Birdies and Babies

Attic Gal Rachelle says:

On Wednesday I threw a surprise baby shower for my friend Shea and her sweet new baby.  The theme was birdies, and it was so fun to do.

This was the first time I didn't hand stamp all my invitations thanks to my brand new My Digital Studio software from Stampin' Up!  I had just received it in the mail when it was time to do the invitations, so I thought I'd give it a try.  HOW FUN!  It was really, really easy to use - very intuitive!  I sat down and created this invite in only about an hour my first time using the program.  It is so fun because it comes pre-loaded with tons of SU! artwork and exclusive colors.  Super fun!  I was in luck because I took photos of Shea's baby a little while ago, so I already had his pictures to put on the invitations.  I just emailed the invitations to everyone, and printed out and sent a few to people that I didn't have email addresses for.  (Sorry, I am pretty excited about my new program, as you can see!)


Since it is finally fall here in the desert I decided to chance it and have the shower outside.  It was a bit warm, but we managed.  For a table cover I used a fun quilt top I found at a garage sale a few weeks ago.  It is from the 30s of 40s and the fabric is so very fun and retro!  It is an unfinished quilt top, but works perfectly as a tablecloth for my big square table.  Also a pitcher of flowers and some little fat green birdies.  I also did the Baby Isaac framed picture on My Digital Studio.  It took me just minutes now that I had the program figured out.  Cute!

The fun thing is, that the images and colors on the software match the stamps, inks, and decorative papers that SU sells, so I was able to make everything to match the invitations exactly.  The BABY pennant banner (see beginning of post) I made for decoration was made with the cutest decorative papers with the same birdies and same colors!



Yummy fruit pizzas (thanks Ann!) and icy lime water worked to cool us all off a bit.  You can't see it from here, but I stamped little birds on branches on the cups and napkins. 

The invitations worked.  We had 20 ladies and the Uncrustables and pre-sliced apples were a hit with the kiddos.

My dear friend Shari made her incredible famous homemade chocolates for the occasion!  Scrumptious!

Using the same stamps and papers I made little picks to go on top of the cupcakes.  Instead of putting the bright sprinkles on top, I rolled the edges in them instead.

Cheep!

As part of her gift, I stamped Shea a bunch of thank you cards.  I meant to have the ladies put their own addresses on the envelopes while they were here, but I forgot.  Oops.

Here is a close up.

For the kids I made fun birdie lollipops (the yummy caramel apple ones - love them!)

The mommies got a little something special too!  I made these little matchboxs with my favorite toy, my SU! Big Shot.

They slide open to reveal four little chocolate nuggets wrapped in the decorative paper.  How cute is that?!?

I even stamped another little birdie on the inside.  I just love details!

What a fun party it was in the middle of the day in the middle of the week!  My friend Shea really was surprised, and everyone had a great time.  Thanks to everyone who helped make it all work!

 (I got a little carried away, I know with all the fun little goodies, but I just couldn't help myself when I have all the matching darling stamps, papers, and now even software at my disposal! More excuse to get creative!)

Have a happy day!

Framed!

Attic Gal Rachelle says:

So I am in charge of the 12-18 year old girls at my church, which has the distinct advantage of allowing me, the mother or 6 sons, the terrific opportunity to throw a girlie shindig once in a while.  Don't get me wrong, I have a great time employing my creative juices to throw the likes of my sons' bug party, dinosaur party, and the over-the-top Indiana Jones party. (There is still buzz in the 9 year old community about that one!) Every year the girls have a special meeting called New Beginnings, and I knew it was my chance to do "pretty" so I ran with it.

The theme was 1 Timothy 4:12, "Be thou and example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."  I am kind of an allegorical thinker and started thinking that if you are an example it is like you have a big fancy frame around you all the time that announces, "Hey, look at me!  I am a believer."  Anyways, that was the idea behind it.

So where do you get lots and lots of frames for pennies? Garage sales of course!  I have been collecting them for months - all shapes, colors and sizes.

The ones that weren't silver, I sprayed with a ultra shiny silver paint.  I love that stuff!

In this picture, the stamped invitation is in a frame, and below it are the programs.  They are cardstock, but look like real frames.  

The table display in the front, with all my silver frames.  SO pretty!  

Don't you just love the giant frame in front of the podium "framing" the speakers?

OK, you are not going to believe this, but I found these little polka dot gift boxes at a garage sale, complete with the pink shredded paper and polka dot bows.  $4 for 25!  I just die cut some little silver frames and put the girl's names behind them, then put silver bracelets inside.  The tiered wire basket, and even the ribbon were also GS finds.  

I die cut even more silver frames for the cupcakes (pink frosting, silver liners), and of course, a silver frame for the "cupcakes" sign.

I had one of the black tiered trays, and I borrowed the other from Alysa.  Same with our pink tablecloths.  It pays to have a friend with similar tastes that you can borrow from.  Thanks, Lys!

The cups were a bit plain, so true to form, I had to I quickly stamp them with swirls too.  Much better.

See, I knew I could do a pretty shindig.  And those sweet girls deserved it.

So, you ask, what are you going to do with all those silver frames?  Don't worry, my friend.  I am working on a project, and I can't wait to show you when it's done.  Stay tuned.

But I'm not really sure what to do with the big frame.  Do you have any ideas for me?