Little Bitty Bag Valentines for Whisker Graphics

A little bitty bag,
felt heart,
and love note for your Valentine.

Materials:
Chevron Little Bitty Bag
Oyster Gray Divine Twine
Flourish Paper Punch
Red felt
Cotton ball
Scissors
Hot glue
Tag
Love Note (optional, but preferred)

Valentine's for 'Lil Guys

Sometimes it can be hard to find Valentine's that are BOY-friendly, 

not too pink, not too sweet, 

Here are some Valentine's for 'lil guys...

Printable Personalized Robot  by Kayden Ashely

Love the Hershey mini bar wrap for the center!

I Dig You by Pluff Mud Studio

Red shovels with candy & tags attached!

Boy bracelets by Stargazinglily

Also sold in party packs and can be personalized with names, team or class colors, etc..! 

I "Wheelie" Like You Valentine by 30 Days Handmade

Tire Valentine via Pinterest  repinned by Danielle AFOMFT Blog

Valentine's Day Tic Tac Toe Free Printable by Lizard and Ladybug

Pencil Valentine via Pinterest  repinned by Danielle AFOMFT Blog

My boys would flip over this Wii Valentine 

iPhone Valentine Free Printable by Living Locurto

.........................................

Would anyone would like me to round up some GIRL ideas as well? 

DIY Geronimo Balloon Inspired Party Decorations {Tipster Tuesday Feature}

Each Tuesday is Tipster Tuesday on Piggy Bank Parties! It's a chance for us to share money saving party tips, tutorials, and great deals/products you should know about. In case you missed this yesterday, here is my tutorial for Piggy Bank Parties showing you how to create Geronimo Balloon-Troopers inspired party decorations for a whole lot less!


I have a mild obsession with Geronimo Balloon-Troopers. Have you ever seen them?

Image via Geronimo

I love the way Geronimo Balloon-Troopers sparkle and hover over a beautiful party. Each balloon is lovingly handmade with ribbon, tassels, crepe paper, and shiny tinsel. Since these beauties run between $60-$200 per balloon, purchasing them is out of the question for me. I started brainstorming... how could I get this look for a lot less?  First I thought I would purchase 3' round balloons. I decided against this option. These balloons can be costly and still have to be blown up and transported. I was giddy when I found 24" paper lanterns sold online. Here's the look I was able to create for only $6. 

Materials:

24" Paper Lanterns ($3.75)

Gold Tinsel, long pieces if possible (Scored packages of tinsel at a Thrift Shop for $.50 each!)

Various Colors of Crepe Paper ($1.00 x 2 = $2.00)

Ribbon ($1.00)

Directions:  To create fringed crepe paper, repeatedly fold over a 3'-4' piece of crepe paper as many times as you can. Make half inch cuts on one side, then the other (do not cut too close to the middle). Unfold and admire how pretty crepe paper looks fringed. Gather all your tinsel, tassels, ribbon, or anything else you think would look nice draping down and attach to the bottom wire of the lantern with tape or just tie it in a knot. It actually looks better if it looks a little messy and tussled. 

Then tie a ribbon around the trailing tinsel about 4 inches down from the top to give it a finished look. 

Hang the lantern and drape tassel as desired (a chair works nicely) and just swoon at your creation for awhile. 

{Swoon}

I hope this post shows you that party and craft inspiration can come from anywhere... a picture on Pinterest, a walk in the woods, sunlight hitting a window. My suggestion is to find something you love and find a way to develop it. My heart goes pitter patter when I see these gorgeous Geronimo balloons. Rather than wanting to buy that exact balloon I used it as my inspiration to create something even better, long lasting, and way less expensive! 

Love IS All Around, Anniversary Balloons on Pinterest

I am totally blown away by the amount of pins on Pinterest to this one anniversary gift I made for my hubby.

It required 8 balloons and 8 love notes.

What I love most about seeing this project pinned so many times is reading the comments on ways people plan to adapt this project to their own lives. 

This truly touched my heart and shows Love actually is all around!

Here are a few of my favorites...

a child's birthday

welcoming home a spouse in the military (one for every month her husband is away, how sweet is that?!!)

random kind gesture for a boyfriend

a way to show "I'm Sorry"

Valentine's Day gift
50th Wedding Anniversary Party

for teachers
friends

“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around.”  -Love Actually

Ring in the New Year & Top Party Chick Honors

Happy 2012 everyone!

Never have I been so excited for a fresh start, a new year of possibilities. 

Image via Pinterest

I returned home from a great New Years Eve with friends to discover that I had been named one of the top party chicks of 2011 over on The Purple Pug, seriously? Wow. 

And also named as one of the 10(ish) Most Inspiring Party Peeps of 2011 over at Piggy Bank Parties! I hope you do check out both lists, there are some pretty amazing ladies mentioned!

2012 is off to a great start! 

New Year's Eve DIY Party Blowers & Decorations

I decided to make some New Year's decorations today, 

Yes, I might be avoiding the Christmas clean up that needs to happen.

I love this free New Year's Eve printable collection by The TomKat Studio. 

Something so classic about a black, white, and gray color combination. 

I even made my own party blowers using this fabulous tutorial over at The Silly Pearl. Mine are for decoration only (I wanted to create a festive fringe look), but you can make them work by taping the seams.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and Healthy New Year!


Linking to:

The Craftiest Craft Projects of '11

It's been fun looking back at all the parties I've hosted here at Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line,

Now it's time to review a few of my favorite craft projects of the year.

TOP: Paper Straw Garland :: Fabric Tied Mason Jars :: Rain Drop Cupcakes

MIDDLE: Plant Marker Food Labels :: Father's Day Golf Wreath :: Button Monogrammed Umbrellas 

BOTTOM: Balloon Anniversary Notes :: Itty Party in a Bitty Bag :: Bitty Bag Address Wraps

Linking to:

Holiday Open House '11

We love hosting holiday gatherings at our house,

such a nice time to visit with friends and family. 

I put together a little spread for our Open House Friday night, 

of Santa 'Staches, North Pole Truffles, and lots of cookies. 

North Pole Truffle inspiration from Jenny's Cookies

Santa 'Stache inspiration from Amy's Party Ideas

These were a huge hit with the kids!

I fell in love with the Merry & Bright Collection from Palm Beach Parties 

and had to use it for my invitations and party printables

{Keeping it Real}

I have two kids on antibiotics right now, 

one on a Nebulizer, and a funeral to attend. 

Trying hard to stay in a festive spirit. 

A Letter from Elfie {Including a FREE Elf on the Shelf Printable Letter from Piggy Bank Parties}

We are so excited that Christmas is finally here, 

though a little sad that our Elf on the Shelf will be leaving tonight. 

We have grown quite fond of our friend Elfie. 

We will miss his curious and happy nature. 

Wasn't it nice of him to leave us a note 

to reassure of of his return next December 1st?

See you next December 1st Elfie!

Create your own free editable note here from Piggy Bank Parties!

Do and J were so generous to offer the Elf letter as a free printable from their ultra adorable
Enchanted Elves Collection available in the Piggy Bank Parties Etsy Shop! 

Free & Printable Gift Tags Round Up

Presents are picked out and wrapped. 
Now we need some fun gift tags!
Here's some {FREE} printable tags made by some super sweet & talented peeps.

Chevron Tags by Swanky Press

Naughty/Nice Christmas Tags by Sew.Craft.Create

Four Tag Designs by Jones Designs Company

Festive Tags by Hank and Hunt on The Sweetest Occasion 

Tags from Paper Crave

Holiday Mail Stripes Gift Tags by Eat Drink Chic

An entire collection of free Holiday printables are available at Party Box Designs!

Happy Wrapping & Gift Tagging!