January 12, 2009

Papertrey's Fresh Alphabet

If you follow the Papertrey countdown, then you've seen Nichole's newest alphabet called Fresh Alphabet. I LOVE alphabet sets because I love to personalize cards and gifts with them. Being the *oh-so-fun* mom that I am, I'm throwing my girls and 4 of their friends a Valentine's Party....on Valentine's Day.......with a slumber party and all the fixings. Some parents are gonna owe me a rain check on a Valentine's date with my hubby.....big time!!

I wanted to start off the process by making some personalized invitations. The Fresh Alphabet was perfect!! I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to make in addition to the invites but I knew that I wanted everything to match and to be personalized. There's nothing better than receiving a card or gift item that has YOUR name on it. It makes you feel so special and I'm sure little girls love it even more!
I decided to stamp their name three times so that I could mass produce while I had the letters of the girls' names all spelled out. The Fresh Alphabet is so clean and simple, perfect for my project.

Tip: Since there are only one of each letter in this alphabet, I have a great tip for spelling out words/names. For the example above, I needed two letter *A*'s for Sarah. I simply started out by placing the *S* on the grid line block. Then I placed an *A*, then an *R*. I then removed the first letter *A* and placed it after the *R*, then placed the *H*. By placing that first letter *A* after the *S*, I was able to get the correct letter spacing that I needed. I then stamped the name Sarah, without the first letter *A*. I removed the *A* from the clear block and placed it on a smaller clear block and proceeded to stamp the missing *A*. Easy peasy!
I set my stamped names aside and went to work on the invitations. I used Nichole's Heart Prints stamp set to stamp out large hearts in Sweet Blush ink and small hearts in Aqua Mist ink. I then punched them out with the corresponding heart punches. LOVE the punches, and more should be in soon! Keep checking the website for availability.
Above are all my pieces and parts I need for my cards. I like to get everything cut and ready for mass production since I needed six total invitations. Check out that polka dot heart outline. It's from the Borders and Corners Hearts stamp set. I started fiddling and discovered that the stamped and punched hearts from the Heart Prints set mix and match with the Borders and Corners Hearts set. BONUS! I love to mix and match my sets. More bang for your buck, for sure!! For the circles, I used Papertrey's assorted circle and scallop circles in Vintage Cream and Aqua Mist. Ribbon is Aqua Mist and patterned paper is from October Afternoon.
Here's my finished invitations. They came together really quickly once I got into mass production mode. Look how the punched heart nests on top of the polka dot heart, cool huh? I used that same process to make coordinating envelopes. Wait 'til the party girls see these beauties in their mail box.
Above is a close up of the finished invites, complete with a *You're Invited* sentiment (from It's a Celebration set) above the names, a large pink sequin in front of the names and pretty Aqua Mist Swiss Dot ribbon.
I decided to make coordinating place cards for each girl to set at the dinner table. I'm giving the girls four options to choose from for dinner.....make your own pizzas, spaghetti and garlic bread, taco bar night, or all about the appetizers. They will place their vote when they RSVP to the party. Each girl will bring a food dish/item to contribute to the dinner. (I'm also having each party girl bring a $5 or less Valentine stuffed animal for a gift exchange)
For a party event, I decided to let each party girl make their own personalized Valentine bookmark. I have all of the supplies cut up and ready to assemble. Josey has instructed me to not take up too much time with stamping. Yes ma'am! The completed bookmark is for my librarian friend/mom of two of the party girls....I needed a sample. All the supplies will be adhered flat since they're doing bookmarks.

I'm also doing one more party favor for the girls to take home. I'm going to print a photo of the party girls the night of the party, using my Canon Selphy printer. Love that little machine!! While the girls are partying and watching a lovey-dovey, teeny bop movie, I'm going to assemble a cute, decorated frame for the girls to take home. They'll coordinate with all the colors I've used for my projects above.

One last thing...party decorations. Wal-Mart was setting up their Valentine aisle last weekend. Jordan and I were scoping out the fun colors. But then when I got home, I found this party article in an old issue of Better Homes and Gardens. Zoom in to read the quote:
So true and in my effort to go more *GREEN* this year, I decided that less is more. I'm going to get out my real dishes and glasses and let the girls just use them. I'll dig up lots of my wonderful Longaberger baskets and vintage tins and line them with pink tissue paper or cloth napkins. Jordan has volunteered to make hanging paper hearts and other fun decorations to place around the house.

We're going to have such a fun time! There's nothing that warms my heart more than seeing my girls having fun with their girlfriends.....all safe and sound under our own roof. I'll be sure to post more about the party in February. There's plenty of time, so I hope you consider throwing a fun party for your little kiddos....and don't forget the personalized invitations. You're kids will think you're A-OK!

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a fun mom - your girls are so lucky! definitely take a pic of your party table and post it for all to see - I *love* decorating a table almost as much as stamping.

Anonymous said...

Love the party idea.....can I come too? The girls will have a great time!

I keep checking your blog to see if you have posted any info on the fonts you used for both your holiday tag post (jelly label) and your birthday organizer post (clothespins). I would love to know what those fonts are as I love the look of them.

Thanks for such an awesome inspirational blog!

Pam

Anonymous said...

I just absolutely adore everything you do. I am already planning my son's 4th birthday in March, and the personalized invitations are such a special touch to get the kids excited for the party. Thanks for the idea.

Lisa Hjulberg said...

You are amazing, Michelle! Would you adopt me, please????

Seriously, your girls are so lucky to have a creative and enthusiastic mom like you. Your invites, place cards, etc. are amazing, as always. Thanks for the inspiration!

Justine said...

Mom of the Year!!!!! This is such a great idea. TFS

Laurie in MN said...

The party will be a blast. I love listening to the girls scream and laugh. Have fun and let them take pictures.

Zarah said...

Wow - that is just so pretty (not to mention SMART!) :D

Anonymous said...

Your the greatest mom--always doing something wonderful with the "reds". They'll remember these times long after the party is over.

These invites and decorations are just darling. Love the colors, and the mix of hearts with the dotted heart outline is really cool!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the kick in the pants to do something fun for my girl. She will love the idea of having friends over and having great ideas planned for them. My "stuff" will never be as creative as yours but that's not really the point. It'll be a fun memory for her and her friends. Thanks again. I always love your site!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea and a great post! I think you are so inspiring!

Debbie Olson said...

Mish, these are gorgeous! You are the coolest mom I know!

CherylQuilts said...

I love sleepovers! Can I come? Your daughters will have a blast!

I agree with that BH&G quote, but not just to be green...but to use some of all the wonderful stuff I have collected over time. LOL!

Michelle said...

Awesome invitations, Michelle! I do the same - a party for everything and the kids think I'm the cat's meow! But personalized invitations? - never! Great idea. And I've got a younger group of kids who will just be tickled to see their names on something. Can't wait to see the picture frames you make them - what a cute idea/surprise for them! Thanks as always for the inspiration.

snarflemarfle said...

How fun!! I should hope to be as cool...

Ellie said...

Oh wow you are one cool mom that is so awesome and such a beautiful thing to do for your girls I know they are going to have a blast and esp. all your work you put into it! :)

-Ellie

Andrea said...

I love all of your ideas! You've gone the extra mile, but in such a simple way.

Karen said...

Fabulous idea. The girls will have such a fun evening. Your husband, on the other hand, may not. If he is like most men, if his girls are happy, than he is happy. Thanks for sharing.

Norine said...

love these the colors are so soft and pretty love the brown &pink
Hugs
Norine

DeeDee said...

Oh Mish, you are the bestest Mama!!! I wish I had girls to have fun parties like that for. My boys are too big now to have parties...well not the sweet kind anyways!!! LOL!!! Sounds like you have big fun planned!! Love it!!! HUGS!!

Julia Aston said...

What a super 'Kool Aid Mum' you are! I did party stuff like this when my son was small but boys are different and he didn't appreciate much of it!! LOL!!! but I did it for me! I love your nested hearts and wonderful color combo! what a fun night for the girls - wish I was invited to a party like this!!

Dottie K. said...

Wow you're such a cool mom. The girls are going to have so much fun. Love the invites and great ideas for them to do. Love the idea of using dishes and going green. I love to mix and match things. :)

Marji said...

You are such a fun mom- I can't wait to do things like this when my little girl is older. Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful ideas- I love your blog btw!

Debbi said...

OMG So cute. You make it look so simple and fun.

You and the girls are sure to have so much fun.
Thanks for sharing
debbi

Lisa Foster said...

Ok Mish, in my next life, I want you to be my Mom! :) They are gonna have a BLAST! Love your invites and EVERYTHING you do! You are such a terrific, talented & crazy-out-of-this-world BEST MOM EVER!

StampinCathy said...

Wow how cool to have such an awesome and creative MOM! You ROCK! Make sure you share all the pics and details of this fun party.

Anonymous said...

WOW! You really are the *oh-so-fun* mom. I LOVE the invites and your choice of colors. They look like candy. YUM!

Jody said...

These are such fabulous ideas! Those would make great classroom Valentines also. Have fun at the party!

Anonymous said...

Ohhh how I wish you were my mom. Or at least the mom of one of my girls' bffs! You're the best and a true inspiration!!! I will definitely CONSIDER doing something fun like this for them. No promises but I'll be thinkin' about it!

You have already inspired me to get out my stamping stuff for them a couple of times. We have SO much fun together!

scrapanath said...

love those cards!! they are so cute!!

Anonymous said...

Wow Mish, you're such a cool Mom! Love all your ideas, thanks so much for sharing them!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your ideas!! What a wonderful party idea for the girls. I'm definitely forwarding your idea on to my sister who is a mother of 4 boys and 2 girls. My neices will absolutely go crazy over this idea.

Thank you!!

sandee jones said...

Mish, although I follow you daily, I rarely comment but these little vday invites (and the whole thought behind the event) is just so darned precious I had to tell you! LOVE them!

huntla1 said...

Michelle, what a wonderful party idea and love all of your paper work. Good luck come party day!

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft said...

What a great Mom! I can't wait until my girls are old enough to do stuff like this for them! :) Thanks for giving so much inspiratoin, Mish!

EMTsweeetie said...

Michelle you're simply amazing!! Seriously you make me want to have a baby so I can be a mom like you. I think your posts everyday are doing more to me than inspiration! Just LOVE your work!

Renee said...

How darn adorable! I love this new set from Papertrey...that's one more thing to add to my list of wants! You did a great job on all the things you made for this!

Jenn said...

Gosh Mish, this is just adorable! Great stuff!

Anonymous said...

I hope the reds know exactly how utterly cool their mom is. My guess is they most certainly do! Such cute ideas.

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

ahhhhhh Mish you are just the bestest! Ü I could pretend to be a little girl too and come. Ü

I just love reading your blog as much as I love seeing all your creations! You truly make it feel as though we are sitting together at the table with a cup of tea visiting!

I can't wait to hear all about the details later!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

oh and I LOVE the color scheme! Ü think it would work for a 14 & 16 yr old BOY party? LOL!!

Anonymous said...

I agree ~ how fun! I wish I could come too! You have the most fabulous ideas. Thank you for sharing with us!

Genevieve said...

These are just the cutest, Michelle! My daughter's 2nd birthday is coming up in March and you just gave me the greatest idea! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

What great idea's. I love your blog and your creativity. I visit here every day. that bookmark caught my eye, maybe because I am Lori too. I am like a little girl, I love seeing my name on things too.
Lori

Cynde said...

Michelle The invitations, place cards and bookmarks are so well done. I just love the whole idea you had, the color scheme, style, all of it. They are so Beautiful!!
You are a Mom after my own Heart!!! I always did and provided the "Fun" and safe house for my kids to hang out and be safe. They are both grown and out on their own now. However they have never forgotten what a "Fun" Mom I was,(well I still am.)
Your kids will remember all that you do for them forever. Even when they get to the "difficult age" as alot of Moms say. You started long before they got there!
Thanks for sharing and all the memories you brought back.
I Know you will ALL have a Great Time at what sounds like A Very Fun Party!!

Cheryl B. said...

I love everything! What a wonderful idea for a party! I never thought to let my girls have a Valentine's party. Maybe I will do the party without the sleepover.

Beth said...

I will be there! HOLY WOW!!!

Brittney

{formerly known as Bethie}

Debbi Muche said...

You are totally the coolest mom on the block...make that the "in the state"! Your girls are very lucky and I can't wait to see what the frames will look like.

Anonymous said...

You definitely win the "Mom of the Year" award! You're making the rest of us look bad! LOL!

But really, thanks for sharing all of this- it's a great inspiration. Maybe I'll plan an end of the school year bash for my daughter and her friends.... :-)

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