Pinata DIY's

Yes pinata's are a tradition in this family.  What kid doesn't love a pinata?  My bigger question though is what parent actually in their right mind {forgive me if you do} likes to or will spend $25 on a pinata!  That's crazy talk!  I can't believe how expensive a mess of newspaper, modge podge & tissue paper is...just so your kids can be the ever loving daylights out of it so it will rain candy upon them!  So last year when we had Corbyn's Lego themed party I refused to spend money on a pinata.  I decided to make my own, nothing fancy...plain and simple.  It served it's purpose though.  I took a plain cardboard box filled it with it's goodies and slathered that thing in tissue paper and modge podge.  Created a giant Lego minifigure on my computer and took it to a copy shop to have it printed larger and slapped it on the box.  Instantly we had a Lego themed pinata for a couple bucks.  Well this year I decided to do the same thing.  Except this year I did a little more than just slapping a picture on the front.  I added some details, not much but a few.  

I used a plain box again, this one is a nice size about two and a half feet tall and the box isn't too thick {made that mistake last year}.  I used a watered down modge podge mixture and a foam brush to apply a couple layers of red tissue paper.  Cut some tissue in strips about 2" wide and the length of the tissue paper and fringed it.  Glued those strips to the front and back of the box, starting at the bottom so I had a clean finish at the top.  Then cut a big hole in the bottom of the box, stuffed it with tissue paper then candy, then more tissue paper.  Sealed it back up with good packing tape.  I then made the hanger out of zip ties at the top and re-enforced it with duct tape that matches the pinata {you can't see it when it's hanging}.  I then printed out a dragon coloring page I found through Google and colored it with markers.  Made some scales in paint shop on the computer and colored those too, and cut them out.  Stacked the scales and taped them all together then put the dragon head and scales on the front of the pinata with good tape.  I chose to not do feet on this because well....I'm tired, yes laziness won here.  This pinata reminds me of the Asian dragon decorations in parades.  I love the fringe.

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Here are some other really great tutorials on how to make a pinata:

Number Pinata's

Ice Cream Pinata

Beehive Pinata

Pull String Pinata

Rainbow Pinata

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Happy Birthday to my Amazing Boy!

First off I just have to say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORBYN!

8 years ago I become a Mom for the first time.  It was amazing, terrifying, and magical all at once.  I won't lie I was a wreck with that new baby boy...let's face it...sometimes I still am.  I had never changed diapers, held a baby that small, and didn't know that if they accidentally peed in their mouth while you figured out that boys are super hard to change diapers on, that it's sterile and all will be fine!  {don't worry I only made that mistake in the hospital once, and wouldn't you have liked to be that nurse on the other end of the call button...panicked mother frantically asking what to do if they pee in there mouth, buhahaha}.

Corbyn was a true gift to me, still is each and every day.  I prayed for a boy for our first child, and gosh did I ever get a boy!  He's the typical dirty stinky boy.  This kid though...he's smart!  And not just book smart, like inventive smart {straight A student}.  He amazes me with all his ideas, granted the trying to save every piece of garbage or cool metal thing he finds on the ground to use in an invention sometimes makes me wanna scream...it's really special.  Corbyn is such a fun, well mannered, incredibly caring boy.  He has a real heart for others and I can see Christ's love in him each and every day.  He's the best big brother.  It never fails that he makes me feel so special, complimenting me on my hair or clothes...just constantly coming up and giving me a squeeze and saying he loves me.  He has no idea how much that means to me.

Today is his day, and he gets to chose his breakfast & dinner.  He chose watermelon and toast for breakfast.  The toast is kind of a big deal since I normally shy away from carbs with him during breakfast.  But I figured what the heck..it's his day!  For lunch he doesn't know it yet, but I will be surprising him with lunch from somewhere and eating together on the playground.  He's going to love it.  Then for dinner he has chosen Oregeno's.  Yay!  

I'm so thankful that God chose me to be his Mom.  I am so proud of him.  We are so lucky to have such an amazing kid.  Happy Birthday Bubba!  We love you.

Corbyn - Age 8

Favorite Food:  Ramen Noodles & Spaghetti

Favorite Color:  Orange

Favorite Sport:  Football & Basketball

Favorite Tv Show:  Anything on National Geographic or the History Channel

Favorite Video Game:  Anything Lego

Favorite Toy:  Legos

Washi Tape Love

Okay I'll admit it...I do not currently own any Washi Tape!  I know what crafty person right now doesn't own Washi Tape?!  This one!  While I've been fascinated by the product I kept hearing about but never actually seen in person, I've been hesitant to purchase any.  Why you ask?  Well simple...I haven't been sure what I would make with it and my craft supplies are already on overload {minus a Silhouette Cameo, sad face here}.  Although the more I keep seeing ideas for using the product I am fascinated by it.  Especially now that Target is apparently carrying some, have I mentioned to you guys yet that Target & I are like best friends!  I love that store, from top to bottom everything there is pure awesome!  So guess who might be headed to Target to get some Washi Tape?!  Yep, still not sure what to make...but I think once I see it and the color choices I'll have an idea pop into my head.  I thought you'd all like to see some great ideas using Washi Tape.

Washi Tape Vases

Washi Tape Easter Wreath

Washi Tape Easter Eggs

10 Great - Easter Sweet Treats

I can't believe it's going to be Easter already in a couple of weeks.  Which means....sweet treats!  I thought I'd share a few of my favorite sweet treats I've seen around lately.  I can't decide which one to make, but those Cadbury Creme Cupcakes are quite delicious looking!  

 

Baby Blue Bird Cupcakes

 

Easy Lemon Cut Out Cookies

 

Bunny Bait

 

Cadbury Creme Cupcakes

 

Easter Peep Smores

 

Blue Bird Jordan Almonds

 

Sweet Bird Nests

 

Peep Sunflower Cake

 

Italian Easter Bread

 

Peep Marshmallow Martini

Hunger Games Movie Night Re-Cap

I thought I would take a second and just do a quick re-cap of our fun night out at the Hunger Game's movie premier.  I didn't bring a real camera with me for some reason, so excuse the quality of the pictures they were taken with my phone.  I wanted to show off all the shirts that we all made at our Hunger Games T-shirt party a couple weeks ago.  Everyone did such a wonderful job on them!

First this is the necklace I threw together the day before the movie since I knew some of the other girls would be sporting their necklaces.  I have ordered pieces to make necklaces but I haven't gotten all the pieces yet...so I used what I had on hand.

Party Time!

Okay I'm in the home stretch and this is the final week before Corbyn's Ninja party next Saturday.  I'm such a procrastinator so my to-do list is crazy long!  I think the only thing that I actually finished so far is the invitations.  Oh boy.  I will be sharing his party in two weeks for Party Time instead of featuring other parties so be sure to check it out.  Now on to this week's features.

This may be my favorite party of the week folks!  So creative and unique.  They did a "Cardboard" themed party for their son's first birthday.  Such a simple idea, but there is so much you could do with this...they did a wonderful job.  

Cardboard Themed 1st Birthday

 

Finding Neverland Party

Let the Hunger Game's Begin!

Tonight's the night! Is anyone else crazy and going to see the midnight showing tonight?  Snacks are bought {shhh, that's what big purses are for right?}, shirts are made, shoes are made, necklace made...alright I may have gone a bit overboard.  My friend Rhi has been texting us since yesterday with excitement, like it was Christmas...it makes me giggle.  This is my same friend who tattooed a great quote from the book on her entire forearm {it's awesome}.  I'm wondering if she even slept last night due to her excitement.  

When I had bought my supplies to make my Hunger Games T-shirt I had bought a pair of {tom-like} shoes from Target thinking I would possibly create something with them as well.  I left it until last night because I wasn't sure what I wanted on them, or if I'd even ever wear them again.  I figured what the heck just do it, I know my friend Rhi painted her Toms for the movie, so I won't be alone.  I had to free hand paint these so they are a little sloppy.  I'm not sure I'm in love with them, but they'll do the trick for tonight....I almost wish I had of embroidered them like I was originally going to.  Oh well.

{oh and I forgot to wipe off my white pencil lines from where I sketched the design to begin with before painting in the pictures, so look past that please!  lol}

If you are going tonight to the movie I hope it enjoy it, and have a blast watching!

Here are some other Hunger Games inspired shoes that were hand crafted, all way better than mine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"May the odds be ever in your favor!"

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For the {Love} of Ombre

It's everywhere!  Ombre.  Every time I'm on Pinterest I see it with cakes, cupcakes, shirts, crafts, etc...  It's darling.  I thought I would share some of my favorite Ombre recipes, crafts, or things that I've seen lately.

 

Ombre Cookie

 

Pink Ombre Cake

 

Ombre Scarf DIY