Alice Birthday Card and Birthday Party

Hello friends, today I am sharing a birthday card I made for my granddaughter, who had the most darling vintage Alice in ONE-derland birthday party.  

I used Cricut's Disney Classics cartridge to create Alice, the White Rabbit, and the birthday cake on this card.  I honestly do not remember what I used for the Happy 1st Birthday sentiment, but I do recall that it was more than just a cartridge cut (I included cut text). 

Avaleigh's first birthday party was the weekend before her actual birthday.  She had been on the antibiotic for her ear infection for a couple of days so we were hopeful that she would feel better.  As the recipient of  her virus "sharing", I am going to say that a couple of days is not long enough to feel better.  That virus was evil and hung on for over a week!  

Bethany and her friend Bailey did such a fantastic job with Avaleigh's party decorations.  I found a few fun decorations for them, the food tags and such, and they came up with all of the rest on their own!  Everything looked so sweet and so special!

For an ill one year old, Avaleigh had quite the large party.  She had family from both sides, four cousins, and some of her parents' friends.  Bethany had an amazing menu:  roasted pork tenderloin with cheese and a sauce sliders, fabulous chicken salad croissants, pbj's for the kids, potato salad, pasta salad, raw veggie cups with hummus and dip, chocolate dipped strawberries, themed rice crispy treats, sodas, punch, and the most fabulous homemade cupcake EVER!  Her sister-in-law kept asking where she purchased things and was stunned to realize that Bethany only purchased ingredients, croissants, and rolls.  Otherwise she was a busy mom and made everything.

I loved what Bethany and Bailey did with one of the birdcages leftover from Bethany's wedding.  They made a small three tiered cake and placed it inside the birdcage with  fresh roses and Alice themed food spears.  

Below is Bethany, a sick little Avaleigh, and Bailey.

Avaleigh really enjoyed pulling the tissue paper out of her gifts.  She had tissue flying left and right.

Avaleigh really liked the musical puppy her cousins gave her.  It is such a fun pull toy for her.

In fact, she liked the musical puppy so well that she did a little dance to the music!

Like everything else that she eats, Bethany made Avaleigh an organic birthday "smash" cake.

Our little princess would only poke at the frosting on her cake.  This was day two of her refusal to eat.  She kept drinking throughout her illness, but she had two or three days where she refused food.

The photo below captures Avaleigh's attitude toward her cake perfectly.  She would look at it, she even touched it once, but she refused to engage with it!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed my Alice birthday card and Avaleigh's first birthday party recap!

Merry Christmas

Hello friends! Merry Christmas to one and all!!!  Today is a special day for many of us, and for Doug and I it is especially wonderful as it our first Christmas with our granddaughter.  So instead of the usual Christmas family photo or JibJab videos where I embarrass my children, I am going to share eleven months of Avaleigh!!!  The first photo (above) is Bethany and John really meeting their baby for the first time!

In the photo above Avaleigh is only one day old and already dressing like a diva and charming us with her sweetness!

At three month Avaleigh was cooing and chatting and we could listen to her ALL DAY! 

By four months Gerber missed their chance to have the cutest Gerber baby EVER!!  

At seven months Avaleigh went all 1920s flapper on us!  She loved the little chair and the pearls (that's Gramma's girl)!

For Halloween she was simply Boo-tiful.  Cutest little witch I have ever seen!!

On December first Avaliegh wore one of her Christmas PJs over and I just had to snap a few photos before she dressed for the day. 

On December second I took more photos of Avaleigh, this time in her Christmas smocked Bishop.  She is such a little darling.

A couple of weeks ago Avaleigh spent time exploring my Christmas tree and I just had to snap a few photographs, because THAT wonder on her face was too precious not to document.

I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!  

May we all experience Christmas through the eyes of child!!

Las Vegas Wedding Party & Banner

Hey there!  I am back today to share some of the crafty details from Aaron and Crissie's marriage celebration party.  The party was held at the lake home of our sweet friends Megan and Brandon (daughter and son-in-law of my friend Peggy).  We chose an evening time frame in order to beat some of the heat, though I must say Mother Nature was especially kind to us!!  The weather was wonderful!

The first craft idea I had for the party was the seven panel banner pictured above and below.  Megan and I thought it would be fun to carry though the Las Vegas idea since that is where they married and honeymooned.

I used four cartridges to create the pennants for the banner:  Las Vegas, Pretty Pennants, Tie the Knot, and Art Deco (the last two for their fonts).

Aaron and Crissie selected the photos used on the banner - this first one from a hockey game they attended.

I used the Mr & Mrs Cut from Tie the Knot, then added the word Edwards in a similar font.

Aaron and Crissie also chose this photo for the banner - a Halloween selfie of the two of them.

To continue with the Vegas them, I printed and cut decks of cards, poker chips and rolling dice.  The cupcakes were two flavors with three frosting colors to match the Vegas colors.

Every wedding party needs wedding cakes!!

Other menu items included Caprese Skewers, meatballs, and homemade cheese spread.

We also served veggies and dip, hummus and flat bread, fresh fruits and cheeses, spanakopita, quesadillas, and ham and cheese roll ups (a big hit).

Our beverage center was outside stocked with water, sodas, wine, beer, and a signature drink I called the Vegas Strip!

Above is Bethany with our friend Alex and her dad.  Below is Ian and Bethany.  I was so happy that Ian came in from Atlanta for the party.

Oh the irony!!! We never actually took a photo of Aaron and Crissie together. Below is Crissie surrounded by several of her co-worker.  They all had a great time.