Showing posts with label Owls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Owls. Show all posts

A Sweet & Simple Baby Shower for Lil' Miss London

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Nothing says girly-girl like baby pink!
And is especially cute when paired with sweet little owls!



My husband and I recently hosted an office party "slash" baby shower for our Manager
at a restaurant in the town where the branch is located. 
Our Manager is expecting her first, a little girl, who will be named London!  
Isn't that a precious name!

I wanted to make the shower somewhat personal, but knew I was at a disadvantage and limited 
on what I could take to the shower for the lack of table room.
(...after you account for the different menus, wine list, appetizers, bread baskets and plates, etc....)
And I was working with whatever Walmart and Dollar Tree had to offer, 
...pretty much all that's available locally close to my home.

I put together a few simple, inexpensive things I thought I'd share.




The little favor bags were found at The Dollar Tree,
and spruced up with a white bow hot-glued to the girl's head.
Not an earth-shattering creation, but I thought they turned out cute! :)

The bags were filled with pastel colored Mike and Ikes, (Tropical Typhoon flavors),
also from DT.  They were really good, ...tasted a lot like Jelly Belly Jellybeans, but much cheaper!




For "corsages" for the Mom and Dad to be,
I found the button idea, below, on Pinterest.

Some of the ribbon was from my stash, some was new from Walmart.
I would've loved to have had scissors to make a pretty, whimsical edge for the circles,
but couldn't seem to locate any.

On the back, I added toggle jewelry pin backs.
Didn't want the buttons to be creased by a straight pin when attached to their clothing!







In keeping with the "pink owl theme,"
I found pink and white striped suckers in the cake decorating section at Walmart.
(In boxes of 24)

Printed off the owls onto scrapbooking cardstock, cut them out with a circle cutter, 
and hot-glued them with just a dab to the sucker.

The red-velvet cupcakes (recipe below), were baked in white liners, and once cooled, dropped in the pretty pink ones, also found at Walmart.  A ribbon tie was added to the base of each sucker.





I really wish I'd had room for a pretty floral arrangement, but instead, one of the girls from the office
bought balloons to be tied to the salt shakers along the table.  Worked out well, and afterwards, our little Mommy-to-be released them into the air.  I heard tell it may become a tradition for each birthday!




So, as I said, nothing earth-shattering...
But I do think the pink owls really made the event extra special and added that desired cuteness!  :)

Below are Owl Clip-art Images I used,
<via google images.>








I'm editing pictures now from a recent country wedding,
so I hope you'll swing back over and see those soon.
     "OWL be looking for you!"  :)



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Red  Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
(Courtesy of Paula Deen, 2007)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tbs red food coloring
1 tsp white distilled vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.  In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld mixer.  Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled.  Bake in oven for about 20 minutes (18 for me), turning the pans once, halfway through.  Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness.  Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.


Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 stick butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth.  Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated.  Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

Thriftin' is a Hoot!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

With Owls being the "in" thing this year,
I've been in search of one while on my thriftin' excursions.

Way back when, I had a history teacher who collected owls,...
WHOOOO knew they'd ever be popular again!?!



What a hoot...
I found one at a local thrift shop, $1.99.



Great price, cute piece,
but personally, I thought he needed a little makeover to "update" him,
...give a new Autumn look!



I mixed together orange craft paint and just a smidge of Annie Sloan Old White.

I figured the AS would help the paint adhere to the owl,
but what I didn't figure, was that he would come out peachy pink.

Bless his heart, that just wouldn't do...



So, I added a coat of straight orange...



And he turned out to be quite a handsome fellow,
perfect for the season.

After I take down my Fall decorations, I plan to give him a coat of AS Old White,
...he'll be ready for Spring!

And that, my friends, is why I find that Thriftin' is a Hoot!
Besides the thrill of the hunt, 
 you can experiment and makeover things that didn't cost a lot.
If they don't turn out well, not much is lost!
But if they do, it's like Christmas, ...pretty exciting! :)






My other finds for the week,
came from the yard sales Saturday...












I'm tempted to keep the Vintage Cosco Stool, 
but I think all of these finds will probably be going to my booths!



Hope you all had a productive thriftin' weekend! :)

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Linking Post To:

Thrifty Treasures   {The Farewell of the Year Edition} @ Southern Hospitality
Mop It Up Monday @ I should be mopping the Floor
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Gettin' Krafty With It @ Krafty Kat
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground


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Verse of Encouragement:

 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV



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