Baptism Invitations

My daughter is getting baptized this Saturday.  We are all really excited for her!  She wanted to send invites to our family.  Just recently my sister-in-law Michelle decided to start making handmade special occasion invites.  We asked her to come up with something special for Emma...

She was super great to work with.  I love that Emma helped design her invitation....Everything from the colors, to the wording, even the style of the invite.

Emma jumped on the opportunity of having a pull out style invite.  I think it *might* be every 8 year old girl's dream!

Michelle is great to work with.  She went the extra mile and made a few different styles with coordinating paper.  Emma loves this option and chose certain invites to go to certain people.

If you are interested in Michelle making you some invitations for your special occasion you can check out her etsy shop ELEGANT INVITES.  She is just starting her etsy shop.  Don't be afraid to convo her with requests :)  You can also check out her stuff on her FACEBOOK PAGE!

Cookie Exchange 2009

My friend and I just had our 4th annual cookie/ornament exchange. It was so fun. If you don't do one with your friends I suggest you start a tradition of having one. This year I found this cute invitation...

Click HERE to read more about these amazing invites. Hers are way better than my imitation :)

(Spatulas are from the dollar store!)

So you make your invite and tell your friends each to bring 3 dozen cookies. Out of those 3 dozen cookies, 1 dozen goes to what we call a "tasters table" and 2 dozen go to the exchange table. Everyone gets to go around and eat cookies from the tasters table.

The picture below is from before the party started. Check out the crystal looking cookie stand I built. Everything from the dollar store :)

We also have an ornament exchange. Each person brings a wrapped ornament and we play an exchange game. We have used THIS one the past four years and we still love it! I love my cute friends :)

At the end of the party everyone goes around exchanging cookies. Bring 2 dozen go home with a different 2 dozen. My kids were so excited to see me. You give them a cookie and they look like this...


It's worth every moment!

Have a pumpkin party....

Last year a few friends and I started having what we call a "pumpkin party". Each person brings one food/dessert item having to do with the theme of a pumpkin. Hanging out with friends and eating....is anything better?! Last year I made a pumpkin dip and put it in a pumpkin. This year I'm adding "spice" items such as spiced apple cider or applesauce. Yummy. These invites were super easy to make. Cut a circle out a piece of fabric. Hand sew around the edges so you can pull it together and gather it. Put a few beans and stuffing inside. Find a stick outside for the stem. Add a fake leaf and some wire. The best part about these invites are they were free to make. Crafty neighbor girl and I gathered the supplies and made them. Wanna come? If you are the NW please do (just e-mail me)!