{Thursday Inspiration} DIY Gift Wrap

Today, I am sharing my own crafty creation as inspiration to you with this super easy DIY kraft paper gift wrap!

Yesterday, I posted that it was my baby girl's birthday.  After staying up late making a birthday card for her, I was too tired to wrap her present.  So, I brought her gift into work (my job that pays the bills)  to wrap it - except sleep deprived me,  forgot to bring the wrapping paper!

So, what's a crafty mama to do when in a pinch and no time to go to the store?  Sneak into the mail room and snag some supplies!!!  Okay, I didn't sneak, I asked permission, but the former sounds much more exciting, right?!!!  Anyhoo, I grabbed brown kraft paper, 1" round adhesive mailing labels, scissors and tape!

This was so easy to do, took only a few minutes and was quite therapeutic!  I just eyeballed where the labels would go and voila! How about it?  This hip polka dot gift wrap that looks like it came straight from Paper-Source!

I love the way the round labels look against the kraft paper, they're the frosty kind, so it almost gives the gift wrap a painted on effect.

The ribbon was something I already had on hand, so I tied a simple bow to the gift to finish it off.  The card was made using my Cricut.  


(I would love to show you the pictures I took of some of the other party items I made with my Cricut for her classroom party, but after my phone was nabbed last week (long story), those pictures are long gone.  I'll be making more party favors for her big party in a few weeks and will share all the details.)

You can use this same technique by applying plain white labels to white kraft paper for a tone on tone effect.  For an embossed look add clear glossy labels to solid color wrapping paper.  If you want to be a bit more trendy, try embellishing plain white or black wrapping paper with neon labels.

There are loads of ways to be creative when packaging gifts. Leave a comment below -I would love to see your ideas or read tips you would like to share. I hope you were inspired today!

{Happy Customers} Pink, Yellow & Grey Whale Themed 1st Birthday

Last week I shared a cute Etsy customer photo with you of her daughter sporting a Birthday Girl party hat from my Whale of a Time Party Kit. The customer, Esther (an absolute gem of a client) wanted the colors changed and it went from me changing the invite to re-working the whole set. I loved the colors and am soooo happy with how everything turned out. She was kind enough to share more photos from the party!

A pennant banner for Miss Jalya!

A fun timeline photo banner of Jayla's first twelve months.  I used my Cricut to create the Whales and letters - this was such a fun project to work on.

A beautiful Wishing Tree was displayed for guests to write their wishes for Jayla!

Jayla's cake - with a fondant topper created to look like the whale in the party set - CUTE!

I love using scalloped cupcake toppers for little girl parties - just darling!

I love using colorful tags for party favors.  Esther sent guests home with #1 shaped sugar cookies - loved these.

Esther also wanted a high chair bunting.  I used smaller flags from the patterned paper I created for the set and added paper rosettes to them and topped the rosettes with party dots!

More gorgeous party details.....

Super adorable and fabulously girly - Miss Jayla - Happy Birthday!

I loved changing up this set for Esther & Jayla and wish them many more fabulous celebrations and wishes!

Photo Credits: DnA Wylie Photography 

 

{Cupcake Monday} Yarn Pom Pom Cupcake Toppers

The yarn pom poms are everywhere!!!  They won't go away!!!! Now they want me to put them on cupcakes tooooooo!!!!!

They are kinda cute though, ain't they?

 So, really, I've been busy, busy,busy - yarn pom-ming my tail off - I've got holiday shows and par-tays....amongst other things (I also have the flu - bleh!) -- I did find some time - since, I've got some at the moment, to make a few for these yummy cupcakes!

I can't wait to share with ya'll what event a bushel fullahdeez babies are gonna show up at! I'm so excited about it I could just SPIT! hahaha! In the meantime, check them out on my Etsy shop! and put your orders in for holiday ones!!!!!! You can get them in a wide variety of colors!

{Celebrating} Happy Birthday 2 Me!

Today is my birthday!!!! Yeaaaahhh!!! It feels great to celebrate another year and to have great family and friends in my life. I'm so blessed to be able to do what I love and share it with my readers and customers. My birthday wish is that I'm able to continue to do it this year and in the many years that follow. Hopefully you all won't get bored with me and all my crazy and stick around ;)

I'm past the 35 year mark now, but I like to consider myself perpetually 25; so, to celebrate being a quarter of a century I'm giving all my Blog & Twitter followers and Facebook fans 25% off from my Etsy shop today and tomorrow!!!!

I'll be enjoying the rest of my week celebrating with my family and will check back in with a fun recap next week! Until then don't forget to enter the Edible Cupcake Wrappers giveaway as well as the awesome discount to my shop!

{Cupcake Monday} Edible Cupcake Wrapper

I was absolutely over the moon when I got my Cricut Cake for Mother's Day and mentioned that I had a brilliant idea (in MY mind) to take my favorite treat - cupcakes - to another level! So, I made EDIBLE FONDANT CUPCAKE WRAPPERS!!!!

I finally got around to making one over the weekend and since I'm working on getting photos taken for my Mermaid Party Collection I thought an under the water themed wrapper would be appropriate.

I love the little fish!

 

What do you think???  Fun or what?  If you have a Cricut Machine and have the Cricut Lite Cupcake Wrappers cartridge - you can make your own with Fondant or Gum Paste.  I also think there are a few other new Party cartridges coming out that have cupcake wrappers in the collection. 

HOWEVER......since THIS GIRL is turning the big 2-5 (yeah right) on Wednesday, let's jump start the celebrating today and how's about I do a GIVEAWAY for A DOZEN FONDANT CUPCAKE WRAPPERS!!!!!  This would be a GREAT giveaway, especially for anyone currently planning a cupcake party or setting up a dessert table for a shower!!!

TO ENTER:
1. Check out the different wrappers available for the Cricut Lite Cupcake Wrapper (click on the 'images' tab under the product listing)
2.  Come back here and leave a comment below and let me know which design you like most.
3. Be a follower of this blog.
4. (Bonus Entry)  LIKE us on Facebook.
5. Please BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ALONG WITH YOUR COMMENT so I can contact you - that's MUY IMPORTANTE!!!

The contest ends on Friday, August 8th at 10 pm and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 10th.

GOOD LUCK!!!!
(BTW - I'm updating my blog....myself- I probably should pay someone to do it - but I'm super cheap and always think that I can do a better job all on my own.  In a few weeks, I'll admit that I was overly ambitious and will most likely end up paying someone with more time and experience to do it for me.  In the meantime, please enjoy the various changes that will take place on this blog.  It should be quite entertaining!)

My Etsy Shop is Open!

UPDATE 8/22/10:   My bad - I didn't include a link to the store.....check it out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CupcakeWishesStore

Wooooooooo-hooooooo!!!!!

Okay - so this is totally just making my week.  After figuring out had to add photos to my shop for listings and what not, I finally have got some products in the store.  Right now, I only have party packs, but each collection has items that can be purchased individually. 

Here's the store as it looks online - and I'm sorry that it looks so small - Blogger is straight up buggin'!

Now, as I was saying, the party packs show some of the collections I have available.  Anyone can purchase individual items like, invitations, thank you cards, party favors, banners, etc.  I just wanted to let you all know that it's open, but there is more to come!!!  I do intend to have a Grand Opening of sorts and there will be a special offer for my blog followers and Facebook fans!!!!!  Yeeeeaaaaahhh!!!!

Okay-okay.....I'm just really excited and I can't wait to add more, I have so many designs that I've made.....so check back soon and often!

Tip Tuesday: Less is More

When I first set out to plan my 35th birthday party, I really wanted to go with a Midsummer Night's Dream theme....and if you read this post you will know that did not happen.  I was really bummed about it because I loved the theme and thing it's a great idea.  It might not be something I can plan right now, but a great possible theme for a future event.  In any case what I learned by switching up themes and scaling down when you're short on time and money is that less is more. 

What I was able to produce with a few pieces of paper, ribbon, twine, mason jars, sand candles, paper table cloths, fake silverware, and some honeycomb balloons actually turned out better than I'd hoped.

When planning a party that you really have a tight budget on my tip is to use low cost items.  I went and got a lot of items on clearance and between $1-$3.  My biggest expense were bulk packs of plastic plates and cups.  I am an advocate of the Dollar Store and Discount Stores, you can always find something fabulous without cringing at check out.

Don't be afraid to use items you already have on hand.  My husband jokes that I keep the mason jars that we have from our spaghetti sauce.  However - those empty jars made great candle holders, filled with a bit of sand and a tealight candle, dressed up with ribbon - and voila!

I also purchased honeycomb balls at the party store and wanted to add a touch of elegance and charm by enhancing it with ribbon.

 

These are just a few simple ideas on how to do a lot with less.....just be creative and have fun with it!

Picture Sources
Room filled with Balloons
Simple Table Setting With Balloons

My Birthday Blog-stravanganza – Cupcake Monday

{Today kicks off my Birthday Blog-stravagaza!!!!  Yeaaahh!!!! 

Each day this week a different guest blogger will be featured in a post.  The subject of the posts will be on one of my favorite things.  Be sure to check back daily to find out what they are. 

Also, there will be a daily giveaway having to do with one of my favorite things.  Today's giveaway is a Cupcake Kit (this one is Gluten-Free!)...to enter please leave a comment below about your favorite cupcake flavor.

Today's guest post is from Vanessa Valencia who is the magically wonderful artist whose blog,  A Fanciful Twist, is one that I heart.  I’ve mentioned her and her blog before and just love it….it makes me happy. 

Vanessa’s challenge was to take on one of my favorite things, Cupcakes, and write a post about it relating to parties and occasions.  These cupcakes look terribly delicious....

Thanks Miss Vanessa!}

What is it about cupcakes that make us twirl with glee?

They add a little tickle, and magical sweet breeze...

They are so very easy to make, and funner than fun to decorate...

Plink plink, sprinkling confections of greatest pleasantries.

Lovely little cakes of joy, to add a dash of, sparklie frosting twinkle love, to special days and every days ~ a sort of staple of life ;)

Don't you think?

They work to unlock anyone's fanciful whimsy, and set it free, one sprinkle at a time...

Oh ya.........

Any shape, and any color, any reason please...

No restrictions for occasions, to plunk your face in these...

No time to think of reasons... 

It's time, splurge, yummy yumm!

A very merry any little day to you, indeed! (don't forget to lick the plate clean)

And, if it's your birthday, have 3.

Don't worry, they're on me ;)

Nibble ~ frosting on your nose and chin... 

Mmmmm...

Cupcakes, make the world go round...

If you don't believe me, ask the bees ;)

♥,

Vanessa Valencia of, AFancifulTwist.Com

ps:  Merrrrrrrriest of birthdays lovely Keisha!!!! Yippeee!

{Don't forget to post your comment below to win a cupcake kit! - Keisha}