Jungle Themed Baby Shower Banner

Last month I held a baby shower in my home for a girl whose family is very special to me. It was a lovely night celebrating a very special mom-to-be and a very special baby boy.

I created this banner to decorate my mantle and needed to share it with you because it is made using the super-cute cut files by LetteringDelights.com.

BABY BOY BANNER

I used a basic pennant banner shape as the base for each panel and then used the animals from the Lettering Delights Welcome to the Jungle Cut Set. The vines on the monkey, rhino, and elephant panels are from the Nancy’s Buddies Cut Set.

I also layered together a couple of punched hearts on the rhino panel and added some gems here-and-there on the giraffe and rhino panels for a bit of sparkle.

The banner was threaded together using jute string. In between each panel I added some knotted ribbons (American Crafts) and a large wood button from the Michael’s Dollar Bins.

Finally, I wanted the banner to have a layered feel, so I created a garland of jungle leaves to hang behind it. I cut this from a tropical leaf shape (Design #12444 by Jamie Koay) I found in the Silhouette Design Store and dotted cardstock by Bazzill that I purchased in packs at the American Crafts Warehouse Sale. Nothing complicated, just leaf cut outs strung on a piece of jute. Easy peasy!

You could create a matching invitation using the Lettering Delights Welcome to the Jungle graphics or you can do what I did (because I was short on time) and find one online that coordinates. I did THIS ONE that I found from JessicasInvites on Etsy.

I also found some free printables online that I used to create labels for all the different pies I served to the guests. The font I used here is the ZP Catawampus font by Lettering Delights.

PIE LABELS

I did happen to find some coordinating Jungle Baby Shower plates (didn’t get a picture of those) at Birthday Direct (Jungle Babies Baby Shower Party Goods). Everything looked so darling together!

My favorite game to play at a baby shower is one that my mom stumbled across somewhere pre-internet days. It’s a matching game. It’s great because you’re not tasting baby food or anything disgusting like that … however, it’s clever and the guests can be involved without too much thinking power.

I hang the words and numbers to cover the words on a big board we created YEARS ago using plastic adhesive hooks. It works well, because the guests can call out a couple of numbers, I uncover them Vanna-White-Style, … if they make a match, they receive a coordinating candy bar, and if not, we just cover the words up again for the next person to choose from. Here is a picture of the board.

BABY SHOWER GAME

And here is a list of the baby shower words we use with the coordinating candy bars. The guests always get a chuckle out of how the candy bars “go with” the baby shower words.

• NURSING – Milky Way
• BOTTLE – Baby Bottle Pops
• NINE MONTHS – Rocky Road
• UMBILICAL CORD – Long Licorice Rope (these are hard to find these days, but gas stations are your best bet)
• EPIDURAL – Life Savers
• CONCEPTION – Skor
• OB/GYN – Butterfinger
• CONTRACTIONS – Whoppers
• BABY NAMES – Whatchamacallit
• PACIFIER – Ring Pops
• DIAPERS – Raisinets
• HOSPITAL BILL – 100 Grand

Finally, I always love to hand something to the guests as a THANK YOU as they head back home. This time I was expecting 40+ guests, so it had to be something inexpensive. I bagged up some Dollar Tree popcorn (yummy stuff!) and created a tag on my Silhouette Cameo using the Lettering Delights Nancy’s Buddies images. Behind the tag, I tied on a smaller jungle leaf (cut out at the same time as the larger garland jungle leaves in a space leftover on the sheet).

SHOWER FAVOR

If you have a baby shower in your future, I hope this has given you some fun ideas to get started. I always have a blast putting together parties … decorating is my favorite part! Of course! 😀

Have a great weekend!

         

I *heart* Fall Banner

I’m back with another Fall project … a Fall Banner! This one comes together fairly quickly with simple shapes and letters found on the Cricut Classic Font Cartridge, available digitally here. A Cricut Craft Room cut file for this project can be downloaded HERE in the Cricut Project Center.

I cut a different shape for each section of the banner and then used my sewing machine and brown thread to add stitching around the edges.

I punched each shape and then tied them together with lengths of brown satin ribbon. Next, I added rust colored twine and wooden buttons to each knot in the ribbon for some cozy, Fall texture!

Finally, I accented each letter with metal flowers (Maya Road), gems, and pearls. I can’t wait to add this to my mantel … and the best part is, I can leave it up from now until Thanksgiving!

It’s a Jolly Holiday

Creative Memories has a brand new Cricut cartridge out called Holiday Frames & Tags. I created some holiday themed projects using this cartridge, but honestly, this is one of those cartridges that you will be pulling out all year long.

DEAR SANTA

Use just the shapes from the tags to create accents for your page like I did with the tree and snowflakes here (snowbank is handcut).

Use the frames as a journaling spot. This cart also includes some FANTASTIC fonts!

Find the design cut file for this project in the Cricut Project Center HERE. (Note: You must own the Holiday Frames & Tags cartridge to cut from the design file.)

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY COUNTDOWN

I wanted to create a countdown that could be draped across my mantel. I cut out 12 envelope shapes, bending the flap backwards and adhering in place. this create a “pocket” for me to string the envelopes together on a ribbon. Inside each envelope are family activities and traditions that can be done on the days leading up to Christmas.

Find the design cut file for this project in the Cricut Project Center HERE. (Note: You must own the Holiday Frames & Tags cartridge to cut from the design file.)

INVITATION

This cartridge also includes a couple of rosettes! I decorated the front of this invitation with one. 🙂

Find the design cut file for this project in the Cricut Project Center HERE. (Note: You must own the Holiday Frames & Tags cartridge to cut from the design file.)

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The kids are out school at the end of this week, so I will be as busy as an elf trying to get as much done as I can before they are home. If you don’t see me around much, just know that I am working away in Santa’s Workshop! Hehehe!

Merry Christmas!

Idea for Hospital Patient

My dad had surgery this past Monday and is in the hospital recovering. This is his second time in surgery for something they don’t really know what is wrong. A little scary, but hopefully they can figure it out and get him to feeling better soon. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

The first time he was in the hospital, he didn’t have any bedside tables to put any flowers or gifts. He was in there for an entire week and we wanted to make him something to let him know we were thinking of him. So my kids and I made this banner using my Cricut Expression machine, the Hoot N’ Holler cartridge (owls), and the Country Life cartridge (Banner letters). It sure brightened up his hospital room and added a touch of personalization. I know the pictures aren’t the greatest (I wish I would have taken the pictures against a plain background), but I thought some of you might be able to use this idea for a loved one that may be in the hospital.

I cut the banner shapes from preembossed cardstock by Core’dinations (Jillibean Soup pack). I like the way it added more texture. I also used a border punch around each edge (Fiskars) to look like stitching.

Thanks for letting me share!