New Collection: Lil' Fishing Girl

I was so excited about this collection that I couldn't help but share!  My friend Sarah's daughter Olivia is having her first birthday and they asked me to create some party decorations. Olivia's daddy is a fly fisherman and they wanted to have her first birthday party be a fishing theme, but still be sweet and girly. I couldn't wait to get started on this adorable and unique theme!

Here are the designs I created:

Can't wait to see pictures from the party! Happy Birthday Olivia!

   

Shopping Saturday: SALE Classic Cake Stands & Platters

Okay.. so I think I am in love! I just purchased these square Martha Stewart cake stands from Macy's online last weekend and I couldn't wait to use them! I purchased them on sale and used a Macy's coupon code for an additional 20% off.  They are classic and stack able (round also available) which makes them so versatile. You never need to purchase a different piece to fit your event theme when you have these on hand!   And the best news... they're still on SALE!!!

I used the 8" Martha Stewart Collection Small Square Cakestand to stage photos for the new party flags I'm selling in my shop. Adding paper embellishment or ribbon to this classic white stand is a simple way to tie in your event theme. Get creative!

Who says cake stands have to be used for cake?  I just couldn't resist finding any excuse to debut these so I used them to serve food & drinks at a play date I hosted. Using cake stands on your table helps add height and dimension to any display! 

10" & 8" cake stands are pictured with Quadrado Dinnerware square plates from Pier 1 Imports. Martha Stewart does have a matching square serving platter, but it was $24 whereas the Quadrado dinner plate at Pier 1 were only $7 each on sale now!  I think they work together.. what do you think?   Have fun shopping and feel free to share any great deals you find out there! 

{Inspiration Board} Garden Gnome Woodland Party

I just finished designing a party set for the cutest theme ~ A Gnome Party! The client requested a Gnome, owl, mushrooms and a snail be included as well as colors of brown, green, and orange. Here is what I came up with for her (and now is available in our shop)!

And a little inspiration to complete the party!

Image credits: (top left) Hostess With The Mostess, Sweetopia, Wish Special Events

 (middle row)  Me and My Insanity, Creative Hostess

 (Bottom row) Amy Atlas Blog,  Gather and Nest,  Nicole Hill Blog.

1. Create chocolate birds nest to serve all the woodland creatures favorite treats ~ berries & nuts!

A recipe and tutorial from Princess Crafts for chocolate bird's nest can be found be found HERE.

2. Serve adorable woodland creature cookies in party colors or send some home with guests as favors in cello bags tied with matching ribbons and thank you tags! Learn how to create these royal icing masterpieces with this sweet tutorial from Sweetopia.

3. Hang tissue paper party poms in brown, green and orange. Learn how with Martha Stewart's Paper Pom Poms tutorial.

4. Create a "Gnome Transformation Station"! Create or buy red party hats, then cut white pieces of felt and attached elastic for instant beards.

5. Create a tree centerpiece with photos of the birthday boy as hanging ornaments. Make all the paper match the party colors in orange, brown and green.

6. Use wood stumps to decorate the table and serve food off of!

7. Create toadstool cupcakes, perfect size for a gnome seat! Bake chocolate cupcakes, use red icing with white iced polka dots!

8. Small lidded jars with orange, green & brown striped or polka dot straws will keep the little ones from spilling and look super cute!

Remember to add plenty of moss, toadstools, and garden gnomes around the party table to complete the look!

Good luck and have fun with it all!

{FREEBIES} Printable Spring/Easter Banner

Happy monday everyone. Spring is finally officially here! I am so excited for some sunny weather, gardening and of course event planning! Time for me to start planning my Easter brunch, and what better way to start then with this cute mini banner!  Perfect for spring and Easter, this little banner adds just a touch of color and whimsy (and of course GLITTER!) 

{DIY} St. Patrick's Day Edible Arrangements

{DIY} Garden Party Flower Lights

Happy Monday everyone!  I love Mondays at our house because it's my husband's day off. We all go to my daughters physical therapy appointment in the morning and spend the rest of the day running around as a family.  I am aware that for most of you Monday isn't so looked forward too, so I thought I would help to brighten your day with this cute idea!

And the winner is...

Thank you so much for everyone who entered our Grand Opening Giveaway and for all the well wishes on our new shop! I am so excited to have you all as followers!  So that said... without further adieu...the winner is:

#31 Marissa who commented:

"The vintage truck one is ADORABLE & my most favorite!! If I had a girl I would pick the the Garden Fairy one...so precious! They are all tres cute! You are so talented Christy!!! I love your work & all your creative & fun ideas! I hearted you on Etsy!!!

Marissa's Favorite Party Package:

Don't be too sad if you didn't win - you will be getting a 10% off coupon code

 in your email soon!

*Winner was chosen using random.org's random number generator. It really had nothing to do with all the compliments.. although those are nice to hear!

Thanks again everyone & happy planning!

~Christy

 

Personalize Your Event {Vinyl Wall Decals}

I just love vinyl decals!  There are such a simple way to personalize an event or your home. And there is no painting involved! Change your mind? The Event over?.. simple to take off! What's not to like, right?  The ideas are endless...

Monogram the glassware at your next party, put your initials on the wall at your wedding reception, give a sweet sentiment as a wedding gift, and customize a welcome sign to your next event! 

I love the idea of monogramming the dance floor at your wedding. What a unique touch!

And just one more idea I love (not party related)... creating a one of a kind piece of furniture.

(Decals from Uppercase Living.)

This party from Hostessblog.com is the perfect example of using vinyl decals to personalize your event!

Just look at this adorable dessert table accented with the birthday girls monogram on the wall above.

 

Here are a  few ways that I have used these fabulous wall decals to personalize my home and parties:

I made my front door warm and inviting to our guests with a simple "Welcome".

I love the way it turned out with the color of the word matching the trim around the door, but giving just enough contrast to the door to really pop. I created this decal using Uppercase Living's custom design tool.

When we bought our home I had no idea what to do with this weird inset in the wall of the front entry way. I left it empty for about two years until I found this "Our Family" decal. This decal gave me the idea for this awesome photo collage framing the words. A perfect fit for the inset! I've received lots of compliments on this unique display. I purchased this from Uppercase Living but recently discovered the same decal available on Etsy from Remarkable Walls.

When my son moved into his "Big Boy" bedroom I wanted to make the transition a positive for him and make his new room feel really special. I started with putting his name on his door. Not only did it make him feel special, but it helped him when he was learning to spell his name!  

I found this star decal to go over his bed and coordinate with the Pottery Barn Kid's bedding we chose. I added the letter "J" for Jackson's bed!

Just a little reminder to "Think Big" in his new room.. plus I just thought this was so cute and perfect to fit under his display shelf, again tying in the stars and color from his bedding.  Thedecals for his room are also from Uppercase Living.

When Annabelle was born, it was only fitting that she also get her name on her door to match her bedroom as well!  I traded for this custom order on Etsy.

When planning her nursery, I knew I wanted a monogram over her crib. Something sweet and feminine, that would go well with the whole room. I fell in love with a monogram on an expensive wall letters website but knew I couldn't afford it.. then I stumbled upon this beautiful monogram on Etsy which was almost exactly the same as the expensive one I had fallen in love with!  Available at Melanie Stewart, If Walls Could Talk.

And just for fun... I just couldn't resist this silly crab and seaweed combo from Uppercase Living for the kid's under the sea themed bathroom.

I hope these ideas inspire you to find ways personalize your own home or event with some fun decals of your own!

~Happy Planning

Christy

Grand Opening Giveaway!

I am so excited to announce the Grand Opening of Itsy Belle on Etsy!
We are finally up and running and to celebrate we are having a give away!
Featuring our new Printable Party Collections! Each package comes with a personalized Invitation, personalized party circles, labels, and a banner.

here's how you can have your chance to win:

[mandatory entry]
just visit our Itsy Belle Etsy Shop and come back to leave a comment telling me what your favorite party package is!

for additional entries, leave a separate comment for any of the following:

[1] become a follower of my blog.

[2] "like" Itsy Belle on facebook, favorite us on Etsy or follow on our twitter page.

[3] blog/facebook about this giveaway and leave our link.

This giveaway will close on Sunday, March 13th and i will post the winner Monday, March 14th.

I will use random.org to choose the winner.

Make sure to check back then to see if you won! The winner will have a week to claim their prize!
Good Luck!

Versatile Blogger Award

I've just been nominated for my first blog award!  This nomination came from Itsy Bitsy Paper and I can't thank her enough for including me!  Sometimes you wonder if you are just talking to yourself here.. so Thank you Lindy for taking the time to notice my blog!

RULES OF THE AWARD

1. Thank the person who awarded you and link back to them in your post

2. Tell 7 random facts about yourself

3. Pass the award on to 15 new found bloggers

4. Contact each blogger you want to pass the award on to and let them know you’ve done so, and let the giver of your award know you accept it.

Here are 7 radom facts about me:

1. I'm married to my highschool sweetheart

2. I gave birth to my son on my husbands 25th birthday

3. I gave birth to my daughter on my 27th birthday

4. I never drink the last sip of pop from a can.

5. I had blue eyes until the 2nd grade when they turned green.

6. I love color, but I am commitment phobic when it comes to my own home.

7. If I could chose a talent it would be singing. I love to sing, but I am completely horrible at it!

 

And Now for the fabulous blogs I've recently discovered:

 

 

The Hungry Housewives

 

 

Become Shoppertunistic

 

Larae's Crafty Corner

 

 

 

FREE ADVERTISING!

I just had to share - Sweet November is offering FREE advertising on their blog until they reach 300 followers! Great oppurtunity for all my fellow Etsy sellers!  ....better hurry though, cause they are almost there! I just submitted my request.

Free St. Patrick's Day Printables!

In plenty of time for all your St. Patrick's Day parties and treats! Our St. Patty's printables can be used on cards, cupcake toppers, goodie bags, envelope seals, napkin wraps, etc. Your creativity is the limit!

Click HERE to download your printable file.

Print, cut & punch - Have fun and enjoy!

Just my way of saying thank you for visiting my blog and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Remember to visit Itsy Belle's Etsy Shop for more fabulous printables!

~Happy Planning!

Christy