Nautical Birthday Cake

This year was a long and exhausting year. With two kids and both being under 2 most of the time; I struggled to sleep and struggled to stay awake. For Jared's first birthday I had planned to make his birthday cake, and a small smash cake as well. When we finally arrived at my in-laws house, we were chatting with my Mother-in-law and she said I should just purchase the cake and that she would pay for it. I agreed with some hesitation, but after the party was over and done with, I was so happy I did. I wasn't completely tired from being up all day and night, I wasn't dealing with two kids while watching cakes bake, and I wasn't stressing over a cake meltdown or disaster.

I had made some decorations for the cake, before I decided to not make the cake. I also had redecorated a #1 candle, as I could not find anything that matched our colors or theme. I used puff paint and painted zig zags on the candle. It was super easy and only took about 2 full days to really dry.

NOTE: We did not light this candle. I do not know how the puff paint will react to fire. Please know that this candle was for decoration ONLY!

I purchased the 1/4 sheet cake with whipped frosting and a extra large cupcake for the smash cake. I then placed all the decorations on the cake (the ones I made before we even drove down to southern California).

This is the large cupcake, also with whip frosting, and I just purchased the blue candle last minute when I thought I forgot the one I made. When I didn't forget it, I just used the light blue candle for his smash cake, and we light that candle.

He had no idea how to blow out the candle but he sure was cute about the entire thing.

He wasn't to excited about smashing the cupcake, but once he got the hang of it he loved it.

A family photo of my happy birthday boy and wet brother. Best day ever.

In the end, I am so glad I made those cake decorations before we left, that way I already had something to put on it. I also was happier during the party, more relaxed because I got sleep and I wasn't stressed out. I am so glad my Mother-in-law paid for it and was nice enough to do so.

If I can help save at least one mom from doing what I did for so many parties, stressing out over all the baking, then I hope it was worth it. I know for myself, I felt like I captured so much more joy during the party, instead of being stressed out and freaked out. Remember, just because we order a cake doesn't mean we are being a bad mom, just means we wanted to have more time with our kids.

It Was A Beautiful Day,
Sarah

Nautical Door Hanger and Photo Banner

I always love seeing those door hangers that welcome you to the party in style. Its my new obsession for any party. I made a mickey mouse wreath for my sons 2nd birthday party, and a 4th of July door hanger for the summer; so for me it was only fitting I made one for my sons nautical themed birthday party.

To make the door hanger, I wanted it to be an anchor as the main focus; so I purchased craft foam in orange and navy blue. I also grabbed foam letters in white to add a description on the door hanger.

I then printed the anchor at about 300% more than the original, cut it out, and traced it onto the foam. I then wanted to add a little more to it, so I cut out an orange foam sail boat and a wheel; which were about 175% larger than their original. I then used tacky glue to glue everything together. Lastly, I added the foam letters to say, "Jareds's 1st Birthday".

I added the twine to tie it onto the door.

It was so cute, and I hope everyone felt welcomed!

This door hanger can be made in any theme, any color, and for any kind of party. The craft foam they sell these days is in such an array of colors, you can pretty much get anything and everything.

A 1st birthday is one of those days I sit back and try to remember what my little guy looked like, how he has grown, what he has learned, and so on. One of the things I love to do is take a monthly photo and post each one at the party. Its a walk down memory lane for my guests but also for myself.

To make these photo frames I used a white card stock paper, and cut out a rectangle. I then cut out the center of it so I have a perfect frame with no cuts or piecing, its all one continues rectangle. I then use that white card stock as a template and trace it onto the scrapbook paper I got. I then cut those out and attach the printed photos to the back. I use simple photo mounting squares to attach everything together.

I then lay out how I want the banner of photos to look, and once I have it how I like it I grab my hot glue and twine. I use the same twine I have been using for the entire time, and carefully hot glue the twine to the back of each photo top and the decorative items on the end. I left a little extra twine on each end to hang them up.

Once the banner was up on the wall I was so happy with the end result. Everyone said how cute it was and a great way to see him in his stages of his first year of life. I am so happy with how everything turned out for this nautical themed birthday party, but the best part was my little guys smile!

I can't thank everyone who helped, came to the party, and gave Jared a special gift. Thank you everyone so much, it was such a special day.

Time to Party,
Sarah

Quilt Inspiration 365

Have you ever been in a hurry to get a project from start to finish because you need to make one for a party, birthday, gift, or something else? I know I have. I have sat in front of my hoarding collection of fabric, looked through old quilt magazines and books, and I have even gone to quilt shops in the area to see if I get inspired by any of the local fabric or quilts/wall art. Most of the time I find fabric, patterns, or ideas but never for a quick project when I need it. Always for the OTHER long term projects. I usually waist a day or two doing all the above, and then spend the third day hunting for pictures or items on pinterest to get inspiration.

With some luck, or just a gut feeling I eventually find something that jumps out at me, and bam I have inspiration and hopefully an idea.

This month I wanted (and needed) a door quilt/hanger for the front door at my house. I currently have a 4th of July hanger on the door, and well its well past that date. (Check out how I made it over here). I wanted a end of summer/school/fall/autumn feel to the hanger; I just had no ideas in my head. I was blank. When I say blank I mean NOTHING! I had no inspiration. I obviously have procrastinated on it for weeks and still had no idea or inspiration on what I wanted to do.

I went to Joanns for some fabric one day and walked in to all the Autumn items in the front. I looked around and saw the cutest little scarecrows just sitting there on the shelf. A boy and girl scarecrow.

I just fell in love with them instantly. I had to remind myself I was not there for decorations and to stay focused. The next time I went to Joanns, I looked again, and sadly did not see them anywhere. (They did go on sale, so it was possible they sold out.) I looked online and saw the photos (above) and was thinking, "Thats it, those are so my inspiration!"

Kona Shale, Kona Lipstick, Kona School Bus, Kona Corn Yellow, Kona Bonsai, and Kona Gold

Kona Spice, Kona Steel, Kona Bonsai, Kona Citrus, Kona Yarrow, Kona Tangerine

 Once I had the colors and an idea of what I wanted to do I printed the color pallets out, and an image of what I wanted to use. The image is there to help visually see what pieces of fabric, and how I wanted to cut them out.

I then grabbed a handful of different colored fabric, trying to match as close to the pallet colors as I could.

I then began to use the different fabrics I chose to create a field where the scarecrows would stand.

I then pieced together the male and female scarecrow. Which I was so happy with when I was done. They still need faces and some patches on their clothing, but as of right now I am so happy with how they came out.

Here are some close ups of the scarecrows:

I then added the word "Welcome," as this will be hanging on my front door. I will hopefully be able to hand sew the faces and patches on soon, and then finish this door hanger up.

I can not wait to hang it on my door and see a design come to life. I just am so glad I went into that Joanns, and was able to find them online for visual help!

For more Quilt inspiration, check out the other ladies:

Kitty: http://nightquilter.com

Chelsey: http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Laura : http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Jennifer : http://neverjustjennifer.blogspot.com

Brenna : http://www.beknitpicky.com

Cheryl : http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Jessica: http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Cathy : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Sarah : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Be sure to come back and visit here, as I update and post new tutorials, DIY projects, and show you how to make tons of fun projects and quilts.

Find Your Inspiration,
Sarah

Nautical Birthday Decorative Goody Bags (Cookies and Goldfish)

For my sons 1st birthday party this year, we did a nautical theme and I wanted to make some goody bagged items for the goody buckets. While shopping one day I was walking through the snack aisles, and saw goldfish! I thought, for sure I could use those. Not only are they perfect for the kids, but they are fish and go with the theme of nautical. It was perfect. I grabbed a HUGE box and headed home to start making some packages of them.

To start I purchased small snack sized bags from a craft store. I grabbed my cut outs that I made, my stapler and of course the goldfish.

I filled each bag using a measuring cup to make sure they all had about the same amount in them. I then folded the two corners of the bag in towards the center.

I then folded the pointed tip down.

Then folded that over once more.

Take one of the cut outs and place a large part of the cut out over the folded bag.

Use your stapler and staple the bag to the cut out. Make sure you go through the folds.

Now do that however many times you need to. I had 10 buckets and so I did a few of each color.

The finished product is awesome.

I also made sugar cookies, with chocolate star molds and colored royal icing. I then packaged them exactly the same way.

Don't they look great with the anchors?

I then added them to their goody buckets and the kids (and adults) loved them.

Buckets at the party.

I had extra cookies in a basket for the adults. Lifesavers too (sticking with the theme).

The cake/goody table.

Basket with cookies in them. I did not add cut outs for these.

The goody buckets with all the items in them.

I hope you all find this as an easy DIY for any party. Thats what I love about this goody item, you can pretty much buy cut outs in any theme or color, or you can make and cut them out yourself. You can use any kind of food or candy, and you can buy these bags in pretty much any size, shape, or colors as well! If you have an odd shaped item, you can use cellophane rolls and cut off whatever amount you need, and just tie it closed with ribbon. Perfect for any goody or gift.

Anyone Want A Snack?
Sarah

Nautical Themed Birthday Outfit

I always loved those birthday kids that have the matching themed outfit for their special birthday party. I also know how to sew... of course I made my little boys birthday outfit!

The theme was nautical, and I loved the idea of blue, white and orange. I had purchased some nautical fabric awhile back and never used it. I kept it in the "I want to use for Jared" pile, but never found anything to make for him with that fabric. I then decided it would be perfect for his birthday outfit. I purchased some coordinating orange chevron fabric to go with his navy blue shirt and bib material.

To make the bib:
1) I printed out the letter J and the #1 from a font I liked on my word document.
2) I then traced them onto freezer paper, and cut those out.
3) I ironed the freezer paper cut outs onto the fabric, and traced with a washable pen.
4) I then carefully cut out the letter and number
5) I used double sided fusible interface (heat n bond makes one), ironed that onto the wrong side of the letter and number and cut that out.
6) I then removed the paper backing from the double sided interface, and ironed the J and 1 into place.
7) I appliqued with coordinating thread, and appliqued the "is" on the front of the bib.
8) I then sewed the front of the bib, to the back of the bib (right sides together), left a small hole, flipped the bib inside out, ironed it, top stitched and finished it off with a snap.

To make the shirt:
1) Using the same stencils as I used for the bib, but I enlarged them a little more.
2) I traced them onto freezer paper and cut them out.
3) I ironed the freezer paper cut outs onto the fabric of choice, and traced them onto the fabric with a washable pen.
4) I then cut out the J, anchor and 1 carefully.
5) I used double sided fusible interface and ironed it onto the wrong side of the fabric cut outs.
6) I then cut out the interface, took the paper backing off and ironed the J, anchor and 1 all into place.
7) With coordinating thread I appliqued the anchor first, stopping where it over laps.
8) I then appliqued with coordinating thread, around the J and 1.
9) I finished the shirt off with the "is" applique.

I then used the orange chevron fabric to make shorts for his outfit. You can see a tutorial on how to make pants HERE, just cut them shorter for shorts.

The finished outfit was soooo perfect, I loved it so much. He will be wearing this outfit for months, until I can't get him in them anymore.

The shorts are not that tight, he is sliding down my moms knee.

Please pin, or share this link.

Applique On,
Sarah

Nautical Themed Banners

For Jared's 1st Birthday this past June, we decided on a nautical theme. However, I didn't want to do a bunch of blue, white and red. I mean, we are in the military and we are always seeing blue, white and red. Instead I wanted to do something with more color; so we went with navy blue, white and orange. I know, its not far from blue, white, and red, but I liked how much it went with our monthly photo stickers, and the other ideas, and fabric I had.

With all that being said, I needed to start working on the decorations and banners in order to find a real theme to the party and something to give me a better guide lines. I headed out to Micheals one day, spent about 30 minutes going up and down and up and down the scrapbook paper. I was looking for the perfect paper to use for the banners. I found a few and was so excited when they all started to really pull together. Once I purchased the scrapbook paper, I then needed templates to cut out my themed items.

I just did a simple google search for the anchor, sail boat and wheel. I then printed, and enlarged them into the sizes I wanted and was going to use. I also made extra copies, just in case one of the kids got a hold of one, or if I accidentally cut one... you know, back ups; JUST IN CASE!!!

I then took all the paper, a pencil and my trusty busy bee scissors and got to work. I first cut out my template and then spend, however many hours, tracing them onto the paper. Then I spend an extra, however many hours, cutting those out.

First set cut out.

First set of each color cut out.

Different sizes for different banners.

Once I had a few hundred of these, I then began cutting the triangles out for the triangle "Happy Birthday" banner.

Heres all those super cute scrapbooking paper I got.

I have a stencil for the letters, and I just trace them onto white paper, and again cut them out, using my busy bees. Yes, I do all this by hand, no I do NOT have a cricut. Anyone want to get me one for Christmas?

I then purchased twine; the ugly, rough, cheap kind you find at the home depot or lowes kind of store; and used that with a lot of hot glue and ta-da:

The end result looked great. Excuse the painters tape, we were on a small budget.

I also wanted a fun high chair banner for when Jared smashed his cake. Just something simple and nothing crazy.

I used the same blue, orange and white paper to cut out circles (as this banner needed to be small, to fit on the front of a high chair.) I used my stencils to cut out the letters, and just used bowls to make the circles. I then cut, and glued them all together.

I again used the cheap twine and a little hot glue to put the banner together.

Again, ignore the painters tape.

The sign was so perfect.

His feet loved it... see?

Lastly, I used ever inch of scrap paper to cut out circles and smaller anchors, wheels and sail boats. I then hot glued them to the twine and used them as "streamers" around the house. I also used the left over anchors, wheels, and sail boats to make individual dangling banners. I used those to hang from lights and areas outside. They blew in the wind, and looked great.

Notice the strand of circles and the anchor and boats in the background.

These are the circles cut out from the scrap paper, and hot glued on to the twine.

You could do a ton of these and hang them in a door way, or use them to block off a room or stairs. So cute, and it looked great.

This was a great addition to the inside decorations. Made the arch ways fun.

The decorations were a great hit, and everyone kept asking where I got the banners. I always love that feeling of fulfillment when I know I made something extra special on my son's big day.

Thanks for checking out the nautical themed birthday party, be sure to pin this, and share with your friends and family.

Now Sail-Away,
Sarah