DIY Princess and Super Hero Peg Doll Valentines

I have to admit this Valentine's Day idea came directly from my crafty 5 year old. He saw me painting these and requested that each kid in his class receive a peg doll. At first the idea seemed daunting, but in truth they were very easy and fun to make!

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Materials:

Scallop 3" squares

Divine Twine

Wood Peg Dolls

Acrylic Paint
small tip paint brushes

Modge Podge Acrylic Sealer

Directions: I followed a wonderful tutorial for painting boy and girl peg dolls over at Lil Blue Boo. I added an additional step. After the dolls were painted and completely dry, I sprayed on a clear coat of Modge Podge acrylic sealer. This will prevent the paint from chipping or scratching.

I used an editable scallop 3" square printable available over at Whisker Graphics to create the Valentine tags. I added fun text to each box. Printed and cut out the tags. 

I cut 2 slits on the left side of the Valentine and tied the peg dolls to the tag with divine twine. 

Superman

Woody

Spider man

Snow White

Cinderella

Wishing you an extra PRINCESSY and SUPER HERO sized Valentine's Day!

Mario - Luigi - Pirate - Batman - Woody - Spiderman - Superman - Buzz Lightyear

Snow White - Rapunzel - Cinderella - Belle - Ariel - Mulan - Jasmine - Sleeping Beauty

5 BLOG-WORTHY BLOGS To Check Out!

I wanted to share 5 great blogs that are filled with tremendous party inspiration and fun contests right now.

1

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Pure Joy Events is hosting their annual party tutorial contest. Stop over to see the fabulous party tutorials that have been linked up or if you have a tutorial, link it up for a chance to win prizes. 

2

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My Insanity is hosting its 4th annual Blogiversary Party Party. Any party created in 2011 is eligible to be entered. Stop over and take a peek at all the creative and unique parties that have already been linked up. If you are in need of some party inspiration, this is a great place to start looking!

3

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New mommy and mega-talented event planner Kate Landers has posted more beautiful pictures and details about her own baby shower. I had the privileged and honor of assisting Kate with this baby shower. Stop over to see why her sweet comments are making me *blush*!  I will be sharing some behind the scenes details of that special baby shower on the blog very soon!

4

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Beyond Wonderland Paperie is a new blog to me, but so glad Caitlin introduced herself to me. She is featuring my anniversary balloons and love notes today. While I was checking out here blog, I noticed she has an adorable Etsy Shop worth visiting for items like this bunting...

I Heart You Doily Bunting

5

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There is so much going on over at Oink, the blog of Piggy Bank Parties! Each week the Piggy Bank Crew takes turns sharing tutorials, recipes, contests, money saving tips, freebies, and so much more. 

Get Your Kids Art Organized!

I posted some of these ideas last year, but I get asked this a lot and thought I would post it again! What do you do with your children's art?  I wanted to share how we display ours. Since we have a never ending flow of pictures and drawings coming home from school, I thought it would be important to have a place I could change out the pieces easily.

Found the curtain wire and hooks at Ikea for $5.99

And added some vinyl

My next project? To add more wires like Style Files 

I display our Valentine's art with an empty frame (tutorial here)

I also love these ideas for displaying art work

Ikea- $.99!

Ikea $5.99!

A simple shelf to display framed art from Apartment Therapy

Do you have any tips for displaying your kids' artwork?

Thoughts on Joe Paterno

This is a party and craft blog, why am I talking about Joe Paterno, former head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions? I am a Penn State graduate, former Penn State employee, Nittany Lion fan, and member of the State College community. This is my little space to honor the impact Joe Paterno had on our lives, our community, our hearts. Living in a modest house just a few blocks from ours, we would often see him walk to work. I had chills up my back every time he ran with his team onto the field. Regardless of the events of the past few months, he will always be Penn State to us.

A few months back, I created this little tailgate in honor of JoePa... had to include his infamous tie and glasses. If only I could have added his cuffed pants and sneakers!

My hubby with Joe Paterno, his wife Sue, and coworker

I really wanted to get this picture signed by Joe for my husband's 30th birthday, so I called his office and I was told that he didn't sign anything during football season.  I mailed the picture to Sue (she grew up in my husband's home town) and they both signed the picture for us. We cherish this picture.

Joe, you will be missed. You are Penn State!

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

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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!


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