Let's start at the very beginning...I like my girls' birthday parties to be as handmade as possible. It keeps it nice and low(er) key. I usually try to set the mood with the invitations. For the Wonder Woman/Superhero party, I thought about capes, lassos, or even cutting paper and making one that looked like the door sign I posted yesterday. The girls also practiced drawing a Wonder Woman image to use for the invitation like this one. I was bummed that I couldn't find or make exactly what I imagined in my head. But, time was running out and time was short, so I used the invitation that came in the One Charming Party package. I then packaged the invitation in glitter card stock to create an opening for the invitation and secured the invitation with a Superhero cut out (you could easily use stickers). The only additions I made to the invitation were: I called our home "Superhero Central" and had the parents contact me as "The Commissioner" with their RSVPs. I love little details like that; they really do make a difference. It turned out "super" cute and I ended up really liking it. It just goes to show me that, once again, it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!
Photo Barn Light Electric
Photo Williams Sonoma
Image-Lisa Leonard
Images Gia Canali
I've said it before, but I really, really mean it now. Perfection. I found this dress through Leslie's blog and I am so happy I clicked over that day because I have not stopped thinking of this gorgeous dress since. This dress was made for a wedding, by the bride! Couldn't you just die?! Perfect. The wedding looked beautiful as well. It is one of those weddings that make me want to get married (to my husband!) all over again, just to plan the perfect ceremony and party. I am seriously considering tackling a similar dress for my anniversary next year. How amazing would that be?! Inspirational and gorgeous. Definitely my Friday Favorite.
Image via Mila's Daydreams, Adele Enersen
Fairy Toadstool colored pencils. It would have been so cute to have made these from the "wooden" pencils, but I didn't realize it until it was too late. The toadstool pencils were so easy I don't even have step by step pictures: 1) take wooden buttons from the craft store, glue on the end of the pencil, 2) use tape to tape off the pencil so you can paint the bottom of the toadstool (I used a paint pen), 3) paint the top with a toothpick, 4) add dots with the paint pen.
Meanwhile, wrap a wooden dowel with ribbon, securing once every inch or so with hot glue. Tie ribbon at the top, then hot glue your tulle flower pouf on top. Instant Fairy Wand. I just found a detailed tutorial here, she explains it in much more detail.
These two low-impact crafts made a huge impact on our fairy guests. I prefer making party goodies; it's more fun than buying little trinkets and makes me feel slightly like Martha. That's it for fairy celebrations. Now, to plan a Rock Star Game Party.
I am finally decorating our master bedroom. You may recall that craft projects take me forever to complete; this project was no exception.
I have a blank wall in between the hallway door and the door leading to the master bathroom (above). I realize that the picture above jumps to the finished project, but how boring would a picture of a blank brown wall be? The space has always bugged me, what should I use to decorate there? I saw this sign in a catalog early this Spring and loved it. Not enough to pay over $100 for it, but I loved it. A few days later, I saw a tutorial on younghouselove for their subway sign and thought that method might allow me to mimic the idea of the wooden subway sign.
After sanding the wood, I painted it white to pop against the dark wall color. I used a dry brush and wiped off with a damp paper towel. After the paint dried, I selected a phrase "Every day I Love You More" and enlarged it. I printed the saying with a space for the "Love" and with the word "Love." I tried both painting the Love red and using alphabet stickers. I liked the look of the stickers better, but if you can print it in color (regular was $6, color was $64!), you would certainly save some time. It probably took me 2 months from paint to mod podge because I tried different fonts, lettering, colors, etc. If you are less...ahem, shall we say concerned with how things look, it wouldn't take you as long!
Once I was happy with the look of the letters, I was ready to mod podge. Those are not air bubbles you see, it is the wood grain underneath. I liked the grainy texture of the wood coming through my piece of paper. If you don't want that to happen, I suggest gluing a piece of cardboard or poster board underneath the paper first.
The final product.
Not perfect, but I like it-at least until I add this to the room (um, probably in its place-oops)!
There was playdough.
And painting (I taught Em how to paint dots with the end of her paintbrush; she loved it).
Playing with make-up. The girls love to play in their make-up while I put on mine. 
And, of course, playgrounds.I don't think it is a secret that I absolutely adore Karen. In fact, I don't know that anyone could meet her and not adore her. She is real, beautiful, artistic, and electric. She's just one of those people that you instantly feel comfortable around and want to be like when you grow up. Karen (very deservedly) earned a 2 book deal last year and her first book, The Beauty of Different is due to be released this fall. I've already ordered 3 copies, and not just because I am fortunate enough to be in the book. The message, that we are all beautiful is so important and so often overlooked. You can find more details about the book here and watch the trailer below. I encourage you to buy one, or ten for you and your loved ones. It is sure to become a favorite and is my Friday favorite.
