Holy Garland

This is a new twist on classic garland. 

I will be using this idea in the future with song lyrics or the like!

If you don't feel like stringing the buttons yourself, you can find them at Ballard Designs.

First Birthday Parties

My sweet daughter is now 6 months old. A chime went off in my head to start the great search... a theme for her first birthday party. Let me share with you my favs for the next few days. Please comment on what your thoughts are to help me choose!

This Sweet Butterfly Party is from Hostess With The Mostess Blog:

Max The Moose - Party Time

I posted before about a Max The Moose Birthday party. Well the party has come and gone and here are the highlights! Thank you Rhonda!

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Odds & Ends

The Oreo shaped cake was found at William Sonoma here. The cow pinata was found at Oriental Trading here.

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Favors

Who can argue that one of the best classic cookies is the chocolate chip? I might hurt someone if they get between me and the bowl of cookie dough!

This is my favorite recipe courtesy of Rhonda:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 eggs
12-ounce package Giradelli semi-sweet chips
6-ounces of mini semi-sweet chips
1 box of instant vanilla pudding


COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt and instant vanilla pudding powder in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE in preheated 375-degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Invitation

The invitations included a hand drawn farm illustration along with fill-in-the blank thank you cards. This made it nice for a two year olds attention span. Also, notice the detail of the party date. It is hole punched for the month and day!

He couldn't help himself. It took all I had to keep him away from that bottle to take three pictures.

My son, Jack turned two this year. I found a fantastic party idea at A Party Style Blog. I wanted something a little bit different than the "Dora The Explorer" party that you can find a party city. Plus, it was right in line with Jack's love to make cookies and his unbelievable weekly milk consumption.

This invitation will soon be sold in my shop. Also, the wonderful ladies at GormanFoy printed the invitations and sourced/printed the vintage milk bottles for me. Give them a holler if you need something specific customized.

Here is another fabulous interpretation of the Milk & Cookies party via The Savvy Moms Guide.

Max The Moose

My nephew is turning one! His name is Max and the "Morris the Moose" books are some of his favorites. Here is a glimpse of the bookmark birthday invitations my sister-in-law and I came up with! 

The address label was placed on the inside of a vellum envelope. We did not have any trouble getting these through the postal system.

The square on the end has a magnet behind it. It is perforated so it comes off and is a reminder to stick on your fridge and the bookmark is ready to use.

Etsy Shout Out

Today is the first day Red Umbrella is on Etsy. So scoot on over and take a look!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/redumbrellaparties