{Thursday Thoughts} Birthday Party Prep.

This weekend Bug will be having her 2nd birthday party!

We are just having a close family dinner with Bug's grandparents, great grandma, aunts, uncles & cousins. I still wanted to do a theme so she is having a "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Party". I wanted to share some ideas I found around the bloggosphere for her rainbow party. I can't wait to make everything and decorate!

{Sparkly Rainbow Marshmallow Kabobs}

{Colorburst Cupcakes}

{Crayon Bowl}

{Sweet Treats}

 Of course I am going to try to make her a rainbow Birthday Hat!

And I'm thinking a onesie with a circle of rainbow dots with a number 2 in the middle. We'll see how that works out. {my Cricut will hopefully help me out with this one}

I also made a chalkboard sign for the dessert table {pics to come after her party} and this subway art to frame:

I can't wait to share her party pics next week!

PS - To celebrate Bug's birthday {July 28th} I am hosting a Birthday Bash Giveaway Album on my Facebook page. It will open July 28th and close August 25th. I am still accepting sponsors so if you are interested in donating a giveaway item please email me at totshop728@yahoo.com {subject: Bday Bash} for info.

{Wordless Wednesdays} Tutu Cute!

There was a time when Bug decided she hated tutus...those days just ended!

Having fun modeling the new tutu in my shop.

She didn't want to take the new one off so I put her in her own to run around in.

{and of course baby had to wear hers too!}

{Toddler Tuesdays} Window Painting

This is a great rainy day {or in our case, too hot day} activity that the kiddos will love! Window Paint! Yes, you can paint with this on windows and it will wipe clean with a dry paper towel! {please test on a small section to be sure}

Window Paint:

1 part Dawn dish washing detergent

1 part washable paint {we used Crayola Washable Finger Paint}

Mix and paint away. 

I thought it would work just as good in the bathtub so Bug painted away and loved it! 

 
I have three warnings for this project:

1.) Make sure your children know not to paint on the windows unless you allow them to

2.) DO NOT use this on tile that has grout spaces {oops...I now have blue & green stains on my grout but Bleach will hopefully get it out. Guess I should have used this paint for the bathtub!}
3.) Put a drop cloth or old sheet by the window/glass door you are painting. It was pretty drippy.

Please link up your toddler activities and crafts below. I'd love it if you added my button too! :)

Last week Peace, Baby! Batiks shared this Blast Off! Play Group Activity that we didn't get to do, but I thought it was very creative! Go on over and check it out.

<a border="0" href="http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/search/label/Toddler%20Tuesdays" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5364300099_060910705d_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Button" alt="Button" /></a>

{Mmm, Mmm, Mondays} with Nikki from Two Sweet Potatoes

Today Nikki from Two Sweet Potatoes is sharing a homemade pizza recipe.

I am so excited about this recipe Nikki shared because I never thought I could make a homemade pizza that actually tasted like pizza {and didn't take forever}! I think this is going to be a weekly meal for us. I have to say it was quick, easy, and fun to make!

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Dough Recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/valentinos-pizza-crust/detail.aspx

 

Make this pizza crust with 1/2 whole wheat.  I like to mix mine with the dough hook in my Kitchen-aid mixer but it's not necessary. {I don't have one} Then I just cover the dough with a warm slightly damp towel and just let it sit in the mixing bowl while I prepare the sauce and toppings.

 

Pizza sauce for 1 pizza: 6 ounce can tomato paste, garlic powder or fresh minced or crushed garlic(if you have a Trader Joe's by you they carry frozen crushed garlic) and onion powder (I usually use about a teaspoon of each), either a couple teaspoons of dried basil and oregano or even better if you have fresh and you can add more like a couple tablespoons of basil and maybe a tablespoon of oregano.  Add just enough water to get the consistency you like.

 

Toppings: our favorite are green bell pepper, mushroom and pineapple.  I finely chop the toppings so my young ones are more likely to eat them rather than pick them all off.  My younger son has a dairy allergy so we use goats milk cheddar or soft goat cheese which works just as well as mozzarella.

 

Assembling the pizza: roll out your dough in any shape you like(give your little ones a small chunk to play will and roll out too).  Brush with olive oil.  Spread the sauce. Add your toppings and pop in the oven at 425 degrees for about 18 minutes on the second to the top rack.

 

Once you make this a couple times you'll be amazed at how fast it is.  {it seriously is quicker than calling the pizza place} Homemade pizza faster than your delivery place can deliver it.

 

Enjoy!

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Here is my pizza making experience:

You should definately check out Nikki's links:

www.twosweetpotatoes.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/TwoSweetPotatoes

Her shop has such a-dorable baby things {organic bibs, clothes, and more}

oneofakindbabydesign Shop Credit Winner

Thank you to all who entered to win a $10 Shop Credit to oneofakindbabydesign! I used random.org to determine the winner. Drum roll please...

Comment #22, tamiv!

 

tamiv said:

I would get the Hot Pink & Black Bow and also the Happy Birthday Bow!

Congrats! Look out for an email from me {don't forget to check your spam} and come back and let us know what you used your credit on. :)

Didn't win? No worries, there are still two open giveaways to enter.

BrendasCreativeCakes Giveaway - Baby Bouquet {Ends 7/22/11} Open to US

HappyHolmzCreations Giveaway - Spongebob Boutique Bow {Ends /15/11} Open to US 
 

Good luck!

{Freebie Fridays} Win a Bouquet from BrendasCreativeCakes

This giveaway is now closed.

Happy Freebie Friday everyone! I am happy to introduce you to Brenda from BrendasCreativeCakes. Her shop has lovely diaper cakes and accessory bouquets which are terrific for shower gifts or to welcome a new baby. Today you have a chance to win one of Brenda's Baby in Bloom Bouquets! First, here is a little about the person behind the shop:  

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

My name is Brenda and i am married with three great kids. I have been designing crafts (party favors, copias invitations, gifts etc) for family and friends and for about 15 years now and i have recently decided to share it with the world.

What made you want to become an artist? 

I was inspired because i absolutely love designing unique pieces. I am very creative and it gives me great joy to share that creativity with others.

What is your favorite item to create? 

My favorite item is my baby bouquet.

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy? 

Never give up on what you desire.

How do you promote your work? 

I have a page on my Facebook, I post on my teams, I am featured in a BNS, word of mouth is also a great promoter and with every order I attach a gift tag with my business card on the back for the gift recipient as well as one for the buyer.

Do you have any websites connected to your shop? 

Facebook.

What is the inspiration for your work?  

The slightest things inspire me. I see something that I think is interesting and I want to know more about I do all my research and I teach myself how to do. 
 

Do any of your items go toward a special cause? 

Not at the moment but will consider in the future.

Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both? 

I sell on eBay as well as being a stay at home mom however my kids are teens so are more independent. I usually work on my crafts for eBay and Etsy during the day part time (I work better when I am alone) and still have time for my household chores and my family.

Where do you create? 

I create in my smoke free home (what i like to call my office). It is a small corner in my living room.
 

What are your goals for your shop? 

My goals at the moment are to become as successful as I have been on eBay. I don't know why, but I sell more on eBay (I think not to many people know of Etsy). My goal for eBay is to reach 100 by the end of the year. I am currently at 82 transactions.

You have a chance to win a Baby in Bloom Bouquet from BrendasCreativeCakes

{gender neutral}

Winners item will be similar, not exact, to the one shown.

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

~*Visit BrendasCreativeCakes Etsy shop and tell me your favorite item.*~

Bonus Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

1.}   Heart BrendasCreativeCakes Etsy shop.

2.}   "Like" BrendasCreativeCakes Facebook page.  {and let her know @Tutus & Tea Parties sent you if you'd like} 

3.}   Vote for BrendasCreativeCakes here {2011 Coolest Theme Party Contest}.

4.}   Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons below  & post the link where we can find it. {one entry for each you complete}
5.}   Become a follower of my blog.
6.}   Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.
 

That's a maximum of 9 entries! 

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011. Sunday, July 24, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Contest open to U.S. residents only. 

 CLOSED WITH 81 COMMENTS

{Thursday Thoughts} Thank Goodness I'm Done Dating!

A good friend of mine came over the other night and we were sharing horror stories of our dating lives {mine of course are over thank goodness}. 

Here's how my worst date went:
I had just started college and was studying in the square as a band was playing. The drummer came up to me when they were done and we started chatting. He walked me to class and asked me on a date...so I agreed. We went to Fridays and right after ordering, he gives me some reason why he needs to run to the bank {he forgot his debit card and cash or something} so he said he'd be right back. Well, he took 40 minutes to come back. I had already finished my meal {like I was waiting for someone who came unprepared for a date} and went home. That was my worst date ever!

I found it funny that on the way to work the following day they were also talking about how horrible dating is. The games people play, where to meet people these days, worrying about cheating now that everything is done over a computer, lack of communication since we all text instead of talk...the list went on and on. 

If I ever had to go through that again I would probably just give up and get cats instead! I am not a bar/club person and I am not comfortable with meeting through the internet {although it has worked out for some of my friends} so I feel like there aren't many options these days. Where else would you meet someone? Maybe at work, or at a party/BBQ I suppose. 


How do you feel about the dating world these days? What do you {or did you} hate {or like} about it? I'd love to hear some horror stories too if anyone would like to share.