Friday, May 24, 2013

Stampin' Fanatic! GIVEAWAY: 1000 Etsy Sales & 2000 FB Fans


Thankful to have the help of some amazing vendors friends to celebrate my BIG milestones!! 

 I appreciate ALL of my amazing fans and customers. I am grateful to be able to share in your special moments, and I hope you keep coming back!

 Let's get to it! Meet the ladies who are sharing the love:

Three Little Monkey's Studio
$25 Shop Credit

 Visit Gretchen here:
{& ask her all about being my secret santa!}
Shop www.3LittleMonkeysStudio.etsy.com
Blog www.ThreeLittleMonkeysStudio.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/threelittlemonkeysstudio
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/3littlemonkeys/



 Sweet Georgia Sweet
$25 Shop Credit
{US Residents Only}

 Visit Bethany here:
{and get some fab door decor!}
Instagram:  sweetgeorgiasweet



Say Cheeze, Baby!

ONE Set of Stickers
{$12 Value}

Visit Krissy here:
{& promise her you'll send pics of your cutie wearing her stickers!}



Monogram Muse/ Hello-Beach
Small OR Large Tote
{Hello-Beach was recently featured on DailyCandy.com}

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Bring Home the Beach. Leave the Sand!

Inspired by shell-collecting kids, our darling beachcomber bags are perfect for collecting treasures, or rocks along seaside or lake. It's unique mesh bottom allows for the sand to sift out and can be rinsed directly in the ocean. Our large tote is great for drying out wet bathing suits!

Available in two sizes: tote or treasures and four colors.
Hand Sewn in the USA! Reusable. Also works great as a market tote. You can rinse your produce directly within the bag! 
*****************************************************
Visit Francene Here:
{& tell her how you LOVE to go to the beach! Yay, summer!!}
Monogram Muse
Website: www.monogrammusegifts.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/monogrammuse

 Hello-Beach
Website: www.hello-beach.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Hello-Beach


The Purple Pug
$50 Shop Credit
{Must be used within 6 mos}

Visit Kristy here:
{& tell her how much you dig the glitta!}
Website: http://www.thepurplepug.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepurplepug
Blog: http://www.thepurplepug.blogspot.com/



Skylar Raine
$30 Shop Credit
{US Residents Only}

Visit Laura here:
{& tell her you want an awesome frame like I have! ;) }





 Sweet Threads Clothing Co. 
Preppy Whale Onesie w/ Coordinating Initial Shirt
{you choose for boy or girl, sizes 3m-18m; $25 Value}
{US Residents Only}

Visit Michele here: 
{& send her baby wishes- she is due any day now!! xoxo}
Instagram: @sweetthreadsco


 31ByLisa
$25 Credit
{Only redeemable thru Lisa Holmes,  Independent Consultant}
{Gift certificate can be used like cash on final purchase; Buyer responsible for shipping and tax. Expires November 15th, 2013}
Visit Lisa here:
{& tell her that Stampin' Fanatic! is a walking ThirtyOne ad ;) }
E-mail: 31bylisa@gmail.com

&

Stampin' Fanatic!
$75 Shop Credit
{Buyer responsible for shipping; Can be used on a custom theme or something already in the shop; Current timeline/availability does apply}
{Expires May 31st, 2014}

Visit ME here:
{Stop by and say HI!!}
Instagram: @stampinfanatic
Twitter: @stampinfanatic
AND....{BRAND NEW} which means, pretty bare right now ;) 
my website: www.stampinfanatic.com



**Giveaway is being run thru Rafflecopter. It is in NO way affiliated with Facebook or sponsored by them. Please read each vendors terms carefully. Please only enter for prizes you would like to win! Each winner will be contacted via e-mail and must reply to claim their prize within 48hrs or another winner will be choosen. It is best to leave your contact info IN the comments section so we can reach you! Giveaway will run from 7:30pm EST Friday May 24th THRU 11:59pm EST Friday May 31st. **
Posted by at 7:17 PM 30 comments

Friday, April 26, 2013

{The Doc is IN!} A Doc McStuffins Themed 4th Birthday Party!

I always plan my parties early.... insanely early. I get the idea for the next party usually before the current one has evened happened! So last year, right after the amazing Rainbows & Rain party, baby girl asked for a Princess & Pony 4th Birthday. I wasn't exactly thrilled- there are SO many princess parties, but I figured I could do a spin on it and make it my own. I wanted a real shabby chic look- light pink, aqua, lavender, and yellow. Very pale, roses, lace, and burlap. I was getting more and more used to the idea- and even got excited about it!

Then... baby girl changed her mind. She came to me and asked for a Doc McStuffins party. Her absolute favorite show. And probably the only kiddie show I never get sick of. I tried to change her mind back- I had been having an awesome time collecting ideas for princesses & ponies. And, I SO didn't want to do a character party. So not my thing. But, she wouldn't give in. She had her mind made up- and started telling me all the things she wanted. Pinks, purples, polka dots. She even wanted to dress up like Doc. And I started thinking about how now it needs to be about her. These parties aren't for me anymore- they are for the love of my life. She needs to love the theme so that she is so excited that she can't stand it. And she was!






The whole basement was decked out in pinks, purples and polka dots. Lots of visual interest all over the room. So very FUN!!



I decked the tables out in plastic tablecloths, then cut wrapping paper to make a decorative center. I added paper polka dots and some of the amazing crepe ruffle garland from Craft That Party. I made centerpiece flags with all the characters and used various pink and purple papers- some with glitter. I set up place settings for everyone and created paper band aids for the cups.




I did lots of various size paper lanterns over the "adult" table. I rolled the silverware and tied them with twine.



The food table was decorated similarly .. I decided to use this party as a chance to enter The Purple Pugs contest for a unique way to use curling ribbon. I took jute twine and tied each piece of ribbon, cut in different lengths, along it. I finished it by gluing the twine to the gorgeous crepe ruffle. LOVE. Super easy, and it gave a gorgeous glittery backdrop to the table.




We served brunch, per G's request. French Toast Casserole, Mini Cake Batter Pancakes with toppings to decorate them, fruit with cream cheese/fluff dip, cereal & milk, bacon and sausage. Yummo.



We always seem to use the bar area as our dessert backdrop. I knew I wanted to do something different, but it didn't hit me til about a week before when I started decorating, that I knew what it was! I lined the top of the bar with purple wrapping paper and lots of colored paper polka dots. Then, I used a tissue fringe in light pink to finish it off. Then, it hit me. The bar top looked like Doc's pants. And the fringe, like her skirt. So, what else to do but make the wall look like her shirt! I made the white stripes on her shirt using double sided masking tape and then folded crepe paper. I wasn't thrilled with the lines on the purple backdrop piece but I figured it just made it look even more like Docs shirt, which has a texture to it.



Grace's cake was awesome- taste wise and looks wise! Krissy of Icing Tops the Cake! always makes our cakes. She does a fab job for us! I used pegs from Craft That Party for the toppers, as well as a mini bunting banner with her name that I made and stuck in the cake with two straws. I decorated the cake plate with more of the crepe ruffle and a big band aid with a glittery pink heart in the center. Other desserts included macaroons & marshmallows from Dandy Delights; Shortbread band aid cookies from The Sweetest Thing; & amazing chocolate covered oreos from Love & Sugar Kisses.

We did a couple activities... Pin the band aid on Lambie & Time for your Checkup... We asked each child to bring a toy for a checkup. Part of their favor was a Doc headband and pink stethoscope. They were so excited! Each child had a checklist they had to run down for their toys... check their heart, eyes, temp, etc. They had a great time playing along. 



 Each favor bag had a Big Book of Boo Boos and felt band aids for play. I added band aids to the tags and wrote each childs name on the back. 

Kids also got to take home a mini Doc bag filled with candies. I was thrilled to work with Piggy Bank Parties to create this fabulous favor bag! SO cute!! 





Other decor included a banner with her name, one that said "Happy Birthday" by the dessert area and two more: "The Doc is IN" and "Time for your checkup". I also used mini die cut characters and lined the mantel with them. I decorated the candles on the mantel with more crepe ruffle- gosh I LOVE that stuff. More tissue fringe and then I covered the opening of the fireplace with a table skirt. It looked cute!! 





Hope you enjoyed taking a peek at our party! We cannot believe that our baby girl is FOUR!! Looks for some of the items seen here in my shop, SOON! In the meantime, feel free to browse my Doc McStuffins Inspiration board for more ideas to have your own Doc party!!


A HUGE thanks to all the people who helped make the day fabulous for Grace!! xoxo


Vendor Credits:
Grace as "Doc" Photography: The Camera Chick
Milk jugs, cake plate cling, birthday candles, mini candy cups, purple striped napkins: Shop Sweet Lulu
Felt Band Aids: Dekapo
Doc Headband and Big Book of Boo Boo's (for G): Just a Little Favor Shop
Doc Headbands for kids: Joann's, Flowers from Etsy and glued by me
Big Book of Boo Boo's for kids: Books from Dollar Tree and Glitter Hearts made by me
Doc cast peg dolls: Craft That Party
Crepe Ruffle Garland: Craft That Party
Mini Doctors Bag Favor Boxes: Piggy Bank Parties
Custom polka dotted ruffle capri pants: Marcellas 3 Monkeys
Favor Bags & Tags: The Bakers Confections
Ribbon Necklace Stethoscope: Ross & Rosie Designs
Pink Stethoscopes: Amazon
Chocolate Covered Oreos: Love & Sugar Kisses
Macaroons & Marshmallows: Dandy Delights
Band aid & heart cookies: The Sweetest Thing

Posted by at 12:20 AM 6 comments

Sunday, February 24, 2013

1600 FB Fans, 800 Etsy Sales & a Giveaway!!

** Giveaway CLOSED **
Winner is: Comment #3, Jenni!



Hey y'all!!

I am SO excited to be able to blog today about my awesome Etsy success. I have been SO blessed over the last year.

Last April I hit 100 Etsy sales and was THRILLED. I never imagined in 9 short months that I would have that number hit 800!! It's a pretty sure thing that I will hit 1000 sales this year and just you wait- I will do a HUGE giveaway for that!!

For now, I am giving away THIS:
This is a brand {NEW} Stampin' Up! Wooden Block Stamp set; Patterned Occasions. This set is a Sale-a-Bration special, which means it cannot be purchased from the regular catalog! Lucky you!

Of course, I LOVE to stamp, so wouldn't it make sense that this would be what I would giveaway?!

Hope you will enjoy the stamping experience as much as *I* do... If you have never stamped before & don't own any ink, LMK and I will throw in a mini black ink for you! :)

All you have to do to enter is comment on this post and tell me what stamp you like the best from the set above and/or what you may use them for! HINT: {That lil bandaid stamp will be making an appearance at G's b-day in April!! } PLEASE- Leave your e-mail address in the comment so I can contact you!!

Thank you ALL for being awesome fans & friends!!

xoxo


** Giveaway is NOT affiliated with Facebook in ANY way. Giveaway does NOT require you to "like" my status in regards to this post. Giveaway will close on Monday at 9pm EST time. A winner will be choosen randomly thru Random.org. Winner must contact me back within 72 hours or another winner will be choosen. **

Posted by at 1:07 PM 21 comments

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Funny Christmas Cards OR Child Abuse??

Had the first ever controversial post on my FB page last night/this AM. I feel like I need to talk about it, because it is ALL I can think about..

Last week a friend of mine sent me a sneak peak of her Christmas card photo. I almost peed my pants I laughed SO hard. I know this person... I know what type of life she leads. I know she is a wonderful mother, as I have seen it first hand. I know that her children are happy, well loved, have everything they could ever ask for- and more. Much like my life- she LOVES being a mom. She is fabulous with them- she has patience of a saint. I give her SO much credit. I met her online thru some party pages, and we are local and became fast friends. She gets me, and I get her. I send her sneaks of my parties, and she lets me borrow her goods. It's a great friendship. I don't know if I have EVER met a sweeter person. NOT kidding. When she sent me the sneak she told me I should make a card sample, use her photo and put it in the shop. I have been busy, and I didn't want to "jack" her idea! I told her I'd owe her, BIG. She e-mailed me again a couple days later and told me I still needed to do it.

So, last night I "found" some time (1am!) to put it to work. I used her pic, laid it out, added some glitter and it was SO cute. I could hardly stand it!! I posted right away! When I went to bed I had TWO likes and one comment... The usual for me! Haha. I awoke to my husband calling- he had spoken to my friend who had been trying to get a hold of me, and asked me to take it down. I immediately proceeded to check in on my card and it had 90+ likes, 24 shares and a LOT of comments. I didn't even get a chance to read them all. I KNEW I had to get it down because in my browsing, some of these comments were questioning the parenting of this person I call my FRIEND.

Not ONE person had msg'd me privately to ask me about it. Not ONE person asked me if they are good parents. Not one person noticed that her kids were having FUN or that they were dressed in Gymboree clothing- I digress. Not one person asked if the duct tape was REALLY stuck to their faces (it wasn't!!). Not one person noticed that they were not REALLY tied in the lights...

I was SO upset. Upset that my friend was HURT by these comments. Upset that people have NO sense of humor anymore and that the negative is the first thought on everyone's mind.

I took the pic down, and made a post. A lot of people never even saw the adorable card. A lot of people don't even know the hurt they have made me OR my dear friend have. I know this person... she is a good mom.

If I had put a disclaimer, would it have made a difference?? Humor is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. But, I feel sorry for all those people who cannot take a joke.

And, as food for thought, here are some other people who have done the SAME type of card/s. I wonder how much criticism they received...

http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237821/
http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237827/
http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237828/
http://pinterest.com/pin/101542166570237825/

Please comment, please let me know your thoughts and opinions on the matter. I'd love to hear them.
Posted by at 12:43 PM 3 comments
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Saturday, November 24, 2012

A VERY TuTu Birthday

Many times I am blessed to get to make fabulous decor for "superwomen" of the party world. I've been so very lucky in all the people I have met, and Elisha was NO exception. When I got a message from Elisha telling me ALL about her theme for her daughter and nieces' combined party, I was in love! I am thrilled to show you all how adorable this party was! Mom spared NO details! Enjoy!!

Elisha said: The vision for London and Laila's Two-Tu party was a given. My daughter (London) and her cousin (Laila) are 4 days apart so we decided to combine resources and time and have 1 party for the 2 toddlers turning 2 who love to wear tutu's. :>) The color scheme came from my favorite sorbet mixture I love to eat in the summer. The bold color's of raspberry pink; orange & lemon sorbet were perfect for this toddler Two-Tu party.


Ribbon Wreath
Gorgeous Table Decor & Banner with clips for pics from the photo shoot {see more below}















An adorable place for all the guests to play!!








Tea Room Time!










It looks like EVERYone joined in the fun!! Love the pinky ;)



Time for some cake... cupcake, that is! 



 And, what amazing party wouldn't be complete with a special photo shoot for the lil cuties?! These girls are SO cute and you can see just how close they are... what a special bond!!

 Elisha said: I happen to be lucky and blessed to have a personal friend who is a professional photographer and she took pictures of party and did a photo shoot with the girls the week before the party at a local park. Although she focuses on weddings, she obliged my request to photograph the girls. Pictures of the party and private photo shoot are not on her website. 
Photography credit to Marie Germain for www.cmbymarie.com











May be my personal fav!

Vendor Credits

Elisha said: ETSY is always my go-to website when I want something unique and homemade and I was really lucky to find some of the best vendors that helped to make my vision come to life.

Kristin Kennedy of Stampin' Fanatic!: Birthday Banner; Front Door Wreath; Party Activity Signage; Table Tent Cards

Christina Marie of Mookie Moo Children's Boutique: Orange & Pink Petti Skirts

Dreamspunkids: Wild Flower Tee Shirts

Walmart: Nantucket Table w/Bench and 2 chairs by KidKraft & Bean Bags

ItsJust4Me.com: Personalized Crayola Doodlebugz Chalkboard Placemats

Photography: Captured Moments by Marie 

 *********************************************************************************

Elisha- I can't thank you enough for sharing all of your photos with me, and for including my items as part of the girls' BIG day!!! You did an AMAZING job with the entire party and I am sure the girls had a great time, as well as all the guests!! 
Posted by at 4:27 PM 0 comments
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