Sunday, April 29, 2012

{Party Bee} Sneak Preview: Jake's 2nd Birthday

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street? Well...actually Jake Street! If you haven't guessed, my son is having a Sesame Street themed birthday party for his 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is already going to be TWO! He of course is learning so many things and is developing such a fun and energetic personality and this year he has become infatuated with Sesame Street. Therefore, it only seemed appropriate to celebrate with a Jake Street birthday party!

A little while back, my husband came up with a great idea to create life size (well... life size for toddlers anyway) characters for the yard for decoration and for photos with the kids. What a fantastic idea! Well he worked hard and they came out so cute! He is pretty crafty I must say, but he didn't do this freehand, he had some help from a fabulous tool called the Tracer Projector.
This is a fantastic tool to use when you don't have the time to draw something freehand (and with 2 kids who does). He just set up a smooth cut of quality plywood in the garage where he could get it pretty dark and traced the image with a black Sharpie marker. After he finished tracing the illustration, he used Behr paint color samples that he purchased from Home Depot in the colors that he needed and painted the characters. Look at the simple transformation of Elmo...outlined with Sharpie and then painted! So easy and looks great!
In some of them, he used a combination of both paint and Sharpie.
 
As you can see, Cookie Monster's present is colored using Sharpie. Same goes with Big Bird's legs, tongue, and eyelids.
And if you don't feel like using paint at all, you can color in the entire illustration using Sharpies like our Oscar the Grouch here!

Such a simple project that makes a BIG impact! The kids are going to love them...especially Jake!

Stay tuned for photos from Jake's 2nd Birthday Party!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

{Busy Bee} Proudly Introducing Ava Belen

Just days after my beautiful baby girl was born, my wonderful aunt and talented photographer, captured my daughter on film for her newborn photos. Let me just say that she did an incredible job and my baby girl, Ava, looks mesmerizing. Seeing these photographs simply make my heart smile.


Thank you so much, Auntie! These are just absolutely beautiful!

Photography by K.L. Images

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

{Queen Bee} Happiest Easter

This past month for me has not only been the happiest month but also the craziest month! It is no surprise to anyone that taking care of a toddler and a newborn is hard work, though the little special moments, like hearing your toddler say mama and dadda for the first time or laugh so hard it is contagious or seeing your baby smile at you when you speak...these are the special moments that far outweigh the crazy moments of insanity!

Thus, with my month being consumed of babies, things like preparing for Easter kind of end up being left to the last minute. But although last minute, I don't think my Easter table and chocolate covered Oreos turned out too shabby. What do you think?

 
 
 
 
 

My little love bunny and a beautiful dinner with my family was the perfect Easter gift. This has been the Happiest Easter!

And a BIG thank you to my wonderful friend, Dary, for photographing my pretty little girl in her bunny outfit!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

{Busy Bee} April Fools' Day Desserts

April Fools' Day is a perfect day to whip out the baking supplies and fool your loved ones with silly treats dressed up to look like another kind of food...such as the icky vegetables that seem to revolt your kids! For inspiration, I have a few examples from some awesome bakers that I thought are perfect and just too cute!
 Bakerella's Hamburger Cupcakes
 
 Hello, Cupcake! Spaghetti and Corn Cupcakes...just too funny!
 The Sweet Adventure of Sugar Belle's Pizza Cookies...LOVE these!
Sweetapolita's Asparagus Cake...AMAZING!

Happy April Fools' Day!