Birthday Party Decorations

Helped out with the decorations for my nieces 16th Birthday party. Which was also a joint party with her boyfriend. 

My favorite thing I did was the balloon tower.

Which I could not have made without my amazing husband.

He used some 2x4s and made a base.

(All I can tell you is that it was shaped like an X and he screwed the pieces together)

He used a drill and drilled a hole in the middle of the boards the same size as a piece of PVC pipe. Which was purchased at Home Depot in 10 foot pieces. And we cut them down to have two 5 foot pieces.

It's as simple as placing the piece of pipe into the hole.

 

Then take 2 blown up balloons and tie them together. 

Take another set of 2 tied balloons, and twist them onto another set of tied balloons.

And they slide/twist right on to the pipe.

Keep adding these layers until you reach the top.

I made 4 of these towers. 

 I wanted to go as cheap as possible with everything, but still make it look good.

I searched and searched for ideas on what I could make using crepe paper.

I found tons of good ideas, but wasn't too happy with them for a 16th party.

So I came up with my own.

I adapted this 3D letter idea, made with poster board.

You can find it HERE

And once I had the letter made, I covered them with crepe paper.

I used the same technique for the 16. This time I covered with fringed crepe paper. 

(They looked better before transporting them to the party LOL)

I used the crepe paper and made fringe streamers. 

Following THIS tutorial from pinterest.

I made flowers for the table centerpieces using tissue paper.

I used THIS tutorial.

I found some cute buckets at the Everything's A Dollar store.

And I made some using cardboard tubes that I wrapped with crepe paper.

I made card tins using old popcorn tins. 

I spray painted them. Cut holes in the top for the cards. (Actually, my husband did that part! LOL Not sure how he did it) And added lettering with my cricut.

And making photo boards using poster board and my cricut. Super easy.

I wanted to make a sign using chalkboard paint. But I got lazy.

So my husband gave me a piece of aluminum sheeting he had sitting around. 

I taped off the edges with black tape.
My intent was to use dry erase markers, but they didn't work. LOL

So I used paint and hand painted all the words.

I wanted to come up with super easy and quick dessert ideas. So I scoured pinterest. 

The first thing I came across, where these awesome cupcakes, using cotton candy for a topper.

Cotton Candy Ideas

Made cake boxes using boxes, wrapping paper, ribbon, and crepe paper.

Wrap the boxes in wrapping paper. 

Cut the crepe paper in strips leaving about 1/2 inch from the top uncut.

Use double sided tape to stick it on. And cover the top edge using ribbon.

I also made some dessert stands using different sized vases, and glued on a cake board to the top. 

I also made strawberry brownie skewers.

I used a cookie cutter to cut up a batch of brownies. 

Used strawberry marshmallows. And strawberries.

And stuck them all on a skewer.

Melted some chocolate and drizzled over them.

I used my leftover strawberries and dipped them in chocolate. 

And I used the leftover marshmallow and dipped half them in chocolate.

 

And I made some chocolate covered pretzels using Wilton's pink and green chocolate melts.

Camper Remodel

I finished all up with the camper. Did not take me as long as I had hoped.

 (LOL I LOVE having projects to do)

I scrubbed the entire thing down.

I recovered all the valances.

Made curtains for all the windows.

Recovered the fold down couch.

Made pillows.

Made a shower curtain.

And went shopping! Got matching sheets and bedspread, towels, and rugs.

Now its time to go camping!

I am looking forward to it.

BEFORE

     The Couch BEFORE...The Couch AFTER                 

 

I could not even begin to imagine how to explain how I covered this couch. A ton of trial and error. I did remove the couch from it's frame first. Measured, measured and measured once more for good measure. (Hehe Had to throw that pun in)
Then I was able to use the wooden frame under the cushions to staple on my material.

LOTS of staples. It was actually easy, just time consuming and daunting because of the size.

Made bucket seats. 

Very simple to make! Used buckets from Home Depot. And hubby cut me a plywood topper for them. I use my bucket as a guide to measure how much material I needed to cut. And then sewed elastic in the top seam.

(I just winged mine. But HERE is a good tutorial)

You can see how I messed up the sewing for one of my buckets. I liked the more flowy look for my material. And on one of them, I cut the material too short! Oh well, live and learn.

I found a brand new sleeping bag at the thrift store in my EXACT colors! That really made my day!

 I draped it over the couch.

The BATHROOM.

The BEDROOM 

I hated the plastic room divider that was on the wall.

It easily came down.

I sewed a curtain, and hung it using a tension rod.

Have to hang the pictures yet...

KITCHEN

A couple more little things I want to do yet. But for the most part, it is finished! 

Pillows

Made a new set of pillows for the camper.

Pretty sure my husband is not going to love them as much as I do...but oh well! Lol

Easy to make pillow covers...Here is a good tutorial. Pillow Tutorial

Camper Valances

We recently just purchased a camper.

I have never been into camping, but I am excited that this will be a new hobby for the hubby and myself.

I love decorating. So this has been a field day for me. I got the camper all cleaned.

And took down the widow box valances.

Covering them was pretty easy, as no sewing was involved!
I just cut my fabric with an inch overhang on each side. Stretch fabric and staple to backside.

Here is the before...

Here it is all finished...

I can't wait to hang it!

Tiffany & Co. Style Card Box

Felt pretty good when my wonderful niece asked me if I would make a card box for her friend's 16th birthday.

I have made a few before, and even though they are FAR from perfect, I always have a fun time making them.

Almost ANYTHING goes when making a card box. 

I think that's why I enjoy making them so much, a lot of creativity goes into it. 

My husband brought me home a box from work.

For this box, I wanted it to have separate lid. 

I painted it with gray primer spray paint.

And used Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze spray paint for the "Tiffany" color. 

I added some white ribbon.

Which I attached in separate pieces for the bottom of the box and the lid...

So that the lid was able to be easily lifted off.

I just used my awesome tape gun for this part.

BEFORE I attached my bow,

I cut a hole for the cards.

Then I attached my bow with some more tape.

I used my cricut and cut out the name of the girl who's turning 16.

And called it finished.

I think it turned out super cute. 

Not perfect by any means, esp using a cardboard box.

If you want perfection, Just use a wood box.

I went the cheap route, because, well because I am cheap. LOL

On a different note...
I added this photo from my computer 4x, and EVERY time, it shows up here sideways.
It is NOT Like this on my computer. LOL
What in the world is making this happen?! Oh well...

Simple Sweater Hearts

This project is so simple.

I wasn't sure about them at first.

I mean, what is the point of a bunch of fabric hearts?

But then I decided, 

They are CUTE.

And there needs to be no more point or reason than that. :)

I doubled my material so that I had 2 layers. 

Then free handed a heart onto my material, which  happens to be an old sweater. 

I didn't worry about using a marker. It will be covered once sewn.

Then I pinned both pieces together. 

 

 Cut them out. 

Save the scrap pieces!

This is what I used to stuff my heart.

I had a giant needle on hand. 

Never used it before. 

It's perfect for sewing with yarn!

I cut about 30 inches of yarn. 

And started sewing around the edges. 

After it was all sewn, I hand tied the yarn into a knot, a couple time, then clipped the remaining yarn.

And the knots disappeared right into the fabric.

Working with a sweater is very forgiving.

All finished! 

And what a quick project!

And here I am, collecting my Jar Of Hearts....

DIY Burp Cloth's

Making Burp Cloth's is fairly easy.

Actually, it's really easy.

And quick.

So easy, I did not need to follow any directions.

I used a bath towel for my backside.

And a decorative cotton for the front side.

(If you use flannel, it makes it a bit tricky to sew. 

I used some interfacing when I use flannel, and it made it super easy)

 

I paid about $3.50 for the towel. And the fabric was on sale at Jo Anns. I paid $2.50 for half a yard; Which will do about 6 burp cloths.

 

How cute are those elephants!

PRE-WASH your material. 

FOR REAL, PRE-WASH IT!

I HATE this step. 

But if you DON'T do it, then when they are washed for the first time, the different material could shrink differently and make the whole thing look crooked and badly made.

 If your anything like me, you'll wash it with all of your other towels and clothes. 

So I had to pull out my lint brush. Took care of all the uglies left behind from my brown towels. LOL

My half yard of material measured enough to give me 6 burp cloths. 

I don't know if they are the "real" measurements of  actual store bought ones.

But it looked good to me.

I cut my material 17 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 inches.

And then cut the same measurements from the towel.

The towel was big enough to give me 12 backs of burp cloths. 

But I only cut 6. LOL :) 

Just letting you know how many I can get from it.

 

Take the material and place both pieces with the front sides facing together. 

You will be turning this inside out.

\

And then pin.

PIN.

The bath towel likes to stretch and pull.

So use LOTS of pins.

Sew one of the short ends.

I use a zigzag stitch. It helps catch all the material and make sure no frays happen.

And then sew down each side.

I also find it easier to also sew about 2 inches in on each side at the open end, leaving a hole for turning right side out.

Clip the corners.

Turn right side out.

Fold down your open end, and iron. 

Its easier to fold in because of the 2 inches sewn on each side.

Then stitch it closed.

 I add a decorative zigzag stitch.

I measure my length and divide by 3. 

So if your length is 18 inches, you would sew at 6 inches and 12 inches.

 Brush all of the fuzzes left behind from the bath towel, and admire your work.

I like to fold them  up. And before I give them away, I wrap some decorative ribbon around them and add a tag that says Burp Cloth's. 

Total Cost for 6 Decorative Burp Cloth's...$4.25

I made these for my newest niece to use, who will be joining the world in a little over 2 months.