DIY Flamingo Straws

  

Wouldn't these be perfect for a 40th birthday party, or a kids' pool party?!  A while back, I made some swan straws for Shop Sweet Lulu, and they really resembled flamingos, only I needed pink glitter, feathers, and straws.  I thought I would be so clever, and just have another blog post handy someday...but all of you creative folks outsmarted me, and pinned the swan straws to your flamingo boards!  Well, here you go...I made them anyway!

Just use my swan straw tutorial, and buy everything in pink!

Sources:

Hobby Lobby - glitter (raspberry iris), feathers, pipe cleaners, 1.5" Styrofoam balls

Shop Sweet Lulu - stripey paper straws

I used pipe cleaners from Shop Sweet Lulu for the swan straws, and I just have to say that they are SO much better...much more full, and plush!  I never thought I would be raving about pipe cleaners!

  

Kitty Party ~ Part 2

This is "part 2" of Kalia's kitty party!  I took some detail shots before the big day, and just wanted to share.  Be sure to check out "part 1" for some beautiful shots taken by Dawn of Details Portrait Art. 

The Purr~fect Party

Kalia asked for a kitten party for her 9th birthday, and I wanted to make it sweet, but not too sweet!  It is one of the last few parties we will be having before the pre-teen years, so we're getting close to the time when I won't have a valid opinion about the party decor!  I also feel like this is the year when the girls are starting to distinguish between "cool" and "lame", so I figured if I added a few of the trendy geometrics, it would be the perfect juxtaposition of sweet and edgy.  The decor itself isn't exactly "edgy", but it is for a kitten party, right?! 

Each girl got a cat-ear headband and collar, and of course we painted whiskers and a nose on their faces.  I was a little worried about doing anything too babyish, but they were all thrilled to dress the part, and my husband and I got to hear lots of meow-ing for the duration of the party!  We went on a scavenger hunt for (candy) mice, and played a lot of kitten-themed games.  They also painted some cat faces I found at Michael's, and we put magnets on the back to make them somewhat useful.  We sent them home with their headbands, collars, magnets, candy, journals, and a little mouse. 

I will be sharing party "details" in the near future, so if you're interested, be sure to check back for some DIYs, individual shots of the decor, and a more detailed source list!

Sources:

Honeycomb balls & paper straws:  Shop Sweet Lulu

Cupcake liners: Cath Kidston

Photography:  Dawn of Details Portrait Art

A very special thanks to the talented Dawn, for taking such beautiful photos of Kalia's special day!  Be sure to check out her facebook page for her current photography projects and info.

Kitty Party ~ Sneak Peek!

...just a little sneak peek from my daughter's kitty party we hosted in early October!  My friend Dawn took some adorable pics that I'll be sharing soon, but until then...happy halloween!!!

DIY Halloween Spider Straws

Fall is "birthday season" at our house!  With three birthdays in two months, I highly doubt we will be adding a Halloween party to the schedule...but if we did, these fellas would certainly be invited!  Not including drying time, these took less than ten minutes to whip up, and they would be such a fun surprise in your kiddo's Halloween lunch!

Supplies:

paper straws

1.5 inch styrofoam balls

black glitter

black pipe cleaners

googly eyes

tacky & elmer's glue

sponge brush

paper plate

Squeeze a puddle of Elmer's glue onto your paper plate, and using a sponge brush, cover the entire styrofoam ball in glue.  Pour glitter over the ball until it is completely covered, using a bowl to catch any excess glitter.  Allow it to dry, then use my swan straw instructions to create the hole for your straw.  Cut six 2.5 inch pieces of pipe cleaner, and bend at about 3/4 inch to make a right angle.  Place three legs on each side of the styrofoam ball, slightly under the midpoint.  They are sharp enough to poke through the styrofoam without a tool.  Finally, use tacky glue to stick on your googly eyes!

Happy Halloween!

DIY Swan Straws

Your party seriously needs some swan straws.  What's a party without 'em?!  Ever since these little gals were born, I have had millions of ideas "swimming" around my head (I know...bad, right?!) for other styrofoam ball straw DIYs.  You just might see another one in the next few months!  To get started on your own li'l swans, head to Shop Sweet Lulu for the tutorial.