at the shore...

I'm so lucky to only live less than 30 minutes from the ocean! Life gets busy, though, and the little mountain between me and the ocean always seems so daunting (like I said, it's only a 20 minute drive, but some how it seems much farther.) So, I was so happy when a dear friend of mine (from nursery school!) decided to have a birthday gathering over at the beach.


It was a breezy, somewhat chilly afternoon - typical for spring time in Northern California... but it was so beautiful. The smells, the sounds, the sights... oh, I just love the beach! I also had fun snapping pictures with my new camera.


The outing also reminded me of my trip a little less than a year ago to Nantucket, and inspired me to start creating some "At the Shore" items- with that nautical/beach-ey type feel. I started with some note cards, but have also created a banner, and am planning on a full Party Kit.

Summer will be here before you know it... and I definitely will be looking forward to any clambake, lobster boil, crab feed, or beach party around to attend!!

Eat Me, Drink Me, Mad Hatter Giftie!

When I threw a Mad Hatter Tea Party event at my daughter's school, I needed to come up with a "goody bag" treat to give out... This should of been an easy one to think up, but for some reason, it took me awhile. My concerns: I knew I needed to make a lot of them; I wanted them to not only be cute and in keeping with the theme, but also something hopefully that would be used after the party; and I also knew I had limited budget.


There was the "plant in a pot" idea, the "tea cup" idea... and then I it dawned on me... "oh, yeah, there's the 'Eat Me, Drink Me' idea!" I was so excited to remember... and those clues for Alice were also cute tags. I couldn't wait to make them!



So, out I went, to the local discount store, and found several different styles of mugs. With more budget (and time, of course) I would have loved to scour thrift stores for real china tea cups... but I also knew big mugs are always popular for big, strong cups of coffee or tea in the morning! Then I filled 2 clear goodie bags, one with tea bags, one with candies, and strung an "Drink Me" tag, and a "Eat Me" tag on each.

I also thought this goodie bag idea could also work for kids... The mug could be plastic or ceramic depending on the age group, and since many young folks don't drink tea, I also thought putting those individually packaged lemonade mixes in the "Drink Me" bag would be great.

Well, the Mad Hatter night was lots of fun, and the gifts were well received!

Mad About Paper Flowers- Mad Hatter Party Decor

I've been aching to make some paper flowers... I purchased Klutz's Tissue Paper Flower book sometime ago, thinking some cold winter day, my daughter and I could make some flowers and brighten up our space... Well, lo and behold, spring has sprung, the real flowers are out and I have still not made my paper flowers...


So, when I signed up to chair an event at my daughters school, which of course entailed throwing a party, I knew paper flowers would have to be in the mix! The event was our annual Founder's Day celebration-- I decided to go with a mixed up Mad Hatter theme... what a better way to honor all our mixed up, crazy volunteers than a fun, crazy Mad Hatter tea party.


I definitely knew I needed tea pots... and lots of them. And I wanted bright, festive colors. Paper flowers were perfect for that, and a lot less expensive than filling all the pots with real flowers, especially on a PTA budget!!

So, the morning of the party, I sat in my dining room, tissue paper everywhere, and made loads of flowers. I was pretty "stressed" about getting them done, but actually during the process, I relaxed (!) and had a great time! Also, I LOVED how they turned out!

I received many compliments at the party on the flowers... and am now enjoying them in their tea pots on my dining room table. The best part, is I know they will last a long time! :)

Mad Hatter Party

This past week, I hosted a crazy, mixed-up Mad Hatter Party
at my daughter's school for their annual Founder's Day celebration. It's an event that is meant to celebrate all the many, many extraordinary volunteers - past and present at our school. We are very fortunate to have so many great folks who give so much of their time... I thought the Mad Hatter theme was perfect for this crowd... I mean we all must be a little mad and crazy to volunteer so much, but we all know it's worth it!


There were some challenges for me with the event...
how on earth was I going to fill a huge space like the school auditorium...
especially on a PTA budget!?

Of course I made banners...
I just love banners, and I love how this one turned out!
I found great old-time engravings of different items
that are perfect for a the Mad Hatter theme....
Then I sprinkled in some festive lanterns, crepe papers and a bit more...
and voila!

I must admit, the space was by no means filled... but once the 100 or so people showed up, all the food was brought in, and the kids came to do some performances, the space was more than filled with crazy, mixed-up festivities!

In upcoming posts, I'll share more ideas from this party... and soon, I hope to have it prepped and ready as part of my Party Kit selection! If you're in a hurray, and can't wait to have your Mad Hatter Tea Party sooner-- just give me a hollar, I'd love to hear from you!

Friday Movie Night: Creative Inspiration

Friday night at our house is movie night... we rent a movie, order a pizza, and enjoy! Even though it's Friday, many times my creative juices are still flowing after a full day in the studio. So, as we get comfy on the couch to watch the movie, I'm all of a sudden very inspired to be creative. What is the inspiration, you ask? In many movies I love the movie titles and credits... sometimes even more than the movie itself!!


The type, the graphics, the styling, the animation-- the whole thing! I also marvel at how long it must have taken the production house to create some of the creative openings...

I think there should be a new category for the Oscars-- Most Creative Movie Title and Credits award. Then all these creative designers and animators would get recognized for their great work!

So, next time you watch a movie, make sure to pay attention to the opening titles and credits at the end. You never know where inspiration will hit you!

Above images are from opening credits in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Good Dog

I just wrapped up a long weekend of dog sitting for my parent's dog. I already miss her. Yesterday, after the kids were dropped off at school, I came home and was expecting to see her... but, no, she wasn't there.

I grew up with dogs, and love them. I have considered over and over again whether or not this is the right time for my own family to get one. So far, it just hasn't seemed right... and many of my friends with dogs tell me, it's a lot of work, and if I ever need a dog, I can borrow theirs...

So, for now, I'll just keep things simple, and dog sit when I get the chance. I'm sure the time will be right soon enough!

Spring Colors Everywhere

Spring has sprung in Northern California! The trees, the flowers, the warmer days. On my walks, I just can't get enough of the colors. They are so amazing and vibrant. The palette from the spring blooms above is just waiting for a project-- I'm thinking of designing a little girl's tea party in these colors. What do you think?

Enjoy the season!