HGTV Feature

Even know I've been blogging for a long time (5 years), I still get excited about being featured on another site. It's still a big deal for me and I try not to take it for granted. Today my candy favor tutorial is being featured in a photo gallery of 10 Party Favor ideas on the HGTV website. If you get a chance, stop by and check it out.

Lego Birthday Party

Lego Cake by Auntie Susan

Over the weekend we celebrated my son's birthday. As you can see it was Lego themed. I had grand plans for a superhero/comic themed party but he wanted a Lego party so that's what he got. I miss the days when he was younger and I could decide for him. But after all it was his birthday, not mine.

Below are a few pictures from the party.

I kept the invitations simple this year and created a Lego head shaped invitation. I designed the invitations with the Silhouette Studio software and created it with my Silhouette SD. I'd be happy to share the template with you guys, I'm just not sure how to. If anyone has any knowledge of the best way to share a template, let me know.

I made a banner with a Lego font I found via Tip Junkie.

Top left corner: Goody bag - idea via Homemaking Fun , Top right: Lego tattoos that read "Born to Build", Bottom: Lego candy with packaging I designed

Tattoo template for personal use only

Click on image, right click, copy, save and print. I made the tattoos about 1" x 2" in size. I used the Silhouette tattoo printer paper to make them. The tattoo printer paper doesn't have to be the Silhouette brand, that's just what I used.

This giant Lego head doubled as my son's gift and the table centerpiece. The Lego head is for sorting and storing Legos. I found it on Amazon if anyone is interested.

See that utensil holder in the picture; I made it. I really try to use what I have around the house before I start buying stuff for any party. I just built the utensil holder with my sons blocks. And if you're wondering, I did sanitize it after I made it. After all, those blocks have been played with a lot.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the party :)

Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab Giveaway

Creativity For Kids sent me one of their Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab kits for the kids and I to check out. I was pretty excited about it because it was a craft kit that appealed to BOYS. I also knew both kids would like it because it contained shrinky dinks which we craft with regularly.

Here's why I liked the kit:

My kids (ages 5 & 7) could do most of it on their own. Of course, I had to shrink the monsters for them in the toaster oven.

Even though it was a kit it stilled allowed them to be creative. They could color the monsters anyway they wanted and there were other fun things to decorate the monsters with such as pipe cleaners, colored brads, and googly eyes.

This kit was a life saver when I was sick. Seriously, I'm not making this up. I was really sick a couple weeks back and could barely move. I got this kit out and let the kids go to town coloring the monsters. It kept them busy for a good hour and kept me resting for an hour. Which brings me to my next point. . .

There's enough craft supplies in the kit to keep two kids busy creating. Maybe three if your children are good at sharing.

What I would change

The one thing I regret was gluing the lab into place. I wish I made it so it could collapse and fold flat for when it's not being played with. Otherwise, I have no complaints.

Okay onto the Giveaway . . .

Two lucky winners will receive their own Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab. Here's a little more information about the kit:

• Includes 50+ pre-cut Shrinky Dinks, Faber-Castell color EcoPencils, brads, chenille stems, wiggly eyes and more.
• When you are finished, place them inside the 3-D pop-up laboratory (measures 16" x 7 3/4" x 6”).
• Winner of The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval and FunFare - All Stars Award
• Ages 7 and up
• $19.99

For more information about Creativity for Kids, visit their Facebook Page.

How to enter: Leave a comment with your best shrinky dink monster name. One entry per household. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. The last day to enter the contest is Friday, July 15 2011. I'll announce the winners Saturday, July 16, 2011. If I do not hear back from the winner after two weeks, I will choose a new winner. Open to US and Canada residents only.

Good Luck!

Japonizer: Japanese Background Generator

via Pugly Pixel

Japonizer allows you to create you own traditional Japanese patterns with just a few clicks. Simply choose a pattern, color and size and Japonizer will generate a background tile for you to download. What you decide to create with it is up to you. Have fun.

Patterns offered on Japonizer

Sweet Ice Cream Gift Tags

Photo by Amy Moss

Amy of Eat Drink Chic is offering up some sweet ice cream gift tags to print out for free. Use them for gifts, entertaining or whatever else you can think of. They're perfect for summer!

Side note: I've been enjoying reading all your comments on the Kinder Joy post. Some of you were even kind enough to offer to send me some. Thank you, you guys are awesome! I will slowly be trying to respond back to the comments.