a pretty invitation

Recently, I was very fortunate to receive a box full of crafting goodies from the generous people at EK Success Brands. I've been super excited over these goodies and can't wait to showcase them in my regular crafting projects over the next few weeks. 

I recently made shower invitations for my future sister-in-law's upcoming bridal shower.  To add a little flair to ordinary kraft paper envelopes, I used the fancy flight border punch from EK Success LTD.

It created a delicate border, but left enough remaining adhesive to close the envelopes.  It was exactly what I was looking for: that extra "something" that the recipient sees just before ripping open their letter.  

A couple of things about EK Success punches:

1) They work-no sticking, half-punches, or metal marks

2) They come in a variety of fun, modern designs-for a innumerable amount of crafting options

3) They are reasonably priced-at around $14.99 you can't beat the value 

 

 To create these invitations, I used Photoshop 7.0, a rounded-corner punch, a hole punch and some royal blue ribbon.  I had them printed on 50lb cardstock at Office Depot.  I used post-it penscript from dafont.com.

Hope everyone is enjoying a warm, sunny day today!

an old school birthday gift: tin can telephone and a chalkboard

my good friend's son turned 3 this weekend and i wanted to give him a little "old school" fun for his birthday.  what better way to give a bit of the past than a tin-can telephone and a handmade chalkboard and eraser, right?

 tin-can telephone supplies

after gathering the above supplies, use a hammer and nail to make a small hole in the center at the bottom of 2 tin cans.  

be sure to use a smooth-edge can opener that way you can avoid any potentially dangerous sharp edges on your cans.  seriously, this is a great investment as you can now re-purpose your tin cans for a multitude of uses: baking pans, knick-knack containers, gift boxes...you name it. 

then, cut two strips of fabric that will cover the can from top-bottom and all the way around. trim off any frays and secure it to your can with matte mod podge.

allow to try.  while waiting, cut out your recipient's first initial from a corresponding fabric (like the above A's, for example). then, mod podge the initials onto the center of your cans. 

while drying, cut your string.  i didn't measure it, but you want two kiddos to be able to use the phones from the top of the slide to the bottom or from the top of the staircase to the bottom...you get the idea.  then, tie each end of the string into a knot at the bottom of your cans.

the last step is to cover the entire can with matte mod podge and allow it to dry.

now you can have a fun, echo-y conversation with an excited, chatty kiddo.

to make a handmade laptop chalkboard, i used one 11 x 14 canvas (pre-primed and purchased from Michael's) and rustoleum chalkboard paint.  i just have to say that chalkboard paint is really cool.  use it with a foam roller to get the best results.  

i use three coats of paint for a thick, durable finish.  allow to dry for three days, then cure your canvas by rubbing chalk all over and erasing it.  after curing, your chalkboard canvas is ready for any kiddo's creativity. 

for fun, i stitched a little matching eraser out of the tin-can fabric and some scrap terrycloth; i folded it and inserted a couple of pieces of chalk.  

i paired these two handmade items with a fun magnetic puzzle to add to the old school flair. 

Links:

I noticed that Ohdeedoh posted about tin-can telephones last week.  Check it out.

Parties I'm Linking To Today:
Made by You Mondays at Skip to My Lou
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

*Don't forget to enter to win this week's giveaway: 2 Free Trials of the entire HAPPYBABY organic foods product line + more! Entries close Tuesday night at 11:59pm!*

baking bread...

so, my hubby gave me the above book and knife for Christmas this year.  i really want to make bread, i do; don't ask me why it is has taken me this long to actually open the book, read it, and discover some of the other tools i need.  

now that i have acquired this list of bread making tools: 

the book

the knife

the pizza peel

the oven thermometer

and 

the dough storage container

i'm now ready to bake some serious bread. 

i can't wait to post photos of my first loaf! 

*check out the Artisan Bread in Five site for tons of bread-baking information if you are a bread novice like me.

*also check out King Arthur Flour for great ingredients, baking tools, and more wonderful baking information as well. 

begin your bread making journey with me!

or, if you are already an experienced bread-maker i'm VERY open to comments and suggestions!

Wednesday Giveaway from HAPPYBABY!

HAPPYBABY organic foods for your family are well-crafted, tasty, nutrient-packed, organic baby foods, cereals, snacks, and finger foods.  i first encountered HAPPYBABY when my kiddo was around 5 months old when we introduced rice cereal.  i immediately purchased HAPPYBELLIES organic brown rice cereal because of it's nutrient-packed formula including the DHA for brain development and the probiotics for his sensitive belly.  i wanted his first foods to be meaningful contributors to his development.  also, the canister packaging makes for easy storing and use; plus, it's tasty, which is more than i can say for most rice cereals. 

after rice cereal, we moved on to the oatmeal and multi-grain HAPPYBELLIES, which he still enjoys today at 21 months. 

HAPPYPUFFS were my kiddo's first addiction at 6 months and remained so well after his first birthday.  While there are many varieties of puffs, HAPPYPUFFS are packed with vitamins and minerals and packed in sturdy, well-designed containers that are perfect for storing toys, crafts supplies and other odds n' ends. (see here for post on using these containers)

HAPPYMELTS and HAPPYBITES are two products that my kiddo has enjoyed in toddler-hood.  He LOVES HAPPYMELTS; they are a great snack with protein and nutrients, rather than loads of simple carbohydrates.  HAPPYBITES veggie tots and breakfast pockets help me to get him to enjoy some "hidden veggies" when he otherwise balks at the sight of them. 

check out their shop to order some of these goodies, organic apparel, gifts sets, a good read and even a prenatal yoga dvd!

the giveaway

HAPPYBABY is generously offering...

2 Free Trials of their entire product line (HAPPYBABY frozen and pouches, HAPPYPUFFS, HAPPYBELLIES, HAPPYMELTS, HAPPYTOT, and HAPPYBITES)

1 FAQ on Probiotics & DHA
1 Infant & Toddler Nutrition Guide co-authored by Dr. Sears
1 HAPPYFAMILY Recipes

to win

1. Comment on this post with the HAPPYBABY product you are most interested in trying.

2. For one extra entry, become a fan of the30girl on facebook. 

3. For one extra entry, become a fan of HAPPYFAMILY on facebook.
4.  For one extra entry, follow HAPPYBABY on twitter.

5. For one extra entry, become a follower of the30girl.
6. For three extra entries, blog about my giveaway!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and your email address(just on one comment) so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open until Tuesday, May 4th at 11:59pm CST.  The winner will be selected using random.org and I will announce her/him on the30girl on Wednesday, May 5th.  I will contact the winner via email.  Thanks for entering a 30girl giveaway! Good luck and have fun!

The products in this giveaway were provided free of charge by HAPPYBABY. The above opinions are my own and not influenced by any other party.

zulily...

(pic adapted from Daily Candy)

This site came to my attention via a DailyCandy Kids Dedicated Email. If you don't get these already, sign up. I love their spam, I do. 

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