throw.  It was a vintage sports themed shower (more decorations to come when I get the pics).  I purchased this really cute vintage sports paper to wrap the water bottles and used the scrap on the thank you cards

When I help host a baby shower, I always make the thank you cards for the mom and bring the blank envelopes to the shower.  I pass them around and have everyone self address them.  This way, the mom only needs to write a note and pop it in the envelope.  No need to look up addresses....one less thing the sleep deprived mom needs to worry about! :)

Supplies:

Card blank

Printer

Scrap paper

Glue or sewing machine

How to:

Run a piece of scrap paper through first so you know how your printer is aligned.  Then just stack your card(s) in and hit print. (This printable is set to print on a 5 1/2" x 8" sheet of paper....which is the size of the card before you fold it in half. ;)

I used the standard 4" x 5 1/2" which fits an A2 envelope.  I buy bank note card packages when they are on sale.  They come in white and Kraft paper.  If you get them on sale, they are only $0.09 per card!  Not bad...especially since the rest was done using scraps!

I strategically punched out the pennants so that you could see the baseball stitching, basketball and soccer ball, but these would look cute in any color combos.

Then I stitched them on!  I didn't bother gluing (since I was doing a lot) and didn't need the extra step.  If your not a sewer...go ahead and glue them on where you want them.  You can take a pen and "draw" in the pennant strings either in between each pennant or right over the top.

Party Decorations and Favors on a Budget

I have 4 kids, so throwing big Birthday parties every year is a little much.  So instead, we do a big party with friends every other year, and do a small family party every year.  We alternate years so I do two big parties a year, instead of four.

This year, my oldest turned 8 (which I still cannot believe!)  She wanted to do a party at the gymnasium where the kids take gymnastics.  I've never been one to "pay" for a party.  We have always had them here at the house.  At her last party, two years ago, I had about ten 5 and 6 year old girls running through the house shrieking and screaming....and I vowed never to do that again.  

Ever!

But I digress...

Since having the party at the gym, there really wasn't much I could decorate.  Plus, after paying for the gym,  I really wasn't wanting to spend a whole lot more moola.  

So...for less than $20 I had treats, drinks, and party favors.  I could have had that number down to under $15, but I opted to buy the cupcakes.  

I don't bake.  

And I was not in the mood to try this morning.  Partially because we ran out of time and partially because I didn't want to be tempted to stray from my diet healthy eating plan...which is really working BTW!

And again, I digress.  Sorry!

Here are my cupcake toppers and wraps.

Paper was mere cents (I have a stash of scrapbook paper to rival any small store.)

Popsicle sticks (on hand)

Punches and adhesive (on hand)

Die for cupcake wrapper (I have one, but you can buy these already cut in all colors...plus a silhouette can cut them too.  Side note...I do sell toppers and wrappers in my etsy store.)

Most of the "expense" was in the favors.  I found these cute little water bottles at the Dollar Store and I bought a few packages of Kool-Aid singles to put in each bottle.  Punched a scalloped circle tag and matted a "thank you" circle sticker on a scrap card stock circle.  Tied them on with ribbon from my stash.

Beverages were $2.00.  Two 6-packs of water bottles at the Dollar Store (I was already there, so why not.)  I simply cut scrapbook paper in 9 1/2" x 1 3/4" strips.  Taped one side on over the label, wrapped it around, and taped the other side on.  

I had to show the hubs my frugal work since I know that a bunch of 8 year olds wouldn't appreciate it! :)

Now I just need to whip up a few thank you cards and I'll be on to the next project....

Fabric Pennant Garlad {tutorial}

I whipped this up for a baby shower decoration that can then be used in baby's room.  I'm making the bedding as a gift to my friend, so snagged some scraps for this.  (This is also sewing challenge #14.)

Supplies:

Fabric

1/2" double fold bias tape (or you can make your own)

How to:

Decide how long you want your garland and make (or cut bias tape) to that length.  I made my bias tape since I had white fabric and it was late at night when I decided to do this (which is pretty much normal for me!) so didn't have the option of running to the store.  I used a manual bias tape maker (first time) and it was kinda fun.  I made single fold, then folded/ironed in half to make double fold bias tape.  Then ending width is 1/2" and its perfect for this size pennant.

I didn't start taking pictures until half way through the project....sorry!

Cut your pennant shapes.  I used this die and love it so much!!!  I made 8, but you can make as many or few as you'd like.  They are 4" across by about 6" high, with tails cut on both ends.

I sewed the bottoms of my pennants together, but you can just as easily leave them be.  Fold your pennant in half then sew a straight stitch down one side, up then down the tail, then back up the other side.  I left the top just folded and didn't stitch it.

An option is to leave a large seam allowance and use your pinking shears on the edges, but I kind of like the shabbyness of the slightly frayed edges.

Once they are all sewn (or not if you choose), then pick your pattern.

Mark the center of your bias tape.

Start pinning the pennants in following your pattern.

I spaced mine 2" apart, but play around with it until its to your liking.  I left about 18" at each end of the bias tape for tying.

Sew it up and tie a knot in each end of the tape.  

Here is it hanging at the shower.

Baby shower favors {quick tutorial}

A candle!  

One of my co-hostesses found this wonderful little poem, which is printed on the front.  It says...

"Here's a candle for you today,

to light when baby is here to stay.

When you light its flickering flame,

say a prayer in the baby's name."

I made these to match the invites, which I made to match the bedding.  Change the poem and these could be made for teacher gifts or thank you gifts.

Supplies:

Card stock and cutter

Ribbon and sharp scissors

Hole punch

Candle 

Cello bag

How to:

Punch or cut your mat.

Print and cut your poem.

Adhere poem to mat and punch a hole in the corner.

Cut ribbon to approximately 10" pieces, but cut on an angle.

Drop candle in cello bag.

Tie ribbon around, but don't knot.  (Just tie it like the first step in tying your shoes.)

Put the two pointed ends of the ribbon together (this is why you cut on an angle) and poke them through the hold that you punched.  Much easier to grab and pull through.

Pull ribbon through until tag is at the base, then tie another single knot.

Cut the ends at an angle.

Tip on tying ribbon: If you tie it upside down (this goes for bows or knots) they always look prettier!)  I sat the candle in my lap, tag facing out and tied.

My Paper Garlands were Featured!!!

I sell these paper garlands in my etsy shop (along with a few other things.)  I have a handful of designs and will be adding more.

For birthday parties, showers and nurseries

And for the boys

And lately for Halloween

and Christmas

A few days ago I was convo'd about someone featuring my garlands on their website.  She's a designer who specializes in nurseries and children's rooms.  You can find her here.  And my feature here.