A thank you to Teachers

It feels a bit strange to walk through the halls of my son's middle school. Why, well because it was my Junior High when I was his age. I walk through the halls and have flash backs of the good times I had with so many friends.  I am happy to say I am still in contact (mostly because of Facebook) with the majority of that group of people. Now we are all in our 30 somethings and every now and then as I am in the school I think,  geesh...I never in a million years would have thought I would be where I am today. Its funny how life and all of its experiences change you. While a lot of me is still the same 7th grade girl I was then, there are parts of me that are still changing and have changed a lot just in the last 5 years. I guess life is funny that way. I am glad I can go to my "son's school" and reminisce and realize how far I have come and how extremely fortunate I am.

Anyway, as many of you have read here in the past year I am the PTO President at my son's school, so I was helping take care of Teacher Appreciation week this year with my good friend, Debbie, who I know from my Stampin UP! days. On Monday Debbie put together a brunch for the staff and during the week we had drawing prizes, which of course was a hit.  To finish the week up Debbie put together a sandwich buffet, while I create a dessert table with goodies that Debbie and I created. There were cupcakes, cookies, oranges and apples. Debbie made these adorable Daisy cups that were filled with M&Ms and each person received a Starbucks card from the PTO. I made a small banner, decorated the large glass jars that held wrapped Hershey bars and the framed sign saying thank you. Everyone who came into the room oooh'd and aaahhh'd and complimented on how bright and cheery everything looked.  Debbie, thanks for all of your help!  I think we should go into business together ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek.
Have a great day!!!
Pam

Happy Mother's Day

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by Beth from Sparks PR & Events about the Woodland Fairy banner I created and had listed in my Etsy store. Beth liked the style of the banner and asked if I would create one for a Mother's Day event she was working on.  I was thrilled to see Beth's final display and what was even more exciting...this display was featured on The Party Dress, one of my favorite inspirational sites this past Wednesday.

For the table scape Beth used  bright yellow branches and attached photos of Mom's and Daughters with ribbons and made an arrangement in a bright pink container. A cute addition to this table, besides the scrumptious cupcakes and Mimosa's are the bottles of fingernail polish with adorable little tags. Brilliant! This whole table theme makes me want to take my Mom and my daughter out for Mother's Day manicures!

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  I hope all you fabulous Mother's out there have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Hugs,
Pam

oh little lilly how i love you

I love Lilly of the Valley, they smell so nice and they are so sweet and dainty. This card is from Martha Stewart and if you check out her link HERE there is a template to create this card. I may just have to try this one out myself as my MIL's birthday is this weekend, actually on Mother's Day. I know she likes Lilly of the Valley, because her front porch is covered in them.

Update on my daughter, she has a sinus infection, poor little thing. She is being a real trouper, unlike her older brothers who just have seasonal allergies and are making more of of a fuss then Aly is. What can I say...typical men in training...ROTFL!

So I hope this flower cut out will inspire you to make something beautiful. If you create something come back and leave me the link I would love to see it.
Now off to play catch up...I have 60 hershey bar wrappers to make today for Teacher Appreciation lunch tomorrow...eeek!

Hugs,
Pam

Happy Cinco De Mayo

While I won't personally be celebrating Cinco De Mayo, many of you might be, so I thought I would share a freebie! TomKat who is an incredibly talented lady down in Arizona created these cute tags as a Cinco De Mayo gift. I adore Kim's design style and her always beautiful photos that she shares daily on her blog. You can check out here post and download these tags for free to use as you please as long as it is for your personal use of course.

I am off to take care of a sick little girl, this cough is getting the best of her.
Hugs,
Pam





*photo from The TomKat Studio

Thank You Citrus Style

So I have a sick kiddo, well a couple...OK all three are sick. Nothing major, just really nasty coughs and all the fun that goes with that.  That being said, here is a quick post for a card that I made yesterday while playing with Illustrator. This is a great card for anyone, especially Teachers right now as it is Teacher Appreciation Week.
I am determined to master this program whether it takes me a month or ten years. I WANT to learn it and hello...those words don't come easily out of my mouth. If I can make cool new projects using this tool then so be it, I will!

Check out my post over at Party Starters today to see what else I created with Illustrator. One word...Freebie!

Hugs,
Pam

Pretty Packaging

I was blogging about packaging over at Party Starters today and decided to show off a package that I decorated geesh a year ago already. I looked through my blog posts here and didn't see that I had shared this photo, so here it is, my pretty baby shower package.

Typically when we are off to a party I am in a hurry and find myself shoving whatever the gift is into a gift bag and hoping that the three pieces of tissue I have left on hand are enough to cover what is trying to peak out of the bag. If I had all the time in the world to decorate all of the presents that I give out I would. I mean how much fun is it to get a gift that the recipient almost hates to tear into, because it is so pretty.

This package was one that I made sure I had time to wrap up all kinds of pretty. This was a baby shower gift for a good friend and one that appreciates handmade gifts.  I went with a red and cream color scheme, because when go to a baby shower and you know the baby is a girl, EVERYTHING is pink...right?! I wanted my friends gift to be crisp and elegant looking and I think I pulled it off. Everyone one at the party adored the little baby shoe and matching card that I created.

Now you have seen these sweet Mary Jane baby shoes here on Paper Askew in the past and the majority of those were  ones (which I call the regular size) that I get from Creative Cuts and More.  Party Starters has a similar Mary Jane version, but its about 1/3 the size of the regular, which I call the Mini MJ and are available in the Strawberry & Chocolate Party Pack.  These shoes make great baby shower favors, keepsakes, or decorations.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!
Hugs,
Pam

Way 2 Go Monkey

The reason I bought these two stamp sets, "Fox & Friends" & "Picture This", because of the Monkey and the sentiment Way 2 Go. I think this monkey is adorable and the number "2" in the sentiment is in my favorite font, "Rosewood".

First I adhered the pattern paper to my 2 1/2" square of paper. Next I stamped both the sentiment and the monkey.  I then stamped the monkey again on another piece of white paper as well as pink paper. I cut out the tummy and face from the "pink monkey", paper piecing them to the second monkey that I stamped on white. Once those pieces were dry I cut out the monkey from the white cardstock leaving the tail out. So you are actually stamping the monkey a total of 3 times. Once on the card front, once on a sheet of white paper and again on pink paper. (I guess you could just leave out the second white piece, but I thought the extra pink step gave more depth) Using a foam dot I places the cut out body of the monkey to the card front overlapped where I had stamped, so that he has some dimension. Since I left the tail out you can still see it "behind" on the card front. Last, I added some twine and put all the pieces onto the pink 3 x 3 card. Voila!

These are fun to put in kids lunch boxes. Small note cards are also a great idea in a set as a gift. Teacher appreciation is next week, why not make some little notes for your favorite Teacher or Principal.

Hope you all have a wonderful day AND weekend!

Hugs,
Pam

I feel the need, the need for stamping!

I have the itch to stamp and have pulled out some stamp sets that haven't gotten dirty yet, I know...for shame! Hopefully sometime today or tomorrow...most likely Friday...I will get these babies inked up! What kinds of notes do you need? Thank you's, birthday cards, invitations??? Leav a comment and let me know,  I just might pull from some of your ideas.

Thanks for stopping in!
Hugs,
Pam

A Frost Me Give Away!

I am very honored to be a part of one of Frost Me's great giveaways. Want a chance to win my latest cake, the "Woodland Fairy" themed creation or a custom design gift certificate? Well hop on over to Kim's blog, Frost Me and see how you can win!!

This "Woodland Fairy" Paper Cake Favor set goes well with the "Woodland Fairy" Banner & Door Sign. Do you think I should create cupcake picks & candy bar wrappers to match?

 Have yourself a wonderful day!
~Pam

Happy Earth Day 2010! {Upcycled Felted Wool Spotlight}

While volunteering at school I had the great pleasure of meeting a very talented woman who also has an Etsy store. Hello...instant connection! I of course "hearted" her store as soon as I found it and adore everything she has listed in it.

Right now I am absolutely in love with this "Upcycled Cream Felted Wool Rose Pin" that she has made. These would make fabulous party favors, bouteniers for a wedding, or simply a sweet gift for someone special.