Day to Day

Celebration

I think we're finally all set for Bella's party tomorrow. 

Thanks for the scrummy paper balls Beth - Bella thinks they're beautiful!

The butterfly cake was Bella's design and Mum made the lamingtons.

The birthday invites & instructions

James went for a swim morning/afternoon at the local pool today where they play games and have fun in the water.  Bella was still at Nanny Joan's having her sleep over so I thought it would be a good chance to get the invites finished (well, nearly finished...I still need to print off the birthday details to pop inside). 

The photos are a bit dark because I've only just photographed them and it's pretty cloudy.  I'm really happy with how they turned out and Bella's words were 'oh they are very very very very very good Mum!!'

I had an email from a lovely lady called Lara asking if I'd be able to send her through some general instructions/measurements for them when they were finished....So, I decided to take some step by step pics and thought I'd share them here incase anybody else wanted them. 

Step 1 - Cut out the gingam dolls using this pattern from the Martha Stewart website.  There is one there for a little boy too - how sweet would that be in blue/white gingham fabric!

Also cut out your white fabric rectangles using pinking shears along the edges.  Alternatively, cut with normal scissors and fray the edge slightly.  The rectangle measures approximately 15cm X 22cm (6 inches X 8 3.4 inches).

Fold and iron the white fabric in half.

Position the gingham doll on the right hand side of the white fabric.  Machine stitch into place (follow the edge of the doll all the way around).

Cut out a piece of pink card to size - 15cm X 22cm (6 inches X 8 3.4 inches).  Fold in half.

Place the fabric over the top of the card.  (Please note this pic above doesn't have the fabric doll sewn into position like it supposed to be - I accidentally photographed one that wasn't sewn on yet!)

Stitch the fabric to the card down the right and left hand sides (the ribbon is enough to hold the fabric into position in the middle).

Cut a piece of printer paper (or similar) to fit inside the invitation - use the actual invitation measurements for this - 15cm X 22cm (6 inches X 8 3.4 inches).  Print or write the birthday information onto this and lightly adhere into place. 

Cut a length of ribbon and tie up the side to complete the invitation. 

Birthday Invites

I've had an idea in my head over the last few days for some little fabric doll invitations for Bella's party next month (I know, I know, I do go a little overboard with some things.....the party being one of these things - you see I'm slightly obsessing over it at the moment).

Anyhow I cut these out tonight between dinner and our dvd watching.  Tomorrow I want to get them all stitched up and finished.

While obsessing over the party plans I came across this beautiful site that sells the sweetest party plates, cups, matching serviettes etc.. and so I bought these (to keep for the party ofcourse, lol)...

I was really impressed with the lovely service and super quick postage and I'm always such a sucker for beautifully wrapped packages with extra goodies thrown in! 

Anyhow I'd better crawl into bed...it's WAY past my bedtime.

Before I go, a couple of cute photos our little groover dancing with her pet balloon doggie that she made.

The birthday satchels

There was some early rising going on today as Rich had to start back at work....we made the most of the early start and headed to the beach for a morning walk.  We plan on doing a lot more of this, but next time must remember to wear proper shoes (not thongs) so that we can master the rocks without cuts to our feet as they slip in and out of the thongs. 

Last night I finished off the birthday satchels for Bella's party.  They each hold a little soap for take home gifts.  We're going to have a craft party...I need to put my thinking cap on but my first thoughts are that everybody can make a small writing book and bookmark each.  Bella loves this idea and although she had grand plans of everybody doing some stitching and creating a million items on the day, I think a few simple ideas will suffice.