A Fin-tastic Shell-abration!

It's that time of year again!  Surprisingly, I was able to pull off, yet another double birthday party for my two favorite kiddos!  This year's party was inspired by my very favorite birthday party as a kid.  My parents booked a room at the local Holiday Inn so that I could have a pool party in their indoor swimming pool!  This January baby with a swimming obsession will never forget that fun day, nor my cake: a teddy bear wearing a red and white polka-dot bikini. I wish I had a photo to share! :)

Because of that swimming celebration, I decided to book the kids' party at Emler Swim School nearby.  My son requested a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) theme early on.  Much of January, my daughter was obsessively singing with her Little Mermaid CD, so Ariel was an easy choice. :) Yep, another double-themed double birthday party.  With my girl going into Kindergarten next year, I suspect a double party next year might be iffy with many more friends to choose from.  If not, I'd say four years in a row with a double party for a boy and a girl wasn't half bad. Bring on the madness of individual parties! (Did I just say that?)

Invitations

I decided to make things quick and easy this year with a photo card for invitations.  These days it seems pretty "old school" make invitations with the convenience of Evite, but I figured this one wouldn't hurt. ;) I found the backgrounds via Google Images and came up with these.

Food

I decided not to do as much in the way of food this year, since we would be serving pizza for dinner due to the only available party time being 5:30.  I kept things easy...

- Pizza delivered for all (the Turtles' favorite food!)

- TMNT cupcakes

- Mermaid cupcakes

- Fishbowl votives of Rainbow Goldfish and blue Jell-O of 'swimming' Swedish Fish

- "Ocean Water Punch" (Blue Rasberry Mio flavored/colored water)
- Fruit tray
- Veggie tray
- Bottled water

Surprisingly, I did not find the TMNT cupcake idea on Pinterest (yet).  I found a TMNT Strawberries how-to video while surfing Google.  Dipping strawberries in green candy melts makes a great head for a turtle!  I added cut Airheads and Wilton candy eyeballs and....wa-la!  Ok, so they kind of freak me out.  They remind me of Umi, that hand character with eyeballs. LOL! Even so, they were TOO yummy!

  

I did find the mermaid cupcake idea on Pinterest.  I decided on sugar cookies rather than white chocolate as mermaid fins, so they didn't turn out quite as cute as the Pinterest ones.  However, they were still a hit at the party, and quite tasty!  I made a fin-shaped cookie cutter out of a coke can (no joke!) and made cookie fins with green sprinkles.  I frosted strawberry cupcakes with light blue frosting swirled with some dark blue icing and blue sprinkles for an "ocean" look.  I stuck in the fins to create a "diving" mermaid. The left is my "too-large" 1st batch of fins, and the right is my 2nd batch of smaller fins after re-sizing my cutter a bit.  Not perfect, but still kinda cute, right? 

Decor

For party decor, I used the following:

TMNT Decor:

- Cardstock TMNT characters for the wall

- Lime green tablecloths, plates and napkins for food and party tables (Walmart)

- Fabric masks (Party City, $1ea.) cut to a thinner shape, with an "angry-eyes" look :)

Ariel Decor:

- Cardstock Ariel and bubbles for the wall

- Ariel party plates, napkins and table confetti (Party City)

- Mardi Gras crowns (Dollar Tree) & an Ariel crown for the party girl (Party City)

Fun!

The kids had an absolute BLAST!  Kids here aren't swimming in March, unless they are taking lessons, so it was a real treat for all of them. I think all the action gave them a big appetite because that pizza and cake went down fast!

Party Favors

Both sets of favors were pretty fun this year.  The TMNT bags were made from green sacks rounded at the top, and I added masks created on my Silhouette.  I also made a sticker on the back of the bag shown below on the thank-you cards.  Each sack included:

- Foam nun-chucks (Dollar Tree)

- TMNT sticker (ebay)

- Airhead candy, mini size (Dollar Tree) 

- "Mutagen Ooze" (Dollar Tree, divided into thirds, bagged & labeled w/sticker)

UPDATE:  Interested in these masked favor sacks? Get your own favor sack printables from the ClearlyCandace Etsy shop!  They are sized to fit standard party/lunch sacks and you can opt for PDF (B&W & color) or an editable Silhouette Studio file!  Get them here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/127840680/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-masks-for  

The Ariel favors were also fun.  My daughter and I made soaps with glycerin from the craft store, which were quite fun and easy! We included party confetti and an Ariel tattoo. It made for great mother-daughter bonding time. :)  I made tags using my Silhouette using an image I found via Google Images. The favor bags included:

- Homemade Ariel glycerin soap

- Ariel Magic Washcloth (Dollar Tree) or fish squirt toy (for toddlers, 3/$1 Dollar Tree)

- Ring Pop (pkg of 4, Dollar Tree)

- Mini loofah (pkg of 6, Dollar Tree)

UPDATE:  You can now get your own non-personalized version of these Ariel party favor tags from the ClearlyCandace Etsy Shop! 

Thank-You Cards

This year, my first grader was able to write his thank-you cards for the very first time!  I should've taken a photo of each one because I just love how he writes and spells at this age! :)  I wrote quoted thank-you messages by my girl and let her sign her name.  She also added a heart. <3  I created, printed and cut  TMNT stickers (also on back of favor sacks) and Ariel stickers using my Silhouette.  I put them at the top of 4.5x6.5 cardstock (multi-color pack from Michael's) giving ample space for the message. Please ignore my terrible handwriting!

UPDATE:  Like the TMNT and Ariel stickers?  Get them all on Etsy, as well! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClearlyCandace  

I have a feeling this will be a party they will never forget, just like mine way back when. :) Whatever the party place, kind of cake or crazy theme, my husband and I truly enjoy showing our children love through the celebration of their births each year.  Our desire is for them is to feel "dearly loved" as Ephesian 5:1 says and to always know where that love comes from - Our Lord and Savior!

"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us..." Ephesians 5:1a

Thanks so much for visiting!

Keeping Him in Mind,

Fluff it. Frame it. Flower it.

Three easy creations using your leftover "Fab-Fabric!"

Howdy!  It's good to be back!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, New Year's and are staying warm this winter season.  Our weather in Central Texas is wonderful this week, but I won't dwell on how wonderful because I know there are many out there cooped due to the very cold weather!  On a more positive note, this post might be a great solution to bide a little time indoors this season. :)

Anyone have boxes or bins of extra fabric around the house?  I don't have a ton, since I'm not much of a seamstress, but I definitely have a little!  I sometimes hit the clearance remnants at JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby or Hancock's and come home with pieces of really cute fabric!  I just can't pass them up and hope to make something fun out of them.  Then they usually sit and sit in a bin.  Well, I finally got around to making something one of my fabrics!  THREE somethings, actually. :) I found this cute outdoor fabric from Hancock's.  I paid $5 for about a yard of it (a steal when it costs $15/yard or more for this stuff).  It may look familiar to some of you. :)  I'll give you a hint:  It's in my Creative Space series.  (If you missed it, you might find some ideas for a space of your own! :)  

I like to call this my "Fab-Fabric!"  It makes me smile. :) See?

Fluff It.

Anyone recall this photo? Yep, it's my upcycled chair! Notice the adorable pillow?

Well, it's a FAKE!  Yep, I'm coming clean.  I really wanted a cute pillow using my fabric for my chair in time for my blog post months back.  I had the fabric, but I hadn't made the pillow.  SO...I made a quick decision and wrapped the fabric around my daughter's doll pillow and taped it in back with masking tape. LOL! Hey, it did the job, right?  Well, here it is, 2013 and I'm ready to get REAL... 

I found this "LOVE-ly" little fleecy pillow on clearance ($3.50!) at Ross.  A much better size and shape pillow for my chair. Score!

Now to cover it.  I searched and found what seems to be the most popular way to recover a pillow: an envelope pillow cover!  You can make and replace them whenever you want a change - Brilliant!  The Decorated House blog has a great little tutorial that highlights Mary Dobson's Five-Minute Cushion method. There's no way it's 5 minutes, but it's definitely the fastest pillow cover I've ever made!  If you have a sewing machine, it's definitely quick.  It just requires two hemmed edges and then two pillow sides stitched since the fabric wraps around with an envelope opening in the back.  This is soooo much smarter than stitching 4 sides and 2 separate pieces!  It's also very easy for those those non-seamstresses like me.  Hand stitching and Stitch Witchery will probably work, too, but a machine will save many more minutes!  :)  So, what do you think?

My chair is now complete with a new pillow with a real sewn cover!

I heart this.

Frame It.

After my pillow-making, I had more Fab-Fabric that I wanted to add somewhere else in the room.  I had found some old white frames in a closet and the light bulb came on: "I'll FRAME IT!" :) I removed the glass and got to work with my scissors and Tacky Spray.  I spray-glued the fabric to frame insert and trimmed the edges.  I also had a cheap ($1), flat metal cross on hand that I'd picked from a craft store one day.  After a 10-second black spray paint session + a little dry time, I created this using more Tacky Spray. You like?

It took me a whole five minutes to make!  It cost me $1 (cross) since I had all the needs on hand.  I'm very pleased with my second flash of Fab-Fabric in the room on my hutch!  Even more I especially love that it represents my Lord and Savior!

Flower It.

I happened to be browsing Pinterest the same day I'd framed the fabric and came across the cutest thing!  I saw these cute flowers made of a similar grade of fabric, so I just HAD to make one! It would be a perfect and easy embellishment using my last strip of Fab-Fabric.   

These were made by Emily of Jones Design Company.  Her simple tutorial and free printables convinced me. :)  I found a white button in my sewing box and got to work!  

A little cutting, a little needle and threading, a little hot glue, and......DONE!

This one was REALLY easy. I did it while watching some Netflix! :)

$0 to make this one.

It's the perfect 3rd and final pop of my Fab-Fabric in the room for my bright pink IKEA lampshade.

Guess what?  I'm out of Fab-Fabric!  It's bittersweet.  I now have a little more room in my fabric bin.  Having glue, spray paint, an old frame, a needle & thread, and a button meant I spent $9.50 total.  A stocked creative space comes in handy. ;)  I hope you enjoyed these three little creations and maybe got inspired to do one (or more) of them.  I promise you can do it.  I am all about EASY DIY, so if I can make it, anyone can.  

In the spirit of creations, may we all be reminded that we are God's creations, made for a purpose.

"For we are God's workmanship  created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10  

Thank you, Lord, for creating me in Christ. Help me to do your good works to the fullest! 

Keeping Him in Mind,

The 2012 Adventures of Kelvin T. Elf

Merry Christmas to you and yours on this blessed day as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Kelvin The Elf, our family's Elf on the Shelf returned this year for some fun, new adventures!  You may recall Kelvin's 2011 Adventures post last year.  Well, once again, he's had a blast in the Baker Casa this month!  Below is our photo diary of the Kelvin's 24 days of December, which were posted daily on the Clearly Candace Facebook Page (come Like it).  My family and I hope you enjoy Kelvin's 24-day adventures this year.  Again, my apologies for not choosing to use my Nikon for these.  The iPhone is just too handy to quickly post pics!  That, and I'm a lazy uploader).  ;-)  Enjoy!

December 1st

Kelvin Returns!

December 2nd

Aerialist Extraordinaire 

December 3rd

Movie Date Night at CinePad Theatres

(Reunited and it feels so goooood!)

December 4th

ELFigure 11

December 5th

Mission: Six Pack

Kelvin To The Core

 

December 6th

Tub Time: Phelps-Lochte Style!

December 7th

"What a Hunk!"

December 8th

HeisMANZIEL

December 9th

"Congrats, Johnny Heisman!" 

Your Biggest ELF Fan,

-Kelvin

December 10th

"She said YES!!!"

December 11th 

(choose your favorite)

"I'm gonna be the realest elf these kids ever seen!"

"Hey, Ima elf, not a mind reader."

"We got elves that are 10 foot tall and bulletproof!"

-Uncle Si the Elf 

December 12th

Pacquiaoing

December 13th

Definitely Down (Dog) with Yoga

December 14th

"Impressive. Most impressive. The Big-Jolly-Wan has taught you well..."

-Vader

December 15th

"Merry Christmas, Clark!"

-Cousin Kelvin

December 16th

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm tellin' you why. Kelvin's Facebook stalk-iiiing you now!

December 17th

K: "I dedicate this house to the Princess Family Christmas."

or

Aunt B: "Is your castle on fire, Kelvin?"

K: "No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights."

December 18th

"Life is hard, Pilgrim. It's even harder when you're stupid."

December 19th

Silent But Nosey

December 20th

"I am one Happy Camper! Well, except for that 'two separate tents' thing..."

-K

 

December 21st

"This looks dangerous??  Baby, I don't burn, I bronze!"

December 22nd 

"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"

- The G

December 23rd

"Bring on January 4th! Whoop!"

December 24th

Born is the King of Isreal

December 25th

"Peace, Love & Gig'em!  Cya in 2013!"

Thanks for visiting!  Kelvin's last words are true.

May we all proclaim the words of the angels to the shepherds on that very first Christmas...

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." -Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas!  Have a blessed day!

Keeping Him in mind,

For The Kelvin Fans...

Howdy!

I just wanted to give a big shout-out to all the Kelvin T. Elf fans out there! Thanks for all the love (via the blog, Pinterest & Facebook) this Christmas Season!!

If any of you were wondering what Kelvin's been up to THIS year, you can find out daily by liking the Clearly Candace Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/clearlycandace) and/or by following @Clearly_Candace on Twitter!

He's definitely been busy! :) And like last year, I'll post his 24-day adventures for 2012 soon after Christmas!

Enjoy this blessed Christmas season! And as fun as Kelvin and the Holidays can be, let us not forget to keep our focus and center our season around the One True Reason for the Season: Jesus.

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21

Merry Christmas!

Keeping Him in Mind,
Clearly Candace <><

The Dismal Before, Spectacular After Contest

Ok, I just had to share!  A few days before starting the Lost in Creative Space blog series, I took some more photos of my finished space.  As I looked through the pics, I remembered that I wanted to post my furniture pics to Rust-Oleum's Cabinet Transformations photo gallery.  Initially, the product hadn't really been used on furniture, so I wanted to share my results on a laminate wood office suite.  (Since then, they've come out with Furniture Transformations, but alas...)  When I landed at Rustoleum.com, the homepage was highlighting a contest -the "Dismal Before, Spectacular After Contest" sponsored by Rust-Oleum and HGTV for makeovers their products.  I clicked through a few of the entries and decided, "Hey, why not?  I've got the photos ready!"  So I submitted these:

One month passes...I had totally forgotten everything about it.  August 14th - during "Throne" week:  I see a missed call, a voicemail notice and this email on my phone:

Are you kidding me??!!  Is this for real??  I won??  I WON!!  This was such awesome news, I didn't know what to do with myself!! :)  I immediately responded via email with all the appropriate information.

Well, I guess it must be "for real" because look what the FedEx man just brought me!!

{SQUEAL!!!}

Well, I guess it's a good thing I decided to enter!  This pays back almost 90% of what I spent at Home Depot on the room!  Sweet!  On to my next project, right? :)

I just had to share that awesome news after finishing the series - coincidental?  Perhaps, but I think there might be more to it than that. :) 

If you have not seen the series, feel free to check out the following posts. 

Lost In Creative Space
Part I - Office Furniture Revamp 
(office furniture updated with Rust-Oleum's Cabinet Transformations!)
Part II - Green With Envy (wall color)
Part III - Order with Pop (organization of the space)
Part IV - "Throne" Away (trash to treasure office chair)
Part V - Finishing Touches (decor and accents)
Part VI - The Final Reveal (before and after shots)

As exciting as winning a prize is (and I never win prizes), there is an eternal prize that I must keep my eyes on...

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus. 
- Philippians 3:12-14

And once again, thanks for visiting! 

Keeping Him in mind,