using what you have

Clipped these lovely flowers from my garden to make a little arrangement.  Hydrangeas and lavender.

a little production work

Weeks have past since my last post, but know that I've been working diligently on next steps for launching "a little party." Here's a little peak at what I've been working on for the soon to be released "I Love Horses" collection. Scraps of fabric, navy blue ink and repurposed brown paper bags. Stay tuned for updates on their debut in my shop.

a little dancing

It's not a real party unless there's music or even dancing.  We've really been enjoying music lately in our home and have even been known to do a bit of post dinner dancing in the living room.  Nothing fancy of course, just letting lose and having fun.  We'd like to think of it as rockin' out, but not really sure our moves would qualify.

I encourage you to add some music and dancing to your Valentine's Day celebration.  The point is to have fun of course, laugh a little and enjoy quality time with your little ones.  Perhaps this will be the start of a Friday Night tradition in your home? 

For great kid friendly music, check out Kidz Bop.  You'll find all the current hits, however they are kid friendly versions with kid friendly words, sung by kids, for kids.  Kidz Bop 18 Deluxe and Kidz Bop 19 Deluxe are fantastic with songs like Firework, Cooler Than Me and Hey Soul Sister. 

Hope your day is filled with love, family and friendship.  Happy Valentine's Day.

little pink flowers

Here's another little project for your family friendly Valentine's Day dinner table.  If you've embraced the idea of your little ones setting the table, which I discussed here, why not add a floral centerpiece to their design?  I bought some inexpensive little pink carnations for this centerpiece.  I simply trimmed them to a few appropriate stem lengths and let my daughter arrange them.  Simple, easy and so cute.

Buy the flowers yourself if you want control of the color scheme or type of flower.  Let your children do the shopping if you want something totally original.

Use any vessel you have already in your home.  A vase, a juice glass, an empty jar, a teacup, a trio of glass bottles.  Even better, send your little ones on a scavenger hunt around your home to find something special.  You'll certainly be surprised with what they come up with. 

We used an empty tin can.  This was once an 8oz can of tomato sauce.  My daughter painted it white, adding a little something extra to its appearance.  Two coats of just about any sort of paint will work.  Again, use what you have - random art supplies or leftover house paint.  A lovely centerpiece and a recycled craft project if you so desire.  Endless possibilities!

little squares of fabric

When sourcing fabric, my goal is always salvage, re-purpose, upcycle, etc.  I love these words, their definitions, and the inspiration they can offer.  What I love most is recognizing the good in a textile that already exists in my world.  Looking for beautiful colors, textures and patterns right under my nose.

These little squares are the perfect example.  You might be thinking plain old white fabric, but I'm thinking simple, crisp and the perfect backdrop for bright, muted and neutral color palettes.  These little white squares were once a men's cotton dress shirt.  This shirt could have made it's way to the local Goodwill store, perhaps someone would have purchased it despite a few stains.  I decided it should stay with me and I proceeded to cut them into these tiny little squares.

I can't recall the actual size of the shirt, but it was definitely on the bigger end of the spectrum for men's shirt sizing.  It generated nice large pieces of fabric to work with, including the sleeves when I cut them open.  I now have more than 150 little squares in my stash just waiting for a new exciting life.  If you've been shopping my Little Valentine collection, you may have noticed them.  The white contrasts nicely with both the magenta and grey.  White is a neutral but necessary color in this fresh and sophisticated scheme.  You will be seeing more of these little squares in my future goods.

a Little Napkin Love

Foregoing a romantic dinner for two to spend Valentine's Day at home with the family?  Why not make a party of it and let the little ones run the show.  These Little Napkin Decorations will no doubt add some HEART sparkle to your dinner table.  Give them to your little one(s) and let them set the table.  Give them total creative control and watch them embrace their responsibility.  Don't worry if it looks crazy or if the fork is on the wrong side of the plate and upside down.  Simply enjoy the moment.  Get out your cloth napkins, or even paper will do in a pinch.  It's time to celebrate ..... Love, Family, Friendship.  Your children want to spend time with you and Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion.

back to basics

A favorite "mom" moment of mine is planning and hosting birthday parties for my daughter.  I love the creative process, the element of design, taking the time to make it special and celebrating with loved ones.  It was never a question that we'd host these parties in our home, complete with a theme, some amount of decor and total attention to detail.  For the first few birthdays we kept things small, with only family and a close friend or two.  It was all about an intimate celebration and not overwhelming her.  The fourth birthday was her princess moment, complete with pink, purple and polka dot details.  Macy chose the theme and the color scheme.  My goals were to make it slightly fancy, a bit unexpected for a princess party and something she would remember for a long time.

 After Macy turned four and was a full-time pre-k'r, birthday party invites from classmates arrived frequently.  She was an enthusiastic party guest for all things jumping, climbing, bouncing, painting, etc.  It was difficult for her to comprehend the calendar and that her birthday wasn't until summer, in fact right in the middle of summer vacation.  To avoid a sad four year old, or even a tantrum, I suggested another sort of celebration - Valentine's Day.  She was excited of course, and our planning began immediately.  We started months in advance and did a little at a time.  I offered lots of suggestions, but really let her take control.  She was old enough to express a real opinion and find joy in being a little hostess.  It was a special "pink" afternoon for Macy and her girlfriends.  It was a special mother daughter memory for Macy and me. 

This was a light bulb moment.  How many other families are doing this?  Having parties at home, integrating their child into the process, and creating lifetime memories or family traditions?  Some would argue it's easier to schedule a party at the local jump, bounce, or art place.  In today's fast paced family life, should we be slowing down, paying more attention to our children and their ideas?  Is there a need to get Back To Basics?  Party Basics that is..........