Happy 1st Birthday to You, Cole.

Our little turned one year old.  Oh, it may be nearly two weeks after his first birthday (approximately two and a half weeks since the party)... but it really does feel like it happened yesterday.  And since I've been so good at blogging lately (ha!), it felt like the right time to share a few photos from the party. 

We celebrated the big day at my in-law's home and luckily the weather cooperated.  With a sunny, mid-seventies temperature, we held everything poolside.  

I didn't really choose much for a theme, other than bright and summery colors.  I crafted all of the garlands out of tissue paper, twine, and of course felt (see my square felt garlands post).  I also picked up a handful of blue star helium balloons. 

We hosted a small group of people in early afternoon, so light snacks were provided.  And a few goodies... cupcakes, cake pops, cake balls, and a personal birthday boy cake for Mr. Cole.

While there was a lot of prep work for this party on my part, I couldn't have asked for better results.  And I'm pretty sure Cole enjoyed the birthday cake mommy made for him...

We love you Cole!  

DIY: Square Felt Garlands

I have been eyeballing several felt garlands for awhile and almost bought one while shopping the other day... then thought, why not make my own?  A few sheets of felt in the colors of my choice ($0.34 per 8.5 x 11 sheet, people!!), scissors, fabric cutter, thread, and my sewing machine later, and I am now the proud owner of two square felt garlands for my little's 1st birthday party in two weeks.  Hooray!

Super easy... you should try it!  I only used 5 sheets of felt for my two garlands.  With three colors, the navy/aqua/lime green garland is approximately 18 feet in length (cost to make: $1.02).  The two-color gold/orange garland is approximately 12 feet in length (cost to make: $0.68).  Not too large, I cut my squares to about 1.5 x 1.5 inches each.  Probably my favorite part is the idea that I can reuse both garlands for future birthday parties or to jazz up my little's bedroom.

This marks my first craft project for Cole's 1st birthday decorations.  I'll be sharing one, maybe two, more in the next two weeks.  Happy Friday, friends!  

Impromptu Balloon Banner

Super fast and super easy - this was one of the three balloon banners I hung up throughout our home for my mom's birthday celebration over the weekend.  Such a fun look - I will definitely be using it again in the near future (only a little over two months to plan my little's FIRST birthday - what?!).  

Wanna make one?  You'll need:

• Balloons (amount and color your choice)
• Thread
• Needle
• Tape 

Simply blow up the balloons to your desired size.  Tie them off and thread a needle through the end (non-air filled side, people).  String as many balloons together as you need to achieve the look you want.  Like I said, super easy.  Super fast.  You should really give it a whirl. 

Paper Hearts

This happened today.  And I can already feel all the love and cheer it is spreading throughout our home.  Such an easy way to decorate for the month of February - do you think the hubs would mind if I threw up a few more of these throughout our home?!

Supplies used:

• Catalogs (Serena & Lily, Land of Nod, Anthropologie)
• Thread (pale pink + cream)
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine

Keeping Christmas.

I was a little faster than usual at taking down our Christmas decorations in December.  Usually, I like to enjoy them until the new year... but this year, I opted to take them down two days after Christmas was officially over.  That is, all but my Christmas card display and a strand of pine cone ornaments.   

I feel like they should probably come down, but just can't bring myself to do it yet.  I still enjoy looking at each card we received this year and I feel the pine cones could be neutral enough to be considered a "winter" decoration...?

What are your thoughts?  How long is too long to keep up these two reminders of the Christmas holiday?